Elliot's Birth Day

Today is Elliot's birthday.  He was born on May 13th, 2009, at 2:45pm, weighing 8 pounds 8 ounces.  Lots of other moms who keep mom-blogs use their site as a venue to track their growing belly and record their birth story.  Since I didn't start blogging until Elliot was a few months old, I never had the opportunity to write down my version of Elliot's birth.  But I think today, the celebration of that special day, is the right time for me to do it.  So, here goes... Elliot's birth story.


Elliot was conceived on the very first try, something that almost never happens when two Mamas try to have a baby.  We were very lucky!  Using an unknown donor, I was inseminated by my naturopath, who was also our labor doula.  You could say she was there with Elliot from start to finish.


I had what I remember to be a wonderful pregnancy.  I was only really uncomfortable for the last two weeks.  I loved my big round belly.  I had never had such a good body image as when I was pregnant.  It was, by far, the most incredible thing to know that I was growing a person in my belly.  

I was given a due date of May 26th, but I always thought I'd go until sometime in the first week of June.  You can imagine how surprised we were when my water broke at around 11pm on MAY 11th!  Andrea and Annika were both home.  I remember calling out from the bathroom... "Um, hello?  I think my water just broke," and not hearing anything back but silence for what seemed like a looonng time.  Then they both came running into the bathroom with lots of "whats?!?" and "reallys??!?"  I remember Annika saying over and over, "But, does this mean your going to have the baby?!"


We were admitted to the hospital later that night and began what was, in total, a 40 hour birth journey.  I like to think that I've experienced every kind of labor and birth that one can experience (with the exception of the actaul vaginal delivery).  During those 40 hours, I did it all:

-I had an amazing birth team (my beloved Andrea, the amazing Annika, and my naturopath/doula Molly) who helped me through:
-27 hours of contractions
-dilation to a full 10 cm, during which time I,
-had IV antibiotics every 4 hours for group B strep
-continuous heart monitoring
-internal fetal monitoring
-used the ball and the squat bar
-was in the birthing tub
-was in the shower, being massaged with a shower hose
-walked the labyrinth 
-then I finally had an epidural
-then pitocin
-then I pushed for 4 hours
-was catheterized 
-puked
-did yoga to try and turn the baby who was sunnyside up
-and, finally, got ready for a c-section

We were very lucky that Elliot never showed any signs of distress for the entire labor.  If he had, we would have obviously decided on a c-section sooner.  But, as is true to his nature, he was just right there with me, being a part of all that was happening, holding on and quietly "observing."  Which left us all of the time we wanted to allow me to labor and for us to make calm decisions about our labor journey.  But then Dr. Tom, our most-wonderful midwife, finally said, "You are exhausted.  And I think the baby is stuck."  We all agreed.


A few hours later, Elliot was born by c-section.  Because he essentially ran a marathon for 40 hours with no food, his blood sugar was super low.  I nursed him in the recovery room shortly after he was born, then he was taken to the special care nursery to be with Andrea and I was transfered to a room to be cared for by Annika.  Coming down off of all of those c-section drugs was terrible and I was so glad that I had someone to take care of me.  And you can imagine how relieved I was that Andrea was by Elliot's side every minute of the first 24 hours.  When I was finally taken to nurse him later that first night, I held him in my arms and cried (then puked all of the jello and apple juice they fed me after the surgery all over the nurse). 

The next day we were all united in one room.  Elliot still needed his blood sugars checked regularly and was given supplemental formula, so we all just hung out in the room for a few days.  I was also really sore and still pumped full of the left over surgery meds plus new pain killers, so I was in no shape to leave.  My ankles swelled up as big as my thighs and I couldn't walk very well and was still bleeding a lot (it actually took me a full five weeks after the surgery to be free of pain and regain some normalcy to my strength and stamina).

The thing we spent most of our time on over those few days after Elliot was born was trying to figure out what his name was.  We went to the hospital with four choices: Jonah, Seamus, Elliot and Edan.  It's obviously the main question everyone asks you in the hospital, so all of the nurses and midwives knew what our four choices were.  Unfortunately, there was some disagreement amongst us which name should be on the top of the list...even after he was born.  Then on that first day, when he was in the special care nursery, I went in to breastfeed and one of the nurses had written the name Jonah on the board in his room!  I got totally freaked out and made them remove it right away.  I hadn't even seen my baby's soft knees or felt the roundness of his belly, let alone figured out what his name was!  Needless to say, it was erased and we spent the next few days trying out each of the four options, scratching all of them, starting a new list, then, on day three, deciding with certainty that this new being's name was Elliot Patrick Geraghty.  Here he is at his naming ceremony.  Peacefully becoming who he is.

