We are having a grand ole time getting to know one another here!! Despite not having any sleep yesterday other than two 20 minute naps, I somehow made it through the day without feeling very tired at all.
Breakfast yesterday was eggs, toast (which I slathered in butter and jam) and OJ. Despite how hungry I was, I was a little scared I’d get sick if I ate too much. You should see today’s breakfast, however!
We spent the morning lounging and trying to fit in some naps
Filling out paperwork with dad!
The view from our room overlooking the Monticello mountains! This hospital is so nice.
I finally got my IV line out and could take a shower. Felt like a million bucks afterwards! [Also loving my robe + PJ pants outfit. ALSO – the hospital mesh undies and giant pads are awesome! They do exactly what they need to do : ) ]
Matt packed his Duke shirt for the hospital bag as a surprise!
I got to choose my lunch and had baked cod, rice, a roll, milk, salad and peaches over angel food cake.
I didn’t eat much salad and saved the banana for later, but the rest tasted great!
We wrapped Maze in his buzz blanket because Grandma Buzz and he-who-has-yet-to-be-named Grandpa arrived in the early afternoon!
They, of course, think he is perfect : )
We also video chatted with Larbs, who is coming up next weekend, and Karen, who is in NYC but returns tonight!
Afternoon fun! (SO glad I brought the Boppy – for both nursing and for sitting on!)
I didn’t get a photo of dinner because my hands were full, but I had meatloaf, mashed potatoes (that were amazing!) and zucchini + squash with a roll.
And when mom and dad returned for an evening visit, they brought Kohr Bros!! An oreo blast for me.
Matt and I settled in for the night with an episode of Mad Men on our TV/computer/Netflix machine while Maze nursed (he’s too young for cocktails and cigarette talk).
Last night went surprisingly well. I got three 2-hour blocks of sleep in between feedings and M had his first poop, which I think made him a lot more comfortable! Matt was in charge of keeping Maze happy from 10-12 so I could sleep and then I took over for the rest of the night, so he is feeling pretty rested now too. Happiest Baby on The Block is TOTALLY working on our little guy. The shushing especially!
I woke up this morning feeling like I spent the day before in an extreme weight lifting class – my entire upper body, from biceps to back to neck muscles, feels like it was torn apart on Thursday from all the laboring! Perhaps not surprisingly because it was in better shape, my lower body isn’t tired at all. Well, except the part that did the actual pushing : )
I still cannot believe that 24 hours ago this tiny beautiful creature was inside of me. His little mouse squeaks are my favorite!
We are here until tomorrow morning. I’m glad to have another day of prepared meals and kind nurses watching over us, but I’m also getting really excited about the thought of going home!!
{ 139 comments… read them below or add one }
What a sweet sweet baby! I love the bumble bee swaddling blanket! Its just adds to the cuteness! Glad to see you’re all doing well!
Yay!! He’s adorable.
How awesome! I remember the first meals being the best!
good luck going home!
Wow – he is perfect
Congratulations!! He is adorable!
I’m glad you got to enjoy some ice cream; hospital food never seems super appealing!!
Oh Kath, he is just precious! What a handsome little man! I’m glad things are settling in a bit and everyone is getting a chance to get to know each other! Enjoy your family! Congratulations to the three of you!
The food looks a million zillion times better than the crap we get here in Ireland!!! Love the bumble bee blanket!!! He really is gorgeous, so alert looking with his eyes wide open!
Congratulations!!! He is so beautiful and I love the name! Enjoy every second!
Congratulations to you both! Such a pretty baby!
#1 I cannot believe you are blogging Such a calm mama!
#2 That’s so awesome they let you stay so long. Here they practically kick you out as soon as the baby crowns.
#3 i LOVE that buzz blanket – Go Jackets!
LOL at #2.
Mazen is beautiful! SO happy for your family! Can’t wait to see more.
Congratulations Kath! Mazen is REALLY cute and you all look SO happy
Yay!
I can’t believe your up and blogging! You. Are. Awesome. For someone who just gave birth you look a-maze-ing! By the way the not getting sleep and still feeling great thing, welcome to motherhood.
