Birth of Jobe Atene Hess, Part 3*: Little Jobe is introduced to big brother Kalib, who, up until now, has had his parents' affections to himself

At the moment when I take this picture, Jobe and Kalib have not been in the same room together since Jobe exited his nice, warm, secure, place in his mother's womb, nearly 13 hours earlier - but this is about to change. Less than five seconds after I snap this image, the door to Lavina and Jobe's hospital room swings open and in walks Kalib.

Kalib does not seem at all surprised to see his little brother being held in the arms that, the last time he had seen his mother, had been exclusively his - except, perhaps, to give a little hug to Gracie and other little ones now and then.

Of course, those arms would also go around Dad, but that was different.

I had wondered if Kalib had comprehended that a new baby was coming to the family. Now, I am certain that even before he came through the door he understood that a baby brother was going to be waiting for him. How will he react? For a few moments, Kalib just stares at his little brother.

Then he reachs out towards Jobe.

His grandma picks him up to give him a better look. Knowing how rambunctious her eldest son can be, how he can suddenly dive onto people lying on beds and couches, his mother lifts her arm - just in case.

Kalib studies his little brother.

Then Kalib points at Jobe.

Next, he reaches down to touch him on the chest.

He smiles, then reaches out and touches Jobe on the nose.

Kalib then settles in alongside his mother and drinks his milk.

He stares at the ceiling as his mother tends to his little brother. Do you remember how fascinating the ceiling lights in a place that you had never been before looked to you when you were tiny?

I don't know for certain, but I think this is why Kalib is staring at the ceiling.

His mother wants to be certain that Kalib knows that his position at the center of her world has only moved the tiniest bit - just enough to allow another tiny person in. She asks him if he wants to take a little walk.

He does. So Lavina hands Jobe to Grandma as Kalib begins to get up.

Kalib hits the floor and dashes out of the hospital room into the nearby hall before his mom can follow. Then he looks back to see where she is.

Then they take a little walk. A very short walk. But it is just the two of them together. Even grandpa takes only a few pictures, then leaves them to themselves for a few minutes.

Soon they are back in the room and Kalib is in the arms of his Uncle Caleb. I see a potential picture that I think will be very nice - namely, if all those on the other side of the bed were to look affectionately at Jobe at the same time. I am certain they soon will, because Jobe is so beautiful, how can they not?

But none of the males will look at Jobe. Their eyes are riveted upon the TV set mounted high on the wall. It is the opening day of the Winter Olympics. Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia has been killed while practicing for his luge event. His death is being broadcast to all the world.

It is a horrible thing to see, but now we have all seen it.

There are six Alaskans competing in this winter Olympics, including Yup'ik/Iñupiat snowboarder Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, originally of Dillingham, now of Girdwood.

I cannot tell you how badly I want the Alaskans to win medals and I will find it especially nice if Chythlook-Sifsof does. Even if she doesn't, she has already brought an elevated level of pride to this state among both Natives and non-Natives. She has also made it just a little bit harder for non-Natives who are so inclined to stereotype Natives.

Now Kalib's dad takes Jobe from his grandmother and pulls him over. "Look, Kalib," he says. "It's your little brother, Jobe!"

Kalib does not want to look at his brother now. He demands instead that he go to his mother.

From his mother's arms, Kalib turns to look at Jobe.

Kalib may have some reservations about this whole little brother thing.

*Well, I have completely given up on the idea of packing multiple posts into a single day so that I can catch up with the birth of Jobe and surrounding events and then move into the present, which I can never do, anyway, because as soon as I catch it, the present always turns out to be the past.

So I will continue to make just one post a day until I complete this series, which I believe will total five parts.

Tomorrow, in Part 4, it is my hope to highlight Jobe's second day of life - the day that he checked out of the hospital and came home to meet the dog, Muzzy and to be ignored by the cat, Martigne.

Part 5 will be dedicated to the little ceremony for Jobe that we had here at the house on Sunday.

