We have a baby! Mr. H Jr. arrived safe and sound after a long labor (details coming soon). He was a big boy (8 lbs 12 oz), and we had to stay in the hospital for five days and four nights, but Jesus brought us through, and our baby is healthy and adjusting well.
Aside from the intense pain, the worst part was not being able to eat anything but clear liquids. I had to fast starting nine hours before my induction, so by the time the baby arrived, I was feeling so out of it that I couldn’t think straight. About 10 hours into the labor, I started feeling like I was slowly losing it, which was scary. We eventually decided that “cheating” was better than passing out, so my mother-in-law snuck in some saltine crackers. Mr. Handsome was very strict and only let me eat a few every hour, but it made a big difference in how I felt.
The minute the midwife finished stitching me up and all the nurses had left the room, we called my father-in-law, who had been at my brother-in-law’s house doing some home improvement projects, and he ran to Panera and bought me a sandwich and a bowl of mac n cheese, which I proceeded to stuff in my face as quickly as I could. The feeling of intense exhaustion lingered, but at that point, I had my sweet baby in my arms, and it no longer mattered.
Erin
Congratulations
Shannon from Wisco
Absolutely adorable. I was the same way after my second. I had to fast from Sunday evening and she wasnt born until Monday afternoon. As soon as I got the ok, I grabbed that phone and called the hospital kitchen and got myself a turkey dinner and then more! I absolutely do not recommend inductions only for that reason. I went into labor with my oldest and youngest on my own thankfully!!
Anonymous
Congratulations on the birth of your healthy son. I’ll be eagerly awaiting to hear any news you’ll be sharing about Mr. Handsome, Jr. May God bless all of you.
Alayna
Congratulations on Mr. Handsome jr. He is a cutie! From what you described it sounds like your sugar got low. I’m glad everything worked out and you and baby are doing well. Praying for you during your recovery.
Sue
Congratulations, Ellie! What is the baby’s name?
Sharon
I don’t think Ellie will share that information with us. And that is absolutely ok! If I was a blogger I would keep personal information away from the internet.
Tanya Mabie
Awe congrats hope you are recovering slowly. Let anyone that wants to help, help you.
Larissa Hadley
Glad you and baby are well. He is adorable!
Linda
So sweet. Glad the wait is over and he is now safe in your arms.
Kori
There is no meal as good as the 1st one after delivery! By my 2nd, I had a standing order in place with my husband; a turkey club, fries and a chocolate shake (all things he could get quickly from the hospital cafeteria, lol). Congratulations!
Anonymous
I second that!! I think I took down 5 tacos after each birth. Congratulations, Ellie! Glad to hear you’re all well!
Juliet
Congratulations Ellie & Mr. H! He’s adorable! Hope you are both doing well! Thank you for sharing updates during your pregnancy & please continue to share things/stories/pictures about your motherhood journey & your family with us. Praying for you and your family!
Maddy
Congratulations he is so adorable!
MaryFajardo
Gratulation‘s very handsome boy God bless him
Anonymous
Congratulations! 38 years ago today my first son was born at 8 lbs 12 3/4 oz!!! ENJOY him time goes fast!!
Anonymous
Congratulations! Of course, we knew you never had any intention of telling your readers what you named the baby.
Lucy
She doesn’t have to share a picture either. It is up to Ellie what she chooses to share about her son. I respect her for protecting him and don’t blame her for limiting the information we know about her life.
Anonymous
Congratulations Ellie! Have been checking in hoping for the wonderful news. He is just gorgeous! All the best in this new chapter. xx
Anonymous
Congratulations! Glad everyone is doing well. Can’t wait to hear more…Jane
meginoregon
He is indeed a handsome boy! Congratulations and blessings on your little family.
Melanie
Congrats! He is beautiful!
Jessica
Congrats! He is precious. I am so happy for y’all. I know you are glad to be home with your son. It’s hard to rest in the hospital. It’s just so nice going home and getting adjusted to life with a baby.
