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Happy Birthday!

Mazen Duke!

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Born at 3:38am on September 7, 2012. 8 pounds on the nose and 20.5 inches long!

He is healthy and the sweetest baby I’ve ever met!

Smile!

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Last night was INTENSE. We went in to the hospital on the early side at only 2cm and 70% effaced due to my strep B and water breaking, but luckily contractions picked up rapidly. At about 9pm I spent 2 hours in the Jacuzzi tub and that’s when things really started moving. I had 2 minute apart contractions from 9 to 3am that felt like a combination of every sickness, injury and surgery I have ever had, all in one big storm inside my core.

There was vomiting, uncontrollable pushing that caused a bit of difficulty and a billion growling animal sounds that escaped my mouth, but thankfully everything went well overall and I was able to have a drug-free birth. There is also absolutely no way I ever would have gotten through it without my amazing doula, Jen. No way on earth. I am undecided if I want to do it again, although I have to say the baby happiness is already making me forget the all-consuming pain!

Mazen (aka Maze, The Raisin, Amazin’ Mazen) is doing great with breastfeeding so far and has been happy for the nurses!

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And he may be the only baby who has not cried in Matt’s arms. They are already a twosome! After I nursed for 45 minutes, Matt held him for a while, helped with his bath and played with him in the warmer for a while.

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I’ve had 20 minutes of sleep in the past 24+ hours, so we’re all going to rest today as much as we can. I’ll pop in with more photos later!

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Comments

  15. Congratulations!!!!! Mazen is such an adorable name. Kath, i’m amazed by your strength and perseverance… all that hard work paid off!Enjoy your new sweet baby boy 🙂

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  23. congratulations! just happened to check in on twitter to see a new post! i am so happy that it sounds like you got the labor and delivery you were hoping for. all that body pump and yoga p aid off! have a wonderful first day as a family of three. love from one of your readers in kansas city.

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  25. Oh my goodness Kath congratulations! I’ve been following your twitter updates and your entire pregnancy and I could not be happier for you and Matt!! Congratulations to you both, you’ll make amazing parents!

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  26. Congratulations!! I’m glad he arrived safely and that you got your drug free birth. That’s awesome. And can I just say that you looked AMAZING in that picture for just having a baby?

    Enjoy your first hours with him and get all the rest you can!

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  33. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAZEN!!! Congrats Kath and Matt!! Thanks for taking the time to post and update. The blog world has been cheering for you!! Hope you’re feeling good.

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  37. Ahhhh!!! Congratulations!!! Mazen is a beautiful name, and he’s a BEAUTIFUL baby!! How exciting!! I can’t wait to hear even more about it and see more photos!! <3

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  47. Congratulations! Great pictures. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day resting with your new baby and your husband! All the best!

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  48. He is BEAUTIFUL! So happy for you and glad to hear that you and Mazen are doing well. Such a cute name by the way! How did you find it? Congratulations!!! 😀

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  51. Oh so many congrats! The first thing I did this morning is check twitter to see if he was here yet, and I don’t even have a Twitter! I’m so very happy for you.

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  52. Congrats!! He’s lovely. All your readers are so happy for you guys. Looking forward to more pics, but you guys get some food and rest.

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  72. Congratulations! He is perfect and adorable. I love his name, unique without being weird or impossible to pronounce or spell. Well done mama!

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  86. I am so excited and happy for you three! Welcome to this world little babyboy. You probably got the best parents on earth you can imagine. In any case, you will have a healthy life, I am sure of that.
    All the best for you and your parents! Enjoy the first days of being a family of 3!

    Regards from Germany,
    Tanja

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  94. Happy birthday kiddo! I think most moms say they don’t want to do it again right after birth. In fact, I think most moms are still saying that 6 months later. Once you guys settle in to parenthood, I’d love to hear Matt’s reaction to the doula experience and how he felt about having Jen there.

    Congratulations Mom!

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  95. congratulations kath (:
    mazen is too sweet! and his name has got to be one of the most ingenious ones i have ever heard. i’ve been following your blog for a while now, and had been waiting just as excitedly for the birth of your baby boy! so happy for you and your family (:

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  97. Congratulations to you both! I LOVE the name and he is absolutely adorable. I’m happy to hear he’s healthy and it sounds like you and Matt are doing well as well. Get some WELL DESERVED rest and enjoy your time with baby. 🙂

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  98. Many, many congratulations to the happy family! What a gorgeous baby boy you have! Enjoy every moment of your first day as a family of three.

    Can’t wait to hear more about your birth story – awesome job, mama!

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  99. Congratulations!! Sounds like you had quite the birth experience! You will forget the pain! Very creative name for a very creative family. Enjoy!!

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  103. Ahh! I was close with guessing Mason! Congrats Kath and Matt! He’s beautiful! So glad everything went well! Get some rest and enjoy your perfect baby boy!

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  108. He is perfect, Kath! Fabulous job! Rest up and enjoy every single minute as a family of three! Also, keep in mind second-time births are usually faster/easier! 🙂 You did great!

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  117. what a blessing for you and Matt!! Mazen is totally adorable and looks very happy to meet his Momma and Popa!!

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  118. Congratulations Kath! He is beautiful and his name is so unique and perfect! Enjoy every moment. Some moments will be really hard but all worth it- I promise, I have a 16 month old! Just get through the first few weeks and things will start getting easier! 😉

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  120. Congrats Kath and Matt! Mazen is adorable (and I love his middle name!) Glad to hear everyone is healthy and happy.