And here his is one year later.  

This sweet baby boy.  Never did I believe my life, or all of life, would change so much with your arrival.  But I am so glad it has.  I love the world with you in it, Elliot.  

Quintessential Baby

There's something so classic to me about a baby going over to the bottom drawer in the kitchen, opening it on their own, and emptying all of the tupperware out of it with a twinkle in their eye and a squeal on their lips.  Right now, it's one of Elliot's favorite games.

We Did It

We had our first mother's day, and it was just perfect.  All of the things you would expect... delicious brunch, mimosas, a lot of walking in the gorgeous sunny weather, and....

...WE GOT ELLIOT'S HAIR CUT!!!!

We ended up taking him to Rudy's and put his name on the list.  Angela was the person who called his name.  I walked up to her and said, "Are you into doing 'baby's first haircut?'"  She said, "Sure!"  One strawberry lolly, two Mama's, one Spiritual Guardian, one giant mirror, and lots of punk rock music and pictures on the wall all made for one perfectly content little boy getting his very first hair cut.  It all worked out just fine.  And, as you can imagine, he is oh-so-cute,

Yes, Indeed

Eliot's walking.  This was him just this past weekend.  All of a sudden, standing up and walking with his push toys.  Like it was no big deal.  Smiling at us all the way.

Then... tonight... two steps on his own.  Twice.  No push toys involved.  It took our breath away.  We gasped and screeched and laughed and clapped.  Theoretically, I've always thought that each developmental milestone was as important and special as the one before it.  But this walking milestone really is all it's cracked up to be.  Wow.  His little body, moving all on it's own.  With intention and coordination.  It's the same as all of his other accomplishments, but so much more.  I can't believe this little sweet thing will be one year old next week.  He's walking and communicating.  He's happy and healthy.  He's just an absolute joy.  

You Know Your Baby Needs His First Haircut When....

You have to put a barrette in to keep his bangs out of his eyes.

Andrea and I committed well before Elliot was born that we wouldn't give him any choppy home hair cuts.  But now that it's time for him to actually have his first cut, it's not as easy as it once seemed.  I have always wanted him to have his first haircut at Rudy's.  Seems fittingly Portland for baby to have his first do from a punk rock, hipster shop.  But now Andrea's thinking that they can't just cut a baby's hair because we think it's fun for them, but that instead he needs to go to a place that specializes in cutting children's hair.  Terrible places.  Places with movies playing at every station and seats made to look like barbie cars.  Places with terrible names like Kuts for Kids or Kiddie Kuts.  Gag.  First of all, I totally get the need to distract him and keep him still while the person is wielding a sharp cutting instrument around his little baby head, but can't we use mirrors and books to distract him instead?  (Or am I just being too much of a hippy and making a big deal out of this?).  And my second biggest problem is the naming of these so-called children's establishments.  If, in fact, you are a child-focused place intent on supporting the development of the children you serve, don't you think it's important to model for them correct spelling??!?!?  Kuts is NOT spelled with a K!  (And, yes.  I am on my soapbox here.)  We used to live by a childcare center called Kiddie Kollege.  Can you believe that?!  It's enough to make me pack us all up and move to the mountains, live off the grid, and only expose Elliot to novels and things that grow out of the dirt.  But I digress.  Back to the issue of our son wearing barrettes (which I think is just about the CUTEST thing, by the way)... I recognize that we need to take care of this problem.  Maybe I'll call Rudy's today and just ask if they cut children's hair.  Or maybe we'll break down, give him a lolly, and do the snipping ourselves.  I continue to be surprised at how all of these little things that pop up in parenting totally catch me by surprise.  Is it really that big of a deal to give him his first cut? Was your baby's first haircut this big of an issue for you?

Patisserie

Mmmmm, I am so lucky.  We finished an early dinner tonight (leftover homemade pizza from last night) and since it was still a while before Elliot's bedtime we decided to go out for a neighborhood walk.  I told Andrea I wanted to show her the chickens I found earlier this week, but she surprised me with an even better offer--a trip to Le Petite Provence, a most delicious pastry shop and cafe down the street from our new apartment. 

We shared two of the most delicious desserts.  A milk chocolate, white chocolate, and coffee mouse topped with chocolate ganache, and vanilla custard and strawberry jam on a butter cookie pastry.  Oh wow, they were so good!

