Lao Yao

Today is my youngest son's 11th birthday. Lao Yao is the term the Chinese use for the youngest, although it's not particularly flattering. ;) But really, for a youngest kid, he is pretty great. Alot of youngest children are very spoiled, but not him. He's so easy going 90% of the time. (He does have his moments) He has such an even temperament and is a pleasure to live with.

I was just thinking tonight about when he was born. I had an appointment with the doctor at 9:45 in the morning. But at 9:15, my water leaked. I went next door and asked my neighbor if she would babysit my 5 year old while I drove myself to the hospital. She said, "Do you want me to drive you?" I told her that I wasn't having any contractions, so I thought I could drive myself the 30+ miles to Walnut Creek Kaiser. I walked back to my house, but on the way a HUGE contraction hit me and I couldn't even walk during it. I went back and asked her if she could drive me after all. I'm SO glad she drove me, because my labor hit hard and fast. It took us about 45 minutes to get to the hospital, and by the time I got in and got checked, I was about 5 1/2 centimeters. The nurse pushed me in a wheelchair upstairs. 15 minutes later they checked me and I was 8 centimeters dilated! Then I noticed the nurses start to scurry. They were grabbing things out of cupboards and whizzing carts in to the room as fast as they could. About 15-20 minutes later, I was fully dilated. I only pushed for about 15 more minutes before I had him. Now that's my kind of labor!

I really am thankful to have him in my family. He is such a pleasure to have, I can't imagine our family without him! Happy Birthday D!