We are now a family of four.
Allison is in full-blown mommy mode and I’ve been running around cleaning everything and painting rooms that don’t need painted. I’ve been reeling at the events that have taken place over the last few days. It was a bit more than surprising to find out that Allison would be delivering Finn a couple weeks early. My mind was racing as I stared out the hospital window. I was still trying to figure out what I was going to make us for dinner when Allison called me with the emergency induced labor news.
We weren’t sure how long it would take for the Petocin to take effect. It didn’t take long to get to full-blown contractions though.
Before long, extreme pain and pressure showed up. Have I mentioned that we really, really, really didn’t want Allison to be induced this time? Oh well. Doctor’s orders. The baby was in distress.
All in all, Allison ended up with three epidurals. They just weren’t taking. She would feel some relief for a short bit, but could still fully move her legs and feel most everything. Petocin is evil.
Mom and grandma sit by, worried as all get out.
Since Ava was born via an emergency c-section, this was our first “normal” birth. Scary new territory…but so amazing to experience. I am so proud of my wife, and I have to admit…I’ve got a new respect for the incredible downstairs body part she carries around with her. Whoa.
And look what you end up with!!
He’s a little thumb sucker.
He’s got the new baby smell too.
I think he likes his new home. It’s so good to be back in our own world.
I cannot believe that we had kids with birthdays one day apart. This is Ava on her birthday.
We’re trying to make sure she doesn’t feel left out right now. Her favorite place to eat always helps.
Going to the park helps too. Today we’re heading out to the Newport Aquarium…just the two of us. It should be a good time and make her feel pretty special.
Ava is doing pretty well with little Finn so far. She’s a little timid, and a little jealous. But she’s doing okay. She’s going to be a great big sister. I’d have to say I’m a pretty proud daddy right about now.
She’s gonna do great, you have a precious family, God is indeed good! I’m off to hug my kids now, Kim
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The fortunate man is the one who know’s he is.
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Oh my word! My arms are craving a new baby about now! The shot of Finn sucking is thumb is to die for. Your Ava and Finn are just adorable! Allison, I can’t believe how gorgeous you look already! Blessings!
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Many congratulations…he is absolutely beautiful, as is your Ava. So nice that he’s found his thumb already. (Well, I guess that depends on your view of thumbsucking, but it sure is better than always having to hunt down those pacifiers!)
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I love the “kiss” photo. Beautiful. Finn is cute. Alison is gorgeous. Happy B Day Ava Beans. You rock.
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Awww!!! He has on the monkey outfit I got for him!!! I love it, he is so handsome!
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Congrats on the new addition! Can’t wait to watch Ava grow into her big sister role. And you have every reason to be a (very!) proud dad and husband these days… what a gorgeous family.
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Congratulations. I started following you through PW’s site. You and your family are truly blessed.
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Congratulations!!! They are beautiful and you all are blessed! Happy birthday to Ava!
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What a beautiful family! I love the way the pictures told their own story!
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I love the name?!
Question – where did you get the bassinet? I’m expecting my first and I can’t find a bassinet I like – but your’s looks adorable.
Make/model?
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You have a beautiful family.
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That view out the hospital window looks familiar. It wouldn’t happen to be Good Sam, would it? I delivered all 3 sets of my surro twins there, so I’m pretty tight with Good Sam. They took great care of me, and if that’s where Finn was born, I’m sure they took great care of you all too!
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Just beautiful, she’ll get more and more used to Finn at it’ll all be good. Just change, it’s not always such a breeze. My daughter was delivered via emergency c and I hated it. I will not do it again so I totally understand your fear of the pitocin, it’s from the devil and I don’t ever want that stuff in me again. We’re going for a second also and I’m making it clear from the get go that no one is going to be cutting this one out. Even if I have to stay home and give birth in my bath tub. Good to hear it all worked out so well. Gook luck!!
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He’s beautiful and Ava is growing so much!!! Birth is a scary event….
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Seeing these photos almost brought a tear to my eye. I have a 2 1/2 year old little girl and am having a little boy next month. Seeing your gorgeous family together made me so excited to see our new little guy.
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As someone who’s children were unexpectedly 3 days apart, due to a baby who wanted to be early, I feel for Ava. I think it’s better that the older kid’s birthday is first so that they can still feel special. The baby won’t ever know differently.
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Doesn’t Ava seem really big to you now? It made me realize that about my own children when we brought a newborn home!
