Evelyn Month 1

Alright alright alright... Getting back into it! (You should know I wrote that first sentence and then didn't get a chance to write anything else for another 48 hours- insane) Things are going really well. Honestly, so much better than the postpartum experience the first time. Breastfeeding has been a relative breeze (someday I'll write about how breastfeeding is kind of a bitch, even when it's going well) and Evelyn sleeps, so I could not ask for more. Elise is handling the change like a champ and seems to really like Eve so far. She's mostly preoccupied with her own off the wall adventures right now so she doesn't seem to think the baby is pulling focus. It's hard not to pay attention to a toddler hollering and somersaulting in the middle of the kitchen while you're cooking. 

I'm hanging in there. Only just now starting some self care stuff like exercise again. The dr seems to think I'm not having any of the issues I had last time (phew). We are done having kids, two is PLENTY for us, so I'm starting the process of getting myself to a healthy, able place so I can keep up with the girls and the house/garden care. I'd love to try my hand at another half marathon someday soon and to get into some weight training cause, boy, Elise is getting heavy! I want to be able to cart around both toddlers someday and not feel like I'm going to die or my arms are going to break off. Any immunity I had to noticing Elise's growth was blown out of the water the moment I picked up a newborn again. I just want to get my act together again now that my 30th birthday is around the corner! Let's start the countdown to February!

Ed is doing really well too. Still juggling work and treatments and generally being run ragged. He's amazingly patient with Eve. I was in such a fog the first time around, it was hard to appreciate how good he is with babies. And he's been the main source of exercise for Elise, taking her on walks and chasing her around the house. So... He's pretty tired :) in the best way of course! 

Here's Ed supervising a game of 'beep beep.' Where she does everything except honk the horn, and if she does accidentally honk the horn, she bursts into tears. 

The house is pretty amazing and for the first time ever in my life I'm excited for warmer weather just so we can use the pool regularly again. The garden, oh, the garden. Just looking at it thrills me. I've only had the chance to go out there to work on it a couple times but, it's only a matter of time before I can have both girls out there while I hunt the damn caterpillars trying to spoil my crops. Jerks. 

So let's get to a very belated recap of month 1... (pictures to be added very soon!)

What She's Like

Oh man, a baby that came out looking like me! Her hair is darker than Elise's but still blonde. Blue eyes won out again. I'll be the only green eyed lady in the house I guess! It's funny, because she's a little darker colored, when she and Elise are next to each other it looks like pictures of Ck and me as munchkins. Mind boggling. Eve loves to talk. Babbles on and on and on if you howl at her or even make eye contact. She's very mild mannered and will just hang out with you. She seems to have a schedule ish - we are absolutely not responsible for that happening, we just got lucky. Sleeps through the night. Non parents, that means she sleeps for a 5-6 hr stretch at some point in the night, usually 10-3. She loves to smile at pretty much everyone and everything. 

What She Likes

Bath time.

FaceTime. I think she likes the sounds of all the family talking more than the flashing lights. 

Elise. She's fascinated by Elise whenever Elise comes close enough for her to see. 

Babbling.

The mobile above the swing and above her crib. Talks to the birds :)

What She Doesn't Like

Elise's tendency to scream about all manner of things while Eve is falling asleep. 

Being put down during the day. 

Being put in a carrier. This baby loves to be held, but only in your arms. 

The car stopping anytime we're out driving/the last 5 minutes of any outing. This serene baby goes full on meltdown mode just at the end. 

What She's Not Sure About

Tummy time. Half the time she doesn't care, half the time she gets pretty pissed. 

Evelyn's Birth Story

Well hello blogosphere! It has been ages. Talk about falling down on the job when it comes to keeping up with bump updates. Hello I'm pregnant leading straight to hello I've got another baby! Oops! I did take some occasional bump pictures which I'll try to get up and organized at the very least for myself and the yearly photobook I put together.

But for now, instead of catching up on all the things we've been up to (buying a house, moving, building and planting our first real garden, etc) I think I'll just jump right into Eveyln's birth story.

