Mark's Birthday

Good Morning to all my kids and friends.
This day, about 34 years ago, was a very cold wintry day, with icy roads and a little snow that had fallen during the night. The temperature was in the teens and the wind wasn't blowing hard, but it was very very cold.
So naturally, this would be the day, my third son would want to come into the world. January 11Th 1974.
I remember that day, as I had spent a week or so, with Connie Geotz and family, at her home here in Columbia, as she was the one that was going to drive me to the hospital when the time came to go.
About 6 am I started realizing that this would be the day to go to Jefferson City, to the Charles Still hospital where 2 year before Marks' older brother, David was born. I had the same Doctor and that was the hospital he operated out of. I don't think its called Charles Still any longer.
I waited for Connie to get up and around so she could drive me the half hour trip to Jefferson City.
Connie had to take her daughter Carrie to daycare, first and then come and get me. I was hoping she didn't get stuck in traffic, have a flat tire, or even a wreck. ha.
Connie was a cool as a she could be, but I was a little concerned, that I would not make it to the hospital in time.
We arrived at the hospital about 9:30 am. They admitted me and put me in the labor room. I told the nurse that I wanted to see the doctor. She said he would be around soon. About 10 :30 he showed up and check on my progress. Said it would be a little while yet, and left the room. It was about and hour later he came back and checked again. He said, we were getting there, but that it would still be a while yet.
Then about half a hour later, I asked the little nurse that had came into the room, If she would tell the doctor I wanted him to come. She said.. He will be here pretty soon.
Well I knew what that meant. It meant that would be at least another half hour.
I told her.. YOU NEED TO GET THE DOCTOR. She patted my arm and said, "It will be alright MRS. Good, the doctor will be here soon. "
I said.. FINE, then I grabbed one of my knees and pushed.. wow.. Mark was born right on the table. He didn't seem to mind one bit. I think he was just glad to be able to see daylight, finally.
The little nurse, just about lost it.. she turned and ran down the hall way.. yelling... Doctor, Doctor.... about a minute later.. the doctor arrived.. checked everything out, did what needed to be done, and said to me.. "Well , You just pop that fine young man out, didn't you?" I told him.. I asked the nurse for him, but she didn't believe me.
Anyway, the nurses, doctor and I just thought Mark was such a wonderful little baby. He was so sweet, and just sort of really looking around the room, trying to figure out what all the fuss was about. He did cry a little as the doctor sort of tapped his feet. But then he settled down and was wide awake just nice and calm.
The nurses made a big fuss over him, as they had put on his little bed, GOOD BABY BOY.
All of you boys were Strong babies, and could hold your head up right at birth. I never even knew most babies had wobbly heads, until I was around some of the other babies. People think I am nuts, but those that remember you boys when your were born, know what I am talking about.
Most of the babies born in our family are really strong at birth.
Anyway, Mark hope you have another great year, and I am so very, very proud of you for overcoming the smoking habit you had. I know it wasn't easy, but even at birth, when you were ready to do something, nothing would keep you from it. love you..
your mom