With the birth of Emmett, the idea of naming children has been on my mind. For each of my boys, I've hoped to give them names that are unique without being odd, but more than that I've hoped for them that they could be proud of their names. I like to think that I've succeeded.
My parents thought of my first name on the way to the hospital to deliver me, but my middle name has always been a source of pride to me. I'm named for my 3rd great-grandfather. He was a pioneer, built or owned a railroad, built the first gristmill in UT and was one of the founders of Mesa, AZ. In short he was an amazing man. Google "Charles Crismon" and you'll find this, and this, and this. In having his name as part of my own, I have always felt a sense that I'm meant to accomplish great things like he had.
Which brings me back to Emmett. I've been blessed to have really good and admirable men in my life that have been examples of fatherhood, hard work and loyalty. I've been blessed to also to have these men related to me by blood and by marriage, who exude the difficult kind of love for their children. The kind that pays close attention and nurtures but isn't afraid to reprimand when needed and have the self discipline and restraint to make those corrections calmly. These men are strong and honorable and epitomize the attributes that I strive to have and hope that I do.
With that in mind, I had landed on James for a middle name. My oldest sister's husband is Russell James and he's one of these great guys.
When I revealed this name to my brother Wayne, out of the blue he made a connection to another person who doesn't deserve mentioning here. Wayne saying that disturbed me far more than a little, to the point that I needed to make the clarification to myself and to anyone else, lest there be any confusion who is the one I want my son associated with. For that reason, he will get to have two middle names. Emmett Russell James Riddle.
I should mention here, that I did explain to Wayne how disturbing his association was, and he apologized profusely, knowing the history and implications.
On the same day that Emmett was born, my younger brother and his wife found out they are having a boy. Previously they had been told that it was a girl. Fitting the stereotype, she was disappointed by the turn of events having already acquired numerous pink things and girl baby clothes, and my brother was very happy.
Back to the Namesakes topic though, my brother thinks like I do that a baby's name should mean something. With the choosing of a name should be a thoughtful and deliberate activity, not to be taken lightly. The name he decided is Isaac. My brother Wayne Isaac was and is ecstatic making the assumption that he is the reason for the decision. Little did he know (third person omniscient) that Aaron wants that name for the same reason that my parents chose it for Wayne. Isaac Riddle is an ancestor also who was a really neat guy, and coincidentally was at one time serving the same mission as Charles Crismon. We can't be sure, but it's not out of the realm of possibility and even seems likely that Charles and Isaac knew each other.
I'm so sorry for not having done this sooner. As you can imagine (or remember for those reading that have children), there is a lot of activity (chaos) associated with a birth.
Excuses aside though, we did get some good photos of little Emmett Russell James. The name is conditional on approval of my brother-in-law who is currently serving in Iraq. Remind me to write the post on Namesakes that I've been thinking of.
http://picasaweb.google.com/jared.riddle/EmmettDay#
Pretty much every picture that we took of the day is there. I'm going to put some of my favorite here too though.
The picture above is a favorite just because of the story associated. Alice told the story already once, but it bears repeating. Meg is on the phone with Alice, litterally two minutes before she started pushing. I can have mom check her call logs, but I'm pretty sure it will confirm that Emmett was born within 15 min of when this photo was taken.
This is the first picture taken of our little man. Still in all his glory, but wearing the oh so stylish hat. I sometimes wish I was so bold as to walk around the hospital in just a hat. Maybe a hat and socks. Sorry. Brian that was for you. Anyway, you'll notice that he still has a bunch of his umbilical cord attached. It was a two part deal. The Dr. had me cut once really far away, and the nurse a second time. That should give you an idea of how young he is (maybe 10 min old?).
The last that I'm going to put up here is my favorite. It's Emmet right before being given his first sponge bath. He was a little fussy, but would calm down when I held his hands to his chest. I know it was mostly because newborns are a bit agoraphobic, but I like to think he was aware that the hand comforting him belongs to the first man that loved him unconditionally.
All the requisite details now.
Born 11:07am on Jan. 5, 2009; Emmett Russell James Riddle weighed 9-4 and was 20 in long. His head was 13.4 inches around. Mother and baby are doing great.
We love you all and appreciate the support, phone calls, emails, texts and kindnesses extended to us.
I haven't posted much on new baby E. because I'vw only had internet access via my phone since he was born. While short text messages and photo uploads from my camera phone to Facebook are pretty easy, longer blog posts are a little difficult. In fact just typing this is bugging my neck and thumbs. I'll get some good pictures up here as soon as I get to a proper computer with a proper keyboard. Until then send me an email jared.riddle@gmail.com and I'll reply with a photo.
My first day of the new year was pretty uneventful. Uneventful doesn't feel like a real word. I know it is because I looked it up in a Dictionary, just kidding, it was a Thesaurus, just kidding, it was a Stegosaurus, just kidding, that's not a book, just kidding it is but it doesn't have any words in it, just kidding, it's an animal, just kidding they didn't really exist dinosaurs are fake, just kidding they're real. I know because I have one for a pet, just kidding, it's my freind's, just kidding she's not my friend we just hang out sometimes, just kidding we're married, just kidding, but we live together she just doesn't know it, just kidding, she knows but has a restraining order on me, just kidding.
So yeah, uneventful (why not eventless?).
I can't really think of anything that is worthy of writing about now. That might be due to having "Good Eats" with Alton Brown on the TV right now. He's so freakin' great.