My pregnancy with her had been much like Elise's, no complications, exact same weight gain, and of course, I went long again. AGAIN. Per instruction from the midwives, I was practicing my positive affirmations that this baby would not go over and would come right on time thankyouverymuch. Ah. Sadly, this was not the case. Evelyn stayed in 16 days past my due date. For those who haven't had any kids or any up close and personal experience with pregnancy, the end is a slog and every hour you stay pregnant is tiring. Additionally, I happened to know exactly no one who had gone over their due date in women around my age. Only women my parents' and grandparents' age could claim being 'allowed' to go past 40 weeks. In fact, the majority of the women I knew in my midwife groups and women in hospitals, all had their babies early. So, you can imagine my frustration watching all these other pregnant ladies burst while I'm twiddling my thumbs. When you've been pregnant for almost 11 months, you get pretty impatient. Also, pregnancy with a toddler? It is no joke. I felt almost completely unable to care for Elise properly. Of course, I met all of her basic needs, but playing? Chasing? Even picking her up and putting her to bath or bed? Nearly impossible in those last months. Talk about feeling guilty.

Anyways, I was READY. Ed's birthday comes and goes and I can't believe after all the jokes I made about there being no way this baby was going to come on his birthday because it was 'too late', that I am still pregnant. Well not for long apparently. I woke with some pretty strong contractions around 1:15am on the 20th. Not ready to get too excited, I told Ed to stay in bed and went downstairs to try to encourage labor. My mom was still in town waiting for this crazy baby to appear so I texted her that I was up and thought maaaaaybe something was going on. It all felt like it was going very slowly - it was not. After a couple hours of alternating between sitting on the couch and falling to my knees with each contraction, I began to get sick. Last time, that was when things got 'serious.' So I woke Ed around 4am and told him this was really happening. I felt pressure to keep up this pace so I could get the baby out before Elise woke up. It amazes me that just smothering myself with a throw pillow was enough to keep my moaning from waking her all of those hours.

I think the midwives arrived not too long after that and mostly stayed out of the way for a good bit. They checked on me and the baby and all was fine so we just kept on laboring. This was about the time I started to check out just a little bit and get antsy that this was taking so long. Once again, let me say, it was not. The pain this time around just made it feel like time had turned to taffy. Torturous. I thought that moving to the tub would help with the pain but boy was I wrong. It was agonizing. You can imagine my disappointment that it was not as big a relief as I had heard. I told Ed I wanted the hell out of that tub and moved back into the bedroom. Ed thinks this was probably me transitioning, and he's probably right because I was not as graceful about labor from this point on. Read: many expletives. If I wasn't saying them aloud, I was saying them over and over in my head. My midwife said I kept saying 'this is so much more painful!'

I asked the midwives for some help at this point, anything to get this baby OUT. We tried some positions that I don't need to describe in detail here, but it was hands down the most painful experience. I remember looking down at my naked body and I was covered in sweat. It was just rolling off of me as if I had been running a marathon.  The midwife and the midwife student were unbelievably supportive. The student was so soothing when I felt like I just could not do it this time around and just wanted to go to a hospital and get someone to do this last bit for me. But I was determined as HELL. No more labor for me. No more being pregnant. After this baby I would never have to do this again! This baby had to come out now. So I told everyone to stop touching me and thought of nothing but seeing this through to the end. I ended up on all fours, which oddly, was where I was with Elise when things were getting serious before Mom and Ed had to have my get on my back in case they had to help with the baby. Remember, the midwives didn't show up to my first birth until 15 mins or so before Elise came out. Not long after that my water finally broke and then Evelyn followed shortly after. I remember the midwife saying I could touch her head and that I could take my time, that there was no hurry. I did hold her head on the way out briefly, but I was done. I was hurrying to get this finished and have the baby in my arms. And then there she was! All 21 inches and 9.5 lbs ish of her at 8:49 am.

This is our first picture together, still on the floor in the bedroom. 

She was super quiet, not disconcertingly so, just like she was watching you, unlike Elise who was hollering in my face. It was a much calmer endeavor this time at the end. Funny how the girls took such different paths here. Elise was a perfect, easy, comfortable 20 hr labor, but a horrible immediate postpartum experience. Evelyn was a painful, challenging 7.5 hr labor, with a relaxing, easy postpartum experience. I don't think either is better than the other, just vastly different.

I'll try to amend this when I get a chance to check with Ed and Mom about what they remember. Next post? Evelyn's belated one month recap.

I've missed writing, you guys. I'm sorry I've so many run on sentences and incoherent thoughts. I'm very out of practice, but, I hope to polish my skills again and get back at it. Add exercise, singing and housekeeping to that skill sharpening list too!

Months 10 & 11 & Some Exciting News!

