If you're unaware, hospital circumcisions are usually a 20- to 30-minute procedure that you are not allowed to be there for. The baby boy is strapped down on a mini plastic board to restrain him and then his foreskin is essentially cotterized.
Not what we wanted to suffer through, let alone have Declan suffer through either. We were told that Rabbi Rovinsky was great and had a lot of experience. He has performed over 8,000 circumcisions over the last 20 plus years. Not only that, but by Jewish law, it is suppose to be as quick and painless as possible for the little boy. 20 seconds. 20 seconds! That was it! He explained everything ahead of time and answered all our questions before beginning. When actually doing the procedure, he even offered to have me perform the actual circumcision myself. I declined (didn't wanna screw up and end up with another daughter, no matter how much I love Annalyn), but I did get to be there and hold him while the rabbi did it.
Yes, Declan still cried a little, but no where near what my preconceived notions were. Rabbi Rovinsky gave us our instructions for caring for him for the next few days while it heals and really put us at ease as to the whole process.
Even as I'm writing this, Declan is right beside me, sound asleep. He's a tough little guy. After going through with it, any question of whether or not we should do it was cleared up: I'm glad we decided to get it done. I feel a new bond with my son - closer to him than ever before. I think the next most traumatizing thing to worry about next after facing this though is Annalyn dating. Luckily, that's still at least 30 years away.