Love all the photos…keep them coming! They bring a smile to my face! Nice way to start the day. Your parents must be thrilled – nice to see them holding the baby…
I have never commented but have been reading since almost the beginning! Just wanted to delurke and say congrats on beautiful baby boy Mazen! He looks so alert and one of the handsomest newborns I’ve ever seen! P.S. for just going through labor, u look equally amazing and beautiful. Isn’t it strange to believe the wait is now over?? Enjoy all the bonding to come!
you’re posts just make me smile. I love the name and again I’m unbelievably over the moon happy for you guys!
Congrats! You are so right on the mesh undies and pads – they are just what you need! Haha
He is absolutely perfect Kath. Enjoy each and every moment with him!!
So happy for you & Matt.
Props to your parents for bringing the Oreo blast. How thoughtful.
First of all, I am SO impressed that you are blogging!
He is precious. Seeing those pictures with your mom and dad made me tear up! They don’t look too proud or anything
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Isn’t it amazing how much you can love someone? So happy for you two, er, three!
Congratulations!!! I have read for awhile, but never commented. Everyone
Looks great! It takes me right back to my birth experience…27months ago. Time flies, but it is an amazing ride!
Seeing all that joy in everyone’s eyes kinda brings tear to my eyes. Very happy for you all!
He really is absolutely precious, Kath. Congrats to you guys!
He is so cute!
He’s so beautiful!! Wow, babies!
He’s soooo perfect!! I can’t wait to see more pics/hear more stories
Congrats to you and your family, he is absolutely perfectly precious! And good for you on having the kind of labor you wanted, you should be very proud of yourself and hubby for making it through! Enjoy every minute with your family! I look forward to hearing about your adventures into motherhood!
Ohhhhh, that first shower. There is literally nothing better.
Haha…don’t you feel a little silly for packing those small pads now? I made the same mistake. Yeahhhhh, not gonna cut it.
Looks like the whole family is doing great! I can’t tell from the pictures if there are any resemblances yet…do you see any? Great pictures so far also!
We think he has my nose and Matt’s eyes
Mazen looks like such a peaceful baby!
What a proud Grandpa & Grandma
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
He is soo sweet! I am looking forward to watching him grow! ( my ‘little’ ones are all grown now.. I’m hoping for a grandchild soon)
you guys look so happy & clearly, natural born parents;)
Congratulations again! savor every single minute of this precious time!
oh… and those mesh panties…. they are the best.. it;s amazing what you learn to love from necessity!
I totally agree…I loved the mesh!!
I must say I think he looks like you but has Matts eyes. Enjoy every moment you wont believe how fast it will go. My first born gets married in two weeks, and if I could Id do it all over again.
Oh I can’t wait till you go home too. Little Mazen is so darn cute, and watching him change and grow is a huge extra because I’m a fan of yours kath….sending you prayers for some extra sleep today.
Hugs Judy
Congratulations to you! What a beautiful family
I adore the name you chose. It is precious!! You are truly an inspiration. I am looking forward to the birth story!
Looks like an eventful day for the lil guy (and mama!). I don’t know why but your dad looks like “Pops” to me. I can’t wait to hear what moniker he ends up with!
He is a gorgeous little guy! Congratulations to all of you!
Congratulations Kath + Matt! Mazen looks so adorable and cute. I’m so happy that everything went well for you. And super-impressed that you’re blogging!
Congrats again Kath!! I’m so glad that all of you are doing well. Matt looks like he’s over the moon to be a dad and if I can look half as good as you in my future “I just gave birth to a baby” pictures, my life will be complete!
He is such a pretty babe- such defined features.
You look beautiful! Glowing. I’m so so happy for you and Matt.
Mazen Duke, welcome to the world!
Congrats you guys. You have a beautiful baby.
words can’t describe how happy I am for you
ohh, and those were some pretty nice hospital meals ayy? haha
CONGRATULATIONS!!! He is adorable!
I am so truly excited for you and your family, even though we don’t really know each other! You are going to be so happy [not that you aren't already!]
Have a BEAUTIFUL day!
Baby Mazen’s lips are so gorgeous and sweet! I can’t believe how handsome he is. I hope you get your beer soon : ).
so happy for you and Matt! What an adorable addition to your family!
Good call on not exposing the precious Mazen to the debautury-filled Mad Men
Enjoy this special time!
