And the Winner Is

Dylan Ashley Boyette
August 30, 2011
9lbs 6 oz, 21 inches
4:31pm

Dylan Ashley Boyette,


I've never been a betting woman, but I must admit, one week ago today, I took a huge gamble.  Even though I eventually lost, the payoff has certainly been huge. 


First, let me say to you, Dylan, Happy Birthday! You are officially one week old today, and although many of my memories of this last week are caught somewhere between "did this really happen" and "what time is it again", for the most part, I remember every moment.  I will not bore you with every little nuance about August 30, 2011 mainly because your dad would give me grief about going on and on...blah blah blah.  However, I will hit the highlights, because I know that your attention to detail is one of the qualities (maybe the only one :)) that I passed on to you!


Ten minutes into the twenty-five hour journey!



After about 12 hours at the hospital, I begin to have intense contractions, and I had been doing extremely well coping until that one twinge when your dad was more focused on Family Feud rather than coaching me through the pain. He claims that it was a very interesting question, while I claim that he was tired of massaging my feet! :) At any rate, that moment was the first time I cried throughout the process, but certainly not the last.  One short hour later, I was professing my love for the labor and delivery nurse, the anesthesiologist, Dan, Dan's boss, anyone within a five mile radius, including Kirk Herbstreit, as ESPN was most certainly playing throughout your entire delivery! According to Dan, it is the perfect "pushing" pastime-his sense of humor! I definitely want you to get his sense of humor!


Throughout the afternoon, we had many visitors, and it was almost like a family reunion in an odd kind of way. We traded stories, sang songs, made predictions about your weight, and utlimately, your father initiated a little bet! All in the name of fun, we made bets on your time of arrival. Here is what we came up with:


Daddy:         2:58pm
Nena:           3:01pm
Mommy:      3:15pm
Aunt Rocky 3:23pm
Pops:            3:30pm
Aunt Chris:  4:00pm

Meme:          4:10pm

Pape:            4:30pm

April (nurse) 4:30pm
Betsy:           6:03pm
Dr. B:           "by dinner time" 
Mary M.:      "Tomorrow" 8/31/11




Then, around 3:00pm, the nurse informed me that we would do some "practice pushing", so that we would look like rockstars when it was time to roll.  For about 45 minutes, we practiced, and I have to tell you, I was doing really well. You would have been proud of your mommy!! However, I never picked up on the fact that I wasn't really practicing at all.  To calm my nerves (my hands were trembling), my wonderful nurse, April, decided to call this part of labor "practice" and by the time I picked up on what was going on, Dr. B was already in the room ready to coach me through the final phase of your birth! 

Then, at 4:31pm, you were here! At that moment, I felt a mix of emotions ranging from awe to disbelief and when I saw your beautiful face, I knew that nothing else mattered.  
BET UPDATE: 

And, the winner is:            

PAPE!

According to Dr. B, we had to adjust and use The Price is Right rules; Pape guessed the closest to the original birth time, without going over, so he reigned supreme in this round! Look at his face: doesn't Pape look like a born gambler??

I have learned so much this week, and already, I can tell that it is only the beginning.  I have come to know the true meaning of love-a feeling so deep and so real that at times, it can be overwhelming.  You are living proof that miracles are possible and that love really does know no bounds.

Also, I have been reminded of some very valuable lessons that I needed to hear one more time.  I will list these, as I don't think they need much explanation.  

1.  You cannot control everything. Trying to do so makes for an unhappy family. 

2.  Babies cry. They just do, and sometimes, they do it loudly.

3.  People have their own opinion. (D, by the time you read these, I am sure you can finish the rest of this sentence).  

4.  Grandparents are the best. They make everyone feel better just by being around.  

5. Hanging out after a bath without a diaper makes for a messy situation.  

6. Staying awake all night long can be done and not just in college.  

7. Parenting is by far the most unpredictable, satisfying journey that we've ever known. 

Dylan, we are so happy that you are finally here! Our lives are forever changed simply by you just being in them.  We look forward to every moment, even the sleepy ones, and we hope for you, our dear child, the love and pride that you have already shown us.  

Happy Birthday, sweet baby boy!

Mom and Dad