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  123. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I ADORE his name! You are beautiful in your pictures, & I could never have guessed it was as intense as you described it based on how radiant you look!

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  125. So very sweet. 🙂 Congratulations. My baby boy is 15 but I remember how wonderful and special that whole experience is–from pregnancy to birth and then having a little baby nuzzlebutt to hold and smooch. 🙂

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  132. Congratulations! Great work kath, you should feel so proud. Great name and super day for a birthday (it is my mom’s birthday today too). Rest and enjoy!

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  136. CONGRATS! I was up checking twitter every feeding last night (I am nursing a newborn also) looking for updates and thinking of you guys. Way to go drug-free (I can imagine that is intense!) and congrats again on your very handsome little man.

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  138. Kath, I am so incredibly happy for you and Matt! Enjoy your precious baby boy. 🙂
    P.S. LOVE his name <3 <3 <3

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  144. Happy Birthday, Mazen! He’s just gorgeous. Congratulations to all of you. Get some rest while the nurses are there with you because you don’t get a break at home 🙂 xo

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  145. Aww. He is absolutely perfect!! So happy for you getting to have a drug free birth experience. I had vomiting as well with my daughter (when I was transitioning from 9 to 10). Puking during labor is no fun! 🙁 Although I think we both know the outcome is well worth it! Great job mama. Much love to you, Matt and baby Mazen. 🙂

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  146. I kept checking Twitter and was thrilled to see the new post on KERF! Such a cute boy and what a cool name you have given him! Fits like a glove! Enjoy your little bundle and get some wellearned rest! So happy for you!

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  150. Hey, seriously, congratulations. I’m really glad your labor went well and that you were blessed with such a beautiful baby. The picture of you two with the baby is probably the best one I’ve seen of you guys; I’m glad you posted it.

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  154. Ahhhh the same name you were considering at my shower!!! I was wondering whether you ended up staying with it. Looooove the nickname Maze!!

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  159. Ahhhh…what a beautiful boy and a beautiful name!! Now, it’s time for you, the pooped mama and papa to get some rest and enjoy getting to know your bundle. Congrats again…wishing you all great joy and continued good health!

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  160. Oh my goodness he is a cutie! 🙂 Congrats to both you & Matt! I was following every post on twitter last night & thinking of you guys! I’m so happy everything went well for you & can’t wait to hear all the details. Congrats & enjoy every moment!!

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  162. Congratulations! I am not so sure about the name combination…..Maize and Blue is Michigan so it might be tough to be a Michigan fan and Duke fan at once!!! Enjoy every minute, get some rest…and be assured, the pain of childbirth is quickly forgotten…Its only a few hours of pain for a lifetime of love!

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    • I was thinking the same thing Laurie! Being from Michigan, it was the first thing I thought of!

      Congratulations Kath and Matt! He’s beautiful! I have three boys and I couldn’t imagine life without them. The first two were natural labor, the third I needed a little help…

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    • Congrats! Glad to hear he is healthy! I live in Ann Arbor so the name (nickname especially) definitely reminds me of all the people walking around in Maize shouting “Go Blue”! 🙂

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  164. Happy birthday, Maze! Congratulations to mom and dad on a very beautiful baby boy! There is nothing, nothing, nothing like the high you’re experiencing now.

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  165. Kath and Matt! Congratulations! Mazen is so, so precious! Soak in every moment, there is nothing like a new baby. Enjoy falling in love with your little miracle.

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  166. Congratulations Matt and Kath!!! Mazen is one incredibly adorable baby boy! I’m so glad you were able to have a drug-free birth Kath. You rock!! Enjoy this time as a brand new mama and papa. Happy, Happy!!

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  167. Congratulations, Kath & Matt (and your families)! He is just precious (love the name). So glad the birth & the aftermath 😉 are going well. Get some rest!

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  168. Congratulations!!! I was thinking of you as I was huffing and puffing on my run last night, thinking that you were probably having a harder time than I was. So glad to hear that you are all well!!!

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  171. Congratulations!!! So happy. Baby Mazen. Get some rest,can’t wait to follow the littLe guys life too.
    Prayers and love Judy

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  173. Oh how wonderful! A big congrats to both you and your family! I love your blog and have been following for the past few years, and you’ve really help inspire me to lead a healthier, more heartfelt life. I wish you only the best in the years to come with your new son. Warm wishes 🙂

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  176. Congratulations & welcome to motherhood!
    The look on Matt’s face is preciously priceless, what love!
    Enjoyed a bowl of KERF oatmeal for breakfast in your honor 🙂

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  177. Congratulations! Beautiful baby. I was nursing my own & saw your Twitter smiley & knew he had come – how special. Enjoy soaking up all that newborn love & let every one pamper you. Welcome to motherhood!

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  180. My sister-in-law had the same due date as you did – and she delivered my nephew this morning 25 minutes prior to Mazen’s arrival! Mazen Duke is really a beautiful baby!

    Congratulations! Enjoy these sweet, sweet days. They are the happiest times of life.

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  183. Congrats and welcome to the world Mazen! Every wonderful wish for your little family and you’re a rockstar for getting this posted!!

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  186. Congratulations to all of you! Such exciting times getting to meet your beautiful baby boy. Enjoy getting to know Mazen!

