Jackson Cyrus was born at 2:06 AM on Sunday, 10/9/11 after less than three hours of labor (two hours after we arrived at the hospital!). He came so fast, I didn’t even have time to get an epidural, which was definitely NOT part of my birth plan. Imagine the most excruciating pain ever and then multiply that by, like, 100, and that’s what natural childbirth feels like. But, holy smokes, was it worth it. I could — and probably will — stare at this baby for hours and hours and hours.
In the meantime, I’ve got a bunch of pre-scheduled content lined up — including contributions from some excellent guest columnists — so I’ve got you covered here while I’m getting acquainted with my new baby, who is, by the way, simply the best.
(As for his name, Jackson’s first initial, J, honors Drew’s mother, Joan. My maternal grandfather is called Jack and my paternal grandfather was Cyrus. Drew and I both love Johnny Cash, so the name Jackson is a little nod to him, too.)
{ 187 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations Wendy! So happy for you, he’s gorgeous
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Oh wow! Congratulations Wendy and Drew, he is beautiful! I love the name! And you look really cute with your glasses on.
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Congratulations! Jackson is adorable.
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Congratulation Wendy!!! You both look wonderful on this picture, it’s great to see you.
It’s funny because I’ve juste come back from the hospital where my job as a speech therapist student is to tell mothers about the importance of language… I didn’t know you were due in october. I wish you to have fun talking with your son, singing and cuddling with him! I wish you loads of happiness and I send you good vibes
ps: I hope I don’t say anything weird, I’m not used to write that much in english.
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Congrats Wendy!
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Congratulations, Wendy! He has a very very cute little nose.
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Congratulations Wendy and Drew!!!! And welcome to the world little Jackson!!
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Congratulations Wendy! So happy for you! He’s so adorable!
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He’s beautiful! What a perfect face! Congratulations to you and Drew.
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Adorable! I think he has your nose, Wendy : – )
Mazel Tov to you and Drew!
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Congrats to you and Drew, Wendy! He is perfect!!! I’m glad that everyone is happy and healthy after a few bumps in the road along the way. Enjoy every minute with Jackson!
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Fantastic, Awesome, Wonderful, and all the happiness in the world to the 3 of you.
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Congratulations! He’s beautiful. All the best to you and your expanding family!
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Congratulations Wendy! He is beautiful! I hope you enjoy this very important time with him.
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Congratulations to you and Drew! He is absolutely adorable!
Enjoy every second with him! 
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Congratulations Wendy!!!!!!!! Jackson is absolutely gorgeous.
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Congrats! He’s beautiful!
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Congrats! He’s so beautiful! What a sweet little face!
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Congratulations, Wendy & Drew!!
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Congratulations!!! And congrats on only 3 hours of labor- that’s the way to do it! You guys are gonna be great parents. That’s one lucky little guy!
As for baby gazing, my father apparently had a bad case of it when I was born. We have HOURS of footage of me rocking in a swing, asleep, doing nothing. He just sat there and stared and filmed it all, day after day.
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Aww. Mazel tov! Move that cap, I wanna see if he has red hair
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He has dark hair, like his daddy. I can’t wait to meet him in person!!!
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Congratulations!
))))))))
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Awww, You guys are gonna be a beautiful family! Congratulations!!!!
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Congratulations on the new family! I wish you all health and happiness. He is adorable and you look incredible for someone who went through natural childbirth just over 24 hours ago!
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That picture was taken about 24 minutes after she want through natural child birth.
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Aw, shucks.
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That makes it that much more incredible! As someone down the page a bit said: I don’t look that great on a good day!
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Beautiful! So beautiful!
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Awww! Congratulations!!!!! He’s adorable!
LOVE the name Jackson, too!
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<3
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Yay rah!!!! All the best to you and your family =)
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Congratulations! He’s beautiful.
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What an adorable little heartbreaker! Also, you look amazing considering you just had a baby, Wendy (naturally, too – eek). Congratulations to you and Drew on your new family member! He’s perfect!
