I had my first labor pain at 5AM, I KNEW this was the day he would come into the world, because Roger had to go to work that day, they had a helicopter putting an air conditioning unit on the roof top of his work. Knowing my child would be as cantankerous as me, I knew this would be the time my child would choose to make it's appearance. I didn't tell Roger I had felt the labor pain, because he told me he would be home by 11AM the latest 1PM and I knew we had plenty of time. I sent him on his merry way & I proceeded to pack my bag and vacuum and do the dishes. As the day started to wear on, and the pains started getting closer together, I started to panic. They didn't have cell phones back then and it was now going on 3PM and I had no word from Roger yet. I called my next door neighbors, they weren't home. I called my best friend, she was leaving for her son's baseball game. I finally called my friend Debbie at work, she was the head nurse in the Surgical ICU, I asked if she was busy & she told me yes, but asked if I was in labor, of course I told her NO, I'm fine. She hung up the phone and told everyone she had to leave, you see, she was my labor coach.
Her & her hubby Don got to the house around 5:30 & Rog finally rolled in around 5:45. Deb & I shucked corn & fried chicken for dinner. She timed the labor pains and kept me appraised of my progress, well so I thought ... LOL. You see, I am needle phobic & I had told her if she got me to the hospital & they gave an IV or an epidural, she was dead meat. Finally, the time came to go to the hospital, it was 9:45. We got in Deb's car, Rog & Don would follow after they crated the dog (they had to catch her... snicker). While waiting for a traffic light we were almost rear-ended ... can you say IMMEDIATE hard labor? With that Deb told my that my water bag couldn't break because she was selling this car the next day ::: shaking head :::
We got to the hospital & up to labor & delivery. I was the last one to get a room & it was a "birthing suite" brand new in those days! The nurse checked my progress, I was at 8 & delivering my water bag whole... where the hell was the Dr??? Deb threw that nurse out & got the head of the L&D nurse as my nurse. So, now I had TWO nurses :). Dr. Gerber (yes, I had a Gerber Baby LOL) arrived & broke the water bag. Baby came down in the cord & went into distress ... Dr yells FUNDLE PRESSURE NOW! Both Deb & the nurse push on my huge belly & out comes my child. Poor kid ended up with skid marks on his little nose!
I had a beautiful boy. His name was Christopher Adam. We named him Christopher because the first time I felt him move was Christmas Eve and Christopher was so much better then Santa
I suppose you are wondering where Roger was? He was still filling out the admitting paperwork when Chris "screamed" into this world. He got there just after they cut the cord and he held him in his arms. I will never forget that look.
They took Chris off to do what they do with newborns & I was brought up to my room. Rog went to look at him in the nursery. He came into the room shaking his head. Deb asked him what was wrong. He said "I didn't know that babies were all born with black soles on their feet". Deb & I looked at each other & busted out laughing ... Ummmmm ... that is from their FOOTPRINTS. Poor Rog, he has never lived that one down.
Chris is now all grown up & in the Army. While I didn't know if this was a good thing for him when he first told me, I now realize it was the BEST thing for him. He has learned a great profession which he can go further with. He was in South Korea for a year and will be deployed to Iraq in September for a year. He is not going to be career Army, but he wanted to serve and give his best for his country. He also wanted to be able to afford college & this was his way.
I have so many funny stories about my child. He has always been bright, energetic, funny, loving and spiritual.
Next time, I'll tell you the story of his Imaginary friends and what the difference between boys & girls is ... from the mouths of babes... snicker
Until then, love with all your heart, smile with your soul & may the good Lord bless & keep you!
