Andrew Thomas Froeschke has arrived (Fri.)

Well, since the main event has happened, I guess I should bring everyone up to date on baby news.  Andrew started his trip just about a week ago, at 3:02 a.m. on Saturday, June 22.  Bridgette's water broke, so the day began.  She called the hospital while John let the dogs out (they probably thought this was a bit early, but I'm sure John explained it all to the 4 of them), and off to Tampa General Hospital they went.  John called us about 5:30 a.m., told us "it was time," but that we had chores.  So we went over, let the dogs out again and fed them, then headed into Tampa to the hospital.  Bridgette had a room on the 4th floor with a view of Tampa Bay, and we occasionally would see dolphins playing right below us.   Since her water had broken, she was immediately admitted even though she had not felt any labor pains.  We left about 8:00 p.m. to go to the airport to pick up her mother, who was having her own marathon just getting from California to Florida.

Today was Barbara's scheduled flight (what timing!), but Southwest had some computer glitch and cancelled all the flights for a while, so her flight from Ontario, CA was cancelled and she got rebooked on a flight out of Los Angeles Airport (LAX), which is a nightmare of its own.  She had a 2-hour scheduled layover in Kansas City, which turned into a 3-hour layover, and she finally arrived in Tampa about 9:00 p.m.  Her original flight out of Ontario had a scheduled arrival time around 4:00 p.m., so this made a much longer day for her.  And little did we all know, the day was a long way from being over.

About midnight, Joe drove back out to their house t to let the dogs out (they had a dog sitter during the day but had sent her home about 6:00 p.m.).  Barbara and I settled down in the waiting room for our own slumber party.

John came out with periodic updates on her condition, and we tried to find a comfortable position.  Finally about 5:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, John came out and told us the doctor had just said it was going to be several more hours so we should probably go home for a few hours.   So Joe drove us back home, and we all crashed for a few hours.  Joe and Barbara each got 3 hours sleep, and I got 2, so all together, we had 8 hours sleep.  I woke up about 8:30, and John called about 9:30 and said things were beginning to happen so we should head back in.  This hospital is on Davis Island, just over the bridge, and John texted us just as we got to the bridge "Out and Perfect."  That was the best news we could have heard!

So here's our little baby.

Andrew Thomas Froeschke was born at 10:29 a.m. on June 23, weighing in at 7 lbs 14 oz., 20 1/2 inches long.  And perfect!

We all went in to visit on Monday, and each got to hold him for a few precious minutes.

We all hoped they would get to come home on Tuesday, after the mandatory 48 hours, but Andrew was jaundiced then so they kept him for another day and put him "in a space suit" with a light under him.  We didn't go in to the hospital on Tuesday because we had waited all day in hopes they would be coming home. 

They did come home on Wednesday and began life at home with a baby.

When we got there, Andrew was sleeping in his new Lion King swing, in the sunbeam.  He looked very comfortable.  Of course, that only lasted so long and then it was time to hold the baby.  Even John got some daddy time while we were there.

We've been stopping by as much as allowed, trying to let the new parents have some time too.  And Barbara is there to pitch in with any help they need.  Every day is exciting, just to see the changes and to get to hold him close.