Baby

Luca's Birth Story

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Luca's Birth Story

If you have been following me on the gram, you’ll know that we welcomed our fourth child into the world on December 18, 2020. He’s such a joy and a cutie pie and it’s basically baby spam 24/7 over on my Instagram if you want to marvel at his squishy cheeks.

Having a baby around Christmas time is busier than I anticipated it to be, plus with living in a global pandemic, work, and school stuffs, I am finally sitting down to type out Luca’s birth story (monthsssss later, fourth kiddo problems). So cozy up with your favorite beverage, your phone, and get ready for a tale.

PER USUAL, I had prodromal labor with this pregnancy just like the others. The Braxton Hicks contractions started around 20 weeks and just did not let up until the little man emerged earth side. I think with work being especially hectic and stressful, my contractions started much earlier in the pregnancy. But knowing it was going to last a while, I just learned to live with it on the daily.

But rewind to November 2020. I decided that I would take a full 3-4 weeks prior to the baby being born to start my maternity leave. With the added stress at work and navigating online school for my daughter, I was especially worn out by 8 months of pregnancy. After the Thanksgiving holiday, I stayed home to prepare for the baby, help with Emma’s schooling, and “rest”.

AIR QUOTES.

Rest? Ha. Any who.

During the first week of December, we took a family trip to Lake Tahoe. We stayed at a little resort and enjoyed some time in the snow. Basically that meant the kids sliding on their butts down a tiny hill and watching lots of TV in front of a fireplace. My contractions were really picking up during our vacation and I was worried I’d go into full-blown labor four hours away from our hospital. I breathed through nightly contractions but had to remind myself to just chill out because I didn’t need to exhaust myself before the baby even came.

Chill out? HA! Any who.

On our way home from the trip, I had strong contractions. I even threw up from them. But by the time we made it home, they had calmed down. We unpacked and settled in for a longer wait.

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Theo at one year | Happy Birthday!

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Theo at one year | Happy Birthday!

Mr. Theophilus is one year old today!

Hold me.

He is fearless, sassy, loving, and joyful. I’m not going to lie. When I found out I was pregnant with Theo, I was completely overwhelmed at the thought of three (!!!) children. But now that he has been earth side for this past year, I am convinced that he was always meant to be ours. He is a balm to my anxious heart. And I am completely in love with this boy.

Our Theo has four teeth, is a walking champion, loves to eat, and dances to any and all music.

He loves to play with Emma and Henry and always wants to be part of the action. He takes excellent naps but we are still working on the through the night sleeping. He will be starting at the same pre-school/daycare that Henry is at now in a week and we’ll be saying goodbye to our phenomenal nanny. But I am looking forward to only one morning drop-off for the boys.

Never did I picture myself with three children. I always knew I wanted children, but my love of dentistry was so deeply ingrained that I never pictured the family life sides of things. And now that I am over five years into parenthood, I know that this is what I’ve been put on this earth to do.

To love my husband, to raise these children, and try to get us all to heaven.

I am grateful that I was entrusted to raise them. Emma, Henry, and Theophilus are my heart walking around outside my body. And on this day of celebration, I am reminded again of how deeply I love them and how much I’ve been gifted in motherhood.

God bless you sweet Theophilus Sebastian on your first birthday. We love you!

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Theo at eleven months

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Theo at eleven months

Theophilus is eleven months old!

Theo turned eleven months old a couple of days ago and that made me realize I HAVE LESS THAN A MONTH TO PLAN HIS BIRTHDAY PARTY…

…which will mostly consist of costco foods and drinks and people over at the house. I know, we are party animals.

Well, this was an eventful month. Theo has discovered that if he screams, he can get what he wants. He found that out before we did because we kept responding with hugs and kisses and ARE YOU OKAYs, but we’ve got his number. We’ve figured him out. Sneaky little thing.

Actually, he is not so little. He is a giant by baby standards. Well by my standards. He has huge feet and I am going to need to buy him SIZE 5 shoes soon. He is also fully into 12 month clothing and even then, the tee shirts are like crop tops.

He is also adventurous and truthfully, fearless. He’s going to make me nervous than the other two combined, and they are pretty wild too. He’s the play in the toilet, eat rocks, try to escape the house kind of kid.

He cut a couple more teeth this week and that means we didn’t sleep much this week. I think we’re going to try to transition him to one long nap per day instead of two, so wish us luck. Well, wish our amazing luck.

Theo is always on the move, always has a huge smile, and will always find ways to get into trouble. Happy eleven months baby boy.

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Theo at ten months

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Theo at ten months

Theo is ten months old today. Hold me until the crying stops. My crying, not his.

Welp, we have a full-blown walker. This past couple of weeks, he’s been really moving. At first, it was just a few steps, but now he’s doing his baby waddle all over the house. It’s adorable and exhausting in equal measure. Especially because he wants to waddle right out the door.

Theo is an excellent eater. I’m digging it. He especially loves experimenting with different textures. We’re like totally into homemade purees and grass fed vegetable non-GMO air…JUST KIDDING…Gerber makes these mix-in baby foods and puffs and we’re into it. 😎

He is completely enamored by his big sister and brother. He wants to play with them and do exactly what they are doing at all times. He currently does not mind being a punching bag to Henry or a doll to Emma. I don’t think it will last long though. He’s going to start fighting back soon. Watch out E and H.

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Theo at nine months

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Theo at nine months

Our Mr. Theophilus turns nine months old today!

This has been an eventful month for our boy. He has two teeth (!) he is almost walking (!!) AND he is saying MAMA (!!!). He is quiet spectacular.

Theo loves food. Just LOVES IT. So much so, that if brother or sister drop pieces of their own food on the floor, our Theo scurries under the table and tries to eat it. We have to be vigilant with this one. He prefers baby food with a more savory blend than sweet. He’s also tried eggs but that ended with projectile vomiting so I’m going to hold off on introducing that one again any time soon.

He has been enjoying the warmer weather and loves to play with water. Bath time with big sis and bro is a favorite pastime around here too. He’s our earliest riser in the house so please keep the caffeine and eye masks coming.

Let’s see, Theo

LOVES: playing with Emma and Henry, taking walks, eating pureed meats and veggies, listening to music, waking up early, and slobbery kisses

HATES: diaper changes, getting into the carseat, missing out on any of the fun, loud noises

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