And Then There Were Three

What a week it has been!  Life here on Gael Glen Farm has changed forever, and for the better, with the birth of our third son, Alistair Scott.

Both Alistair's gestation and birth were on his own terms.  He may look angelic but I will not be at all surprised to find out that this kid has an independence streak unparalleled even by Seamus'.

At 38 weeks, Alistair had still refused to turn head down.  It was not until we made the appointment at the hospital to have him turned by a doctor that he decided to turn on his own.

Me waiting to see if Alistair is head down or if he will need to be turned.

In collaboration with our midwife, we decided to induce Alistair at 39.5 weeks given his high estimated weight, off the chart abdominal measurements and Liam's experience of shoulder dysplasia at birth.  Alistair did not want to be induced.  He refused to budge until we were faced with the most invasive method of inducing labour.  I went into labour hours before we were scheduled to head to the hospital to be hooked up to the oxytocin IV.

Despite full dilation and much pushing, Alistair refused to descend into the birth canal during labour.  At this point, the OB and midwife agreed in their recommendation for proceeding with an emergency C-section.  Faced with the prospect of being cut out of my uterus, Alistair apparently decided that he would rather just be born.  Eight minutes after the OB said the word "C-section" and three massive pushes later - Alistair arrived; no surgery required.

After all that, Ian and I are very proud to announce that Alistair Scott was born at Almonte General Hospital at 4:01 am on Wednesday January 16, 2019.  He weighed 9 lbs 4 oz and measured 52 cm.

Alistair looks exactly like baby Seamus did; the resemblance is uncanny.

Alistair on the day he was born.

Seamus on the day he was born.

One week in, Alistair is breastfeeding like a champ.  He loves to sleep during the day and stay up all night long.

His brothers were very excited to meet him but have since decided that he sure nurses, sleeps and poops a lot.  Liam and Seamus have turned out to be excellent baby holders.  Seamus helps me change diapers and even helped give Alistair his first bath.

I expect it will take us a while to establish a new routine here on the farm but of one thing I am certain - life will never be the same and we would not have it any other way.  Welcome to the family Alistair.  We waited a long time for you and we are so incredibly thankful that you finally decided to join us.