It's been a bit of a blur, but we have made it through a month of life with this little one. Sleep has become a joke and we may smell like spit up most of the time, but hey, it doesn't last forever, right? Sadly they won't stay little forever either, so I am just trying to soak up the snuggles while I can.
Oh it feels so good to be actually posting again! Yes, our little one finally arrived! Piper Soleil was born on December 15th at 6:24 a.m. and she has been receiving kisses and love ever since. We adore her so much! Having a newborn again has been everything I imagined, challenging and wonderful at the same time and worth every minute. London has been amazing as we've adjusted to being a family of four, and I love seeing her sweet interactions with Piper each day. She really is a great help and is excited to be sharing her room (we just moved baby from our room to London's. More pics on that coming soon!) Here are a few photos for you to oogle over, followed by my dramatic birth story! :)
I awoke at 3:30 a.m. on December 15th to subtle contractions. Not painful, just uncomfortable enough to keep me awake and wondering if this was "it." I debated whether I should wake up Scott, since I had been having contractions on and off for several weeks, and decided I could probably hold off until 6 a.m. Wrong! By 4:30, I was jostling him awake as the contractions grew stronger and started coming closer together. We timed them for a little while, then I went downstairs to wake up my mom. Thank goodness she had arrived from Utah the day before! I really wanted her to be there for the birth and since she had limited time to stay before heading back, I hoped that the birth would come soon after she got into town so that I could have as much help as possible during those first few difficult days with a newborn.
During my conversation with my mom, labor kicked up another notch and I was having serious back pain. I decided to call my midwife and see when I could come in to the birth center, about 20-25 minutes away. She didn't sound too convinced that I was very far along in labor, but agreed to meet me there in an hour. I then called a friend to come stay with London until she woke up and then take her back to their house. As soon as she pulled up, we left and speeded along the empty freeway to the birth center. I wasn't timing contractions anymore - I was just trying to get through them. We had done some sessions with a hypnotherapist in the weeks prior and I listened to the recordings she had given us to help me relax and deal with the pain. My midwife and her assistant pulled up to the birth center just as we did and, with Scott's help, I began making my way to the door, pausing at points as contractions hit and holding onto hubby for dear life.
From that point on, things are kind of a blur. My midwife asked me to lay down on the bed so she could check my cervix, which I did, but laying down was so painful. She suggested I try going to the bathroom before I got in the tub, so I did....and never came out! The contractions were full force now and I was shaking all over and sweating like a crazy person. Scott stood in front of me and tried his best to help. I couldn't talk, I couldn't move. I was dying to get in the tub, but I felt completely paralyzed. I just stood there, over the toilet as my body started gearing up to push. "The baby's coming!" I remember gasping, and the midwives rushed in and started getting ready. Suddenly the head was partially out. "One more push and her head will be completely out," someone said. In my mind, I couldn't believe it. This was almost over?? Hallelujah! I pushed again and her head emerged, one more push and her shoulders were out and then the rest of her body, resulting in the greatest relief I have ever experienced in my life!
I was elated. The pain was gone and here was my baby, my precious baby that I had waited so long to meet. It was love at first sight. I was amazed at how great I felt, and walked across the room to the bed to lay down. She laid on my chest, this tiny miracle, and I just smiled and stared. I couldn't stop saying "I love you."
The whole labor had lasted three and a half hours. I had anticipated a quick birth, but this was much faster than I had imagined. As a result, I tore pretty badly and had some major stitches after. The fact that she was 9 lbs 6 oz probably didn't help either! It was 45 minutes of pure torture, arguably worse than labor. Still, I was so amazed at how fantastic I felt considering I just had a baby and that I was actually able to walk around. I took a shower and we rested for a while before getting ready to go home, only four hours after her birth. The midwives had told me this was likely beforehand, as the baby would probably go into a deep sleep around that time and it would be a good time to go home and sleep ourselves. Piper did just that, so off we went, in shock that the entire ordeal was over.
It's been far too long since I've posted - many apologies! I have forgotten how crazy it is getting ready for a baby and just trying to get the month of December in order before she arrives! Originally I had thought this would be the perfect time of year to have a baby - all snuggled up in our house and warm with nothing to do but love on each other and sip hot cocoa. Ha! I have since learned that this is a crazy time of year for a baby! Today is actually my due date...I think she'll hold on for at least a few more days. I hate due dates. I feel like they just set you up for disappointment! I sort of wish they would have told me "Oh, around mid-December." Anyway. I clearly did not put together my annual gift guide this year, but maybe I will share some gifts that I have picked out for the girls? I am so excited for London this year - she has really caught on to all things Christmas and it has been a constant flow of singing holiday songs, drawing Rudolph pictures, and asking me to read winter stories. I feel like a kid all over again and trust me, it's nothing short of magical. (click pic to enlarge).