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Congratulation, Wendy! What a beautiful family.
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CONGRATS!!!! He’s adorable. So happy that you had a quick (if not as planned!) labor. Hope you and baby are resting. He’s darling. Enjoy, rest up, we’ll be here when you get back.
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P.S. How do you look that good after labor??!!
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I was thinking the same thing. Jackson’s adorable yes, but I was blown away that Wendy looks phenomenal considering she just went through natural childbirth! Congrats to you all!
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You guys are too sweet, thank you. I felt completely wrecked and out of my mind when that photo was taken — just minutes after delivery. I think I was still flushed with delirium — that’s the secret!
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Well then delirium suits you
. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone look that good after childbirth.
Congrats!
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Hooray! Congrats – so thrilled for you and your family
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Congratulations! He’s beautiful! Glad you both made it through safely
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He’s so wonderful!! Congratulations!
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Congratulations Wendy and Drew! He is beautiful! And I absolutely love his name! Enjoy your time with him at this stage, it will go by too fast!
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Congratulations, glad the labour was quick!
He is gorgeous, and I love the name.
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Congratulations! He is beautiful, just like his mommy!
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I’m a faithful reader and never comment. But I have to make an exception to offer my congratulations! I am so glad that you and Jackson are doing well!
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Congrats, Wendy! Jackson is definitely a better name than Wendrew.
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Major congrats to you and Drew! I sorta had a funny feeling that the birth of your son would happen this weekend
Best wishes! You look wonderful and your son is a cutie
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Congratulations! You have a beautiful son. Enjoy your time with Jackson!
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Congrats to you and Drew!! Jackson is adorable.
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Congratulations!
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Congrats, Wendy! Welcome to motherhood.
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Congratulations! All the very best and nothing but happiness to you and your little one!
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He’s so adorable! Congrats to you and Drew. Happy birthday Jackson!
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So many congrats your way Wendy! he’s beautiful.
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awww Congrats Wendy!! He is absolutely adorable! You look amazing in that picture! One of my friends just had a baby and after 32 (!) hours of labor, looked amazing also. I don’t know how you do it! Enjoy your time with the little one.
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Thank you so much, everyone! Drew and I are reading through your sweet comments as Jackson sleeps. Your words and support warm our hearts.
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congratulations wendy and drew! little jackson looks absolutely darling (and wendy, you look unbelievably good after natural childbirth!). health and happiness to your wonderful family.
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Congratulations! He’s beautiful.
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Congratulations Drew & Wendy!
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Mazel Tov! I never comment but I had to wish you a congratulations! He looks beautiful (as do you)!
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He is so CUTE!!!! Wendy, you look great, he looks great, this is just a great picture. I love his name, but I’m probably biased because that’s my last name.
Enjoy every single sweet moment.
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Congrats Wendy and Drew!!! You have a very adorable little family!
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Many congratulations, Wendy – he looks beautiful!
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Congratulations Wendy and Drew! He’s just a little bundle of perfection! Enjoy your time with him
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I let out a loud “OMG” when i saw your picture!!! congratulations and you’re SO LUCKY it lasted only 3 hours… one of my sisters had a 19 hour labor and the other 24 (granted, she was expecting twins). i’m really, really happy for you!!!
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Ha — I’m guessing that everyone who keeps telling me I’m lucky the labor was so short probably has not experienced childbirth without any pain medication. But, yes, if I had to do it natural, then I’d rather do it in a couple of hours than 24, dear god. Even a medicated labor that long would be excruciating!
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I refused pain medication with both births ( each was 4 1/2 hours long), the thought of an epidural freaked me out more than the birth!!!
Short labours really are a blessing that you make it with some energy at least.
Enjoy the little person you and Drew made, it really does go by so quickly you have to treasure each moment!!!
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30 hours completely unmedicated here! It was such hell I just had to pipe up…
But more importantly, congratulations! He’s such a gorgeous little guy!
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Oh my god. How did you survive that?? No, really, how?
