Every time I get a moment to curl up with my laptop I fall asleep in seconds due to exhaustion and being on a lot of drugs, so I have been working on this post for an entire week.
I’ve gotten so many lovely emails, comments, and things in the mail that I need to say how freaking THANKFUL I am to everyone. I love you all. I have also gotten a lot of different questions, so I thought I’d do an FAQ of the last very busy week. It was such a sweet, emotional time I’m not publishing a birth story, I want to keep that between my husband and myself, so this is as close as it gets.
(Very handy-dandy universal pacifier clip made by Kerflop, ADORABLE cap courtesy of Chris of Chris Knits.)
This is long due to photos, so click here if you want to continue reading.
How is the baby doing?
He is SPECTACULAR. He is perfectly healthy, he is adorable and so mellow and even tempered thus far. I could spend hours and hours just staring at him. I hate having him out of my arms. He has the sweetest little spirit ever. His skin is soooo soft and wrinkly and he has the softest, most velvety looking eyes you have ever seen.
I love him. I love him. I love him.
How was the delivery and your recovery? Are you getting enough help?
Ugh. It was long, tricky and hard.
I went to my doctor appointment on the 19th at 1:00 pm. I was not doing well at all. All my tests nosedived and I wasn’t getting my strength back from the previous labor that went nowhere. Everyone decided it wasn’t going to get any better by waiting so my OBGYN sent me upstairs to be induced. I had some issues during the delivery but all ended up ok and I delivered Aaron at 10:17 pm.
It was a very different delivery than my other kids in a lot of ways. The biggest change is that instead of having a lot of family and friends there it was just Jonathan and I at the hospital. I was worried it would be a lot for him to handle emotionally and physically, but when the time came, I didn’t want anyone there but him and he did a great job supporting me through it.
My recovery is just taking too long. I REALLLLY hurt my back during the delivery and it isn’t recovering well. I start physical therapy for it tomorrow. My levels are still very low. I feel like crap, but I have also never been so happy. I have had great family members supporting me and my friend, Michelle has come by almost every single day with some little something to make me happy. She’s amazing and the little one is nuts about her.
Did you end up getting an epidural?
Um…does this answer that question for you? 
(Man, I am so damn sexy. Seriously, everyone wants a piece of this HAWTNESS. For reals.)
I tried. I really did. It started out ok.
Then it got worse.
And worse.
And then worser.
I labored medication-free on Pictocin for 7 1/2 hrs. (Pictocin makes your contractions more painful.) I progressed about a centimeter an hour. It was pretty horrible and got to the unbearable point when I was at 7.
If I had been progressing faster I might have been able to do it, but 2-3 more hours of contracting and THEN pushing? No. I couldn’t take it anymore and I got an epidural. (By which point there was lots and lots of screaming at the top of my lungs, crying, cursing and mucousing occurring. It’s beyond mortifying to recollect, actually.)
Then he was here, totally embarrassed at his nekkid condition. (He’s a modest little thing.) 
And all was right with the world. My little family seemed much more complete.
Did you get your nursery finished?
Nope. But there is hope on the horizon. My fabulous, talented and LOVELY friend, Karen is AMAZING. She has such a knack for all things artistic and I asked if she could make me some wall art for my nursery. She draws these ninja’s that I am nuts about and she brought them to me on Jonathan’s first day back at work. Her visit cheered me up from the sheer fear of being on my own with the little button all day. Dude, these drawings are SO cute, aren’t they? I LOVE them.
How was Memorial Day?
Memorial day was hard. I cried a lot and so did Jonathan. In some ways it was a much easier day than years past, but I was much more emotional during the day. In a lot of ways, having baby Aaron has made me miss Matthew more, but I have so much joy because of him that everything seems lighter and easier.
How is he sleeping and eating?
He is the most chill, mellow, wonderful baby. I know it can change but for now he is just awesome.
Jonathan and I take shifts: I am with the baby until about 4 am and then he gets up with him.
So, how has the baby changed things for you?
I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.
It has changed EVERYTHING.
I cannot believe how happy I am.
