Gordon and I are so thrilled to announce the healthy and safe arrival of our fourth baby, Porter James Brennan, on Monday, September 16th at 12:55pm. He was a hefty boy, weighing in at 8 lbs, 9 oz but has turned out to be so sweet and calm. He hardly cries and when he’s awake is content to sit still and just look around. All I prayed for during this pregnancy was a healthy baby who would sleep more than Eddie and be somewhat predictable and so far, that’s exactly what he’s turned out to be. My milk has come in quickly, thanks to Porter’s hearty appetite and he has been sleeping 2-3 hour stretches which is all I can ever ask of him at this stage.
Labor and delivery were all sorts of different…unlike any other baby I’ve had. My contractions started up after I walked home from church on Sunday afternoon. They were on and off all afternoon, evening and into the early morning hours of Monday. By then, I was so exhausted and in so much pain that I decided to go to the hospital. I got there around 5:30am and left Gordon home to get the kids ready for school. My doctor was on call which I was thankful for because she is completely competent and I had just seen her in the office a few days before. Anyways, for whatever reason, my body was stuck and not progressing quickly at all, even though the contractions were steady (and painful!). Around 7:30, they started a little Pitocin to see how my body would react. Again, very painful contractions that weren’t doing much of anything at all. Gordon showed up at 9 and by then I was about to get my epidural. Things got significantly better once I couldn’t feel anything. Ha!
Around 11, my water broke on its own and things really picked up. The stronger the contractions got, the more obvious it was that my epidural didn’t end up working on one little section of my right side. At 12:45, the anesthesiologist tried giving me an extra big dose to try to fill the epidural space in hopes it would numb that one section but it just made my left side more numb. That was pretty crummy.
The doctor came in to check me at 12:50 and I was only at an 8, but within 30 seconds of saying that and getting me to roll from my right side to my left I was ready to deliver a baby. I’m not sure what happened with my body or what she saw, but my doctor went from being really calm to kicking things into high gear and getting all her stuff on to deliver the baby. Both my husband and I are like “wait, what? Delivering now?” and four pushes later, he was out. He didn’t come out crying or screaming, just very awake. Gordon and I were so surprised by how much blonde hair he had (swoon!) and how much he looked like our previous first three.
Porter’s actual due date was September 17th, but I had him 11 hours early on the 16th. SO close! But, Gordon reminded me that the first due date we were given at the beginning of the pregnancy was September 16th and then were given an adjusted due date of the 17th a month later. I completely forgot about this so maybe that counts? Regardless, I’m glad to have him out and not be pregnant anymore.
Below are lots of photos from our hospital stay. I ended up staying an extra day in hospital to get a few more sessions in with the lactation consultant and SO glad I did that. Last night was our first night home all together as a family of 6 (!!!) and it felt so good to be home 🙂
Anyways, thanks so much for sharing in our joy with us. It feels so good to have our family complete.
k says
You have the most beautiful babies! Congratulations on #4! What a sweetie. I just love how excited your older kids are. Precious! So happy he’s here and healthy.
Amina says
Congrats! May God bless your beautiful family with all the happiness in this world! He looks a lot like Eddie!
Tammy says
He is absolutely beautiful….congratulations!
Kresti Lyddon says
Congratulations – beautiful baby boy, and a lovely family! May God bless you all!
Maureen Ostrowski says
Congratulations to the whole Brennan family on your blessed event. He is beautiful and the beaming smiles from his siblings light up the world
Joyce Mrzlock says
Hi Lauren, He is a beautiful baby. I think the pictures a all just precious the one with you husband holding him and the smile on his little face is just priceless
Leslie Gagne says
Many congratulations to you and your family! He’s so cute! Can’t believe the amount of hair this little guy has
on his head. Wishing you and your family blessings and many wonderful years of happiness.
Dawn Williams says
Beautiful baby, looks just like Blake. Congratulations to you and Gordon!
Sara Rosenbecker says
Congratulations to all! What a beautiful family.
Kathy says
Congratulations, he’s beautiful. So happy for you and your wonderful family..God Bless baby Porter❤️
Janie Adams says
He is just perfect! Your children are beautiful! We just had our 7th grand on Sept. 27 I love your site and Congratulations ! I know how exciting that is !
Ronda Clopper says
Such a beautiful baby!!!
Chris says
Many Blessings to your entire family…he is beautiful ..I love your littlest reaction and placing a kiss on his head.
And the precious photo of mother daughter talk while she holds Porter. You have a beautiful family.
barbie bowman says
So happy for you all. your new little boy is precious. Loved the picture of the three cherubs looking him over. Pray you get some GOOD REST. Such Blessings for a lovely family.
