Meet Hattie – my sweet little bean – welcomed into the world on the morning of Friday, April 27 at 9:24am.
I’ve been itching to get back on the blog and back into developing and photographing new recipes (I’ve got SO many ideas!) but this little girl of mine basically holds me hostage 24 hours a day. It’ll be a couple more months until I’m able to carve out a few hours a day again to dedicate to LIMO. Until then, I’ll use the sporadic hours that I’m given to do what I can – starting with this post!
Harriet’s entry into the world started with a visit to the doctor’s office on that Thursday, April 26. As most of you know, I was getting pretty anxious to meet her! The doctor performed a routine procedure that morning to help things along, and that was all I needed. I started having some regular contractions that afternoon, but they weren’t close enough together to go to the hospital until 1 in the morning. Etienne’s parents were on standby, and true to their word, they were at our house within 10 minutes to wait for the boys to wake up and whisk them off to their place.
Etienne and I got to the hospital, and much to my disappointment, I was only 4-5 cm dilated. The nurse suggested we go for a 2 hour walk – let me remind you – it was now about 2am. So, we walked. And we walked. We walked to the Tim Hortons near the hospital – and what a walk it was! We had to stop every 2-3 minutes so I could have a contraction. What a sight we must have been: me holding onto Etienne, doubled over and breathing heavily. We had to time the lights at the intersection just right so I could make it across without having to stop in the middle of the road. We made it to Tim’s, and I sat in a chair while Etienne ordered us some snacks. There was a group of construction workers sitting nearby who were trying very hard not to stare at the pregnant lady breathing heavily and moaning every few minutes….
Anyway, we made our way back to the hospital, and although I had progressed a little, it was not enough. The nurse suggested another walk. There was no way that was happening, so I rested in a bed while my dear husband sat in a chair next to me and awkwardly slept for 2 hours, slumped over with his chin resting on his fist.
Finally, FINALLY I was given a room. They broke my water, and she was out 25 minutes later!
Her name has no story behind it, but I have loved the name since I first heard it on the show Parenthood – anyone else miss that show?! One of the character’s names was Hattie, and I thought it was so neat!
Hattie’s middle name, Doreen, was my Grandmother’s name, and it just so happens that Etienne’s Grandmother also shares the name.
So – how has it been so far?
The first few days/nights are a hazy blur. I decided to co-sleep with Hattie right from the beginning, so I’m using the bed downstairs for now. As much as I miss being upstairs in my own bed, I have to say this decision has made ALL the difference in sleep. There’s all sorts of opinions on co-sleeping, but for me, it works. She doesn’t sleep for long periods at a time, so I’m awake a lot at night, but I’m at least IN BED. I can nurse her laying down! My plan is to transition her to her crib upstairs over the next little while, but for now, this is working!
What about the boys?
They LOVE their little sister. I fully anticipated having two jealous little monsters, but they have totally surprised me. They mostly just want to kiss and hug her! I’m so grateful that they have each other to play with – it’s made for a much different experience than when it was just Oscar and newborn Wally! I spent most of my days during that period in time trying to keep Oscar from smacking his brother on the head with Hot Wheels.
My life now…?
It’s nuts. Bananas. I don’t even know how else to explain it. From the minute we get up in the morning, I’m going, going, going. Getting kids dressed, fed, cleaned, out the door….packing snacks, making food, cleaning up. It’s exhausting. One child is crying while I’m wiping another’s bum, and the other is throwing an entire box of Shreddies on the floor. When I go somewhere I’m constantly looking around like a frantic mother duck to make sure I have all of my ducklings with me. Going ANYWHERE requires a couple of hours of preparation. I cook dinner while breastfeeding. I am barking at the boys like a drill sergeant to get in their chairs, eat their food, put their shoes on, you name it.
After the boys go to bed, it’s just Hattie and I, and we spend the next couple of hours nursing, before retiring to our room in the basement for a broken sleep. This is why it’s taken so long to get this one post out!
But you know what?
I love it. I may not love the particular brand of craziness that having a newborn brings, but I LOVE my kids. I know that it won’t be quite this level of nuttiness forever; Hattie will get bigger, start sleeping longer, and I will be able to take a shower at a normal time – and maybe even go get my hair cut! Oh, and spend some time on the blog!
