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.

Comments

Milla said…
Loves! Thank you for sharing this awesome story, Heather! Welcome to the world little V! What a beautiful (and sure unique-as per Amber's facebook post ; ) name. I'm so happy too that you guys have each other and wish we lived closer (so much closer) to participate in the meal train. Instead, we send our love and good vibes for a speedy recovery. Oh and know that there's been plenty of lil boys joining the club up here too. Just half an hour ago I heard of our most recent addition.
Amy Beatty said…
AWe!! what a little delight he is!! I love how you are able to drop everything - but lucy of course and stay and help ade. what a gift that everyone needs and no one gets. I love it. I also love how everyone in the fam who could be there was. I want to have another baby just so I can get emilys hands on my feet!! Ade also looks so amazing birthing and in that cute blue dress!!! I can't wait to hear all the tiny details and I'm wishing march wasn't so darn faraway. We might need to move that trip up. but ugh I have been sick since this new year has started!! I think as soon as I'm better I need to talk matt into going out there. Maybe for a small beatty party for a lady who is turning 101?! Those babies are the cutest little critters. They are going to be the best of friends. Poor Darin has prob been missing miss tutti toot! I know I have. Thanks for the wonderful update and a glimpse into this wonderful new little family. Give adie and art my love! Love you tons xoxxo
polly compost said…
oh heather,

i'm so happy for vyv and lucy! teddy and wendy are 6 months apart and it took very little time before we starting calling them the second set of "twins."
you call her toot? adorable.

ade did a big big thing, i tell ya.

after lincoln my psyche split in two and released the whole universe inside of me...utter madness. i'm still recovering.

love the pictures, i'm sure you make a fantastic doula. ade nursing is my favorite. :)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Anonymous said…
ditto on wishing we could be part of the meal train! i so love this glimpse into addie's birth and the first few days of vyvian utah (WHAT a great name!). it brings back a lot of visceral memories. of course, having an eternal desire to "be of help" i am curious what her complications are. you know that i too had a super sonic birth experience, and it was certainly a doozy, and hard to recover from. if you want a brain to pick, mine is available to you and your family.

i am so thrilled for this next chapter in your journey of motherhood and family!! you really have something epic going on there. the love, the connection, the community...all in spades. so much love to you all, from our little family here in the city. xoxox
I am so grateful for my precious brave, strong daughter and new grandson little Utah!! Heather you have been amazing, I am so glad you sisters are and have always been best friends!! Our family has so much love to share, we are lucky!
trish said…
What a wonderful, loving family you are! How wonderful to be together at such important times.
Having a baby is just amazing isn't it... a little life/soul suddenly in your arms.x
anne said…
i'm so happy for them! and it's so wonderful how all you family and friends have come together to help. whether it's your first or fifth child you always need help for the first month or two while you settle in to your new life.
Anonymous said…
What a little gem of a baby! And that name! Gorgeous.

I'm so impressed with both you ladies, Addie for making this beautiful new soul, and you for doing the same and NOW helping your sister! Amazing women, both of you.

Much healing love.

xo
Andrea said…
Heather, I just love the relationship you share with your sister :) You two are the sweetest and your family too! Just so wonderful to see how everyone came together to help out. It is also remarkable how much these little cousins look alike? My goodness!
Mrs. Habit said…
you and your sister are such beauties. love these photos, and that sweet new babe with the incredibly pretty name!

My sister and I had our babies 6 weeks apart. So much fun!

Congrats Auntie.
J
Nichole said…
births and babes really do bring out the best in people. in my office this past summer, four people had babies in the span of 2 months. one of the women had severe complications, and the entire staff rallied to help care for her after the birth. home visits, prepared meals, gifts, caretaking. it was incredible to witness.

the best of everything to you and your family, and what a beautiful way to start 2013!
Tera said…
Hey, Lil V! Welcome to the world xo So teeny and so charming. I see how you and your sister look so much alike and I can see some Lucy in Vyvian! Such beautiful sisters with such beautiful babies!!!!

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