> Day with the Stars
In my initial attempt to be a better parent, I decided to consult the stars.
He was born 08 February 2008, a lucky date according to news report from one of the local dailies. So lucky that many would-be parents rushed to the delivery room of Makati Med as early as 1am. All private rooms are occupied, all seats outside delivery room taken, long queue in the admitting, and you could actually feel the tension among staff & nurses tending to irate patients.
Prior to his birth, I consider 14 February as the perfect date. I think it’s an asset to be born on Valentines although our OB wanted to induced France as early as 07 February. We decided last minute to wait another day since the 7th falls on Thursday and I prefer Friday so I can have the weekend to assist France. Good thing too that it falls on the 8th, a lucky number according to numerologist.
I met two equally excited fathers (Fathers X and Y). One will name his baby Elijah Miguel, the others Patricia. We were the earliest birds. Like me, it’s the first for X so we kept on asking Y, who is now on his second. We were all armed with a digital camera, ready to take shots when the moment comes. I saw X reading some parethood book while Y holding some baby album/book. Parenthood nowadays really comes with a manual. I smiled at the idea.
Since France dilation did not improve, the doctor recommended a C/S after almost 8 hours of labouring (that’s another 8!). By 2:15 pm (2+1+5 = 8), our baby boy came out. He was so cute, so adorable, so handsome, so fragile, so tender, so irresistible. The nurse showed him to me and I was quick to take some picture-perfect shots. At the nursery, he was the biggest & you can’t help noticed him because he’s a tearjerker and very active. The nurse kept on coming back to him to fix his swaddling blanket, and it appeared comical because the nurses seem out-of-control perhaps due to too many babies in the nursery. And he was so "pasaway". People in the viewing room could not help but smile at the situation and commented, "ang kulit ng anak mo".
By 6pm, we got our room and visitors started to come. Our personal thanks to friends and families who visited and/or sent us inspirational/congratulatory messages. I created a folder in my cell, saved all messages received on that day, and named it Lucky Day. From time to time, until now, I find myself opening that folder and happy memories keep coming back.
On that "lucky day" I made a fearless forecast. My baby will be the kindest, brigthest, most charming, most caring, most gifted, most successful among babies of his generation. And since he will be the best, we will try to be the best parent too.
By the way, his name is Karl Isaac. You can know him more by visiting his blog at http://karlisaac.wordpress.com
See you there!