I have never been induced but during labor I walk around the hospital for hours and can’t have any food. I eat ice, but truly that isn’t enough. During my last labor, I did have a nurse say I could have crackers because I came to the hospital dehydrated and I hadn’t eaten anything. But I didn’t want to eat. And the baby was not born until the next day. I know the reason behind only clear liquids but labor and delivery takes alot of work and strength is needed.
Lord willing, we have 5 weeks or less until our next child is born and I hope I am able to eat before I go to the hospital.
Stacey
Jessica i pray all goes well for you with your pregnancy and labor delivery!
Jessica
Thanks, Stacey.
Stafford
Congratulations! I had my first little one last spring and went through an induction too. It is exhausting, but then seeing that lovely face gives you a new found life. Enjoy time with your Handsome and your son!
Stacey
Congratulations on your new son he is adorable. I had my son 21 years ago on January 14.God bless you all.
Diana
Congratulations! He’s adorable!
James
Congratulations! You two will be amazing parents.
Out of curiosity, if you ever have as girl, what’s her nickname going to be?
Margaret
Probably LittEll me
Ellie
Thanks, James. I’m not sure. I’ll have to start thinking!
Ellie
Laura
HandsomeGirl! 🙂
Jesussaves
He is a big, beautiful boy! Congratulations! My fourth child, our daughter, weighed 9 lbs. 4 oz. and I remember the feelings and the joy of seeing her. I am so glad you got those saltines! They would not even give me ice and that was so hard. But many years later I forgive them 🤗
Enjoy your son Ellie, you both will be great parents! And our Lord Jesus was faithful to see you through✝️🙏‼️
I know that all the followers of your blogs send you our love and prayers ‼️
Marie
Congratulations! He is a darling!😍
Colleen
Congratulations on your new arrival. He is so sweet,
Julianna
Congratulations to you both!! He’s just precious 🙂
Géraldine
Félicitations!!! Profitez de tous ces moments, ça passe vite ! Congratulations and welcome to this lovely baby boy!
Kathy Oates
Congratulations he is adorable……
Cherish
Congrats! And nine hour fasting for an induction? I wonder if the rules change by state: for my induction in New York back in 2016, I literally (with permission from my OBGYN) went to Subway for a 6” sub before I was admitted to the hospital. I was limited to bland food after, but they flat out took my meal order from my husband and saved my meal for me for after delivery. I learned later they only saved it because it was obvious I was too far into transition to want food.
Candi
So happy for you! Congrats! Sounded like a scary ordeal if you were in the hospital that long! Am glad you are safe and ok. Can’t wait to hear the details! What day was he born? What a cute lil guy…
Shela G
Congratulations!! He is a cutie 😍 thank you for sharing the picture!! Glad you both are doing well. Looking forward to reading whatever you want to share about him and your mom journey.
Anonymous
Congratulations! So sweet
Marie
I’ve been eagerly checking your blog for this news! Can’t wait to hear more. Sounds like it was a rough time… Sorry about that.
Anna
Such a precious baby! He’s beautiful! Congratulations!
Hope you’re feeling better now and gaining your strength back.
Elisabeth
Congrats! I am so happy for you and Mr. Handsome. Baby is adorable!
Michelle
Congratulations! God bless your family as you raise this precious little boy for Him. What a cute little guy!
Elaine
Congratulations! He’s beautiful!
godly-young-widow
Yay! Congrats and praise God! He is so cute. Yes, as you say, the pain was a pain, but now he is here. Enjoy, and get whatever rest you need.
Alicia Mae
Congratulations!! He is such a cutie!
Justine Elizabeth Kessner
I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY U ARE OK!!!!!!!!! I was sending U, all the good energy I could, and I am soooooo happy, U are OK!!!!!!!! I am also happy Mini Handsome, is doing well, now I can relax, and cause I hate it when 1 of U girls go through labour!!!!!
Anonymous
Such a beautiful baby. He is lucky to have you as parents. Take care of yourself too.
