March 5

I didn't take too many pictures yesterday and was thinking that I would stop posting to this blog, but since several people have asked for more pictures, I will post a little longer. I'm sure everyone's interest in the minutia of Collin's activities will wan a lot sooner than ours. But for now, you can see more pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/joes1267/CollinSFirstDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ-JxtXl8pu5ngE&feat=directlink

I'll take some more today.

March 4 - 10:34 am

For more pictures of the baby, see http://picasaweb.google.com/joes1267/CollinSBirth?authkey=Gv1sRgCMjLgZ-ni9CWfw&feat=directlink

March 4 - 4:53 am

After 12 hours of labor and tremendous pain and effort by Ginny (not to mention the fact that I had to skip dinner), Collin still did not want to come home. So at 11:54, we took our first stand as parents and decided that we would forcibly bring him home. Ginny would have a c-section. Collin was born at 12:55 am on March 4, 2009.

Siobhan was with us the entire time, took Collin out of the doctor's hands and took great care of him.

Mom and baby are doing great.

5 lbs., 13 oz.

Corey, Chantelle and LeeAnna are thrilled.

As are grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Thanks to everyone who wished us well.

March 3 - 11.27

Still in labor.
Joseph F. Sullivan
Sullivan & Brill, LLP
Trinity Center
115 Broadway, 17 Fl
New York, NY 10006
(212) 566-1000

March 3 - 8.12 pm

Still in labor. 3-4 cm.
Joseph F. Sullivan
Sullivan & Brill, LLP
Trinity Center
115 Broadway, 17 Fl
New York, NY 10006
(212) 566-1000

March 3 - 4.30

Still in labor. 3 centermeters dialated.
Joseph F. Sullivan
Sullivan & Brill, LLP
Trinity Center
115 Broadway, 17 Fl
New York, NY 10006
(212) 566-1000

March 3 - 11:05 am

Thanks for the well wishes. We are up in L&D and have seen the doctor. She has done some things to advance labor. Still not sure when it will come, but now it appears that it will be later than 2:00 pm, maybe more toward dinner time.

March 3 - 8:03 am

They are forecasting strong tailwinds, and we may make up some time. It looks like we will be going up to labor and delivery shortly. ETA: 2:00 pm (my very rough estimate).

March 3 - 7:05 am

Inbound flight has been delayed due to storm conditions. The runway has been cleared and contractions through the night, but still only 1 cm dilated. Doctors are considering more aggressive measures to accelerate labor. ETA may be pushed back as much as 12 hours. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

March 2 - 1:42 pm

While Ginny's doctors plan on moving forward, they have decided to hold off on beginning measures until dinner time because they expect her to be moved to labor and delivery about 12 hours later and don't want that to be in the middle of the night. Now, they plan on beginning inducement at dinner time and expect that we will be transferred to labor and delivery in the morning.

March 2 - 11:22 am

Since some of you are getting jealous about all the attention that Maya is getting, I would like to acknowledge the contributions of some others:

Maureen. You have graciously taken LeeAnna on two out of state-of-state cheer tournaments and have made the ultimate sacrifice of not getting inebriated. LeeAnna would not tolerate it. Your selflessness will be repaid with a cheap bottle of wine (gallon jug).

Uncle Warren . . . Oh, you haven't made a contribution. Well, let us know if there is anything else we can do for you.

We have not officially meet with Ginny's doctors, but they have decided to move things along because they are concerned about her blood pressure readings. They will start that process in a couple of hours, but it will probably still be 12 to 24 hours before the delivery.

March 2 - 7:11 am

Maya slept better last night. She is still a little sniffily and her whole family is pulling together to get her through this difficult time. In fact, Steve's mother-in-law may be coming to stay with them. With the support of family, friends and community, they will get through this.


Oh yeah, Ginny's doing OK too. In spite of the barametric pressure, Collin has not arrived yet. Ginny has contracted fairly consistantly through the night, but there has not been a significant increase in frequency, duration or intensity. We still expect to meet with Ginny's doctors today, and I suppose they will still consider inducing. Her BP has been consistantly higher, but not extreme. However, given that things are begining naturally, they may just let them run their course. LeeAnna will be arguing against intervention because she wants to make sure she gets an extra day off from school and today she has a snow day.

March 1 - 7:32 pm

No significant changes. Contractions continue and doctors do not plan on doing anything to stop them. Aunt ME is Pat's sister so there is an obvious bias in what she says. I'm still not convinced there is a scientific rational for Pat's claims. Nevertheless, I have brought up my birthing outfit and am prepared to stay the night.

Grandma Lu arrived last night and made a sauce today. Last night she asked me to come over to Michael's to eat. I told her thanks, but I was going to stay at the hospital. A half-hour later she asked me again. Sorry Mom, no changes in the last half-hour. So now she is on her way with two bowls of macaroni. Collin's last inutero meal may be the famous DeLorenzo sauce.

Since Steve is obviously feeling uncomfortable about the amount of attention my family is getting, over his, I will update everyone on Maya's condition. Maya has come down with a cold, but her fluid intake has been good over the last two hours, she ate some oatmeal, and she appears to be on the mend. We all wish her well.

March 1 - Day 23 2:07 pm - Commencement of Labor

Ginny has been having contractions since 9:00 am, fairly regular and slightly stronger than on previous days. She was seen by one of her doctors earlier and it appears that she is in the early stages of labor. We don't expect it to be before midnight, but it could be late into the night or tomorrow.

Pat says that it is a "fact" that more babies are born during snow storms, but when she was pressed for the foundation of her claim, it appears to be based solely on her own experience - two children. Perhaps a third will strengthen her position.

Febuary 28 - Day 22

Lots of "excitement" on Friday. I wheeled Ginny outside and around the hospital in a wheelchair. It was the first time she was out of the room in three weeks, other then our trip to labor and delivery last Friday (see February 21 post). We also got a tour of the neonatal intensive care unit, although we are hopeful that we will not need it. It was amazing to see some of the smallest babies. They were as small as a coffee can and looked like little dolls.

Ginny is about 35 weeks now. Her blood pressures have been a little higher - even at rest - and we will be meeting with her doctors on Monday to discuss delivering the baby, possibly Tuesday or Wednesday. He appears to be well developed and was over five pounds as of Tuesday. Given his size, I think he will still be a lightweight, but having already received a dose of steroids, I think he will be unusually strong, giving him an edge over "other kids" (Cody) his size. (This is wrestling talk for those that are not following.)

Collin still has not decided if he wants to wrestle, but he seems to be leaning in that direction, in spite of pressure from his sister to cheer. It doesn't appear that he will be big enough to base and I have yet to see a male flyer, so I think wrestling will probably win out. Plus, Corey has firmly lined up on the side of wrestling and refuses to allow his little brother to be a "cheerleader". There is an ongoing debate between Corey and LeeAnna as to which sport is more demanding.

PS: Congratulations to LeeAnna and her teams on three first place finishes in her competition in Rhode Island yesterday.