Lara’s Adventures: The Greatest Adventure So Far

Three-and-a-half weeks ago Zephyr Ramses Alexander Gibson Alderson entered the world at 1.45 am after almost forty-eight hours of labor. I don’t really remember his arrival as I was focused on not throwing up, shaking and disoriented from the pints of blood I had just lost, but I remember gazing at him a few hours later and thinking what a peaceful little cherub.

He wasn’t at all what I’d expected. I’d been told by numerous midwives, obstetricians and radiographers throughout my pregnancy that my baby would be small and for most of my pregnancy I’d envisioned the arrival of a little girl. Instead a large, blonde and blue-eyed boy had emerged. 

The main similarity to me so far is his penchant for dramatic entrances in the early hours of Friday mornings – Thursday night is one of my favourite times for partying. Slightly indulgent and usually full of people who prioritise fun. He is far calmer than me. I’m glad we called him Zephyr, meaning “gentle breeze from the West”, as he is as soothing as a breeze on a still summer’s day.

Zephyr barely cries, except when extremely hangry, sleeps almost the entire night and is a happy little soul. The first few weeks of parenthood have passed by in a blissful haze, resembling the misty Preseli hills which overlook our little cottage in rural Pembrokeshire. In some ways I’m torn between wanting to leave Wales to introduce him to the wider world and to stay nested here soaking up all of his joy. 

We’re starting to open our wings. Last weekend we took him to London to show him off to our friends and the weekend before, we took him to his first gig where a 90s popstar doted on his newness. This week, his passport arrived and he could even become a Spanish resident before the month is out. 

The subsequent weeks packing, getting exit papers for our dogs, finding a place to live in Spain and driving our growing family to Valencia will undoubtedly be chaotic but extremely fun. Hopefully Zephyr will see the world as one big winding adventure.