• Father, Bill, 
• Grandfather, Gary, 
• Aunt, Jennifer, 
• Great-grandmother, Betty, 
• Midwife, Jean Sala, and her assistant, Debbie Krajnack. 

The event was filmed by his grandmother, Helen. Also in attendance were: 

• His great-aunt, Terry, 
• His uncle, Joshua, 
• Friends, Molly and Will.

Alex was born at the Birth & Women's Center in Dallas, Texas. The Center believes in a completely natural birth, which is what Kristi wanted. Kristi fell in love with the Center the first time she walked in. After being married in a Victorian mansion, she was pleased to find that the Center was in a charming Victorian home as well. The midwives who own the Center are open and friendly women, who have delivered more than 3,000 babies between them, with over 1,000 of those born there in the Center. The Center has the footprints of the babies they have delivered around every doorway in the house. Some families have given birth to as many as five of their babies there!

Kristi's labor began shortly after midnight, but she wasn't sure it was actual labor for a couple of hours. She decided to let Bill sleep a while longer, since she knew that he'd be working hard later on. She tried to call her mom, but her cousin, who lives with her mom, was online and Kristi couldn't get through, so she called her dad at 4:15 a.m. and told him that she was in labor and to go get her mom. She woke Bill at 4:30 a.m., and called Jean at 5:00 a.m. Jean told Kristi to meet her at the Center at 6:00 a.m.

Gary and Helen got to the Center first, followed shortly by Bill and Kristi. Jean hadn't arrived yet, but a cleaning woman showed up and let them all in the house. Jean showed up a few minutes later, and checked Kristi. Kristi was dilated to 4. Jean instructed Bill and Kristi to go to the park next to the house and walk for about 30 minutes, to help the labor progress.

By 11 a.m., Kristi had dilated to 8, but her waters hadn't broken yet, so Jean went ahead and broke them. Since Kristi had wanted a water birth, she and Bill got into the bathtub shortly thereafter.

After some time, Jean determined that Alex was bigger than she had originally believed, and decided it would be an easier delivery on the bed. Kristi stayed in the water until she felt the need to start pushing, and then was moved to a lovely four-poster bed.

It was an incredible birth. Because it took place in a bed, there were no stirrups, so Bill and Jennifer held Kristi's legs and acted as the stirrups. When Jennifer's strength began to wear out, Kristi called for Gary to help. Betty, who had arrived with only minutes to spare, mopped Kristi's head (and Bill's!) with a cool wet cloth. As the baby's head began to crown, all the others there began giving verbal support and cheering her on.

Despite the doubts of her mother and her midwife to the contrary, Kristi was focused and in complete control throughout the entire 48 minutes of pushing that it took to give birth. She was even able to crack a few jokes! Bill was an incredible coach and never left Kristi's side, and it was wonderful to watch him bond with his son afterwards!

Most families are able to leave the Center within six hours after the birth, and Bill and Kristi were no exception. After everyone else left, they had a snack and then slept for a couple of hours, finally leaving for home around 8 p.m.

Check back often. We'll be adding pictures frequently!