in matters of cosmic import

having a baby is a climax of unimaginable proportions.

this past week has blown our world open again over here with the entrance of a brand new human.

my sister had her son, Vyvian Utah Everson Spark, on a cold snowy night at 12:41 a.m. January 10, 2013.

He was 7 lb 14 oz and 21 inches long. 

A beauty unprecedented in this world.

her labor was relatively short for a first-time mama. we arrived around 5 pm as she was getting checked into the hospital. her contractions were coming regular and strong, and by 9:30 pm the doctor thought her pushing would start soon. (ended up that it was a few more hours than that - poor girl.)

taking a quick break to nurse my own babe. she did so well with daddy and relatives in the waiting room, being entertained and eventually rocked to sleep.

massage duty:

addie had a really difficult birth. maybe because things happened so quickly, her body didn't quite have time to adjust to the incredible process it was imposing on itself. myself, having had an emergency c-section there are parts of childbirth that i never experienced, as many times as i've imagined them....transition, pushing, the crowning, the "ring of fire,"the baby's body slithering out. let me tell you, in real life, it was absolutely earth shattering to bear witness. there were moments of intense crisis, moments that i did not know how my sister could go on, moments that we worried for the baby...but in the end, this ultimate catharsis.

with his daddy, soaking up the magic of this tiny new person.

meeting uncle joey:

addie and her team. the doctor said it was the best birthing team he'd seen in years. 

i was so proud of my sister. i have never seen such raw brave energy before. 

next day, getting acquainted and learning to nurse. he latches on perfectly and is a very good little nurser. 

such a crazy transitional time in life...leaving the hospital:

and now we're at home, a whole new life begins.

next morning it was just ade and i. art had to get back to work, just for the weekend because it was the busiest weekend of the year for the wild and scenic film fest. and the rest of the family had gone home. the hospital scheduled vyv's first pediatric appointment at 9:30 a.m. the very next day. addie was too debilitated to carry her own babe so i got both these critters in their carseats out the door and safely into the car and drove us all there. it felt like quite an accomplishment, i tell you.

our first meal on the meal train was provided by zack and rebecca and sylvan who came across the canyon from placerville to meet the newest addition. they brought the yummiest homemade macaroni and cheese with braised greens, roasted carrots and brussel sprouts.

darin came back with my mom on saturday to help out with the toot while i helped with addie. sadly some complications have made her recovery extremely difficult. 

but at least this tiny guy is doing just fine! 

nana made the next night's dinner. it is amazing how everyone comes together to help out so tremendously during these great transitional times.

did you know it hurts to laugh after you have a baby? cruel trick of fate. i'm sure she'll be back to laughing as much as possible any day now.

meeting the new cousin. for an almost-six-month old lucy seems very interested in this new little baby. i have to be careful because she's at that age where the hands flail and grab incessantly. i really think they like each other though.

we are all smitten.

sunday was pops' birthday and he spent the day here helping out with odd jobs as needed. although it might not have been the most traditional way of celebrating, i'm sure he'll never forget this year!

i'm still here at addie's house with lucy trying to help out and be supportive as much as possible. her recovery is making it hard for her to be up and about caring for her newborn to the fullest. i can't believe her vaginal birth led to a recovery so much more difficult than mine. i feel more and more content with my own unexpected method of childbirth after this experience. i'm sure every woman's experience is difficult in its own way, especially with the first, and there are so many varied complications that can arise. i am just so grateful that we sisters have each other and that there is enough love to go to the sky and back for this beautiful new soul.