At 8AM the call came in and I sprang into action. I was Plan B. My friends Rob and Susi were having a baby. Plan A was “Dad assists in the delivery room”. But after several shaky childbirth classes, it was decided there should be a Plan B, also known as “Sixties Dad Plan”. That’s the plan where the woman does the work with trained professionals and the dad paces the waiting room, maybe nipping out for a quick Scotch and a smoke. If we went to Plan B, I was there to assist Dad. (What, you think I was going into the delivery room?!)
When I got the call, Dad had already watched the water break and run out of the room to vomit. Plan B, it was. It was time for a SuperHero to take over. That was Grandma Bunnie, who instantly whipped into a phone booth, changed into scrubs and emerged as Dr. Bunnie, M.D.

Grandma Bunnie in SuperHero Mode
Next kink in the plan was that Susi was scheduled for a C-section and wheeled away on a gurney. That left Dad and me in the family waiting room, which was very homey and comforting. Until two women down in the Maternity Ward began giving birth, clearly without enough drugs. The screams made the waiting room take on the ambiance of Abu Graib.
Amazingly, C-sections don’t take that long, and, before we knew it, Dad’s new daughter was being wheeled in on a dessert trolley for his inspection.

Nervous? No, he’s not nervous at all? He always clenches his teeth when he reads Baby Digest.

Dad’s first sight of his daughter, Amelia May. Interestingly enough, they bring the baby out in a dessert trolley.
The most wonderful thing about birth is, even if the father has to fall back to the B Team as “Sixties Dad”, there is still really important work he can do.

Like let his daughter grip his finger as she gets her first bath.

And watch her get her head measured. (This better result in a really cool hat!)

And explain who that lady is taking pictures through the glass. (What are YOU looking at?)

And admire her stylin’ elf hat.

And laugh at her milk mustache after her first meal.

And feel thankful for his lovely family.

And marvel that he helped create The Most Beautiful Baby In The World.
Welcome to the world Amelia May! You’re in good hands. ๐
Great pics Lisa!!
oh what a story. I really thought plan b was you were going to assist with delivery! and I’m lovin’ grandma bunnie in her super scrubs…
great chronicle of a much anticipated flickr birth event.
I can’t believe that she’s here! Great job keeping Dad in order and documenting the process. She looks beautiful – one of the benefits of a C-section I guess – no squished head ๐
Ah, a C-section explains her beautiful complextion! ๐ What a great story! Susi wasn’t originally scheduled for a c-sec right? I hope there wasn’t a complication. I can’t wait to meet Amelia. When does Susi go home? Are visitors wanted/allowed?
Oh my god, that was precious. I have total bay fever right now…I think I need to go talk to my husdand…
Good grief, I meant to say baby fever not “bay fever”. Bay fever is when I feel the need to drvie north a few hours and visit my brother in San Francisco!
AAAHHHHH she is beautiful, isn’t the beginning of life such a hope inspiring event.
MA
Cuteness overkill!
Best wishes & Congratulations :D!!
Gotta add: GORGEOUS !
Beautiful baby. You are one lucky Godmother.
I totally have baby fever now!
Oh this is wonderful Lisa. I’m crying. I wish I could have been there but these make it seem like I almost was
That IS a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful newborn!!!! Gorgeous smooth skin, warm, full color, sweet little mouth! I love the last picture with the little “rooting” face… time to eat!
She makes me all baby gooey and gushy!
now that is one precious little baby. So peaceful looking…
What a beautiful story. The pictures are wonderful. 76 and 78 were both C-section, and yes section babies are the most beautiful ones.I’m so happy for all “3 ” of them.
Beautiful post! Beautiful baby! Enjoyed the pictures and really liked the storytelling here. The sound of women giving birth who didn’t get drugs made me chuckle, brought back memories of how the cursing from another birth room affected me when I went in to have my first child. LOL.
Ahhhhh.
Can we have another? six more?
I am the luckiest girl alive.
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