Nana + Papa: Meet Conner

Since we planned to break my water to encourage active labor, we could plan for my parents' visit to meet Conner and help take care of Jackson during our first week as a family of four. My parents flew in the day Conner was born, and were able to bring Jackson to meet him that evening.

The following week was spent cuddling and exploring a few of our favorite Central New York spots.

There are no words to express my gratitude for everything they did to support us during that first week. They made the transition home a smooth one, and were a welcome comfort in an exhausting and sometimes overwhelming time.

Conner: 1 Month

Obviously, this post is late. I guess we should all just get used to that.

Oh Conner, you have rocked our world. It took only moments for us to fall completely and utterly in love with your sweet cheeks, big eyes, and little rolls. I am completely wrapped around your little pinky.

But man, do you have a voice. You had a scream on you from day one, and if you aren't happy, you are sure to let everyone around you know it. We spent the first month of your life navigating your needs. Is he hungry? Did he eat too much? Does he have reflux? Does he just want to be held?

It has been a month of trial and error, of excessive doctors appointments and lots of cuddles.

As of the four week mark, we had determined that you overeat, and I began cutting you off after ten minutes of nursing. Still, the spit-up and vomiting was excessive, and you were clearly uncomfortable between feedings. Sleep alluded us, and we struggled to make you comfortable around the clock. You ate every two hours (or more) and I was exhausted.

The good news is that you take bottles without issue, giving me a much-needed break in those long night hours. Navigating all these questions resulted in one thing: plenty of snuggles. And you're really, really good at snuggling. You often fall quickly asleep in our arms, and will stay cozied up there until we move you (at which time you promptly wake up). Often, I don't. We'll snuggle while I work and nap beside you.

Despite the struggles, this life is very, very good. I am certain that with time, we'll all fall into a rhythm and routine, and you'll be feeling much, much better. Stay tuned for the second month update, which promises improvement ;-)

In the meantime, here is a peek at our first month together.

Conner: The Birth Story

As with everything related to child #2, I'm running way behind on posts. Conner is now 6 weeks old, and we're knee-deep in life with a newborn and 3.5 year old. Here's how it all went down.

To say Conner made his way into this world with speed and fury would be and understatement. I went from believing I would be being induced, to having a bouncing baby boy in may arms in two hours flat.

It all began at my 40 week appointment, on the Wednesday just two days before my due date. I was 3+ centimeters dilated, and so my doctor asked me how long I'd like to wait before inducing. All I knew was that I wanted to avoid pitocin at all costs, if possible. "Ummm... maybe a week?" I answered, completely unsure. To that he responded with surprise, "Are you sure?!" Then he proceeded to list all the reasons why waiting too long does no good, and may actually eventually be more risky than beneficial. He suggested that because I was already making good progress, we schedule me to be induced on my due date, that coming Friday.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I jumped right to the point. "What will be the induction process?" I wanted to know.  He explained that because I was already so far dilated, simply breaking my water should get the show on the road pretty quickly. Pitocin would likely be unnecessary, assuming my body cooperated. Sign me up - that sounds great. It's high time this nugget evacuated.

And then, for the next two evenings, I was kept wide awake between the hours of 2am and 5am with consistent -but not painful- contractions. Each time, I assumed we would just head to the hospital in the morning, if things progressed. Both times, my excitement faded as the contractions ceased in the early morning hours. Both days, I went on with life as normal.

When we arrived to the hospital Friday morning as scheduled, we found that I was indeed in active labor, and those stretches of contractions had in fact, been doing work. I was now nearing 5 cm, and likely would have had Conner that day, anyway.

Around 8:30am, my doctor arrived, and broke my water. Contractions quickly intensified, and within an hour, I was 8 cm, and had requested the epidural. This was happening FAST. The anesthesiologist was in the room next door, so I would have to wait. Nearly 40 excruciating minutes later, the anesthesiologist finally made her way. She then proceeded to explain that it might be too late for the epidural. I was 9 cm, and demanded she place it. Within 20 minutes of the epidural being placed, it was time to push.

Tyler actually timed how long I pushed - 5 minutes and 20 seconds. The doctor happily announced that we had a baby boy, and sweet Conner was placed in my arms. In that moment, our hearts could have exploded. Two little boys - oh my heart.

The rest is history. We cannot imagine a world without him, and we're so blessed to call him ours. The weeks since we brought him home have certainly had their fair share of challenges, but we're all learning and adjusting.

Stay tuned for more (late) updates!

Apple of My Eye

Jackson,

This serves as my last post before Conner will make his way into this world and our family - forever changing the dynamics of our family, and upgrading your status from 'only child' to 'big brother'. With that, comes a whole wave of emotions for me. I'm so excited to see you grow in your role as a big brother - because of your sweet and cautious personality, I already know you'll be nurturing, caring, and protective. I know that in the blink of an eye, you'll be teaching him new things, he'll be driving you crazy, and inevitably, there will be fighting. Probably a lot of it.

Besides being over the moon excited to see you love on your new baby brother, there is also a piece of me mourning the only child you won't be anymore. It won't be just the two of us any more. In the last 3.5 years, you have changed who I am. You taught me a love I never before could comprehend, and over these short years you've become my right hand man. I cherish our one-on-one time, quietly playing on the floor, reading books, or enjoying lunch without interruption.

I know that my heart will be more full that I could have ever imagined as we enter this next chapter - but I also know that this means that a tiny human will be needing me nearly constantly, and you'll learn quickly that we must make space for his needs.

I hope you'll become the person Conner most admires and adores. I hope you'll always be patient and kind with him. I hope that together you'll take on this life, partners in crime and buddies for life.

As we navigate these changes, I hope you know that you'll always be the apple of my eye. The one who changed me at my core.

(I must point out - you're apple-picking style is on-point.)