And Nino arrives...

Well, most of you know already that Nino arrived Wednesday January 15 at 9:23 AM. I had plans to write a blog posting about it in a timely fashion, but parenthood has spun my head a bit these last few days. I mean seriously spun my head. I am in love. I'm so smitten crazy in love you guys. I'm lost in this kid's eyes about every second they're open, and when they aren't I'm basking in the sound of his tiny breaths and blaring screaming rage. Francis and I could not be prouder of our son, Stacey Francis Byrd. He is miraculous. Needless to say, I've been a bit preoccupied. I'm sorry for the blog delay.



As you know, I began referring to the arrival of the Baby Byrd as "Splatterdome" as I thought that would be fitting considering the fact that child birth has been known to get messy. Well while the labor was probably pretty splatteriffic, the real splatterdome 2009 didn't happen until we got home with the little one. We brought him inside and took him out of his car seat. Fran went back out to the car to get the rest of the gifts and things we'd gathered during our stay at the hospital. I was left alone in our apartment with our baby. I looked down at his sleeping face and suddenly my mind was flooded with memories of my pregnancy. I thought of the pee test and the pasta salad. I remembered telling my Franny that he'd be a dad and him telling me that he was a cocksman and thrilled at the idea. I thought of the first time I heard Nino's little heart beating so fast inside me. I remembered the first time I felt him move as I sat at work one evening so many months before. I remembered the nights I lied awake terrified of the world I was bringing a child into. I saw the Krispie Kreme doughnuts and puke and puke eye. The ultrasounds replayed in my mind like a movie montage and it finally occurred to me...I'm a mommy. I looked down at my little boy and I sobbed like only a mommy could. I was overwhelmed with emotion. I hadn't had time to cry in the hospital. I was too busy learning to feed and care for my baby. I was too busy with visitors and nurses to feel anything but relief at his safe arrival. Once home, with my son, I truly felt like his mom. This was one of the most wonderful moments in my life.
And here he is....my son!

Stacey Francis Byrd

8 lb. 3 oz.

20 inches long

Mom's bragging rights:

I came out of pregnancy virtually unscathed. I didn't get one stretch mark ya'll---not a single one. I was in labor for 9 hours and I gave birth without the use of a single pain medication. Not an epidural. Not a narcotic. Nothing. The only way I accomplished this was by having my Franny there with me and the down right amazing nurses at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center. Also the pain was so bad I couldn't talk. That probably contributed since I couldn't even frame the words "epidural please." I'm going to boast that I predicted the gender of my child as well. Of the approximate 287 days of my pregnancy I only spent about 4 of them thinking Nino was a girl. The rest of the time He was a He. It's safe to say I called that one as well. Oh and in case you were wondering---I DIDN"T POO! I would have shit the moon to get that baby out, but didn't have to.
Well there you have it. Kudos to me.