Yesterday was spent at Storybook Island, a free park built upon storybooks and playground equipment based on those stories. It's basically an LSD trip for kids who are culturally inclined in the storybook world. The other good thing, aside from being free, is that most places like this requires you to follow and watch your kids closely. This place, however, allows you to relax and know that the equipment are made for those young kids and that they won't fall off and get hurt. You should still watch them.

We got back and I grilled potatoes and steaks out back. We ate dinner and showered and spent a while getting Ayana to bed. Jeanne's contractions came back stronger today, but we were cautious because of before. I forget the type it is, but it comes on strong and hard and you think you're just about to be in labor and it goes. And that was last Tuesday and Wednesday. To a point where she couldn't even walk. Shannon (our doula) and Jeanne (the midwife) told us what it was and that when she does go into real labor that it'll hurt so bad that she won't be able to walk or talk and it'll be a fast one.

So Jeanne finally got to bed and Ayana finally fell asleep just about 10 pm. Jeanne went to the bathroom and I started to eat ice cream. Jeanne came back out and said she heard a pop sound and that we should go. I grabbed my bag and her purse and my coffee mug and placed pillows on either side of Ayana so she doesn't roll off the bed. Jeanne told Cecilia that we're going. We go downstairs and I give Jeanne the key and told her to go in the car and I got coffee. When I got to the car she just got off the phone with Jeanne (midwife) to tell her we're heading there and then left a message with Shannon who lives near our hotel and called right back to say she's right behind us. The time was now 2210.

After getting on the Interstate and passing the few cars of Rapid City traffic, had clear sailing all the way going 80. Shannon called back and had gotten off the phone with Jeanne (midwife) and said she's right behind us and if Jeanne (wife) started to deliver we'd pull over and she'd jump in and we'd high-tail it to the birthing center.

Jeanne (midwife) called to get our update and told her where we were and that Shannon was on the other line coaching Jeanne (wife) through it which helped out tremendously as I couldn't do anything and couldn't understand anything as Jeanne (wife) was moaning and couldn't articulate anything.

We got disconnected and I called Shannon back to say we just passed Sturgis and are seven minutes from the birthing center and we'll see her there and Jeanne (midwife) is right behind all of us (coming down from Terry Peak). chelsea (who lives in Sturgis) was already there starting the bath. We got there at 2245 and I lifted Jeanne (wife) out of the car and helped her in the door where she immediately collapsed from the pain. I grabbed Chelsea and we helped her into the first room, but the tub wasn't filled so we took her to the next one on the bed where we'd do a normal delivery if needed. Shannon showed up right after that and started coaching her, so I pulled out the camera. Jeanne (midwife) showed up about 2250 and got us to remove Jeanne's (wife's) clothes and got her to the tub. Max's head was right there and Jeanne (midwife) helped assist Jeanne (wife) through her contractions and urged her to feel Max's head and to hold her breath and push hard through her contractions and to pull Max's head to help her deliver Max herself. Jeanne (wife) was working really hard through the pain as best she could. I got behind it all to video and saw Max's head begin to crown and his head came out Jeanne (wife) stopped and I wondered if that could choke him. Jeanne (midwife) urged Jeanne (wife) to continue pushing and got Max out and handed her to Jeanne (wife). This was 2312. All this happened within an hour.

So all's good now and we're here for a couple more days and heading back. Just ate at Ihop because it's near and we missed the free breakfast and had to writhe my way through a table of morons argue their experience through their check. Everyone had a problem with the meal they mostly ate and never once complained until their check arrived. This is why I don't ever want to work at places like Ihop. I tipped our waitress well and we're back at the hotel now and not doing anything. Gonna make ramen (not instant) for dinner tonight.