A combination of tryptophan-induced comas and the gassiest newborn in the history of mankind has left us a little sleepier than usual—a little slow at getting things done. For instance, I am about to take a break from eating leftovers over the sink to write a Thanksgiving post…a week late. That’s just how it works around here these days.

This Thanksgiving was an unusual one for us; it was the first year that we hosted at our house. Normally we would head to the relatives’ and be thankful that we didn’t have to make a mess of our home. However, this year was different in many ways. For one, we have a newborn and, quite frankly, it’s just easier to stay home with an infant. We also have a new kitchen. While it’s still small, the ‘newness’ has yet to wear off and we’re still excited to use it. Speaking of us using our kitchen, we didn’t really. We have an in-law who is not only a culinary master, but loves to cook. And we love that he loves to cook…especially when it’s for us in our new kitchen.

We put Kevin to the test several years ago by putting him in charge of the food at our wedding reception. Everybody raved—The food was incredible. So, when Kevin decided that he was going to prepare his own Thanksgiving meal this year, we more than graciously offered up our house.

Our locally-grown Turkey meal included:

Hands down, it was the best Thanksgiving meal I’ve ever eaten. It even beat out the time we were in Paris for Thanksgiving and ate dinner in a restaurant with a bunch of other Americans who had the same Rick Steves book as us.

A very special thanks to Uncle Kevin and Aunt Meghan—Cheers to a new tradition!

Trickey stopped by to watch the game with us on Thursday. Over the years, he’s made quite an impression on Charlie.

next year? mustache and Wayfarers.

The past several weeks have been a bit of a blur. It’s still hard to believe that we have a new member of our family—although she likes to remind us every few hours throughout the night.

Before too much time passes, I want to make sure we document some of the details of Lucy’s birth. That way, years from now we can go back and relive the momentous occasion; and maybe re-enact it for the first boyfriend she decides to bring home.

Lucy’s birth was a completely different experience from Charlie’s. Although both pregnancies had their fair share of annoying medical issues, when it came to labor, Lucy was far more willing to make her appearance all on her own. Her older brother had to be slowly coaxed and eventually yanked into this world with what looked like a pair of salad tongs.

On Saturday, November 1st, I went in to the hospital for a non-stress test at 10:45 AM. Although I had hoped that I wouldn’t leave until I had a baby in my arms, I didn’t hold my breath. I was a good 4 cm dilated when checked shortly after arriving and having some good strong contractions anywhere from four to seven minutes apart. In most cases, they would have just decided to keep me right then and there, but because of a shortage of nurses I had to fight for my spot. I spent the next eight hours in limbo, not sure if I was going to head home for the night.

The day went like this:

10:45: Check in for NST.
11:00: 4 cm dilated.
12:00: Meet Jon and Charlie for lunch in the cafeteria, not really thinking this would be our last meal together as a family of three. Good thing I was classy and ordered vanilla pudding.
2:00: Still 4-5 cm, but fully effaced and baby is low. OB says I’ll likely be staying with a wink while fighting with the nurse about staffing.
3:30: Hooked up to IV for fluids knowing I’ll eventually want an Epidural.
4:00: Jon arrives with our stuff-packed for a week long vacation.
5:30: Get checked into birthing room. Happens to be the same room in which Charlie was born. A good sign?
6:30: New nurse on shift, told there is no guarantee I’ll be staying. Apparently IV, hospital gown and regular contractions mean nothing to this woman.
7:00: Send Jon for dinner and a Target run.
7:05: Yet another new nurse, asks if I’ll have a family member in attendance, realizes she thinks I am here alone. Explain husband is at Target, doesn’t make things better.
8:00: OB in to break water, asks about husband who now happens to be out for pizza and a beer, tell him to go ahead and do it.
9:30: Epidural requested.
10:00: Anesthesiologist arrives and fails at her first attempt with the needle. Tells me I may have scoliosis (later told by a nurse that it was her excuse for failing to do it right the first time).
10:30: Nurse pulls out tray of shiny, sharp instruments that I hope will never get close to my body.
11:00-1:55 AM: Blissfully unaware of the severity of contractions. Watch a few episodes of weeds and drift in and out of sleep.
1:56 AM: Awoken by nurses and OB rushing into room. Babies heart rate dropping with contractions, come to find out it is because I am ready to push.
1:59:59 AM: Daylight savings ends (fall back an hour).
1:08 AM: Lucille Louise arrives and mom is no worse for wear, overall.

My ‘active labor’ was less than six hours this time around. I pushed through three contractions and out she came. If I knew that every labor and delivery would be this easy I may just have another dozen kids and demand my own show on TLC.

Seriously though, we are all doing great. Charlie is a fantastic big brother and Lucy is a dream baby. We are all even getting a bit of sleep…a bit. Thanks for all the well wishes. We wouldn’t have made it through all of this without the incredible support from our friends and family.

Lucille Louise [Lucy or Lulu] was born at 1:08 AM [after the time-change] on November 2nd. She is 6 lbs. 9 oz.—just one ounce less than Charlie at his birth—and 18.5″ long. Everybody is healthy and happy, enjoying some rest and getting to know each other. Charlie spent some time holding, hugging, and kissing his new sister before asking to go back to the fish tank and toys in the waiting room.

Labor was relatively quick and easy. Once Andrea’s up for it, I’ll have her fill you in with all the lovely details.

Thanks so much to all of our family and friends who supported us throughout the pregnancy and brought us gifts and delicious goodies in the hospital. You are all great.

Here are a few more photos:

First of all, Happy belated Halloween. Even though Andrea spent most of the day hobbling around the house practicing her breathing skillz, we were still able to get Charlie out to enjoy his first ‘real’ Halloween. And by ‘real’, I mean that he fully understood that he was not only allowed, but encouraged to disguise himself and steal candy from strangers. He loved it.

Charlie’s a bat. We are half-assed Juno.

Today, we dropped Andrea off at the hospital to have a non-stress test. The doctor decided it was best if she just stayed for the duration of her pregnancy. I took that to mean that Charlie and I would be bachelors for the next couple of weeks. I was wrong. As usual.

I’ll try to update progress through the evening.

8:15 pm
Water is broken, contractions are intensifying.
Hospital ‘fishnet’ undies are HAWT!

9:15 pm
Epidural is in. Andrea can no longer get me ice chips from down the hall.
In related news, Mike Rowe is delivering a baby calf on Dirty Jobs.

11:01pm

tubes.

1:15am (post time change), Nov. 2nd
I woke to some nurses rolling carts and equipment around, calling for the doctor, slipping on rubber gloves. Thought maybe I should get up. After a few short pushes—~15 minutes, Betababy has arrived.

Mom and Baby are doing well. More details and photos to come.

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl. Welcome to the world.

This morning, when we asked Charlie how old Mommy turns today, he proudly said, “ONE”. Given another chance he said, “TWO”.

“…How old?”

“ONE….TWO…ONE!”

I figure it must be some sort of toddler binary he’s picked up from PBS. Either way, Happy whatever’th Birthday WIfe/Mom.