Miles Elliott Finally Arrives!!

Kisses during the last few days of pregnancy:We tried most everything to get this baby on the outside: lots of walking, acupuncture, raspberry leaf tea, castor oil, etc., to no avail. So after we had an ultrasound predicting his weight at 9-3/4 pounds when he was 1 week overdue even our midwife said we shouldn't wait another week. I hate to have interventions but we reluctanty agreed. Our midwife said I am just a slow cooking, crock-pot of a big baby maker.

Here's our last picture as a family of three before we went to the hospital last Saturday morning. How typical that my eyes are closed!
We had a great experience even though we had to be in the labor and delivery unit instead of the alternative birth center as we planned since we needed to have pitocin to get labor going. It took several hours to get contractions really going but once it did things went pretty fast and smooth. Soon after they were able to turn off the pitocin and approximately 5 hours later Miles was born drug-free. So much easier and faster than Iris. Thanks for not being posterior, Miles!

This is an early picture when we were watching The Food Network (maybe not the best choice as I wasn't supposed to eat anything). Although later the nurse let me.

The statistics:

Miles Elliott Hoffman

Born: July 25, 2010, 1:21 a.m.

Weight: 10 lbs 12 oz (not a typo!)

Height: 20.5 inches

(two days later he measured 22 inches, so I think this measurement was off)

Here's a picture about 2 hours after our sweet pink baby was born

Iris and Aunt Kathy were our first visitors in the hospital but Iris was a little scared of the hospital room and would only wave at Miles from across the room.

Here's Grandma Hoffman & Aunt Doff at the hospital:Since I had no anesthesia they let us go home Sunday Evening. Which was nice because we got much better sleep than at the hospital. Here's our full new family, including Jasmine on our first night home. Thanks so much, Kathy, for holding down the fort while we were gone!Miles taking it all in:
Miles looking stylish going to his first pediatrician appointment.

Here's a movie of Iris checking Miles out in the carseat when he returned home. It is kind of long but I just couldn't edit it down anymore she was being so sweet. She really warmed up to him fast and is always helping to bring diapers, blankets, pillows, etc. to me. I'm sure we'll have our ups and downs with that though.

Christina and Jack visiting while Iris plays with her new blocks and Kathy gets some holding time:

Later that night Iris built this giant double tower which she declared to be a big building and then self-congratulated herself with some victory dancing.

Sweet big sister:

Thanks to everyone for their support and well wishes! We are all doing great!