Be Afraid.... Be Very Afraid

For those of you who still happen to be checking this site on any kind of basis, this post is a thank you note for supreme patience.  For everyone else who shows up here, you would have been told directly to come here.

So, what the hell am I actually talking about?  Why is it that I decided to use this space again after such a long absence to spew forth my verbal effluvia?  What is it that you are supposed to be so afraid of?  Well, it's to let everyone who cares know about the amazing, nigh incredible, job Capt. Charity Vain (known to friends and family as Camille) did in delivering our first child into the world at 2:57pm on Thursday, April 13th, 2006. 

After nearly 19 hours of labor (and a wicked case of 'back' labor) Sofia Catherine Throckmorton Luongo weighed 6 lbs. 15oz, was 19.25 inches long with a 13 inch head when she (and everyone else) decided it was time to start making her way in this world. 

Capt. C. Vain was attended by myself and 3 mid-wives at our home home in High Springs, Fl.  All of the child's grandparents were close by as well, at my mom's house at the end of our lane.  This was exactly the way she wanted things to go, except for the back labor and the length of time.

So, without further ado, here's what y'all came here for:

She's about 90 minutes old here, getting her first examination.  She was a very healthy pink, very responsive (almost weirdly calm all throughout labor, her heart rate didn't vary much at all) and passed all of her 'reflex' tests with flying colors.

Here's the little one with her 3 mid-wives, from left to right, Kaitlyn, June and Debby.  They were unbelieve.  Calm, confident, competent and, most importantly, focused on what their client wanted/needed.  The entire birth plan was designed to maximize Camille's comfort, based on what Camille wanted, and keep her relaxed and focused to accomplish her task with as little extraneous distress as possible.

Thursday afternoon with her mom, who is now officially The Coolest Chick on The Planet(tm).  She's on the phone here with her good friend, Serena, who, btw, called while the baby was crowning.  She was the first person we called after we had recovered enough to start doing such things.

Here she is later on Thursday with her grandfather, Ron, who will have to perform double-duty for the next 30-40 years to make up for my dad's absence (the slacker!).

... and, finally, Sofia with my mom, Marie.  So much of the work that Camille and I have done over the past few years was with this moment in mind.  For me at least, this was the culmination of 'The Plan' which was begun the day we closed on this land we all now live on.  Catherine was my grand-mother, Marie's mom, whose quiet strength and determination belied her teeny stature, and she deserved to be honored in this way.

So, there it is.  The First Act is over and the Second one begins.  There are so many people to thank for their kindness, support, guidance and friendship that I wouldn't even know where to begin.  Y'all know who you are and know that both Camille and I are eternally grateful for everything, from the mundane to the momentous and everything in between.  I would not be the man I am today without these experiences and because of that there's a little bit of all of you in Sofia....and I honestly, wouldn't have it any other way.

Ta,

Follow-up: She had her 2 day checkup yesterday and everything is great.  I was able to get a better picture of the mid-wives (as they weren't exhausted and worn out), which replaces the old one above.  Also, here's a shot of her after her parents' first inept attempt at clothing her, or at least, picking out clothes that are supposed to fit.

She clearly doesn't look impressed with our fashion-sense... I wonder what the Fug Girls would say!  She's been a real trooper so far dealing with our little mistakes and bumbling around.  She has the kind of patience that makes me wonder as to who her real parents are...

... then she opens her mouth to complain, and all doubts are erased in a flash.... she's Camille's.  :)

 

Comments

[Pyewacket]

What a stunning child. Camille rocks hard-core. I'm so happy for you guys, I'm getting a little soggy over here as I type. Congratulations!

[EclectEcon]

Congratulations! And best wishes to all parents and grandparents!

[KevinP]

Tom,

I am truly thrilled for you both. Prepare for an experience like no other. You're lives are changed for the better, and I sense Sofia is in fine hands.

Sincerely,

Kevin from BfloBlog

[Tom L]

Everyone,

Thanks so much for everything. These first couple of days have been interesting( thankfully not in the Chinese sense of the word) to say the least.

The common refrain during labor was doubts over whether this had been one of our better decisions... Well, look at her, of course it was.

Ta,

[John Thomas]

Congratulations to all three of you. She's a cutie, no doubt about it.

[Irene]

Tom and Camille,
She is absolutely beautiful. Well done!
And if you need/want any tips on raising a head strong girl...which I suspect will be the case with her genetic combination ...then lemme know, and I'll talk you through those teenage years.
Love to all three.

[andy]

tom, camille:

melinda and i are thinking of you guys. excellent, excellent news.

andy

[Danica]

Excellent addition to this world! thank you Tom and Camille. Your best, most delightful and enriched years are ahead of you.
-here's to an interesting, mysterious journey ahead ...
danica

[Mike Bassett]

Oh Gods, they've bred.....

Congratulations to you both. Well done.

[rambler]

Congratulations!

I haven't stopped by for a while since you more or less dropped out of blogdom and was really surprised with the good news. Such a beautiful little girl. Again, many congrats to you and Camille from herself and I.

Happy Trails,

Hank the rambler