My son, Benedict Joseph, was born today at 11:44am at Caritas Norwood Hospital. He was 7lb 9oz, which is the exact weight that Isabella was when she was born. Melanie and Benedict are doing okay. This was the most painful surgery for Melanie, but she’s bouncing back quicker. Benedict is sleeping a lot and nursing a lot. The girls and their grandma and aunt are on the way here now so I’ll soon have pictures of that introduction, but until then here are the first photos.
This is Benedict just moments after he was born. He’s on the scale here.
The proud father and his son.
Already thinking deep thoughts.
Mother and son.
Today is also the feast of St. Ephrem the Syrian. In 2007, Pope Benedict devoted a Wednesday general audience to this saint who was both a theologian and a poet, which is quite funny considering that I studied theology in school and Melanie studied poetry (and other literature). Anyway, he was also known for his hymns, including On The Nativity of Christ, which I thought was especially suitable today:
“The Lord entered her and became a servant; the Word entered her, and became silent within her; thunder entered her and his voice was still; the Shepherd of all entered her; he became a Lamb in her, and came forth bleating.
“The belly of your Mother changed the order of things, O you who order all! Rich he went in, he came out poor: the High One went into her [Mary], he came out lowly. Brightness went into her and clothed himself, and came forth a despised form….
“He that gives food to all went in, and knew hunger. He who gives drink to all went in, and knew thirst. Naked and bare came forth from her the Clother of all things [in beauty]” (Hymn De Nativitate 11: 6-8).
And speaking of scriptural comfort, the midafternoon prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours included Psalm 127—which happens to be one of my favorites and particularly apt today:
Lo, sons are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the sons of one’s youth.
Happy is the man who has
his quiver full of them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he contends with his foes at the gate.
I’ve started filling my quiver.
Big huge congrats to you and Melanie, Dom! Looks like a chip off the old block!
Thanks for all the pictures. He is beautiful. I’m glad to hear Melanie is bouncing back quickly. Hopefully she won’t have to stay in the hospital too long. Congratulations again!
Welcome Benedict Joseph! Congratulations to all the Bettinellis! Love to Melanie – we’re praying for a swift and uneventful recovery. Many blessings,
Nissa
He’s beautiful and I am so happy for your family. Sorry to hear about Melanie’s pain in surgery. I’m praying that she has a quick recovery. Tell Melanie hello for me.
He totally looks like a little Daddy!
What a beautiful baby boy! Congrats to all of you and be assured of my prayers for your family!
Congratulations!!! Blessed the man who fills his quiver with these arrows!
St. Ephrem is June 9th, I believe, at least in the West.
Congratulations!!! Blessings to mother, child, and dad!
St. Ephrem is June 9th, I believe, at least in the West.
Congratulations! That is awesome!
Our daughter is due any day now as well.
Congratulations and best wishes. God bless you all.
I believe today is St Ephrem in the east.
Congratulations—he’s beautiful!
Congratulations to you all –
Joanne
Where’s his Twitter account?
Congrats! Enjoy!
You mean his twitter account at twitter.com/benbettinelli ?
Re: St. Ephrem
That’s my fault. Erroneous post today. I will take it down.
Anyway, congratulations on the birth of Benedict Joseph Laboure-tinelli!
Welcome to the newest member of Red Sox Nation!
And what a great name!
I bet your girls are excited about their little brother.
God bless to your little flock!
Wonderful news! God bless Melanie and Benedict; may the good mother recover quickly. May you all have delirious joy.
such a joyful, awesome day for your family! I am rejoicing with you.
Congratulations! He’s georgous!
Congratulations, and God bless you all!
Welcome BeeJay – may his life be truly blessed!
Congrats.
Congratulations! He’s beautiful!
I am so very happy for your precious family and for the whole world now that Benedict has come to join us! God Bless him and his beautiful family.
Hello Benedict, you handsome thing you!
Yee haw, ya’ll!
Congratulations! May God continue to bless your family.
Dear Dominic and familia – AUGURI – congratulations on the birth of your beautiful son; we are so happy for you! We hope by now your little guy is home and that Melanie is recuperating strongly, as well. May God bless you! Enjoy this special time. BEST WISHES from Diana (Anderson) and Luigi LoChiatto Family (w/ 2 boys in the quiver, as well—- love your quote from Psalm 127)