Saturday, November 1, 2008, Fairbanks, Alaska~

Dear Journal~

Frank here.  Frank Hammer.  I'm afraid it's bad news.

My darling wife, Katrina (Kat), has gone into labor.  Woke up this morning, with the bed all wet.  Thought Kat had an accident; however when I saw the look of terror in her face, I immediately knew what'd taken place.  My wife's water broke; now she's in full labor as I write this.

We're at the hospital.  I'm sitting  here in the L&D (labor and delivery) room, waiting for Junior to be born.  We are definitely having a boy, as I alluded to last time (or Kat did, anyway).  His name's going to be the same as mine:  Franklin Delano Hammer, Jr.  We'll be carrying on the Hammer family name.

Kat's lying on a table, a whole team of doctors and nurses around her.  She looks scared to death.  I don't blame her; after all, she's the one giving birth, not me.  I just pray all goes well, without incident.  I will have to do some heavy duty praying!

As I sit here, looking at the drama unfolding in front of me, a million emotions, questions flood my mind.  I feel elated, scared, sad, even confused.  I wonder if our baby is going to be born with all his body parts intact, or at least in the right locations.  I don't know what I'd do if Junior emerged with his foot on his hand or vice versa!  That would not be good!  I pray he doesn't have any unknown defects or disabilities; I don't think I could handle parenting a handicapped child!

Kat's now screaming in pain (or is it fear??).  I don't think she is feeling any pain; she's a paraplegic:  no sensation below her waist.  If anyone's in pain, it's me.  My stomach is killing me; I think it's nerves or gas.  LOL

Later:

I am so embarrassed!  I am now lying on a cot, a nurse taking my blood pressure.  Guess who passed out cold.  Yes, you guessed it.  Me.  Big, strong, brave me.  Saw this bloody, grey looking thing, and that's the last thing I remember until just a while ago.  Nice. 

I am the parent of a baby boy.  A bouncing baby boy.  Four pounds, three ounces, a tiny little dude.  Little just like his mama.  Looks just like her, too:  has her temper, for one thing:  when he came out, he was squallerin' like a crawfish had a hold of his big toe and wouldn't let go; he was really yellling!

He's absolutely beautiful! 

Nursie is looking down at me as I write this.  Guess she wants to make sure I don't write any details of her sordid affair with the premier neurosurgeon.  (Kidding here; I know nothing of the sort!!  In fact, I don't know her from Eve; never saw her before.  Looks just like a female version of Godzilla. YIKES!  Hallowe'en leftover!! LOL)

Kat's now sleeping in her bed.  She looks peaceful after all the drama she went through.  She's earned a little rest; I'll just let her sleep.  She has EKG leads, oxygen, an IV; looks really charming.  (NOT!)  At least she's not in ICU; she could look like a zombie's medical experiment! 

I just wonder how Aurora our kitty is going to feel about the new life we will be bringing home from the hospital in a week or so.  They are going to keep Junior in NICU (Nick-You; it stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for a few days, to make sure his lungs, ticker, other body functions are okay; it's standard procedure for premature babies.

I know she's not going to be happy with all the noise of our new son; babies are not known for being quiet; they cry at any hour, any day, morning, noon, night.  Doesn't matter if it's sunny, rainy, or even snowing out:  if Junior needs something, he'll make his demands known.  Promptly--and loudly!

Well, I am going to get a burger; am hungry all of a sudden.  Maybe it's from the faint; I don't know, but my belly's protesting; it's saying: FEED ME!!  I will write in here in a day or two, with updates on Kat and Junior; stay tuned!

I'm now a FATHER!!  Oh, my goodness!  I never thought I'd be a new daddy again--at fifty-some years of age!!  YIKES!

~Frank D. Hammer, new papa. :D