Baby is here!
After a 24-hour labour, Baby was born in the early hours on Monday. She was perfect in every way. Ten fingers, ten toes and one set of lusty lungs. Needless to say, she stole our hearts without even trying.
Many years ago, I bought this fabulous book called The Secret Language of Birthdays. Every spread covers a day of the year (all 365+1 of them) and tells you what traits are characteristic of people born on that day.
Strangely, I have found this book to be almost 95% spot on when I look people up. For example, my birthday strengths are that I am versatile, multi-talented and responsible, whereas my weaknesses are none of your business. Hee hee.
So here is what it says about Baby:
Strengths: Attractive, convincing, mentally active
Weaknesses: Hasty, self-sacrificing, self-unaware
Shares a birthday with: Joan Collins
Maybe she will have a penchant for large shoulder pads? I would still love her!
In the next week, I’ll post the complete, unabridged version of the birth story. James will also be making more posts from his point of view. In the spirit of Dirty Dancing, we will both be referring to her as Baby, as we have made a conscious decision not to use her real name on the blog.
And regarding photo shoots, she’s booked in for her first official shoot on Friday, but I’ll be doing some unofficial pictures of her at home, too. She’s already a good little poser. And fear not – I haven’t forgotten about my third maternity shoot with Nikole Ramsay! It was supposed to go up yesterday, but I was a little, er, busy. I’ll be posting it on Friday. I absolutely love the photos because they are really different from the other two shoots. I have a wonderful complete record of my pregnancy.
Thank you again for all the messages on Twitter and Facebook. They were helping us through a long and nervous time when we were in hospital and we very much appreciated them.
Now, if you don’t mind, I desperately need to stare at my daughter sleeping for at least an hour.
Rachel Knights
Gorgeous! I love a photo of new borns with their daddys! Their faces are full of emotion.
I have one of my husband when both my girls were born. When I look at them I am so proud!
Well done Julia. She is absolutely beautiful. xx
Caroline Nicholson
Huge congratulations on the birth of ‘Baby’ – she looks just gorgeous – just don’t leave her in the corner too much, I guarantee she won’t like it
) Can’t wait too see more pictures, and congratulations again to both of you – Caz xxx
Annabel
I can’t tell you how very happy I am for you both. Enjoy these beautiful, precious, amazing first few days. You will look back on the fondly for years and years to come.
Sending all 3 of you lots and lots of love,
Annabel xXx
Hannah Beatrice
Congratulations Julia and James! Baby is beautiful! Hope you’re enjoying a lovely time staring at her.
Adele Haywood
She looks beautiful xxx
faye yerbury
Just Beautiful.xxxxxx
Bev Downie
Congratulations to you all! Baby looks adorable and so content. Enjoy baby watching
xx
Kate Saunders
Fab news Julia! She looks beautiful xxx
Bernadette
ahhh Julia – many congratulations with your brand new baby!
Ross Holkham
Congrats Julia, she looks adorable!
Juliet Hollingsworth
soooo cute! Congrats guys (she shares same birthday as my other half, he’s a pretty good guy so think you’ll be alright there!)
charlotte@rockmywedding
So beautiful, huge congratulations both!
Charlotte, Adam and Bek xxx
Birgitte Lydum @ Baby Beamers
Well done and congratulations Julia & James!
Isn’t it an amazing feeling? A new birth never fails to move me… All the best for the coming days, weeks and months. I hope your little girl will thrive and bring you unimaginable amounts of joy.
B x
PS: Call me when you need a SunSnooozer…
Marianne Taylor
Congratulations to all three of you! What an exciting adventure you have ahead of you. xxx
Alison Tinlin
Congratulations to you all. “Baby” is just beautiful, and you will while away many hours as a mama just watching them sleep. Enjoy your little girl xxx
Ellie
Wow to the image above! I think a little girl has just stolen James’ heart
Congrats to you both x
Lisa Long @ More Than Words
She is beautiful! Congratulations to you both. Lots of love xx
Alison
Congratulations! She is absolutely beautiful!
Roz & Severin
Amandine was very excited that ‘Baby’ shares the same birthday as hers. ‘Happy Birthday’ and congrats to you all. XXX
Lee Tuckett
Life will never be the same again! Congratulations to you all on the safe arrival of your beautiful daughter. Rest… You’ll need it!
TORY IN SHANGHAI
Many congrats Julia. Fab news. Would love to hear her name (offline) and how it’s all going xx
Rosie Parsons
Congratulations!!! So happy to read your news
xxxx
Abby Wilkes
And ‘just like that’, your wonderful baby girl has entered your world. Congratulations to you and James. Welcome to the world little one! Abby x
Silje Glefjell
Congratulations to the both of you! She looks absolutely gorgeous!
Helen
Now she is perfect. Well done to you all, wonderful! x
Katy Wey
I so know where you are coming from with wanting to just stare at her sleeping.
When Dylan was born I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to be out when they could be home just baby watching.
Same with Charlie of course but by then I had a nearly 3 year old racing round like a lunatic too (poor second born) :O)
Enjoy these precious moments and lots of cuddles xxx
Glen
Stunning photo Julia ! I’ve come over all unneccesary. Baby looks sooo cute, and James looks completely smitten !
Natasha Bailie
Amazing! She is a beauty…congratulations to you both xx
gail n john @ photoevoluiton
Congrats to all – Baby watching is so relaxing -
enjoy !!
Arnica and Breast feeding fab for the TUMMY – wrinkles and head state
WE also have that book ” The secret lanuage of birthdays -
Love the photo she’s poking her tounge out LOL
Eliza
Huge congratulations Julia and James! Baby is gorgeous!
Robin Wood
Congrats and best wishes from New York! The Big Apple has been renamed The Humongus Watermelon in her honor. Love Robin
Natasha
Congratulations – she’s absolutely gorgeous. Enjoy the staring
rebecca@rockmywedding
Congratulations Julia and James on the addition to your family.
Baby looks beautiful – can’t wait to see more
x
sarah@leafycouture
Huge congratulations, enjoy the many hours just looking at your beautiful baby girl, welcome to the world little one x
Carla Thomas
Gorgeous picture. The awe on James’s face is fantastic. Looks like he’s willing her never to grow up
x
Amy Georgina
Congrats guys, I have a huge smile as I know how amazing it is to have a new little precious bub. Spend hours watching her sleep!
Darlene Coberly
Congrats to all. What a precious picture. I see a family resemblance to daddy.
Aidan Malia
Congratulations guys, such fantastic news!! Can so relate to how James looks in that great photo – May 25th is a great date – its also the anniversary of when I met Em!!
looking forward to catching up soon
Gemma Schipani
Welcome to the world Baby!
Annamarie Stepney
Belated Congratulations Julia – so happy for you and your hubbie…must be so amazing to see her gorgeous little eyes looking back at you after all those years of dreaming and looking forward to the day you could finally see them (I’m including the ‘trying’ bit here – hehe!). Enjoy the jounrney hereon and may it be full of love, light and lots of laughter for you all.
PS – she also shares her birthday with the most amazing man I know…my hubbie!
Best wishes,
Annamarie x
Nikki McLeod
Congratulations, she looks amazing!
Rob Brook
Congratulations on the safe arrival of BABY. A good tactic when talking to new arrivals to call all babies baby you can’t get the sex wrong then