Canyon Lily Townsend

January 9, 2010Written by Curtis night of birth:

This morning, I was present at the birth of our fourth child. She was
born so quickly, if I wasn't already home, I might have missed the
birth. Present were; myself, Carolyn of course, Cayden and Catheryn.

Carolyn's water breaks as the phone rings. I answer it thinking it
might be the midwife. It is grandma Olson inquiring how things are.

"Grandma, thank you for the call. Carolyn is in active labor right
now. Can I call you back?"

"I am glad to hear that. Keep us posted." says Grandma.

I need to remember to call her back. I hope I wasn't rude to her on
the phone. I wonder if Grandma ever delivered a baby outside of the
hospital. This is definitely a first for me.

One push, the baby's head came out. I held our baby's head as Carolyn
relaxed before pushing again. Carolyn was down on her hands and knees.
I was behind her, and our baby was facing up at me. The baby made no
noise and the facial coloring was purple. I momentarily panicked
fearing the worst. I kept my fears to myself so that Carolyn wouldn't
also panic. Carolyn pushed again, and folds of our baby's skin seemed
to spill out of her. Our baby's bones followed and filled out the form
of a newborn. Carolyn supported the body, and I the head, as the baby
came out. Cries from the baby calm my fears. This baby breathed on
it's own. I helped Carolyn bring the baby forward between her legs and
Carolyn held the baby close to her chest. I grabbed a towel and handed
it to Carolyn. She wrapped it around the baby to keep it warm.

Carolyn said to Cayden, "Cayden, come see what it is."
Cayden said with obvious disappointment, "Oh, it's a girl."

Suzie, the midwife arrived on site within a minute of the birth. She
helped Carolyn to our bed. She had been at another patients house
helping with that labor and came as soon as we called with the news
that Carolyn was in active labor and was going to deliver a baby soon.
Carolyn delivered within an hour of that phone call.

I called Eldon, who was en route with Beverly and our daughter Cassidy.

"Eldon, listen to this."
New baby girl, "wah, wah"
Eldon, "Well we are only seconds away."

Eldon, Beverly, and Cassidy arrived. Everyone passed Canyon around. As
usual, I am the last to hold our new baby.

"Can I hold Canyon?" I ask.

I am handed Canyon, and I hold her for the first time. Feelings of
gratitude, love, hope and excitement fill my whole body. I hold her so
close and enjoy a moment of solitude with her even as all around
people are talking and looking on. It is just me and Canyon there. I
love her already and desire all the best that life has to offer. I am
so happy that she arrived safe.

I am constantly checking on Carolyn, making sure she is alright.
Asking her if she needs anything. She asks for various things from me
and I am happy to serve her. She just did an amazing thing. She
brought yet another child into our family, into this world. She
reached down into the depths of herself, her energy, her desires, and
brought forth the best of herself and this new baby girl. I am so
pleased with her. I love her so much and am so happy to be married to
her. She is the best woman in the whole wide world for me.

The grandparents leave, taking with them our other children. Before
they do, I take each of our other children aside one by one, and tell
them of my love for them and how grateful I am that they are my child.
I am very positive with my compliments towards Cayden and Catheryn for
how well they did during the time their mother labored. Catheryn
panicked seeing her mother uncomfortable, hearing unusual noises
coming from her, seeing a pool of water below mommy in the bathroom.
This was a new thing for Catheryn and she didn't like what she saw. I
held her on my lap as I sat beside Carolyn while she labored. That
helped Catheryn out. Cayden sat down next to me. The two of them were
amazing. It was wonderful to have them present. When Cassidy arrived,
she didn't seem the least bit disappointed she missed it. She spent
the night at her cousins house and "watched two movies." Cassidy likes
movies. I myself think that watching the arrival of one of our
children is more exciting than any movie.

When everyone leaves, I am able to climb into bed with my wife and our
newest baby. It is so nice to lay beside them. The house is all to
ourselves. It is as if it is our first child. We bond. We talk. We
reminisce of this labor, of other labors. It is nice to talk with my
wife. I love her so much.

Canyon's first bath with mommy. Soon after birth when the children leave.

Carolyn is hungry and asks me to make her a sandwich. Carolyn has
always enjoyed a good sandwich. She decides that she will want to eat
lots of sandwiches the next few days and asks me to go shopping. This
is the list she gives me; ruffles potato chips, bbq chips, tomatoes,
lettuce, turkey meat.

At the store, I purchase all the above and decide that I would also
like the following; jalapeno chips, red licorice, and sparkling grape
cider for all.

I bring the food back home and make Carolyn another sandwich. I set
the cider outside to cool down. When it is cold enough, I pour us two
glasses, and propose a toast.

To a safe delivery, to a healthy baby, to a speedy recovery for
mother, and to a new period in our lives. We drink to that. Canyon
drinks some more milk. Then baby and mother go to sleep.

I fold some laundry, put away some clean clothes, write this account

of the day, clean up the kitchen, and eat a sandwich myself.

I think I shall retire to bed. Life is good.

Canyon Lily
the sixth C
born 9:52 AM
9lbs. 11 oz.
21 1/2 inches

Proud Daddy