Levi's Adorableness

My good friend Kristy is an amazing photographer.  Check out these adorable newborn pictures of Levi.  I have never done newborn pictures before.  I am in love with these.....and it's subject.  Which is a good thing, because he wakes me up every 3 hrs and I am starting to crave a solid nights sleep.  

Levi is 2 weeks old now.  He has been such a sleepy baby.  The boys are known to complain, "Mom, when is he ever going to open his eyes?"  His sleepiness makes feeding hard for the first 1.5 weeks.  The kinks have been worked out and he seems to be more self motivated to eat.  Despite these challenges he has been gaining weight like a champ.  Just 12 days ago he had lost weight like all newborns do, and was down to 7# 12 oz.  Today he weighs 9#2oz - He gained just under 1.5 pounds in just 12 days.  Good Levi, suck the fat right off me.  That is my goal anyway.  We can't wait to learn of his personality, but until then I will celebrate the benefits of his sleepy ways.

Brotherly Love

Levi is so popular.  No one can get enough of him.  We actually use him as a tool of persuasion.  "Boys, once you are completely ready for school, you can hold the baby for 5 minutes."  or "If you do that again, you will loose 5 minutes of baby time!!"  Both are equally effective.  

 Xander loves to burp, sooth, smooch, sing, pick out his outfits and begs to change his diaper.  There is no baby task that doesn't appeal to this boy.  He is a true care giver.

 One of these days I am going to count how many times Xander kisses Levi.  It may be in the triple digits.  Making the rule "No kissing the baby while I am breast feeding" is not effective enough. I usually have to shove him off, followed by consequences.  The boy is addicted to kissing Levi.  He will even say that.  Sometimes Xander acts and thinks he will combust if he can't get in another kiss.  So cute/annoying!

 Soren likes to give Levi advice and let him know what life is like. I heard him telling Levi this morning, "Levi sometimes life can be really awful and hard.  But don't worry, you have everything you need.  A Mom, a Dad, 2 big brothers.  You will be okay." I wish Soren expounded on the awful and hard parts of life.  Getting into Soren's psyche is harder then Xander's.

Such sweet boys!!

Who's who?

 Soren

Xander

 Levi

Levi's Birth

When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to do a home birth. In the past, I have always had midwives, and always had no pain medications, and always delivered in a hospital.  There is a hospital 2 minutes from my house and I have had really good deliveries in the past, so I felt I was a good candidate for a home delivery.  I thought it would be a fun adventure.  And I was right. I LOVED having the baby at home.  No unnecessary IV's bld draws, uncomfortable beds, bad food, starvation, pitocin post delivery, and midnight vitals.  My midwives came to me for the delivery, set up my room, started post delivery laundry and came back for 2 day baby visit.  It was awesome.

The set up

 So Levi's story started the day before his birthday.  Soren's birthday is Oct 10th and since my due date was Oct 2nd I decided to do his friend B-day party on Sept 14th, so I wouldn't have to do his party after I had a new born or have to cancel it because I was in labor.  His party went great, but was exhausting as they all are.  I was exhausted and relieved when it was all over. I was excited for the following week because I would finally get to do the projects I wanted to get done before the baby came.  That night Ryan and I went out on a date - dinner and a movie.  I originally wanted to have the date sleeping in our bed because I was so tired, but he convinced me to go and we had a good time.  During the movie I noted regular minimally painful contractions.  Nothing new as I would have this for several hours every couple of days for the last 2 weeks.  These ones didn't stop and by 3am, the contractions were every 2-3 minutes but still not that painful - however more painful when I was laying down.  Luckily I have magical sleeping skills and despite the contractions I was able to sleep about 5 hrs in 1-2 hr increments.  I called my midwife at 7am - to let her get a good night rest and because I although I thought I was in labor and the contractions were regular, I didn't think they were that impressive.  The day was Sunday and my midwife came around 8:30 am and checked me and I was at a 2cm and 75% effaced.  Because of my past delivery history, she was willing to break my water - which was really nice.  She came from Seattle and I think she didn't want to have to come back down in the middle of the night.  So it was a win win for both of us.  We waited until we could get my kids off to church with some friends.  In the past once my water was broken, my labor really picked up and with both my other pregnancies I delivered about an hour later.  My sister Janea arrived and they broke my water at 9:30.  However, instead of becoming really impressive, my contraction frequency slowed down.  Uh, oh.  I worried we just set me up for trouble.  But instead of listening to that, Janea and I went walking.  I have never gone walking to encourage my labors.  It was fun - but only because I was with Janea and we talked and laughed the whole time.  Ryan took a nap during this period, getting ready for his new life.  My midwives had to check the babies heat tones every 30 minutes, and if we weren't back in time, they would walk out and find us and listen to the baby on the street.  Talk about good service!  Anyway, by 11:30 we came in to make lunch for everyone.  Well, Ryan and Janea did most the work. I just snacked on all the food while it was being prepped.  Which was good, because once lunch was really ready, I wasn't hungry anymore.  My labor really started going and my contractions were painful enough people could tell I was having them.  I had to stop and what I was doing and breath.  So I went and laid down while everyone finished lunch.  My contractions were still quite far apart 5 minutes or so and this never really sped up.  Even though my labor was longer, it was almost easier because of the breaks.  Janea was awesome to have around because she can carry on the most interesting conversations with anyone and so I could just listen to everyone talk and chime in as pain allowed. I liked the noise.  I guess most people don't.  They rather have it dark and quiet, but I like the extra stimulation to to take my mind off of everything.  by 2:26pm it was time to push - the part I hate the most. It is so painful and I just don't like it.  When my neighbor Janine found out I was having a home birth she said, "Oh my Gosh!  I am going to leave my windows open so I can hear you scream!"  I found this ridiculous and upsetting. I thought to myself "I don't scream, please."  Well, when I was pushing this baby out I totally screamed, and then I remembered I also screamed when I had the others too.  I seriously don't like that part.  Luckily by 2:29pm he was born.  Only 3 very long minutes of misery.  He weighed 8#5oz, 21.5 inches long with a 14 inch head and was 37.5 weeks gestation.  I was very happy he came early.  He screamed like he was mad when he was born and was lifting his head and shoulders up off me in protest to his experience.  Strong little bugger.  The first thing I noticed was his dimpled chin - my fathers dimpled chin.  So we named him Levi Jeffrey Harris.

