B is for Baby.
(Ragnarson, 2 days old)B was going to be for Birth Story, which is the reason that this post was delayed. I have been working on it off and on since Ragnarson was born, but it is a long story which is hard for me to write. It's hard in one sense, because I don't remember a lot of it. I was in labor for more than 60 hours, and even though I was sleeping between contractions (HA!) that is a long time. In another sense it's hard because things did not go as planned. Instead of a quiet, peaceful birth center, birth-in-the-tub sort of birth, I got a crazy transfer-to-the-hospital, us-against-them sort of birth. It will be written in good time, and I will send it off to the birth center to post on their website along with all the other birth center babies. Even though I didn't end up actually birthing at the center, the midwives are still very important to me.
(2 months old)When we finally brought Ragnarson home from the hospital I remember having this feeling of "What? Who the hell thought it was a good idea to send me home with a new born baby? Look at him, he's like a doll with no stuffing, what if I sit on him?" And breastfeeding did not take off smooth and easily. He lost a lot of weight, and I was, of course, obsessive about it. I remember once, when he was probably four or five days old. I was scrutinizing every diaper for "mustardy seedy texture," which was not what I was finding. I called the Birth Center, and talked to one of the midwives, trying to affect a casual tone, "I'm sure it's nothing, I'm just a little worried because his poop is still brown, and it seems like it should be more yellow by now." Not fooled in the least she said "Are you okay honey, do you want me to come over and weigh him?" "No" sniffle snort "I'm okay," although I obviously wasn't. "You're right on my way home," she said, "I'll just stop by and say Hi." Sniffle, snort, "Okay, thanks." Anyway...they are great people those midwives.
(4 months old)So here's to birth! Every woman I know who's had a baby, especially the crazy hippy ones who've had "natural" births, is totally blown away by the experience. Half of them decide to start training as doulas or midwives, and god help me I'm right there with them. Pity my poor friends that had the misfortune to get pregnant after I did, because I am insufferable on the subject of babies.
6 months old, and for the record that is avacado up his nose, not a nasty green booger. You can see me knitting in the background as his sister is feeding him. I don't get avacado up his nose when I'm feeding him...or at least there isn't photographic evidence that I do.
I love you Ragnarson, thanks for making me into a Mama.
Ragnar...baby crazy, but still a pirate.
2 comments:
I was totally floored after having my son that they just left me in the room with him BY MYSELF. I don't have siblings or friends with children.. I had NO clue what to do with him. Luckily I had a Cabbage Patch Kid so I knew vaguely how to diaper a butt.. They also let me take him home to an empty house where we'd be alone ALL day.. talk about a learning curve.
I was SUPPOSED to have a midwife but I also ended up at the hospital b/c my son came a month early. Thankfully it was crunchy granola Colorado and the local hospital was pretty hip.. I did the birth without drugs - but never wanted to become a doula afterwards. I actually asked for that missing epidural for AFTER the birth.. they weren't going for it.
I can't believe how mooshy and warm and fuzzy a pirate can be.
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