Anonymous
Your husband “allowed” you to eat?! Is he always this controlling? It’s your body! You should be able to do whatever you want during labor!
Ellie
He was an incredible support during labor. Very kind and patient. But I was so out of it that I didn’t trust my own judgement. LOL. He’s also in the medical field, so even on a regular day, he understands that stuff much better than I do, and I would rather him give me his opinion than have to make medical decisions on my own.
Ellie
Justine Elizabeth Kessner
DO U know in Canada, U can eat, and drink smoothies too!!! U will have to eat what the hospital says, but U can eat!!!! I feel bad that, that happened!!!! Man!!!!! Love U Ellie!!!
anonymous
Just out of curiosity, is there a medical reason why you couldn’t eat?
I mean, your husband sure wants your best interest, but after all he’s a dentist, he works in a very specific field of medicine, it’s not like he’s a doctor. I’m just curious!
Anonymous
If you have to go back for an emergency C-Section and for some reason they need to put you to sleep it is very dangerous and you could aspirate any food or liquid in your stomach. Not a great idea to follow what you just read. Just saying.
Sue
If you need an emergency C-section, operation can not be performed if there is something in your stomach.
Anon
A dentist is a doctor, first of all. Don’t be so dismissive and disrespectful. Second, yes, there is a medical reason not to eat during an induction. Having an induction is a traumatizing event for the body. The body is not ready to go into labor and is being forced, which increases the possibility of needing a C-section. Eating is avoided prior to a surgery due to the risk of vomiting and aspiration. Eating can limit the medical interventions that can be done.
anonymous
I didn’t mean to be rude. Maybe I wasn’t clear enough. I put together two different points.
On one side I was very curious about the reasons for fasting: thanks for explaining.
On the other hand Ellie said she trusted her husband completely and I thought that while of course he wants her best, it’s not exactly his field of expertise. I was thinking “there must be a good reason for someone to be so strict about fasting, I really wonder what it is”.
Good Wife
That was incredibly disrespectful. If you have issues with how other people manage their marriages, that’s your problem. Keep your hurtful opinions to yourself. By this point you probably should have realized that this a religious couple and whether you like it or not, that means the husband is the head of the household and the one in control. In situations like this, a woman’s judgement might not be best and she might think she is making a good decision (or be pigheaded and stubborn and say she can do whatever she wants), and the husband needs to step in for her best interests.
If you don’t want people pointing out that your views are wrong, harmful, and show your husband should be felt very sorry for to have a wife like you, you should back off and stop trying to imply other women are “oppressed” or “controlled”. Women like us are smarter, more cherished, and happier than you obviously think.
Laura
I don’t know whom you’re answering to, but I just finished watching and reading The Handmaid’s Tale and this kind of extremism is scary.
Anonymous
I’m sorry, but I fail to see how submissive women are smart and happy. I don’t want to be cherished…I want to be independent and fierce!
SallySays
Like a man you mean? That is fine. But others prefer another route like Christian women?
Anyway congratulations on your newest arrival
Delia
I know plenty of Christian women who are independent and fierce. Their husbands cherish those qualities they have. You can choose whatever role you want in your marriage. However, you don’t get to define other women as masculine or say that a woman isn’t a Christian because she desires to be a true equal partner in her marriage.
Laura
Being independent and fierce isn’t being like a man!
🙂 It’s being a happy, healthy and strong human being.
Peace and love, and empowerment to all!
Leah
Congratulations!
Kay
Yay, so glad he’s here and that you are back home!! I am really impressed that you have been keeping up the blogs! Make sure to get some rest though. Everyone will understand.
Anonymous
Congratulations to both of you on the safe arrival of
Mr H jr. He is so sweet. May God shine his grace upon all of you.
Eileen
Tiffany
Congratulations !
Anonymous
Your baby looks Handsome and peaceful too. It is all wonderful! Thank you for sharing your stories.
Syll
Congratulations
What a beautiful baby
Happy that you finally have Mr, H j in your arms
Sounds like a rough labour .hope your recovering well & taking it easy ..
