CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Fourth of July started out like it does every year, out on a boat in Tampa Bay for Amber and John Easterday. But, it ended differently this year.
Amber went into labor.
"I started feeling the contractions," she said. "They started about 30 minutes into the boat ride."
John, trying to remain calm, put the boat in gear hoping to get to the dock. But Mother Nature kicked in, and it started storming. He called 911 so medics could meet him at the dock, however, baby Aiden didn't want to wait.
"I started seeing his head," he said. "I told them 'here comes the head! You guys have to get down here!'"
John stopped the boat on the sand at the Courtney Campbell Beach where medics Kenny Sweitzer and Tyler Whitfield were waiting to help. Aiden came out in less than 30 minutes, according to Amber and John. He was born a week early.
"I got to cut the cord on the boat," John said. "It was awesome."
Aiden is their third boy, and aside from being on a boat, Amber said this was her easiest delivery.
"But I still wouldn't do it again," she said.
Baby Aiden and his parents are doing well at Mease Countryside Hospital.
