Ok the problem was the legendary Pryor head just couldn’t make it’s way through the Talley pelvis. (well that or he really loves Malaika’s uterus) Malaika pushed like a champ – in fact you should see his head – it’s pretty much cone shaped from trying to get pushed through the birth canal. Ultimately we resulted to a C-Section.
First I have to comment on my brave wife. She toughed it out for 16.5 hours before she commented on her discomfort at all. And when she did complain she felt bad – all of the doctors and nurses complemented her on the fight that she was putting up. At over 17 hours when she was completely exhausted – she dug down and gave it one last mighty effort to try to squeeze that granite head through her birth canal. I have never been more proud of her. She gave it everything she had.
Now I’m going to admit to something here that I am not ashamed to say. When that baby emerged – tears gushed uncontrollably out of my eyes. I haven’t cried since my father passed away over 10 years ago – I find it fitting that the birth of his namesake would bring tears to bear again. Since Malaika had to be closed by the surgeons and settled into the room; unlike most Dads I got some early one on one time with the baby. I was amazed by how alert he is. He opened his eyes wide and gazed into mine. And then he gave me the cutest smile.(I know it’s gas but let me be deluded) Even thinking back on those moments I am again overcome with emotion. I have never felt the urge to strongly protect something or someone in my entire life. I pray to God that I can be 1/2 the father than Leon Sr. was to me.
Lastly I’ll comment on my family and friends – many of you have told me you’ve been hitting the refresh button and have hooked this page up to an RSS feed to track the birth. Thank you. Thank you for your wonderful gifts, and thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement.
So where are the pictures you ask? I took a few but since we were in the operating room I took Malaika’s point and shoot and I don’t have the cable to transfer those. So I snapped a few with my phone and included them. I’ll transfer the better shots in the morning.
And lastly some baby trivia.
Leon – comes from the greek name Leonidas. A Greek King of some renown. Many people became familiar with Leonidas in the recent movie the 300. You might want to be careful about saying “this is madness” around him….
“Tre” – Is not named for me – he is named for my father Leon Pryor Sr. As my father past away I promised that I would name my first born son after him. Today I am happy to fulfill that promise. Here are some facts about his namesake.
- Leon Pryor Sr – was married to Mary Martin and together they had 4 Children Annette, Leon, Eric, and Pamela.
- Leon sired 7 grand children Jared, Jason, Taryn, Kwan, Kaitlen, Kyra, and now Leon III.
- Leon was well loved by his peers and was known by the knick name “Buddy”.
- Leon was one of the first high school principles taked with desegregating Cleveland public schools after Brown vs Board of Education.
- Leon has track records at Case Western Reserve University that stand to this day.
- Leon was inducted into the Case Western Reserver athletic hall of fame.
- Leon loved the outdoors and loved to fish and hunt.
On a personal level.
- Leon taught me how to be a man without ever conducting a single lesson.
- Leon commanded my respect (and sometimes fear) without resorting to abuse or even harsh language.
- Leon taught me that marriage is hard work but it can be successful.
- In some ways the passing of Leon Sr. is what brought Malaika and I together. I just wish she could have met him.
March 6th 2008 in history.
March 6, 1896 1st auto in Detroit, Charles B King rides his “Horseless Carriage”
March 6, 1899 “Asprin” patented by Felix Hoffmann
March 6, 1964 Elijah Muhammad renames Cassius Clay, Muhammad Ali
March 6, 1982 NBA highest scoring game: San Antonio beat Milwaukee 171-166 (3 OT)
March 6, 1985 Mike Tyson KOs Hector Mercedes in 1 round in his 1st pro fight
March 6, 1978 Hustler publisher Larry Flynt shot and crippled by a sniper in Georgia
Congratulations ! He’s very cute
And Christina and I can empathize with the “large head” issue — Xander eventually had to be retrieved with what was essentially a plunger [I'm sure there's a fancy medical term for it], and had serious cone-head for a while.
Another notable March 6th occurrence: March 6th, 1957: Ghana becomes independent, the first sub-Saharan African nation to do so.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Carla, Rosa, and I are very happy for you guys — Tre is beautiful. Can’t wait to meet him in person so Carla and I can argue over which one of you he looks like more.
Malaika, I salute you — let the hospital do as much for you as you can so you and Lee can focus on enjoying Leon III and not worrying so much about attending his many needs.
Now that that little birth thing is out of the way, who gets to change the first diaper Mom and Dad?
From Alex’s comment, maybe we should investigate whether Ghanain men produce large-headed chlidren — Leon, your family tree might go back to Ghana…
grrrgle.. uhhhh.. oooh
NINE! SQUEEEAL
grrgle…
Hi Leon. You can come over and eat cloth with me now. You can have some of my cloth — we have good cloth here.
