Isn't he beautiful? On Wednesday we walked a hundred miles, pounding the streets of the greater DC area until they cried in submission. Sukie even did that funky “walk with one foot up on the curb and one on the street” move for a good part of it, causing lawn guys to raise an expressive eyebrow. Nothing.
Then Thursday, the ultrasound to be sure everything was okay. “This baby is 9 pounds 6 ounces!” the tech announced. Hmph. How could they even know that. Why do they want to ratchet up the anxiety? What, no decimal points out to the thousandth of an ounce? Can't we put it in metric terms and be really precise??
The radiologist was more circumspect, or at least, less specific. “That's a big baby. My wish for you is that you walk out of here and go into labor!”
And reader, she did!
I knew things were serious later that afternoon when she couldn't play any more Bananagrams.
Born in the wee hours of the Feast of the Sacred Heart, not to mention St. Cyril of Alexandria, this little guy (aka Fred or Freddie) is indeed a lusty fellow, weighing in at 9 pounds and 2 ounces. (Okay, tech lady, you win.) Yikes.
“That's a lot of baby,” as a friend remarked. Yes, yes it is, when you consider what a petite little thing Sukie is! But she's a petite little trouper. The Quack was an amazing coach. I am in awe of my son and my sons-in-law for their confident and impressive support (in that they take after the Chief, I must say!).
All is well! God is good!
Debbie says
Congratulations to all! What wonderful news! We send you and them, needless to say, lots of love and all good wishes for a long, healthy, and blessed life together.
Jenny says
Hurray!
Erin says
What wonderful news! Congratulations! Frederick is so handsome! Loving his widow’s peak. Best wishes and prayers.
Beth says
Congratulations! God bless you on the birth of your beautiful son.
Beth
Melanie says
Congratulations!! He is adorable. And the first picture of Suki holding him is absolutely breathtaking. The love and relief is so tactile. Simply beautiful. I’m crying happy tears for you!
Penny says
The birth of a family is a profound and glorious moment – best wishes to all, and Frederick is certainly a handsome lad!
Celine says
Congratulations, and hoping for a long and lovely “babymoon” for the new parents!!!
Mary says
Congratulations to Suki, the Quack, and the whole family! What blessed news! I hope everyone is resting and enjoying this precious time together. Way to go, Suki!
Deb says
Congratulations!
Cristina says
Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for all of you!! Babies are such a blessing! Hugs!!
Ra says
Congratulations to mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, all the aunts/uncles–everyone! What an exciting time! Freddie is an adorable baby and I’m glad he’s here safely. Thank you for letting us share in this moment with you.
Mary says
Congratulations!!! Nine pounds of perfection, I must say!! Great job, Sukie!!
Charlotte says
Congratulations! He’s perfect! And I love his name. There is a long line of Fredericks in my family and they are all fantastic men!
Stephanie says
Wonderful news! Congratulations! Frederick IS such an awesome name
Lindsey in AL says
Precious! Beautiful! I LOVE his name! I played bananagrams with my mom during labor with my #6 🙂 Congratulations, all!
Susan (DE) says
Wow, wow, wow! Congratulations!!! What a sweet little face.
Tacy Williams Beck says
Oh congrats! So happy for you!
Amanda says
Congratulations, he’s beautiful! Way to go Suki, that’s an impressive size for a firstborn, wow! And she looked so tiny in all the pregnancy pics!
Betsy M says
Congratulations! He is beautiful. That first photo of mom and baby made me cry – what a great feeling it is to finally hold your baby.
A.R. Danziger says
Congratulations! He’s beautiful 🙂 I have one due in two weeks myself, so this is a great encouragement.
Mary says
Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! So very happy that Mr. Freddie has finally arrived. Suki and Dr Quack look very much in love. Babies will do that. They make you fall in love hard and fast. SO happy everything went well for Mama and that they are all doing well. Congratulations to the Saur/Lawler families!!
Mrs. B. says
Congratulations!!! Job well done, Sukie! Such a precious baby!
Amy says
Congratulations!!! Job well done, Sukie! Such a precious baby!
Jeannie says
Beautiful, both mama and baby. Congratulations!!! Prayers for a speedy recovery.
Kathy@9peas says
I love reading this and oh my goodness, he is adorable! Congratulations to you all!
NY Mom says
Congratulations!!! That last photo of Frederick in his dad’s arms is amazing – he has that peaceful look of other-worldliness so common to newborns. He’d make a great model for a baby Jesus painting!
Kate says
Congratulations! Frederick looks like a little man already in that last photo. And such a nice, round, little head. Sukie is so little, but the Quack is a big guy and it doesn’t seem like nature takes an average of the two. Enjoy the babymoon.
Jill Farris says
That really is an exceptionally handsome baby. I like his eyebrows! Blessings to all from Central Washington state!
Jill Farris
Mary Ellen Barrett says
Congratulations on the beautiful new baby boy in your lives! Especially to his mom and dad.
Jessica says
That first picture brought tears to my eyes – so beautiful! Frederick is one of the most handsome newborns I have ever seen! Congratulations, Sukie and John!
