Racing to the Finish Line

Unbeknownst to Brigit, she was nearly woken from a nap by Henderson police on Monday.

I was driving back from Annandale (where my office is) and, as usual, called to tell her I was on my way. She did not answer and I left her a voice mail asking her to return my call when she got my message.

Brigit is rarely without her phone and prompt about calling me back when she sees I’ve called so I became mildly agitated when I did not hear back from her within ten minutes. After twenty minutes I was pretty concerned. After half an hour I was worried.

The drive from Annandale to Henderson typically takes between 70 and 80 minutes and consists of 60.7 miles of mostly county roads which are posted at 55 mph.

So, here’s a math problem for you: A 2005 Ford F150 leaves point A traveling at 55 mph. After traveling 30 minutes the speed has steadily increased to 70 mph and why the hell is EVERY BUICK DRIVING BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT AND WHY ISN’T SHE ANSWERING THE DAMN PHONE?!?!

By Hamburg(19.75 miles from home) I had already called our friends the Radfords in New Prague (20 minutes from Henderson) to see if they were actively driving Brigit to a hospital. I’d tried to remember ANYONE’S last name in our new community, considered calling the police, fire department, and ambulance. I was slowing to 80 mph in the long curves between corn fields, reviewing what I remembered of CPR from summer swimming lessons, and calling Brigit continually.

Brigit answered the phone and immediately apologized after I’d passed Green Isle (14.75 miles from Henderson). She was asleep on the couch with her phone upstairs. I requested that she please, please keep her phone nearby until the baby arrives which she promised to do. I slowed to 55 mph which seemed like a crawl.

We both went to Brigit’s midwife appointment today. The ultrasound tech estimated Ziggy’s weight at 8 pounds 10 ounces and, unfortunately for Brigit, appears to take after dad who has a hard time finding hats big enough to fit.

The midwife is having us back on Friday and may want to discuss inducing. But, Brigit did have some contractions this morning (though not regular or sustained) so we are hoping Ziggy is nearly ready to make a grand entrance. We will keep you updated.

And Brigit will have her phone at hand.

Ciao.
Joe & Brigit