AlrikMay 21, 2011
2:25 a.m.
8 lbs, 8 oz
21 inches
After about a week of warm-ups, I started into what I figured was real-live contractions on Friday afternoon. Alrik was born, after about 10 hours of labor, unexpectedly and joyously, into the water, into his father's and my arms, about 8 minutes before the midwives arrived.
As Sam put it: Last time we called them too early. This time, we called them too late. At least our average is good!
So far, all is peaceful on this babymoon — Alrik's got a tremendous latch. Maybe because of his gentle entrance, he's been sleeping up to 6-hour stretches and just generally being an easygoing sort. As Sam and I were saying to each other, just imagine, if we'd had him first, how smug we would be about how easy babies are — and imagine how many more kids we might have by now…
Mikko is doing fabulously so far, considering this major shift. He slept through the birth, downstairs on the sleep sofa with his aunt. (I take it this was a rare cosleeping experience for her — she marveled at how our little wiggle worm was able to turn a full 360 degrees over the course of the night. Raw talent.) He gave the baby his gift and received one in turn from Alrik – quite skeptically, it should be pointed out, because how could Alrik have driven to the store? As Mikko put it, "He no have a steering wheel in his car seat." Both boys have taken to tandem nursing, and I have no doubt my milk will be in in no time.
Alrik looks a lot like Mikko — only so much smaller, like Mikko Lite. Sam and I just keep staring at him — the visible ribcage and spine, the lack of caterpillar segments in his arms, his long, skinny fingers, and saying, "He's so leeetle." He's swimming in his small-size diaper covers, since I didn't bother to stock up on newborn sizes. I'm sure he'll plump up soon, anyhow.
The labor was fast and intense — at least, transition and pushing were. I kept not being sure that's really what that was … until a baby came out!
It's hard to type one handed, as I now remember. I'll have to write the full birth story soon, but for now, here are some pictures.
Welcome, little one.
I'm Lauren Wayne, writer and natural parent. I embrace attached parenting with an emphasis toward green living. 
78 comments:
Oh!!!! Congratulations!!!
All the photos are dreamy, but the one of the two of you in the water brings a tear to my eyes, it's so beautiful and perfect.
I love his name too.
I'm so happy for you.
much love...
Yay! He's gorgeous! Again, SO many congratulations and I'm so happy for you all. <3
What a glorious day and a beautiful child. Congratulations!
Oh my gosh!!! You and SouleMama, all in one weekend, it's too much! (Tears) Congratulations!!!!!
That first photo in the water made me get a tear as well! Oh gosh, sweetest pic ever!
And I, too, LOVE the name! Great choice! (as if you needed us to tell you) ;-)
Congratulations! He's beautiful. I've got tears in my eyes.
Congratulations Lauren! He is adorable. Love the pics of you in the water with him.
Oh he is so beautiful. I'm tearing up at his wonderful peaceful entrance into the world.
Congratulations to the entire family :)
Congratulations, and welcome Alrik!!! <3
He's beautiful... congratulations!
Congratulations! Glad everything worked out the way you wanted it.
He is beautiful! I'm glad everything went so well. It really is hard to know when to call the midwives. We called at just the right time with Robert, but I kept thinking I'd called way too early! And I have no confidence at all that I'd be able to get it right again next time.
Congratulations!
What an amazing birth - and what a wonderful family you have! Alrik looks so precious! I'm just so excited and happy for you and your family! Lots of love and (((hugs))), Deb
PERFECT! XO
YAAAAYYY!!! So Awesome! Our babies were born exactly 1 month apart, too!
Congrats and enjoy that babymoon.
Yay!!! Congratulations!!!
Congratulations!! He is just gorgeous. What an exciting story, too!
Absolutely amazing...he is so beautiful and your pics are breathtaking. I'm so happy for you all!!!
tandem nursing...YAY!!!!!!!!
Congratulations!How adorable.
And the whole calling the midwife at the wrong time thing? That's one of my biggest concerns about the upcoming homebirth of my first baby!
Don't want her hovering around forever. Also would really prefer she doesn't miss the birth! Although clearly if that happens, everything can still come out perfectly fine and wonderful!
PS - Is it creepy that my word verification is reptile?
How ADORABLE! He's so handsome and healthy looking! What a beautiful-sounding birth!
He's dreamy! Beautiful name as well. Seeing your water pics makes me want to break out mine. I think i will go peek at them before going to sleep. Happy tandeming!
Beautiful!
Clearly, he's a pirate too since he came out so easily in the water...... ;)
Wowee congratulations to you all. Such a beautiful baby and amazing birth adventure. I'm amazed at your birth blogging and sharing all the way along! Really a joy to read and see these photos. Warm Caribbean Love from us xxx
ohmygoodness!!!! i'm so happy for you! born at home just like you wanted. born in the water like you were hoping. you and sam being the first ones to touch him. and a (relatively) easy labor to boot! great name, btw. and great photos. the ones of you two in the water are absolutely priceless...and he's so little and cute! ohmygosh, i gotta get me one of those!
congratulations to you and the whole family. may alrik keep his 6hr sleep cycle until it changes to 8hrs and 10hrs...for many years to come (i'll pray on that).
xoxo
Congratulations on a fantastic birth experience and a beautiful baby! Enjoy your babymoon and tandem nursing. =)
Aawww, Sweet baby boy! I can see Mikko in his face already! Congratulations, Mama. You are a queen and I hope you feel treated like one right now on babymoon. Fabulous name, too!
