Labor and Love:The Raw, Beautiful Birth of Our Son. I’m a Dad!

My wife overwhelmed with emotion after the birth of our son. Raw, real and true love.

Our son’s first look into Mom’s eyes 1 minute after being born.

Welcome to the world Kellen Walton Kost. Born at 2:23pm December 6th, 2025. Us two “advanced age” pregnancy parents did it. He was born in Rose Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

A whole new adventure. I’m now a Dad!

We are so grateful for the outpouring from friends and familiy…it’s really remarkable to feel so supported, and if we haven’t gotten back to you just know we read your messages and treasure you and the love you’ve shown us and Kellen.

And to my wife Lindsay, you are a true warrior…damn women are tough. She endured 35 hours of labor and pushed for over 5. Just when the doctors said she couldn’t push anymore and were going to force a c-section…we looked into it each other’s eyes as I held her leg up during a contraction and gave that profound gaze of love, we got this, and screw the doctors, we will defy the odds. And that’s just what she did.

On the last several contractions we knew the doctors didn’t believe vaginal birth would an option any more, they were readying for surgery but that was just impetus. We locked eyes through the remaining contractions, and I saw a look of defiance and impossible determination on Lindsay’s face. With each push I quietly but sternly said “take it to a level beyond possibility”….and she just did that. One contraction later she impressed the doctors. They looked at each other, and I picked up their nonverbal sense of surprise. “Okay, we will give you a few more If you push like that.” It bought us another ounce of time. And then she upped to another level and another until the doctors wore a look of “holy shit” in their face and said “you’re about to have a baby.” And with a couple more the head crowned and then Kellen was here. lt was the most raw, strong, loving and vulnerable moment we’ve ever had or surely will ever have. I married a woman who if you say you can’t do it, she will 100% of the time prove you wrong..trust me. You fuel the fire In the Sagittarius…which now we are a house of all fire signs…even Kya our pup.

Truly intimate and special early moment between my wife and her newborn son holding hands two minutes after birth. Rose Hospital. Denver, Colorado. Ryan Kost Photography

We are now home and life is full of poop and pee counts, no sleep, healing and mind foggily figuring this whole parenthood thing out just as most other couples do.

Sally Kost has been utterly remarkable. No words in their love and support. Sally Kost (KoKo) is truly a superhero mom. She’s over here now as I type juggling 25 things at once to make our lives just a bit easier. A Sagittarius flame just like her grandson and daughter-In- law. And Tom Kost, Pappy keeps us all grounded and balanced. And Lindsay’s dad and step-mom are thrilled to fly In later this week and meet their new grandchild.

“Koko” playing with her new grandson at our home in Arvada, Colorado. Ryan Kost Photography

Kya is a sweetheart and so sensitive to every move. She’s sniffed Kellen, given him kisses on his toes and laid by his side in instinctual nurturing protector dog mode.

Kellen and Kya sleeping together. Our dog is incredible. She’s an instinctual guardian just after meeting him.

So here’s to this new journey where the days are gonna be long and tough. There will be worry and joy. Laughter and crying. Failing forward and paying attention to his every move. An elixir of emotions that defines life .

Eventually we will settle in, and we will all grow and give our best to the little guy and try and carve out time to make sure we take care of ourselves and each other along the way.

I’m sure next year’s photo reel might be a documentary series of life with Kellen. Gotta get that passport ready.

Kellen at 3 days old sleeps comfortably in his blanket that his great auntie made for him.