YAY!!! ahh this post brings back so many [recent] memories!!! you look great and maze just looks so contented. and yay for 2 hr sleep blocks! fantastic.
happiest baby on the block worked wonderfully for annabel, too. i used to say that if you brought out ALL FIVE S’s it would work every time. not to say there weren’t fussy moments but really eventually she always settled with sssshh, swaddle, sway, side and suck!
oh, and of course a. has a tiny duke shirt that we love. maze needs one if he doesn’t have it already!
Kath,
he is so beautiful and has a healthy glow to him. Congratulations!
Beautiful baby and mommy! I think motherhood suites you perfectly by the looks of the pictures. Looks like the hospital serves up some great meals…..enjoy someone else cooking while you can!
You look wonderful! Isn’t it funny how hospital food can taste good when you are hungry!!
Mazen is looking very alert!
He is so precious! The first day in the hospital is great because you get the support from the nurses and have your food made for you! I’m glad happiest baby is working – swaddling and shushing saved our sanity.
You look great and he’s adorable!
Reading this brings back so many memories…what an exciting time on a couple’s life. When I brought my first bundle home, I wanted to do it again. So, surprise, we did 10 months later (be careful). I was blessed to have more than my fair share of babies (7 to be exact, in 6.5 years…yes, a set of twins). Oldest is 20, youngest 14. Ah, I remember hospital gowns, my OBGYN rolling her eyes, the pain of labor, peoples rude comments about having so many (I was a stay at home mom with all of them)…but most of all, I remember the fun we all have and ARE having being a large family.
What does a mom do when all her kids are in high school and college? Why open a Great Harvest of course!
love this comment!!!!
So glad that you are getting along so well! …..Use those nice nurses for info- they help soooo much! ….Hooray for those two hour stretches of sleep
Enjoy each and every moment of time with your new little one! {hugs}
Kath! Your baby is absolutely beautiful!!!! I am SO happy for you!!!!!
Congratulations! I had my first baby this past Monday the 3rd, so I can totally relate to all you’re experiencing, especially the full body workout feeling. It is so surreal and amazing to think of them inside is one minute and out the next. Hope the first few days continue to go well!
Finally some baby blog posts that don’t make me feel terrified at the prospect of ever giving birth! Thank you, Kath, for being so positive, so well-prepared, and so confident. You’re going to make a fantastic mum and you are an inspiration.
Congrats!
Congrats!!!!! He is beautiful!!
He really is perfect! Enjoy the pampering, but I’m sure you will be glad to be home. Enjoy this special time!
He has the cutest little mouth, and his eyes are so bright! I know you are enjoying every moment!
Kath, he’s so precious. AND you look GREAT!
Kath, he is beautiful and perfect in every way. From an experienced mom…relish and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy these precious first days. They are SOOoo special and such fun. They also fly by and you will never forget how awesome this time is for you and Matt. Once the ‘babymoon period’ ends, and the exhaustion sets in like around the 3rd and 4th week, you will have the memory of these days to carry you through. Don’t you wish you could bottle adrenaline? We’d be gazillionares!!!!!
Maze is precious!!!! Enjoy
Yes, so true about the babymoon period.. now that my little one is 7 weeks old I see a light at the end of the tunnel..the in-between weeks are tough but so worth it!!
congrats !
Congrats again dearie! I am so happy for you. Enjoy your time with the sweet lil guy! As you are so much prepared I am sure you all will have a great time at home. Lots of love and hugs to lil Mazen:-)
So cute baby! His pictures bring a lot of smiles:) Your hospital definitely has good meals compared to the one I hospitalized in the past.
Kath, I’m so happy for you. He’s gorgeous and it looks like you guys are really happy. Reading your posts makes me so happy. Haha thank you for unintentionally helping me have a great attitude today!
Aww, I could feel the joy radiating out of your post
Congratulations again!!
what beautiful photos of him! You are all looking great, I’m glad labor and everything afterwards is going well! Haha and I’m sure when Maze is 18 he’ll love looking back and reading about his first poop! Hahaha too cute.
So awesome. you have an adorable son. congratulations!!
Oh Kath, he is just so precious. I love hearing how things are going – glad you’ve been able to sneak in a bit of sleep! sounds like you did a great job packing those hospital bags!