The boys were at our neighbors the Walthers and Ryan went and got them after the placenta was delivered.  They ran through our yards home and it was so fun to see them with Levi for the first time.  We have all been so excited for his arrival.  None of us could really believe the day had finally arrived! I had the midwife show the boys the placenta and umbilical cord and sack sides.  Soren was horrified and ran out after the first 60 seconds of the demo screaming "That is so nasty! I am out of here!"  Xander on the other had thought it was great and stayed for the whole thing.

Our family for the first time as a family of 5

So Joyous!

 Me and my boys!

Having the baby at home was really interesting because people would come visit and they could us the whole house, so it seemed like a open house.  Family would come and visit in the family room and come to my room in much smaller more controlled groups.  I had left a message on my Mom's machine that I was in labor and she called back right when I was getting ready to push.  So she was there 20 minutes after the baby was born.  Good thing too, because about 15 minutes after she arrived I got the worlds worst leg cramp in my left calf.  It was awful! I hadn't gotten up yet and was still bloody holding this new baby and my calf starts to charlie horse and I could n't stand up due to my messy circumstance and my mom is sitting next to me and I start screaming, "pull my foot, pull my foot"  She starts to pull back but my calf is just getting tighter and tighter. I am screaming louder now, "harder, harder!!  Janea joins mom and it takes everything they got but thy finally stretched out my calf enough. I thought the worst was over when suddenly the opposite muscle starts to cramp, "No!  Point my foot! Point my foot" I yell.  They do as they are told and as my shin muscle relaxes my calf starts to cramp again.  I scream and laugh at the same time as I bark commands, " Pull!  No, Point!  No Pull!"  I was a cramping mess.  My midwives are shuving homeopathic and vitamin pills in my mouth as my Mom and sister and pulling and pushing.  Then my mom put a hot wet cloth on my leg and the leg muscls fully relax.  After it was all over, one of the midwives said, "Wow, that was crazier then the actual delivery!"  And it was.

It was been so fun (and exausting) having Levi in out family we are adoring and loving him.

 Getting weighed

 My walking buddy

My midwives - Katrina and Cindy

Introducing.........

Introducing Levi Jeffery Harris!  Hip Hip Hurray!  We are so happy he is here!  He was born yesterday September 15th!  He was 2.5 weeks early and thank heavens because he was 8# 5oz and 21.5 inches long!  He is my longest baby by far (but not my fattest!!)  It was a home birth and it was awesome.  His story to come.  Levi has my Dad's chin hence his middle name.  He is so cute and we are all in love.  He makes the cutest squeaks and squawks.  Even his cry is adorable.....for now.  Soren and Xander are the proudest big brothers you ever saw.  This morning Soren got up and joined us in bed to snuggle Levi.  He was holding him and talking to Levi saying, "You are perfect Levi, from your head to your toes."  Yesterday was so joyous.  Feeling super lucky and loved over here.

How Soren Works

Q - Okay boys we need to do a quick clean up.

Soren - I already told you why I won't clean up.

Q - Oh, what was that.

S - Uh, well, I just don't want to.

Q - Did I ever tell you why I am not going to make you dinner?

S - Uh no.  Why?

Q - Uh, well, I just don't want to.

S- Okay fine. I will help clean up.

About one minute later

S- Oh pooh.  Now you know how I work!

2 Kids, 1 Fetus, 1 Mom, 1 Bike - 34 miles

Yesterday my boys and I took the triple tandem out for it's first great adventure.  We biked a total of 34 miles from our house in Renton to Seattle and back.  It was awesome/exhausting.  First of all I just have to say, my kids are flippin ALL STARS!  I could not be more proud of them.  Biggest highlight of the trip was the repeated sentence that came out of each of their mouths, "Explores of the world never quit!" and "We can do it, keep pedaling!"  It is this type of perseverance that really can make this Mom melt.  You see, our bike has the custom label "this bike belongs to the Explorers of the world"  which is now our group name.  Soren thought up this tittle, and I hope it will fit us accurately one day.

