The Last Burrito

February 10, 1999 6:20 p.m.

“Two large potato and cheese burritos with grilled onions, corn pico de gallo, ranch dressing and sour cream on a jalapeño tortilla for me and a spinach tortilla for her,” he said nervously as he watched his wife uncomfortably shift her weight to slide onto a metal chair.

Her husband delivered their burritos to the table and delicately touched her cheek as he said, “Eat up. This is our last meal without a kid.” Just an hour before their trip to the burrito shop, they were told" "Go home and pack your bag because your baby is going to be big, maybe nine or ten pounds. He needs to be taken early to prevent complications. You are expected at the hospital at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow”

Although they had eight months and three weeks to prepare, shock, surprise, panic, and excitement permeated their last meal of freedom and continued to prevail as they quickly made final adjustments to the nursery, packed their bags complete with a baby bunting for the cold February ride home, called the expectant grandparents and quietly whispered about their future in the dark until they drifted into sleep.

February 11, 1999 2:10 a.m.

“Wake up. Wake up. I am in labor.”

“No, you are not. Go back to sleep. We don’t have to be at the hospital until 8 a.m.,” he said.

This great labor debate continued for six hours and finally at 8 a.m., the expectant parents arrived at the maternity ward. Three hours later, they were greeted with a mucus covered baby boy who was 7 lbs 3 ounces, 21 inches long, and was a horrid shade of purple with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. His looks improved somewhat after the cord was clipped and air entered his lungs. Within minutes of his birth, screaming and eating became his past times and not much has changed in the past twelve years, except that he is a much better looking.

And yes, potato and cheese burritos are one of his favorite foods.

Author's Note: A special happy birthday to my brilliant and beautiful smart-aleck twelve year old who gives me plenty of material for this very blog. You are adored by your parents, siblings and grandparents.