So excited for you guys!! And that hospital! WOW! As a nurse….let me tell you….most hospital food/rooms are NOT that nice!!!! I am sooooo impressed! Glad you are having a wonderful first few days together adn that you felt willing to share it with us!
Absolutely adorable. I think it is outstanding that you went completely natural with an 8 pound baby! Awesome! Just so excited for you. I know everyone probably is saying similar things, but I remember so well when my boys were born (I have 2). They were 6 pounds 8 and 6 pounds 3 and now they are 6’3″ and 5’6″! Oldest is 16 and I remember holding him in my arms as though it was just the other day. I know you absolutely are already doing this but with joy and warmth I just want to say, treasure every moment. There is nothing better on earth than spending time getting to know this little person who will be your son for the rest of both of your lives!
Baby Mazen is so precious. Love the blanket! Where is it from?
Congratulations Kath and Matt! What a precious baby boy! So glad everything went well. You have a wonderful glow about you
Kath this is such a detailed post – I can’t believe you have the energy to give but it’s appreciated! He is so adorable and glad to hear you and Matt both got some sleep and are feeling decent. It’s amazing how seeing your child and being with them makes being up for 48 hours with just a nap seem like no biggie
Congrats again!!
He is so, so adorable! Glad to hear you are mending well. Yay for going home soon though.
OMG – you’re all so perfect!!!
Congratulations again to you and Matt – you’ll be wonderful parents to Mazen!! 
I remember loving the first few days at the hospital…all the help, food service and extra hands to hold the little one! You’ll look back on these photos in a year and wonder how your baby looked like that…it’s amazing. He’s adorable!
Congratulations! He is adorable. I’ve been so excited to see what he will look like!
Congrats…those first hours and days in the hospital are such a great time to get to know each other with some backup help. I have such a new respect for nurses after my l&d and afterwards. What a cute new family!
You guys look like total pros already!! What a sweet time for your whole family!!
Enjoy Parent Hood! It’s an “amazing” journey!
Congratulations!
Congratulations! He is beautiful and you look great! Enjoy every moment together… congrats, mama!
You have such a beautiful (handsome?) baby!! So glad you all are doing so well. You three make a pretty cute family.
He is seriously one of the most beautiful newborn babies I have seen! That mouth is just so precious! And ooooohhhhh my goodness this is making me SO EXCITED to start a family (we plan to start trying next March-ish).
The picture you posted yesterday of you holding him in the striped robe (I think you posted it on Twitter?) was the best picture I have ever seen of you. You were (are) absolutely radiant!
It’s crazy to be so happy for people I have never “met” in real life! Ha! I am looking forward to you guys going home — can’t wait to see him in the nursery!
So excited for you!!! He is adorable and you look awsome!!! Congrats on a healthy beautiful baby!!
You’ll be in an avalanche of messages with the arrival of this sweet baby but I just have to add: Welcome to the world, Mazen! Congratulations, Kath and Matt! Elleninthekitchen keeps me updated generally, but lately I’ve been following KERF/BERF quite closely. Enjoy enjoy..you’ll never forget these days.
Sounds like everyone is doing great! Your whole family looks wonderful.
Congrats! What a beautiful little one you have:) Hospital mesh panties are the best, LOL. Be sure to swipe some when you go home. Oh, and take the nose suction thing for the baby too. The hospital one is the best!!
He is handsome! At work today, but sadly not OB
Come say hi if you have a break!
Beautiful! You look so happy! Is there going to be some pressure for The Raisin to be a Duke alum just like Daddy?
So glad everything went as you planned! I tend to think that is a reward for us moms for being so prepared during the pregnancy!
Mazen Duke is so adorable, so precious, so handsome. Even being a non-relative, I get goose pimples looking at him. Best wishes again to all three of you. Enjoy one another!
You look incredible and are glowing! Congrats again! He has the most beautiful eyes
Kath – I have been following your blog for awhile but never left a comment.Because of some work commitments and being sick, I haven’t been able to find out if you had your baby until this morning! I was so excited to see that he has finally arrived and that you are doing well. What a testament to your family’s healthy lifestyle to see how well things went – and I loved how you kept true to your blog by sharing what you ate at each meal, even in the hospital! Congratulations and blessings.
Mazen is adorable!! & glad everything is going well and you’ll all be able to go home soon!