I’ve got a couple blog posts planned over the next couple of months; one is a partnership with a company that I’m super excited about, and another is part of a summer blog hop. I will be feeling pretty good if I get one post out a month this summer!
My friends, this is where I’m at. Thank you for following along, and thank you for your patience. I can’t imagine life getting any crazier than this, so it can only get better from here, right?!
I can’t wait to start posting and sharing regularly again – but for now – I’m just surviving 🙂
Much love!
Katherine
Aww…She’s sooo beautiful! I’m so happy for you all and glad everything went well. 🙂 I had to laugh at the drill sargeant and walking at 2:00 am in the morning…something I can relate too! xo
Thank you so much Kim!! She is a little sweetheart for sure – haha I’m glad you can relate to the craziness I’ve described!! Parenting, right!? Hope you’re well my friend! XO
Hattie is gorgeous! I’m so excited for the update! I’m up in Oregon visiting family and one of my best friends has a new baby; I spent Monday morning oohing and ahhing over him and that pic of Hattie’s feet makes me think I need to go back over there and cuddle him some more :). Can’t wait to see all that you have planned coming up!
Thank you so much, Kelsie!! I love that you got to spend time with your friends and family, and I hope you got back there for more baby cuddles!! They’re seriously the best. I appreciate your encouragement my friend! XO
Thanks for the update Katie! Been wondering how you were doing with 3 little ones to look after! I love the pictures of Harriet…your little bean! 😘 Aunt Linda
It’s been busy, Aunt Linda!! Thank you so much – I just sent off a birth announcement to you in the mail, hope you get it soon! XO
Aww Katherine,your little Hattie is such a cute little angel…she is beautiful. I am so glad that everything went well with the delivery. Her little brothers are the sweetest, she is really a lucky little princess.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures and cannot wait to see your wonderful new recipes.😘🌸
Thank you Ashika! I really appreciate the kind words!! She is definitely lucky to have those two as her brothers – I can’t wait to see the family dynamic unfold. I hope to have something to share with you all soon! Take care!! XO
Awwwww Katherine! Love this post! I am SO happy for you and your family. I certainly cannot imagine the craziness of having three kids in tow…but I see my sister with her little ones and I have such an appreciation for moms out there! And I love Hattie’s name! I loved Parenthood and as soon as you said that I was like “That’s where I know that name from!” And that walk to Tim Hortons….omg that’s crazy!! But glad everything else turned out great and that you have a happy healthy baby girl. XOXO
Kelly!! Thank you!! It’s so nice that you get to see and experience parenting through your sister! I’m also so glad you loved Parenthood, haha it was such a good show!! I so appreciate all of your words – I hope that you’re doing well!!
Hattie is precious!! I’m so glad that her older brothers love and adore her. Being a mom with three little ones is so incredibly hard, and you are handling all of the craziness so well! xx
Thank you Thao!! I’m also glad her brothers love her, I was worried they wouldn’t be too keen on her!! It is SO hard, thank you for that! So nice to hear from you, and I truly hope you’re well!!
Well hello Katherine and Hattie, it’s been a while. I see you haven’t lost your sence of humor during this hectic time, and that’s a good sign! 🙂 Certainly, I look forward to these few planned summer posts, but in a meanwhile enjoy your time (I still think people should get a medal for raising 3 kids!)
Well hello hello Katherine, it’s been a while, and hello Hattie – nice to meet you! I see you haven’t lost your sence of humor, and that’s a good sign. Enjoy your hectic times 😉 (I think people should get a medal for raising 3 kids!)
Haha! Ben, I have to agree. I definitely deserve a medal 😉 So nice to hear from you, it really has been a while! I feel quite out of the loop, I must say. But I’m doing my best to enjoy the hectic life of mine right now! Cheers, dear Ben!
Glad to see new Angle arrived -)
Thank you so much! We’re delighted to have her 🙂
Congratulations, Katherine! Hattie is so precious! It is such a wonderful time for your family. Enjoy the new memories you are creating! Hopefully you are getting some sleep.
Thank you Laura!! She is such a sweetheart, we feel truly lucky!! I am doing my best to enjoy the days as crazy as they are! I am getting (a little) sleep! XO
Congratulations on your little bean and I love her name! Child birth is incredibly crazy and it only gets crazier from there. I relate to you in that my two boys were 20 months apart and I felt that I never had a moment’s peace. You have THREE children and I know that must be even crazier! My boys are now 16 and 14 and I wish I could go back and enjoy the time when they were little. Enjoy this time with your beautiful family Katherine!
