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A Tale Of Two Cheeks!

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Totally Married Podcast

Episode 142

Introducing Theodora “Teddy” Mae Rosen! Laimeweds, we are in the throes of new parenthood - the elation, the exhaustion, the philosophical and the poop. We wanted to share our journey getting here with you all - the birth story, the feelings, how the animals are doing and what life has been like on this other side. Apologies if we’re a little “slow” or “spacey” or “crying a lot” (elizabeth) ~ all of our energy has gone towards loving, obsessing over and staring at our perfect little bundle! We’ll be back in our usual action someday… in the meantime, TEDDY! Enjoy!

36 Comments!

Ashley says:

Oh man, well I want to start off by saying Congrats again! She is so freaking adorable. I also want to address a couple things about this podcast…
1) Thanks for making me cry on a Monday morning!! I feel like I know you guys so well and to hear you talk about your experience and the emotions behind it was so amazing it totally got me choked up a couple times. Then you talked about Andy looking at you and saying “I’m so proud of you” and I lost my shit.
2) I loved hearing Andy’s side of this. I’ve never been close enough to any man to hear him talk so in depth about his expreience with childbirth so it was pretty cool to hear his side of it. You can totally hear the love and affection he has for her in his voice. She is one lucky lady to have some awesome ‘rents like you guys.

Lots of love guys!!

Monica says:

Great podcast! Beautiful birth story, made me remember birthing my babies…and cry. You two are such a great team and are doing a great job! Every day gets easier and better with a new little one. Listen to your body and follow baby’s lead. Congratulations!!!

Ginger says:

Y’all are perfect parents! You are not assholes because you think Baby Oprah is the most perfect and beautiful and smart little creature on the planet!!! You will look back on all this with such great love and fondness. All babies are beautiful and precious, but you will look back at pictures and wonder, who is that little alien??

Elizabeth, you are a champion!! First time birth/labor being so long is really a marathon. My first was 32 hours, ended in C-Section and healthy baby, second was 36 hours and natural, it is no easy mountain to climb and YOU DID IT SISTER!!!! And you did it with a first class Daddy Man at your side. Way to go Andy!!

Being parents is likely to be the most EXHAUSTING and rewarding thing you will ever do. But you will be better folks for doing it. Welcome to the club :)

I loved hearing your story, choked me up more than once. Lots of love (and SLEEP) to you all <3

Randy says:

Congratulations again, Elizabeth and Andy. Teddy is adorable, and you have every right to be proud “asshole” parents!! My son is 5 now, and I cherish those new born memories so much.

Love every second… even the ones that drive you a tiny bit crazy.

Thank you so much for sharing your stories, and I look forward to hearing all about your journey.

Stacey says:

I was so excited to hear this episode today! I’m going in Wednesday night for a medically-necessary induction, so I feel a bit like a deer in headlights. :) I’ve been following along on your journey, so hearing your story and just knowing I’m days away was quite the experience. Congratulations to you both. THOSE CHEEKS! She is just perfect.

Liz says:

Congrats guys! I’m really impressed that you are even able to podcast right now! Very cool to hear both of your points of view on the birth and life as new parents.

KatieCass says:

So curious if the big glass of wine helped you to relax or if you weren’t really able to feel the relaxation as it seems it brought on the labor progress you were needing. I can’t imagine a huge glass of delicious perfect (cold?) wine during such an exhausting time. I bet it was amazing. You guys are the best, can’t believe how perfect baby Oprah is. Congratulations!

Debi says:

I can’t believe you guys were home a few hours after she was born! Holy shit! I would have loved that.

My husband and I have a special stop light too. When I was in labor with my oldest son (he will be 21 in July . . . YIKES), my husband looked at me at the stop light by the hospital and said, “We are walking in there a couple, and we are going to leave a family.” He still gives me a cute little look when we pass that spot.

The little things that go through your head during labor are so funny. I remember when the nurse told me to push, and my first thought was, “What if I don’t? Huh? What are you going to do then?”

Congrats! Great episode.

Alia says:

This was so fun to listen to - I’ve never heard both sides of the story in depth like that (from the person giving birth and the person by her side) and it was so awesome to get both perspective. Teddy and her cheeks are definitely perfect.