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And you’ve got every right to be proud!! I love this post. LOVE it! I am so happy for you all. FULL OF JOY!!
Guess what? I was born ON my sister’s birthday. We are 4 years apart, to the day. I like to say that I am the best birthday present she ever got, but I don’t think she has ever agreed with that.
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Congratulations on such a beautiful baby! He looks just like Ava. You are truly blessed with such a beautiful family.
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OMG! I have the exact picture of my little one with the Happy Meal box on her head! What is it with kids? Why do they do that? It’s so stinkin’ cute.
“Downstairs body part”… heh heh. I think I just stole your terminology.
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VBAC is rare these days and especially after being given Pitocin.
C-section is done far too often and too easily. Thank you, God!
Gorgeous pictures – thanks for sharing them!
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I’m so happy you’re already thinking about keeping Ava’s day special. It may be easier because they’re different gender – you can have same party, but 2 different themes and a different set of kiddos. I have friends that do that for their fraternal twins. We’ve also been to an “unbirthday” party, where one child wanted to celebrate during the summer since he and his brother had winter birthdays – perhaps when one of them is older they’d rather celebrate with a ski trip!
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And I am so happy that Allison (and you) were able to experience VBAC delivery – I too had over 20 hours of pitocin only to have a C-Section. And I didn’t have another child. But of course, the end result is what mostly matters – a healthy baby and Mom.
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What a lovely family!!!
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Congratulations on your family. I am so happy for the love you have for your family – and the love you all have for each other. I pray someday I, too, get to experience that.
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Beautiful!
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You are truly blessed. What a gorgeous family. Congratulations!
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Congratulations! Looking at these photos brought tears to my eyes, while so many memories came flooding back. I too had petocin and it was a breeze, but everything (down there) was ready to go it just needed a nudge. Savor every momment with these gifts because they grow up so fast you hardly know what happened. They’re beautiful!
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That last photo is a-doooor-able!
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SUCH beautiful pictures!! What a precious family!
I have to say, the one out the window of the hospital only intensifies why I want to move so badly right now- out of CA. Congratulations!!!
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A thumb sucker! 4 kids and I never got one of those. The pictures are wonderful! Enjoy these transition days.
I was invited by a friend to go to Newport Aquarium today, but I couldn’t break away to do it. I could have run into you!
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He’s so beautiful! Congratulations to you and your wife. Ava looks like a proud big sis already!
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{smiling}
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What an beautiful baby, not just to be nice, but he is so beautiful. Great that you are going the extra mile for Ava. Love this baby stuff, and I am thrilled for you. Whatcha cooking for Mommy?
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Oh my gosh…I can smell him now! Killin’ me, absolutely killin’ me.
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He is sheer perfection. I had an emergency c-section, too, for my one and only biological child, and watching my sister give birth this spring totally bowled me over. Amazing doesn’t begin to cover it. Congratulations to all of you.
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Oh, dear Mama and Papa, that is a lovely, lovely baby! Congratulations, and here is to a peaceful and blissful recovery for Mama and baby. Cook her all her favorite foods. And a hug for sweet Ava. And one for you, too!
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Congratulations! Ava is awesome and Finn is gorgeous. Yes, Pitocin is evil. There is no other word to describe it than that!
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Congratulations! They are all so sweet!
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Beautiful, blessed family of four!! Finn really looks a lot like you in that fifth to last picture!
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Finley is adorable and your family is beautiful, as always. That photo of Allison and Finley is precious and I’m glad things are going well for everyone. May God continue to bless your family and your moments together.
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This post makes me cry. Childbirth makes me cry. They aren’t bad tears, though. They are touching tears. I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and am 3 months pregnant with my 2nd child. Praying for a boy – b/c I would love to have one of each and b/c my mother’s little brother, my favorite person – my uncle that passed last year – and she had an amazing big sister/little brother relationship that I would love to see in my children!
So…it’s makes me cry, but a good cry and I am so happy for your growing family! God bless you and keep you and your wife and two precious babies!
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Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
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Your children are gorgeous! Congratulations to all!
Enjoy, smell, SEE, touch, remember – it goes by so quickly!
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Praise God!!!!!
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Hooray for a successful VBAC (despite Pitocin, thanks God!), a happy momma, a healthy baby, and very stretchy body parts!!! Yay, that’s GREAT!
