Welcome to the world, Baby Boy, Part 5

Where were we? Oh, yes, you and I were cuddled up in bed and getting acquainted. It was getting a little awkward toting placenta around in a tub (you came, by the way, with a very large and lobed placenta), so Daddy cut your umbilical cord, we got things clamped and cleaned up, and after a bit, I got into a nice bath, while you got all cleaned and weighed and whatnot. Then I got into warm jammies and you got into warm jammies (with a hat - the house was very chilly!) and we cuddled up in bed. You wore an outfit with little yellow ducks all over it, and underneath, as a shameless marketing ploy, you had a little onesie that had Chip and Dale on it. (Daddy finished these just hours before you were born - it was one of the last things I'd wanted done and when I started to suspect you might be coming, I had him finish everything up that he could!) Your sister loved (loves?) Chip and Dale and, to make sure you two got off on the best possible footing, we decided to dress you in a Chip and Dale onesie and have you bring her a Chip and Dale t-shirt. Anyway, Ms. Love, our kitty, needed to check on me and inspect you, so we snuggled down in bed, she curled up, and we drifted off. By this time it was about 4:00 a.m., but before we went to sleep, Mama called your Uncle Kelly. Remember that - that was who I called first, the only person I called before we went to sleep. We just talked for a few minutes and then you slept on my chest, so I could keep you warm (did I mention chilly - was down in the mid-60s in here, especially in our bedroom), and I dozed off too.

We got several hours of rest and before your sister started stirring, you woke and while you had a drink, Mama called your grandparents. Poppy had already left for work, so we told Granny all about you and then called Poppy at the office. He was surprised - when Mama told him you were here, he said, "Already?!" Then we called Aunt Betty (she wasn't up) and your cousin Greg. (We talked to Aunt Betty a few hours later). And it wasn't long before your sister started chatting away in her bed and getting anxious to get up. Daddy went up to get her about 8:30. She wasn't too sure what to think of you, honestly, but seemed to like you well enough, and definitely liked her t-shirt. Then we turned the television around, piled in our bed under warm quilts and had our first breakfast together as a family. You had milk. The rest of us had cereal. And we watched cartoons. I wish I could remember exactly which ones, but based on your sister's obsession with Chip and Dale, I'm pretty sure they were on the lineup. And that's it - we were a family.

That was Friday morning. Jill and Amy checked in via text message and we mostly rested, fielded phone calls and established your insatiable appetite. They checked in on us a few times over the next few days, making sure the rosemary goldenseal powder was healing your bellybutton, making sure your weight was stabilizing, making sure that I was healing properly. Poppy and Granny arrived that evening (they left right after work at Granny's insistence) and they stayed until Monday. Your aunt Dana stopped in on Sunday, your aunt Robyn and aunt Dana came again on Thursday, your uncle Kelly and aunt Mary came Friday evening and spent the weekend, and your PopPop came down for the afternoon on Saturday. I wish all that could convey to you how immediately and completely you were loved. My first thoughts of you were of how beautiful you were, how much you looked like your sister with all that dark hair, how thrilled I was to have made your sister her very own Kelly, her very own best friend for life, how strong and sturdy you seemed. You were perfect then and I can say without reservation that wherever you are, whoever you are, wherever I am, you are perfect now.

Love,
Mama