Thank you Marcie! Childbirth is SO crazy, haha I now have three foggy memories of them al! It’s nice to hear you can relate to the craziness of parenting young kids, especially boys!! They’re BUSY! When I hear from people like you saying they miss these years, it makes me feel I need to do my best to enjoy them now, as crazy as it can be! I appreciate the kind words – hope you’re doing well!
Congratulations to you and your family Katherine! Hattie is so adorable! And while things are a bit hectic with three children, you sound incredibly happy! So glad to hear things are going well. Welcome back, and I look forward to your posts over the summer!
Thank you so much, Leanne! We are definitely happy, as busy as life is!! I appreciate your kind words, and I hope you’re enjoying your summer! XO
Oh Katherine! Thank you for sharing your story – I could almost feel your pain on those walks, waiting to be ready for the birth! And I love that you’re loving life even though it’s chaotically wonderful…Hattie is such a little darling…love to you and welcome, Hattie!! xoxo
Oh my goodness, it was a walk I will never forget 😉 Hattie is a sweetheart, so it makes it a lot easier to love life!! Thank you so much Marissa! Much love back to you!! XO
she’s so adorable! glad you and your family get to soak in all of her newness (:
Thanks Heather!! She is a real sweetheart – we are definitely soaking it all in!! Hope you’re well!!
She’s just precious Katherine! And I adore the name Hattie! Congrats to you, Etienne, Oscar and Wally! I’ll be anxiously awaiting your return to LIMO! XO
Thank you so much, Mary Ann!! I appreciate the congrats! I can’t wait to get back on track with the blog too. Take care, my friend!!
She’s so precious! I’m glad I found this update although a little late (spring is my busy tome at work) congrats to you and enjoy
Thanks Patrick! No worries on being late, I’m barely keeping up with things myself! Hope you’re having a great summer 🙂
She’s so precious Kathy!!! I slept with with both my children in the first few months and it made so much of a difference in getting some sleep. Especially when you have 2 little ones already, every hour counts. Though it comes with it’s share of craziness, it will certainly get better with time. Enjoy my dear!!!!
I’m so happy to hear you did the same thing – it really does make all of the difference when it comes to sleep!! Thank you so much, Maria. I look forward to times being slightly less crazy, haha. Cheers!
What a little cutie pie!! So happy for you guys! Love her name too! Looking forward to seeing what you have in store! 🙂 XOXO
Thank you Dawn!! She has been a bundle of joy so far. I’m also looking forward to getting back into things! 🙂 XO
Congratulations, my friend! Hattie is precious! I love her name and her sweet little face…. You have a beautiful family! XO
Thank you so much, Annie!! That’s so sweet of you to say. I hope you’re enjoying your summer!!
Welcome to the world, little Miss Hattie! She is adorable and YES adding a 3rd to the mix makes life a little crazy. Thanks for sharing her with us! xoxo
Thanks Liz!! Hah – I often question why we thought it was a good idea to have 3 – but she is worth all of the craziness!
She is an absolute doll! Lol I can’t believe you walked to Tim Hortons and I so get the co-sleeping thing, our daughter gave me no choice and I was so sleep starved I would’ve done anything to get a few winks 😉 . You’ve got a lot on your hands but Im glad you are enjoying it 🙂 . Thank you for all the details, it was a great read! Take care.
I’m so glad you understand – it makes all of the difference having them next to you! Any way to get a bit more sleep, right?! Hah that walk to Tim’s was one I’ll never forget. Thank you so much Stacey, hope you’re doing well this summer!
Katherine – I LOVE your blog and your fabulous ideas. What a wonderful creation of love. I wanted to be in touch sooner and then life ran away on me – thank you so much for the lovely note and card – I am so grateful to have connected with you! Very best wishes from me to you – and I am looking forward to staying in touch!
Hi! Thank you SO much! It is so very nice to hear from you; life is busy, and I so appreciate you taking the time to stop by and say hello 🙂 I am incredibly grateful for you as well! I hope that life is treating you well and we can connect some time in the future! XO
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