Hello Mateo

The new decade has come and I hope its been a wonderful one for you.In the early hours, I got a text. "I think its baby time..."No alarm or wake up call gets your blood pumping before your feet ever hit the floor quite like that. I knew mom's last birth was fast, and knew I needed to get going now.While on call, I am always preparing. My camera bag is always charged and stocked, loaded with snacks and weird essentials. I also prep my own children. Now 5 and 10, they easily understand that I may or may not be there when they think I will be. That dad will be in charge of our morning routine when its normally mom. Or Grammy may be picking them up from school. There is quick dinners on hand at all times because births can be at all hours of the day and last an unknown amount of time. These things take the stress of bring on call off of my personal plate.

It was a damp morning. Crisp and very moist from the night's rain. It was still dark and the the hospital lights glowed in a light fog hovering above. I waited in the dark waiting room alone while mom, dad and baby were in triage. I watched as the morning light broke and a soft light glowed in the corner window. Mom was admitted, and I was allowed back. Progress was happening quickly. There was a sweet little boy determined to come out.