Emily

When in the course of human biological events it becomes necessary for one person to dissolve the umbilical bands which have connected her with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle her, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that I, the father, should declare the statistics and condition of such individuals so separated....... so here is my post:

Sunday morning:
0330: Martha, who has been contracting, wakes Adam.
0330: Adam, who is happy to hear that contractions are coming, is nevertheless content to lie in bed for a little longer.
0330-0350: Adam and Martha time contractions at 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes apart.
0400: Contractions increasing in strength.
0410: Joe arrives to watch Marian.
0415: Martha is not enjoying contractions which are strong and consistent by now.
0416: Joe's expression shows that he's never seen a woman in labor.
0420: Adam and Martha leave for the hospital.
0422: Martha tells Adam to avoid all bumps in the road.
0423: Martha tells Adam to run the red light.
0430: Martha arrives at the hospital and is dilated to a six.
0500: Epidural is administered.
0600: Dr. Broberg arrives and breaks the water.
0620: Martha starts pushing.
0644: Emily Carol Birk arrives.

Mother and baby are doing well. Emily was pale and blue at first due to her umbilical cord wrapped tightly around her neck twice, but pinked up quickly. She is just fine now. She is the exact same size as Marian was: 3.26 kilograms and 48.26 centimeters (that's 7 pounds 3 ounces and 19 inches for you Americans who haven't figured out the beauty of the metric system). Martha did very well throughout the entire process and is healing well. What an amazing woman! Thanks for all your prayers and support.

And, of course, the pictures...