Baby McLellan has arrived and his name is…
Many of you have already heard through facebook, twitter, etc. but for those who have not, we are so happy to announce the arrival of our son! He came into this world at 1:31am on February 26, 2010 at 7 lbs., 12 oz. He is perfect if we do say so ourselves! :0) We are completely thrilled with him – it’s like the year and a half long inhale of breath since losing our first can finally be released. We finally have our family.
Now something that has not yet leaked into the internet realm as of yet is his name. It was something we thought a lot about, as I’m sure all parents do. We wanted it to have meaning, serve as an account of his legacy, and be given with purpose. To top it off, it needed to be different to pacify his parents’ inner creatives. :0) We introduce to you Seven Patrick Daniel McLellan.
For those of you who don’t know, Seven was the name of our first son who passed away. We decided to name him after his older brother so that his memory would be sure to stay with us always and his life would always be acknowledged. Patrick is Sean’s middle name and SP are also his initials so without making him an outright junior, he is named for his father and can be “mini-SP” for his grandparents. Daniel is my maternal grandfather’s last name and my paternal grandfather’s first name which made it terribly convenient for us to be able to name him in honor of both of these incredible men with one name. Finally, McLellan is our last name so of course you would assume it’s just his by default, but what you might not know is that there’s no actual reason for Sean to have been a McLellan at all. He was given his mother’s stepdad’s last name – the name of a man who would go on to be his father and grandfather when he certainly didn’t have to be. We are all so proud to take his name and have his legacy continue through our son. So there you have it. :0) This is our Seven – incidentally, born in room 7, on the 26th of the month – a day later in the month than the day his brother was born (November 25th). The page has officially turned and life moves forward with joy at last.
Thank you so much for all the outpouring of love you’ve shown us, through our struggles and our triumphs in the past year and a half. We have received such amazing support, encouragement, comfort and help. Thank you especially for all you’ve given us over the past few days. We have amazing friends and family, and your support has been better than anything we could have asked for. It made us smile to see all the encouraging comments all over Twitter and Facebook before and after his safe arrival. It was hilarious to discover that our son had his own Twitter hashtag (#McLellanBaby)!–and it was amazing to see that within hours there had been over 1000 views of the first image of Seven that Mel posted from her iPhone :)
A HUGE thanks to one of our closest friends, Jen Bebb, for flying in all the way from Vancouver, Canada to be there for us, and to photograph our first few moments with our baby. We’ll share some of those later on, after we get to see them!
AS MANY OTHERS HAVE, STEVE, ASHLEE AND I HAVE FOLLOWED YOUR TRIUMPHANT STORY FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. WE CRIED THE DAY SEAN POSTED ABOUT YOUR FAMILY EMERGENCY AND WE HAVE CRIED JUST NOW READING THIS BEAUTIFUL BLOG!~ YOUR LIFE WILL BE BLESSED FOR MANY YEARS TO COME WITH SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SON! GOD BLESS THE MCLELLAN FAMILY AND THANKS FOR SHARING SUCH A BEAUTIFUL STORY WITH ALL OF US!
WE can’t stop crying long enough to comment! What can we say? Thank you Lord, thank you Sean and Mel. JOY!!!
We are so happy for you…he is absolutely adorable. Can’t wait to meet him!
He’s so beautiful! Love the little smile. So happy for you guys :)
Congratulations!!!! He is absolutely beautiful!!!!!
Oh my goodness guys! Congratulations! He is absolutely adorable! And I am sure he will wear his name well and with pride! You guys did great!
Welcome Little Buddy Seven! When I get over my cold, I’m going to come hug you.
I’m so thrilled for your blessing. He’s stunning.
Oh my goodness…he looks just like both of you! Sooooo precious! Congratulations McLellan Family!
He is perfect! What a special name. Congratulations again!
I love it. He’s precious. He has a wonderful name and wonderful parents! Congratulations again! Much love to you!!
he really could not be any more perfect…..i am sooooo happy for you guys!
Congratulations! We’re so happy for you guys!!
Now you made me cry. Seriously! From tragedy to triumph. What a blessing! Thanks so much for sharing your story and your handsome son with us. We could not be happier for you! Please send my condolences to the cats.
Could he be BE any cuter?? Josh mentioned his adorable, long little fingers. I think they will be very handy when photographing. ;) He is so adorable. We love you, Seven and are SO glad you are here with your fabulous parents! I hope to see you soon!
Congratulations! Mini-SP is definitely a cutie!
