Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Baby Essley is Here! (Best Birthday Gift Ever!)



Today is my birthday.  Today is also the start of a brand new year.  And today is the day that we'd expected our baby girl to arrive.  She had other plans though, and after over 30 hours of labor beginning last Thursday night, Essley Morgan Williams was born at 3:42 AM on Saturday, December 28th.  She weighed 8 pounds 1 ounce, measured 21 inches, and had a full head of dark brown hair.  She is the best birthday present ever, hands down.  I am so in love that I feel like my heart might explode.  I won't lie - labor was the most difficult, surreal experience of my life.  I did 25 of the 30 hours with no pain medication, and by the time I gave in and got it, I was violently shaking and throwing up.  But the second I saw Essley, I forgot about all of it.  Immediately.


As for our sweet girl's name, we wanted something unique that wasn't too 'out there.'  Essley was my grandmother's maiden name.  She was one of my idols, and before she passed away this summer, I was able to tell her that the name was at the top of our list.  Morgan is my little sister's name.  She is one of the most amazing people in the world, and was my unofficial doula during labor.  (I seriously wouldn't have been able to get through it without her.)

I am still in a daze (the word 'exhausted' doesn't begin to describe it), so although I do plan to share more of our story with you guys, I hope this quick update will suffice for now.  I have only been a mom for four days, but I can say with 100% certainty that it is the best thing I've ever done.  Happy New Year from me, Robbie, and Essley Morgan.  I can't wait to see what this year brings.

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42 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your beautiful baby! Happy 2014!
    Marta

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  2. She is beautiful and so alert! What a gorgeous name you've given her with so much meaning - something to cherish for sure. Dec 28th is my oldest daughter's birthday which we just recently celebrated in Ireland as a family holiday trip. Daughters are so much fun! Congratulations!! and many good wishes for 2014 (including a little sleep :)

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  3. Happy Birthday! What a wonderful birthday present for you this year! She is absolutely gorgeous. =)

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  4. Congrats, she is so beautiful! Such an amazing birthday present. :)

    J

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  5. Congratulations!! She is beautiful and I am so happy for you!! Happy Birthday! :)

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  6. Congrats! What a beautiful baby and Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  7. She was born on my Nanna's birthday!!!! A sweet little Capricorn. I'm so in love with her. She looks just like yall!!! You are a trooper love! Much love to the 3 of you this new year!!!

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  8. She is so gorgeous just like her mama! Happy new year and happy birthday!

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  9. Congratulations! What a wonderful tribute to both your grandmother and your sister. Lots of joy and happiness for your family.

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  10. Happy Birthday To You and congratulations on the birth of Essley, I love her name!!!! I can't wait to hear more!!!!

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  11. Oh yay Congratulations! She's so lovely, and her head of dark hair is adorable!
    All the best wish's xo

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  12. Hooray and congratulations!!! Well done :)

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  13. Happy Birthday! Happy New Year! And welcome to sweet baby Essley Morgan!!
    30 hours of labor!??! Ouch! At 8 lbs 1 oz, it is a blessing she did not go full term.
    What a BEAUTIFUL baby!! Congratulations! (I can stop calling her Baby Bean now.)

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  14. Best wishes for such a wonderful start to the year.

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  15. I am so happy for this new chapter in your life. I can't wait to see you grow into the beautiful mother you are going to be. here's to 2014, love you sis. SHE IS PERFECT <3

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  16. She's as beautiful as her name (and mama)! So happy for you. Enjoy your sweet girl.

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  17. Congratulations, what a beautiful girl and beautiful name x

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  18. Thank you all so, so much! It's been a pretty amazing few days. :)

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  19. She's absolutely beautiful! Love the name. Congratulations!

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  20. Happy Birthday, Happy New Year & CONGRATS on welcoming Baby Essley Morgan. Thank you for introducing her to us today. =0) She is a beauty!

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  21. Congratulations Melissa and happy birthday too!! Essley is such a sweet baby girl, and if I may say so...she looks like you :) wishing you the happiest and fulfilling year ever, many blessings!!

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  22. Congratulations! I remember those first days as the absolute best of my life, forever! Enjoy every second, Melissa!

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  23. Happy birthday Essley and happy birthday Mel!!! What a beautiful family you have! Here's to a year of growth and wonderment! xo

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  24. Yay! She is so beautiful! Love her name :) And you are one strong mama for doing 25 hours without meds!

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  25. Congratulations! She's beautiful! :-) I hope the three of you are enjoying your time together as a new family.

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  26. Beautiful girl! Congratulations! Hope you all stay happy and healthy! Happy New Year!

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  27. Congratulations and warm wishes to you and your family

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  28. Happy New Year to your lovely family!
    You truly did get the best present this year!
    She's gorgeous!!

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  29. Congratulations! Such a wonderful name, I love unique names. My middle name is after my great aunt!

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  30. BEAUTIFUL NAME! BEAUTIFUL GIRL! BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY!!! <3

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  31. Melissa!!! She is lovely! Congrats to you guys - this is going to be such a great year for you. Cherish every single second with your baby girl. Love her name and the special meaning behind it!!

    HUGS MAMA!!
    Jessica
    www.beingbarlow.com

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  32. Congrats and happy birthday to you! She's precious. :) xoxo

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  33. Thank you all again for your comments and messages. It means a lot to us!

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  34. Sending many, many congrats! Sounds like little Essley wanted to make quite an entrance :)
    I love her name and the meanings behind it!
    Happy New Year!

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  35. you are a trooper! such a sweet little family! Essley is so beautiful- we're sending lots and lots of love!

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  36. congratulations she is beautiful! happy new year and happy belated birthday :)

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  37. She is soooo pretty! Congratulations!

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  38. happy birthday essley & dear melissa! sending love :) you did it. hooray for morgan the amazing sis. glad you're all ok.

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  39. Awe...so SWEET! Congrats to you and the family!!!!

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