Welcome to the world Mary Elizabeth, and pray for my alertness today.

[Chris38]

A couple of months ago some new neighbors moved in my building. Got to know them a little bit, really nice folks. Dad went away on business Yesterday, Mom is pregnant but was not due for at least 2 weeks.

Mary Elizabeth decided she wanted out last night, or this morning at around 2:30am. I fell asleep about 15 mins before that.

Opening my big mouth, I said "If you ever need anything, I used to be an EMT, just give me a call"

Tina and I were alarmed by a pounding on our door, she was going into labor. I became Winston Wolf. The hospital was 20 minutes away, I got her there in 10.

The important thing is the baby while a bit pre-mature is very strong and healthy. As the doctors said "She wanted out, NOW."

Now I have to go to work, so here's a stock tip, invest in starbucks and rebull NOW. I have a 2pm meeting with a client for a new setup I'm going to look like a crackhead. Basically I have to become Jack Bauer of the corporate world. Any ideas? I'm catching a train in an hour.

I'm sure tonight when I have a good night's sleep I'll be less stressed, and very honored and humble to help bring a new life into this world. But right now I'm worried about how to make it through the day, and get this!?!? I want to go to a smart meeting tonight and talk about my experience!

I'm rambling on here, and although I wish Mary Elizabeth decided to break out of womb prison Friday or Saturday night, everything went very smoothly. Dad's flying in as we speak.

Just had to share/vent. I'm happy and stressed at the same time, I've been up for over 24 hours and have to be awake at least another 5 at least. I just want tomorrow night to come so I can enjoy the moment...thanks for hearing me venting/sharing! - Chris

[parentrecovers]

wow, you've been busy! just let folks know, i'm sure they'll understand you're if you're not 100% today..

k

[Sugah]

Good job! This day shall pass, and I'm sure you will come to a place of gratitude for sharing that bit of information (being an EMT) with your neighbor. Plus...the stories, both on your side and on Mary Elizabeth's parents side, will survive for a very long time, I'm sure.

Oh, and what to tell your colleagues? How about, "Please excuse my appearance. I'm a bit windblown from trying to avoid delivering a baby on the highway."

Peace & Love,
Sugah

[Chris38]

Now that I have gotten my sleep pattern back in order, I cant believe what a selfish jerk I must have sounded like. I compared the importance of a human life to what a client may think of me. Even though I was up for over 24 hours at the time of writing that email, I still feel ashamed, Jack Bauer I am not.

The important thing that she is healthy and will be ready to come home next week, got a hug from the dad last night, I feel good about what I did but feel bad about how I vented on here, now that I'm well rested please keep in mind I'm not the selfish jerk that was portrayed in that email, just a sleep deprived jerk.

Chris

[parentrecovers]

you did good, chris. k

[Astro]

Selfish jerk? Sounded to me like you were doing God's will by being of service to someone else. Be proud Chris.

[Sugah]

Guilt? Try this on for size: my first reaction to my mother's call that I had to take my father to the hospital was, "But I've got to take the kids to the dentist."

As it turned out, I went, they took a huge tumor out of his colon, determined they couldn't do anything else with the cancer that had spread throughout his body, and three weeks later, he was dead. I spent that three weeks with him, not always glad I was there, but I did it.

I decided to be grateful for having been there & stopped beating myself up because my first reaction wasn't so pretty.

Again, Chris -- good job.

Peace & Love,
Sugah

[windysan]

i had a nun for a teacher in 6th grade named sister mary elizabeth.

i hated her guts and stayed awake at night thinking of different ways to do away with her.

but i breezed through high school english because of her.

[Alycia]

Wow that is amazing, I can't say I'd never did that!!! Well, I have my own adventures of birth stories! for another day! You did goooooooodddd!!!

btw, a baby born up to 3 wks early if full term. That is what my doc told me always, cuz both of my older boys were born at 37 wks and 3 days, and my last was born at 35 wks, sad, he was only 5 lbs, and got down to 4lbs and some ounces. Anyways, I would hope that ur office would understand!