A tip: Mommy and Daddy aren’t very perceptive and have trouble understanding commands. To help them out, just breathe in more before you scream — you’ll not only get a louder, longer scream, but you’d be amazed how quickly Mommy and Daddy respond.
gurrrrgle.
yay! Let me know when I can come by and what you need. Coffee, food, emergency beauty supplies
…He’s a cutie pie. I can’t wait to meet him!
Oh one last occurance on March 6…Our good friend Rodney Sanders was born on this day so Tre shares a birthday with our favorite nerdy friend
Hooray! He’s soooo cute–and so alert. We can’t wait to meet him.
Good work Malaika, you must be so tired. I pushed and pushed and pushed too, for 4 hours, and Xander finally emerged when they vacuumed, or as Alex says, plungered, him out.
YAYA congrats! He is definitely a cutie, and with a full head of hair! Why are boys always born with so much hair…Anywhoo let myself or Ty know whatever we can do to help and my Starbucks offer still stands, but includes Malaika now…I remember her saying at Thanksgiving she missed caffiene.
Congratulations to the Pryor family. I’m loving his head of hair! Great job, Malaika. I knew you could do it. Of course Malaika is a soldier/marine/trooper she is from the D. I can’t wait to meet him. Let Tony and I know if you need anything.
Also, I was touched by your tribute to your dad. I’m faithful you and Malaika will do a great job in your new life long roles.
Leon- is Tre too young for catfish?
Congratulations to you and Malaika! Little Tre is too cute! He looks like he has been ready to arrrive for months, and he’s saying ” Finally!!” I hope Malaika has a speedy recovery and you two adjust quickly to having a new baby!
Take care
Leon,
I think I always tear up when one of my good friends has a baby. I do that for many reasons. Chief among them is if they are my good friends I know the baby is going to have a loving family to keep them safe. In your case I know you are going to be an excellent father. The amount of immaturity you put up with when I was working for you let me know you can go a long time before “freaking out”.
Malaika is an awesome woman (like you need me to remind you), and all the times I have met her I have been entertained and impressed. You guys make a fantastic couple and you are going to make an effective tag team. Something tells me you are going to need it. Malaika, a valiant effort love. I knew any child sired by Leon would have a huge head. Sorry it made you fly the white flag.
Baby Leon is in good hands. I’m kinda emotional as I write this. Lord knows we need more babies growing up with papa and mama san around. I always offer my babysitting services AFTER the child is able to poo in the bathroom and not on himself or me.
Now that you “shipped” your baby the work really begins. Nice pictures Leon I will be expecting desktops in the very near future.
Three Cheers for Leonidas the third “TRE”…
Ahhh-oooo
Ahhh-oooo
Ahhh-oooo
I salute you.
Congratulations Malaika and Leon!! Tre is too cute and I can’t wait to meet him. Let Marcus and I know if there is anything that you need.
BTW, Leon I told you Tre wasn’t an Alien
.
Congratulations Leon and best wishes to your wife and baby. You have entered into a new universe. You know I do not like to hear/give advice but I will take this moment to break that rule and say “Enjoy the times when your kids are young. It goes by quickly and I loved every minute of it.” You will make a great Dad!
Ahhh…the news I’ve been waiting for! Welcome to fatherhood, my friend. I’m thankful that all has finally ended well. And that is one beautiful baby! You’re definitely in my prayers–I can’t think of any better parents than you and your lovely wife, so I know you’ll raise little Jay–uh, I mean Tre–the right way.
j
Thanks for letting me come visit with you guys. I could have sat there and held the little one all day. He really is adorable. And I don’t care what Malaika says, I’m going to give him a fauxhawk
.
Congratulations Guys ! Tre is super cute…talk about some hair ! (let the lifelong photoshoot begin …smile =). I can’t wait to meet him
. Did anybody call Cookie? 
Malaika, you are da bomb, girlfrin’ 
…you too, Leon 
. See you guys soon !
Actually, Tre could still be an Alien, or at the very least a Cylon. A quick review of “V”, Star Trek, or the X-Files tells us that Aliens may be disguised among us.
Just because an Alien is cute and cuddly doesn’t mean he’s not an Alien.
Malaika, I really hope you are getting some rest.
Lee that was a beautiful tribute to Dad and I know he is very proud of you. You have turned out to be an awesome man!!!! I know you will be a great father like Eric and Dad. It’s in your genes! Love you!
Congratulations, Team Pryor! I can’t wait to meet Tre. You two should be so proud of your handsome baby boy.