Owen David Schell

On October 1st at 3:58 PM Tokyo time (2:58 AM East Coast Time) Owen David Schell was born. After 21 hours of labor Kristen pulled it off (she was a real trooper).

To highlight the day’s events Kristen called me at 10pm on the 30th to tell me that her water had broken. I rushed the 1 1/2 hours up to the hospital on an adjacent military base. After the second try at placing the epidural in the correct place we were on track. Most of the rest is a blur until Owen arrived. I tried to hold back the concern in my thoughts and face as the doctor delivering Owen exclaimed three times in a row that Dad you will not be able to cut the umbilical cord. Owen had entered the pelvic region and due to his shoulder size became trapped during the birthing process. Once the doctor was able to secure Owen under his right armpit she pulled him out in an extreme hurry. I turned to look at Kristen and compliment her on her efforts as I quickly turned my attention to Owen, who did not make a single peep. The most horrific image in my head remains of his little eyes rolling to the back of his skull as they placed him down on the table. After what seemed to be 5 minutes Owen finally made a sound (as they continued to suction his mouth and nose) the pediatrician explained that there is a nerve that runs the length of the arm pit that may have been stressed during the birth (he assured us there were no broken bones). This concerned me because as I watched Owen he did not move his arms or legs for at least 10 minutes. After Kristen had been cleaned up Owen finally began to move his left arm and both legs. The one that currently concerns us at this point in time is his right arm. He will grab your hand a squeeze but he cries at the slightest touch and seems to cautiously retain his right hand close to his body. Only time will tell (hopefully tomorrow he will be moving his arm).

To top it all off Owen entered this world at 8lbs 4oz with 20 inches in length. He has also received his lifelong nickname of "Tank". The nurse exclaimed he was a tank as she placed him on the table and Kristen and I both took to it.

Below are some of the photos of the proud Mother and Father.