Chaos & Karmic Wonders: Son of the Sea, First Light of Day

This blog was set up as a way to chronicle and share our adventures. It has been sorely neglected the last year. But, I felt the need to update it, since we have started on what will likely be the greatest, most challenging and rewarding adventure of our adult lives...parenthood.

Friday, July 13, 2018 we brought a little human into the world. He came on his due date. The birth, itself, was fast and furious. He was head-down, luckily, but posterior (meaning, his face was looking forward - this position does not allow them to maneuver quite as well as they descend through the pelvic girdle). Besides that, it became apparent that his shoulder was stuck, and the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck twice. Because of this, there was really no amount of pushing that would have gotten him out. With the help of two nurses, the doctor, Chad (my daddy doula), and perhaps a little help from beyond this realm, he emerged, announcing his arrival with a powerful scream that seemed too big for his size. The nurses recovered him, then after several minutes, swaddled him and placed him in my arms. Eyes wide open, he stared calmly at Chad and I. We stared and stared at him as the nursing staff whirred around us, cleaning up the battle ground of our labor and delivery.

Chad and I immediately fell in love, yet we had no idea what to call him. We had a list of names we had entertained the weeks leading up to his birth, but nothing took. As we were preparing to leave the hospital two days later, the pressure mounted to name this creature. We held him and tried out various combinations of names...even asking him if he preferred one over another. (He didn't really seem to have a preference.) In the end, Chad left it up to me to name him...afterall, his mother named him (and thankfully so...otherwise I would be married to a Wally Wachtor). For his first name, I chose Dylan. It is Welsh, meaning, "Son of the Sea." This was fitting, as he was born a Cancer - an Astrological water sign (yes, I'm a hippy). But, I also wanted his name connected to the water, since Chad has a strong relationship with the element. I imagine they will spend a great deal of time together on lakes and rivers as he grows up. Dylan fit the bill. I chose Ray as the middle name for two reasons. First, it is a diminutive of my father's middle name, Raymond. Second, as I was in the final throws of labor, one of the nurses in the delivery room urged me, saying, "The sun's coming up over the mountains! Just one more push - he's going to be a sunrise baby!" And with the first light of day, he was born into this world.
Dylan Ray: Son of the Sea, First Light of Day.
We signed the paperwork to make it official, and took our little bundle home.

Today he is one month old. The last month has been a blur of diaper changes, feeding frenzies, leaking cracked nipples, sleepless nights, doctor visits, spitting up, evening meltdowns, bloody stools, an unexpected neck mass, worries about every little aspect of his care. But there's also been gentle mornings, afternoon cuddles, visits from loved ones, gassy smiles, neighborhood walks, trips to the mountains, adorable baby clothes, a first social smile, moments of wonder at this little person as he takes in the world around him, and constant awe that we ever lived without him.

I knew before we had him that parenting would be difficult, with a steep learning curve. There is constant second-guessing to interpret Dylan's cries. Too hot? Too cold? Too tired? Overstimulated? Bored? Hungry? Too full? Gassy? Lonely? Reflux? Growth spurt? Is my breastmilk insufficient, or making him sick? My mom has spent a good deal of time at our house holding and loving on him, as well as passing on her own expertise in the field of parenting. For this, I am immensely grateful.

The adventure with Dylan has just begun. Some days are hard...really hard. Everyday is a blessing. Despite all the challenges, he is a gift and a teacher. We are blessed, all of us.