December 28th, 1992

(continued from yesterday)

We arrived at the hospital around 8am. My sister was already there, preparing to deliver her son via c-section. (For her side of the story, click here). We got all settled and the contractions began to pick up, but it still wasn't too bad. They did gradually get more intense throughout the day, but around 6pm, they stalled. I was dialated to a 7, but couldn't get any further. The doc then started the dreaded pitocin. (I have read somewhere pitocin referred to as the "devil's sweat"- I'm inclined to agree!)The contractions picked up almost immediately and around 10:32pm, Zachary Brian Dziadul was born. My first thought when I saw him was he was sooooo big, and my second thought was he's not crying. The doc soon had him crying and they brought him over to the scale- 10 pounds 6.7 ounces. What a baby!

Rebecca's son, Jacob, had been born about 10 hours earlier, but both cousins were born on the same day, in the same hospital, delivered by the same doctor. It was amazing! Our family was between both rooms and I spent most of my time in her room with Zachary. It was a very unique experience, and to this day, Zack and Jacob share a very special bond. They are so much alike, and when they see each other, they just pick right up from where they left off, no matter if its been months or years in between.

In honor of Zachary's 15th birthday, here are 15 things about him:

1. As a child, he was very creative, especially in drawing and making "stuff". Today his creativity comes out through his piano playing.
2. One morning around 3am, I found Zack at the bottom of our queen sized bed eating a hot dog, bologna and cheese. He was about 3.
3. He has always had an ability to mispronounce words. Some of the ones I remember: 1 maldation mal one (101 dalmations), hosipal, beeba (bird), and he still struggles with gift certificate.
4. He has grown 4 or 5 inches in the last half of the year. We compared last year's Christmas photo with this years and the difference in Zack is amazing.
5. He has quite a sense of humor and always has whomever he is with laughing.
6. One of his favorite things to do is go to Goodwill and "search" for treasures.
7. He had a beta fish named "Redman" and it died. He got another fish and named it "Redman 2" and it died also.
8. When we're out somewhere, he will usually surprise me with my favorite drink or snack.
9. He started school when he was 4 because there was no holding him back. He is now a grade "ahead" because of it. He will be our first totally homeschooled graduate.
10. He was thrilled to have a good amount of money this year for Christmas and was very generous with his Christmas gifts.
11. Even though they argue and bicker at times, he is very protective of his younger siblings.
12. He is a very good cook and likes to experiment, much like his dad.
13. When he plays the piano, he reminds us so much of my dad.
14. He looks like his father now, but he also looks like my dad when he was a boy.
15. He has kept life very interesting at our house the 15 years he's been a part of our family.