Mary
Congratulations very handsome boy GodBless him
Anonymous
Congratulations Ellie and Mr. Handsome. Your baby is gorgeous. God bless you, help you recover from labor/delivery, and give you the energy and strength you need to raise this little blessing.
Marg
Congratulations. Beautiful baby. I have never heard of fasting for an induction. I was induced and never had to fast (Australia).
Anonymous
So happy for you & Mr H & sweet baby boy. Thanking God for your’s & baby’s health. Looking forward to further news when you are able. Best wishes. ~C
Beth
Congratulations Ellie&MrH. He is beautiful . I’m glad you and the baby are doing well.
Lynn W
Congratulations! Looking forward to hearing about your life as a family of three now. Rest up, sounds like you had a rough delivery. Usually a hospital stay that long is due to a c-section.
Anonymous
Mr. Handsome is in the medical field therefore was helping protect his wife with his knowledge. If a C section had become necessary it’s safer to have an empty stomach
Anonymous
Mr. Handsome is in the medical field and was protecting his wife with his knowledge. If a C section had become necessary it is safer to have an empty stomach
Anonymous
I was lucky on Canada I was allowed to go to the tim Hortons 12 hours into pitocin and get a sandwich. Yes I was a little weird that I wanted food at that point. My midwife let me eat whatever o wanted. Medical people are saying the new advice is that since people have emergency surgery all the time right after eating that it’s not as necessary to go without eating during labour anymore. I had a c section 4 hours after the sandwich with no problems
Ellyn
Congrats Ellie!!! Sounds like you did awesome! I can’t wait to hear the birth story. I do hope you share his name with us at some point!!
Hansineh
Ellie, he’s BEAUTIFUL. Big congratulations to you and Mr. Handskme. You’re going to be great parents, and your cutie is blessed to have you!
Marilyn
Congratulations on your beautiful baby boy 🙂
Denise S.
Congrats! I know how happy you are to have him in your arms. He is precious. Enjoy!
Brittany
Congratulations
Anonymous
Congratulations Ellie! So happy for you! Take good care of yourself.
darlene
congrats!! i’ve been concerned with you not posting so i guessed you were having mini mr handsome. he is adorable and i’m glad you all are doing well! looking forward to hearing more about his arrival!
Mieke
He is here!! So happy for the both of you. I hope you recover soon.
Gefeliciteerd (🤨😄)
Mieke
Bethany
Congratulations Ellie and Mr handsome. He is gorgeous. Hope you have a speedy recovery.
Anonymous
Wonder what kind of doctor she had. Ive been induced 3 times and never had to fast
Cammie
It sounds like she had a qualified and conscientious medical team. She had a doctor and a midwife who delivered the baby (Ellie mentions her midwife stitched her up).
Trudy
Congratulations Ellie and Mr handsome! What a blessing to have your beautiful boy safely here. Sending you many good wishes for the newborn period.
I am so curious why you had to fast? I am a midwife and I’ve never heard of such a thing! Labour is like a marathon and you need sustenance, it defies all common sense to fast??!! I ate snacks and sweets throughout my labour to keep me going!
Maybe someone else can enlighten me as I’m sure you’re busy with you beautiful treasure xx
Jessica
I’m not sure in her case, but I have had five children and each time they won’t let me eat anything only ice. I have had natural labors. I walk around the hospital until the baby is born. But they say it’s incase something happens and I would have to have a C-section. Not sure if that’s standard or what, but I definitely agree that you need strength. I had a doula that confronted the staff about it and they said I could eat lite things like crackers or pop sickles. But most of the time they tell you only clear liquids. Even when I was in the hospital for days before my daughter was born I could only eat jello.
I’m not sure about fasting for inductions though.
Anonymous
Women who are induced are very frequently told to fast because of the higher risk of having to undergo a C-section. Many women are told not to eat because of the risk of vomiting during labor, which causes dehydration and weakens the body, making labor much more difficult. If there is the possibility of intervention, however, eating can become very dangerous.
