About a Boy

and you better believe I have a million pictures!

Matthew Steven Floyd was born November 2nd at 3:17am.

He weighed 8 pound and 5 oz.

My most gigantic child by far!

and boy did I feel it.

but I'll spare you those details.

My labor with this boy was much like my labor with Riley's. Actually it was almost identical. I had been having weird cramps that didn't feel like contractions but absolutely were, though I didn't know it at the time. I decided to rest until I could decide what they really meant and then my water suddenly broke. In my bed. Yuck. I leapt out of bed where it continued to spill. We cleaned it up. Michael got dressed. He was very animated and excited and I was... nervous. To say the least.

We got checked into the hospital, I was wheeled upstairs, and that baby was born 5 minutes after we got into the delivery room (45 minutes after my water broke). Thank goodness for the angel of a nurse who delivered my baby. My contractions never got as intense as they did with my girls (they seem to be less intense each time) and I was surprised when the urge to push came. That was the hard part. For me that part is usually better than the miserable contractions. My nurse directed me and guided me as I cried and cried (I usually don't make a peep!). She was so kind and comforting and I was very grateful. 

They placed this sweet baby in my arms and I said, "Oh my goodness, he looks like a boy!" I was so worried he'd come out looking identical to the girls and I was so pleased that he had his own "little boy" look. He was and is perfect and I am head over heels.

I thought a boy wouldn't fit into our family of girls. But as soon as he was in my arms I was utterly and perfectly smitten. I am in love with this child and I can't imagine NOT having a boy. He fits in our family perfectly.

He's already showing me what having a boy is all about. He is the first of my five children to successfully launch poop into my hair. He has also introduced me to the adventure of changing a boy diaper. I have to say that I am quite impressed with the velocity and range of his pee stream. Not to mention the duration! I've learned not to pull his diaper back too soon during a pee pee episode (if I'm lucky enough to actually cover it up). There are great surprises in store if I get anxious to see if he's finished. I'm also getting super speedy at changing diapers. I'm not accustomed to having to work so quickly, but I'm learning.

After one week and 2 days of being a mother to a boy I can honestly say that I LOVE every minute of it. Matthew has such a sweet and special spirit. I am blessed to be his mommy.

Matthew is named after my Uncle Matthew and my dad (Steven). My Uncle Matthew passed away nine years ago. We were good friends and I miss him terribly. I hope my son inherits his wit and his good heart. I hope he inherits my dad's love for the Gospel, his patience and compassion, his sense of humor, and his creativity.

I love this little boy. I'm so grateful he chose to come to our family! The girls are completely in love with him. He is truly a miracle and we are all so blessed to have him in our lives!

And here is my attempt at "Professional Pictures". I'm not completely satisfied with them; I need some major practice. I still think he's pretty darn cute.