What a different experience it is to birth your child at home. The midwives were laid-back. They gave their attention to Kelsie, not machines - remaining in the room with us for around eight hours. No shift changes, nor any doctors needing to get to another appointment. No sterile waiting rooms - instead, we had Matt Blinn host the kitchen, living room area with fresh, good coffee. The walls were purple, instead of white. It was night, quiet, and it seemed slow, but bearable. We played The Album Leaf catalog, then Great Lake Swimmers catalog, just before putting on Jack Johnson's "On and On" for the actual birth. Great Lake Swimmers really helped me be present to the pain of my wife, and just sorta absorb the entire situation. It is the best of the three experiences, by far.

Xavier has never been out of our presence.

We brought Maggie and Canaan up, as they awoke. Canaan likes to talk about him, not necessarily to him, yet. Maggie is somewhat enamored by him, and a little stand-offish - maybe a little worried about her changing role.

I am sure kelsie will post her thoughts sometime soon. her recovery is going well. she has yet to come down from the third floor. I got to be the nurse last night, being awoke from a dead sleep, only to fall back to sleep, just as if I had not been woke.

Francis Xavier seems to have darker eyes/skin, than our other children. lots of hair and fuzz. just as laid-back as Canaan was.

I can't imagine a better birthing experience. everything was subjective, feeling-oriented. kelsie was able to be so attentive afterwards to Francis, to us, because even though she was exhausted, she was not drugged up.

our community has been phenomenal - outright. Kelli Blinn, Lianne Redcay - outstanding. Kelsie's mom and sister, Tracy - amazing.

simply, it was a tremendously spiritual, emotional experience.