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!

The Final Stretch

Here I am at 36 weeks pregnant. Now I'm a few days shy of 37 weeks, which means I am full term. Yahoo! I keep hoping maybe baby will decide to come a bit early, but Doc seems to think he'll come right about on time. Daddy Doc also would prefer this, as it would work best for us all, I'm just being a bit selfish in my hopes. Doc also estimates baby to be born at around 7 1/2 to 8 pounds, which I was also somewhat selfishly hoping our baby would be a tiny little thing that just came out all smiles and rainbows. Oh well! At least he isn't likely going to be a ten pounder, says Doc.

I wanted to record some moments of my pregnancy, before I forgot about them. First of all, I have to say, being pregnant has been an amazing and unique experience. I'm sure I've already said that before. And even though I really don't like being pregnant per say, I am very greatful that I have been able to have this experience. One of the most amazing things about being pregnant is how much it unites you with other women. You know, a good chunk of the world will have this experience at some point in their life, yet it is such a unique and intimate thing, and you almost feel like its never happened before, but its so common at the same time. Its amazing to have something in common with so many strangers, and I have noticed women are very eager and open to share their experiences with you. This can be good or bad. I have heard a lot of scary stories. Ha ha! But it is kind of bonding in a way too. Its also funny to me how all of the sudden all modesty and privacy about your body also goes out the window. Its like talking about cracked nipples and how far dilated your cervix is is like sharing recipes or recommending a new movie. But the most interesting thing about it to me, is that even though we all share in this common experience, no two people have the same story to tell.

Luckily, after hearing many horror stories, I can say my pregnancy hasn't been that bad. Not that I have enjoyed it by any stretch of the imagination, but I can't complain too much.

In addition to scary things I've had people tell me, I have had some pretty dang funny comments too.

One of my friends little 4 year old boy asked me, "Laurie? So that baby in your belly, How does he come OUT?" Hmmm.....well....uh...... ha ha. Luckily his mom was there and we both kind of gave him the very basic version of the story. He looked at us, wide eyed with look of disgust and said, " Whoa. Thats WEIRD." You're telling me kid!

Another little girl in primary who is about 5 or so said to me, "You have a baby in your belly!! Can you take him out before church is over?" To which I replied, "No, he is still to little, he needs to stay inside." Then she said, "When you take off your belt, are you still fat?" Me, "Yep, Unfortunately." Her, "What about when you put on your jammies at night? Then are you still fat?" Ha ha! I think this is the first time i have ever been called fat. Luckily I didn't take it too personally and I got a pretty good laugh out of it. Man I wish this was just a fat suit I could unstrap at night.

Perhaps the most comical comment came from a truck driver at work. Now not to stereotype, because there are a lot of very nice truckers that have very good people skills, but this particular trucker did not happen to fall in that category. I was filling out some paperwork for him and I stood up. He obviously hadn't noticed my "fat suit" previously and was struck speechless, until he said, totally seriously I might add, " Oh my, you're overweight." Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's not the right term for my condition dude.

Now I shall leave you with one last amusing story. I told my friend Tasha this story and she made me promise to put in on my blog. So one night Clint and I were taking a nap together on our couch. (We have made a bad habit of falling asleep on the couch after dinner) And all of the sudden Clint wakes up and touches his hair, which is wet. He is a little confused and says, " Why is my hair wet?" In my state of sleepy delirium my first response was "Oh my gosh! Did my water break???" Well nope. It turns out I had just been drooling in his hair. HA HA HA. I don't know why I would have thought my water had broken and only gotten his hair wet, but I did. I'm telling you I get a little kooky when I am prematurely awoken from a nap.

Well thats all for now for my pregnancy memoirs. Wish me luck! Baby Boy Allred's arrival is just around the corner.