...writing doesn't keep up with sleep deprivation.

She started labor late on Thursday, and by Friday afternoon she hadn't slept in 32 hours and labored for 18 straight.

She went 6 more hours.

Then she had major abdominal surgery.

What did you do this weekend?

But anyway, I have a newfound regard for the strength and abilities of my wife.  I have no doubt she could kick your ass.

This is a long explanation of why I made the executive decision that she got some time to recover before I started taking pictures of her and posting them on the internet.  I wanted to give her some time to recover.  And don't forget...I am more more convinced than ever she could totally kick my ass.

I would now like to introduce you to the mother of my child:

And no, this isn't where we got the name from, but it's a great take on the story...

But this parent said it best when she talked about belief rather than knowledge; she maybe she understood it wasn't about knowing, but believing.

We knew what was coming.  After all, we heard enough from those who soothed their own babies long before us.  I knew I'd love this baby.  I knew I wouldn't get any sleep and my priorities were forever shifted.  

But she was right I it was impossible to believe in the strength and depth of what I am feeling right now.  This little person who I've only known for a few short hours is the most amazing, important thing I've ever experienced.  I can't stop looking at her, and every noise she makes pulls my full attention.

Working on little sleep after days of adrenaline I was still laying on the hospital couch at 1:30AM last night, not sleeping because I couldn't stop staring at the baby in the little plastic box. 

This bundle of emotions I now feel is striking because I can feel it coming from some not-before-used part of my brain, somewhere deep back there by the stem, probably just below my bald spot.  What is so unbelievable is how overwhelming and out-of-control these feelings are.  I tried to write about some of them here and deleted so much silly, overblown, and ridiculously effusive drafts that I almost posted nothing.  I suspect someday I'll look back at this and still wonder if my writing teacher was a collection of last-season Hallmark cards at the dollar store.

Welcome to Day 2 my little Persephone.

Favorite quote of the day:  "You're lucky you're not a wildebeest, because if you were, you'd have to run with the heard within five minutes."  -Zub

With so many wonderful people in our lives, it finally made sense to post a few updates that anyone who can 

spell "pavicich" could find quickly and easily.

Our wonderful, beautiful, and healthy daughter Persephone Eva Minck Pavicich was welcomed to Planet Earth last night at 9:51 PM.  After a long and hard labor (almost 24 hours) the doctor and labor nurse recommend that a cesarean was in order, as Persephone was stuck somewhere high in the birth canal.  There is no doubt that I have a renewed and redoubled respect for the strength of my wife.  She put in nearly a full 24 hours of natural labor (not even a Tylenol) before it was clear that we were entering into dangerous territory.  There is nothing I have ever seen quite like the strength and focus Jessica
brought to the whole experience.  I am forever grateful that she did this for us and our daughter.

There are a few questions we are already receiving with some frequency, so I thought I'd address those below, followed by a slideshow at the bottom. 

Enjoy!