The Washington Years, 1990-1995
In July of 1990 we packed our cat and a house plant and drove across country to McChord AFB Washington. McChord is in Tacoma about 30 miles south of Seattle.
On the way through Colorado we stayed with the Bears who took us to a mexican restaurant where they have cliff divers inside the building.
On 1 August 1990 we rolled into town. The next day Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait. Twisted coincidence? I don't think so.
There I worked at the North West Air Defense Sector. It was later re-named the Western Air defense Sector. We were to stay there for 5 years.
On June 27 1991, our daughter Sunday Arlene Risk was born at Madigan Army Medical center. At Fort Lewis. She was born at 4:59 PM. (I know this because we remember a little Korean OB technician who said to Becky, "You have this baby before five o'clock. I know.") Woa! She was right. 4:59 PM.
The thing about this was that I'd just gotten off a mid shift. I got home at around 7:00 AM and Becky came into the kitchen and said, "I think my water broke."
Well, she thought right. I was up a total of 36 hours. Rubbing Beckys back and slamming coffee.
Sunday definitely changed our lives all around. At first, she was pretty darn portable. Just strap her in the carrier and go. But then she was walking and not so manageable any more. And now, well, we have to keep our eyes on her every second cause if you're not paying attention she'll bolt.
We always knew we wanted to have more than one child so by the time Sunday was two we put in the order forms for another.
Now I love daughters. Don't get me wrong. But I honestly didn't think I would have a girl. I mean, it's the father that determines the babys sex right?
I came from three boys. Becky had no sisters. My Mom came from a family of four boys and her. My brother had three boys. I honestly thought that that ol' "Y" cromosone was just plain strong amongst us Risks. So when we had a girl I was a bit shocked. But then I accepted it, "Okay. I'm a guy that has girls. Henry XIII, Bernie Koch, and me."
So our next baby was supposed to be "Hannah".
Instead we got Sam. In the delivery room I did one of those umpire, "Yer out!" moves.
"Yes!"
Like I said, Don't get me wrong. I love my little girl. But having a set is really cool. If Sam had been the first one I would've wanted a girl for the second one.
Now, with Sam. It was pretty much the same. Except I was off that day. But it was during the normal hours of the day.
Becky simply said, "I think we should go to the hospital. I feel a pressing need."
This was around 10:00 AM.
So we dropped Sunday off at some friends house and went to the Army Hospital. I remember I signed her in at 11:30. Three hours later, baby!
Now you might think. "Cool. Get it over with." Well, Becky didn't think so.
Everything went so fast she didn't have time to really "prepare". When we got into the labor and delivery place she was dialated, like, 9 centemeters! But her water hadn't broken yet! So they had to pop her like a balloon and then things started happenin' fast!
Now, I had brought my little, "Hangin' round the OB ward bag." Y'know, my book I was reading and some crackers. Well, that never happened.
Becky says to this day that Sam was a much harder labor. Because it went so fast.