Comments

[aview999]

Oh how sweet! The intimate connection of the two brothers is so special! And I esp like your commentary of tommorows big day of gong home:

highlight Jobe's second day of life - the day that he checked out of the hospital and came home to meet the dog, Muzzy and to be ignored by the cat, Martigne.

Great way to finish Bill...! I look forward to your next update. See you then!

[Linda G.]

I've come here from Debby's blog (Life's Funny Like That). I enjoyed reading this post about Kalib meeting his baby brother for the first time. You wrote it in such a way that I felt as though I was a part of the meeting. I hope to find time to read the earlier posts about Jobe.

[WhiteStone]

Aren't new babies (and their big brothers!) just such a humbling and loving experience of life!

[Funny Face]

CONGRATULATIONS!

I wish to extend our sincere gratitude to LAVINA & JACOB for allowing You to document their most intimate personal event.
As always, your pictures and words make it easy for me to feel like I am right there among whatever is taking place. Truly amazing. The close-ups of Lavina, Jacob, Calib & baby Jobe are magnificent. I must confess that the posts so far have evoked an array of emotions from ahs, oohs, smiles, laughter and tears from both Mike and myself. We wanted, but were never able to have children, your family has allowed us to get a glimpse at how it might have been.....
THANK YOU.

Take good care.

[kalaluka]

In my opinion and from my experience, Kalib's first-time acceptance of Jobe bodes well for the future (a couple of touches, -the nose, how cute!- then settling in peacefully on the other side of mom). I'm sure though, as time goes by and he realizes just how much attention Jobe gets (as much as he does - the horror!) that he will have his share of jealous fits, and maybe even whack the little guy once or twice. That's why younger siblings are so tough. I should know - I'm an elder sibling, dammit.

[Pat]

I really enjoy your posts. These latest stories and pictures about Kalib and Jobe bring me back to the days when my children were small. When I was working and their grandmother couldn't watch them they often had Native Alaskan babysitters, because their child rearing philosophy was in line with my own, treating the children with respect, guiding them, not being harsh with discipline. The best thing I did when Paul was 4 1/2 and his sister was a newborn was to read him stories every time I nursed her. It kept him quiet and content and they both grew up to love books. I'm sure that your wife knows this little 'trick' and perhaps your lovely daughter-in-law already does, too. I spent 28 years up there before moving state side due to health issues, your writing is a good way to remain connected to that world.

[GrandmaNancy]

Blessings on all of you.

[Mikey]

Wow, such a great peek into their lives. Kalib does look like he has his reservations about a new sibling, lol. But I have no doubt he will be showered with love equally. Great post!

[Alicia Greene]

I am nearing 44 years now and can still remember the shock that I faced when my little brother was introduced into my life when I was 4 years old. One of our favorite family photos is my little bro, newly arrived from hospital, sitting on dad's lap on the the sofa. I am sitting beside them with my nose turned up in the air unwilling to believe that this "thing" has come along to steal my #1 spot!

I was lavished with some gifts to make it easier for me to accept him; I got a viewmaster (remember those?) with lots of slides, and a few dolls in trade for my parents sharing their affection with another.

They will be great friends in a few years, trust. As you should know Bill, having so many yourself. We all learn to get along!

Thanks again for sharing; wish I'd had some human kids, but alas, life sometimes just gives you furry ones!

[A Morrison]

Congratulations! I am so happy for your family.

[Wasilla, Alaska, by 300]

As you can see, I have fallen way behind in trying to keep up with comments. That's because when the end of each day has come and I have accomplished whatever I have and failed to accomplish other things that needed to be done but weren't, I have simply not had the energy to respond to comments.

I don't have the energy now, either, but I do want to let you all know that I appreciate the good words that you have written.

I grew up with three older brothers and one younger sister, myself.

There are stories to be told there.

Funny Face, your comment made me feel a little sad, but also glad that I have been able to share some of this with you.

From the beginning, I always intended to include my family in this blog but not to the level that I have. I had figured that maybe it would be 90 percent community and ten percent family, but I think the family ratio has proven to be much higher than that.

If I ever succeed at my larger goals, the family ratio will drop a bit and community come up.

Right now, the whole thing feels quite impossible, but your comments encourage me.