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these pictures are so precious! ava is beautiful, and finn is such a cute new baby (not all new babies are as cute as he is!). congrats again!
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Congratulations Allison, Ryan, and Ava!! He’s beautiful!! Thanks so much for sharing him and your lovely family with us!
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I have 2 kids with birthdays close too. I always try to make sure they get their “own” party time or day out. You are a blessed man. God is good and trusts you with His children. Enjoy the blessings! Is there anything better?
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OMG! What a good looking family. Finn is beautiful! If you can say that about a boy. Great photography I must say.
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Pitocin IS evil! Sorry she had to endure that part, but so happy to see your gorgeous family. He’s beautiful.
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Gee…I have a few missed days of blog hopping and you guys go and have the baby! I’m so happy to hear your take on the whole beautiful event. Life is so precious. He’s so adorable sucking his thumb! Great idea to take out special time just for big sis. My daughter was almost 4 when my son came into the world…it’s pretty easy making 2 kids feel important. It’s when a 3rd or 4th come into the setting that I hear it gets really tough! Thanks for tearing me up and bringing back old memories.
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You have a beautiful family.
I know from experience, Pitocin IS evil!!!!
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Congratulations!! What a beautiful family you have. Childbirth is such a beautiful thing. It always makes me tear up! I love the names you’ve given your kids. You do realize don’t you that with the name Finn, you are going to have a very ornery boy on your hands!! That just sounds like orneriness!!
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Oh my goodness! He is sooooo utterly gorgeous. CONGRATULATIONS! I’ve missed your blog for a couple of days and I come back to such great news! Just about the cutest pics in the world. Sending love from London. God bless, Rosy x
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this post brought me to tears, really it did. you have such beautiful kids! I can’t wait to give my son, sam, a baby sibling!
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and a very Happy Birthday to Ava! x
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Again, thanks for sharing your family! We clearly all love you all!
On petocin….I had an induced labor with Pitocin..and two natural labors….there really wasn’t a difference…so my conclusion is….Labor is from the devil! It’s hard….and painful…but SO worth it!
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Ryan,
You have a beautiful family.
As for birthdays… I have three on the same day. My father, a sister & my husband. If I mess up even once I have not one, but three on my case!
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Congratulations! Baby Finn is so precious! I think he looks a bit like Ava Beans! She’ll be a great big sis and you and Allison are doing a great job parenting two!
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I agree that petosim is evil. I had it w/my first and 18 hrs later I had a C-section. I am glad I’m out of the baby making business now.
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Lovely, lovely pics. I know how PAINFUL an induced labour can be — it’s a thousand times more painful than labour that progresses naturally. There are no words for it. Except perhaps ‘torture’.
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oh my goodness…there is joy all over his face! Joy is going to be his portion! Happy is the man (or sweet baby boy) whose God is the Lord! AMEN!
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I agree: Pitocin IS evil! I had a very hard time delivering my 4th baby because of it. Anyway…
I know you will. thanks for sharing this amazing experience with us!
Is that seriously the view out your hospital window? WOW!
I love hearing about how you’re adjusting to life with Finley, and seeing the pics. Pamper that wifey of yours!
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This post brought tears to my eyes… congratulations to you and your beautiful family. Sounds like you are doing it right with Ava… I’m sure she’ll be a great big sister!
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Oh! Congratulations! I also think Pitocin is of the devil! Sadly that is how my boys had to come & my girl was a c-section – recovery is so different with a c-section. Isnt it crazy how big your little girl got in just one day!? I am so glad for you & the pictures capture all the worry & excitement I know you felt. Thanks so much for sharing!
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So, so beautiful.
Congrats Allison on your VBAC. You should feel so proud.
Happy birthday Ava!
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Happy Birthday Ava! Thanks for allowing us to watch these beautiful gifts from God grow up!
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beautiful…
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Congrats and God bless! Everyone looks gorgeous and crazy happy
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My brother and I had birthdays a week apart. I was older but his birthday came before mine and when I was young I could never figure out how come he got to celebrate his birthday before I did.
Congratulations on a lovely family.
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He is gorgeous, as is your whole family. Congratulations and enjoy!
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That picture of all the tools are a little scary to me… ok a lot scary!! But the other pictures are quite amazing! I love the picture of you kissing your wife. So sweet! Sorry for Allison’s tough labor, I hope she recovers quickly. Happy birthday to sweet Ava. I hope she isn’t too jealous of her little brother. Just remind her that she gets to do everything first (before him)… I think that helped me a little with jealousy towards my 2yrs younger brother.
