PJ

After having 4 girls in a row, our Philip John was much anticipated.  I was actually getting tired of pink everything and shrill giggles.  I'd forgotten that little boys have a much more guttural laugh when they see something exciting--like a backhoe.

So when we found out that I was carrying a boy, the cheer carried from the ultrasound room in San Antonio all the way to Virginia where Stephen was working at his new position under President G. W. Bush.

Philip decided to take his time, however, arriving 12 days over due.  I even visited the stork at the National Zoo on Maria's birthday to find out what was keeping him!  And then, I had about 48 hours of somewhat decent labor (I say "somewhat" because it kept me from getting any "decent" sleep during those 48 hours). 

When my OB visited me in the labor/delivery room after I'd been there for 8-10 hours, pacing zombie like through the halls, not progressing, he suggested an epidural, reassuring me that I wouldn't be the wimp I'd accused other moms of being who'd had them.  Yet another slice of humble pie for me....

I knew that once you go the epidural route, you can never go back.  I was so exhausted, that it really wasn't that hard to decide.  Once the epidural was in place and the pain of each contraction faded to nothing, I just started laughing.  You all know that punchy, embarrassing high pitch giggle.  Before I made a complete fool of myself, however, I closed my eyes and opened my mouth in order to catch an hour of flies.  Best hour nap I've ever had. 

The nurse came in to check my progress, and it's a good thing, because Philip would have been born without me even waking otherwise.  The nurse had to ask me not to laugh anymore, so they could get the OB back before my son fell out.

And while we were all glad to have a baby boy for a change, his older brothers discovered the down side: They would be expected to change more diapers now....

Builds character.