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To be honest, I really don’t have any idea. My husband says that following each contraction after about – oh, hour 24 or so – I would look at him desperately, like a caged animal.
I did do Hypnobabies (self-hypnosis/meditation for childbirth) and the nurses said it was one of the few times they’d seen it “work,” though our definitions of efficacy were pretty different. They saw a success because I never went for the drugs. I saw a failure because it was billed as a PAIN-FREE way to give birth.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA…HAHA…HA
But cliché though it is, the babies make it all worthwhile. Hope you’re enjoying your little guy. Really, what a doll!
P.S. Also I’m told that breastfeeding is much easier for those babies who come out without drugs so even though you suffered in labor, perhaps you’ll be spared some of the 6ish weeks of torture that is establishing the breastfeeding thing for some people (that is, of course, if you’re going that route).
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Breastfeeding has been a nightmare so far, unfortunately…
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My sister had a real problem with that as well. It can be a real bitch, I guess. Actually, a good number of people I know found it troublesome and very difficult. It sounds like it should be so easy, but sometimes it can strangely seem anything but natural.
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Yeah, it’s a pain (literally and figuratively). I had a reduction surgery when I was 19, so that’s made it a bit more challenging. I’m trying to nurse or pumping every two hours right now to get things going, but it’s slllloooowwwww.
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Keep at it. And if if doesn’t work out, don’t beat yourself up over it. As a good friend on mine who had to let it fall to the wayside said — “Hey, our generation was pretty much all raised on formula and we turned out just fine!” Not saying it’s time to pack it in, but definitely don’t be too hard on yourself if it just proves impossible.
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Totally. Imma give it a super solid effort for 2-3 weeks and then reassess.
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Sorry to hear that it’s been difficult. I have heard that reduction surgery can make it really tough.
I was worried about one set of things beforehand (cracked, bleeding nipples; not enough milk) only to be plagued with problems I hadn’t even considered (oversupply and thrush). It’s gotten easier now – she’s 3.5 months – but not as effortless as billed.
I agree with those who endorse a “que sera sera” attitude about it though. There’s too much guilt around breastfeeding and not enough support. I found La Leche League somewhat helpful – I’d leave the meeting feeling good about breastfeeding, even with our difficulties, but not with many ideas for solutions. Then again, I think I was looking for them to tell me how it could magically be the easiest thing ever. The support was really great though. And they weren’t as militant as I was afraid of.
And if you wind up sticking with it, try not to worry about your supply too much. If he’s gaining weight and having a sufficient number of wet/messy* diapers, it’s fine (I made myself cuckoo worrying about supply)! Everything really does get easier. In my first weeks postpartum, I was kind of crazy. Bathed in utter, indescribable happiness, I would then also feel a kind of unexplained dread every afternoon for a while. It was a disconcerting juxtaposition. But really, it all gets better.
I should stop now.
I just feel like I thought I was prepared as the oldest of five and then I realized that there were things that threw me for a loop in the most unexpected ways. So now I’m offering unsolicited (likely irrelevant) advice… wheeeeeeeee!
*Also my baby only has a messy diaper every few days, sometimes only once a week. She is totally healthy and the doctor assures me up to 10 days is fine.
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Thank you. It’s good to hear from others who have gone through similar challenges. I just started a new moms group in my neighborhood — 15 of us with newborns or expecting babies in the new few weeks — so I imagine that will be a great source of support too in these first few crazy months.
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How exciting! Many congratulations to you and Drew!
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OMG Wendy, he is DELICIOUS!!! I know you just want to smooch that face all day & night! Congrats to you both and Happy Birthday Jackson!
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what a gorgeous baby! not to mention momma…congratulations to all of you!!
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CONGRATS!!!
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Congratulations! He is absolutely beautiful!!
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Congrats to you and Drew!
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Woohoo!!! Congrats! Mother and baby are both beautiful.
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Congratulations! You have a beautiful baby and I can’t believe how awesome you look only minutes after giving birth. Yay for you and your family!
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How exciting!! Congratulations, Wendy & Drew!