I cannot believe how happy my husband is.
I cannot believe how happy WE are.
It isn’t a huge secret that Jonathan and I have had a challenging marriage. We are very different and have been through an awful lot. When there is a baby, Jonathan and I actually work as a team. To be honest, this is not usually how we function, but right now? Things are GREAT. I don’t think we have been this happy since Matthew was born. Actually, we have probably not been this happy EVER.
He is so good with babies, especially his own. Watching him with his son fills me with tremendous joy. He has been so good to me.
I know that this is a honeymoon period and that things could change with me, the baby and Jon and I, but I DON’T CARE. I am just going to be happy and enjoy having this joy and live in the moment. Right now there is nothing on this earth that is more important to me than this baby.
I am completely in love with him. He is the joy of my heart and the light of my life. All my babies have been this way. I am completely besotted and nuts about them.
I guess this says a lot about me: I keep falling hard for short, fat, bald guys! Ha ha ha ha!
But you said that Aaron was 21 inches long. That isn’t short for a baby?
True.
And look at his tiny little bird legs and wrinkly thighs! He is NOT a fat baby.
Ok, I will give you that. He does have little tiny legs:
And bald? HARDLY. Check out this hair! Most babies have hair that resembles cat fur but his is so silky and shiny! AND CHECK OUT THE FUZZ ON HIS LITTLE EARS! So, sorry, but he isn’t bald either.
Dude. Way to take all the punch out of my punchline. You kind of suck to interview with, you know that?
Sorry, but I take this job seriously. The press are the gatekeepers of the world you know.
Yeah.
Whatever.
So…are there any other questions your nosiness would like to ask me?
Yes. How is that Aaron weighed 7 lbs. but you have only lost 5 lbs. of baby weight so far? It wouldn’t have anything to do with eating that entire package of Double Stuffed Oreos in two sittings, would it?
Ehem…this is all have to say to THAT question:
Hopefully it won’t be another week until I post again. Thanks for all your support and patience. Love your guts, y’all.
xoxo
Loralee
He is SO precious! I’m so glad that you and your family are enjoying him so much. I love the photo of all five of you in the hospital! And so neat that you brought Aaron to “meet” his brother. I hope it continues to be an amazing experience raising this little bundle!
So happy to hear that you are happy and doing better. I’m just relieved that the dr. finally helped you considering your pain was going on for so long. And by the way, he is ADORABLE. I just want to kiss him! Also, you look pretty freaking beautiful in those labor pictures – so making fun of yourself FAILED. Hope all continues to be well!
SO VERY GLAD to hear that things are mostly going well and that you are happy. Drugs and hormones, a powerful combo! ;-)
Aaron is completely beautiful.
He is so beautiful! You have been in my prayers.
yay – so happy for you :D
Ninja!
That kid is on the right path.
and MWAH MWAH MWAH
I havent had a chance to congratulate you so CONGRATS to you & your beautiful family.
He is such a cutie pie! Love those little legs!
Congrats – he is so so beautiful!
Congratulations, you all look so (besotted) great.
Praying the blessings continue – sleep, mellowness, JOY, love, happiness …
I’m soooo happy for you Loralee. He’s beautiful!
Lovely. Just lovely. You. The baby. Everything. He IS a beautiful baby – and his Mom ain’t bad, either.
And don’t worry about the hairy ears – it’s a guy thing.
I’m crying. I can’t wait to meet Aaron (even though I’m sure it’ll be a long while)
Congratulations! So happy to hear all is well. What a cutie the little button is!!!
The first picture of you and the last tie as my favorite and make me LOVE you endlessly.
So, so happy for you sweetie. xoxox
I think of you daily. Glad to hear things are going so well!
Good to hear things are going so well at your house too. Things are going great here with baby Chase too, I don’t care if it is a “honeymoon” period, I intend to enjoy every second of it. I hope your recovery speeds up and you get back to feeling good again soon. Lots and Lots of sugary love!
Your pictures are gorgeous and I love you!
HAPPY FAMILIES ROCK!