Rachel~ At the Butterfly Ball says
Yay! what a pretty baby he is!! Congratulations you did a great job! My oh my, he really is a BIG baby isn’t he! And I love his name, very old-fashioned and masculine!
Emily says
Congratulations!! My fourth baby (turning 1 today!) was 9 lbs 2 oz. it sure is a lot of baby to birth. 🙂
abby hummel says
Ahhhh! Worth every moment of waiting – both to get pregnant and get un-pregnant – I’m sure! What a darling boy, darling name, and darling family. God bless you all! 🙂
Meredith says
Wonderful news! He’s a cutie.
Terri says
He IS beautiful! Congratulations!!
Wanda says
Congratulations my friend!!!!!! Give Sukie my very best! Enjoy this time with them and take lots of pics( which I’m sure you are).
Barbara says
Congratulations! What a beautiful boy. He looks so calm and pleased with life. Such a great birthday, too! He was holding out for a good one. 😉
elizabethe says
Congratulations Suki and Auntie Leila! I’ve had two big babies (9 and 10 lbs) and one regular baby. I’m 5 foot 3, and I’m 8 months pregnant with what looks to be another big one. At least judging by the number of random passersby asking if I am having twins. ugh! It’s just one baby!
Anyway, God bless you.
Theresa says
Congratulations!! What a beautiful boy.
Mrs. Pickles says
Yayyyy! Congratulations, Sukie, you did it!
Teresa says
Oh how happy are we!!
Congrats to Mom and Dad and all the clan –
Frederick is indeed a gorgeous gorgeous beautiful baby – look at that precious face.
And how wonderful and blessed to be born on the Feast of the Sacred Heart – doesn’t that make yur own hearts happy?
Joy to all
Mamabearjd(Michelle) says
Great news! Congratulations!
Nancy Starkey says
Welcome Frederick and Congratulations to all!
Lorraine says
Welcome to the world, Frederick! What a handsome little man he is. Best wishes to all and much joy as you get to know the newest member of your growing family. God is good indeed!
dhoff says
Congratulations to all! He is beautiful!
My son was over 9lbs also and I was so amused when I told my neighbor and she said “That’s not a newborn, that’s a 3 month old!”.
Rebekka says
Of course, all babies are beautiful, but he’s really a beautiful baby. He looks so collected. Many congratulations!
As someone who’s had her babies in Europe, my ultrasound estimates were in metric, but they were rounded to the nearest 100g, at least what they told me! 😉
Mrs. C. says
Welcome Frederick! May God bless this new family with much happiness!
Mrs. C.
Deirdre says
Oh my gosh — he already looks a month old!! I love him! We’ll be there soon to give lots of hugs and kisses!!
Abby says
Congratulations on a beautiful boy! My experience has shown that the big ones are the easily contented ones. Hope this is true for you 🙂
Jessica says
Congratulations! What a sweet blessing from God.
Rebecca says
YAY! What a darling, darling boy! Congratulations Sukie (and all!) and well done!
Juliana @ Urban Simplicity says
Well, of course he was a big chappie–look at his papa! Congratulations to all! So glad everyone is doing well. He is a doll baby.
Mary says
Squeeeeeeeeeeeee! So glad to see that little face at long last! Sukie, you are amazing, and I know just how you are feeling right now having birthed 9lb 2oz, 9 lb 9 oz, and 10lb 9 oz (humph) babies myself! So proud of you! Welcome Frederick!
Christine says
Congratulations! May God bless Frederick and his family!
Lisa G. says
Welcome to the world, Frederick! He is awfully, awfully cute!! Lovely child. In the last photo he looks like he knows something.
Good goin’, Suki
Kara says
Congratulations to all! Such a beautiful and happy little family! 🙂
Jess says
Blessings, grace and love to all!
Julie says
So beautiful – congratulations!
Cynthia H. says
What a gorgeous boy! Warmest congratulations to you all!
Elena Stahl says
It’s a wonderful life! God bless! Does anyone else think he looks like Chief?
Jennie C. says
Oh, gosh. I love that picture of her holding him all wet and new. Makes me tear up, it does. Congratulations, Sukie! He is beautiful, and so are you.
anothermom says
Sukie, we’ve been praying! You did an amazing job! Praying the coming days are kissed with grace, rest and immense joy for ALL of you!
Karen says
Congratulations! I had a feeling that Sukie’s baby would be big after seeing pictures of her near the end of her pregnancy. I’m petite, also, at 5’3″ and my first born boy was 9 lbs 3 oz. I won’t scare you with what my next two were! The human body can do amazing things. Good job, Sukie!
Angela says
So happy for you all. What a beautiful little man! Congratulations!
Rozy says
Congrats on your newest sacred blessing. He is beautiful, and Mama looks overwhelmed with joy. Love the name as it is a family name for us (Great-grandfather, brother and son). My third baby was 9 lb. 2 oz. (as was I when I was born). He was the only one to sleep through the night at a few weeks. Two subsequent babies were smaller, so the wives tale that they keep getting bigger doesn’t always hold true. Much love and many blessings to you and yours.
