Sunday, April 18, 2010

Isla Clayton

So, she finally arrived! Please meet Isla Clayton.
She made us a family of four on Friday, April 16. Amazingly, weighing and measuring exactly the same as Avery did: 7 lbs, 10 oz and 19 inches long.
For as long as it seemed (for me) for her to make up her mind to join us, once she made that decision, it was a "done deal." In an effort to get Baby G moving, I spent Thursday evening sitting and moving around on an exercise/birthing ball (per the wonderfully-supportive and helpful instructs from Linda), but had no contractions, etc that night.

When I woke up Friday morning and began making breakfast for Avery, etc, contractions kicked in about every five minutes, and I thought - well, OK, here we go! Then they fizzled, jumping anywhere from seven to fifteen minutes apart. (This baby was toying with me, I thought!) Around eleven a.m, they ticked back up to every five minutes, and became tougher to talk through, so I felt certain we'd be heading up to Labor and Delivery. They maintained at five for an hour, then quickly progressed to being three minutes or less apart - all the while, Ben was fighting a bad rain storm, trying to get home!


We arrived at the hospital around 1:30 pm, and I was ready to push (see told you, she had DEFINITELY made up her mind!) - from the time I got into the hospital bed, to the time Isla was born was forty-five minutes. Fast and furious - whew!

I've you've had difficult births, you have my full blessing to hate me at this point. I am lucky, but if you've followed me through this pregnancy, you also know I was very involved, informed, and pro-active about wanting as natural a birth experience as I could have while still delivering in a hospital, and I communicated this to my obstetrician. I can't tell you how much it means to me to have had those wishes respected.
More importantly, Isla is perfect and healthy - we are truly blessed.

Some highlights of the day:
Not much sweeter than a Big Sister loving "her" new baby.
Or the beam of a proud, new Daddy
And kisses from Mims...
Some of our good friends from Brazil sent us these handmade lembrancinhas - a token of remembrance of a baby's birth to hand out to family and friends who visit the new baby. I can't send you each one, but please accept the virtual gift as a thank you for all your support in reading MLHP.
We're enjoying our "Babymoon," but I will catch up soon!

P.S. - Isla is pronounced, "EYE-la" ;)

65 comments:

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

Congratulations and big welcome to Isla (love the name)!

Your little happy place just got a WHOLE LOT HAPPIER!

MFAMB said...

yaaaaaaaaYY!!! so glad your experience was a good one. she is beautiful!!! what a gorgeous family you are.
rest up mama!
xoxox
jenny

**how weird is it that my word verification is "dialater"

~Grace Happens~ said...

Congrats! She is perfect and shares my same birthday:) All the best to you and your family! xo grace

Katie (Re:fresh Design Studio) said...

Congratulations, she's beautiful! I love her name, it sounds so pretty as it rolls off the tongue! Enjoy your family of four!

Chic Coles said...

CONGRATULATIONS! How exciting and I love her name :) I have been at the hospital this weekend babysitting two kids who have a new baby sister born friday morning and another family I babysit for just had a baby girl yesterday! Baby Girls are popular around here! Congrats again to you and your family!

Jill GG said...

One million well wishes! Take care! oxo, Jill

LindsB said...

CONGRATS!!!!

What a sweet picture, she is just beautiful and I LOVE her name, like LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! Such a great choice! She is just a beautiful as her name!

mary ut/madison said...

Congrats! Pretty name! Hope you have a speedy recovery.

Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

aaaaw you made me smile Allison, congratulations, what a gorgeous little girl you have!! Gorgeous family! All the best!! xoxo

Kathysue said...

Aaaah! I am so happy for you and your family. She is a beautiful,healthy baby girl. Welcome to the world Little Isla!! Hugs Kathysue

susan said...

Get prepared--she may be headstrong for the rest of her life! She (and her name) are beautiful! Thank you for sharing this happy moment! Take care!

Stephanie Sabbe said...

yay! congrats! love the name, and the big sis is the cutest thing I have ever seen....tongue out with excitement:)

My Notting Hill said...

Congratulatons! She is so pretty. Avery looks live a wonderful big sister too.

Katie @ Noodle and Boof said...

CONGRATS!! She's gorgeous! I'm thrilled everything went beautifully!

The Townhouselady said...

Ohhhhh, she is so lovely. A huge congratulations to you and your beautiful family. I'm so glad you had such a good birthing experience.

All the best- The Townhouselady

Averill said...

Congratulations Alison! I'm so glad everything went smoothly and that you're blessed with a second, healthy baby girl. And I love the name!

Jess said...

Congratulations!! She is gorgeous and your family is just so sweet :-) Love the name-- I'm glad you went with that one!

bluehydrangea said...

Allison, congratulations!! She is just beautiful!! I am so thankful you had an easy birth. The family picture is too cute for words!!!

Jana said...

Congratulations!!! She is just beautiful!!!

Laura said...

Congratulations on your new addition! What a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl. Wishing you and your family all the best!

La Maison Fou said...

Congrats!
Aaah yes, girls are so special!
Enjoy it; it goes by so quickly.
Diapers, diva, dresses, & drivers license, then drama.... drama......

Have a fun time with your little new one.
L.

High-Heeled Foot in the door said...

Oh woo hoo! I was waiting for this post. So excited for your whole family. Love, love, love the name that you went with and Avery looks like she is being an excellent big sister.

xoxox,

Camila

Anna White said...