So, our goal of leave time was 8:30am but due to life we left at 9am - 6 blocks later had to return because I left my money in the other bag I was originally going to bring.  Then started off again.  Then 2 blocks later, my seat shifted and we stopped to fix it. In the process we got our multi tool stuck and had to bike home again to get another tool to fix it.  Needless to say it was frustrating.  But we were off for good at 9:20am for the first leg of the trip - 22 miles.  We did great until about mile 10 ish when we were suppose to get off the trail we were on and get on another one via 10 turns on different street roads.  This is were we got lost.  I had used a website called, www.ridethecity.com that gives you the best bike paths from point A to B in and around Seattle.  It was great but for the safest route we had to make 77 turns on different roads from our house to my sister in laws.  I had the road turns printed off but no real map........a thing I quickly regretted.  I ended up having to call my sister in law and she coached us to our new trail..........and this is when it got hilly.  Really hilly.  By this time my legs were tired.  I haven't been doing much cardiovascular activities since, well probably last summer, so I am definitely out of shape.  And between that, being 23.5 weeks pregnant and having a triple tandem where my stroker are 7 and 5, I am not sure what was the biggest handicap.  Well, whatever the reason, I have never spent so much time in gear 1:1 as I did on the last half of this ride.  Gesh!

 The boys at our lunch spot.  You can kind of see the hills in the background.  Why can't my boys ever take a normal picture?

 After 4.5 hrs we reached Cousin Theo's house.  I was hoping to make it in 3hrs.  Ooops.  The boys never complained so I thought over all it was quite a success, however, Theo had to go to a wedding at 2:15 and because we left late, got lost and all the hill, we didn't get there until 1:45 - bummer!  Luckily they let us stay after they left.  I was ready to take a nap but played some board games with the boys instead and after 2 hrs Xander was rearing to go.  We biked 2.6 miles down some steep hills in Seattle to Pioneer Square to pick up the light rail.  The station was underground so we had to carry the bike 6 flights of stairs to catch the train (and another 6 flights when we got to our end destination).  But the up side was the whole 10 ft bike was able to fit without taking it apart.  That was cool.  It also felt great to miss all the hills back.  We were dropped off at Tuckwilla were I thought I would have to call a friend to pick us up (Ryan was working that day) but the boys felt good and wanted to bike the 9 miles back.   The sun was shinning and I was feeling good again so we decided to go for it.  We biked on some busy roads with no shoulder for about .5 miles which was probably the sketchiest part of the whole ride, and I prayed the whole time we wouldn't get hit.  Luckily my prayers were answered.  I'd Hate to wipe out most family on one trip - Ryan would be sad.  The boys did get a little antsy at one point when we hit a trail again and started bugging each other, but since the sun was shining I could see exactly what they were doing by our shadows.  It was awesome.  "If I see your shadow touch another persons handlebars or body, then you will loose one spoonful of your victory ice cream to your brother for each offense!" I threatened.  Problem solved.  We were doing pretty good until we hit the massive mile long hill just below our house.  My legs were so tired, I just couldn't bike anymore and we walked it, which was hard in of itself.  Xander seemed to be doing the best physically......he also pedals with power the least frequent I think.  Either way, I was impressed with him.  I was impressed with both of them.  Their sprits were high and they did awesome!  We made it home at 7:30pm.  It was a long day, but oh so fun.

Us finally making it to our Seattle destination.  We had tied dyed matching shirts for a triple tandem adventures a few months earlier.  This was their debut outing.

Most interesting things

• On the Cheif Sealth Trail there we all these gardens that looked like pea patches for immigrants.  The way they used sticks and ropes looked straight out of mexico or Africa and the few people I saw working them fit the profile. It was interesting.
• A man who looks like he has had a hard life, commended me on being a great mom to my boys.  He said, "look, you even make them wear helmets. You are such a good Mom.  All they did when I was a kid was.....well, beat us - chuckle chuckle"
• I stopped in downtown Seattle for directions briefly and 2 people passed me and wouldn't respond because they had earphones in their ears - these are 40 plus year old men.  I had to wait for someone with nothing in their ears so they could hear me. It was strange.  We live is such a plugged in world.  
• Hearing lots of "No way!  Look at that!"  comments.  

       

Me 34 miles later with my overly large 23.5 week belly.  I mean seriously, don't you think I should be 30 weeks with a belly looking like that?  It is going to be a rough 17 weeks.  The future looks grim.

Well, we did it.  It was awesome and I feel so lucky to do adventures with these boys.  I must admit there were some moments (like when we were lost) I wondered if we were going to even make it, but I am glad we did.  I seriously couldn't be more proud of them.  They never complained and they always kept pedaling.  There were times they were goofing off behind me and I seriously wondered how hard they were pedaling, but their happy giggles with each other made me carrying their weight all worth it.   I hope they have good memories of their adventures with me.