23 years

Twenty three years ago today my third child was born. We had taken the girls out to our new house to decorate the Christmas tree. As we were working on it, my wife began to have cramps. She excused herself to the bathroom, and when she returned announced that we needed to head back to town.


On the way, she experienced the first labor pains. We had previously made plans with friends to baby sit the girls when the need arose. As we drove, I asked, Hospital, or Toms? The choice was obvious, it was the hospital. Because of that, the girls were able to see their brother when he was only a few minutes old.

Unknown to us, Steven was a frank breach, a difficult delivery for any doctor, and ours was on vacation. Instead, the hospital summoned the closest Ob, but quickly amended it to an old fellow with a ton of experience when they realized that Steven would be entering the world backwards.

The doctor arrived minutes later in his house coat, pajama bottoms, one sock, and slippers. When the nurses said rush, he knew they meant it. As soon as Steven was present and accounted for, the nurse rushed him across to the nursery and they began administering oxygen. He had been stuck for a minute or what seemed like hours. The girls actually got to see him before his mother did.

Thus began the week of craziness, Steven was born, we moved, and celebrated Christmas in one swift week.

So, heres wishing you a great and wonderful birthday son. Enjoy and savor every second of it.