And we weren't the only ones who thought so.  Elliot scored some sweet little tastes.  Not enough to give him a sugar rush, but enough to keep him quiet and engaged while we sat in the window seat of the quiet little cafe.  I love doing something new, especially when it involves Andrea, Elliot and dessert.  And tonight's little outing was the perfect finish to the day.  

Hello, Spaghetti Monster

Welcome to the wonderful world of spaghetti, Elliot.  We're glad you're here.  May you always find such delight in slurping noodles, smearing sauce, and scooping spaghetti off the table by the fist-fulls.  And, luckily, since your Mama makes the most amazing Ma Geraghty sauce and your Spiritual Guardian happens to be in L-O-V-E with spaghetti, I predict you will.

Look What We Found!

Today was my first day out on a walk with both boys in our new neighborhood.  We set out in search of the park that Andrea had told me was nearby, but instead we found these little feathered friends!  A whole flock on hens came running and clucking up to the fence to say hello to us.

Max loved them.  He chuckled at their clucking and they clucked at his chuckling.  I think this new neighborhood is going to suit us all just fine.

Goodbye Taylor Street

Today was the last day.  We have officially said goodbye to our beautiful first home.  We have many things in life to still say hello to, but, for now... goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.

Goodbye little Fuji apple tree.

Goodbye cowgirl bathroom.

Goodbye beautifully refinished fir floors.

Goodbye brick chimney that Andrea and Bethany exposed themselves.

Goodbye backyard view from the kitchen sink.

Goodbye funny short bathroom (I hope the next owners are as short as we are!).

Goodbye tall tree in the backyard.  

Goodbye cecil brunner rose, planted to remind me of Nana.

Goodbye birthday bed, made especially for me by Andrea, Annika, Hilary and Finch.

Goodbye creepy guy who lives next door.

Goodbye fence with a hula hoop on it.

Goodbye backyard deck.  Thank you for all of the wonderful bar-b-que summer nights.

What a wonderful 4 years it has been.  

Internet Update

We got it!  Yay!!!  Thanks, Andrea.  New Mixed Baby Greens post coming this weekend.  Stay tuned.

Taking Things For Granted

It was moving weekend!  We are all settled into our cozy little apartment, ready to enjoy the summer.  And I have pictures waiting to post to show you all about it, but... we don't have internet yet!??!  I am so used to just plopping down on the couch with the laptop and uploading pictures or checking my email or skyping grandparents or putting new things on the blog.  I came out of Elliot's room after nursing him to sleep and said to Andrea, "the iPhone isn't working.  I couldn't get into my email or check facebook or anything (which is how I keep my sanity while I'm nursing through the night)."  That's when she told me we don't have internet hooked up yet.  What??!?!  I'm just so used to it always being there!  So, I'm sitting here at work (shhhh, don't tell) sending out a quick note to tell you all to not go away--I will be back posting pictures as soon as we're connected at the apartment.  Which, hopefully, will be sooner rather than later.

I Like Fridays

How fun to get to read the I Like List from those of you who left a love note to last week's post.  So... here we go.  In no particular order.  The official Mixed Baby Greens I Like List (thus far):

I like ceiling fans.

I like sunshine.

I like my camera.

I like cherry flavored vitamins.

I like power tools.

I like new crayons.

I like chocolate chips.

I like escaping.

I like fresh sheets.

I like beer.

I like visitors.

I like ranunculus flowers.

I like mirrors.

I like iced coffee on a hot day.

I like reading Jack's journal.

I like climbing.

I like going for a walk.

I like cashmere.

I like things that go "bang" and "boom."

I like Kettle Chips.

I like sunny Saturdays.

I like scented candles.

I like my classroom.

I like throwing sippy cups.

I like fancy cakes.

I like duct tape.

I like the neighbor's Newfoundland dog, Kingsly.

I like peanut butter and chocolate.

I like facebook.

I like yogurt with maple syrup.

I like coffee.

I like when Elliot laughs when he sees a dog.

I like Bella the dog.

I like library books.

 I like playing frisbee.

I like awesome pens.

I like I Like Lists.

I like blog lurking.

Ha ha, a funny way to end.  I like blog lurking, too.  But I've also found out how much I like leaving and receiving comments on blogs, too.  Thanks to all of you who shared your I Like Lists.  I hope your day is filled with all of the things you like.  Don't forget to check out Elliot's 4 new I Like foods and my 4 I Like blogs that I updated on the sidebar today.  Those get changed every Friday.  And for those of you Mixed Baby Greens admirers who didn't leave a love note with your I Like List yet, it's not too late.  Just click below where it says "love note" and share with us.  What's on your I Like List....?