Dear Friends,

 Susan called to tell me that Christina delivered Timothy Parke Walton at 6:20 pm PDT tonight.  He weighed 4 lb 14 ounces and is 17 inches long.

 Both the baby and the mother are doing well.  He looks like a small version of Matthew.

The Wind-up (as reported by Christina Ganong Walton):

Subject:          Christina's update
   Date:          Mon, 7 May 2001 15:00:20 -0700 (PDT)
   From:         Christina Walton <christina_walton@yahoo.com>
     To:          Drew & Christina Walton <waltons@ieee.org>

Good news from Hotel Sutter.  Today I had an ultrasound and the baby weighs about 3 lbs. (between 2.2 - 3.8 lbs.) and is right where he should be as far as growth goes.  The amount of amniotic fluid around the baby is the same as it was several weeks ago at the last ultrasound, which means that all of the fluid being lost is being replaced (a regular baby would have about 11 units, and he has over 5 units; less than 5 is cause for concern).

Tomorrow the baby will be as 31 weeks gestational age, which is great.  It is really remarkable that I've been able to go this long without complications -- at least every nurse and doctor I see remarks on it!  That means I have been here four weeks and hope to be here another three before the baby is born.  If the baby can wait another week, his birth weight will probably be around 4 pounds, his chances of survival would be 99%, and his estimated hospital stay will go from 8-12 weeks to 2-8 weeks.  Rather than focusing on breathing, his hospital stay would mostly be needed for him to put on weight, and to stabilize his temp and vital signs.  So, you can see why we'd like him to stay put for a week or two!

My mom, Matthew and Drew came to see me on Saturday and we had lunch together.  Matthew was very sweet and rather snuggly.  I gave him a hospital bracelet like mine and he wore his all the next day.  My mom, Drew and Matthew are all doing well.  A friend has been cutting our grass for us, which has been a big load off of Drew, and other friends have offered to watch Matthew to give my mom a break.  I am grateful to hear that they are being taken care of too!

While I do have some mopey days where I am homesick, I generally am upbeat or serene about my hospital routine and our prospects.  Being in the hospital isn't too bad if you are feeling well.  I like to read, cross stitch, watch videos and TV, surf on the computer, talk on the phone, etc.  I am put on the baby monitor for three hours a day and have other various check-ups which require time, so some days actually seem "busy."

I am very grateful for our good health and the happiness of my family and attribute these many blessings to God's goodness and your prayers and acts of kindness.  Thank you.

Love,
Christina

Just a couple of small pictures of Christina and Timothy.
 
 

Christina:  SuperMom II

Young Timothy:  Life begins at 4 [ lbs ]

Here's a shot of our little guy's welcome at home.  He spent his fourth week of
life since birth at home rather than in the hospital and did very well.