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  188. Congratulations on your absolutely adorable baby boy!!! Love the name! Rest up today, and enjoy your first day as a family of three!

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  189. The biggest congratulations to you all!! So happy that everyone is happy and healthy! I hope YOU are feeling well and heal quickly.
    Congrats again. Beautiful baby boy!!! 🙂 so precious.

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  194. I am so happy for you both!
    I’ve been checking your blog constantly the past couple weeks, waiting for this post! 😀

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  197. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’ve been on pins and needles waiting for the news, I was up at 4am feeding my little one and stalking your Twitter account! Glad everything went well, congratulations and he is BEAUTIFUL!!

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  200. Wow congrats to the newest edition!! He’s so cute! I’m very happy to hear mom and baby are well. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve checked twitter and the blog since yesterday! I was praying for you! 🙂

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  202. Congratulations! I have a cat named Maizi and we call her “Maize” all the time…as well as “The Mazer”…

    How appropriate that Mazen should arrive in the 3 o’clock hour!! He is INDEED the baby of baker parents!! Enjoy this time!

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  203. Congratulations! He is an absolutely beautiful little boy — that picture where he is on your chest with his tiny fist toward his mouth is incredibly adorable.

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  205. Congratulations!!! I have been a reader for years, but I’ve never left a comment (shame on me), but couldn’t resist congratulating you guys. You are in for an amazing joyful journey. My daugher will be 2 on Oct. 14 and my unsolicited advice is…. savor every second. Wait until you hear someone outside of your family refer to you as Mazen’s mom. Serioulsy, best title ever…MOM!

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  206. Happy Birthday Mazen! What a great day 9/7 is. It’s my birthday too! Sometimes 9/7 falls on Labor Day which means a day off from work which will = an extra day to celebrate your birthday. Someday you will understand this. Congrats to your family! What a beautiful boy !

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  214. Welcome to the world, Mazen! He is absolutely adorable! That picture of Matt holding him kills me. It makes me tear up to think about my husband holding our newborn baby someday (hopefully!) I think I may have a renewed case of Baby Fever after reading this post…

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  215. Congrats!! You guys are already the most amazing family and you look so beautiful, Kath! Motherhood definitely suits you.
    My niece is named Maizen, so of course I love the name. My husbands cousin also named her son Mazen, which is so funny because I’ve never heard the name until my niece and now this name is everywhere!! So ironic!
    Live the middle name too but I thought you guys went to Davidson??
    Congrats again!! Enjoy these times!

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  216. Congratulations! What a cute, interesting name! Hope all can rest as much as possible. You are amazing to have a labor with no drug.

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  217. Happy Birthday Mazen! Congrats to both of you. He is so adorable! Glad to hear things went well and that you are all off to such a good start as a family of 3!

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  221. Congratulations, great to see everything went so well and welcome to parenthood, crazy stuff happens here! Happy breastfeeding too and remember kellymom.com if you haven’t heard of them yet. Best breastfeeding advice online 🙂

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  233. Congratulations!!!!! Mazen looks so sweet and cute in your photos. And what an ingenious name, named after your beloved Mason jars! Is Duke family name?
    And wow, your labor sounded like it was SO quick and straightforward! Only 6 hours of active labor??? WOW you were lucky! (Although most labors seem quick in comparison to mine, which was almost 60 hours, ha ha!). We can’t wait to hear all about it! What labor like what you expected? How’s breastfeeding going? I hope your recovery is easy! Enjoy these first few sleepy newborn days, take advantage of that fact and SLEEP AS MUCH AS YOU CAN before Mazen “wakes up” and starts keeping you up all hours! 😉 Enjoy your sweet little boy!

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  241. Happy birthday Mazen!! Congratulations Kath and Matt! He is beautiful! I’m glad you were able to have the drug free birth you wanted. I had the uncontrollable pushing too, and there was no doctor in the room yet. Very scary and freaky how your body just does it…

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  242. WE ARE BEAMING WITH PRIDE AND LOVE AND JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to meet the newest member of the GH family!!!!!

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  246. I started crying tears of joy! So happy for you!!! Congratulations!! Welcome to the new world of parenthood. And Happy Birthday Mazen!

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  251. One of the most precious things i’ve ever seen:) congratulations! I’m so glad everyone is healthy and doing great:) He’s beautiful:) I can’t even imagine how happy you two are right now:)

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  258. I am so happy for you guys!!
    Such a beautiful name and baby. Also, seriously awesome that you were able to deliver the way to wanted.
    I know this sounds lame, but I am so proud of you. haha!! You are such a great example and role model for women. Thank you, and enjoy that little one. My baby is almost 5, and I miss those days. 🙂 Congratulations!!

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  262. He is perfect, You will change your mind, give it about 2-3 years, and you will forget. And once he looks at you and says Love you, then hugs you forget it your gone.

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  264. I am not the type of person who thinks all babies are cute, but Kath, that is an ADORABLE sweet baby! Congrats to you and Matt! 🙂 🙂

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  266. I’ve been waiting anxiously for this post! Congratulations, Kath and Matt and welcome to the world, Mazen! It’s been a treat to follow you through your journey 🙂

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  275. Congrats Younger family! He is perfect! Happy to hear everyone is doing well! And thank you for your honesty with the labor experience! 🙂 My husband and I have been married 9 years and I keep putting off babies due to labor scaring the mess out of me! In 4 more pounds of weight loss I will have then run out of excuses to put it on hold. I will have lost 100 pounds then so I will be much healthier for a family. I can’t wait to read more about your experience with labor! And I may be pregnant real soon! And will then probably want the info. for your doula. Love to all! <3

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  278. So happy for you all that he is here, safe and sound. Can’t wait to read some grandparent reactions. I didn’t see any yet, but I know they are all over the moon! Congratulations!

