{The Birth of Clayton Ryan Woodland}

WARNING: This entry tracks the birth of our little Clay from beginning to end. (although there are a lot more pictures from our phones that need to be added) Labor and delivery are not always pretty so if you think you may be offended by personal photographs of me giving birth you definitely want to skip over this entry. 

That smile... and indication it's just begun.

 Being silly.

Ryan and I shared so many laughs together.

A moment of bliss between contractions

Midwife Fiona massaging my back... she was fantastic.

about 9 hours into active labor

 I'll spare all the great shots of our Clay passing through me and share only this one...

 9:26pm on the 30th of December 2013 our 5 pound 4 ounce Clayton Ryan arrives

 He may be small but he's fierce.

 He was healthy enough for us to delay the clamping of our umbilical cord until it no longer pulsed

officially ending our pregnancy.

the best life partner I could ever ask for

his ear was all scrunched up in utero...within hours it was normal

 They did give him oxygen for just a few minutes...

bright eyed

and another contraction

our beautiful boy

Fiona holding him for the first time

 In the hospital Reed was a little leery.

This is Reed's way, he doesn't jump into any situation head first.

What started as a tap on the head is now a kiss and quick cuddle.

 One proud papa!

a family photo before we leave the hospital

leaving the room... hooray!

 Thank goodness I had Reed to scare away the paparazzi as I made my exit.

 Snuggled in his car seat with Fiona's "Princess Claudia" and the blanket Grammy made.

Homeward Bound!

Over the next few days the midwife will be visiting us here, at home, to check on his progress.