 Welcoming Our Son To This World By John Orr December 13, 2001 (Click on the images to see larger, fuller versions.) What have Maria and I been up to the last few weeks? Here's a look.
Riley was due on that day, but he liked it just fine where he was, thank you very much, so Maria was given lots of opportunities to point out that she, personally, had been pregnant long enough, and it was time for this little boy to come out. A week later -- Thursday, Nov. 29, 2001 -- we went in to Kaiser, where a charming ultrasound tech took a look at Riley. "Big kid," she said. "5,000 grams." She looked at a conversion chart. "11 pounds!" Riley was looking healthy, but big, and was turned sideways, with his head trying to pop out one side of Maria's tummy, and his feet on the other. "Guess what?" said the ultrasound lady. "You get a free ticket to labor and delivery!"
One doctor, who was very cute, told Maria that 5,000 grams equalled 13 pounds! He didn't have access to a conversion chart, apparently. ''Your new boyfriend can't do math!'' I said to Maria. ''What boyfriend?'' she said, all innocence. Another doctor, also very cute, and female, said that a C-section would be best because it would be too dangerous to try to get that large Riley head (full of brains, of course) and shoulders through Maria's pelvis. OK, said Maria and John. Then began the long wait, while other, "less stable" mothers used the C-section operating rooms. It was scary to think about having to go under the knife, but Maria kept her chin up while we waited. Finally, they came for Maria, and John too, and it was off to the operating room. Hidden behind a surgical drape, we heard Riley crying before we saw him. Good lungs!
Riley Dylan Orr weighed nine pounds, 10.6 ounces at birth and was 21.5 inches long. Big kid, but not 11 pounds, thank Heavens! A handsome little boy of good proportions and long fingers!
The nurse tried to pretend I wasn't there. I watched the surgeons -- two talented and charming women -- massage Maria's uterus and stitch her up. Educational, that. Once we got back to the labor and delivery room I was able to pick up my camera and make some photographs of Riley at about one hour old.
Dylan is another lovely name, and yes, we also admire Bob Dylan, who admired Dylan Thomas. Riley, as it turns out, is Irish Gaelic for "Valiant," which is good, because Maria's maiden name is ''Bayani,'' which is Tagalog for ''Hero.'' Dylan is Welsh Gaelic for a god of the sea, which is nice because I love the ocean.
And it is my journalistic duty to point out that Riley was circumcised by Dr. Lawrence Dong. That, by the way, was a process unpleasant to witness, although I did so. We were guests of the Kaiser Santa Clara for four days, which is more than we would have liked.
John slept on a recliner chair meant for people about one-third his size. Tour groups started coming by. ''See the big fat guy hanging off the little chair!'' screamed the hawkers. ''Only 25 cents! Two thin dimes annnnnnnnnnnnnnd one chubby nickel for the thrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiilllllllll of a lifetime!!'''' Speaking of thrills of a lifetime, I seem to have run out of words, but not photographs. So, below are a few more images, including two from when we got Riley home at last:
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