Shannon delivered her little boy this morning!!

[heva]

I'm so delighted to share that Shannon (sntm) is a new mommy!! I know many of you have been following along with Shannon's journey from before the conception, so you will be very happy to know that she, Chip and Jack are all doing very well.

I just happened to be at the hospital this morning for an ultrasound when Shannon paged me and said, "You'll never guess where I am..." I asked her if she was in labor (in retrospect, she sounded WAY too happy to be in labor - duh!) and she said, "No! Jack was born at 7:34 this morning!!" Since we were already there, DH and I were able to just take the elevator up to the maternity ward and had the honor of being Jack's first visitors. He is so cute - looks like his daddy! I regret we didn't have a camera. Shannon looks just wonderful - and we're all so happy that she no longer has to stand in the OR for 7 hours at a time. Now her real job begins...

I'll leave the rest of the story (which includes eggplant parmesean, castor oil in milk, and a relatively short and uncomplicated labor) up to Shannon when she's able to get back on line...but in the meantime, here are his stats:

John Sebastian McElearney
Born June 6, 2003 (Shannon's EDD, although her OB said 6/9/03) @ 7:34am
Weight: 7 lbs., 7 oz.
Head: 13.5"
Chest: 13"
Length: 21"

Yipee!
(edited to add birthweight...)

[MartiesMom2B]

Hooray for Shannon! I'm so happy for you and your family. Welcome to the world John!

Sonia
Proud Mommy to Martie 4/6/03
http://www.mcdyer.com/MartieSurasky.htm

[etwahl]

Wow! Congratulations Shannon and Chip. And welcome to Jack. I'm so thrilled for you :)

Tammy,
Mom to Lauren Genevieve
03/12/2003
www.evantammy.com

[sweetbasil]

YEA! I'm so happy for all three of them, can't wait to hear the details, and see a picture of that sweet little boy! Thanks for the news, Heather :)

[heva]

My pleasure!! If any of you would like me to convey anything to Shannon in person (like hugs), please let me know. I'll print out your responses and give them to her at some point this weekend, since she's unable to get to a computer :)

[celfsh]

Hooray--that's great news! Thanks for sharing--can't wait to hear the rest of the story from Shannon!

celeste
mom to olivia 9/25/02
http://homepage.mac.com/the_big_fish

[mama2be]

So glad to hear that the family is doing well...she sounds like she did a super job!!!!

We have all been awaiting Jack's arrival...this is the first pregnancy I've "seen" on the boards from announcement to delivery!!!!
Awesome news,
thanks so much for sharing with us!!!

[jojo2324]

Yeah!!! Welcome Jack!! Wow, I had started to wonder about Shannon and how she was doing, but I certainly didn't think that Jack would be so prompt! :)

[nigele]

Hurray! Congratulations Shannon and Chip! I LOVE your baby's name - Tom's middle name is Jack!!!

:)

[nohomama]

Excellent news! Send my congratulations her way. How much did Jack weigh?

[heva]

oops - so excited I forgot... 7 lbs. 7 oz.

[DDowning]

Congrats to Shannon and Jack! Please tell her I'm extremely jealous that as her fellow due date buddy she's already holding her little one right now!

[flagger]

YeeHa! Shannon. Congratulations!!!

[egoldber]

Congratulations!!! Can't wait to hear the rest of the story, since you have now tantalized us with eggplant parmesan!! :)

[August Mom]

Congratulations, Shannon.

[parkersmama]

Congrats, Shannon & Chip!!! That's wonderful news! I can't wait to see the pictures.

[Rachels]

YAAAAAYYYYY!!!!! Congratulations, Shannon! How wonderful. Welcome, baby Jack! Can't wait to meet him next time you're in Boston!

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02

[cara1]

Congratulations Shannon! You will soon see (if you haven't already) that despite all of the incredible things you have already accomplished, this one will make you most proud. And this job (Mommyhood) will probably be the best you will ever have. Trust me!

[MamaKath]

Congratulations! You have been journeying to the begining of "The Journey" for so long now, I am very excited for you. Enjoy these amazing times!

[liya]

YAY!!!!Congrats to Shannon....PICS PICS PICS!!!!lol

[chrissyhowie]

Congratulations to Shannon, Chip, and especially Jack for making the journey!!

[twins r fun]

Congrats to the three of you. So glad you've got your healthy little boy!

[mary b]

Congrats Shannon and Chip!!! Can't wait to hear the details!

Welcome Jack!

Mary
Mom to Noelle 9-24-01 and 9-8-03

[cvharris]

Congratulations Shannon! Can't wait to see pics!

I, too, am curious about the eggplant parmesan...I may need to make some for myself soon!

