This past Sunday started like any other Sunday. Other than the fact that it was one of the first Sunday’s I had had off work in quite a while, nothing else unusual transpired. I lounged around all day with the girls, and even managed to get in a very much needed nap in the afternoon. It rained most of the day, off and on, so I didn’t get any outside time. Which was really okay, because it was a little nippy, temperature wise.
After a day of just spending time with my babies, I finally turned in a little before 11pm. I no sooner got comfortable, and was starting the nightly routine of getting Rooh settled, when my Aunt Mary beeped me. She told me that my cousin Kelli’s water had broke, and that Shaun and the boys were taking her to KDMC. My Aunt said that she wanted to go with them, and in the end, she did. I told her that it was all exciting, and my Aunt said that she figured the baby would be born that night. I then called my Aunt Monica to let her know. My Aunt Monica and I discussed again how exciting it was, and we both were of the opinion that Kelli would have the baby earlier the next morning. So, I turned back in, and got Rooh settled down, and drifted off to sleep.
At 12:00 am, my Uncle Keni beeped me and asked if I was rested enough. He said they had had to stop in Lousia, that Kelli couldn’t make it to Ashland after all. He wanted to go see her, and I told him I would take him. I got the girls settled, changed my clothes, and went into the main house. My Uncle was on the phone with my Aunt who said that Kelli had already had the baby!!! I was floored!!! Little did we know the complete story until we got to Louisa, and boy is it a doozy!!!
Seems my cousin Kelli had been having contractions off and on all day, since church earlier that morning. She had laid down a bit, and they seemed to ease up. She called her doctor, but for reasons I am not sure of, decided to wait to go to the hospital till later in the night. This is Kelli’s third baby, and I am more than secure in the knowledge that she knew when to go. She knew how she was feeling better than anyone. And, the baby wasn’t due until early April. But, then again, both her other boys were two weeks early as well. I guess, when her water broke, she knew it was time to head out. Shaun and the boys got her in the van, and they came up and got my Aunt, and they took flight!! If you knew Shaun, you would know what I mean!! LOL!!
The next segment of the story was relayed to me by my cousin, Shaun, and my Aunt Mary. Seems that Kelli realized that she couldn’t make it to Ashland. So, while traveling down Rt23, Shaun called 911. He explained the situation, and the dispatcher told him to pull over. He said he wanted to keep driving, because he knew that Kelli’s doctor would be at KDMC, and that was really where she wanted to have the baby. But, the dispatcher told him to pull over at the castle station, at the 23 bypass of Louisa, and they would send an ambulance. So, that is what they did. After a little while, Shaun called back, and asked what was taking so long. The ambulance was held up by a train!!! A train of all things!!! But, they did eventually get there. Kelli must have thought…OMGoodness!! I am going to have this baby in the van!!!
Once the ambulance got there, they loaded her up, and off she went. Now, the Louisa bypass is only about 2-4 minutes from the hospital, in ambulance time. And, to show how close the baby was to coming, the attendant stated that if she needed, they could pull of the road and have the baby there. Kelli evidentally said no, and they kept going. She said the entire time, she felt the strongest need to push, but she didn’t.
They get her to the ER, then take her up to the second floor in the elevator, and into the delivery room. They are going to move her to the delivery table, but she said “No, the baby is coming, and it is coming now”. She then proceeded to have the little tyke on the cot from the ambulance…no time for drugs, no time for argument, no time for Shaun to get up there to help, cause he was still signing forms!!!
After a few scary moments *he was slightly purple and didn’t want to breathe at first*, my newest little cousin made his way into this world. He was born within 48 minutes of Kelli leaving for the hospital. He weighed in at 5lbs 8oz, and measured 19 1/2″ long. He has ten little fingers, ten little toes, and the cutest little nose in the world.
Now, this was the first time I had seen a baby so tiny, and by the time I got to the hospital, about 2 hours old. I had no brothers or sisters growing up, and I have no children of my own. So, the experience I had, in those first few wee hours of the morning, on March 15, 2010 will stay with me for the rest of my life. I was so awe struck, to say the least. I looked down upon this precious little creation, and could do nothing but stare. No words can describe the feeling that went through me at that moment. And, I will always be grateful of Kelli for allowing me to partake in the little miracle that was her newborn son.
So, it is with great pride, that I introduce my newest little cousin….Landon Davis Hager. If ever I doubted there was a God, a higher being, I can no longer doubt…after looking at little Landon.
This is the miracle that is baby Landon. He was being a little camera shy in this one 
This is a better pic of his face. He was being held by his pawpaw Kenny here.
This is a pic of baby Landons brothers, Wes and Caleb, at about 2am. The poor little fellas were exhausted, and running on adrenaline.
This is baby Landon with Mawmaw Mary, and brothers Wes and Caleb the next day after he was born.
This is baby Landon with Mawmaw Mary.
Baby Landon with PawPaw Kenny.
And, finally, baby Landon with proud as punch daddy Shaun.
I didn’t get any pics that day with Kelli and Landon, because everyone else was holding him when I was there. I don’t have any pics of me with him, cause I didn’t hold him. He was so little and fragile looking, that I was afraid I would hurt him, so I passed.
So, there you have it. A day that I will always remember, and upon reflection realize that if I had not moved here, and decided to stay here, would have missed out on and never known the feelings that I feel today.
My Aunt and Uncle always said that the good Lord works in mysterious ways, that he always has a plan, and that he knows best. I am inclined to be a believer of that now, after meeting Landon.