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Oh Wendy, he is so beautiful. Even though it sucks you couldn’t get your epidural, the fast labor is a blessing in a way…look how nice his head is! And his little face isn’t all bruised. Beauty is pain, right?
Congratulations to you, Drew, Miles and Simone!!! 
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Many, many congratulations, he’s a beaut!
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AWWWWW WENDY! I’m tearing up! I’m sooooooo happy for you!!!
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OMG he’s so beautiful! Congratulations!!
Random note, how jealous am I of how good you look?! I don’t look that composed on my best days and you just had a baby.
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I was thinking the same thing!!!
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I was just thinking the same thing! Congratulations Wendy!!
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So beautiful! Same thing happened to me when I gave birth to my daughters (though I never planned for an epidural but labor went super fast anyway)…I feel like it is a blessing in disguise – you will heal quick too!
Enjoy the days because they will start to fly by.
Congrats!!!
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I read your site almost every day but never comment. I had to break down and comment for this one. Congratulations and best wishes Wendy and Drew! He’s stunning. I hope he has red hair.
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awwwwwwwwwwww!
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Hah! My sister did plan NOT to have the epidural, and later said it was a billion times more intense than she’d expected… So I can imagine how caught off guard you were by everything…
Congrats! So cute! Love the hat!
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Beautiful picture, congratulations!
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Congratulations and here’s to hoping momma and baby are doing wonderfully.
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Congratulations, Wendy and Drew! I love the name Jackson for the same reason. (Johnny Cash is the thinking woman’s cowboy.) Your son is adorable, and Wendy, you look beautiful.
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Congratulations! He’s beautiful!
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Congrats Wendy and Drew (and cats). He’s too cute!
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This story was in my e-mail inbox and the first thing to make me smile this morning
Reading it made me tear up with happiness for both of you! Congratulations on your handsome little boy and I wish you the best as you start your family 
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Congrats!!!! Such a beautiful baby boy!
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Congrats Wendy!
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The picture of you and Jackson reminded me of my son and his first year and I’ve found myself walking around smiling! The first year is special partly because it is a year of firsts, first smile, first time to roll over, first time to pull up, first steps, first time to sit alone, etc, etc, etc. It is such an exciting, joyful time and I hope that all three of you enjoy it to the fullest. Congratulations!
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He is incredibly cute! Congratulations!
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Congratulations and all the best to you and your family!
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Congratulations-that’s a great picture of you two. Take care ! =)
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Congratulations and best wishes for your family, Wendy! aaww, poor Miles will have a hard time adjusting, but I’m sure he’ll fall in love with your adorable son right away!
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Congrats Wendy and Drew! What a cutie!
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Congratulations Drew and Wendy! I don’t comment often either, but couldn’t help myself today! What a perfect name!
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He’s beautiful! And I love the name! Best wishes!
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Congratulations!! He’s adorable! So glad you’re both healthy.
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Congrats Wendy and happy wishes to your whole family!
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He is gorgeous! I have never seen such a handsome newborn. Congratulations to the three of you.
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Congratulations Wendy and Drew!!
What an amazing time for your family! Enjoy every minute of it and keep us updated on all the wonderful things that are happening to you. We are all looking forward to learning more about your new son and the new responsibilities and joys that come with parenthood!
All the best!!!
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Congrats on your beautiful baby Wendy!!!
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Congrats! He looks adorable and you look amazing for just having given birth. And wow – 3 hours – I don’t know if that makes me jealous or terrified.
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Congratulations to you both!! I’m a long time reader, and a new commenter (it’s about time). Enjoy every second!
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CONGRATS!!!!
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Congrats to you and Drew! I can’t wait to hear all about the first few weeks with the little cutie. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say I’d really love to see more pictures some time if you’re willing to share. I bet daddy and baby look super adorable together… May baby Jackson have a tiny cry and sleep soundly!