Made me feel more priviledged… haha.
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How wonderful! Congratulations!
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My boys are 3 years and 3 days apart. They’ve always done OK with having b-days so close together. Mom and Dad are caked out by the time it’s over though.
Pitocin…been there done that…c-section..blah. Glad Allison got to avoid it this time around.
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I haven’t visited in awhile and when I decide to visit today I find that I missed the birth of your little miracle! Congratulations to you and your family. What an amazing moment in your life this is. You all are such a beautiful family!
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He is absoluely gorgeous! So sweet. Congrats to all of you!
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Congratulations!!!!!
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Congratulations to you all. You have a lovely little family going on. Thank you for sharing and may God bless you all.
I look forward to seeing you all grow.
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Congrats to all of you! What a beautiful baby, what a beautiful family! 2 of my children have birthdays a day apart (+3 yrs) as well. (Aug 4th and 5th).
Thanks for posting such fantastic photos of your special event. God has truly blessed you all.
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Oh my goodness, God is so good! You make gorgeous babies, I cannot wait to see more pictures of the new sister and brother duo.
Congratulations!
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Congrats to you. He is a beautiful baby. I hope this period of adjustment is smooth and that you have a sweet baby. My daughter was 2 when her baby brother was born and she pretty much ignored him until he started messing with her stuff. They are 5 and almost 3 now and the beat of friends. Again, congrats!
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Wow! Finn is absolutely gorgeous and so is Ava. She is going to be a champion big sister!!!! Congratulations to all of you!!
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What beautiful babies! Children are indeed a gift of the LORD…
Congratulations, Mom and Dad, ya done good!
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You have a super beautiful family! That’s one sweet baby!!
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Wow, that’s one beautiful boy!
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Rob and I were looking at these pictures and he said, “Hey, that’s the bassinet that Harper used.” I said, “Yeah, we borrowed it from them, remember.” He said, “Yeah, I know. It’s just nice to see it again.” I thought that was nice.
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Congrats to you all on the arrival of Finn!
Psalms 127:3
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I’ve been following you since your visit to Pioneer Woman. Congratulations on the baby. Today’s post and beautiful pictures brought (happy) tears to my eyes. Just remembering when my little boy was born. Thank you so much for sharing your joy, and helping me remember mine! Going out to buy a D90 now before my guy grows up! Love your photos.
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You are an amazing photographer. I feel almost like I’m intruding on a private moment by looking at these photos.
Congratulations to your new family of four. How exciting!
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Hi! I have been following your blog for a while now – congratulations on your new little addition! He is so cute and Yes! your wife looks incredible for having just given birth! Isn’t it amazing to see how fast the human body is able to pick itself up and move on?
I hope your family enjoys these days together. They are so very few and precious. Looking at your little baby makes me want “just one more” – we have three – the hubby says “no more”. Bummer…major bummer
Anyway, have great days…
And if you ever get just one spare moment could you PLEASE tell me how you take those photos that make the room look like a bubble – like the second one in this post – the one of the hospital room – I just loved it –
Wish I had more pictures of that time in our lives –
enjoy – Karen
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She is one lucky lady to be able to have a VBAC, I also had an emergency c-section but my dreams of being able to do what your wife has done has been squashed by health insurance. Your wife is my hero!!! Congratulations on your new baby boy, boys are fun but will always test your patience and your will. God Bless!
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Love the picture with the passy & the scrunched up forehead. My nephew is 5 wks old and does the same thing…makes my heart melt every time (hopefully he won’t figure that out as he gets older or it could be dangerous for me).
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Congratulations! My kids have their birthdays Aug 3rd and 4th and they are 3 years apart. The oldest is a girl and the second is a boy. It’s hectic around birthday time but lots of fun. We’ve survived they are now 15 and 12.
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congrats to you and allison and ava! finley is adorable! in an ironic twist, i was also in the hospital on the 31st having a baby, well babies…congrats to allison for having a vbac! it’s wonderful that her doc was willing to induce (most won’t for a vbac from what i understand) instead of automatically going to a repeat section
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I haven’t checked in for a while and just read about the arrival of your son. congratulations! had to laugh that the petite ones have birthdays one day apart. My daughters, Ava (9) is 2/5 and her sister, Aili (7) is 2/4. Too many coincidences not to share. Enjoy this time.
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