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  282. Congratulations Kath and Matt!! Kath, I completely understand your comment about how you aren’t sure if you would ever want to do “that” again (i.e. drug-free birth), I TOTALLY understand. I had an intense drug-free birth with my first (a boy) and I never really forgot the pain. (although don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that I did it). With my second baby (a girl), I still was undecided when I was in labor if I could do it again, but everything went so fast that I didn’t have time for an epidural! All in all, you are an amazing (a-Mazen) warrior mama and you have such a beautiful son! 🙂

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  286. Yesss…Congratulations on the drug free birth Kath!! Maze is adorable..he’s very lucky to have a mama like you and a great family! You did it dear, congrats again!

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  287. He is beautiful and I love his name! Congrats to you for making it through all natural! Get some rest and relish in the moment!

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  289. I am a reader of your blog that has never commented before. I wanted to say Congratulations to you and Matt, also to your families. He is a beautiful baby!!

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  290. CONGRATULATIONS, Matt & Kath!!!

    Oh my goodness, Kath! Mazen is beautiful — maybe handsome is a better way of putting it for a boy 🙂

    Mazen is “Lucky #7”, since he was born on 9/7/12 🙂 Seven is my favorite number!

    I am sure that you are happy that it was a medication-free birth, because I felt like I was way too drugged with our first child, & am hoping that I do not have that with our second child.

    I am sooo happy & elated that everyone is happy & healthy! Get some rest!

    http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/

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  298. Mazen (aka Maze, The Raisin, Amazin’ Mazen)
    Love this! Congrats!

    Yes, you do forget about the pain and will want to do it again.

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  299. What a joyful day this is for you and your family. He is beautiful! I’m sure the grandparents are over the moon with excitement.

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  300. Happy Birthday Mazen.. I look forward to watching you grow through Mommy’s blog and her new partnership with Real Health and WellPoint Inc.

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  302. HE IS ADORABLE! Such a cute little bugger 😛 I LOVE the name too. Unique and a little different, but not awkwardly new/weird.. overall AMAZING name and baby! Good baby brewing 🙂

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  305. So sweet. Can’t wait to meet Maze 🙂 no worries, I thought the same thing after Levi was born: when asked if I was willing to give birth again, I replied “hell no!” ha. Now I’m considering it 😉

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  307. Definitely teared up at this. It’s unreal how excited I was to learn BERF’s name! I chuckled when I saw Duke. Of course that’s his middle name :)))
    I’m so glad everything was safe for you guys, and that he is so happy and healthy!! Congratulations to you, Matt, and your families!!

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  312. Congratulations on a lovely creation 🙂 Have you gotten to enjoy your pumpkin beer yet? My husband and I were in St. Louis over Labor Day and ate at the Schlafly Tap Room and had their pumpkin ale and I sent good thoughts your way 😉

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  317. Congrats! Welcome to the world, Mazen, and welcome to motherhood, Kath! Today was supposed to be my baby boy’s bday (repeat csection), but instead he made his appearance early last Thursday! Baby boys are the best! Enjoy this special time;it goes fast!

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  321. Congratulations!! Love that picture of him on your chest with his fist near his mouth makes me think of the night my own sweet boy was born. And Duke must be the middle name of the month!

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  332. Congratulations!

    What a cute litty babyboy, you’ve chosen a wonderful name.
    Today’s my first wedding anniversary. I’m following your Blog and Babykerf since last december.

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  337. Oh my goodness, crying like a crazy woman at my desk!

    Kath and Matt, he is so gorgeous, congratulations you two!

    And Kath, huge props on accomplishing your labor goals. It is so hard to go drug-free, but when you cross that finish line it is deeply rewarding. Sending lots of Mom hugs! Yay yay yay! So excited!

    Happy to hear that breastfeeding is going wonderful as well – 10 months later, and I love breastfeeding just as much as I did from mine and Wrigley’s first 40-minute session post-delivery. 🙂

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  338. Bless your heart, I was guessing we’d get a snapshot but do love the narrative update! Such a happy ending–and beginning!

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  341. Beautiful baby and love the name! Congratulations!! Can’t wait for the full birth story (but thanks so much for giving us this huge update right away)!

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  342. Awww, CONGRATULATIONS MOM AND DAD!!! (and the rest of Mazen’s new family as well!) Very cool name! Welcome to the best runner’s high/endorphin feeling EVER right now:) Good job, Momma!

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  343. Welcome Baby Mazen!! Congratulations Matt & Kath — he is one beautiful baby boy! There is nothing quite like the feeling in your home when a new baby joins your family! Enjoy!!

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  349. Hi Kath!

    I couldn’t resist saying CONGRATULATIONS to you and Matt on the new little one!!! He is absolutely beautiful… Wish you all endless health, happiness and love 🙂

    I’ve never posted on your site but I have been following you for a while… I just love your beautiful photos of all the amazing, healthy food you eat! I’m a Chiropractor by trade but I am a big-time health food and exercise junkie by nature so I really enjoy reading your philosophies on food, health and life.

