Hey Jude!

On Wednesday 4.17am 20-Jan-2010 my little boy, Jude, was born.  I went through the whole birth close by my wife and am proud of her beyond words.  She amazingly got through the whole thing with nay but warm shower water on her back and my soothing voice wafting in her ears :)  She got through it without any pain relief and when it was all done and dusted and Jude laying against her, she was smiling and crying and saying "ooh that wasn't too bad".  I think it had been raining a little on my face too so to an observer it probably looked like I too was crying (easy mistake).  I'm no Mark L... no, too obvious... I'm no M Lauthier :)  Perhaps the labour I saw that's now etched into my memories was different to her "not too bad" one she was at ;)  Perhaps the "tagging out" WWWF-style and "can I go home now?" was all but a figment of my imagination :)  In any case, she's all well now and we're both so happy.

Labour is one of those things in life that once gone through, you feel like you've been initiated into some elite club, "the real world" perhaps?  Kinda like paying for your first bill with money you've earnt yourself (ok, more painful), spreading your wings for the first time when you get your driving licence (less fast, lots of waiting too though so similar in that respect), getting married (less ceremonies, food and generally a lot more uncomfortable).  I look at women with kids now and think, "you, ma'am, you have gone through so much to bring those children into this world!  They better appreciate it!".  I try not to look at women without kids :)

So, I'm sitting at home alone (well, not quite alone... with our hairy "first-born", who was actually adopted and smells like a dog...) while Ruth has one final night at the hospital and am trying to put in words how I feel, but it's very difficult.  It reminds of the hymn "Because he lives" which simply says it all (and now has a feeling attached to previously meaningless words):

"How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy he gives;"

I think all of Jude's uncles and aunties and grandmas and grandads are touched the same way we are and we're looking forward to sharing him with them.. and possibly scoring some free babysitting perhaps two nights a week at least and some movie tickets or at least some vouchers (Auntie Julie (Quirk)) :)  So far only family have visited cos we've been too tired and need time to rest and recover, so please be patient, you'll see him very soon!  Carrie and Ava got lucky and had an appointment at King Edwards right when Ruth was in theatre and I was alone, cold, sleepy, hungry (in survivor mode) and nervously waiting for my wife, so I was very appreciative of the company and the lunch.

I drive away from hospital missing him and just wanting to turn back and be with my family but am happy they're all healthy and happy.  When I drive towards hospital to see them I think someone might be making lasagne in the car, cutting up onions or something?  Either that or my eyes are getting sweaty!  Anyway, suffice it to say that I am just so proud of everyone and could not be happier with the little guy, with Ruth and with how things turned out.  Ruth's recovery has been really quick.

No doubt there's photos on friendface or bookfriend or whatever it's called (Ps Simon might be able to help me out with the name...) ;)  But there's some more on josh's blog http://blog.joshuaquirk.com.au; Hayley's flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/25331735@N00/ and probably anywhere you can find a Carrie ;)  Here's some of Giorgio Maria's Casarotto's photos (famous Italian photographer and grandfather, and alledged perth mafia godfather)!  There'll be no shortage of photos with nearly every relative owning a pro camera and knowing how to wield it :)

[caption id="attachment_111" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Jude (one day old)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_117" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Jude punching nonno (Grandad George)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_119" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Jude and Aunt 'Ayley (Westssidee)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_122" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Sweet Jude"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_115" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Jude and Meme (Grandma Janine)"][/caption]

We're very very appreciative to Naomi from the Family Birth Centre, and all the other staff there of course and to everyone in King Edwards now too who we're finding are also such caring and helpful people too.  I had a quick visit there after the birth (ie the family birth centre) with Ant & Hayley and Josh & Julie to say thanks and show some photos and just in case any of my companions needed some questions answered... although I think they are still at least 3 months away from revealing anything ;)

That's enough about feelings though, so welcome to the family, Jude.  You're already shaping up to be a really cool little guy, we've already fallen in love with you!  Everyone says you're just gorgeous and you've been a very easy little guy so far!  He's very alert and watchful already :)

I'll try to get some photos on my blog in the next couple of days but I have a feeling I'll be sleep deprived and otherwise busy!  Looking forward to all our friends coming to visit... in the alloted visiting times :) ... will see everyone soon.

I have to finish with a programmer's joke that noone will get and people will think my dad jokes are really lame, but Jude says "Hello World!".

Btw, feel free to call me on 0411 780 222 or @supertravio (for twits?) or supertravio@travio.net to say hello and come visit.  Today (22-Jan) will probably not be a good day, but call anyway and we'll see how we're going.

PS:

Nappy count:

Trav 2
Ruth 0

Bathing Jude counts:

Trav 1
Ruth 0

PPS noone's counting

PPPS I think you're going to have to start pulling your weight, Ruth ;)

PPPPS birth notice will be in today's (22-Jan) "The West" or "West Australian" for those that like to keep those things.  We have a copy of his birthday's "The West" from thoughtful Uncle Josh and Auntie Julie.  Did anyone spot the "Do you know this man..?" on the front cover!?  He's on the back page, seriously try it!!!

PPPPPS I was trying to do this today on the internet at King Edwards just outside the cafe downstairs but the 'L' and '.' keys at least weren't working so it was almost impossible to get to anything and proved too frustrating.

Wednesday 4.17am How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy he gives;