6lbs, 18inches, and, most importantly, healthy.
Unfortunately for little Darc and Millie, Dexter's birth was something out of a movie.
You know that opening scene where the main actor reminisces on the one traumatic childhood event that forever influenced the course of his life. That will be Darc, reflecting on the birth of his little brother and how, at four years old, he had learned more of the birds and the bees than any four year old before him.
In short, Darc saw more than he should have and in case you're still wondering exactly what I mean just know that little Darc was so close to the "explosive" miracle that is child birth he could have delivered his brother himself and cut the umbilical cord - which by the way, I didn't even get to do this time around.
Before you go revoking my father of the year title, though, just know that everything that could have gone wrong that day, did go wrong.
For starters, earlier that day, Cristina demanded we have Peter Piper Pizza for dinner, despite my craving Papa John's. For crying out loud, she didn't even get a chance to eat a slice before the contractions literally knocked her off her feet.
With both her previous pregnancies, cramps were nonexistent. And because the birthdays were both planned, she always had an epidural in place just before she could ever fully appreciate the existence of epidurals. Not this time.
With both her previous pregnancies, cramps were nonexistent. And because the birthdays were both planned, she always had an epidural in place just before she could ever fully appreciate the existence of epidurals. Not this time.
As if that wasn't enough to set the tone for an event that was going down three weeks too soon, we found ourselves in a hospital - which we hadn't yet registered Cristina in - with nobody to watch our kids. There I was, crammed in the corner of the delivery room with two toddlers witnessing their mother in the throes of childbirth and I didn't even have my selfie stick to get a properly angled photo.
It's like Dexter knew that the growth of our little family would culminate with his birth and so he had to "go out with a bang." I just didn't think he would take it so literally.
Amidst all the confusion, and moments before the doctor coached Cristina through the final big push, I noticed Cristina's leg was slipping from one of the leg holsters, so I stepped up to reposition her and offer my support, leaving behind the kids. Looking back now, that's when it all went wrong. Naturally, Millie burst into tears, so after I took her into my arms and returned to Cristina's side I didn't realize Darc followed after me. By this time, the doctor told Cristina that Dexter was halfway out, and this is where Darc's curiosity got the best of him.
"There's too much blood. I don't like blood," resonated throughout the hallway as I carried him and his sister out to the waiting room.
The whole situation left a bad taste in our mouths, the doctor's especially. Maybe that will teach her to wear a face mask next time.
After the dust subsided, what emerged was yet another reason for Cristina and I to feel like God is smiling down on us.
After the dust subsided, what emerged was yet another reason for Cristina and I to feel like God is smiling down on us.
