Owen Michael Deak

Tipping the scales at 7 pounds, 13 ounces, measuring in at 21 and 3/4 inches, and thankfully inheriting some of his mother's looks, Owen Michael decided to join us at 5:42 pm on Wednesday, June 11th at the University of Chicago. You'll see many of the pictures, but the story behind the labor went like this:

Kristie went in for an appointment late last week and discovered that her blood pressure was elevated after being fairly low during the entire pregnancy. She was monitored for several hours, during which she experienced regular contractions. Her blood pressure returned to normal after some time, however, and she was sent home. She had another appointment on Tuesday after a weekend of uncomfortableness, contractions, and hoping, and the doctor said that she planned on inducing labor that night after again finding her blood pressure to be high.

Kristie's induction started that night at about 10pm, and her contractions quickly got pretty intense. She was spending enough energy during each round that she actually started to fall asleep for 1-2 minutes between contractions (which shouldn't surprise anyone familiar with Kristie's love of napping). Being induced required that Kristie be hooked up to an IV, which when added to her compression stockings, finger pulse monitor, internal contraction monitor, and the baby's scalp heartbeat monitor, made it hard for Kristie to even change positions on her bed and pretty much impossible to walk around.

After about 19 and 1/2 hours of contractions, Kristie was finally asked if she wanted to push "for fun" by the resident. I told him at that point that Kristie was pretty strong, and he called for the attending immediately after the practice push, probably because I could already feel the top of Owen's head! After just two more pushes, he was all the way out! Kristie has been just as great after the birth, bonding with our son, guiding him, and soothing him... I couldn't be more proud. But enough of that - on to the pictures!

Here is Kristie hooked up to all of her gadgets, and still in good spirits.


Owen right out of the gate. He must be singing or something...


A slightly happier pose - the shiny stuff on his eyes is just antibiotic cream.


And a few more pictures, including some of they many visitors we were lucky enough to have. To all of our family and friends, especially those who traveled to be with us or took time out of their busy schedules, we just wanted to thank everyone. The food, gifts, and most of all support that Kristie and the baby received could not be more appreciated.

Skin on skin time with mommy.


Daddy holding his son for the first time.


Grandma Carol getting to hold Owen just minutes after birth.


Uncle Sean, who drove up from Columbus to meet Owen.


The other Chicago Deaks: Uncle Terry...


...and Aunt Veronica.


Arriving home.