Happy Birthday ZZ

The doctor- scratching his head, looking concerned.
Me, oblivious expecting a long delivery, like before. Probably thinking about breakfast more than anything else. And hoping that Paul's stomach bug was short lived.

The flurry of activity. The "code pink, maternity" called over the hospital PA. "wait- I am the only one delivering here now..." Staff surrounding me with oxygen masks and flying me down the hall for the emergency c-section.

My family taken aback and how fast it all happened.

And, though not as expected, he arrived.

Healthy and perfect, 7 lbs 14 oz. despite heartbeats dipping into the 20's for a while there with each contraction.

Looking like his big brother, but with big blue eyes.

And deciding on his name took a day and a half. Jacob was on the list, and Zachary too.

Zachary means "remembered by God", and his middle name was to be Richard for my dad- meaning "strong". It became a no brainer. He was remembered by God. It barely even crossed my mind that something could go wrong in the delivery room. Mostly by choice to not think that way. Then it happened. And though we may have forgotten to petition God for his safe arrival, assuming... God remembered. Remembered to give him an insightful and observant doctor and team of nurses. One that even though it was an early Saturday morning and his family was certainly waiting at home, he was with mine watching and planning for what I didn't see or know.

So, God Remembered. And kept him strong. Zachary Richard.

And he hasn't missed a beat since.