"Tino"

His first moments of life here on earth. My little "Bruise Face" (his first name). 8 lbs 2 oz 20 inches long. 14 inch head. He was perfect, absolutely perfect. Don't read on if you don't want too much information. The doctor said the bruising to his face was from the fast decent. I think it could have been from him holding his head inside me while my body was pushing him out, who knows? I was just grateful that he was here and healthy. The umbilical cord was wrapped around him 3 times. Once around his neck and over both shoulders and one side and one leg if I remember correctly. It was crisscrossed over his chest. The doctor was amazed that it was so long and that he made it out. One of his shoulders was stuck on my pelvic bone during the decent so the baby nurse hopped up on the bed and pushed on my pelvis to release his shoulder and he popped right out.

My three favorite men on earth (so far I hope).

Grammy came to say "hello". She was watching Nixon so she missed the birth, but I was so glad that she could be with Nixon for me.

Mommy and Daddy fell in love at first sight. Sweet little Bruise Face, well by now we may have named him Rossi.

"The Birthing Team" Brett was expected to help, and I appreciated every minute of it, in my worst hour. But Amy was amazing. She survived by death grip and everything else thrown at her. Brett said "Next time we aren't going to go to the hospital until you start throwing up." Maybe the hospital environment makes me want to throw up. Who knows, but this wasn't an easy labor. Luckily by the time I wanted the epidural I only had 20 more minutes of the worst, most intense pressure of all times. It is soooo worth it! Just look at that precious boy from heaven. So no epidural. I started pushing again before I was fully dilated. Maybe the body knows more than the nurses, have you ever thought of that? They sure make me nervous when they tell me that I had better stop pushing and relax or I am going to tear my cervix. What nerve to say that to a laboring woman, don't they know I'm in a lot of pain? The last think I want someone to do is stress me out, which results in tension, which makes it harder to relax. HELLO?!?!

Yes, it is true! We had an ocean view. It was pretty cool. But the baby view was much sweeter, that and the back of my eyelids.

I packed a book to read to Nixon in my hospital bag. I wanted to give him a little bit of mommy love since I was away from him for a few days. I am so grateful I brought the book, cuz some nights in the hospital I had horrible dreams of Nixon getting hurt, but he was safe and sound when I returned home. I love Nixon!

Uncle James and Aunt Amy holding their brand new nephew

Nixon loving on Rossi, such an awesome big brother.