Comings and goings
I wanted to let you know that I’m starting the newest, biggest (but yet littlest) adventure of my life – as a mother. Kailash Jyoti Dutt was born on July 25th at 6:10 am. He began his journey to the outside world in the home of wonderful friends – Michelle and Lisa – who shared their space, company, popsicles, and love, and who generously played the Elvis CDs I brought. My midwife Helen was also amazing as she spent the day with me in what was going to be a home birth.
Plans changed, as they do, and we ended up heading to St. Joseph’s Hospital (Hamilton) where after a few complications my baby emerged through a ceasarian birth.
So I am in hospital as a patient until Friday and Kail will be here until next week – the exciting news is that his care is mainly precautionary and he is a happy, healthy, enthusiastically breastfeeding new human being in this world. He’s also told me how much he loves the Blue Jays, appreciated being welcomed by Elvis, and wants his first trip to be by boat through the Arctic.
Kailash is a snowy, majestic mountain in the Himalayas – it seemed fitting since Kail and I travelled to the Himlayas at birth minus 3 months – and because I developed an attachment to the nickname “kale” after working with a creative politician/cool human being who sent kale seeds to her constituents.
Jyoti means light in Bengali, and it is the name chosen by my mother. Most of you know that my mother died on June 9th, 2011 – she lives in on many ways: through her grandson’s name, through the baby blanket you see in one of the photos (made by Michelle’s mother out of pieces of my mother’s nightdresses), and through the memories that are constantly with me.
I will be in Toronto for my maternity leave so please let me know if you’re in the area. Please stay in touch from near or afar.