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Awwww! Congratulations! And I am personally proud of you for having a natural childbirth. I had a homebirth and have never regretted it. Next time (if there is a next time) try laboring in a water tub. Helps slow contractions and relieves pain. And you can squat for hours if need be ( squatting is the best birthing position. Laboring on the back actually compresses the opening) since the water helps offset gravity.
Best of luck with bonding and breastfeeding and the learning curve. Enjoy these sweet bonding moments. <3
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Congratulations! And I am personally proud of you for having a natural childbirth. I had a homebirth and have never regretted it. Next time (if there is a next time) try laboring in a water tub. Helps slow contractions and relieves pain. And you can squat for hours if need be ( squatting is the best birthing position. Laboring on the back actually compresses the opening) since the water helps offset gravity.
Best of luck with bonding and breastfeeding and the learning curve. Enjoy these sweet bonding moments. <3
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Wendy and others around me having babies is making me get a bit of the baby fever, but I agree with you about home birth. For a low risk pregnancy, it is a fantastic option and one I will likely choose (unfortunately, multiples and high risk pregnancies run rampant in my family, so I guess we wait and see).
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Yay!!! Congratulations Wendy and Drew! What a beautiful little boy, and I love the name!
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Wendy, congratulations and Mazel Tov to you and Drew! What a beautiful new family.
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I call dibbs on baby sitting. He now has about 400+ godparents so no problem getting a sitter in any part of the country and lots of other places in the world.
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CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!! What a little doll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Will you call him “Jackson” like on Gilmore Girls? I tend to like nicknames, but Jackson is a fun name to say the whole thing. (gilmore girls was big on that, wasn’t it,
with “Christopher”)
Congrats!
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You know, Gilmore Girls has always been on my list of shows I want to see but haven’t gotten around to watching yet. Maybe I finally will now since I’m sure I’ll be spending a lot of time in front of the TV while feeding jackson.
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In case you are curious who gave you exactly $13.59 on “support dear wendy”, that’d be me saying mazel tov; enjoy one of the most well-written shows that is quirky, fun and heart-warming. (which is crazily reduced on amazon right now!).
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Congrats!! You look stunningly gorgeous (as usual!) and Jackson is a peach! I would stare at him for hours and hours; heck, days and days in your place.
Enjoy!
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Congrats!
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Of all the days not to check the site first thing in the morning!!! CONGRATS WENDY!!! He’s beautiful!!!!
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This whole thread is just giving me the warm fuzzies. Congratulations again
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Congratulations !!!! It’s a holiday here is Canada so I missed this post & everyone already said everything I wanted to say
But I am sooooo happy that you have such a beautiful healthy baby and everyone is well xxx
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Thanksgiving, eh?
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Congrats! I saw this on Twitter the other night.
My mom gave birth to me in less than 2 hours. She didn’t have time for the epidural either. I’m hoping I have the same luck in the future (I’d rather have a short, painful labor than a lonnnnnnng, endless, drugged out one).
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CONGRATS!!!!!!!! he is so beautiful!! my mom’s labor with my brother was so quick that she didn’t have time for the epidural either, she always says that after that absolutely nothing fazes her because the pain is incomparable! so take comfort in knowing that absolutely nothing will ever feel painful again compared to natural labor
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A big congrats to you, Wendy!! He is adorable!! And wow, do I ever admire you for making it through w/out the epidural!!
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Congratulations!!!
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He’s truly beautiful, Wendy. And you look great! Congratulations! I can’t believe labor went so fast for you–3 hours?!? Love the name and the meaning behind it!
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Ahhhh!!! Congratulations, Wendy!!!!!!! He is adorable (and, as a sidenote, I also love his name). Can’t wait to see more pics whenever you decide to post them, and I hope you enjoy the time off…well, time off from here at least.
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yay baby jackson!!!!!!!
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Yay!! Congratulations!! I’m sorry you missed out on the epidural, but it sounds like you had a nice quick labor, which is definitely better than the alternative. What exciting news!!!
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Congrats!! And I LOVE the name Jackson!
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congrats wendy he is so gorgeous!!
