It took me some time to feel like myself after the birth of this baby girl, to get to know her, and in reality – I’ve guarded these early hours and days for myself and for our new family of 3 to be together. I consciously did not make an announcement until now, 11 days later, allowing myself to rejoice and crumble and grieve and come up for air again and again. The process continues as I make her known to you today, and as we study each other for a lifetime.
In birthing my daughter, I became a new mother, more deeply woman, and entered a new dynamic between my partner and I – it’s all beautiful and necessary, often messy, and definitely worth it. Shape shifting. Magic.
Please note that I’m not ready to publicly share details of the birthing process and the interventions that became necessary. Boundaries forever welcome for me, for you. We are well, we are home. Thank you.
With no more delay, please help me welcome my daughter into this world.
Welcome Baby!
Fern Alice Ryba
Born Sunday, April 9 at 06:51am
7lbs 5oz and 20 1/2 inches
Enjoy the photo gallery, getting to know Fern and reflecting on your own process of birth and rebirth. Embodied living means opening to change, initiating ourselves into the next ‘incarnation’ of who we are meant to become in this lifetime. Embodiment is a dynamic unfolding, witnessing the physical expression of our self-knowing.
Rites of passage like births, deaths, moves, relationships ending and beginning, pivots all deserve our reverent care and attention. We deserve reverent care and attention because we’re alive. I feel open, vulnerable, more human than I have in a long while, as energy and emotions move through me. As my body heals. As my spirit expands even more.
Thank you for holding space for me to be silent, for sending loving messages. Because deep, sacred stillness is the anchor for the spectrum of all movement. And stillness in the wee hours of the night inspired me to write haikus for her birth announcement. Enjoy.
Early hours at home
with hubby and doula near
soothing me, comfort
3 minutes apart
and getting stronger, longer
Water broken. Go.
Withdrawn, into waves
of pressure. Finally she
sobs, a turning point
Sunset, sunrise, sun
down passed with slow progress
Delicate decisions
More heart beat decels
Descending proved difficult
Final surrender
Taken from my womb
Blinded, I hear her first cry
Bright lights overhead
Jason holds my hand
Skin to skin, mind miles away
I’m being stitched up
Resting after birth
weary but together now.
Her eyes peel open.
Sly smiles while feeding
dozing in my arms you trust
me with everything
Shoulders, back and neck
All covered by fine peach fuzz
Angelic body
Partner, Protector –
He reads Grimm’s fairytales to
her and sips coffee.
day 5, I see you.
Your arrival is complete,
my sweet baby, Fern
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Om shanti shanti shanti.
Amen,
Cheri