I’m really baffled by all these comments about labor being a “marathon” and needing so much energy to do it. I did it. No medication. No medical intervention. My baby never went to the nursery, I welcomed guests immediately after, and didn’t go to sleep for 10 hours after the birth.
Anonymous
Just curious, how long was you labor? Because if it was more than 5 hours or so, and you weren’t allowed to eat when you wanted to, then that definitely takes a toll on your body.
Ellie
It was 21 hours, but I had to go on a clear liquids fast 9 hours before. The idea behind it is that they don’t know how your body will react to the induction drugs, and if you end up with an emergency C-section, it’s safer to have an empty stomach.
Ellie
Anonymous
Some people have easier births and some harder. My shortest was 7 hours and it was the most difficult. Even though I was sitting or lying during the last part I was covered in sweat.
Jessica
Everyone is different. I’ve had five children about to have my sixth, and I too had a few natural births. Also, the baby stays with me the whole time and I don’t sleep hardly any after the baby is born. I stay up in the hospital and take care of him. I couldn’t sleep no matter how tired because I am so excited about the birth I can’t sleep. I also try to go home 24 hours later no matter the time. And I go home and take care of my children and I don’t have much help. But recovery is better if you have help and can rest.
I’ve also had some long labors and although I didn’t eat much, labor is a lot of work and every labor is different. Even all of my labor and deliveries have been different. And every woman is different. Needing to eat and sleep is not wrong at all. We have to do what’s best for ourselves.
Alison from Scotland.
Thank you Ellie for the picture of your beautiful baby boy. I am glad u are both doing so well-I am sure Mr Handsome is too! Enjoy this special journey with your first child. Thank you also for any details you share with us . Best wishes and lots of love.
Shelly
Congratulations!
Lauren
Congrats! He’s adorable! I hope you are all adjusting well to being a family of 3!
I find it a little odd that you had to fast before induction. They allowed me to eat right up until they started pitocin. I guess the flip side for me was that I felt like I was going to vomit a couple times, but zofran is amazing so I never did.
Christine
Congratulations to you all , I’m so pleased he’s here , he just looks adorable , take care , try and rest , X
Laura
Why couldn’t you eat?
Congratulations, he is a beautiful boy.
I understand that you need to adapt to this new life, but I was wondering what you were thinking of doing with your blogs: will you take a maternity leave? It would be nice to know if you’re going to be gone for a few weeks, months, or anytime you need. 🙂
Anonymous
Congratulations to you all!! He looks lovely! When I read about how hungry you felt I could totally relate. I had a really loooong birth with my first one and after 2 days in labor and not making enough progress I had to have a c-section. I was not allowed to eat or drink for ages, was really sleep deprived and had a fever. So I felt really terrible. In my country it’s a tradition that the hospital provides you a really nice “after-birth” tray of food: sandwich, cookies, fruit, juice, tea or coffee etc. They had ordered for me a tray also, but after having the c-sections I was not allowed to eat, so my husband ate my tray of food. I was like “I did all the work and you got my goodie tray” 🙂 🙂
Anonymous
After I had a c section, one when I was put to sleep, because of the method I had gas bloating my belly. That gas meant I was not allowed to eat and at mealtimes I was disappointed by some extremely meager clear liquid substitutes. So I got proactive and started doing whatever moves would help clear out the gas. Anyway, Ellie, so funny, you finally had a lot of room again, to put away your food. I’m glad you, Mr H. and baby are all doing well!
Anonymous
On my goodness he is absolutely beautiful!!!!
Anonymous
Congratulations, he really is a little Mr Handsome! So happy to hear of your news and that all turned out well in the end. I hope you are feeling better and getting your strength back. Welcome to all the new and wonderful (and yes, overwhelming at times) experiences of motherhood. Try to get enough rest and don’t fret about the small things. Enjoy this precious gift from the Lord! May He bless your new little family!
