meet noel.

There he is. Crowley boy #3. And yes that basically is a picture of his dimple. His asymetrical dimple. He's very cute huh? Can't believe it's been about 4 months since I was on here with an update. Scratch that, I can.

So here's the story of Noel. I went into labor at about 7:00 on March 31. We got to the hospital at 10, he was born at 12:30 AM. April 1. The Fool's Day, to his father's chagrin. While we were at home I had some denial about being in labor. But John convinced me we had to go to the hospital - by the time we got there, I couldn't even really walk. I was almost crying. I never had that experience with the first two because I was induced with Cian (epidural at 4 cm) and got the epidural at 5 cm with Paudie. I was at 6 cm when we got to the hospital and about 8 when I finally was able to get the meds. They weren't on board very long when it was time to push. He was out in no time at all. What I remember is that no one (there were only 4 people in the room) would say what the gender was. "Oh this baby has a lot of hair" "Oh my, what a long baby!" Finally I asked and was told, another boy. Which I had expected and is perfectly fine. We are so well equipped for boys!

Paudie had a hard time adjusting to big brotherhood. I'm not going to lie, it was so brutal. He was a total brat. When have I ever said that about him? He seems to have settled in some. But the first few days were a disaster.

So what can I tell you about Noel? Well, he is the sweetest baby like ever. He never cries. Only when he is uber hungry. He is low key and super smiley. He is enormous. Top of growth charts for height and weight. Has Cian's big blue eyes. Acutaally he looked a lot like Cian at first and now is more of a fat, blue eyed Paudie. But he def has Cian's personality. All party all the time.

Sleeping was rough at first but in the last week or so (he just turned 3 months) he has started doing 7-9 hour stretches at night. Hallelujah! Just in time for me to go back to work. John is home with him for the next few months till we figure out where we can get some infant care from. Easier said than done.

I still have a lot of panic about pediatric cancer. Hate it. Hate that I just can't be 100 percent confident and happy. Especially because Noel is so Cian like. But I am getting by. Denial perhaps.

Funny how having a baby makes you see your other children. If Paudie was 2 going on 5 before, now it's like 2 going on 10. He is riding a bike, feeding the dog, letting him in... if only he could use a toilet - that is our summer project.

So there you have it. 5 years in the making, we now have two living children. Who would have thought it would take so long. Me, bitter? Why yes. :)