How I Was On The Front Lines Of The Birth Of Baby Finn While Sitting On My Couch Watching Tivo.

It's no secret, technology is not only changing the way we live but it's also altering our arrival onto this Earth.
 
Apparently gone are the days of rushing to your friends side while their baby is being born. Adios cigar bonding in the hallway, deep breathing at the anticipation of the arrival of newborn baby and all that traditional gooey stuff. "See ya" to all that whole in-person, sentimental, pacing the halls, bad hospital food ordeal. That is all so 1990's! Now, it's iphones and blackberry in position, Facebook page open , Flip video in hand and hello virtual, up- to -the -moment baby updates.
 
My friends Michael and Dorian were expecting their first child sometime this month—the big day came yesterday. Water broke, 
Mom and dad- to- be  in car headed to hospital. Then came the first text.
 
At that moment,  I realized I was having my first live virtual baby arrival experience.
 
Here 's a sampling of a handful of texts and  how the day went…
 
Michael:
Nov 11, 2008 12:52:30pm
Baby coming now!
 
Me:
Nov 11, 2008 12:53:09 pm
Whaaaat?!! K, I'll pass it on!! Go get him. Send kisses!
 
At this moment I sent out an email to all our close friends about the news flash…we spent half the day back and forth commenting making warm, loving . "oh my god " comments also known as OMG in virtual land.
 
A few more texts and then….
 
Me:
Nov 11, 2008 8:47:03 pm
Update….?!
 
Michael:
Nov 11, 2008 8:48:33 pm
Epidural going in NOW
 
(I'm on the phone with my sister mom of two while the latest text arrives)
 
Me:
Nov 11, 2008 8:49:30 pm
Ok nic is asking how much she is dilated-she said Dorian should be feeling good now!
 
Michael:
Nov 11, 2008 9:22:00 pm
5-6 cms now
 
Me:
Nov 11, 2008 8:25:08 pm
Nic says he's gonna fall out soon!
 
Then,  radio silence.
 
Me:
Nov 12, 2008 7:58:53 am
Do we have a baby?!!
 
Michael:
Nov 12, 2008 7:59:24 am
Yes! 2am
 
Me:
Nov 12, 2008 8:00:46 am
OMG
 
Then came the arrival of the iphone photo announcing Finn James Lucas into my email inbox on my Blackberry at 8:00 am . And the next one around 8:08 am a new, awake yummy photo of Finn looking more alert, aware and simply handsome. Followed by a handful of perfectly precious photos on Michael's Facebook page with a flurry of comments from friends and family.
 
While there is a part of me that wants to hold on to tradition and perhaps have at least one or two friends pacing the halls while I'm in labor, making a hooplah of the whole miraculous moment...Michael's current Facebook profile status , posted 2 hours ago really says it all:
 
"Michael is in love."
 
You can't get that in the hallway.