Max Reed Shippen
born July 19
8 lbs. 2oz, 20.5" long
Monday night I wasn't feeling too good. It didn't feel like I was in labor, just sore and cramp-ish. I was really hoping I would have the baby soon though because I was sick of feeling so big and my due date was the next day.
Sweet Annica and Grace went around the yard picking flowers and gave this bouquet to me to help me feel better. Around 1:30 am my contractions started and they were heavy from the start. At 6:00am I woke up Scott and told him I was going to have this baby and we needed to get to the hospital.
When we got there around 7:00, I was dialated to a 5...not as far as it seemed I should be. My contractions were fast and hard and I was again going natural so I had hoped I didn't have much longer. Scott took this picture just after I'd been checked in. We thought we had a while until the baby came, but everything happened really fast after that. I got checked again an hour later and was at a 7. Ten or so minutes later the doctor left the room and Scott asked if I wanted to walk around the halls to speed things up. I stood up off the ball (those exercise balls work great for sitting on during labor) and told Scott we better not leave the room. I could tell I was close and I knew better after Benjamin's birth...he was almost born in the hallway. I had another huge contraction and told Scott to hurry and get the doctor back in. He came and 2 mins and 3 pushes later, the baby was here, an hour and a half after arriving at the hospital.
Weighing in...Max is a pound heavier than my other babies...my biggest and strongest (he's got major thigh muscles)
As soon as he was born, (as soon as all my baby's are born) I just feel total relief and tune out for a minute. I started to do that this time, but as I glanced over at the baby they set next to me, I realized I didn't know if it was a boy or a girl. I looked again and saw something between its legs and told Scott, "It's a BOY!" He was so happy, he started to cry and kept saying, "It's a boy, it's a boy!" It was an unforgettable experience.
Talking to my mom soon after...I was so excited to tell my family!
The nurses give Max his first bath. They loved how he kept making these pouty faces.
Proud Dad.
Scott is so in love with this boy.
The next morning, we came home and the kids met Max for the first time.
I have a brother! Benjamin was right all along. He said from the beginning he had a brother - in my tummy. I asked him, "What if it was a girl?" He said, "It's not - I already have enough sisters."
Max likes the pacifier the hospital gave him...takes up half his face.
Scott had fun posing him for this picture. Is that a turban you're wearing, Max?
Max's favorite sleeping position...hanging half over my shoulder.
Sleeping on my bed today...he sleeps so well in my bed of course, and wants nothing to do with his own bed. We're having lots of fun with this guy. This kids all love holding him and taking care of him. Benjamin will frequently run into the room and ask, "Where's my baby?" Scott's parents just got in town and met him for the first time today. My mom and sister, Cathryn come on Thursday. Can't wait for them to meet him! We love Max !!!
