Parentless

That last entry was getting long so I excluded an event I decided to put here instead. That first night we spent at the hospital. We found out that evidently someone had been watching the house. Some how they knew we were gone because when I got home on Friday. All the exterior plumbing had been stolen off of the house. This uncluded the spickets and knobs in the sink on the terrace. The plumbing in the exterior bathroom on the side of the house. The two spickets on the sides of the house and the connectors for our washing area on the terrace. Not sure if it's 4 kg worth of plumbing nut probably somewhere close. In addition to the stolen fixtures there is really no telling how much water we lost before I got home and got the plumbing turned off. The water bill this month might get interesting. How much water do you think can come out of six open spickets in 8 hours? What I found real interesing is that some of the electrical extension cords etc. that we had left on the terrace as well as some tools I had left out when we went to the hospital were untouched it was just the spickets. The electric equipment and tools would have been worth far more then the spickets but the spickets is all they took.  

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It's been a very busy couple weeks. I finally got enough time to sit down and update everyone and I want to start with an apology that it’s been so long. As I said in my last post Manny had her baby, she will likely stay with us till first week of Jan. to make sure they are both strong and ready to face what is ahead. It will be tough for them but they should make it. I've been pro-life most of my life but I guess this is the first time I put my money where my mouth is. Manny's stay in the hospital, delivery etc. cost about 12,000 rs. I have to admit it seemed like a lot of money at the time. Just before Christmas with my own wife going into the hospital soon. However now it's good to see the two of them healthy and happy.

Mercy went into labor Weds. the 28th of Nov. I had a speaking engagement at 6:00 pm so she stayed at home while I went. While I was up talking she was going into labor. Mercy’s contractions were sporadic and of variable strength when we timed then later that night after I got home. Thinking they might simply be Braxton Hicks Mercy wanted to wait before we packed up and went to the hospital. All night the contractions continued Mercy eventually kicked me out of the bedroom because she said she would be more comfortable by herself. It wasn’t till the next day I found out that she was actually in pain all night and actually kicked me out so at least one of us would get some sleep. Finally at about 6:00 am we called a friend to take us to the hospital. We went to Baptist Hospital here in Bangalore. Baptist has one of the only private birthing rooms in Bangalore and fortunately the birthing room was empty when we arrived. from 6 till almost one Mercy was in labor. Finally at 12:58 David john Strickland was born weighing 4.08 kg.

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