Sunday, 28 September 2008

Asher's Adventures: Part 1





Wow…

Asher has finally arrived. Asher ? Gauthern arrived into this world on 26th September, 2008 at 2:55pm. He was 8.5 pounds, and got top marks on his first exam, the Apgar.

His late arrival has left Carly and I wondering if this is a sign of things to come. I mean, I have turned up late to work in the past, and missed the odd class at uni before, and we were an hour or two late to our own wedding reception…. But two weeks! Well, he is here now and is just delicious… he is teeny and helpless, and handsome. His hands are like that of a miniature old man with the skin sitting loosely and folded. He has a cute little snort when he starts to breath heavily before grizzling. He is perfect.

It is striking to consider how different our lives have become overnight. Neither of us have slept for more than 3-4 hours for the last 5 days. It is as though a new sun has risen in our little world... One that shines brightest at night :) Suddenly the rotation of our lives has altered dramatically, yet naturally as well. The gravity of our priceless gift has instantly begun to tug our desires, interests, and affections in new and unchartered directions. Many things seem more in perspective now, illuminated by the brightness of our new sun.

This is not to say that his arrival was not without incident. Even while he was waiting restlessly in the womb adventures and misadventures were swirling about him. On our second night in the hospital, I decided to have a shower. The shower was fine but towards the end I noticed the room becoming slightly overcome with steam. Like many a household I had been in in the past the hospital shower had a cord to pull which I vainly assumed to be a ceiling fan switch. How mistaken I was. No sooner had I given it a tug a loud alarm signal sounded. Moments later the pitter patter of nurse sneakers hurriedly responding to the emergency signal. Realising my error I hastily attempted to dress myself. A nurses voice called into the cubicle, “are you alright in there”? …. I meekly explained my false assumption… from inside I heard the chitter chatter of nurse talk which carly later told me (as our room was directly outside the toilet) was the nurses saying “it’s a gentleman in there”, “a gentlemen?” “yes, a gentleman”. Finally one of them informed me that I was not supposed to be in there, and that it was a patient only facility. As I snuck back to our room I glanced at the entrance to the facility and noted the figurine of a woman in a dress on a plaque.

The following day while Carly was in recovery after delivering Asher I was preparing to leave and emptied all of our rubbish into what I thought was the rubbish bin only to learn later that it was a linen bag when a nurse came to collect it.

I will not say too much of the delivery, except that, Carly was amazing. She was strong, courageous, and resilient. Occasionally I felt somewhat discouraged when things were not progressing. She went through something that I could not imagine experiencing. I feel very grateful to her and for her. At times I felt guilty that she was suffering so much for something that I wanted.

And so, that is my version of Little Asher’s entrance into our lives. Asher means in Hebrew ‘blessing’ or ‘gift’. He has lived up to his name more than either of us could have imagined.

18 comments:

Chris said...

That was a lovely read Dean; he is gorgeous and I am very happy for the both of you and am so glad everyone made it out alright. You two will be awesome parents! The adventure begins.

Gail said...

very touchy. It's always so lovely to hear from the Daddy.

Welcome little Asher. My Macallum's middle name is Asher, it's a noble name.
And so apt - a gift indeed.

Love to you and Carly, and baby Asher.

Gail said...

er, touchING. Talk about not getting enough sleep!

Charlotte Rose said...

nice post dean. ash is a cutie alright with wrinkly man hands, what a little ray of tiny goodness/

tom and jonelle said...

we are so happy for you guys....well done carly..lil asher has been a long time coming.we will talk to you allsoon.lots of love the matthews

tom and jonelle said...

we are so happy for you guys....well done carly..lil asher has been a long time coming.we will talk to you allsoon.lots of love the matthews

bikeemikey said...

This is the cutest little kid of all time. Super Duper awesome guys. Great little piece on the baby.

Love you guys,

Mike

Crystal said...

wow what a lovely post dean ; ) lots of love xx bring on the relief society meals! ; )

The Cammocks said...

CONGRATULATIONS! He is gorgeous and we cannot wait to see him in the flesh. He looks like a Cammock to me, but I am sure that is not completely true. I have tried to call a couple of times, but no one answers the phone at the Cammocks. Do you have a phone number that I can call you at. I am really wanting to chat to Carly. Yep you are right Dean, prepared to be out of control for the next 20 years. He has you now!

SoulD said...

haha...thx all...our home phone is 07 8466381. i am sure u will have little trouble getting us there for the next...umm... 18 years...

Lucy said...

He is BEAUTIFUL!!! I am so happy for you guys. Carly you are a ROCKSTAR!! I hope you are doing well. Of course you are, just beautiful. I wish i was there.
Love you guys.

Kim said...

well done... finally!
congratulations, thinking of you guys,
love Kim

M. said...

Congrats you two!!! I know i'm late on the well wishing, but i just read today, hope you get some more sleep soon! ;) xx

collidingstars said...

Hello Dean and Carly - congratulations! Thought I'd check out the blog (don't do very often) and what a lovely surprise to see your gorgeous little addition - well done to you both but most especially to Carly. Giving birth is one of those experiences that get you momentarily close to the other world. And of course Dean had to have one of his signature embarrassing moments in the middle of it all... =) Welcome to the world Asher... take care you guys and welcome to the adventure of kids! I will let Adam know...

sivab said...

Congrats to you both. We are glad that it all went well. Asher is most welcome in Jersey anytime.

Chelle said...

Hi, I'm a relative of Chris and Mike and came across your post from their blog.

Congratulations, your baby is beautiful and your account of these first days is also beautiful.

I thought you might appreciate this story. My sister-in-law was having twins and her water broke at 26 weeks and she was put on bed rest in the hospital for a month before she had the babies. My brother would stay there with her and they were in the shower together one morning when they accidentally hit the emergency button there in the shower. They didn't even know they'd hit it until a very worried nurse sprung in on them there together in the shower!

Congrats again and good luck with your gorgeous little one.

By the way I love the name Asher.

tom and jonelle said...

hey guys...hows things.we are planning on coming up over xmas hols...fo sho.I have been thinking of you lots and lots....i keep on wanting to ring but i dont want to disturb....when are you blessing lil asher.
Are you guys round after christmas.We will book some tickets soon let us know when you are around.We are desperate to spend some time with you alland meet asher.

tom and jonelle said...

hey ive been looking at ticket dates and cars available and we are thinking that maybe about 27th 28th dec through to 7th or so of Jan.......will you be a around????