300 Million?

Today marked the day that America passed the 300 million population mark. Those in the know estimate that sometime today the 300 millionth American was born. That will make an interesting tidbit for my son, who was born today at 1:44 PM. Obligatory pics here.

I have a few thoughts on the whole child birthing process. I freely admit I’m a sissy. I do ok with pain, and when the moving crew gets out and works, I feel like I can keep up with the best of them (except for David and Trent. Nobody keeps up with David and Trent). But when my wife is in pain, and there is nothing I can do about it, it’s torturous. The labor didn’t really start until around 11:30, but by the time the little guy was brought into the world, I was physically and emotionally exhausted. I couldn’t stop pacing; I was tense and worried the entire time. I just don’t handle child birth very well.

I know, I know, it’s much worse for my wife, but at least she gets an epidural for the pain, nobody once offered me any drugs for my anxiety. Nor was I offered ice chips. Or Juice. Or a cool compress. I could have used any of those. I spent a lot of time with my head between my knees, and breathing into a brown paper bag.

I am proud of the fact that I cut the cord. Of course I was in such a stupor it turned out that I cut the cord to a lamp, but still, it’s a step in the right direction.

Anyway, Mom and baby are fine. Dad is tired, but is glad because of the whole ‘Mom and baby are fine’ bit. I look forward to peace and quiet that will come with 5 brothers in one house.

If nothing else, it will provide a lot of fodder for my next book.