    I look forward to following you for a while to come!

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  352. Happy Birthday Mazen! He is beautiful, great job mama (and dad!), and thank you so much for taking the time to share him with us <3 Enjoy your babymoon!

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  355. CONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS!!!!

    as a daily blog reader, this is so exciting to finally see 😉

    Healthy, adorable, and finally HERE! yayayay what more could a person ask for?

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  358. Congratulations Kath & Matt! He is beautiful and so healthy! It must be all that good food! 😉 I’ve had three kids all drug-free and after my first, which took 6+ hours plus pitocin (and no pain medication), I absolutely did NOT want to do it again. My second’s contractions were only 6 minutes apart, which was much more manageable and he came in a little over an hour…so it was doable and I’m so glad I tried drug-free again. My third came in less than 15 minutes and I didn’t even have time to think about it! We’re expecting our fourth right now, and I’m hoping to get to the hospital early!!! 😉 I’m sure you can go drug-free again…the first one is the hardest! Thanks for sharing and enjoy these precious moments with Mazen! Congrats!!!

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  361. Welcome to parenthood Kath and Matt, and welcome to the world Mazen! He is adorable! So happy you were able to hang in there for the drug free birth. Congratulations!!!

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  362. Congratulations! You made it, you warrior! He’s beautiful – seriously, I’m not just saying that! Enjoy what I’m sure is the best rest of your life and getting to know your little guy. 🙂

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  363. I think it’s WONDERFUL that you chose an Arabic name for your son! It’s so nice to see people embracing another culture in such a meaningful way. And what a cutie he is too 🙂

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  367. Absolutely beautiful baby! Love the name! Labor sounds like mine — back-to-back contractions for many hours on end — and no drugs to help with the pain. Right after my son was born, I announced, “I don’t think I can ever do that again.” Well, fast forward 16 months — I’m pregnant and due in Jan. Planning to do it all over again. So, you really do forget to some extent. But don’t think about any of that yet. Just enjoy your perfect baby boy! Hugs!!

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  376. Congrats to you and Matt!!! He is adorable! Sounds like you did amazing mama!! Enjoy your new precious little man! I love his name too!

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    • Not our alma mater – we went to Davidson! But we’ve got lots of family and romantic connections to it and it’s sentimental to us

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      • Oh, Davidson! Even better. I grew up near Davidson & my parents live there now. I tried to get my daughter to consider going there, but it was too close to home for her taste- she’s in CH. 🙂

        Enjoy your precious baby!

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  379. Congratulations, Kath & Matt and welcome, baby Mazen! He’s beautiful!

    You should be proud of yourself, Kath! Well done.

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  383. He is the sweetest baby I have ever seen. I’m so happy for all three of you. Great job on a drug free birth!! The name its wonderful! 🙂

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  385. I have been following your blog for a little over a year now and have been checking a bit more frequently to hear of an update. Congratulations!!! So exciting. When you mentioned about making animal sounds, I can totally relate. I had a drug-free birth last time and wow, it was WAY intense. But it’s pretty neat to be able to look back and say you did it all without any meds! Enjoy your baby-moon!

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  387. what a little muffin. he is gorgeous, Kath! You are all so sweet, and the name Mazen ROCKS. love you!!!!!! big hugs!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

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  401. Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

    Also, that being said, I had my first au naturel, and with #2, I had drugs before I even felt pain begin. It was glorious. BOTH outcomes were glorious, but MAN, I LAUGHED when I pushed with my daughter. LAUGHED!!

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  403. Congratulations Kath & Matt! Mazen is beautiful and being a Blue Devils fan (along with a family history, too) I love the name! Wishing you all the best in your new adventure of parenthood!

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  410. Congrats, Kath! I started reading your blog about seven months ago and it has been great reading about your pregnancy journey.

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  413. Yay, he’s here – was checking Twitter half the night like a crazed fan! ;D And I LOVE his name! Naturally, you guys have great taste. Congratulations and warmest wishes, Kath and Matt!! So excited for you both. And welcome to the world beautiful baby boy Mazen Duke!! 🙂

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  418. CONGRATS Kath & Matt! He’s beautiful and I love his name. Such a good day to be born, too! Today is my husband’s birthday. And if I remember correctly, Matt shares a birthday with ME. (January 14th) I’m glad everything went well and baby boy is healthy!!

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  420. You must be so elated! Somehow you just manage to get through with so little sleep- it’s amazing, isn’t it? Congrats!

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  432. Congrats, Kath and Matt!! He is absolutely beautiful. The very first instant I saw him I thought, “OMG, he looks like Karen!” That’s so awesome. I’m so, so, SO happy for you guys! Enjoy your sweet baby. 😀

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  437. Congrats! He’s beautiful! I’m a little partial to his name…my grandfather (originally from Lebanon) was named Mazen! Haven’t ever heard it elsewhere.

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  440. Hope you get some rest and enjoy all of those brand new moments, new family of 3!! Congrats, Kath & Matt & Happy Birthday, Mazen Duke! Great name for your beautiful boy 🙂 Best wishes <3

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  441. Good job guys! So glad you are done! Doesn’t it feel good to be done! Love seeing your new family – it captures the amazingness of it all! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

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  444. Congratulations Kath and Matt, and Happy Birthday Mazen! I haven’t commented on any of your posts before, but I found you a few months ago when my husband and I decided to become heathlier. Following both KERF and BERF has been amazing. Thank you for sharing your story, and I can’t wait to watch this new chapter in your lives!