Congratulations!! I loved our time in the hospital right after our baby was born. It gave us the security of knowing that professionals were near and also allowed us to rest without worrying about the typical house stuff (cleaning, cooking, etc.).
Maze looks so sweet en Kath so happy: happy for you guys!
MazeN of course
Hi Kath,
I’ve never posted any comments before but it felt odd not doing so on this special occasion.
Congratulations and lots of love from the Netherlands! Mazen looks beautiful!
Congratulations! He looks so beautiful and healthy!
He is so adorable and precious! Enjoy the extra help while you guys have it and get as much rest as you can. I’m so happy to hear you’re all healthy and doing well.
(P.S. I had to use those mesh undies and hospital pads after a surgery I had last December…i didn’t find them comfy at all. haha!)
Yay! CONGRATS! He is a cutie!
Congratulations Kath and Matt! Mazen is so adorable!
Those undies and pads were the best thing, besides the shower. I can remember those days in the hospital. Definitely enjoy the handful hands of the nurses, once you are home it is all you and Matt.
CONGRATULATIONS! What a cutie he is!!
I really enjoy your blog and I’ve gotten some good recipes and meal ideas from it – thank you! Wishing you much love with your new little bundle of joy!
He is one of the most beautiful babies ive ever seen! I love those lips!!! Sooo cuteee! I am sooooooo happy for u!!!!
A million congratulations!! I’m one of seven kids and nothing beats holding that baby in your arms for the first time (of course I have yet to experience the joy a pregnancy
). Mazen is truly beautiful and cute as a button. Congratulations again to you and your entire family 
Your energy should be bottled and marketed! Super blogger turns super mommy. Love this post! Mazen’s little face is so adorable! Glad you guys are doing so well and looking so happy. These are aMAZing times!
Congratulations to you all! He’s a cutie.
He is so cute!! Enjoy your time at the hospital!! I loved my stay at the hospital after each of my kids so much, but was glad to go home after two days
Awww Kath, he is beautiful. I love that close up shot
You are radiating with Joy!!!
So happy for the three of you! 
He is beautiful! I am so happy for you and Matt. From your friend in Charlotte.
M is such a cutie and you really look fantastic!
Congratulations! I’m so happy you are having an enjoyable experience…especially the nurses and hospital food
Can’t wait to hear all about you bringing Maze home!!!
Happiest Baby on the Block really is miraculous- glad it’s working already for your family! Many congrats- love his name!
Ack! There’s a bee on your baby!!
Just kidding, he’s adorable. I just found your blog and am looking forward to reading. Congratulations!
haha – welcome!
Awww he’s adorable!! Congrats to the whole family, and here’s to the beginning of a new phase!! Amazing that I’ve been w/ the blog to see this from the start lol.. Did you already say how you chose his name?
Going to do a BERF post on it soon
Congratulations!!!
Congrats! What a cutie.. enjoy all the firsts you have together as a family!
Congrats, he’s a cutie!
Congrats!
Everyone looks so happy and healthy
Wow I can’t believe you are blogging, amazing!
Great view from the hospital and the meals look good too, very cool.
Congrats again you two! It sounds like your first day went wonderfully.
Thought how could it not go well with such a sweet baby boy in your arms? He’s such a cutie! Also your hospital meal looks about a million times better than what I served at the hospital in my city this summer. When I get pregnant, I’m coming to Cville to have my baby! 
Sounds like you are all getting along very well! He’s a real cutie & I’ll be excited to read about your adventures as a ‘new’ family
Congratulations again to all of you!
He is so adorable! Love the name choice. So exciting that you are all three heading home together soon!
He is so freaking adorable! I just want to cuddle him through the iPhone!!
why do they have to grow so fast??
Peyton was a sucker for the 5′s too.. Sometimes we try to bring them back at 9 months old but alas, she is too big and active for a swaddle or a side hold.
Congrats again for bringing the amazing Mazen into this big world!! He is truly perfect!
PS: I totally LOL’d at the mesh panties & pads remark. I was so relieved that someone somewhere created those amazing hospital-grade miracles for the… After! I. Had. No. Idea. :S
He’s so beautiful and has such big eyes! What a cutie! Great that your folks got to see him so soon!
Those views are amazing! What an incredible place to bring him into the world.