Love.

I am typing this post one-handed because the other hand is occupied by the sweetest thing in the entire world. Is there anything more relaxing and peaceful than a newborn? Despite the craziness that is life, right now, Curtis maintains one pace: eat, sleep.

In the presence of a newborn, I suddenly acquire patience. My world slows down a bit. I guess you could say newborns are my Xanax. I am not saying that I don't get anxious upon thinking about the rest of life, but when holding that tiny bundle of irresistible baby smells, and cuteness, the worries melt away.
I remember this feeling with Brock. Perhaps, it is due to being so out of whack and feeling the furthest thing from 'normal' while pregnant, that I suddenly feel 'right' when the baby finally arrives. I don't mind functioning in a constant state of slight exhaustion (though, I haven't had to really do that, because Curtis only wakes up once a night). I don't mind pausing what I am doing to feed him. For the 2nd time in my life, I don't mind being at someone else's service. I take comfort in knowing that I am just doing my best to raise a healthy, wonderful human being.

There are some differences with number two. With Brock, I felt like he was such a part of me, but now, 2 years later, I see he is completely his own person. So, when I look at Curtis, it is with more of a curiosity as to who he will become. Though I know he is part of me, I see him more as his own man. Already I can feel he is extremely laid-back, and that is exactly what our family needed. I think I speak for all three of us, when I say, I am love.

What's Up With That?

Ok, I did not realize how frequently Matt and I would quote this SNL skit until the other day when Matt said "Ooooohhh Weee", and we hear "what up wit dat" from the other room. It was Brock.

I seriously think this child is hilarious.

The Unveiling:

BEFORE:


AFTER:


So, after living in the house for nearly 5 years, and beginning construction (or destruction) of the master bath nearly 2 years ago, it is finally done. (Minus towel bars, and a toilet paper holder).

Most of the construction was done by my Uncle Tommy. The tile was all my choosing and design. The lighting was all Matt, and the rest was a joint decision. Only in Kansas City could Matt and I have pulled off this grandiose bathroom at this stage in our lives. I have an uncle as a contractor. A father who does glass ~ the shower was free! A cousin who works at a granite and stone showroom ~ we got all tile at cost. A ex-ish brother-in-law who does electrical. And a good friend who's father owns a plumbing supply company (which we forgot about and didn't take advantage of until the end).

As for the specs. It is a 6 foot, 10 jet Jacuzzi. The tile surrounding the tub is a honed marble. The rest is travertine. The accent piece has bits of glass and matching marble tiles. The vanity is some European thing we found online. The shower has 6 shower heads - ridiculous, I know.

All I know, is I am REALLY glad that I can brush my teeth upstairs again. And shower upstairs, for the first time ever since living here!

The Arrival of 2.O

Please welcome, Curtis Patrick O'Laughlin. Our chunky, little bundle of joy, weighing in at 9lbs 6.6ozs and 20.5 inches long. Born on November 5th, 2010 at 3:31pm.To quote the dog in the movie, Up, "I just met you, and I love you". Curtis already possesses a personality that is all his own. It is impossible not to compare him to his older brother, as Brock is the only other child I have birthed...and I am calling it now: they are complete opposites. It even starts with the blood, Brock has his father's type, and Curtis has mine. Brock's delivery took 27 hours, Curt's took 7 hours. Brock came out looking like he was 2 weeks old, bright-eyed with very defined features; Curtis arrived with a bruised face, and the cute chub of a newborn. Curtis cannot wait for each feeding, and will stay latched even with his 2 year-old brother jumping in the bed and screaming. While Brock would immediately detach if he heard so much as a whisper in the next room. Despite these differences, I can tell these boys are going to be fast friends.

As for the delivery story, on the night of November 4th, I was about to write a post along these lines:

"So, I have fallen prey to the trend of impatience and self-centered scheduled deliveries that plagues Obstetrics these days. I really, really tried my best to let baby 2.O choose it's birthday. But seeing as he/she is in absolutely no hurry, and my one month off is slipping away, we will be taking action into our own hands. I have deliberated over this decision constantly. If 2.O is not ready to join us, I don't want to force it, but at the same time, I would like to be able to spend at least 3 weeks with the little one before returning to work. Also, as I am showing minimal signs of progression an induction is appearing imminent at this point. So, I can be induced tomorrow, or I can be induced a week from tomorrow either way, we are still smoking the baby out! I realize I am just attempting to justify this decision in my head, but for us, right now, it seems to be the best choice. I don't foresee coming to this same conclusion with any future pregnancies (not guaranteeing there will be any...) So, Baby 2.O, I hope you like November 5th!"

Now, an easy 7 hour labor and a giant, 9 1/2 pound baby boy later, I realize it absolutely was the right decision! A large part of my hesitation to induce, was the fact that there was no medical reason; I was relying on the ultrasound we got on Tuesday to confirm my humongous baby suspicions, thus providing a good excuse for immediate evacuation. But, as he had been the entire pregnancy on sonogram the baby was measuring in the normal 50th percentile - they estimated 7lbs 13ozs. I must admit, I had my doubts on those measurements. I am telling you, at least once everyday of the 3rd trimester I said, "This baby is huge". I said it at every doctor's appointment, and the doc never refuted the comment. I only gained 26lbs, and was GIANT. Also when I felt my belly, it was ALL baby, he filled that sucker up. Anyway, my point is, supposedly the baby was average sized, thus making it hard for me to use size as the excuse to induct labor. Well, as we now see, if I had let this go on much longer, I'd be having a 10+ pound baby! Not that it's not do-able, many a woman has delivered that and larger, but it can complicate things.

My other hesitation with inducing labor, is the rate of c-section. I have not looked into actual numbers or studies, so I am not sure there is statistical evidence showing that induction increases c-section rate, but I feel, if your body is not ready, then it's not ready. I guess my body was ready. We got checked in and settled around 8am. The nurse got some pitocin started around 9. The doctor broke my water at 10. I got an epidural around Noon. And I pushed a baby out in 6 pushes at 3:31pm.

Seriously, I did not feel a thing. The only "complication" to the labor was trying to keep me conscious. The epidural combined with a 9.5 pound baby lying on my great vessels made my blood pressure plummet. So, I had to try and delivery a baby lying slightly on my right side. With my position combined with the lack of feeling I was not convinced that I was pushing well at all. But after 4 pushes, I was told to absolutely stop until the doctor got in the room. The doctor arrived, gowned up and then Curtis joined the world.

More Doorbell!

So, MY dreams of being a woman in labor for Halloween were dashed, but I think all of Brock's dreams came true...candy, candy, and more candy.I should have anticipated that he would love this holiday. All along, I kind of thought, eh, he's not even 2, he won't care to get dressed up and go door to door. WRONG! Like most toddlers, Brock will do just about anything for candy. As soon as he got the hang of it, he would leave each house saying, "mo' doorbell?" What I found most amusing, is that, previous to trick-or-treating, Brock refused to wear his stethoscope and surgeon's cap, but as soon as he realized that dressing up got him candy, he gladly grabbed the props everytime we headed out the door - only to immediately remove them upon returning home. And we left and came home multiple times, because we had to visit 2 sets of grandparents, as well as, go door-to-door on our own street.We also met up with Annora and Alexander to trick-or-treat in the Brookside shopping center. Never again. Way too overwhelming. As I have mentioned before, Brock shares my anxiety issues with overly crowded, disorganized places. Also, the fact that the baby I am carrying felt as though is could fall out did not help the experience - for me, anyway. Nothing beats going house by house...though, around here, it seems to be a fading tradition.