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  448. I am so happy for you! I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of years now.
    And love it! You are a wonderful woman and are going to be an incredible mother
    X x x x

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  449. You’re absolutely astounding! Such a beautiful little family, I’m so happy for you!
    There is no doubt in my mind that you will be an incredible mother and that Matt will be an amazing father. Maze is too precious for words! I’m smiling ear-to-ear for you right now!!! 😀

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  452. Congratulations Kath!! I’m so glad everything went well – he is gorgeous! Mazen was a pretty common name when I lived in the Middle East amongst my Arab schoolmates but yours is the first North American Mazen I’ve ‘met’! Congrats to all of you!

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  454. Congratulations, what a beautiful baby. Thanks for sharing, it has been fun watching your family grow! Take care!

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  455. Congratulations to you and Matt! Mazen is beautiful!!! I think he looks just like you in the very first picture.

    I LOVE his name! So unique and masculine.

    The last picture of Matt holding him looks just like the starting picture of when you were holding the loaf of bread to announce you were pregnant. 🙂

    Enjoy this time right now with Mazen. I’m so happy that everything went well and he’s here. 🙂

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  457. The sign that says INFANT DEATH above Mazen’s head in the first photo is kind of creeping me out! But regardless, he is super adorable. Blessings to you and your new babe!

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  463. He is adorable! I am so thankful he arrived in good health. The two of you look so happy!
    You’re not going to believe this, but I woke up at about 3:15 this morning and was wide awake. Then I remembered you were in labor, so I went into the bathroom, checked for a Twitter update on my iphone, and I knew he was almost here. I was so excited that I could not go back to sleep! I just had a feeling he was about to enter this world.
    Happy birthday, little guy!

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  475. I’m not the only one who started crying while reading this right? So, so happy!:) Congratulations Kath, Matt, all the Monsons, Youngers, and family! Happy Birthday Mazen!

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  476. What a sweetheart you’ve brought into the world. Congratulations. I was up several times in the night checking Twitter, so I knew it was imminent…but that you were OK…so I could fall back asleep !

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  483. the raisin- haha, love it!! especially for a wrinkly bebe 😉 congrats!! hope you guys have had your celebratory beer by now!

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  484. CONGRATULATIONS! Mazen looks so healthy and adorable! God bless you all and can’t wait to see all your adventures with him! 🙂

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  487. Kath, you are a bad a**! Congratulations on your beautiful baby boy and on becoming a new mama! Welcome to the club! I wish you and your new family all the best and I can’t wait to see more pictures of your little guy 🙂

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  491. The phrase “mazel tov” sprang to mind immediately when you shared the name – which as you might know in hebrew and in the Jewish religion is used most commonly when good fortune has occurred. Just wanted to offer another positive association with the beautiful name you have chosen.
    Rest up, mom and pop! 🙂

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  493. Congrats you guys! Or should I say “Mabrouk!” which is congrats in arabic! So wonderful to see that you guys chose an arabic name! He is a cutie! Which one of you went to Duke? That was always one of my top schools!

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  494. eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congratulations guys!! awww I can’t believe he’s here now! haha it’s so amazing and such a beautiful part of life~he is so cute, and I think he has your nose Kath! teeeheee.

    And I give you kudos for even having strength to type! IT seems like such a traumatic experience in some ways, lol–but like you said, all the pain is masked by the joy 😀

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  510. He is absolutely precious. Congrats to you and Matt! It’s been wonderful following your journey. And good for you for being able to go through it drug-free. I am far from having children, but when I do I really don’t think I’d ever be able to do that with my lack of pain tolerance!

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  512. Wow Kath, huge congrats to you and your family! It brings a tear to my eye. The first time I stumbled across your blog was right after your wedding- so I have felt like I have been there to watch you guys progress along life. What a fun new chapter!

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  513. I definitely appreciate this honest account of what the labor process can be like. Usually I can’t picture/comprehend what women are describing when they try to explain how labor feels – but I think this is the first time I’m actually getting it. Sounds PRETTAY, PRETTAAAAY bad! I’m due in about 9 weeks and am glad to be able to prepare for what I might have coming (halp).

    But, congratulations on your baby, and the fact that the worst pains are over! Speedy recovery.

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  515. CONGRATS!! He is perfect! Mine are 6 &4 and I just want to tell you, you can never take enough pictures!! Record it all, ever perfect, wonderful moment of it! XoXo

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  517. Oh my gosh!!! Congratulations – I’ve been thinking of you guys all day. Props to you lady, for a drug free birth – I didn’t even attempt to do it – I can’t imagine the pain. You are amazing!! I absolutely cannot wait to hear more about it all, isn’t it wonderful? Right now you are probably feeling all sorts of crazy emotions, but I thought it was all worth it 😉

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  518. Oh so happy for y’all!! He was born on my birthday:) He is so beautiful! Wow! Congratulations to the both of you. Love it!

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  520. Congratulations! I am so glad that the birth went well and everyone is healthy and happy. Mazen is an absolutely beautiful baby 🙂 I was surprised to see that you chose a traditionally Arabic name, but it is a beautiful name nonetheless. Also, I have to say, I recently had a drug-free birth with my first son and, like you, I’m not sure if I’ll ever do it again (drug-free)!! It was an amazing experience but extremely intense and one I’m a little bit scared to repeat. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and keep the pictures coming!!

