Happy Birthday Ronald Winston Lawler

Well, what an amazing two days! We are so happy to announce the arrival of our baby boy!

Named after his Grandpa Lawler, Ronald Winston Lawler is the most beautiful, healthy and happy baby we have ever seen! He was born on Monday, September 24, 2007 at 1:54 am weighing 7 pounds 14 ounces and measuring 19 3/4 inches.

Mom and Dad couldn't be more happy! And healthy! The story goes as such...

Saturday night, I finished my work at Potager restaurant by bartending from 6pm to 9pm, working as hard as my pregnant figure could and saying goodbye for now to regulars and co-workers.

Sunday morning I woke up and had a great breakfast, went on a walk around the block and by noon was having mild contractions every 15 or 20 minutes. Then, as the day progressed so did the contractions. We decided to skip a party we had planned on going to (!!) and stayed home to rest and eat. Well, by 4 or 5, it was apparent I was in labor!

Our friend and birth assistant Ionah came over around 7 or so and we were leaving for the hospital by 8:30. When I was admitted to the hospital at 9 pm, I was already 5 cm dialated and still felt great!

We hopped in the jacuzzi bathtub for a bit, then on to the labor bed. The rest is history! Ronald was born 4 hours later to a calm (relatively!) and drug-free mom!

The hospital staff at St. Joseph's was AMAZING! They were totally supportive of our natural birthing wishes and were in awe of how relaxed and calm the environment was. The hypnobirthing really does work! I really felt no "pain" until the little guy was just about to come out. But, still, I was able to relax enough with the help of Rob, Ionah and my massage therapist Luanne.

Because we have Kaiser, I wasn't that into getting to know the doctors because it could be any of them. So, when the doctor walked in, we couldn't believe it! She was Dr. Mary Beth Moody- a regular at the cheese shop! We didn't even know she was a doctor! It was total fate because she knew us and we knew her and we totally trusted what she was doing and saying. The nurses were so kind and informative as well.
Bruce and Jenny were the first to visit our little man! Jenny will have her little girl pretty soon, so she had all kinds of questions! She'll do great! I can't wait for Ronny and Baby Prior's first play date! (Bruce already sees the little charmer in Ronald and has warned him to stay away from his little girl!)

So, now we're home and he's still doing great. He's been breastfeeding like a champ! Every three hours or so he'll go for about 40 minutes to an hour.

Rob is amazing, by the way! He burbs and changes the diapers and then hands off to me for the feeding. In the middle of all that, he's putting together the bassinet, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, doing the laundry and bonding with his beautiful boy. I knew he was a great husband, but now I know he's a great dad too!

Ronny is doing great at home, though. We're a bit tired, so i'll sign off for now. More pics and stories of his many gifted talents to come!