The New Arrival

As the new aunt (for the 27^th time), I believe I have the duty of posting the first blog about my favorite little neonate! On Monday, June 8^th, T. H. Strickland came into the world. He was born at 2:23 pm and weighed in at 8# 5oz (I won, Peanut) and measuring 20.5” in length.

I was lucky enough to get to come down with Mom to TN on Saturday. Not only the Stricklands, but Peanut was also at the airport to pick us up. Despite the readiness of the whole crew to throw a party, TH was waiting for his time. However, he lost his opportunity as Monday morning and the scheduled induction rolled around.

AM was pretty much wonderwoman (uh!), enduring the contractions and increasing pain with the help of a lot of counterpressure, encouragement, and massages from her doula. It was a really amazing experience to be there to help and see AM accomplish something she had planned and hoped for so much. This won’t mean much to those with little birthing experience, but literally only 11 minutes passed between the nurse checking to find she was 6.5cm dilated and TH’s birth. That is so fast! So apparently he was fine with taking his time, but AM maintains her rocket-speed birthing record. I hope she teaches me her uterus exercises sometime… It was pretty funny that the doctor barely ran into the room just in time to catch the baby. I think that’s fitting, as AM was born before the doctor made it in to help Mom years ago. It was also great to see what a great team AM and Tober make, because he was helping in every way, large or small, possible. Thanks so much for letting us be there for such a special miracle! Congratulations!

To see the photos, check out this album: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=sueyhoney&target=ALBUM&id=5345912216653034097&authkey=Gv1sRgCN_VyICOjIu_iAE&authkey=Gv1sRgCN_VyICOjIu_iAE&feat=email. I love the photos with Grandma and siblings!!