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Waylon has been with us for eight days now. This morning Edge said the word “Sunday,” and it sounded foreign to me–time may be moving, but days and hours and minutes melted away when I went into labor. Now, moments blend together like breath as I deeply inhale, filling myself with this life in front of me: a baby boy.
He was born at home, filling the yurt with his first cry at 1:52 am on July 27. I looked down at him on the bed and announced, “It’s a boy,” before the midwives could tell me, and I fell back onto Edge, who held me as I held our son in my arms for the first time. Now, the memory of physical pain has melted away, and I remember only the whole room breathing with me, the clarity of my cousin Amy’s eyes as she helped me through a contraction, the calmness of the midwives as labor intensified, the steady encouragement of Edge as I held him with all my might through each push, and the easy release of Waylon’s body as it squirmed out after his head finally made it through.
Waylon’s birth changed me in a way that has no words. Everything but breath and love fell away. Even in the pain I could breath, I had to breathe, and through the pain I found release. It was the biggest letting go of my life–my body physically opening to let this being that grew inside me out into the world. So it is that birth has taught me the first lesson of motherhood: letting go.
Letting go brought Waylon into this world. Letting go brought love, space and peace. May I remember this always, especially when I try to grasp onto him as he grows and needs to expand or contract without us. Let me always remember how we did it together–how I had to push, how he had to leave my body to meet my eyes, how we had to put space between us to know each other in a profound new way.
Thank you, Waylon, for your breath, your voice, and your life that you share with your Papa and me. Thank you so much. We’re so happy you’re here.
Welcome, Waylon. You’ve come to folks who will love and care for you well. Joy in your joy, dear family! (Beautiful insights so soon about letting go, I still work on it and my eldest is 44 and my youngest, 29.)
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Yes, Katie! Welcome to Mamahood, and Edge, welcome to Papahood!
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and you didn’t even mention his wide array of continuously hilarious facial expressions! love you all!
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how could I forget?! his facial expressions are the funniest part of the day!
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Oh Wow! Hi Waylon! So happy for all of you! May the magic of letting go be yours. Love! XO
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Katie and Edge- he is absolutely beautiful. His little face is so cute. It sounds like you are truly savoring and enjoying this time becoming a family. I hope to meet him sooner rather than later. Much love to you all from Boston 🙂 Kaitlin
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So happy for you Katie.. in a short time you have learned much about raising a son. Think of you often. Cathy Machak
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Welcome Waylon! Congratulations Mama and Papa! Blessed be the journey…can’t wait to meet your new wonder. I enjoyed your beautiful words (as always) on labor and birth. I can lovingly relate.
Love, Meg
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Congratulations Katie & Edge! What a beautiful entrance into this world for Waylon!
From the Gillens
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