Emma
Lennon Paul Dolan. That was our baby's name. Named after The Beatles' John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Ethan and I both listened to The Beatles a lot, so this was the perfect name for our first born.
Grayson was our first visitor because the doctors told Alyssa it could be all night before Ari made his appearance. My labor was quicker.
Lennon was perfect. The exact combination of Ethan and I. He looked equally like each one of us. Grayson was super excited to meet him.
My parents arrived a little while later, then Ethan's parents and his sister.
Ethan's parents were going back and forth between my room and Alyssa's room, and I thought it was funny. It must be crazy to have two different children having babies at the same exact time.
Everyone took their turn holding Lennon, but visiting hours were over at ten, so our family all left.
Lennon fell asleep after I fed him, and Ethan changed his diaper. We put him in the bassinet, and then Ethan laid down next to me, letting me snuggle up to him.
"You did great today," he said. "I'm so proud of you."
"I love you so much. Our little family. My two perfect boys," I said.
"Today was perfect," Ethan said. "Our little guy was born, and I found out that you, my love, are my future wife."
I smiled, laying my head against his chest as I put my hand on his heart. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
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It was around 10:45 when Grayson walked into our room with a huge smile on his face. "Ethan, come meet your nephew," he said.
I was on bed rest until tomorrow, so I told Ethan to send me a picture of Alyssa and Grayson's baby.
We got to go home the next afternoon, and Grayson and Alyssa ended up being Ari over to our house so we could all hang out.
Alyssa abs I were already planning on getting matching outfits for the babies, and it was going to be so cute.
I still couldn't believe they were actually born on the same day. Ethan and Grayson were both super excited about it.
Ethan and I spent the first couple of weeks getting used to the swing of being new parents, and taking care of Lennon.
There were sleepless nights, but Ethan and I only cared that our baby was happy and healthy.
The days felt longer with the lack of sleep, but Lennon was already a month old before we even blinked.
Even through sleepless nights, explosive diapers, and baby puke, Ethan and I managed to be more in love than ever. I knew I wouldn't have been able to make it through the first month without him.
By the six week mark, Lennon was finally sleeping through the night, and Ethan and I finally got some real quality sleep for the first time since the baby was born.
Halloween was quickly approaching, so we were going to dress Lennon up in a cute little pullover that was supposed to make him look like a puppy. It was going to be so damn cute.
Ethan's cousins were having a Halloween party, so we stopped by so they could see Lennon, but ended up staying because Ethan's mom offered to watch Lennon overnight.
It was nice to have a night for us to simply be adults and relax.
We both drank a little bit, so of course I had to throw away the next few days worth of breast milk. We alternated feeding Lennon actual breast milk and formula anyway, so it wasn't too big of a deal.
That night was really the first time since Lennon's birth that Ethan and I had some real alone time.
So, we took advantage. I was finally cleared for sexual activity anyway, so this was the first time in about two months.
We took it slow the first time before Ethan completely railed me the second time. I didn't realize how much I've actually been needing him, and he took great care of my needs alright.
Our friends and family were all bugging us to set a wedding date, so we decided to get married the weekend before Thanksgiving. It was going to be a small, intimate ceremony with only our closest family and friends.
We didn't need a huge wedding. We just wanted to celebrate with all of our favorite people in the world.
Because it was going to be such a simple little wedding, planning was easy, and didn't take long for everything to be ordered and ready for us.
We even got Lennon a baby tuxedo to wear. It was freaking adorable.
Olivia, Alyssa, Lisa and my mother came with me to pick out my dress, and I found one that was perfect for me. It was made of beautiful white lace, and it was long sleeved. It had a tiny train, but nothing I would trip over, and it was a comfortable fit.
Most importantly, my wedding dress made me feel beautiful, and that's how every bride should feel.
Seeing the tears in my mom's eyes when I said yes to the dress made me cry too, and I couldn't believe I was finally getting married.
Ethan and I have been through so much together, and now we'd never have to go through anything without being by each other's side.
He taught me unconditional love, and most importantly, he was the perfect father for Lennon.
To think back and remember when Ethan first brought up the idea of having a baby together almost blows my mind. Ethan and I were just friends back then, and so much has changed since then. I thought he was silly to suggest having a baby, but it was the best decision either of us have ever made.
Looking at Lennon, I'd always see glimpses of Ethan, and I was so fucking proud of that. I hoped Lennon would grow up to be exactly like him.
Before this all happened, it never really occurred to me that Ethan was my future husband. Looking back in sure it was obvious to everybody except for the two of us.
At least that's what Alyssa and Olivia told me.