Sarah Liston
Congrats, Ellie and Mr. Handsome! He’s beautiful!
Anonymous
He is absolutely adorable. I never had to be induced but my husband would have been the same way watching what I eat if the Dr said I wasn’t allowed to eat. I had no desire to eat when I was in labor with my son but afterwards I ate what the hospital gave me and the Chinese food my mom and husband got for dinner. My husband had to bring me snacks in between meals because I was hungry alot probably from starting to breastfeed. I do hope everything went smoothly for you, for having to stay in the hospital for so long. I would have gone nuts, I had my son on a Tuesday and we were released on a Thursday and I was going stir crazy, I wanted to be home, and get adjusted
Marilyn
Welcome to the world Mr. Handsome Jr.. Congratulations Ellie and Mr. Handsome. The baby is beautiful. God Bless.
Joan, Marion and Marilyn
Jeanette
Congratulations Ellie & Mr Handsome!! Your baby is beautiful. May God continue to Bless you & that you get the rest you need, so you can take care of Handsome Jr. Thank you for sharing your life with us!
Anonymous
My sister was induce she couldn’t eat anything 4 hours before the baby was born. But she eat anyway because she was hungry. She had to wait all day before she had the baby they didn’t have enough hospital beds to get her in to induce her. They call her at 4pm and told her to be at the hospital at 6pm. She had the baby by 9pm.
Angie
Congratulations he is adorable
Stacey in ND
Blessings to you Ellie and Mr H and your wonderful bundle of joy! I’m glad you all are well. I hope things went well for you delivering little Mr H. What day was he born, and was it morning or afternoon or evening? Enjoy these beginning months and please dont worry about your blogs, just get sleep when you can! Hugs to you!
Benita
Your son is beautiful.
Amanda
Congratulations to you all, and welcome to the world sweet baby boy!
Ellie, you have only just started the most incredible adventure of your life.
Please let other people do almost everything for you over the next couple of weeks, and don’t feel badly about it, or about asking for help. You don’t need to focus on anything beyond taking care of your baby and recovering from his birth. Even the easiest of births is physically traumatic, so please give yourself time to heal before taking on too much.
I hope you heal quickly, and that you, Mr Handsome, and your beautiful son are enjoying getting to know each other.
Much love to you all.
Zania
Congratulations Ellie and Mr. Handsome! 🙂
Amie
He’s so precious! Congratulations! Is he actually named after your husband? My husband would love a junior but we only have daughters so far.
Anonymous
I was wondering the same thing.
S
He’s so precious! Congratulations! I’m glad you all had a safe delivery. God is good—and babies are good reminders of his blessings. I hope you recover well and enjoy this sweet infant time. It goes quickly.
Ellie
Thank you for all the well wishes! I’m working on a post about the birth. 🙂
Ellie
Jess
Congratulations, hope you are all getting loads of snuggle and relaxing time to go with everything overwhelming!
Jess
Why do so many people pick apart posts like this and judge or ask pointed questions towards people? I see it on the Duggar and Bates blogs too, we need to not pick apart why someones doctor would or would not let them eat before induction :/ Just be happy for the healthy momma and baby born! Focus on the positives, praying for your family Ellie and your ‘handsome’ boys 😛
Margaret
Congratulations. And let the negativity slide off your back like dirty water. You did an important and very life-affirming thing; you gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby. Don’t let anyone get in the way of the joy you feel and deserve in that. You accomplished something huge–you made another human being. May little Mr. H grow up to be as amazing as his parents. You and Mr. H will be wonderful parents. LOVE will guide your hand in raising this wonderful little boy.
Marjo
Congratulations on your beautiful baby boy.
Wishing him and you both all the love together.
Ellie
Thank you, Marjo!
Anonymous
Congratulations to you and your husband on your most precious, beautiful baby boy. Thankful you and baby were taken such great care by your husband and staff and that you’re home and settling into the most treasured time of your lives.
Ellie
Thank you! It’s a very treasured time, for sure.
Ellie