Theo is born!

It is hard to believe that Theo is already a week old today... this past week was a blur, and it's hard to blog when you have a little baby snuggled asleep on your chest!

We had been waiting since his due date (16th) for labor to start, but I knew he would come when he was ready, or as Jon thought, after I was able to eat a long awaited breakfast sandwich from a food cart we had been meaning to visit on Saturday. (The Big Egg in the Mississippi district, and it was delicious.) Saturday night I started having the usual regular contractions that I knew would either go away with sleep or lead up to the Big Event. Sunday morning I woke up shortly before 4 am with painful, regular contractions, and I knew labor had started. After talking with the midwife on call she said she expected to see me later that morning in the hospital. Hours later, she said she would be expecting me in later that afternoon...and then it was that evening for sure! My mom had arrived from Boise, and my contractions were getting to be very intense, but not quite close enough together. I was in tears and we decided to go to the hospital, if only to get checked with the possibility of being sent back home. 
After being checked, waiting an hour, and then being checked again, I was dilated to a two. This was discouraging after 20 hours, but the midwife assured me that I was hovering between early and active labor. She sent us home with Ambien at midnight, and I took a bath with the idea that I was taking a break from these contractions and getting a little sleep. Thirty minutes after trying to get some sleep I had bloody show, called again and she wanted me to come back. I was reluctant as I thought my labor would not have progressed much. After we got there she said two wonderful things--I was dilated to a seven and, fill the tub! (I was planning a natural waterbirth)

The tub was such a relief, as the contractions were still there but I was able to relax and float. I got in at about 4 am, and the time passed so quickly. Before I knew it I was feeling the unavoidable urge to push. I was dilated to a 10 (this was done by slipping a flashlight into a vet glove and checking it underwater), which was interesting because transition seems to have presented itself earlier when I was at a two rather than when I was approaching a 10. Pushing was an adventure. I was making these low noises I didn't know existed (think cows singing karaoke). It felt intense. I had many conversations in my head encouraging me to keep going! Before I knew it, forty minutes had passed and there was a crying baby in my arms. It was so unreal and amazing to share the next twenty minutes with Jon just looking at our baby boy. He was predicted to be about 7 pounds and ended up being almost 8 and a half! (That was a fun surprise)

It's funny how merely a week later I am digging deep to remember the painful details of childbirth. Those parts have just become unimportant and overshadowed by the joy of Theo's birth. I prayed for the faith that my body would know what to do, and Jon gave me the confidence and motivation to go through with everything without fear. I love our new little family.

We were both a little tired.

But it was so worth it.

Theodore Andrew Hall
8 lbs, 6 oz; 20 in.
Born June 21, 2010 at 5:57 am

I love birth stories, so I'll be sharing mine soon. Thanks for all of your well wishes!

The winter maternity sweater is back out!

40 weeks today... My apartment is dark and it feels like late winter again here, which makes my 2 cups of "I hope this stuff actually helps labor" tea go down comfortably, at least (in my favorite ceramic non-disposable disposable cup!). Jon drank hot chocolate last night. My heater just clicked on. What is going on here?

Yesterday I googled things like "pedicure natural induction" and got my toes painted jade green. Which was the Chanel color of 2009. It might look ugly, I can't really decide. My finger nails are red so I look like Christmas. Is this why people usually get mani/pedis with their friends? To avoid potentially fungal related polish choices?

What I'm up to lately

*making boyish shorties/bloomers to be paired with the sleeveless onesies I'm dying today. Just try to tell me those things are not adorable.

*listening to Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside (while making above)

*eating lunch with Jon here, where I promptly canceled out the past two dinners of raw veggie sandwiches in one fatal, home fry filled, bechamel sauced swoop (the name of the cart is more than self explanatory). My tummy feels more bowling ball than basketball.

*fielding kicks, shoves, and aggressive dance moves from my belly (I think he's confused as to the correct way to get out of there)

*watching videos and in general geeking out over Apple's newest product. Theo, I don't care when you come, but I already have plans June 15th, 12 am.

38.75 weeks nesting (or lack of) thoughts

My pregnant twin (no, not my actual twin, but my friend who had her due date three days before me) had her baby yesterday. Which kind of sent me into a slight "am I ready" panic. But I am so happy for her, and everything turned out wonderful, and her baby is precious. I think the most nesting-ish thing I did last week was make a 5 hour playlist consisting of mostly Sufjan and a track that plays ocean sounds for an hour. Hospital bag not too packed, cause mostly it's stuff I can't pack until right before. (right?) Our car seat was ordered weeks ago, and is still not here. All I know is, I still may not have him for another 2 weeks, but each day I get more uncomfortable and feel pains that mean this situation is going to go down. Sometime. Anytime.