I love his little chicken legs! Thanks for the pictures! The last one is especially hilarious. I felt that exact way before getting my epidural.
Enjoy your little guy. Your boys are adorable and I am sure Matthew is smiling down from heaven at how beautiful his baby brother is.
Take Care,
Carrie (Wisconsin)
What a GORGEOUS baby. Congrats again! <3
He’s so cute! I’m glad you are filled with so much love and light. You deserve that (and not just because of that intense and painful labor you went through!).
xo
You all are truly beautiful. Your happy smiles tell it all.
SLEEP!!! We’ll be here, you just get your rest!
Love you!
Oh, Loralee! I’m so happy for you and your family!! I’m tearing up here! Thanks for sharing your story and your pictures! I hope you are feeling back to normal soon and that Aaron continues to be the easy, beautiful bundle of joy he is now!!
OMG, he is just SO adorable! Congratulations!!
I hope you feel better soon, so you can enjoy your lovely new arrival to the fullest :-)
So happy for you all…you’re making me tear up!!! He is beautiful.
And that last pic of you flipping off the camera is CLASSIC. :)
Take care of yourself and enjoy these moments!
He’s beautiful and I’m so glad that things are going well. I hope you feel all better soon!
huge internet hugs to you and to the baby.
Oh hawt stuff, is it possible to love you MORE? Watch yer box. Er, watch your MAILBOX.
*smooch*
Congratulations! I am so happy for you guys! You deserve all the best. Enjoy these days because they will go so fast as you well know.
He is about the sweetest thing ever. What do his big brothers think of him?
Beautiful, beautiful.
I was thinking, your looks a lot like mine (except for the boy parts). Shannon came out with a full head of hair as well, and just two days before Aaron. Twins, practically. Except for the different parents :)
Congrats!
You all look so happy and healthy!
I’m DYING over the embarassed AAron picture. Can I have him? Pretty Please?????
He is adorable. Also impressive that you posted all of those pictures of you.
Reading the title of your last post, I just flashed back to a scene in Woody Allen’s movie Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex where a greatly enhanced breast was wandering the countryside wreaking havoc, until captured by a giant bra.
That last photo completes my life, just to let you know. hahahaha
Great post, thanks for all the information. Just love the “nekkid” photo! You have a beautiful new son.
He’s so adorable and precious. And… HOLY HAIR, Batman! What a cutie! Thanks for the update. Recover faster. No pressure, just feel better. :)
Oh I love the little baby legs! And the silky hair. My little guy was that hairy when he was born, silk and ears and down the back even too. After baths the silky hair would turn to powder puff fluffy hair.
I hope your recovery picks up, PT helps your back and all that too. He’s so precious!
snort. awesome. and pitocin labor? gagme, hellz yeah for drugs on that one.
Congrats! He is gorgeous!
So beyond thrilled for you. I am hoping you start feeling better soon. Laboring forever with pictoin and no drugs, yea, that was fun been there done that. When I finally asked for the epidural it was too late.
He is beautiful! Congrats again!
oof, my uterus hurts.
He’s so adorable, and I can feel your happiness – I love it. Congrats again.
all smiles and joy, glad to read of such happiness
Can’t wait to meet him!!!!
x’s and o’s, babe
Thank you for sharing your glam photos!
Adam was 21 inches….long and lean..no chub!
And I bet you felt every inch!!!
Love that you are so happy, the big bros also seem happy and dad is so cute with his red beard :) Keep at it, it has it’s ups and downs as you well know, but it is so very worth it.
Congrats, Congrats!!!! He is beautiful. Sorry for your pain and back problems. Hopefully physical therapy will help.
Enjoy holding your baby and know there are many very jealous of your arms right now :)
I can’t wait to hold him again on Saturday!!! That will be a job I can do. HEHE.
Now that update has made all the waiting WORTH IT! He is a doll and I’m so so so thrilled for you.
He is all sorts of awesome. As are you.
What a very wonderful report, you sweet mama! I love to hear your voice so full of joy. Aaron is indeed a beautiful little boy!
Soooo happy for you, sweet girl. Thanks for the peek into your well-deserved joy.