Best-Laid Plans

On April 7, my best friend Sherri is due to have a baby.

And as the official labor coach, I have to tell you, we've been planning that birth day for months now.

I've blocked off my entire Spring Break next week to spend with her. We've learned at least a dozen ways to induce her labor naturally. We've rehearsed positive statements to help her survive the contractions. We've planned the meals we're going to eat before, during and after her delivery.

I even know the exact nightgown she wants to wear after her son is born.

We are ready.

But not as ready as her little baby boy.

Because the little stinker went ahead and blew our plans right out of the water.

He arrived late Monday night.

Two weeks early.

During a precipitous 3.5-hour labor.

Samuel - my little "nephew" - was born into the world to my best friend Sherri and her husband Jesse quickly.

Very quickly.

So quickly, in fact, that I didn't even make it the birthing center in time. He emerged into the world early, minutes before his labor-coaching auntie here sprinted through the door, laying to waste to all those pushing tips I'd read and stored away for that special day we were planning two weeks from today.

Samuel didn't even seem to appreciate the fact that I broke several speeding laws late Monday night in my 2.5-hour race to the birth center, which also involved me speeding right over a wooden cabinet that had fallen out and broken into large chunks smack dab in the middle of the highway.

But I didn't stop to check the undercarriage of my car. I just keep driving and crying till I burst through the center's door and found him laying on my best friend's chest, whimpering.

My best friend was also whimpering and apologizing, saying, "I tried to cross my legs and hold him in, but it just didn't work."

Which made both our tears quickly turn to laughter.

He was here; he was healthy; we all made it there safely (and with minimal damage to the undercarriage of our vehicles.)

And as it turns out, coaching my best friend through a host of post-partum necessities turned out to be just as gratifying.

There was a ton of prayer and a ton love in that birthing center for baby Samuel and Sherri on Monday, March 29; God orchestrated a miracle with how that baby was born.

And now, looking back on it, I don't think this labor coach would have had it any other way.

***

Between this past girls' weekend, and then this unexpected birthing-day party for my nephew, I'm a little exhausted. On Sunday night, I got four hours of sleep, and that was the last I saw of slumber for the next two days.

So I'm tired. And weak. And rather weepy-sleepy.

And I didn't even have the baby.

But I am preparing to go back down this weekend and spend my Spring Break caring for my friend Sherri and her new little one, working as a mother's helper and resident entertainer until she feels up to being by herself.

So I need to catch some shut-eye now. While I still have a chance.

I promise to tell you all more about Samuel and post a sweet picture or two next week while I'm getting my baby tank all filled up.

And for those of you waiting to hear other phone/text/e-mail/Twitter/Blogger responses from me, I'm sorry for the hold-up! I will be back in working shape tomorrow! I haven't forgotten you; I'm just playing catch up.

Until then, Happy Wednesday! Thank you for your patience. We'll return to our regularly scheduled programming around here tomorrow!

And welcome to the world, Baby Samuel!