[divabell]

Congrats, Shannon and Chip! Please bring Jack to Boston this summer so we all can meet him in person... :)

Enjoy your babymoon!

--Lori
EDD 12/2/03

[Sandy]

Congratulations Shannon. Welcome Jack.

Sandy
mom to Alexander Thor 3/16/02

[Ryansmom]

Congratulations Shannon and Chip!!! Welcome little Jack! You will love living in your new town. Ryan hopes to meet you soon. We can't wait to see your pictures.

[Annette_C]

Great job, Shannon! Congratulations to you and Chip and Welcome to the world baby Jack!!!
Annette
SAHM to Sabrina 6/24/02

[mharling]

Yippee!!! Congratulations and welcome Jack!

Mary
Mommy to Lane Michael 4/6/03
http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b33928e40550

[friedmana1]

We're SSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited and can't wait to see the little guy!

Aimee

Mother to Leah 10/26/02

[newbelly2002]

Shannon,

Here's to the end of one long journey, and the beginning of another!!
I'm so happy to hear that Jack made his entrance into the world and that you and he are both healthy and happy. I can't wait to hear the details, but take the time (not that you wouldn't anyway!) to revel in each other. It goes so very very fast.

love to all involved,
Paula, Mama to Dante 8/1/02
http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b339c8d20516

[atlbaby]

Congratulations Shannon and Chip, and welcome Jack!!! Can't wait to hear the whole birth story--including the eggplant parmesean!:)

Thanks for bringing us the news, Heather!

-Rachel
Mom to Arielle Jill, 10/30/01
#2EDD 10/24/03-Another Girl!:)

[JMarie]

Congratulations, Shannon and Chip, and welcome to the world, Jack. You have been greatly anticipated and we're looking forward to seeing your first pictures.

Jennifer
Mom to Aidan Christopher 01/28/03

[Andrea S]

Congrats Shannon and Chip. Welcome baby Jack. We can not wait see pictures.

Andrea
mom to Andrew 8/14/02

[sntm]

Am briefly out of the house to check email and pick up some books at the library. We've had a good time since we've been home, though I am still pretty tired -- Jack has decided that he likes co-sleeping, so despite the fancy cradle and daddy's reluctance, I've ended up bringing him into bed each night. He also is a very sleepy eater, so though he is ravenous when he starts, he falls asleep within a minute and we spend the whole time blowing on him, sticking cold fingers in his armpit, and singing my made-up song which basically goes "wake up, wake up, wake up."

Otherwise, he is perfect. I was holding him last night with Chip asleep next to me and he was looking straight at me and he was so beautiful, I was just overwhelmed and started crying. I never knew how much I could love someone I just met.

Oh, the eggplant? Basically, I had a tough day at work, went to the OB and my blood pressure was up and I must have looked miserable. The OB stripped my membranes a little, and I told Chip that this was the night -- by tomorrow we were going to have a baby. I had told hime about the eggplant parmigiana recipe for that restaurant in Georgia -- he ended up making up his own which was delicious. We ate the whole thing (in retrospect, a mistake, as I threw it up all night long during labor.) He had also picked up castor oil, and since I could have benefitted from the laxative effects anyway, drank 2 teaspoons in a little milk with Hershey's -- couldn't even taste it and I can never take liquid meds, so that's saying something. I had already started having contractions which grew much more intense that night. Dilated QUICKLY to 8 cm (3 in the office, 5 at the hospital, 8 1 hour later) then slowly to 9 and 10. Had a lip of cervix that wouldn't dilate away and learned the meaning of overwhelming urge to push (I was like a psychotic - "I must push! I'm pushing! I can't help it!") Didn't take long, had a small tear, but made it through with no epidural and a few doses of fentanyl (love that stuff.) Sobbed when he came out. Was immediately a calm and normal person after it was all over. Fell in love with my husband all over when I saw him hold Jack for the first time.

Whew, I have to go. We have digital pics, which I will try to find a way to load. I love all of you for being so supportive all the way through and especially now! I was so glad Heather could let you know -- we will be getting internet at home VERY soon!


shannon
not-even-pregnant-yet-overachiever
trying-to-conceive :)
PREGNANT! EDD 6/9/03

[sweetbasil]

I'm just on the verge of tears here- you just sound so happy, and in love with both of your boys, and I couldn't be happier for you three! Congratulations again, Shannon!

Big hugs,

[mamahill]

I've been away, so I didn't see this until now, but CONGRATULATIONS SHANNON! Fantastic news! I've been thinking about you and hoping you were doing well - apparently so! Best wishes for a speedy recovery, lots of sleep, and more love than you could ever have imagined! Can't wait to see Jack!

[Melanie]

Yay! Thanks for sharing her news.