MJ Day as Daddy Remembers It

Virginia is asleep with Mera Jane right now, so I thought I'd relate yesterday's events before they get lost among all the thoughts of home runs and ERA.

Around 5 a.m. Friday morning, I wasn't able to sleep, so Virginia rolled over in bed and said, "You know I'm in labor, right?" No, at least at that point, labor was akin to waking with a full head of hair. But there it was, proof that Mera Jane wouldn't actually go through puberty in her mama's belly.

Charged by the news, I took a shower and waited to welcome my baby girl to the world after the midwife, Ruth Cobb, pulled her from the home birthing pool. Trouble was, contractions stalled around 7 a.m. Ugh. Still, we didn't lose hope.

Aunt Bob arrived from Stillwater around 8:30 a.m., just in time to help me take the girls to school. God bless Boston Avenue for letting Georgia and Darby go on a day they'd ordinarily stay home. And thanks to Mary Byrne for picking up the kids, then keeping them for the rest of the day and into the night.

Around 2:30 p.m., Virginia and I headed to Ruth's house in west Tulsa to see if she could strip Virginia's membranes. Sounds gross, and it is, but it basically kick-started contractions.

By 8 p.m., I finished putting Darby to bed, then waited with the midwife's assistant, Brandi, Aunt Kiki and Bob in the living room. Along the way, I had an enlightening talk with Brandi, a mother of five, about the wonders of home birth and just parenthood in general. Great lady.

Finally, around 9:30 p.m., concerns of Virginia not deliving the baby until the next day, quickly scooted on by. I've seen Virginia in the midst of childbirth, so I could tell that the aggression in her voice meant Mera Jane would soon get her eviction notice.

At 10: 20 p.m., Virginia stepped into the 100-degree birth pool set on getting the job done in a hurry, even if that meant Brandi had to deliver Mera Jane instead of Ruth. But, around 10:35 p.m., Ruth made it through the thunder storm in time to hear Virginia rattle off some of her choice cuss words, and her expected, but not too serious, pleas for an epidural and c-section. We got many of Virginia's hilarious comments, along with two raised middle fingers, on video. Can't wait to watch the video with her.

Ruth, who is a blessing to our family, is something of a pregnant-lady-whisperer. She put us all at ease, even Virginia, as Mera Jane made her way towards the vertical exit. As Virginia often said in the hours after the birth, it all hurt really, really bad, but Viriginia once again proved she is the bravest, strongest, grittiest gal this side of the Byrne Ranch. After all, at 11:03 p.m., Mera came out 9 pounds, 6 ounces. A very big baby with darling cheeks a good cry.

The birth, just like Darby's, went by in a hurry. I remember a ribbon of blood, followed by a gurgle of bubbles, then Mera Jane's head was in Ruth's hands. Then mine.

Welcome to the family, baby girl.

Thanks so much to everyone who helped make the birth such a beautiful event, especially Bob, who was with me for the birth of all three of my amazing girls. She is comic relief in a time when nerves tear me up and throw me down. My mother prayed many a "Hail Mary" for baby Mera. God smiled. Thanks Mom. Mary Byrne, thanks for being there for all of us. I can only hope Mera Jane has the superpowers of both her grandmothers. Dad, you showed me how it's done. Debo, please help me teach Mera the difference between a slider and a cut fastball. Matt Byrne, I can't wait til you feel what I felt last night. Kiki, I'm so glad you got to see my baby girl come into the world. Thanks for catching it all on video, even the gross parts. Vivian, Mera's blessed to have a cousin like you, but that doesn't mean you can buy her beer some day. To my own brother and sister, I can't wait to show off my baby girl. And, finally, Virginia, I love you. It'd break my arms to show you how much. Now stop laughing at how cheesy I'm being.