Maru says:

I’m so happy for you both, was so excited to see the tweet announcing the ep and baby Teddy! (almost called her baby Oprah) She’s so beautiful! Congrats Elizabeth and Andy!

Lindsey says:

I literally could not wait to wake up this morning and download the podcast first thing ! I sat and listened to it with my 2 month old and couldn’t help but start crying. Such a sweet story . I am so so happy for you guys ! She is adorable and babies are just amazing right ? Ps How long was she ?! I heard 8lbs 8 oz but no length. lol I need all of baby Oprahs stats!

Mary Kathryn Wells says:

Oh my gosh I also used Hypnobabies and HOLY SHIT that talk about the painless birth is some bullshit! (Back to listening to your birth story now…)

Kim says:

I was sitting on the train this morning, listening to this episode and crying. Teddy is a very lucky girl to have such wonderful, loving parents. I can’t wait to hear all about your parenting adventures. Lots of love!

Mary Kathryn Wells says:

So many thoughts!:

1.) I love hearing another person’s Hypnobabies birth story! I know so few people who used it and so appreciate hearing this!

2.) Would you do Hypnobabies again if / when you have another kid? (Not gonna lie, after I gave birth I was like “either Hypnobabies lied big time or I totally failed at it.”)

3.) You and Andy are so sweet to hear together – your love for each other is so evident.

4.) I TOTALLY relate to the “loss of modesty” comment. My doula had told me that same thing, and also said that people hit “the wall of great doubt” when they’re really progressing. So when I was in labor and my doula walked through the door to our house, I was laying in the bathtub between contractions – I mean pressure waves — and shouted at her, “We’ve lost modesty and hit the wall of great doubt!”

5.) I’m super impressed you survived the car ride. I took an ambulance — true story.

6.) I am also so amazed that you looked so great after you had her! (Though I do relate to the post-birth high.)

7.) The healing – ugh, I’ll spare you the details but I was in the ER 2 weeks after giving birth because of how not well the healing went for me.

Elizabeth says:

Mary Kathryn!! You are such a sweetheart to listen, thank you! Ambulance ride? Holy hell…Sounds like you had an “interesting” labor and birth as well! I don’t know if I’d do hypnobabies again - probably would but not with the same ferver. I think it helped some in the beginning but it all went out the window when things really kicked into gear.
I’d love to hear why you ended up in the ER for (not) healing… but maybe will private message you for that one :) The (not) healing part has been tough.
So touched that you listened and commented. Hope you and darling Wellsy are doing great! xo

Jessie says:

Awww!! Listening now and I had to comment that I can SO relate to a LOT of what you said/went through! I had a 52 hour natural labor (at home). The thing that kept me from throwing in the towel was that I knew that 1) I would have to put on pants (not happening!!), 2) I would have to get in the car (get in the car? ARE YOU INSANE?!) 3) when I got to the hospital they for sure would’ve made me fill out a stupid amount of paperwork, and I was NOT in the mood to deal with stupid people and 4) with my luck, by the time I got to the hospital they probably would’ve been like ‘it’s too late, you’re too far along’ etc, etc.

I hope that your birth experience was as empowering for you as mine was for me! It sounds like you all did an AWESOME job. Way to go, mama. And hang in there, it really, really does get easier. After a while you start to feel like your old self again, it just takes some time. :)

Sarah says:

OMG!!!!!! I cannot express enough how happy and excited I am for you guys!! I feel like I know you both so well and have been on this awesome journey with you and I can’t believe sweet little Teddy is actually here already!! My baby girl just turned 12 and listening to this really brought back such good memories I had about when she was just born. It goes by SO fast so soak up every single second!! Also, love her name!! It is so perfect, also my daughter’s name is Chloe Mae so they share an awesome middle name! Well I am rambling and I’m sure you are doing some important mommy stuff, but just know that I love you guys and am so excited for you to enjoy this new thing called parenting! Elizabeth, I am so proud of you!!! Okay, give baby Oprah/Teddy some snuggles and kisses for me! And of course give some to Ruby and Ramona too!!

Sarah

DT says:

Super congrats!