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  521. Gorgeous boy!!!

    Just think about what you did–you should be so proud of yourself, you strong woman you!

    Hope you get some sleep today, and congratulations to you and Matt on your sweet son!

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  522. Congratulations!! What a blessing! What an adorable name! and what an amazing thing to go drug-free! you have inspired me that i can do the same in March!

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  525. So cute! Love his little face, and what a lovely Arabic name you’ve chosen. Love his middle name, too–my little sis is one of your fellow Duke grads! Enjoy your baby. 🙂

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  529. I don’t even know you in real life, but I’m so happy for you and wish you the best during this time of adjustment to”the new normal”. It’s not all puppies and rainbows (i have three myself) but it is worth it. Accept help, rest (LOTS) and just enjoy. There is something so special about the newness of a baby. You’ll do great 🙂 Congrats to both you and Matt

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  532. Congratulations from Paris, France… You’re son is absolutely perfect 🙂

    Cecile, french reader of your blog !

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  535. Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for you and your family, and I’m also happy that you got the birth you wanted. Although, now you have me second-guessing my ability to go natural… without a doula… hmm…

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  537. Congratulations! I have been following you for some time now and am thrilled to finally see your baby boy! He is beautiful, it makes me so excited to start having babies of my own! Blessings on your family!

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  540. Beautiful! Congratulations! 🙂 Did you do a double-take when you saw that Guiliana Rancic (if you saw that Guiliana Rancic!) from E! used Duke as a middle name for her son last week too?

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  543. So, so happy for you and Matt! Congratulations! He is precious and already very handsome! Best wishes in recovering and starting this new chapter. I look forward to the coming posts and pictures.

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  545. Congratulations. He is a handsome fellow, and Matt looks like the cat that swallowed the canary — very proud papa. I’m glad everything went well.

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  549. Congrats! LOVE his name — amazing work on the drug-free birth!!! I must admit, I wanted the drugs (bigtime) but was unable to get them b/c I went too quickly. haha…so I totally feel your pain, but find it amazing that you did it on you own when you had the choice. I know I would have got the drugs if I could….so great work!!!

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  552. What a beautiful baby boy! And I love the name…and sleep when you can. Take advantage of grandmothers (and grandfathers too 🙂 Can’t wait to meet him!

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  553. PS. How funny that the middle name Duke, I was betting on Davidson! I thought that would be a cute middle name but I like Duke too! Sidenote: Julianna Rancic (from the E network) just middle named her little boy Duke, though probably not because of the college.

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  555. Congratulations to everyone, he’s adorbs and I hope you guys are getting some sleep. And weirdly, right before I clicked over to this blog for an update I was reading an article in Foreign Policy (I study international relations) by an Egyptian professor named Mazen! Internet magic.

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  557. Mazen is adorable. I am so happy for you and Matt. Everyone on the Health. Join In. team is so happy for you both.

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  565. Congratulations! What a cute baby, and I love the picture of all three of you! I had my first without drugs and I remember thinking something similar afterwards…”There! I did it! Now I never need to do it that way again!” 🙂

    So glad you got to birth the way you wanted and that he’s breastfeeding well! Enjoy your first crazy days as a new family!

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  567. Congrats! I am so happy for you. Since I am also pregnant, I can’t wait to read more about your birth experience and if you are happy with your choices (particularly the no drugs one…).

    Your name choice is so original! I think it’s a bit silly that people think you named your child after the Palestinian president… I am going to guess you had no intention to make a political statement with your child’s name.

    Best of luck to you all!

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  569. Congrats to you and Matt on the birth of Mazen! I had been waiting for days to see this post and was so happy to read it. All the best 🙂

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  574. I’m so happy for you & Matt. Mazen is so cute and has an awesome name! I love it – especially the nickname “Maze.” Between your Twitter feed & blog updates, it has been a happy day for me (vicariously) keeping up with you guys!!

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  576. I’ve always thought it is such a powerful miracle that a woman can deliver a new life into this world. It is such an amazing feat. You did it Kath! Congratulations to you and Matt on your handsome little fellow.

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  578. Congratulations to all three of you from Rosemary and Phyllis, your new blogging friends at Real Health. Boys rock – between us, we’ve got 3 sons, 9 grandsons and even one great-grandson. Today is the beginning of a wonderful – and fun – chapter in your family life so enjoy all the special moments. And get as much rest as you can – you’ll need it!

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  581. Congratulations to you and Matt!! Mazen is adorable!! It has been great following your pregnancy and I was so excited to see your new baby boy!! All the best to you guys 🙂

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  582. Congratulations on his safe arrival! He is a cutie and I must admit that your twitter feed was my entertainment for the day (in Australia!) as i am sure it was for many others hehe! Enjoy your first shower and this special time and pray for a quick and smooth recovery for you Kath.

    🙂

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  584. Congrats! He shares my birthday, though I was actually born on labor day 😉 It is great to have your birthday near a 3 day weekend! Hope you can get some rest!

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  585. Oh Kath, he is absolutely beautiful! Congrats to you and Matt and thanks for sharing your birth story, I enjoyed it. Happy Birthday Mazen! So very happy for you and your sweet little family! 🙂

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  587. What a handsome, healthy baby boy. Congrats to you and your new family of 3! I love Mazen’s name… it’s one I’ve never heard before! Its been fun to follow your pregnancy along on BERF (and KERF, too!). Congratulations, again!

