Friday, May 29, 2009

three years ago today



Three years ago today, at 2:02am Briar was born.


Labour had been short and mellow. Jeff and I had gone for walks up and down our road, talking to neighbours along the way. We had gardened and watched a movie (Walk the Line). Jeff had slept beside me while I rested between contractions.


When they were five minutes apart, he insisted that we go to the hospital event though I didn`t feel that it was necessary yet. I immediately got in the shower at the hospital. The water was cold and the jet was flimsy and intermittent. I was entering transition and didn`t have the energy or ability to change the temperature myself. I hated the nurse at that moment....I've often thought of donating a more competent shower head since then....


Suddenly, I got the urge. I actually thought (just like in movies) that I had to use the toilet. Jeff and a nurse half dragged me, half supported my noodle-like legs over to the bed. I was annoyed that Jeff didn`t just carry me....His failure to do so had nothing to do with my enormous, unwieldy pregnant body. ;)


Up on the table, Briar was coming and there was no stopping it. The doctor was telling me to not push. The nurses were asking me to relax my legs. I told each of them where to go and the speed at which to get there.


Within seconds, there was Briar. Jeff cut the cord. They whisked Briar`s little red and wrinkly body away to check him out. He didn`t cry, just looked around. Jeff always claimed that they gave him a smack to get a cry out of him. I missed that. I probably would have lost it on them. He squawked briefly and then settled back into his mellow observation of this new world around him.


After he was handed back, Jeff and I cuddled and inspected our new little family member. We named him Cole.


As the nurses tidied up, Jeff got ready to head home for some sleep and I apologized to everyone profusely for some of the language that I had chosen as approriate for conversing with medical staff during the climax of Briar`s birth.


Jeff left, leaving me to be wheeled by a nurse to our room. As Briar and I rode down the hall, I stared at my little man listing off all the words that rhyme with Cole....bowl, mole, foal, roll, hole, pole....


In the morning, when Jeff arrived to pick us up, I announced to him, Ì hope you haven`t phoned anyone yet. Our baby can`t be named Cole. It rhymes with too many other...words and he just doesn`t fit the name.` Jeff suggested Briar and there and then, our little man had his real name. Although, when Liv arrived, she INSISTED that his name was `Prince Charming`and continued to call him by this moniker for some time....


Welcome to the world, Cole Briar Prince Charming! You are loved so very, very much, my little man!

17 comments:

Annie said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I had to chuckle at some of your experiences in the hospital because when I had Lily I had some very similar moments....

Marissa said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAR!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!

And I don't think anyone can be held accountable for what they say while birthing a baby. It's a free pass to be as rude as you will ever be in your life.

Hawkfeather said...

Today marks the day I also gave birth to my first son...
~I love that we share this momma~


His name is Kaleb rain...
and today...yipes... my sweet baby is *thirteen*..

how did that happen?

The worlds is a better place thanks to these sweet boys, I have NO doubt..

I know I am a better person- better mother for what I gained on this day..
seeing the sparkle in your Briar's eye- I would never question his impact and the beauty he brings to your life.

happy birthing day Goddess.

Unknown said...

I enjoy hearing birthing and baby naming stories. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Weird, Walk the Line is on TV right now! CBS network I think.

IamDerby said...

Aww Happy Birthday Briar! My son's name is Cole. Never contemplated the rhyming! He was in a hurry to meet the world and very nearly ended up being born on the floor.

darcie said...

Happy Birthday to your lil Prince Charming and to YOU as this is a day that I think all Mama's should celebrate. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the name Briar ~ and I think it fits him quite well!
We really struggled with boy names...I think I called our son all the names on *my list* for about 6 months after he was born...in fact, just last week I was saying them in my head...just to see...
I let my hubs name our son...after a baseball player ::shakes head in dismay::

Victoria said...

Happy birthday CBPC! What a big man you're growing up to be!

World Wide Alternative said...

"Hatty Dirtday!" little B.
We love ya...XXxx

World Wide Alternative said...

Oh yeah...I punched my midwife...I think yours'll be OK...;) XXxx

V said...

When my doc told me not to push, I thought to myself "screw this" and pushed with all my might cause I wanted him o-u-t! Ok, so it probably wasn't the best thing to do, but who's thinking clearly at a moment like that?

Anyhoo...your Briar is just gorgeous and has the best personality! You truly have wonderful kids!

Anonymous said...

I've wondered whether Briar was his real name. It's a wonderful name. Happy birthday, dear Briar.

I loved your post of May 28, about Return. I don't think you will ever lose the insights and lessons you learned since Jeff died. They have fundamentally changed who you are. You're a deeper person than the innocent who existed before March 2008.

Love,
Nancy

leigh in the sav said...

Happy Birthday Briar!! i hope he is still celebrating. he is definitely a briar (from what i can see)!

Rachael said...

Happy Birthday little Briar. xxx

Sol said...

HAPPY BELATED B-DAY PRINCE CHARMING!
FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS to your handsome principe encantado!
from down here a big hug to all of you!
sol

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday little one. Sorry it's late. Thank you Jackie for sharing such a special story.