Son, your name is Tahj Solomon Alexander Andrews. You were born in Baltimore, Maryland. Sunday morning, November 11th, 2018, at 5:26 ante meridian. You were 8 pounds 3 ounces. I predicted that weight by the way and still haven't been paid that bet with your Mother (laughing out loud). I slept on the cold hospital floor, waiting for your awesome arrival. Grandmother Patricia, my mom, Uncle Jason, my older brother and his fiancee at the time Tanisha, was there waiting in the family room. Unfortunately, those were the only people there for you at the time. Your mothers family decided not to come to your birth. Your mother was very strong and stayed focus even though she was very sad about that. Mom and I decided to secretly record your birth, against the doctors pre planned wishes.
While I was on the floor, I was just watching your mothers monitor without blinking. Hospitals are safe havens for humans and humans are imperfect. During this time period of life 72 percent of Black women were dying in childbirth. A social media influencer I followed around that time lost his wife to childbirth. I was very very paranoid, I was very very vigilant on all medicines they tried to give your mother. I even pulled a nurse to the side, gave her a real conversation about how much it meant to me that your mother, my wife walked out of this hospital holding her baby. The nicest threat and 200 dollar tip I ever offered. I didn't want to come off selfish then and I don't want to come off selfish now, but ALL men share the same sentiment. This crushes a many mens world. Thankfully, I type this knowing your mother is alive and thriving.
They removed me from the room to give her morphine/heroine politely called epidural. I did not obey that excusing, easily. It was very difficult for me to leave you in the womb and your mother in that room with 4 people. She tried to avoid having to use it but the pressure they put on our women is enormous. First timer, so I understand totally.
Your doctor fell asleep, that was also recorded, so it ended up being your mother, her rookie/interning nurse and I, and you were ready to go, or come I should say. I had your mom push regular against gravity on her back but my common sense got frustrated. I unlatched a bar on the bottom of the bed and told your mother to hold on to it. If she could stand up on the bed, do so and we will squat our son out, with gravity. I knew she could only stand for only so long, so I brainstormed her to get on her knees to shorten the load weight.
while doing that, the nurse was still calling for assistance. I asked her to watch your mother closely while I tied a knot out of a sheet.
We gave her a knot side and took the other and played tug a war. By that time your mom started and was overwhelmingly rupturing, amniotic sac juices and membranes and blood and bowels, all had to be swiftly, softly, expeditiously wiped and cleaned at the same time of helping your mom deliver you. My son, she was a G- super gangster! laugh out loud, the trust in her eyes and the comfort, but as well her Lioness, came out! I remember her screaming specifically "come on Shanikah come on Tahj" in the third person. It was amazing.
I was able to pull your head out of your mothers extremities. The top of your shoulders as well, than finally your doctor comes in wiping the cold out of her eyes. She was so tired! In that moment though it was like touching a piece of heaven, the garment of glory, you are.
You are a gift, remember that. Nothing can stop you. Here is a video of your very early times with me. May we have so many many more my son, I Love You.
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