I'm going to pretend it's two weeks ago and today for the next 2 weeks. Our financial planner, Mitch Kramer of Fluent Financial, a great guy and one hell of a model American, said it would be a good idea to capture all the emotions felt at the time of John's birth and then read them again on his birthday...
So.... 2 weeks ago I am grateful for:
- My mom spending the night with us before John's delivery. She slept late - a true once in a lifetime deal. Usually she'd be the one up first making coffee. Instead, I went up stairs at 4:46 am to find her midway through an unseasonably large redwood - sawing away.
"Mom?" I queried.
"What," replied a groggy voice.
"Today's John's birthday. You're going to be late!" I chimed.
"What time is it?" Now she sounded worried.
"4:46"
"Aw shit."
"What," replied a groggy voice.
"Today's John's birthday. You're going to be late!" I chimed.
"What time is it?" Now she sounded worried.
"4:46"
"Aw shit."
- Amazed at how Kristina had dealt with her fears days before the surgery and seemed calm and sure about meeting our little man. Note - she was also weak from not eating anything.
- I was so glad we'd picked the 5:30. We seemed to be the only patients there and a full staff was on hand.
- Neil, the CRNA prepped Kristina. Weird that some think it's weird for a man to be a nurse, but Neil's steady hands, calming voice, and "I've done this a million times already this morning" tone made Kristina that much more comfortable.
- My scrub top was great. The scrub one-size-fits-all trash bag pants sucked. That's ok. They really wouldn't show in the picture, and John wouldn't care.
- The OR was sterile and I was extremely happy the lights weren't reflective or mirrored in a fashion that would allow Kristina to watch the handwork.
- Private, alone moments in 7-Eleven grade brightness and a crowd. Looking into Kristina's eyes and showing her that I am here - always have been, always will be.
- Laughing about how cold the ER was.
- Kristina asking for a pain check and the Anesthesiologist replying - "Trust me - you're not feeling a thing."
- Tommy - the baby nurse was awesome. He, Neil, and Dr. so and so (he'll send the Anesthetist bill) kept me on point with what to film and what makes a good memory.
- Timing - At the right moment, Dr. Spooner and Dr. Watts positioned John and told him to come on... it's his birthday. "Stand up Dad," Dr. Spooner proclaimed and keep filming.
- John's first cry.
- Modern health care.
- Taking the proud daddy walk to the nursery following my son.
- Holding John's hand as he endured all the nursery and state "procedures"
- Having my two moms and Susan there to watch the whole thing.
- Tiny foot prints and tiny hand prints that take up the whole hand print and foot print card because they aren't so tiny!
- 10 pounds. 6 ounces. 21.25 inches
- Coming back from the nursery to see Kristina, passing the OR and being pointed to recovery with these words: "Your wife is all finished, alert, and in recovery." In the baby excitement and daddy duties, I almost was able to put my worry in the back of my mind regarding Kristina's safety, but there's really nothing like having mom and baby safe and sound.
- Oddly grateful for long stays in the hospital for C-Section patients. Way to go BC.
- Unbelievably humbled by the life affirming miracle of childbirth.
- An amazingly beautiful wife.
- The smartest, strongest, best baby - EVER.
- Clean bill of health for Kristina.
- Healthy 1st checkup for John. His VSD is gone but we'll celebrate when the cardiologist concurs.
- 11 pounds, 4 ounces. 23 inches.
- Finally learning to burp him... call me, I'll teach you the no pat burp technique!
- Accordian toots
- Siebel releases that finally work - talk about getting rid of a monkey.
- Family Time.
- Picasa to store my photos.
- Shiner 98.
