Two Big Ks, One Little R

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We had a baby! Her name is Rayleigh Ann Elizabeth Forrester, and she was born at 8:46 PM on Wednesday, August 11, 2010. She weighed in at 8 lbs, 6 oz, and is 20 inches long. My Aunt Mary Eshenour was the winner of the contest – she guessed Female, 8/11, 21.7, and 8 lbs 7 oz. She got an 80.5% on my scoring mechanism. The next runner up was Colleen with 72.5%. No one got a 0% though!

Mom and baby are happy and healthy. Kelsey went into labor on her own, and delivered without any drugs at all. She needed a few stitches afterward, so she will be taking it easy over the next few weeks. We first arrived at the hospital at 2:30 in the morning on Tuesday, so she was in labor for a long time. My parents came up for the delivery, since Rayleigh is their first grandchild, and we wanted to make sure they were there for the experience.

We delivered at The Snuggery at Glens Falls Hospital, which is about 3 miles away from our house. The nursing staff and the midwives from our practice (Women’s Care) were great. Kels spent some time soaking in the birthing tub during labor, and ended up giving birth in the shower! The shower had a support railing around the edge, so she was able to sit on a chair in the corner and use the rails to brace herself while she pushed. I think this baby is going to like water as much as her mom does!

We’ve gotten a lot of questions about her name, because it’s a little unusual. Yes, Forrester is her last name, so all three of us have different last names from one another. You can make Forrester from the letters in both of our last names, which we thought was a bit more elegant than a hyphenated last name (FOdnESS + ERnST). Yes, she has two middle names, and her first three initials (RAE) spell out Kelsey’s middle name. Ann is my aunt’s name (mother’s sister) and Elizabeth is my mother’s middle name. We’ll see if we can get all of this by the birth certificate people!

I’ll quit my blathering now, since most of you are here for photos anyway. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and I will answer them as best I can!

Kelsey looking happy at the start of her hospital admission.
Kelsey looking happy at the start of her hospital admission.
Kelsey sporting her "I Dream of Sushi" delivery gown, still in good spirits, about halfway through labor.
Kelsey sporting her "I Dream of Sushi" delivery gown, still in good spirits, about halfway through labor.
Our baby girl weighed eight pounds, six ounces on the official hospital scale.
Our baby girl weighed eight pounds, six ounces on the official hospital scale.
Rayleigh dressed and in her first diaper. We used disposables provided by the hospital, but will switch to cloth once we take her home.
Rayleigh dressed and in her first diaper. We used disposables provided by the hospital, but will switch to cloth once we take her home.
Babies come with hats!
Babies come with hats!
She was sick of us taking pictures, and wasn't afraid to show it.
She was sick of us taking pictures, and wasn’t afraid to show it.
The three of us loving life!
The three of us loving life!
Kevin's mom, who is going by the nickname 'mimi', holding her granddaughter.
Kevin’s mom, who is going by the nickname ‘mimi’, holding her granddaughter.
Kevin's dad, who is going by the nickname 'pop-pop', holding his granddaughter.
Kevin’s dad, who is going by the nickname ‘pop-pop’, holding his granddaughter.
Rayleigh did a lot of sleeping after delivery. This picture was taken about 16 hours after delivery, and she was just sleeping away.
Rayleigh did a lot of sleeping after delivery. This picture was taken about 16 hours after delivery, and she was just sleeping away.
Kelsey nursing Rayleigh. She's a very hungry baby.
Kelsey nursing Rayleigh. She’s a very hungry baby.

There are some more photos (but not many) here. Thanks to everyone who sent us well-wishes! We’ll post again soon.

8 responses to “Two Big Ks, One Little R”

  1. Thank you for answering the question about the last name! I’m worried about you guys traveling and your daughter not sharing the last name, but I do like how it is a combination of your last names.

  3. She is soooo precious! Congratulations! She was born at the hospital my dad used to work at, weird coincidence! I’m so happy for the two of you!

  4. Yay for 2nd place! Big props to Kelsey for doing a drug-free delivery…I will definitely be calling you for advice when I’m ready to do this too! She is super cute and we can’t wait to meet her!!! I hope you’re all doing well!

  6. CONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS! I’m sending hugs and kisses to Mom, Dad and RayLeigh. I can’t wait to see you all!

  7. Congrats on your new family! She’s a beautiful baby, and I love that picture of her sticking out her tongue, as well as the family picture at the house. Enjoy, they grow quickly!!!

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