The Ongoing Adventures of
Parker Ryan
and his family.

Week 39: May 4, 1998

The week began with Sharon's visit to the doctor's office. There, she found out she was a 3 centimeters and counting. But nothing happened. Minutes turned into hours into days. And then, at 3 a.m. Saturday, May 9, Sharon thought she had to go potty. At 5 a.m., she finally figured out she was in labor, heavy labor to be exact.

The household sprang into action. Within 10 minutes we were in the car. By that time, Parker's head was beginning to show and the water had broken. We gave up counting contractions because there was only one constant one - peak, peak, valley.

I broke just about every law in the book concerning speed, red lights, yielding and managed to shave 8 minutes off the 20 minute trip to the hospital. I called ahead to let them know that birth was imminent. I think they thought I was joking.

In Emergency, they wheeled Sharon off while Becca and I found our way to Labor & Delivery. It took us about four minutes to find the area. I was beginning to get a little preturbed at the nurse at the Nurse's Station because he was ignoring me because he was on the phone. Then I realized they were talking to our doctor, Dr. Fransden. Then I heard an ear piercing scream in the room behind me and knew it was familiar. By the time Sharon and I got in the room, about 5:39 a.m., Parker was on his way out.

One of the deliverying nurses told me to grab Sharon's knee and hoist it to her chest. And with three big pushes, two earpiercing screams, but not a single cuss word, Parker Ryan popped into the world at 5:43 a.m. No doctor, no delivery room, no time for IVs, anethesia, or prepping. We didn't even get to wear cool scrubs under they carted Sharon off to the Delivery Room to sew her up and wait for all the gooey stuff to spew out. That's when the doctor arrived.

When Sharon's parents arrived around 7 a.m., they had assumed they'd have a long wait to come. Instead, they found Becca and I in the lobby, getting something to eat. They looked a little puzzled until I told them there would be no wait, it was way over long ago. Then it was time to make phone calls and think about this whirlwind birth.

Parker was a little red at birth, the one nurse comparing his arrival to air travel. Most kids make a smooth easy landing and have time to adjust -- Parker crashed and burned. He had a little initial problem with ambiotic fluid and junk in his lungs. But he looks much better today.

And so it is that Parker Ryan Zerr arrived in this world. He's 7 lbs, 5.4 oz., and about 19 1/2. to 20 inches long, depending upon whether you measure him normally or include his little cone head.