Hugs to you all.
Judy Klaassen says
Do you ever look great right after giving birth! Oh and of course your baby is adorable.
Michelle Hall says
Congratulations to you all! Beautiful family!!
Susan says
Congratulations to all!
God bless your beautiful family ❤️
cindee rizzi says
Congratulations! What a beautiful family!
Wanda McCormick says
How blessed you and your family are! Such a nice family! Congratulations1
B Marcyniuk says
What a beautiful boy…does look like Eddie….you have a beautiful family ….all the best to you and your family.
brenda priest says
Congratulations. He’s a doll. What great pictures you have taken of him and your family,
Thank you for sharing with us.
Barbara Smith says
Congratulations to you, Lauren, your husband and the rest of your beautiful family, on the birth of your adorable baby boy Porter.
Jeanne says
Lauren and family….
Congratulations to you all! For me each of my four babies was truly a blessed miracle!
Enjoy each and everyone of them as your family grows, it happens way too fast!!
Porter is absolutely beautiful!
Sherry says
Congratulations to you and your family. I loved the photos you shared. Thank you for sharing.
Phyllis Zimmerman says
Oh he is beautiful. Congratulations. Thanks for sharing your story will us. You have a beautiful family.
Tracey says
What sweet baby boy! Congratulations! Blessings
Barb Heersink says
What a little cutie you have there…and you look great post preggers….wow!
Veronika Simic says
Congratulations Lauren I loved your little boy.
Debi Stoll says
Congratulations to you and your beautiful family!! Porter is just darling… thanks for sharing such a beautiful moment! 💙💙
Julie TAYLOR says
Congratulations Lauren, on your baby Porter. He is so cute , beautiful blonde hair. Thankful for a healthy baby and delivery. Pictures are super . 👋💕
Gina B says
Hi to the Brennan family, Congratulations on you new addition. Love the name Porter and he is beautiful. He does not look like a new born baby. Love all the pictures you sent. The family look so happy. So sorry you had some trouble with the birth but I am sure it was worth it. Thank you for sharing the event. Take care of yourself. Keep blogging and sending information about you and the family. Love hearing from you.
Patricia says
What a beautiful baby❤️. Blessings to you and your family🙏
Charlene Smith says
Congratulations to the whole family! What a cutie! What a beautiful, happy family!
Lynne Maddux says
Congratulations! He is beautiful and perfect!!! so happy for you! staying posted all the way down here in GA!
Sonia Kuczynski says
What a cutie congrats , you look great too Laurent all the best and love the name too
danae says
Congratulations,to you and your family on your new bundle of joy,he’s Beautiful!!!
Sue says
Congratulations to you and Gordon on your beautiful baby boy! ❤️👶🏻❤️ I will look forward to watching him grow thru
your stories and pictures. I know you have moved a lot with
Gordon’s job. Porter was born in New York, where were each of your other kids born?
J says
Congrats Lauren and Gordon!
Porter is adorable little baby boy! You guys have such an awesome family!
Pauline says
Such a pretty baby, Congratulations!!!!
Cecily Fincher says
Congratulations!!! Porter is beautiful and love the hair and glad he is a quiet baby at least for now!! **Plenty of time in days ahead for the kids to raise the roof!! Lol
Betsy Hvide says
He is just beautiful! Congratulations!
Brenda Glidewell says
Congratulations to you and your whole family on your new arrival. I really like the baby’s name Porter James.
Karen says
Congratulations! And a family of six is the perfect size. (I”m the oldest of 4 kids, so I would know.) 🙂
Lynn Bocek says
Congratulations!!!
Beautiful name and baby.
Great job Lauren, you are amazing!!
Love all the pics❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Jennifer Hamilton says
Oh my goodness! Porter is absolutely beautiful! I definitely see Eddie!! Congratulations to your family!
Mary Lotempio/Garner says
Congratulation to you and family for this healthy baby boy. He is just so beautiful!. Thank you for sharing these wonderful precious moment in the life of your family. Many blessings to you and loved ones!
Julie Robinson says
So happy for you! You have a lovely family, and Porter is just adorable! God Bless!
Carolyn Hinkelman says
The pictures are so nice and clear. What a wonderful family you have and the little guy will not lack
for love as it plainly shows in the pictures. Stay safe and have fun with the great family.
Catherine Matthews says
Congratulations to you all. Another beautiful baby. All your children are lovely little souls
and you two are wonderful parents. Lots of love from Sydney, Australia.
Tamara H. says
Congratulations on the safe arrival of sweet Porter! He is gorgeous (just like your other children). I love how “in love” his siblings look to already be with him.