What a little sweetheart! Congrats you guys! I love his name and the reasoning behind why you chose it. Can’t wait to see more pictures of this little guy!
He is smiling for the camera already! Can’t wait to watch him grow through pictures!
He is perfect!! I think I am in love!!!
What a little cutie! Can’t wait to meet him in person, Joel and I love his name! Congrats!
sean and mel, i am so happy for you. i have been praying for you family for so long and i promise the prayers won’t stop now. you two have been such an important part of helping us preserve our most precious memories and we love you! seven is just beautiful. can’t wait to see more pictures!
He’s just a little angel…love him.
I’m overjoyed and in tears alone behind my computer…. what an incredible blessing and I love that you continued his legacy by naming him after his big brother. I cannot wait to come up and meet that little bundle of adorable soon. Its been torture being so far away knowing he is finally here! I cannot even begin to express how relieved I am for you all that you finally have your little bundle of joy. Ugh… I’m such a sap. Seriously sappy McSapperson over here. I love you guys!
PS: I dig that onesie hes wearing! ;) Supa dupa fly!
Hello Precious Family!
I love the beautiful picture and I cannot wait to see how he grows and the spunky mannerisms he will take on account of his parents… here’s to the best parents and sweetest baby!
This guy is gonna be a blast!
what a beautiful, strong, healthy baby! congratulations you guys. i’m very happy for you and your family. you are going to make fantastic parents!!!!!
Wow so wonderful , Congrats folks , Looking forward to see you all soon , love , Bruce and Kim
beautiful boy! i agree with jim and elaine there are no words, only tears and thanksgiving for this little life.
Just beautiful. Truly living out his story and legacy. One he’ll always remember. Wonderful job naming your son. It’s such a great responsibility and you’ve done well. :)
I am overjoyed at baby Seven’s safe arrival. You both are going to be amazing parents and I can’t wait to finally meet him in person.
He’s beautiful, just like his mom and dad. Andrew and I are so very happy for you all. You will continue to be in our prayers. Welcome Seven! You have no idea how many people love you already!
Smiling already? Ready for the photographer. Wonder who that will be.
He is beautiful. Congratulations!
Our little Molliepop just winked her eyes and said, “Wassup, Seven?!” We’re so happy for you three. Welcome to parenthood. See you soon.
Seven Patrick Daniel McLellan is absolutely adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to meet him!!!!!!
Mel, I can’t wait to meet him. Georgia is crazy about babies right now. Love the shark shirt! Guessing Daddy picked it out?
He is smoochy delicious! Love everything about him!
Congrats seems soooo shallow- So
WOW, Biff, Boom-Bang~~~~
where there was one then two – now ther are THREE!
Both of you gotta be on cloud 9, pinchi n’-youself to be sure it’s really happened Our best John & Shirley K
Congrats guys, I’m soooooo happy for you!
Love the picture, he is the most adorable newborn I’ve ever seen!!!
This is the best news of 2010. I am so happy for you and your family, I was so emotional when I learnt of your first baby so I too shed a tear when I heard that this little man had arrived safely. You all deserve all the happiness in the world. Congratulations on Seven!
he is beautiful!!!! And I love, love, love the story behind his name. He has a story to tell anyone who asks him about his name! Blessings to your entire family!!
We are so happy for you and for this beautiful little son! May Seven bring you joy and create so many wonderful memories for you. Your life journey has just been made so much sweeter. You are patient! You will bestow on him a wealth of love and wonderment. And of course pictures!
Welcome to parenthood! It changes everything…but totally rocks!
When you all are ready and back in the groove we’d love to get together!!!
Love his name!!! He is a total cutie!
This post just touches my heart and I am having to fight back tears for your loss, remembrance and joy all in one. I have prayed for you and your little family many times over the past year and a half and it does my heart good to see Seven and know that he will always be honoring his brother by carrying his name. I know we’ve not spent much time together, but your story has always held a place in my heart and mind. May you have many, many more blessings to come.
Seven is ADORABLE!!!! I’m so happy for your sweet family! Congratulations!!
What an incredible family story! We are so blessed to know you two *ahem* three – and send bushels of prayers and love for an incredible future!
We are just so thrilled for the 3 of you! Welcome to the world, Seven!
he is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! seeing him is making us all teary eyed! we are so happy for you both and wish your new family much love and blessings!!!
I’m in tears and thrilled you have your angel with you safe and sound. He’s beautiful. Seven is so blessed to have you as his Mom and Dad. Exhale and take in every moment, it get’s better everyday! Huge Mommy hugs. Karen
Sean and Melanie, congratulations on your beautiful miracle! We are so excited for you guys. He is adorable! Blessings and love to you all from the Costello’s.
