Babies Come With Hats

Eli Weston Larsen

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 17:52:47 -0700

Came to this earth March 3rd, 2010. 11:32 pm. 8 lbs. 12 oz. 22 1/2 inches long.
I had some regular contractions for several hours in the morning, but they petered out, so when they came back around 4:00 I wasn’t ready to trust them. But around 7:30 after we put the girls in bed, we realized that they were serious. It was the real deal. So we called our good friends whom we had on call, she came over to sleep here with the girls and we then we called the Midwife and she met us at the birthing center at 9:00. We got settled in and Cameron read to me for a bit while I sat in a comfy chair, trying to relax through my contractions. About an hour later, I moved over and sat on the bed so that Cameron could rub my back and talk me through it.
You know that whole idea that the Lord makes you forget how hard labor is so that you’ll have another? So true. I was amazed at how tired/exhausted/sleepy I was even in the middle of transition. And actually pushing that baby out was so hard. Wow. But he arrived safe and sound, promptly taking the opportunity to relieve himself (1 and 2) on his mother. Thanks sweet Boy.
He happily settled down to nurse for an hour, then they got him all cleaned up, dressed and swaddled and he went to sleep. And he slept all night. He is a tired, tired boy and we’re more than happy to let him sleep away. He even slept through his PKU this morning. After that we got him and ourselves ready to go and we got home at about 10:00. We settled in and then brought the girls home at 11:00. Lessi came into the room whispering in anticipation and it was so wonderful to watch their amazement at meeting him. For the rest of the day, they have both been coming up to give him kisses once in a while, and Lessi loved to come up and put her fingers into his little fists for a few seconds and then would go about her Mary way.
Unfortunately it was raining today, so we had no good natural light to take pictures, but here’s what we did manage.

Beautiful Girls and Swan Lessi

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:12:32 -0700

My little ladies looked so loverly on sunday morning, that I had to snap a couple pictures.

Sophie Turns THREE!

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:44:20 -0700

My baby girl is not a baby anymore! On the 16th, she turned 3 years old. *sigh* she’s so grown up! We just had cake and presents at home, and invited Nonna over. I made her a Dora cake of my own design. I think it’s not too shabby for not being a cake decorator AT ALL. Here it is!

Maternity Pics, plus Cherise and Bryce

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:27:54 -0700

I love it when my family comes to visit me! Especially since there isn’t much reason for my family to be up this way, so it doesn’t happen often.
On Saturday, the men folk went snowmobiling (and had a FABULOUS time) and so I got Cherise to snap some maternity pics of me. If I’m gonna be this large with child, I might as well document it!
We also went to about five stores (I spent lots of money, but now I feel like I’m prepared for Baby, so it’s ok). We played a hilariously random game called Killer Bunnies, and we were able to go out to lunch at Red Robin just before they left. It was lots of fun, and as always, we can’t wait to have them back.

The Preg-ness

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:30:11 -0700

I thought I should document how my pregnancy has been, since it’s pretty much been awesome. Of course I can say that now that I’ve had 3 months to forget about the morning sickness. That part was just as awful as it’s always been. But I feel the need to rave about how wonderful it is to be pregnant when my spine, and my body in general, are nice and sound.
I first remember my back starting to hurt when I was 8. I started dating Cameron and he shoved me at Adrian who attempted to straighten me out in the couple months I was in St. Louis in between college semesters. That helped, but then it went bad again. So since we’ve been in Boise I’ve been treated by Adrian and Phil and Allen, and it’s done fabulous things for me. During my other pregnancies I was always in pain because my back was messed up in the first place and then you throw the huge belly in and it makes it 7 times worse.
But THIS TIME. Ah, this time. Sure, it’s not exactly comfortable to have the big belly, but being a little uncomfortable is very very different from being in constant pain. Right now I can tell my back is getting tired, but it’s not painful and that is such a huge blessing. And I know that it wasn’t just my chiro friends that are to thank. I can also thank myself. Because I made a point of really trying to keep my lower tummy muscles strong so that they could help hold up my belly. I’ve been stretching every day to keep my legs and back limber, so that my whole little body can help in the supporting of this very squirmy child. I haven’t been lazy. That was part of the problem when I was preg with Lessi. I was lazy. I was. And that is not helpful. Then with Sophie I was so overwhelmed with the unexpectedness of it, I was still getting up in the night with Lessi and my body was never rested.
So I just wanted to take the opportunity to appreciate it. I have three weeks left and everyone is asking me if I’m ready to be done. And sure it would be nice to have this baby soonish, but honestly - I’m good. I’m feeling good and I’m gearing up for this baby to come and getting so excited about it. I’ve been out of the baby business for a while. I’ve been diaper free for about six months. I’m so excited to watch Lessi and Sophie hold this little boys hand, kiss his little forehead and talk to him in their adorable mommy voices. I’m excited for the chance it will give me to spend time with them as they help me to take care of him. I’m excited to watch Cameron taking care of one of our babies again.
And so, in honor of my dear little boy who will be arriving in about three weeks, I am going to bed.