But with all those natural anxieties, we are so excited to meet this little guy. And it's ok if he doesn't have hair at birth, but I just want this ranging, crazy heartburn to have meant something, you know?

i heart estate sales

I used to love thrifting, and I still do, but one drawback about Portland is that a lot of people love thrifting. And Goodwills are so expensive it makes me mad. Estate sales are where it's at. They are popular here too, but we hit a good one right when it opened one morning, and the thrill returned just like I had walked into a farm town Deseret Industries. My favorite find was a completely hand pieced vintage honeycomb or "grandmother's flower garden" quilt top. It is lap sized, (pieced American style, FYI) and I love that I can finish it on my own. These quilts take about a million years to make, consisting of hundreds of hexagons (about 2" across). I will need some help from my mom figuring out how to finish it...

It might be feeling real now? 37 weeks

My baby is sleeping at the moment. In case you can't tell, I am holding it. Him. Got to stop doing that.


Also? Some advice for pregnant people worrying about maternity wear. I am still wearing my normal Shade shirts. I bought a maternity one and might need to save it for my friends who near the 6' mark. Seriously, they make some crazy long shirts. Their catch phrase should be "For Momos with freakishly long torsos."

for a good cause

Sometimes I get a little enthusiastic about things. Especially food.  After my church announced a dessert auction, I got cupcake crazy and started a multi-hour search on the internet for the perfect combination. Because I wanted to get top dollar. (Eventually) I settled on chocolate cupcakes, filled with chocolate mousse, topped with chocolate ganache. Luckily nothing went wrong and they were really fun to make. I got really excited about picking the most perfect looking twelve and finding out how easy and amazing chocolate ganache is. I definitely wasn't going to mention that the chocolate mousse was silken tofu blended with a bag of good chocolate (plus a little maple syrup), because one time my dad ate it and pronounced it delicious before he knew what it was. So, I didn't worry about it much. Anyway, I will modestly say there was a small bidding war--I just hope whoever ended up with them thought they tasted good.

I better get going--I am hosting book club tomorrow (book: In Defense of Food--read it!) and have hours of baking ahead of me...

Friday Food Carts and Matinee Movie Mornings

I borrowed this picture from my fave cart go-to site because I refuse to be that person walking around food cart pods with a large Nikon. I always see those people and am slightly embarrassed for them. Same thing goes at shows. It doesn't mean I will never take a picture at a food cart (now that I have a big bag I can be more conspicuous)--but, you know what I mean. 

Every Friday I pick Jon up from school for a little lunch outing. It started with me bringing subways into his cafeteria, but now it has become Food Cart Friday, a time to explore that magical world of food carts we love so dearly. I reserve a little time in my hours of web surfing per day to research new potential pods and carts. The best part is if we change our minds we can always find something, somewhere we want to eat. Last Friday Jon wanted an old standby, Whole Bowl, and I was feeling sick and couldn't even think of eating actual solid food--all I wanted was a smoothie. A short drive later and we were at a cart called the Portland Smoothie Company, where my need for something cold and non-acid inducing was met with a raspberry, marionberry, blueberry, and banana smoothie with soy milk (so good!). And this pod was a short walk to Voodoos to split a maple old fashioned. I love Fridays. And maple old fashioned doughnuts.

Next new tradition is titled Matinee Movie Mornings (Matinee Morning Movie? Morning Movie Matinee?). Jon decided we were going to go see actual movies while we can before baby comes (something we rarely do anyways--$!), and so we go to an early bird showing, which is an extra low price for the very first showing of the day (in this case, Iron Man at 10 am, $6). I think I'm going to bring a breakfast sandwich to the next one. Because I don't think anything sounds as awesome as eating breakfast in a movie theater. 

We have about four more showings, (more if I'm late, of course) and so what should we see next? Jon wants to see Robin Hood because he loves Robin Hoods. I only enjoy Robin Hoods with American accents and Morgan Freeman, so I'm not so sure. [I was shocked years ago to find that "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" was Jon's favorite movie. I thought it was a joke. He honestly, genuinely, non-ironically loves it. I like it too now, but mostly because I think it is hilarious.]  

Nesting Week 36:

Dyeing onesies, getting my hair cut, getting my glasses adjusted, throwing away my spice rack. All very essential things. Especially the hair cut and glasses, both were driving me a bit crazy.

Things I need to do this week: Order car seat (today!), get a pediatrician, buy new pajamas, make relaxing playlist, get fake candle things, try and get a few more things on my "things I need to get for baby" list...

Is it weird that I'm stressing out that I don't have burp rags?

He's the smart one

I just watched my brother graduate law school seconds ago due to the wonders of the internet. I wanted to be the first to blog about it to get extra brownie points since I could not be there. He is the first "doctor" of the 3, the two other pending.  I'm sure it will be a good joke later between the D.D.S. (or is it D.M.D? Whatever Jon will get) and the PhD if a J.D. is really a doctor? My Dad would be on his side, I'm sure.

He'll have to let me know what non-student life is like, because I have no comprehension of that world. (working? for real money? wha...?) Congrats Jake, I'm proud of you!

I even got a screen shot picture. How about you, Kenz?

feel free to zoom in on this picture

Ah, Mother's day. I kept my requests modest, as I am technically a mother, but my sacrifices remain limited to lots of heartburn, a significant weight gain, and fishy morning burps (thanks, omega-3 pills!). I really wanted three things: Cinnamon swirl french toast, root beer floats, and no dishes. And I would be happy if Jon handed me a single dandelion, but he got me some pretty flowers too.

