September 22, 2009
How Was Babby Formed?
Here was my wife, early on Wednesday night, Sept. 16, all smiles and popsicles in bed. About 45+ hours of labor from the time this picture was taken, things were considerably different. The mothers get the most attention, obviously, but still:
Believe it or not, the "bed" I got to sleep in in the family neo-natal room was even worse. I'm going to have back pain for about a month.
Here I am, the aspiring medical student, off to learn the anatomical wonders of the human body. Okay, no, actually, here I am, the terrified father-to-be, dressed in scrubs in preparation for my wife's c-section after nearly 50 hours of labor.
Warning: The following video shows actual footage of my son being brought into this world through an incision in my wife's abdomen; the squeamish may not apply:
Following the extrication of my 8 lb. 15 oz. son from the womb by non-vaginal conveyance at 9:28 p.m. on 9/18/09, I stood helplessly by as the doctors worked to stabilize life into the body of my mildly shocked son. The following video is remarkable in that I was able to keep such a steady camera hand while in the back of my mind I was seriously wondering if I was witnessing the precious few minutes of my son's life ebb away. It was made all the more jarring by all the alarms and signals towards the end that had my heart practically thumping out of my throat:
All turned out well, however, once the doctors got Aiden breathing and crying (an act he's excelled at ever since). So, the time had arrived to have some fun, including getting my son's footprint stamped on my forearm.
So, without further narration, here's my boy, Aiden Ryan Rhodes! He's pretty much awesome. . .
WOW! That video is ridiculous! I would have been scared shitless!
Posted by: Autumn at September 22, 2009 10:14 PMOh, and Mel looks AMAZING! Pre and post birth!
Posted by: Autumn at September 22, 2009 10:15 PMShe may look amazing, but she's barely able to walk, and getting into a car is basically impossible. Her breasts are awesome for feeding right now, but getting around is a real chore. I can't stress that enough.
Posted by: Ryan at September 22, 2009 10:23 PM1. Didn't watch the video. Don't wanna go there.
2. Mel looks beautiful, especially for a woman who's been through three straight days of hell.
3. That's a beautiful little boy.
Congratulations all around, Ryan. And welcome to the world, Aiden!
Posted by: Keith at September 23, 2009 07:06 AMForgot point 4. The footprint on your arm is simultaneously touching and hilarious.
Posted by: Keith at September 23, 2009 07:07 AMI'm so happy for you both! Mom and baby are both gorgeous!! That baby footprint would make a neat tattoo.
Posted by: Beth at September 23, 2009 07:29 AMOh hell yes, the video was scary. He was not doing well at first was he? This is exactly why they used to smack them on the bottom and hold them upside down, it got them pissed off enough to cry and do the deep breathing that they need.
But he is the cutest little guy now, and your wife is gorgeous.
The footprint would have made an awesome tattoo, I've seen them actually like that, they are very cute. He's all bright eyed in the last picture isn't he, just want to kiss the top of his head.
PS I can't believe in the video you actually said "Sleeping and POOPING, two of MY favorite things!" I just rolled!!!!! What did we expect from you though? Congrats, you two have a fine babby boy there, he's a keeper!
Also you need this:
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Posted by: Donna at September 23, 2009 10:40 AMCongratulations! And you looked a heck of a lot more calm than I did in similar circumstances (minus the many hours of labor, but plus a wife with really high blood pressure).
Posted by: Steve G. at September 23, 2009 11:28 AMCongrates on your beautiful boy!
Posted by: Canuckflash at September 23, 2009 05:09 PMWell done, fuckface. He's a keeper.
Posted by: Joshua at September 23, 2009 06:33 PMThat's why I rely on Joshua for validation. When he calls me fuckface, I know he means it, and hence I can keep my son.
Of course, he's still a JesusForeskinDoucheNozzleDickSlap, but that's why I value his opinion in the first place.
Posted by: Ryan at September 23, 2009 10:57 PMI'm amazed at how nearly identical you look in your scrubs going into the operating room as I did a number of years ago when my wife was about to have her first c-section.
I haven't watched the video and am not sure if I will. I have been there and sort of done it. We didn't have the alarms and scariness but yeah, I don't need to see the gore just before bed.
No matter what, congratulations on your new tiny mushroom. He's a good looking kid. Hopefully he'll ease up on the crying. My best advice is to get yourself a copy of The Happiest Baby on the Block by a doctor named Karp. Excellent practical info for new parents.
Awesome, awesomeness, Ryan. Congrats to you and Mel and Aiden.
Posted by: Erik at September 25, 2009 11:04 PMI'm so happy for you both! Mom and baby are both gorgeous!! That baby footprint would make a neat tattoo
Posted by: Anton at October 11, 2009 02:32 PM
Stumble It!
