Happy Birthday to Me, a day early

Erin came over this morning after dropping Toni off at school; the plan was for her and Char to get some last minute, pre-baby shopping done, and to stock up on groceries neither she nor Miko would feel like shopping for over the next few weeks. She was getting uncomfortable pregnant and didn't want to have to shop for more than essentials until after the baby was born, and with two weeks to go, it seemed reasonable to stock up on non-perishables. After all, she had grocery runners living a couple blocks away if she needed us and just couldn't bear to pull herself up and get the kids ready to go out.

That all sounded good, because I wasn't being forced to go and was going to get to spend the morning with Travis, until her water broke in the middle of our kitchen.

I was ready to pick her up and slam her into the car and race to the hospital; both she and Char were a little too calm, looking at watches and declaring there to be plenty of time. Erin called Miko and told him she'd be heading toward the hospital "in an hour or so" and Char called Brad to ask him to pick our kids up, and then to swing by Toni's school to get her. Erin called Miko's mother to come get Travis; she was content to babysit and wasn't going to spend all day sitting in a waiting room and preferred to watch her grandson. You couldn't have kept me away from the hospital, even if all I did was sit in the waiting room.

It took me an hour to get those women out the front door, and then another 20 minutes at Erin's because she "had" to have her laptop, Kindle, change of clothes, focus object, and probably a six pack of beer, judging by how big the damned bag was.

I was fully prepared to pull the car over and deliver that kid right there on the side of the road, she was moving so slowly. I did ask her to just cross her legs tightly and hold on for another 18 hours or so, just so that he would be born on my birthday, but holy shit, that girl has a mouth on her. I have no idea where she gets that from.

So instead of getting final baby things and stocking up on groceries, Erin and Char spent the day watching TV while Miko and I played cards and snoozed, until Erin stated matter-of-factly, Well, I think it's time.

Half an hour later, 9 lb 2 oz, 21" long Thaddeus Nicoli Kosta popped out into the world, and after getting their own very long look at him, his parents graciously allowed Char and I to count his fingers and toes and proclaim him one of the 6 most beautiful babies we've ever seen.

Baby Thad will get to go home tomorrow, but because it's my birthday, Erin promised to stop here first, so that I can properly welcome my newest grandson into my life.