Baby one the way...  28 September 2007.  It all started with a call from the hospital at 8:30 to say come in for a check up.

The original plan was to see us on Monday.  Plans being plans, it didn't go that way.

We got in to the hospital at 10:30 and by 11:30 they had decided that today is the day!

After a quick stop on the 5th floor, room 505, they wisked young Joanna down to the birthing unit on the third floor.

Here we are just getting set up.

Check out the baby monitor on the right and the blood pressure monitor on the left.  Lots of toys for geeks to look at - 'no touching'.

3:20pm - The baby is doing well.  Jo's blood pressure is a bit high so they're monitoring it. 

Step one of the induction has been done, prostaglandins.  Now we're just waiting for it all to take effect.

Kat, the midwife requested chocolate for the big event, so we're all prepared. 

Not being one to travel light, only 6 bags had to be transported to the hospital and still we forgot nappies for Ben?!

4:30pm update - still no baby, just been for a walk to find some 'Joey friendly food'.  Nice hot chocolate from the cafe at the front of the hospital.

The first bunch of flowers arrived on time... same can't be said about Ben!  Thanks Lynn!!!

Last few hours of 'the bump'.  This is the view from the delivery room at 4:45pm.

Expectant Dad hard at work updating the 'Ben's birth web site'.

Ben's chart.  They have this machine that charts his heart beat and also follows contractions. 

Feeling bored we when for a wonder in the gardens and around the front of the hospital.  Some photos...

This is the sign on the front of the chapel where we took some of these photos.

6pm Update:  Back on the monitors.  Doc says some contractions seem to have started so we can't have more drugs at present.  If they calm down then we've back on the drugs unless it's to late, in which case, we pack up, go back up stairs and start again in the morning.

7pm Update:  Contractions at last...

 9:30pm update:  It's all off for today...  we start again at 8am with more drugs :)

Day Two!

Phone call from Joanna at 5:47am "You best get down here!"  Real contractions have set in!!! :)

 5:30pm - Fully dilated and head down, looks like we might be avoiding a csection yet! :) Kat says, we wait another hour for the head to keep going down then we start pushing

Born 9:08pm.  29/9/07 See:  http://www.bowenvale.pointclark.net/ben/

3.3kg, 53 cm