For the record, Forrest made a critical addition to my script for this comic. Normally I’d be miffed at having the text modified, but my forgiveness stems from the necessity of this change. You see, I had planned to introduce DT’s girlfriend as a character with a week of strips before my actual girlfriend went into labor. It would appear my unborn son has inherited his mother’s patience. So in any case, panel four is as much introduction as you’re going to get before we assail you with pregnancy-related comics.
We spent the whole weekend in the hospital, actually, after Danielle started having minor contractions on Saturday. Though the baby was not terribly forthcoming after that, and she was discharged on Monday morning, I learned many things during our weekend at the resort. And so, a few thoughts from the hospital:
1) Having a pregnant girlfriend who is also a labor and delivery nurse is awesome. She knows what to expect, what the risks are, and isn’t really startled by anything. This is good because I have no idea what to expect, no concept of the risks involved, and startle more easily than hydrophobe at a sprinkler convention.
2) Having a pregnant girlfriend who is also a labor and delivery nurse is a pain. Getting that woman to sit still for more than eight seconds was a matter of straps and cuffs. I suppose if I were sequestered for a weekend at my workplace I’d have a little trouble not checking my mail, but she was adjusting her own intravenous pump. I drew the line there (after she fixed it while it was broken, and hooked herself up to the monitoring equipment) as I thought it might be important for someone on duty to write that shit down.
3) Everything is on wheels. Everything. Beds, equipment, tables, chairs, couches, coat hangers, the works. About the only thing not on wheels was the chair I sat in for most of the weekend, and was easily the furniture I had to move the most. Really, I have the sneaking suspicion that the whole building is founded on a set of gigantic casters in case the railroad company steals the land it’s on and it has to slide easily and conveniently over.
For now, we’re in holding pattern delta. After this weekend’s events, it is evident that this baby is coming soonish. I’m even working from home right now. Um. Well, working is such a deliciously fluid concept. Wouldn’t you agree?
Ja.