I'll give the straight facts to those who just want to know that: Lydia Cathey Knowles was born 9lbs. 6oz. 20-1/2in. long last night, but the whole story is below... you might find it interesting.
Working All Things....
Last night Laurie woke up at 10:39pm with sharp labor pains, and by 11:04pm I was on the phone with Devon (who was our late night on call get here as quick as you can person). And I must say, Devon came through like a champ, and we can't thank him enough.
We're on the road to the hospital at 11:24pm I have flashers on driving like a mad man. I call Chase to get him to start praying that we make it to Brookwood Hospital from Pinson on time. He calls back and suggests calling 911 which a few seconds later I'm coming up on a police car so I say... that's a good idea. I try to get the attention of the police officer as I drive past...(i did slow down a bit), but he didn't really do anything at first. He kind of followed at a distance, but as I got to a traffic spot and was trying to maneuver through it... the policeman thought he'd better check us out. He cuts on his lights... I don't pull over ..... He hits his siren.... "Focus on your breathing honey not on the pain" (note to future dads...not a very helpful line) I don't pull over.... He comes up beside me as I'm pulling on to the interstate and begins to "guide" me off the road... I still don't stop, but I am trying to scream at him to tell him "MY WIFE'S HAVING A BABY!!!" at the same time trying to get his car number to tell the 911 people so they can pull him off of me..... He doesn't get the message, but I do... as he pulls his gun and points it at me ...... I pull over...... Understand the whole time this is going on, my wife is in labor screaming (yes, Laurie can scream) and telling me to go, go, go!!! The P.O. gets out of his car - weapon still drawn and pointed at me while I'm trying to explain the situation and begging the 911 operator to do something.... He makes me cut off the car and get out, put my hands in the air and get into the back of his vehicle.... only then does he go over to my car and asks Laurie, "Are you in labor?" while she's sitting their with obvious belly writhing in pain..... she tells him 'YESSSSSS!!!! AND I'M ABOUT TO HAVE THIS BABY!!!!".... He then comes back over to his car and asks if I will go and calm her down.... (uh... yeah... calm her down... sure... no problem)....
He then proceeds to put on surgical gloves and walks back over to the car saying, I didn't think I'd ever have to do this... (uh... do what.... if it comes down between you and me delivering this child.. I will win that battle ;) ) but then he asks if I'm still on the line with 911.... that's a good question... I'm not sure if they stayed on the line since you made me put the phone on the trunk of your car before going into your back seat.... The P.O. did ask if he could use my phone to talk to them.... sure, no problem....
Well, at this point Laurie's water broke and now it's on.... when Laurie's water breaks - baby comes. The P.O. gets on the radio to see how far the ambulance is away.... it's close.... I hope close enough.
We see the lights of the ambulance.... I see Lydia's head... they pull up and Paramedic Stan (may God bless him) comes up and gets everything ready for delivery which happens D.O.B. .... 11:57pm.... (notice the time frame here)....
They put Laurie and Lydia in the ambulance and I follow the P.O. in our car to the hospital.
In hind sight, we realize that we would have been cutting it real close to make it to the hospital and getting pulled over to have the paramedics on seen was probably more desirable than us having to pull off and deliver with just me. (still could've done w/out the gun point ;)
Well, we rejoice in the Lord that Lydia is born and healthy and mom is healing up from last night's festivities. Please, continue to pray for us as we celebrate this new addition to our family.
Here is a pic of this beautiful girl, too.
"For we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes." Rom. 8:28