Patty says
Marvelous! So happy for you all!
Jen says
Hooray! Welcome, Frederick! What a gorgeous baby boy! Congratulations!
Julie says
Wonderful news! Congratulations! (LOVE the name — I wanted it for my latest but my husband wouldn’t let me.) May you have a smooth transition into life with baby!
angela says
Congratulations! I have a Frederick, too, named after his daddy. He’s almost 18 now.
Kari says
Congratulations! I think he looks like his grandpa (Papa? the Chief? What do you call him?). And what a fantastic size! No wonder you had such a fantastic belly on such a beautifully petite mama!
Love to hear birth stories!
Kari
Kari says
And incidentally, shares a birthday with my cousin (30 years later….)
Rayna says
He is absolutely beautiful! Just gorgeous! Congratulations, all! Well done, Sukie!!!
Dusa says
The first and last pictures especially – very contemplative (and most handsome). Congratulations to all of you!
Nicole says
Congratulations! May God grant him many years!
Valerie says
Heartfelt congratulations; good health and every blessing to the new little family.
Jamie says
So fabulous!! Not that it’s important to the ultimate point of a healthy mother and baby, but I am curious: did she do the whole thing naturally?? I’m also wondering if they took any birth classes to prepare since her husband did such a good job coaching.
Jamie says
Oh and I think his name is really cute. I like how everyone is choosing somewhat old-fashioned names for the babies. What no boy with a name ending in an N? lol (You linked that article one week right?)
Jen says
Oh my he is beautiful! And looks JUST like his mama, don’t you think? Been waiting for this post for a while. Congratulations!
Mary Keane says
Oh, congratulations!!! What a sweetheart. Sukie, you are beautiful and I’m so glad the labor and delivery of little Freddie is so happily ended.
RubberChickenGirl says
Muchisimo Congrats!!! Praise the Lord for His goodness!
Rubber Chicken Girl
LJ says
Wohoo!!!! So happy for you guys!!! Sukie I’m sure you shaved time off purgatory with all that patience!
Emily B. says
Wow! He is a beautiful baby! Congratulations–what a blessing he is. I love that first picture–sweet relief!
Congratulations to all! And welcome little Freddie!
Kathia says
Congratulations!! 😀
Joana says
Congratulations! So happy for you all!
Rain says
He’s beautiful! Congratulations to all!
Katie says
Congrats to all! So very happy to see this post. What a sweet little man!
Kate says
Congratulations! What a beautiful, happy family!
Michele says
Oh my goodness…congratulations!! He looks so much like his mama!!
Kelsey says
Hooray! What a cutie!
Monica says
Congratulations! He’s absolutely gorgeous!
Donna L. says
Congratulations to all!
God bless you and enjoy your baby!
Sharla says
Congratulations! I had a big baby boy (10lbs., 4 oz.) 5 years ago to the day! 🙂 It’s a good birthday. Anyway, in case no one tells you – big babies nurse voraciously and then sleep for much longer bits (like 4-5 hours at a time) at least this was my experience and what the midwives told would happen. He was my third, but nipples were SORE, much more than with others! All cleared up fine, but it was different, and could cause some concern? I’m sure you’re all pros, but thought I’d pass along! And he’s beautiful – something about newborns (and brides walking up the aisle) that send me into tears…the newness and hope of it all!
Jessica says
Congratulations! What a beautiful new baby! : )
Stephanie in Germany says
Congratulations !!!! Frederick looks like a 3 month old already! May God continue to bless you and your family, Sukie!
Heidi says
Oh my goodness, I also had tears at the picture of mom meeting baby. Absolutely precious. What a beautiful child!
And you are so right–why do the docs/nurses/techs always have to cause anxiety by predicting size, or seeing something “unusual,” or one’s “advanced maternal age?” Hogwash. I had a VBAC that was 9 lbs 3oz and the way the dr. was hovering outside the door for the 2 hours I pushed….it’s a miracle I got to have her that way! But I digress…..
Congratulations and praying God’s continued blessings on this beautiful family.
CMerie says
Congratulations! He’s beautiful! I just love the picture of Sukie first holding him. It brought tears to my eyes. Those first moments are so precious!
Jennifer says
What a blessing! Congratulations. Is there anything better than a new baby?!?
Barbara says
Warm congratulations to all. He is just perfect.
Christina says
Oh Sukie, an amazing story! What a treat to have a Sacred Heart baby!! He is just precious, and so handsome. I wish you a blessed and peaceful rest with your baby.
Anastasia says
He is beautiful. I love his name. So so happy for Sukie and her hubby.
Rachel says
Many congratulations! He is beautiful and looks very content. What a lovely name too.
Jamie says
Dear Auntie Leila,
The look on her face in the first picture says it all.
Sweet girl, you did it! Congratulations to you and your husband on the birth of your handsome boy. God be praised.
Regards,
Jamie
Lisa says
He is truly beautiful! God bless your new little family, Suki. I’m happy for you.