~ Welcome To The World ~
Åskar Alexander Castleberry
Born on Monday, October 16th, 2023.
Weighing in @ 4283 grams or 9 pounds and 4 ounces.
After many days of induction and a myriad of complications, and no sleep at all, we finally brought little Åskar into this world.
Åska is the Swedish word for thunder. I decided to put an r at the end to make his name mean thunder and to honor the Swedish culture. I am going to have a difficult time explaining the letter Å to my friends and family back home. hahaha
There's nothing like rolling into emergency surgery as the power for this whole region of Sweden goes out. We delivered on the backup generator's power for the hospital. It was super intense but I even got to help out with the delivery, more than a dad usually does!
You can see my Oompa-Loompa looking head popping up over the cover in the photo below! You can also see what kind of mood Åskar was in, upon entering this new realm, if you look at his hand.
I got to change his very first diaper. I have to say, it didn't take him much time at all to start the diaper changing cycle. I knew there would be endless diaper changing involved in raising a child... but the frequency and volume far exceeded my most overexaggerated expectations!
I was glad to have the experienced oversight of the staff with all of their wisdom to make sure i could get it right as quickly as possible. I have to say, i started out by putting the diaper on backwards. hahaha They didn't tell me until i finished. So, i got double experience for the first changing!
I also got to get the first skin on skin action. This was such an incredible experience that i know it will be one of my most fond memories all the rest of the days of my life!
I can really understand on a much greater level now, the true joy and elation that comes with having a child. The purity and innocence combined with the helplessness and fragility will really give you a new and fresher perspective on life. I can't imagine that i was once so helpless and fragile myself.
Of course, i have to give some great compliments for the Swedish system when it comes to the whole birthing process. I couldn't have asked or a better experience or better healthcare workers to be a part of this journey. All the staff here in Växjö were incredible. I feel as though we are all family now, that's how intimately they cared for us and Åskar. They even brought us the traditional celebratory Fika.
At one point during the induction process, they had to do an internal check. The midwife and doctor said he had a full head of hair. I thought they were just joking to lighten the mood. I was wrong, they were actually serious and he did come out with a pretty full head of hair. In the photo below, i feel like it shows a mullet! Hahaha Looks like he means business already but still knows how to party too!
Business in the Front, Party in the Back!
My dad was pretty famous for not enjoying having his photo taken. I have to say that i followed in his footsteps there! My dad always had a look he would give the camera... and you can see that look embodied in the image below.
The Look I make when having my photo taken...
Just Like My Dad used to make.
My dad also was quite famous for 'flipping off' the camera. In the old days, that was one sure-fire way to make sure nobody was able to see that family photo. So, everytime my dad saw he was getting his photo taken he would either give 'the look' or 'flip the bird!'
I think Åskar inherited his grandfather's traits when it comes to showing off his favorite finger. hahaha
One of my dad's favorite songs was John Lennon's song Beautiful Boy. It was never my favorite but now i know it was me he was thinking of when listening to that song. I decided to listen to it while making this post. I definitely understand it so much better than before! I have a feeling everything will take on new dimensions of meaning.
Click the blue link above to listen to that song if you want. It was when John went on his own after the Beatles split, and he decided to take a break from music to focus on family.
It's been difficult to step away from Hive for a while. I'm not used to having so much time off. Though, i have to say the time has seemed like an eternity whilst also passing at Ludicrous Speed simultaneously. I apologize for not curating and posting compilations in my communities. I am sure almost everyone will more than understand why!
Home Sweet Home
We eventually made it home from the long stay at the hospital. It was more than nice to be home and in our own familiar environment. Not to mention fresh clothes and a nice hot shower. We did have a mini celebration with our family.
We celebrated with one of my favorite Swedish dishes, the famous Smörgåstårta! It was really nice to be home and to celebrate a little, but it was hard to relax as it feels like there's always something to do or keep up with.
I keep trying to remind myself to be in the moment and to appreciate the process. Learn and adapt as you go! So, relaxing a bit is part of the process i need to utilize in order to not lose my mind. hahaha
Overall, everybody was overjoyed to be able to spend many firsts together with Åskar as a family. It was precious to see how everybody simply falls in love with him. I think he is starting to enjoy the beginning of his journey in life. These aren't the best photos but i did get a shot of one of his first smiles.
It's also super cool that he is born in October, one of my favorite months of the year and in the Fall, one of my favorite seasons of the year. The ghost jammis are definitely suitable.
He even sleeps similar to me at times! hahaha
He did come out with some huge hands and feet. I think it's like a puppy with big paws. The bigger the paw the more the puppy has to grow into them. I think my boy is going to be big! Either way, he will have to grow into those hands and feet eventually!
I find it quite funny how he is able to just post up and chill in any position almost! Below, you can see him laying on me as if i were a Chaise Lounge!
He won't be this small forever and fit right inside the palm of my hand. So, i feel like appreciating this time and his stage of development is important for me as a dad. I will remember these first 8 days and the ones leading up to his birth, forever!
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Psalm 139
13 For thou hast possessed my reins:
thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvellous are thy works;
and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psalm 127
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord:
and the fruit of the womb is His reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;
so are children of the youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:
they shall not be ashamed,
but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
I am so grateful and thankful for a strong, healthy, happy, baby boy! It has been a long hard road to get to this point, but the journey has only just begun. I can't wait to make so many memories together! I will be taking many more photos and much better ones too, once things get a bit more settled down and i have time and focus to actually think about photography when i'm shooting!
We already have some really funny stories and there is so much more to tell. But for now, this will all have to do. However, i did pick us up a Pumpkin for the season. It's going to be fun decorating it. Åskar may not remember this, but i most certainly will! I will try and make a post of the pumkin carving.
For anyone interested, i do have a link for a registry. Usually, i think your supposed to have one of those as soon as you find out about the pregnancy. Better late than never is what i always say! The list is set to be able to have others add to it, so nobody has to buy only the stuff on the list. Anyone can add anything they like. I have a feeling my parent friends that have more experiene with raising children with probably know better than us what should be on the list! hahaha
Baby Registry - Amazon Wish List
Thank you everyone for having patience with my absense, for taking the time to check out this post, and for those that might consider checking out that wishlist! I can say, Hive has helped me to financially help out more than i expected... even in the down market! So, i have a lot of thanks to give for my Hive friends and familly here!
LYT
Thank you all for everything! See ya next time. Cheers