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  589. Happy birthday, Mazen! And congratulations, Kath, on the hardest and most beautiful work ever. Your descriptn of birthing is so honest and real. I’m thankful for that. I’ve been checking your site like crazy, and got so busy at work today that I only just now saw the news! HE IS BEAUTIFUL, and so are you. I am so happy for you and Matt– and for your son as he is so blessed to have you as parents. Thank you for sharing a beautiful pregnancy blog as well. Enjoy your new family and be happy always. You are a special woman.

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  595. What an absolutely adorable baby — congratulations!!! The son of a celebrity blogger deserves an unusual, original celebrity-type name!

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  600. You will have a million comments and not sure if you will make it to mine, but I’ll add to the rest in saying my utmost congratulations! What a beautiful baby, and cool name. Get some rest (in the next 15 years!).
    Yay!

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  603. Congratulations! What a cute baby! Regarding the name – did you consider using a nickname for the blog? I have to say did wonder at first as I thought it sounded unusual, but I see it’s actually an existing name. The Duke connection is really nice too!

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  604. The baby’s so cute…congrats and all, but I for one am dying to know what you ATE today and yesterday. Please keep us in the loop!!!!

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  605. I don’t have a twitter account so I can’t comment there but I just need to say how beautiful you look! It does not look like you gave birth just hours ago! Matt certainly is a lucky dude. 🙂

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  606. Huge congrats to the whole big family! Enjoy all these precious moments. The store was in one piece today… kinda! No really, do the family thing and come on back eventually.
    xo

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  608. He’s beautiful. I am a wall flower follower but wanted you to know I am so happy for you and your husband. Many blessings!!! Welcome home little one.

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  611. Mazen – what a wonderful name! I’m so impressed you’re still blogging, but then again, I was blogging through my father’s funeral…life, death, keep it going and sharing! Congrats to you and Matt and the rest of your family. xoxox

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  615. Congratulations!!! I have been peeping in on your blog daily to see if any updates and when I saw this post I got chills. He is beautiful and such a cute name!

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  618. Congratulations! Mazen is adorable. Thanks for letting me stop by today! Looking forward to snuggling that little man soon. 🙂

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  621. Awwwww – Congrats to all of you! Yes, nothing like holding your brand new baby to help get over the labor/delivery! Get lots of rest! You and Matt look tired. A new journey and happy for you!

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  622. He is just beautiful – congratulations mom and dad! You did it! Now starts the really fun rollercoaster 🙂 I woke up at 3:39 this morning and had to check twitter to see what progress you made overnight! I’m in awe of your accomplishment of creating the birth experience you wanted. Can’t wait to read more about it and follow you virtually as little Mazen grows up!

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  625. Wow, so happy baby Mazen is here, healthy and adorable. I am so happy you made it safely through labor. I remember being so happy to finally have my baby out and in the world. Mazen is so adorable in the pictures. My son is 18 mo now, but reading your blog brings back memories. I am also glad nursing is going well so far for you, that can be tricky for some babies at first.

    Take care of yourself and try to get some rest. You are an amazing person and mama now. Welcome to the new mom club, it is amazing. You are inspiring.

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  628. Congratulations Kath and Matt! Mazen is absolutely precious! I am a long time KERF reader but have never commented and wanted to take this special day to say hello and CONGRATULATIONS! Best wishes as you begin your life as a family of three!

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  633. I just want to say congrats. I’ve been going back and reading your babyKERF updates, and I want to commend you on deciding to not circ your son. I personally feel it is inhumane.

    Seriously most European men aren’t circumcised, leave the little boys alone!

    I have two noncircd boys, including one 2 month old infant.

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  636. Just wanted to say, you still have that motherly glow even after the fact. You guys look so excited and so blissfully happy. He’s precious. Congratulations to your whole family!

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  637. Hi Kath,
    I just wanted to say congratulations! I am a long time reader of your blog (and fellow RD) but have never commented. Mazen is beautiful (love the name!)- so happy for your family and glad that everyone is doing well. Enjoy every minute!

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  644. Congratulations!! Sleep, nurse, change pants, repeat and most of all, bask in the MIRACLE of a baby. I was always in such awe of the miracle of a baby!!!

    Now your story truly begins!!!

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  648. Congratulations !!!! He is beautiful. You have a beautiful family and I wish you all the best. You and Matt will be great parents!

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  650. Congratulations to you and Matt! Mazen is adorable. I have been enjoying your blog for many months now, but have never commented before. I was so excited to find out that Mazen was born on September 7. That is my birthday, too. And if he would have been born on August 31 that would have been neat, too. August 31 was my parents’ anniversary. Anyway, congratulations again, and have fun with your husband and new son!

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  651. Congrats Kath and Matt! I just got off from work about an hour ago, and the first thing I did was check your website on my iPhone and lo and behold, he had arrived! So impressed that you got this post up so quick 🙂 But glad, because now we can all see Mazen for ourselves. Yay!

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  653. CONGRATULATIONS, KATH! You make the most beautiful family. I’m so happy to be able to witness this wonderful event via your blog, all the best!

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  655. Firstly, congratulations- such a delightful news! Secondly, what a unique name- what brings you to come up with Mazen? Thirdly, did he came to the world earlier than you expected?

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