Welcome to the World, Thomas Reddick Allred!

What a sweet boy!

I just love Thomas's big wide eyes! What a cutie!

Starting to get very sleepy...

Check out all that hair! So cute!

Thomas has so many cute little expressions!

Here's little Thomas at the hospital! So cute! He really didn't get too bruised or swollen or cone heady. He just looked adorable to me!

Our first family portrait! I love my family!!! We are very happy!

Thursday February 17, 2011 Thomas Reddick Allred came into the world and our lives just got a whole lot more exciting! He weighed in at 8 lbs and 7 ounces, one big baby boy! Poor mom! But really the whole birthing expirience was actually really positive. I woke up around 2 am and started noticing contractions, but they weren't too regular. By the morning I they were much more regular and starting to get a bit painful. Since it was Thomas's due date, I had a doctors appointment that morning at nine. I was hoping the doctor would tell me I was in labor, because I really didn't know how to tell for sure. I described my contractions as bad menstral cramps, and doctor said they will be a lot worse then that, so I thought maybe what I was having were more braxton hicks contractions. So we scheduled an induction for the following week, but I really still thought that Thomas was going to be born within the day. So I went home and decided to watch Waitress to help numb the pain. It kinda worked....but by this point my contractions were every three and a half minutes apart and really starting to hurt. I didn't want to go to the hospital until I was sure, because I didn't want to get sent back home. So I put on another pregnant themed movie, Juno. I really didn't get too into it, because I was really just in pain! So I called Clint, and he suggested I talk to one of my girlfriends to describe the contractions I have having. I called my friend Brittney who basically told me I was in labor, but if I wanted to wait it out I could come hang out with her and her kids, but at this point all I wanted to do was lay in the fetal position. So I called Clint home so at least I wouldn't be alone. It didn't take long for him to recognize this was the real deal. So we hopped in the car and took the longest 10 minute car ride of my life. They checked me in at the hospital and at that point I was already at a 7. It was about 5:30 pm And my contractions were pretty intense and it was hard for me to focus or speak at all. Clint had to answer most of the questions the doctors and nurses were asking. And then the blessed epideral came. Let me tell you, I have a pretty bad fear of needles, so I had been pretty anxious about the epidural, but at this point I really couldn't even think about anything but my contractions, so the epidural was no big deal at all. I'm not even sure how far dialated I was when I got the epidural, because the next time they checked me shortly after I was at a ten and fully effaced. So it was now just time to push! Little Thomas didn't make me push too hard, and after a little over an hour, at 9:05 pm our darling baby boy came into this world kicking and screaming! It was amazing! Our lives would never be the same in that minute, and it was really overwhelming and just truly amazing. The nurse washed him up and at first she thought little Thomas was a ginger! (red head) but we were okay with that :) but he has a nice full head of beautiful light brown hair. He took to breast feeding right away and has been a really great little eater. We are so lucky!

Now that we have had our little boy for a week, I can honestly say I've never been happier. I say this and right now it is past noon, I have not showered, brushed my teeth and I am going on much less sleep then normal, but we are so happy and just absolutely in love with our little Thomas. He is the most precious and sweet little baby and we have enjoyed ever minute of being parents. ( Well except those minutes of projectile poop, but even that isn't SO bad )

Clint has been able to take the week of of work and he has been the most incredible patient and helpful husband and father. Thomas and I are so lucky to have him. He has been working around the clock taking care of us both. Having a newborn baby is a full time job-for two people! Clint even went to the library and checked out the Gilmore Girls on DVD for me so I have something to do to pass the time during feedings. What a sweetheart. It will be nice when Thomas is a little stronger and I a free hand to read books or things. But its been fun watching my show too :)

Last night, during a rare quiet down period the three of us sat down and read our scriptures together. And even now I get a little chocked up, but I was just hit in that moment, reading the stories of the Savior to my son and husband, I realized my life was so richly blessed and that I couldn't want for anything. And it just made me cry. I am the luckiest girl alive! And I love being a wife and a mother more than anything.

Thomas also had a cousin born just short of a week later, and Baby Jonathan also came on his due date! We are very happy for Sarah & Jeremiah and again, so greatful for the knowlege of eternal families and the wonderful blessing they are. Welcome to the world Thomas and Jonathan!