New pictures of crabbykitten

Chillin' and using the computer...

Nirvana baby.

Babies love to be worn.

Here's the baby!

Sorry, these pictures are a little out of order. Here is Mr. CrabbyKat wearing Baby CrabbyKat while still in the hospital,
and this is me wearing him the day after a ceserean!
Burrito baby...

Right after birth.
First nursing attempts in recovery room.

My two favorite boys.
Here is the official birth story...

I went into labor at 3:30 am on Sunday, August 17. I woke up with fairly strong contractions, and I was very hungry. I went downstairs, ate some food, and took a bath. The contractions seemed to stop. Once I lay back down, I started to have contractions again. I tried to wake up Mr. C but he was not having it. I finally called my doula around 5:30 to let her know that things were starting to pick up. I lay back down and slept between contractions until 8:30.

My doula called around that time, and I told Mr. C to go ahead and go to work for a few hours. She came over and we just hung out and watched tv while she rubbed my back during contractions. Around 2:30 I started to feel really antsy and like I wanted to go to the hospital. I was thinking I was much further along than I was. My doula talked me into staying home until about 5:30 when I couldn't take it anymore.

Once we got to the hospital, everything changed. There was no longer anything rythmic or natural about this labor. I could not handle the pain that came with each contraction. I was discouraged to learn that after 15 hours I was only 3 cm. dialated. At this point my instinct took over and I knew I needed a C-section. I actually asked for it. My Doula and Mr. C tried to talk me out of it, and I broke down crying because I felt like no one was listening to me. Finally they relented and I went in to the OR. Baby Leo was born at 8:29 pm and weighed 7lbs 11oz. He was beautiful! He was allowed to stay in the operating room with me while I was stitched, and Mr.C held him up to my chest so I could snuggle with him.

Although I was planning to birth vaginaly after having such a bad experience with Bubba O's C-section, I do not regret my decision. I believe very strongly in natural childbirth, home birth, and VBAC(vaginal birth after ceserean), but things just did not work out that way for me. When the c- section was performed, the doctor said he was posterior, his cord was wrapped around all his limbs like a jump rope, and my scar was so thin she could see through it. So I think my instincts were right. I still feel like I owned my birth and I called all the shots, and I was treated much better and had an easier recovery than with O. So all in all, a good experience.

Yep. Still pregnant.

Flowers from the farmer's market this morning... did I mention I love Ikebana?
New flower bed I just put in this weekend.

Bubba O is jumping up and down because he is going to spend the night with Isa!
Mr. Friendly

New day-glo orange hallway! You should see it with the light on! Holy bright!
Bubba O can't wait to be a big brother.
Miss Turbo.

Fun (Cheap) Finds!

I had a rare outing by myself today, so I went to Gabriel Brothers. I got there just in time for the unpacking of the Urban Outfitters housewares box and I stood over like a vulture. I got these two piggy banks, one for me and one for the baby's room...


... and I found a cool shirt for Bubba O, coasters, a little painting that matches two I already had, a wooden baby rattle, a manly american-style bento box, and that white little guy grows plant hair when you water him! All the things from these two pictures cost less than $13.00, not too shabby.
Ash came over today and did some henna on my hands! Hopefully the oils will help jump start my labor.

Spa Day

Fresh haircut and eyebrow wax... ...and my first professional pedicure! oooh my tootsies feel good!
Black B

Homemade Eggrolls and Miso Soup!

Yes, my feet and legs are that swollen.

The Crazy Gremlin Comes for the Weekend

Frida lives with BabyJoy now; she is too crazy for this house! But she comes to visit sometimes.

Menfolk put in Shower

We finally got a shower! Now I can have the baby! I actually prefer baths, but Mr. CrabbyKat likes showers and apparently now Bubba O does, too.

Look at those manly men!
Men with tools make me sweat!
We had a lasagna party during the installation, but something in it tasted like dirty socks. I think the sauce was funky, but luckily no one got sick!

Garden Fun!

Our rose bush has bloomed again! Only one flower. But all the others were ruined during the monsoon a few weeks ago. I am sad. our cilantro went to seed already. It did really well this year, though, and we have been eating it on everything!

Simple Pleasures...

Post card from Queen Elisa, she always sends me good stuff!



Yesterday was half-off day at the Salvation Army. Bubba O found some vintage maze books and these quirky toys. I found some elastic waist skirts to fit over my large behind after the baby is born!
Photos of Sid are rare; he is terrified of the camera. (He's the weineriest dog I know!)

Holy Craft!

My dad bought me this old Viking from the early 70s for Xmas and I love love love it!!!! Thanks dad. Alas, I have caught the sewing bug and I can't stop.

I made this bizzare creature for the baby...
and this funky ragdoll, too.