I was able to hack into Mychelle’s account, dust off this old blog, and start telling you about the series of wonderful events that I have been experiencing. There is so much to write about that I do not know where to start. 

I will start with where I am right now. As I write this I sit in the Halifax Regional Hospital in South Boston Virginia. This is my second trip here in two days while we wait for baby number three to come. It never becomes routine, no matter how many children you have. Each experience is unique and special. 

When I got home yesterday I found out that Mychelle had been in labor for a few hours already. I was super excited that the time had come. The fact that I am writing this a day later shows that the time had not come yet, but I guess that the cruel joke of our baby playing “Try Again!” was a blessing in disguise. Soon after I found out my wife was in labor I received word that a good friend from work passed away after a struggle with cancer and stroke. The joy of the baby coming was able to ease the sorrow of that passing; so thank you baby number 3 for the joke. 

It is definitely an adventure to have a baby in another hospital in a different state then all of your other children. Different hospitals act and preform different ways, and I have had to keep an open mind during this experience.

For instance, why am I here on my computer typing this when I should be in the delivery room with my wife giggling like a little child and bothering the snot out of her while she bears down? Well, they are a bit old fashion here, and they don’t let anyone come in with her until she is all dressed down, set up, and being monitored (and when they remember to actually come get me). 

This is another blessing of the false alarm yesterday. I wasn’t too happy with the situation of not escorting her in and being by her side, but today I was prepared for this and am a lot more calm about it. We are also now prepared for the fact that they only allow two other people in the room besides Mychelle and the doctors. This was something that we were not told until we got here, and so my mother and niece had to sit out in the waiting room instead of being in there with us.

They do not seem to have a lot of child births here and are not prone to laughing at jokes (at least not at any of mine). But I feel somewhat secure here and know that everything will be alright with Mychelle and the baby. I am grateful for the Tonk’s and my parents for helping us with the kids and with Hoss (our dog). I am also thankful for all of you who are keeping us in your prayers.

They have finally let me and the Doula into the room. Mychelle seems to be doing fine. She is now considered in true labor, but is progressing rather slow. She is a really strong woman. I would be so upset and cranky if I were in labor all afternoon, went to a hospital, was told to go home, had contractions all night, was alone all morning, and baked the best pecan pie ever and not able to touch a bite of it until the little one arrived. But even through all of that she is smiling and happy. I am thankful for Mychelle

Mychelle is always amazing me with her strength. She is quite the fire ball when she wants to be, but she is the sweetest and most strong woman I know. I love her so much.

The Doula that she hired has been a saving grace for both me and her (for her because she won’t have an inexperienced husband trying to sound like he knows what he is talking about, and for me because I won’t get yelled at as much). This doula is amazing. I wonder if all doulas are all like her. She came over to our home to stay with Mychelle while I was at work. She talked with her, watched movies with her, walked with her - she even did our dishes! She makes Doula synonymous with friend. She has been braiding Mychelle’s hair and walking her around. I feel like a lazy tub not helping, but I think that I would do more harm then good. I am thankful for a great doula.

I am, at this time, thankful for God. The hospital here is very restrictive and does not mesh well with us (limited camera use, only two people in the room, the doctor on call is a smoker, etc.). I take solace in the fact that I can call upon God and ask Him to protect the baby and Mychelle and give us peace with the situation. I am thankful for God.

George Washington once said that Thanksgiving was instituted to give “the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God...”. Most years I just think of the good dinner that I will be having. But today I am thankful for these signal favors.

I guess when the baby comes, all of these thoughts will leave and I will be preoccupied with the new addition. Maybe that is why I write all this before the baby is born. I don’t know. I guess I am just thankful to have something to be thankful about. 

Here’s to all of you this thanksgiving, and I hope to write again soon with pictures to show you of another soul come into this world to experience the thanksgivings of life. Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. Sundance Out.