Oh Alison...Congratulations on your new addition to your gorgeous little family...what a little cherub!! I got a little teary eyed as there was so much joy in those images...just beautiful!! Sending lots of hugs your way. Anna xoxoxoxo

R. J. and Heather said...

so glad you added the p.s. to this post! Congrats!

Kirsten said...

Congrats again! The pictures of the whole family are so sweet. Sad we're not going to meet her, but glad you all are safe and sound.

GrannySmithGreen said...

YIPEE! She's here! Congratulations on the arrival of your precious second child. I'm so glad that the birth went as you had wished. Praying that you all are getting plenty of sleep. Treasure those tiny baby moments! Yeah Isla!

sara said...

Congatulations! Beautiful girl, beautiful name, beautiful photos. :) That first picture is my favorite, what a beautiful, happy family of FOUR!

Alexandra Rae said...

Congratulations. I'll say a little happiness prayer for her. So glad the birth was that perfect for you. She is just beautiful. You will love raising sisters. It is the sweetest (most of the time) bond. And it makes all that girly stuff twice as fun. I never had one so I remind my girls every day how lucky they are. Enjoy your lovely family!

Emily A. Clark said...

Congratulations to you and your beautiful family. That first family picture is priceless!

Lindsey E. said...

Tears in my eyes!! I'm so glad precious little Isla is safe and sound with her wonderful family! I knew it had to be fast because I hadn't heard you were in labor and the next thing I knew she was here! What a blessing! Enjoy this sweet time and keep us posted.
Love, Lindsey

Karen said...

Congratulations! She is a beauty.

Krystle said...

Congratulations =) She's beautiful!!

Jaye said...

Congratulations! So happy that you had a safe and healthy delivery. Many blessings to you and your family. Love your "new" daughter's name!

Jaye Clayton

Bailey@ peppermintbliss said...

Preshness. I love Isla Clayton. And her sweet sister! Good job Momma (and Dad) you two make some gorgeous babies!

Anonymous said...

Congrats!!! I love the name!

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

Congrats on the beautiful new addition to your family. Enjoy the babymoon and hope you are able to get some rest.

Victoria said...

Congratulations! Isla is beautiful!!

Lizzie said...

Congrats! She's beautiful!

pve design said...

congrats to you. love to send you a little something for your over the moon lovely baby, Isla.
you can e-mail me your address.
pve

anita said...

she is gorgeous!! so happy for you and your quick delivery.
*love* her name!!

3StinkyBoysAndMe said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! She is such a cutie pie! I hope your healing well and feeling healthy.

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Isla! She is a beauty...perfection in every way! Wild that she was the same weight and measurement as Avery!

You did a beautiful job, Mama...beautiful!

Kwana said...

She is so beautiful. Wishing you and our family much happiness.

Lauren said...

i am so haPPY FOR YOU AND seriously TEARY!!! what a great experience and she's beautiful... i love her name.
xoxooxoxooox
lauren

Tricia said...

Welcome to the world sweet and beautiful Isla! I love her name.

Congrats Alison and yes, I was hating on your quick delivery for just a brief second, but my 43 hour labor was over 6 years ago so I must move on. :)

Big hugs to you all~
Tricia

Jennifer said...

how wonderful! congratulations!

Southern Aspirations said...

Oh congratulations! I'm so happy for you! Have a fantastic time with the newly expanded family. And I love her name as well!

And how cute is big sis?

Pink Wallpaper said...

how did i miss this??!! so happy for y'all!! and that first picture of the four of y'all is priceless.

Design Actually said...

Congratulations, she is beautiful!

MB said...

Congrats on having such a sweet little one! Isla, what a lovely name.

Domestic Ease said...

Congratulations!!!

tarheel said...

Congratulations! She is beautiful!

Matters of Style said...

Congratulations on your gorgeous baby! Glad everyone is doing well!

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

She's lovely, congratulations!

benson said...

happy baby! congratulations to the entire family--enjoy her!

Erica Cook said...

Congratulations! She's beautiful! Love the name Isla. SO pretty. Fantastic blog too... looking forward to visiting often. xo Erica

http://moth-design.blogspot.com/

Minnie said...

Oh my gosh, she is absolutely adorable! How wonderful that your wishes for childbirth were respected. It makes all the difference in the world. Congratulations!! Best wishes for a hopefully not too rough a period of adjustment with the new baby and some rest for you. I love her name. Unique and beautiful.

Eliene Vila Nova said...

Oi
Parabéns.
Minha querida saiba que sou muito fã do seu blog e estás de parabéns pela linda família que tens.
Saúde.
Beijos
Eliene Vila Nova

Sarah Ring said...

Enjoy you wee one! She is gorgeous and the name is perfect!

Hardwood laminate floors said...

She is like an angel. Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your safe and natural delivery! What a wonderful addition to your family!

Carolyn said...

How have I not seen this post until now? So beautiful! And I love her name! Congratulations on a happy family of four!

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Alison- Congrats. Such an exciting time!! She's beautiful.

Creamy White said...

Parabéns!!!! Que lindo bebê!!! Yes, I was born in Brazil but live in Canada for the past 14 years. I just found your Blog through Mama without borders! How lovely you had a good experience on your child birth. I had 3 very diferent experiences, believe me!!!
All the best for you and your family and I~ll be you new follower and excited to read more of your life experiences! Congratulations and all the blessings for you and your family!
Beijos,
Li :-)

decorative moldings said...

Congratulations! She is so beautiful.