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Congratulations Wendy!!!!!!! I hope you, your son and husband many happy memories!
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Yay! Congratulations! He is so beautiful.
-another first time poster, long time reader
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I am truly ‘verklempt. I have been following you for YEARS and have watched via the interwebs while you gone through so many things in your life. I was so happy to see the progression of your relationship with Drew blossom into a true and happy relationship and then marriage. Now you have a beautiful son to complete the package. Mazel Tov!
Happiness and Tears,
Natalee in OKC
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*have gone through..geez
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Congratulations Wendy and Drew! I’ve been following your column for years now and I’m so thrilled for your new family, mother and baby look absolutely amazing.
Happy birthday Jackson!
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Oh, Wendy & Drew – he’s BEAUTIFUL! Congratulations to the new family. I’m so very happy for you all!
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Congrats to you and Drew, Wendy! Lil Jackson is so adorable, and you look fantastic too.
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Congratulations Wendy and Drew! He’s such a beautiful little boy!
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As a fellow redhead, Wendy, I must ask:
Is the little one redheaded too!?!
Congrats and blessings!
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Alas, no. He has dark hair like his daddy.
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birth hair usually falls out (at least thats what i’m told) so maybe when he starts growing real hair it will be red!
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Squeeeeee!
He looks like a little smurf with that hat 
Love to all o
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Argh, posted mid-type. Supposed to end with: Love to all of you. <3 Cheers! Slainte! Skaal! Opa! And other such things.
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Congratulations, Wendy
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Congratulations! What a wee bundle of joy! (and Wendy, you really do look amazing.)
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I can’t believe I missed this whole post yesterday!!!! He’s beautiful, Wendy!!!! I love the name Jackson – it’s one of my top picks for a future son!
Hope you’re resting up and enjoying parenthood with Drew!!
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Congrats! What a good day for a birthday! You both look very beautiful and happy. And…even though he has dark hair now, it could turn red later. I was born with my dad’s dark hair, but around a year it turned auburn and has been red for the past 26 years!
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Congratulations Wendy and Drew!!! OMG he is just so beautiful! and so are you wendy!!!
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Congratulations Wendy & Drew!!!!
He’s adorable & you look incredible. Welcome to the wonderful world of parenthood, it’s an amazing journey.
P.S. I love love his name!
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Congratulations!!!! He is beautiful!!!
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Oh! You two make beautiful little people! Congratulations. I wish you all the best!
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Aw, he’s gorgeous! Congrats, Wendy!
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Little late, but congratulations! Cute kid, Nice name, too.
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Yay! Congrats!
Sounds like my 3rd son. He was born 20 minutes after I got to the hospital. No time for even an IV (for standard fluids).
Granted, all of my kids were born without any kind of medication to help with pain. Can’t have epidurals thanks to my lower back, and my L&Ds go too fast for any kind of medication anyways.
Enjoy the next few weeks. Expect hormonal mood swings, unexpected crying (it’s hormones, don’t worry – it’s normal!), sleepiness, unexpected energy spurts (don’t think you need to be SuperMom and clean the entire house!), and you may still have weird food cravings.
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Aww.. congratulations Wendy! He’s gorgeous! And I love the name.
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Congratulations, Wendy! Great name, too.
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Congrats on the new healthy baby boy! Love the name Jackson Cyrus, pretty awesome…also, you look pretty great for having just given birth!
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Yay! He is adorable. Congratulations!
-Another long time reader, first time poster
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Congrats! You and Jackson look great!
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What a gorgeous little punam!! So happy to hear he’s out of intensive and home!
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What good news! Congrats, Wendy!
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Congratulations on you little bundle of Joy!
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Congratulations!!!
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congratulations!
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Congrats Wendy!! I just saw this post. He is absolutely adorable & you look amazing! So happy for you & Drew. Many blessings to your new family!
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Congratulations Wendy & Drew! He’s absolutely beautiful!!
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AWWW you both look great. Congratulations for your whole family
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It’s a day late, but happy birthday Jackson!
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