Whew - you are amazing. It's indescribably impressive that you were able to write this. What a JOURNEY. I'm an L&D nurse in a high risk hospital, where lots of people work hard for their babies, and if you were one of our patients I would have lobbied to give you a plaque in the hall for doing the hardest work.
I’m rereading this as I stay up trying to navigate a midnight feeding with my five day old. My birth experience is still fresh on my mind and in my body and I’m trying to process it when alone in these nighttime hours. Your writing calms me and recenters me on the joys that can be found amidst the early parenthood challenges. Thank you for sharing and making this night feel less lonely.
Kelton!! Welcome back! I deeply appreciated the honesty of this. I kind of can't believe most of my foundational understanding/visual of what childbirth is like comes from watching countless episodes of "A Baby Story" on TLC when I was 10 years old (and now some IG reels in my discover feed occasionally that I can only imagine are...uh...glossing over things). Also, the description of anger, so good. My heart just ached for you in the moment where you asked for music (and why the fck did it take so long but of course it did). Your description of what it was like to experience a C-section was viscerally haunting. Essays like this remind us why writing is often so much more effective at getting at the truth of a matter than any other way of storytelling. congratulations and also thank you <3
Congratulations! You’ve just begun the hardest job you’ll love the most! Wow, Kelton, you didn’t need to do all that just for a great blog entry🤣. I pray he brings you and Ben (and maybe his brothers and sisters😳) so much joy! Can’t wait to know him through your writing❤️
Welcome back. I cried at your story, and also laughed, because if I were in your position and someone asked me to choose music when I was about to be sliced open, it’s very VERY likely that would’ve said the other popular version of that Harry Belafonte song: Shake Señora by Pitbull 😂
Congrats Kelton, and well done, what an adventure... twenty-five years down the line it will feel like it was all par for the course... wishing you many joyful moments with Woods and Ben and the menagerie ✨️🪷🌻
It's so good to have you back, and I'm so glad you were able to take time to begin your recovery and focus on yourself and baby Woods. As usual, your writing made me feel like I was right there with you!
What a journey your birthing time was. Phew. I'm thankful for your anesthesiologist who made sure you at least had music to focus on during the cesarean. I'm so sorry things didn't unfold the way you had hoped. That's a traumatic, frustrating start to the parenting journey. ((HUGS))
Congratulations, Kelton, and welcome, Woods! We went through something very similar with our firstborn - 62 hour labor followed by unplanned c-section. Your story hits home...hard. Incredibly well written. Wishing you all the joy and love as you navigate these early chapters, and everything beyond!
Whew - you are amazing. It's indescribably impressive that you were able to write this. What a JOURNEY. I'm an L&D nurse in a high risk hospital, where lots of people work hard for their babies, and if you were one of our patients I would have lobbied to give you a plaque in the hall for doing the hardest work.
Also so glad to see you back!
I’m rereading this as I stay up trying to navigate a midnight feeding with my five day old. My birth experience is still fresh on my mind and in my body and I’m trying to process it when alone in these nighttime hours. Your writing calms me and recenters me on the joys that can be found amidst the early parenthood challenges. Thank you for sharing and making this night feel less lonely.
I'm thinking of you, now on day six! Thank you for these kind words. They mean the world to me knowing where you are.
Kelton!! Welcome back! I deeply appreciated the honesty of this. I kind of can't believe most of my foundational understanding/visual of what childbirth is like comes from watching countless episodes of "A Baby Story" on TLC when I was 10 years old (and now some IG reels in my discover feed occasionally that I can only imagine are...uh...glossing over things). Also, the description of anger, so good. My heart just ached for you in the moment where you asked for music (and why the fck did it take so long but of course it did). Your description of what it was like to experience a C-section was viscerally haunting. Essays like this remind us why writing is often so much more effective at getting at the truth of a matter than any other way of storytelling. congratulations and also thank you <3
Welcome back! I kept wondering when you would be, and every time I hoped that you would take however long you needed.
That picture!!!!
Congratulations! You’ve just begun the hardest job you’ll love the most! Wow, Kelton, you didn’t need to do all that just for a great blog entry🤣. I pray he brings you and Ben (and maybe his brothers and sisters😳) so much joy! Can’t wait to know him through your writing❤️
Welcome back. I cried at your story, and also laughed, because if I were in your position and someone asked me to choose music when I was about to be sliced open, it’s very VERY likely that would’ve said the other popular version of that Harry Belafonte song: Shake Señora by Pitbull 😂
Congrats Kelton, and well done, what an adventure... twenty-five years down the line it will feel like it was all par for the course... wishing you many joyful moments with Woods and Ben and the menagerie ✨️🪷🌻
Congratulations!
Kelton: I am in absolute awe of you.
So glad. Just so glad for all of this. Welcome back and welcome Woods!
It's so good to have you back, and I'm so glad you were able to take time to begin your recovery and focus on yourself and baby Woods. As usual, your writing made me feel like I was right there with you!
So glad to have you back! I found myself choking up reading about the experience.
thanks for sharing this <3
What a journey your birthing time was. Phew. I'm thankful for your anesthesiologist who made sure you at least had music to focus on during the cesarean. I'm so sorry things didn't unfold the way you had hoped. That's a traumatic, frustrating start to the parenting journey. ((HUGS))
Congratulations, Kelton, and welcome, Woods! We went through something very similar with our firstborn - 62 hour labor followed by unplanned c-section. Your story hits home...hard. Incredibly well written. Wishing you all the joy and love as you navigate these early chapters, and everything beyond!