But let's talk about the real suspense of Mother's Day for Mormons (and I'm sure other religions as well)--what are they going to hand out at the end of the meeting? Since becoming an "adult" woman I tend to scrutinize the choice carefully. The two (!) Mother's days at BYU when I was handed a pamphlet with church talks were not good years. In fact, I left rather offended and usually threw it away with an eye roll and a sarcastic grumble about how the men in the church have no idea how to handle this sensitive day (candy! chocolate!  Even one of those flower pots are fine). Let's ignore the fact that I could have used the advice given in those talks I never read. But giving mothers a talk about being better mothers is not good idea.

Yesterday I have to admit I was almost giving into emotional pregnancy hormones at times, but my eyes really started to mist as the army of adolescents marched down the aisles at the appointed time. Lo and behold those 13-year-olds were carrying mini loaves of Great Harvest cinnamon burst bread, which is quite possibly the greatest use of refined white flour ever devised. I cradled that thing like I would a newborn child, except more carefully. Not even tied with a pretty ribbon or card, this gift said, "Thanks for all you do. You are amazing." To which I felt like replying, "I am hardly deserving, but humbly accept." I think I actually whispered that into my purse during Sunday School when I checked to see if it was doing ok.

[UPDATE: It seems like I changed something about my comments that made them not work. They should work now if you would like to share what you got for Mother's Day! Sorry.]

This is a toothbrush.

Not just any toothbrush. Sonicare would do well to hire me as a salesperson, as I have loved this toothbrush through the taunting of former roommates and many cavity free dental checkups (we'll see if that stays true next week--its been a while). I laugh and reminisce with the Sonicare representatives at Jon's dental fairs about the size and dexterity of the models of the past eight or nine years. Don't even talk to me about Oral-B's (ugh). We got this newest beauty for free recently (want one? It's easy, just take out loans the size of a large house to go to dental school for four years) and it sits happily next to mine.

At least, it was happy. Until, with a swift move of my elbow, I sent it across the bathroom and directly into the toilet. Yes, the toilet. The most unhallowed act you can bestow on a toothbrush. Luckily with my mothering instincts (they do exist!) I didn't hesitate a second to stick my arm in there to grab it. The resulting look on Jon's face was much worse than having an arm dripping with toilet water. A much cleaner person than I am, he was beyond horrified. I apologized to him, I apologized to the toothbrush. I threw away the brush head, I scrubbed with Clorox wipes. And while he has forgiven me, I'm afraid that the memory of my sin will remain and scar this toothbrush forever.

best. event. ever.

The only picture taken before the camera battery died. It was such a cute mini taco.

This weekend was Eat Mobile, an event where 30 different food carts gathered together to give away samples for a small entrance fee under the Morrison bridge. We bought wristbands about 3 weeks early (they sold out a few days before Saturday, but we wanted to be safe) and got in line a half hour before it started, because we are food cart nerds. A couple other friends joined us and we started waiting in line after line to sample things like maple bacon ice cream, korean fusion tacos, and waffle sandwiches. Picture the most amazing sample day at Costco (for me, July 4 2009--two words, hot dogs) and replace those smiling old ladies and frozen burritos with tattooed (generally) chefs handing you gourmet, sometimes very unusual (grilled peanut butter, bacon and jalapeno sandwich?) food for 2 hours. The 20 or so different foods mixing in my stomach caused a chemical reaction that needed about 7-8 Tums to soothe, but it was absolutely worth the burn. Already looking forward to 2011 (without a heartburn causing, stomach-shrinking baby in my belly).

Speaking of belly inhabitants, can I just mention that this little guy is bound to make his appearance in about a month and a half? Ummm, wha....? 

man oh man rainbow chip!

I had such a wonderful birthday week. I really like stretching my birthday into multiple days. (I went out to lunch four times this week! Birthdays are a perfect excuse.) Today I guess doesn't count cause it is Meet Jon for Lunch Fridays, where we tried a new food cart which has given me a food baby along with an actual baby. I think I was given about two pounds of basil pesto, most of which I ate. Then Voodoo doughnuts was such a short walk away... And now I am feeling some ill effects (worth it!).

I have also had some great friends give me baby showers, so I have been opening up presents all month. This week was an online baby shower, a technological miracle where someone in the group video chat usually ended up scrambled, but was still awesome.

My birthday has also given me a new bag that will fit all baby things, the actual baby and probably Jon if he gets tired (copied Kenz with this one). But even better than presents are birthday wishes from friends, so thanks for those. I will also add a lesson for birthday week--our computer hard drive crashed (again), but my life was not ruined because of a wise decision to use Christmas money for an external hard drive. One click of a button (thank you Time Machine! yea for macs) and my computer was restored exactly as I had left it. So friends, know that hard drives can fail at any time, and if you have the feeling you need to back up your shiz, do so. You can thank me later.

And with this long, photo-less, pointless post, I hereby end birthday week. I am off to sew an elastic waist skirt that is embarrassingly large, and therefore will fit me perfectly.