So about that keeping up with the blog thing! Whoops. :) It's been a little bit hard to find time to update since we came back from Maryland. I meant to post with all these pictures of Elise with friends and family - it was such a wonderful visit. It went by so quickly - Christmas time always does. I haven't been quite myself, feeling extremely fatigued. I've been napping almost every time Elise went down. And all for a good and exciting reason, as the post title suggest!

Yes, her outfit reads "Best Sister Ever" and yes, we couldn't get her to sit still at all. :)

Thing 1 will be 1 on the 15th and Thing 2 will join us in early October! :) It was nearly impossible to get Munchkin to hold up her Thing 1 toy or to sit still so you'll just have to enjoy our attempts at a cutesy announcement photoshoot.

We're very excited and looking forward to this new addition. This time around we'll try to do a couple things differently, like keep Ed home and healthy. I think we'll also be keeping the gender a secret this time! This is our last little munchkin so we figured why not go for the old fashioned surprise for us. 

Quick Q&A Like last time...
Due - Oct 4th (I know weird right, another 4th due date?)
Gender - surprise until this baby comes out!
Names - boys first and middle name is a go, still working out the girls name option
Home birth again? - yes indeed, if everything goes well again
Morning Sickness - Yes. Not the worst, but it's been much bumpier this go round. Guess it can't all be roses!

So apparently you start showing earlier after you have that first kid. Something about weakened abs. Bah.

I'll tag on a good chunk of pictures at the end of this post. But now, a little catch up on the Munchkin updates!

What She Is Like: 
Month 10 - Top front teeth are coming in strong! Which would explain all the drooling. She loves her cousin Emilia and watching older kids in general. She'll sit at the playground and watch the other kids race around. We've bumped up to the next level at Gymboree classes and Elise is still a bit intimidated by the new kids. She's a bit shy and doesn't go in for toys or any activities that involve being in close quarters with other munchkins. She's super into finger walking. 

Month 11 - All four front teeth in, and they look all crazy, which makes her look so much more like me as a munchkin, it's ridiculous. She plays on the playground a lot now, going up the steps and down the slide with a parent escort. She knows all the Sesame Street songs and will smile and clap when I sing them to her in the car. We've had several rocky car rides that were soothed by me singing the letter of the day song over and over and over again. We're in 18 month onesies and 2t pants mostly. Those cloth diapers man, makes it really hard to keep track of her pant sizes and find things that fit. She has a lot more fun in classes now and holds her own. She brings shoes and socks to you to tell you she's ready to go walking outside - still finger walking but she's starting to ease up on her grip and start to pull away. Very exciting!


She Likes:

Month 10 - Still blowing raspberries, blowing kisses, gesturing for 'more' at meal times, tasting smoothies that we drink after our long workouts on the weekends. Scooting around you and giving 'back rubs' by pounding on your back. Strollering around the living room with her push carts. Bubbles!
Month 11 - Making animal noises - specifically bird noises to match the owl and raven finger puppets we have, she's starting to dance a little in her crib and in her high chair when we listen to music during meals. Bouncing on the bed or in the crib. Playing fetch with Rosie and her toy mouse. Climbing in the refrigerator. Books - she gets really excited when you pull them down from the shelf. Stacking toys in your hands.

She Doesn't Like:

Month 10 - Sitting still for long periods of time. I know, what baby does? This makes those 5 hr flights especially exhausting. Nor does she enjoy sleeping while traveling in airplanes or in cars. Man. Maybe this next baby will like sleeping in cars. That would be incredible.
Month 11 - Changing time. It's becoming a real acrobatic event to get her into clothing. She's great at getting the clothes on, it's just a matter of getting them on before she sprints off or flips over and tries to climb up the wall away from you.


Not Sure About:

Month 10 - Other kids in Gymboree class.
Month 11 - Bath time with anyone other than Mom or Dad.

Flight back to D.C.

Trying on my wedding dress for the fun of it

Elise loved all the beads

One of her favorite xmas presents

So much fun when our cousin visits! Beeeeesssst friends :)

Moooom she's touching meeee

Practicing for our future Segway

That's our blowing raspberries face while sitting on the cat grass :)

All dressed up for the Apple Holiday party

I'm lucky to have a hair-talented mother and sister, cause I could never pull this off solo!

Awesome being at the Academy of Sciences at night. The octopus was going crazy! Never seen anything like it. 

