Leo was born Saturday, June 18 at 2:32 pm close to our living room floor (but with ample clearance!). I have been doing little but gaping at him for the past two weeks.
My son was born without violence. I am proud of this because Rose and I went through a lot of books, videos, and classes to learn about birth and were both hoping for, and working towards, a particular outcome. Rose did beautifully. Our doula was amazing. Our midwives were amazing. I was sleepy but maybe helped a bit too. If I can give anyone any advice on labouring is GET YOURSELF A GOOD DOULA. The process would have been a lot more stressful for us and a lot more difficult for me without the doula's support. I am grateful to everyone who were there and I am both grateful and humbled for our not having had to face any serious complications.
I cannot describe what it is like to be witness to the birth of my child and what it is like to spend the first three days with the baby. I marvel at the evolutionary mechanism by which I am helplessly charmed when grasping at this being with all my senses. I only wish I could spend more of my time with him in the coming weeks.
Leo has a great temperament. He almost never cries and when he does, the cry is well warranted! After attending a great Bringing Baby Home class, we are (so far) trying to be attachment parents. This after much skepticism on my part. But hey, go with the flow. It's hard to know how much of Leo's gentle temperament is due to our attachment parenting this early in the game. Or, for that matter, how much his gentle birth may have to do with it. It's early going still, and his attitude may change altogether! Rose is working through some breastfeeding challenges and that's going well. And I, after much joking around, finally decided that I'm interested in EC. Rose is getting on board, but not quite yet...
Having spent some pixel space on the topic of circumcision in the past months, I should also address it here. Leo was circumcised by a pediatrician who is also a mohel. It was a ritual Jewish circumcision modified for the occasion ('circumcision with intent to convert'). The mohel had it all worked out with his standard text and ceremony with which everyone was happy. Medically, it all went very well, and Leo is recovering great. But it was also a traumatic experience for me and difficult one for Rose. I may write about this more at a later time.
For now, enjoy Leo, hanging out with me mere minutes after his birth!
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