postpartum musings

A third pregnancy really changes a lady. For me, this time was completely different in all facets. Sickness, body changes, back pain, delivery, and adjustments between a 5 and 3 year old (older kids, different schedules, different challenges). By this pregnancy I really thought I was seasoned in all things maternity. It really hit me this third go around how much of being pregnant, well all of it really, is based solely on what I can do- I am the only one to carry the baby, the only one to deliver. It's a solo effort that is sacredly given to me. As I sat telling Mark, "I can't do this" through those agonizing, unexpected contractions, it really hit me that no one was going to do this for me.  With that said, I felt with this pregnancy, I EARNED that badge of motherdom. What I mean, having delivered this child without the ease of medication, I was a part of the process. I felt this creature slip into the world and it was something I had never felt with my other two. I finally felt that I had arrived, not that one cannot with only one or two kids, but for me, this felt like I had accomplished what I was put here to do, and he is the perfect addition to the other two little people who call me Mom.

14 days

Week One: Two kids with fevers and coughs and an unhappy newborn with circumcision crankiness. Tired parents. Lots of meals, visitors and gifts of love and adoration for this sweet, newborn boy. Lots of laundry. Lots of adjusting. Lots of snuggles with this new little person.

Week Two: First bath. First signs that Kingston might actually like the baby. First time jumping off the diving board and learning to do a cannonball (Mc). First bottle prop (don't judge). First Dr Appointment- 8 lbs 2 ozs. First time leaving the house with all three kids.

We're going to make it after all. 

portraits.

While this picture will be one that will be turned into a canvas to hang on my wall....

This picture is just as precious. Mc has been drawing the baby in his crib, with his light up seahorse by his side, since we brought him home.

Behold baby Enzo!

One week today. That is how long we have been a family of five but it feels like this is just how it has always been. Lorenzo is an angel baby. Really. Sometimes, it is easy to forget that there is a newborn in the house because he is so good about eating (every 3 hours) and then sleeping until he is ready to eat again. Mckinley LOVES him. Asks to hold him, feed him, burp him, change him, dress him, touch him, smother him as often as she can. Kingston, he couldn't care less and seems to be content just looking at him from afar.

The story of how he got here is a long one. We planned to go in Wednesday night (7/2) but with ladies having babies in the ambulance, in the ER, twins, and two scheduled inductions who had their water break, we didn't have a prayer. Then we planned again to go in 7/3 @ 6:00 AM. The call came at 4:45 that we wouldn't be making it at that time either. Finally, they called to called to let us know we could go in at 8:30 AM. Hooked up and ready by 9:30, the day began. The epidural seemed to be doing it's job of making my legs feel like some detached part of my body; however, as the day progressed, the pain got more intense and soon, it felt like I was going au natural despite my efforts to never feel "the burn". The contractions were killer, the "burn" is a real thing that can only be described as hellacious and something that (had it had been my first) would have scared me away from childbirth all together. If we are being honest, I would have made the worst pioneer ever. Funny enough, once he was out, it was quite euphoric. The pain dissipated as quickly as it had come and the quiet, bright eyed Lorenzo made it all worth it.

This perfect baby boy was ours.

Lorenzo Niels Williamson. 7 lbs 6 ozs. 20 inches long.

His name was an easy choice. We had liked it since Kingston and upon further research learned that Lorenzo actually means "Laurence" in Italian.  A great way to pay homage to my maiden name. His middle name, Niels, was Mark's great grandpa's name. I love "Enzo" for short and that Kingston still thinks his name is Leroy (the pseudo-name we have given all our kids until birth).

Home life has changed for sure. We are all tired. The kids got to stay with Mimi & Papa, go boating with G & Chris and got to live carefree for a few days. Both kids weren't 100% when they got home- we have had coughs and fevers for both (extra bonus with a newborn) and Kingston isn't so sure how he feels about other people bringing us dinner every night. So many people have helped chauffeur Mc to swimming lessons & summer classes, brought dinner, gifts and sent their love. We are truly blessed. 

Recovery has been great. I feel good. Feel pretty adjusted and have managed two whole days without Mark. He has been a trooper. Stays up late to do the midnight feeding and then gets up to go work long days. We are all floating on the winds of change and trying to decide how we fit in with a new little person in our house.

The last day of two kids. We snuggled in bed most of the day watching our newest Christmas favorite "Mickey's Christmas".

39 weeks!

First bath.

You know it's rough when you can't stay awake to finish your sucker.

My little ragamuffin helper :)

First pic of the FO5.

Let it be written

So, it appears that the "middle child" was going to be forgotten amidst the bustle of a new baby. I wanted to make sure I documented the occasion of him turning 3 and the joy he brings to our home before the blog turns to all things Lorenzo for the moment.

All Kingston wanted for his birthday was a "big motorcycle". It was all he could talk about. When I stumbled across the Repsol Honda, I called Mark to see if I should make the purchase, to which he replied, "Never ask me what I will say when it comes to buying motorized things for our kids". Noted. From Mark's previous post, you can see that he was SO excited. It really made his birthday.

He picked a Spiderman cake and was a champ in helping Sissy to open his presents ( I was totally that sister too I am sure). He was spoiled as usual by cousins, aunts/uncles and grandparents.

At three we love:
- You LOVE to be outside. Especially in the garage helping daddy or riding a bike/motorcycle.
- You are 17 percentile for height and are still wearing shoes from last summer (something Mc NEVER did)
- You like Transformers, "Hulk Smash", Spiderman, trucks, cars and Jack Skellington
-  Fruit of any kind will trump anything else on your plate
- You hate the pool at Mimi's but after I force you to get in on the "boat" (the lounge pads) you love it
- You love to snuggle with your "moan-key" blanket
- It is fun to watch you "fix" things or to tell people that "My daddy can fix it" if something is broken
- You love to laugh, play and be around your sissy
- I love your hugs and smooches
- Bedtime routine: Mom reads story, gets you in jammies, brushes teeth. Dad says prayer and lays in bed to talk about cars and motorcycles

We love you doo doo!

Kingston with Grandpa Donut and Grandma Cookie

Helping Papa do the "lawning"