Month 9

Busy busy times! What with all the shopping and family and planning and exercising, it's hard to catch a break anywhere. I've rediscovered the amazingness of coffee. I'm down a good bit of weight, but still about 10lbs heavier than my lightest pre-baby weight, around Carolyne's baby shower.  Well, technically I was pregnant then, but still, that's about what I'm aiming for, to get my health in order. Ed is running as well, and working like crazy these days. We're both getting really excited for MD and seeing friends and family. We have a to-do list that the boss lady will have the final say on, but, hopefully she's flexible on plans. :) Other than that, it's the same as usual around these parts. I'll add notes about what we've been up to as the pictures go - forgive me if this is a bit rushed and rife with spelling errors, I threw it together during a nap break, and goodness knows how fast those times go when you have something you want to get done!

For a significant amount of time, she would only wear this hat. Of course.

Tupperware makes amazing formal wear apparently. Every time we put this on her head and she takes it off we say, 'And good day to you sir!'

You may not believe me, but Ed is responsible for this outfit. It's one of my favorites. 

Sommelier and sous chef in the kitchen

Thanksgiving in Nevada was wonderful. The car ride was blessedly easy, the company and the food waiting for us, amazing. It was such a nice time. Really glad we had such a happy day for Elise's first Thanksgiving. I wish I had more pictures, but funny thing, it's hard to hold a baby and take pictures at the same time!

Also, ham is her favorite thing ever. She would snatch it right out of your hand if you were too slow bringing it to her, or were trying to take it away. 

My laundry gnome, being helpful.

When Mom's away...

Our outfit from Granny Sue. My tiny little engineer/woodswoman. I love it :)

A very nice visit with Granny Sue

Reading our morning paper.

The weather's been weird so I've been trying out some new styles. I remember getting these leggings ages ago and thinking man, my tiny baby won't fit in those for a long time! Well. How about that.

Pinky

Winter garden going crazy!

Elise is very into our Sunday morning smoothies. I think it's a combination of the color and the sound of the straws in the glass.

This day she was the only kid in class, so she made her own friends!

We really like our baby friends. And building our immunity.

Christmas time!

Out picking a tree this year! Yes, this is the same place we went before and we got horrible poison oak rashes. We were VERY careful this time. 

Perfect!

Tried to take a picture of this reservoir.... The drought is terrible. Even just last year, we did a hike in those hills and there was so much more water here, covering all that land past the nearest line of green hedges.

Omi and GrosOmi got to watch me trim the tree.

Final touch!

My favorite time of year. :)

And finally the update!

This session was so much fun, she was just laughing and yelling the whole time, racing towards the camera and getting more riled up every time we tried to reset her

Not even goatly could get her to remain calm for longer than a moment

Yeah, that's the one. :)

What She Is Like: 
Not too much new to report here... she's clapping, babbling, climbing the stairs unbelievably fast, trying to stand on her own (not so successfully), standing on tiptoes to pull everything off shelves... She understands 'no' and 'gentle.' But understanding stops short of getting her to not do it. She just pauses, looks back at me, and then gives me a slow smile before continuing on. Such a troublemaker. We're just about to switch to mostly 12 month clothing. Pants wise she's in at least 12 months because of the bulky cloth diapers. Still only has the two teeth, but that upper set is fit to burst through any day now. She's soooo drooly. She's eats pretty much everything you put in front of her... and things you don't. 

She Likes:

* 'Talking' to you directly. See below.
* Cuddling. She crawls right up into your arms and then talks to you real close, or just uses you as a prop to hold her upright while she drools all over a teething toy.
* Blowing raspberries. It's how she says good morning, good night, hello, goodbye... raspberries 24/7. Even when she's sitting alone in her crib. Goof.

She Doesn't Like:
* When you close the door to the outside. She'd prefer to be out there but it's been rainy and cold and frankly that's just not ideal for outside play I think.
* When you take away the phone while facetiming. I'm not into letting her play on our iPads or our iPhones, but I do let her hold the phone while facetiming family or friends. Because she is a baby, she has not completely grasped the whole 'my hands trying to pinch peoples faces on the screen can hang up the call' notion. I think her next familiar phrase will be 'don't press the red button!' She'll break down into 'tears' when you pull the phone away to call a family member back, and immediately brighten upon their answering. My daughter, the actress. She's got a gift I tell ya.


Not Sure About:
* Strangers. It's a toss up if we react well or not. Sometimes she just clings, other times she cries. I think it's about the slow approach with her right now. It'll be interesting to see how our MD visit goes!