Congratulations you guys! What an exciting and special time! I can’t wait to see more photos of him, I’m sure he’ll be a very well documented little man! :)
Mel & Sean, I am overjoyed for the both of you! Your new little guy is too cute. Little boys are the best gift of all! xoxo
Congratulations guys! He is both adorable and beautiful!! A lovely name too!
Soooo Beautiful! I love this age. They are so soft and smell so good. I wish I could reach through the monitor and hold him.
ALL CONGRATS and GOD’S BLESSINGS. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL BABY AND A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!
LOVE AND BLESSINGS AND PRAYERS
Such great news! Congratulations to both of you (all three of you actually). How wonderful to begin your family. He’s a doll.
I am just so ridiculously happy for you guys!!!
So happy for you all. And Seven is such a cutie! We’ll go ahead and wait until this strep thing goes away. Stupid school. =) We love you guys!
I am never going to get anything done ever again. All I can do is look at this picture or go over to your house and love on the 3 of you. I am SOOOOO HAPPY I could scream!!!!
Congrats, he’s such a cutie. Ya’ll have been truly blessed. Try not to spoil him too much,he-he
I show your website to my photography students in Dayton all the time! We are all very happy for you!
BEAUTIFUL BUNDLE OF JOY!!!
What a fantastic name with an equally fansinating story. Hang on.. your in for the ride of your lives. Enjoy.
so so so unbelievably happy for the 3 of you! wishing you a blessed and joyous lifetime of love!
beyond adorable! so happy for you!
I’m a quiet stalker on your beautiful blog and I shed tears when you lost your first son, as my hubby and I had gone through the same despair twice over (but now have two beautiful girls) – so I have tears now in reading of your joy. Congrats to you both.
Regards from OZ
Krystal
what a blessing! congrats!
Oh my gosh! I’m so happy for you guys!!! Big congrats.
You are all so incredible! Thank you so much for your kind words and for celebrating with us! :)
Tears of joy stream down my face as I read this. You and Sean have a very special place in our lives, and it’s so incredible to see you all with such a beautiful blessing. Congrats to you both! Enjoy every moment with him! :)
So I thought I already commented on this but something must have happened haha. But I am SO happy for you all! He is absolutely PERFECT! You all deserve every bit of joy in your precious boy after the challenges of the last year, and we couldn’t be happier for you :)
it was so great to meet you 3 today! congrats on your special lil man!! hope to see you soon.
much love
mandy
We are so happy for you two – wait! – three! A gorgeous baby and he looks so content!
All the best for a new part in your lives!
Thomas
I dont know you guys personally, i follow mel on twitter, but I have followed the site for so long already and this brought tears to my eyes congrats on this beautiful gift from god. may many more follow him
Fred & I are so happy for you. All of our prayers have been answered. Hi Seven!
Love, Aunt Bette
So darling! What a mystery when sorrow is trumped by joy…. death, by life and old wounds healed by new graces….. I am so amazed by the testamony this little man offers and his life is just begun. I have a feeling that God has destined him for a great mission. Congratulations and know you are all in our prayers.
Congratulations!! I’m so happy for you guys!! He’s beautiful and perfect!
YAY!!! We are soooo happy for you!!!
Mel and Sean,
I’m writing this trying to see thru (happy) tears-our heart ached for you guys terribly during that time and we prayed that God would bring you another son one day soon. He is so faithful and we are so happy for you guys-and Seven is very blessed to have such incredible parents. Enjoy this exciting adventure-we know you will. Can’t wait to watch him grow up:) hugs, Adele and Sean
So very, very happy for your family!
HOORAY!!!!! I can’t wait to meet him. Boys are so crazy and fun. With an amazing name like Seven, and you guys as parents, he’s sure to be a piece of work! He’ll fit right in when he’s old enough to start shooting with you guys.
So happy for you both!! I have been reading your blog on and off and I was heart broken when I read the post about your first son who passed away, I prayed for healing for your family and I am so happy to see you have been blessed with another beautiful child. Best wishes to the beautiful family! Much joy & God bless.
Incredibly happy for you guys. God’s blessings in your new season of life!
-E
I must have missed this post! I’m so excited for you all! What a wonderful name – I can’t wait to see more pictures of him as he grows up!
Hi blog stalker here… I just have to comment on you little beauty! He is absolutley precious. How is it possible that a newborn is this cute, seriously! I just want to give him a big squeeze. CONGRATS!!!