Welcome to the world, beautiful little guy!
Welcome to the world Alrik! Congratulations!
What a sweetheart! Congratulations Lauren! :D
Congratulations! He's so adorable!!!
I'm usually just a reader (lurker?), not a commenter, but I had to say congratulations! He is gorgeous and perfect and you are amazing. You're an inspiration to this soon-to-be first time mami.
Gorgeous!!! I am SO happy you had such an amazing birth and its great to hear everything is going so smoothly. Hooray!
Congratulations! I'm so happy that he's here and that your birth went so beautifully. Thank you for sharing the photos and words with us.
I'm sending you and family lots of love and squishy hugs. Enjoy your babymoon!
So happy for you! Welcome Alrik! :)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! So happy for you. He is beautiful :) And it sounds like you had a beautiful PPH-free birth. Great job mama!
What a percfect birth! So glad it went well! He is beautiful! Enjoy! :D
Congratulations! My eyes are tearing up! Woot on the accidental UC!
Your beautiful baby and peaceful birth make me smile. <3
Congratulations!! What a gorgeous boy and birth story! I'm so happy for you!
Congrats to the whole family! I'm so happy for you.
Congratulations! You have a very adorable baby! Another angel is born!
Beautiful baby, and fabulous story! I told Tom about Sam's feat and he said, yeah, I want to make sure we're prepared for that particular contingency ;)
Congratulations!!
Congratulations! I'm so happy you had a smooth home birth, and unassisted at that!
Congrats! So glad your baby got here! My last baby was the same size! Enjoy!
Congratulations on such a beautiful birth of a beautiful baby, beautiful mama!
Yay! Snorrfle! Whoop-ee!
Hello, Alrik! Such a sweetie pie!
And congratulations to you and your family, Lauren!
xoxox
GAH! This is what happens when I stop checking my favorite blogs for a weekend! You have a baby! He's so gorgeous, and his birth sounds like it went SO WELL. I'm just so happy to hear it! I don't know you personally, but I got a big ol' lump in my throat reading this lovely post, I'm just so happy for you. Congratulations!
Congratulations!!! Enjoy your babymoon!!!
Congratulations! I love the name! I am hoping that God will bless us with a little one of our own soon, so I am reading up. Your blog is my favorite one. Keep posting your stories, experiences, and references!
katie
allnaturalkatie at gmail dot com
Congratulations on your beautiful boy!
Hooray! Congratulations to your whole family! =)
So happy for you! What a beautiful baby. And I'll be honest, 8 minutes late is about perfect timing in my book. I would love for my midwives to be a few minutes late next time. :) Can't wait to hear more.
Happy tears for you and your family! The pictures are precious. He definitely strongly resembles Mikko. Congrats to you all!
Congratulations! He is just so cute and beautiful! And thanks for sharing the pictures! You're amazing!
So happy that you were able to have him at home! What a blessing! He is so beautiful. Enjoy the this time becoming a family of four :)
Congratulations!
He's perfect, and, oh, how I love birth stories.
God bless your beautiful, growing family!
Congratulations! What a beautiful beginning!
Such a beauty and such a beautiful story. I'm hoping our 2nd homebirth is quicker and gentler than our first. It's so inspiring to hear stories like yours. Thanks for sharing.
so happy for you and your family! sounds goofy, but i've been waiting for this to happen for you. so, so, so glad that your birth experience was peaceful and empowering. enjoy!
Congratulations on your adorable little boy.
Beautiful story & photos! Congrats!!!
Congratulations! He's gorgeous!
Wonderful! Congratulations!
Congratulations, mama!
He's just precious! Congrats!!!
Congrats Lauren!!! From all of us here in China :-)
Congratulations! He's beautiful. Well done, mama!
Congrats again Lauren! He's gorgeous! Can't wait to hear more about the birth, but take it easy in the meantime. Enjoy all the newborn snuggles!
Congratulations! What a precious little bundle of joy :)
Yay Yay yay Lauren!
congrats to you all.
glad to hear it all went so well (it's good to hear positive stories at this point in our journey)..
-rak
Congratulations! Enjoy your babymoon. :)
Oh, I'm so happy for all four of you! Congratulations! And you have NO responsibilities to random people on the Internet right now - post when you can, don't worry about times when you can't, and just enjoy these early months!
Such sweetness! Welcome to baby Alrik, and congratulations to your whole family.
PS - While there are exceptions, I think second babies usually are easier, because they have no choice. I for one am grateful for it.
Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful. Many congratulations and blessings to your family.
Congrats on the little one and successful homebirth!
I came to your blog for a giveaway awhile back I think but I've gotten sucked in by your great writing and ideals. I wish lots of joy to your family and new addition.
Yay!! Wonderful news, wonderful baby!
Congratulations to all.
Enjoy your babymoon, and this time toward becoming a new family constellation.
Love,
Stacy
Congrats to all! I like watching your pictures.
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