The Sweetest Thing

Exhausted and in love. Photo taken last Saturday with my Inspector Gadget arms.



Dearest Oliver,


Happy Tuesday my little bear. Exactly one year ago today we found out that you were in the works. Perhaps ahead of schedule, but you were the best surprise party ever. We laughed and cried {for the seven weeks we didn't know about you} and reconfigured our ride for three little birds.


I felt a mama's LOVE for you right away. I worried and wondered and imagined all the ways your siblings would be smitten. I carried you in my belly for three seasons, and then one sunny morning in late October ~ amidst blowing leaves and chatter of strawberry monsters and pterodactyl ghosts ~ I gave birth to you.


Your daddy was there. We were with my favorite obstetrician at the best birthing center. The staff was all fresh faced and cheery. Buby and Bleu were at home with two doting grandmas. So yes, all was well on that Monday morn. I walked into the suite for my induction... unknowingly in labor... and spied two darling knit caps flung over the side of what was to be your newborn cradle. One pink and one blue. Eeks! I was so elated and nervous for what was about to go down that I was shaking head to toe. Our nurse asked, "You ready for this?" We could not wait to meet you. Could. Not. Wait.


The staff knew about your sister's speedy arrival two years earlier, which is why they agreed to get the ball rolling in a more controlled environment this time. Nobody wanted you born on the side of a highway under Bleu's watchful eye. Least of all me.


In the end your birth was pretty rad... my best of three. I labored for two hours and some change. The room was calm. I focused and thought happy thoughts and kept my eye on the prize. Two big pushes and then you let out your first cry. Dr. L. shouted "It's a boy!!" Even though we never confirmed boy or girl in advance, I dreamed about you. I knew you were my Mr. Oliver. I just knew it.


The doctor immediately placed you on my belly to nurse, and you latched on as if you had read the manual in utero. Thank you for that. You were new and gooey still when your daddy kissed me congratulations and good job. We did it! Again. It was almost too easy. The nurses confirmed that as inductions go, you were record fast and thank goodness we scheduled. Imagine if we had waited at home...


Now look at you. The sweetest thing. Four whole months gone in a blink. You have brought all this extra love to our growing family. I am thinking of changing your name to Happy, because you came equipped with the most wonderful disposition and temperament.


I have a million favorite parts of you, starting with your smile. Your sweet smile comes out anyTIME anyONE smiles at you. Your soft brown eyes glisten night and day. Your hair is dark, but your brows and lashes are light... I dare say with a reddish tint. You have bits of both Buby and Bleu in you, but for the most part you are your own man. It's anyone's guess who you will resemble six months from now.


All day you look at me like you understand exactly what I'm saying. It's amazing. You grab my finger and pull it close to you as you nurse. That is your special time with me, and you soak it up 100%. You gasp and laugh when I bury my head in your chest... and then take great pleasure in pulling my hair and watching me squirm. You rub your eyes with your whole hand when you're ready for bed and cross your feet whatever your position.


You lucked out with such thoughtful little people in this house. They adored you on day 1 and are incredibly protective of you now. Your big brother is the one person guaranteed to bring out your giggle. He prides himself on entertaining you in his signature high-pitch baby talk. Your super long feet are your favorite toys. All I have to do is take off your socks. Every so often I catch you sucking on your ten piggy toes. Because you can. You like to hide sweater lint and old drool under your chubby double chin. You are 16 pounds and 26 inches long. You wear 9 month clothes and size 3 diapers.


You were diagnosed with Congenital Hypothyroidism after your newborn screen. You would never know it though. Your TSH levels have been regulated since week 8 with a daily dose of Synthroid {a hormone replacement pill that you will most likely take for life.} Your T4 levels have always been in the normal range, thank God, so there has been absolutely no effect on brain development. Three cheers for that! You have yet to try solids, and you've never had a bottle. For now the breast is all you require. I must note that you don't like onions. NO ONIONS FOR US! Boo hoo.


Your easygoing nature applies to all that we do. We are so lucky for that. You don't mind car time or bath time, Bjorns or Bumbos. You just like to be close and clean, which is A-O-K by me. I learned two babies ago that I can do almost anything with a child strapped to my front, back or side.


You poop a lot. You have yet to use your crib. We are sort of loosey goosey about that around here. General routines work better for us than strict schedules. We never cry out, and I nurse on demand. You sleep in a bassinet next to my side of the bed, and most nights I end up swooping you up into my arms for the last few solid hours of sleep. Your favorite position is belly to belly, I suspect because the rhythm mimics your extended stay in the womb.


If there is one thing your daddy and I have learned as parents it's that you will only be this itty bitty for a short while. There is no time like the present. Tomorrow everything we know about you so far can change. So what do we do? Enjoy.


Love,
Mom