the rites

Babes in the food

On Sunday we all chilled at Lee and Warren's place, where I got to spend some time with Erynne. It's like every subsequent time I spend with Erynne, she becomes more and more of a little human, eagerly inquisitive about this massive world around her.

For example, we're a talkative bunch. And now Erynne is in the 'discovering voice' phase. And of course, when you discover something new, you use it over and over again (some would say that I'm still discovering my voice, but that would only be if I let them get a word in).

Anyway, I was sitting outside with Warren and Erynne. I was having a cigarette. Erynne was intent on making the task of Warren feeding her as fraught with mess as possible.

All was going surprisingly well (which always bodes ill). I had ensured that I was far enough from Erynne and that the wind was blowing any cigarette smoke away from her. Warren was getting about 2 out of every 3 spoonfuls of food in her mouth. There was minimal food around her lips. It was idyllic.

Then Lee walked out. And things went pear-shaped.

Erynne missed a spoonful. Warren dropped the food on the floor. The wind changed, bringing the rich aroma of Virginian tobacco to within Lee's nostrils. In one fell swoop, the picture changed from innocents feeding innocent, to the "How Not To Do It' section of 'Bring Up Your Child Responsibly'.

We froze. Somewhere a dog barked. Erynne looked charming as always. Warren and I, however, rapidly assumed the guilt-ridden-look of an American President.

"Did you see that?" Warren asked Lee, referring to the food on the ground.

"Yep," she said, as she proferred a mouthful to Erynne. It was refused.

"She's full," Lee pronounced, with the practiced air of a mom.

We breathed a sigh of relief.

World, meet Erynne. Erynne, meet world.

At last! Pictures of Erynne.

Erynne is crotchety

Warren-the-new-dad, after baby Erynne had been screaming and crying all day: "Right now she's calm. Although that's certainly NOT the trend. Very crouchety. Sigh! May take her for a drive just now. Never fails to calm her down."

I ask him how the other girl in his life is.

"Exhausted mentally and physically. Frustrated. She needs sleep the poor dear. I've volunteered for baby duty tonight."

The joys of motherhood

Lee writes: "Oh my god I think I'm going to die... Had a temp of 39.5 last night with nasty chills. Went to the doctor and I have mastitis (inflammation of the breast tissue). I feel like I've been hit by a train."

How very tiny and beautiful you are

Tonight I got to hold the newest person in my life. She's absolutely beautiful. I know everyone says that about babies, but really - this one is stunning. Lee and Warren have made such a gorgeous little girl. There's always something so magical about the way a newborn baby will clasp your finger in her hand, and squeeze tightly.

I turned to Lee, as she was breastfeeding, and asked: "How was the delivery?"

She replies: "Sore!"

Ah, understatement.

Erynne Jade Bell. Welcome to Earth!

Erynne Jade Bell was born this morning at 7:35 after 5.5 hours of labour, and weighed 3.7 kg on arrival!

Lee is in labour!

SMS from Warren: Lee is in labour. We're leaving for the hospital in an hour or so. Contractions +- 4 mins apart now. It starts, wish us luck.

Lee, Sunday night

SMS from Lee: I think Erynne is going to be on time (I think), I am experiencing a "dagger" in my ribs type pain since early evening, which isn't going away and is very uncomfortable. Will keep you posted!

Appointment for arrival

Someone is scheduled to arrive. On Monday, Lee is due to give birth to Erynne Jade.

This evening, she SMSes me that she is 2cm dilated. Apparently this dilated 3 days before the scheduled delivery is good.

Three days. About 36 hours. It seems like just a few weeks ago, Lee and Warren told me how the accidental combination of some antibiotics and birth control resulted in the complete failure of the latter.

And soon we'll get to meet the delightful result.

Can't wait.