Being four years past our last newborn, this brought back a lot of memories, very mixed memories. I particularly identified with that feeling of “now we’re in it.” It is so surreal that you suddenly have this helpless little thing living in your house. My daughter was over two years old before I’d stop occasionally staring at her while she slept and think, “Where did you come from?”

It becomes hard to remember life before baby. I especially find it hard to remember what I did with all my time.

Jaime says:

CONGRATS!!! Your birth story made me tear up a bit! Mostly hearing the love in your voices as you told it was just so heary warming. Can I say I new as soon as you said “Im’ Elizabeth” that you had, had the baby. :)

Erica says:

It was very funny to listen to this amazing story and your opinions of children and child birth now because I’ve been going back through the archives of Totally Laime and happened to stumble upon this episode (http://www.totallylaime.com/2011/05/22/episode-68-john-lehr/) where he tells his side of how insane it is to be a parent and the not so pretty parts of having a baby. Plus yours and Andy’s reactions are priceless!

Congrats to the entire family!

Clare says:

Congratulations Rosens!! Thank you so much for taking the time out to record this episode, we Laimeweds/Laimewads/Laimemoms absolutely adore you guys and appreciate you sharing such an amazing time with us!

Cassie says:

Congrats!! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your birth story while nursing my one month old. It was so sincere and rang true on so many levels. Before I took my maternity leave, I would list all the projects and household chores I would be able to accomplish while my newborn snoozes, but I have spent the past month doing nothing but staring at this little guy in awe. Top priority.

Andrea says:

Congratulations! I gave birth 5 months ago and still look at my baby with complete awe and wonder. I completely relate to some of the feelings you shared, and I’m so happy for the two of you.

Lara says:

Congratulations you two! I love hearing about your first week as parents. I had no idea you could give birth AND grab a Chipotle right after. I think that fact just made my decision for me. When it is time for me and my husband to have a child, we are going to try for the birthing center/responsible fast food package as well. So happy for you and little baby Oprah (thank you so much for keeping the nickname). She has some amazing parents…

Kat says:

My eyes were filled with happy tears as I listened to this. I’m so happy for all three of you. When I think about how much you’ve given to your listeners (sometimes I go back and listen to certain episodes when I need to hear a specific piece of guidance), it makes me think how lucky Baby Oprah is to have you two as parents. Teddy Rosen-velt is the cutest little squishface and it’s no surprise that you are as in love with her as can be! I’d be honored if you ever get around to taking a picture of her with the pink & white blanket I knitted, but I can only imagine you’ll be far too busy parenting to read through these comments for a specific request! Regardless, many congrats for the journey you’re on! xo

Lori F. says:

So impressed you guys were able to podcast so soon! Loved hearing your story and how you were able to have her with such a great and awesome husband by your side! You guys sounded so tired too, makes me (almost) miss those days. Congrats again, you have a beautiful, kind, genius daughter!

Jack says:

Thank you for sharing your birth story. This episode had a very special feel to it. The exhaustion in both of your voices was evident and brings back a lot of memories for those of us that have already traveled that road.

I think most folks would be very happy to have a birth story as wonderful as the one you had.

Congratulations!

Richard C says:

Been saving this episode for the time during the week when I knew I was going to need a smile, and it definitely delivered.
So happy for you guys!

Steph says:

This was SO great. At the beginning I was so choked up along with you; man that transition from a couple to Parents.. it’s life altering. My son is 15 months old now, and it has been the most amazing period of my life. Yes even with those growth spurts thrown in there (those were the moments I doubted myself as a parent the most). But then.. that damn J+J commercial would come on where the baby says “You’re doing okay mom” and All the tears!

Anyway, congrats! Also not related to this specific episode, but when you talk about your less than ideal healing, your feelings are so justified. Another thing they don’t mention, thanks to bfing, your skin will take a little longer to heal and you might not be fully ready to go at the 6 week mark. For me, it was more 8 weeks, and my pelvic bone still felt a bit separated up until the 3-4 month mark. So if you hit 6 weeks and still aren’t “back to normal” don’t stress! I know I cried about it, but it WILL get so much better, just takes a little longer than people talk about. (No joke.. I walked out of my appt at the ob at around 4 months with the nurse saying “you look great!” as I exited.. and she wasn’t talking about the baby weight loss if you know what I mean. Awwwwkward!)

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