Vacation Crasher
As 2004 got underway, Sam could hardly believe that she and Austin were actually getting married! The plan was for the wedding to be in summer 2006, right after they graduated.
Sam was now four months pregnant, and it was time for the second ultrasound. They could clearly see that the baby was much bigger than it had been in November.
"Wow, this baby has really grown," said Sam, as Dr. Carlson did the scan.
"It sure has," said Austin. "And it has its hand with all five fingers spread out, giving Mommy and Daddy a little wave. Hi, baby!"
"Okay," said Dr. Carlson, "the baby looks great. Everything is developing perfectly."
"That's really good to know," said Sam.
"Do you want to know the sex?" she asked.
"No, we're going to be surprised," said Austin, and Sam nodded in agreement.
"Okay, then close your eyes while I check out the baby's legs."
They did, and soon Dr. Carlson said, "Okay, you can open your eyes now. Everything looks great. The baby is in excellent condition."
"All right! Thank you so much, Dr. Carlson!"
May 28, 2004
As the next few months passed, the baby continued to grow, and so did Sam. She still was sure the baby was a boy, and they only had a few more weeks to find out.
Sam had had a baby shower in April, and they had gotten everything they needed and had set up the nursery. In keeping with the Princeton and tiger theme, they had decorated the baby's room with a jungle motif.
It was now Memorial Day weekend, and Sam and Austin were once again headed to the Jersey Shore. Austin was a little hesitant, but Sam assured him that both she and the baby were in excellent condition and the due date was still about three weeks away, so just going away for the weekend was perfectly fine.
That Friday, they arrived at the beach, ready to spend a nice, relaxing weekend. It would be their last vacation with just the two of them before the baby arrived.
"Ready to have our last vacation before the baby?" asked Austin as they entered the beach house.
"Sure am," Sam said. As they fell asleep later that night, Sam smiled, thinking about the baby's impending arrival. Only three more weeks, she thought happily, before falling asleep as best as she could.
Two days later
That Sunday, Sam was up bright and early. For some reason, she had a sudden burst of energy. Austin was surprised to see her already up when he woke up later.
"Wow, you're up early," he said.
"Yes," said Sam. "Just feel really energized."
"That's odd," said Austin, but he didn't think anything of it. The day continued, with Austin watching the Indy 500 later and Sam taking a walk. She had started feeling some little cramps around noon, but figured they were Braxton-Hicks. Now, however, she wasn't so sure, as they were getting stronger, although still not fully regular.
When it was time for the late afternoon barbecue, the cramps had definitely increased. Sam was definitely noticing them now, and they seemed to be coming at more regular intervals and getting more painful.
Austin was soon noticing this as well. "Hey, Sam," he said, "is something up? You've been kind of restless all day."
"It's fine. I've just been having some cramps since early this afternoon."
"Really?" said Austin, now suspicious. "Do you think this could be it?"
"Austin, it's probably just Braxton-Hicks," said Sam, as another cramp struck. This one seemed more painful than the rest, though.
"I don't think Braxton-Hicks last for several hours," said Austin, now getting even more suspicious. Sam had seemed to be in pain during that last cramp.
"Austin, I really don't think this is anything," Sam insisted. Right as she said that, another one struck. The last two had been close together, and more painful than the others, but Sam continued to insist that it was nothing. Austin, however, was not convinced.
Right as another cramp struck, Sam also felt a slight trickle. "Uh-oh," she said.
"What is it?"
"I think maybe my water broke. Maybe this really is it after all."
"Oh, boy," said Austin. "We have to get to the hospital, then."
"I think you-" Sam started to say, but then a particularly painful cramp-or contraction, she now knew-hit. This had been the worst one yet. When it passed, she finished, "I think you're right."
"Looks like we have a little vacation crasher," said Austin. They called the doctor, who told them to come right in, and headed to the car, ready to go to the hospital. Suddenly, Austin was worried. After all, the due date wasn't for two and a half more weeks. Although he knew Sam was considered full term, as she was delivering at 37-38 weeks instead of 30-31 weeks like he had been born at, he still couldn't help being concerned. He just wanted everything to go well.
On the way to the hospital, Sam's contractions got more painful. She could barely talk through them, and she was spent between them.
As they pulled into the hospital parking lot, Austin asked, "Hey, Sam, do you want to get some pain medication, or do natural childbirth?"
Sam said, "Do I look insane? Of course I'm getting medication!"
"Okay, just checking."
They soon walked into the hospital, knowing that when they left, they would likely be leaving with their baby.