1. Eco-Cross Blanket by Spearmint Love 2. Deluxe Art Center by Guidecraft 3. "Once Upon a Northern Night" by Jean E. Pendziwol 4. "Extra Yarn" by Mac Barnett 5. Pixie Toy Camera by Twig Creative 6. Pink Tassel Moccassin by Crew & Lu 7. 2014 Phases of the Moon Calendar by Irwin Glusker 8. Woodland Babe Bunny by Jelly Cat
I am so so tired right now...the thought of crawling into this hanging chair sounds so cozy and relaxing. Made by Maffam Freeform, the chair offers room for several kids and would be such a nice spot for resting, napping, reading or playing. MANU is made from volcanic basalt fiber and can hold up to 485 pounds but only weighs 33 pounds, which really surprised me. Doesn't it look so much heavier?
Can you believe it is already November? I feel like I'm still reeling from October. But nevertheless, the year must go on, and that means Christmas is on the horizon! I've just added my paper advent calendars to my Etsy shop and hope you will take a peek. :) I started designing them several years ago and it's become a regular part of November for me. There are three to choose from: Amsterdam, Brooklyn and my newest one, Paris. I only make 50 of each and they always sell out, so if you want one, order quick! Every calendar features an original digital illustration printed on thick watercolor paper and mounted on sturdy foamboard. All of the windows and doors are cut by hand (big thanks to my sister Ciara for helping me this year!) and there is a tiny symbol of the holiday season behind each one. Our family had a beautiful paper advent calendar that we used all through my childhood, and I think it's such a great idea for kids. Wtih all of the anticipation surrounding Christmas, it makes it a little easier on their tiny minds to try to process the passing of time. They also make great gifts that people can use year after year!
I finally got around to going through London's Halloween-theme birthday party - yay! It really was so much fun to plan and put together and I think all the kids had a good time. We started out with a simple craft, making spiderwebs out of sticks and yarn, followed by a mini pumpkin hunt in the garden (clementines with jack-o-lantern faces drawn on. Huge hit!) The kids bobbed for apples which was hilarious to watch and then we gathered everyone together for dinner which consisted of soup, cornbread, veggies, popcorn and apple tart. We ended it with a small gift exchange amongst the children and a Halloween story, "Mousekin's Golden House" by Edna Miller. I love having story time at parties, it's a great way to calm the kids down and send them on their way!
November is gearing up to be a crazy month for us, since it's the time of year I always send out my paper advent calendars I sell on Etsy (more info for you coming soon!) and Christmas right around the corner, not to mention the birth of a new baby. I'm hoping to have Christmas shopping totally done and everything ready by the last week in November...wish me luck! I love this little cube puzzle, which would be a great stocking stuffer, don't you think? With paintings from French artist Nathalie Lété on each side, there are six puzzles in one. I love her work and the colors she favors - she definitely has a certain playful style that appeals to children. Available from Anthropologie.
Having lived in small spaces for 12 years, I have a new appreciation for people who can make it work and do it beautifully. Take Japanese family of four, The Akiyoshi's, who renovated their Noho apartment in NYC to work like a bento box. The two teenage sisters share a room featuring raised beds with walk-in closets underneath – such an excellent use of space! I lived in a similar set-up in college, but with a desk underneath and it was just so smart. The whole apartment is very refined and tranquil, but with some fun touches carefully used throughout (like the on-display collections in the girls' bedroom). Designed by Koko Architecture and Design.
I feel like I've had writer's block (blogger's block?) for over a week now and I have struggled with coming up with something decent to post. I never want to post just for the sake of posting and I always want to share good stuff. I am still sifting through party pics from London's 5th birthday - holy crazy. It was fun, but I always end up asking myself every year why the heck I torture myself with all of the preparations for a two hour gig that my kid most likely won't remember... Next year I think I'm going to make things a bit easier and have her party at this super cute pumpkin patch/Christmas tree farm I went to with a friend yesterday. We practically had the place to ourselves, took a wagon ride, a train ride, played on the bounce houses and of course, spent plenty of time frolicking among long rows of bright pumpkins. Oh fall, I love you so much.
This past weekend we took off for Portland so that Scott could run his first marathon - woohoo! All of those early morning runs he's been doing seemed to have paid off and he got a great time: 3:01! I was so proud of him. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time staying right downtown. As soon as we got there I took off straight for a few of my favorite shops that I discovered last time and ended up falling in love with this sweet coloring book at Alder & Co. Each page is a work of art in and of itself, with detailed illustrations done by Johanna Basford, known for her extremely detailed pen-and-ink work. Johanna's designs are heavily rooted in the flora and fauna that surrounded her while growing up on her parent's fish farm in rural Scotland. I am so in love with this little coloring book, I almost don't want to give it to London for her birthday on Wednesday and just selfishly color it myself!
