Baby D and Family: The Hospital Stay

Wow! What a night and morning! I became a Dad, Jenn became a Mom and most significantly, the responsibility of a new life was (literally and figuratively) in the palms of our hands. Little Dalton had become our world and we were thrilled! It was now about 6:00 am and the adrenaline and endorphins have all but left our bodies and fatigue was really setting in. Dr. Chillara finished with Jenn, the nurses had Dalton cleaned, I trimmed the umbilical cord to the nurses specifications and it was time to head to the post-labor room and nursery area. Upon the nurses advice we let Dalton stay in the nursery and Jenn and I tried to get some sleep. Dalton's first bath was scheduled for 7:30 am (12/4) and I wasn't going to miss that for anything! I told the nurse to come wake me so I could attend.

It felt like as soon as my head hit the pillow the nurse was knocking at the door to announce that bath time had arrived. I felt like I had been awakened from a dream. Had the last 12 hours really taken place? They most certainly had! As I followed the nurse down the hallway, camera in hand, I wondered how the little bugger's first few hours on the outside had been. Was he scarred, happy, did he miss the warmth and tender words of his mom? Did he even know what those emotions were? My guess is probably yes. Expressing them was the challenge he would face.

As I walked into the nursery, anticipation sky-high, I couldn't wait to see my son. The nurse led me to the far wall where the mini-baths were located. There he was. Dressed only in a diaper, laying on a warming table, my son was squirming like an inch word. Not crying, just making the cutest little grunts. My eyes welled up. I'm sure the lack of sleep had something to do with the my near uncontrollable emotions I tried to fight back when I saw my little man laying there. He was OK and I was relieved. Sorry for the poor quality on some of the pictures...

Little Dalton getting wiped down by a nursing student...

Waiting for the bath water

Laying in the warm water probably brought back good memories of Mommy's belly.

So cute!!! Look at this little guy! Just got done with his bath and getting dried off.

First bath. Check. One of many firsts he will experience. Hard to imagine as I was standing there watching that practically EVERYTHING this little life is experiencing will the a first. I know he wont remember his first diaper change, his first hunger pang, his first fever, his first car ride, his first view of the sky, his first "I love you." There isn't much we can do about that but be assured he will get an over load of I love yous. Not a day will go by that he won't feel the love of his parents. Just like a day doesn't go by where I don't feel the love of mine.