Guppy Keynote 2009

We’re posting photos to Flickr. More will be added as they come.

Unlike my last post, this Guppy Keynote IS for the birth of our 2nd child. Please share this post (and the one before it) with everyone you know so you and they can follow along with the adventure.

As the adventure unfolds, I will be updating this blog post. If you want to follow along, you’d do well to click on the title (above) and bookmark this post as it’s not going anywhere.

If you want to send wishes, please email mathewhoy (at) gmail (dot) com and I’ll make sure they get though to our family. If you want to follow along on Twitter, my user name is @mathewh (I doubt @theniffer will be Tweeting).

Let’s get this party started!

December 4, 2009 @ 7:45 AM: At 7:30am, @theniffer came into the bedroom to tell me that I’m not going to work today, that she’s been having small contractions for the past three hours. Ferris lets us know he’s awake by playing with a loud tow truck.

December 4, 2009 @ 7:50 AM: @theniffer looks a bit pale, is drinking a bit of blue Gatorade, and walking around the kitchen island to ease the feeling of the contractions. Ferris is turning on the lights of both of our Xmas trees. @theniffer just told me, “It’s weird - they’re not lasting very long, but they are very sharp.”

December 4, 2009 @ 8:03 AM: Our social network is about to explode - I just logged into @theniffer’s Facebook account and posted the link to the blog (as well as the link to the last keynote). Wishes are already coming in. Share yours by Twittering @mathewh or by sending email to mathewhoy (at) gmail (dot) com.

December 4, 2009 @ 8:06 AM: @theniffer is getting up to walk around the kitchen to help contraction pains every 15mins or so. Ferris is watching Zigby on Treehouse and having some juice. @theniffer just got off the phone with her mom who asked, “is there a reason I was up all night?” Yes, there is. :)

December 4, 2009 @ 8:15 AM: I’m about to take Ferris to daycare and set up that @theniffer’s moms’ll be picking him up at the end of the day. @theniffer just called my family to leave a message to say what’s going on and that there’s a chance we’ll be missing out on the family Xmas party tomorrow.

December 4, 2009 @ 8:26 AM: 20mins later and Ferris must sense something is up because he’s being difficult and doesn’t want to go to daycare. We’re almost ready to go. :)

December 4, 2009 @ 8:37 AM: Back from the daycare dropoff. Backed Fossey (our Honda Element) up the driveway os it’s ready to go. Gramma is picking up Ferris at the end of the day. Return to find @theniffer’s head on the table. Haven’t called the midwife yet. Will be doing so shortly. Time for some breakfast.

December 4, 2009 @ 8:45 AM: Call when in to midwife. Their office is closed so I called their answering service. Expecting a call from Carly (the midwife) any minute. @theniffer is reading the Canadian Tire flyer and looking at irons, but I suspect she’s zoning out. And she hasn’t made me breakfast yet!

December 4, 2009 @ 8:47 AM: Carly calls.

December 4, 2009 @ 8:49 AM: @theniffer thinks contractions are about 10mins apart. Talking about yesterday’s ultrasound report and how it was 100% awesome - just like Jenny! @theniffer said she’s vomited three times since getting up this morning.

December 4, 2009 @ 8:58 AM: My sister Lindsey calls to wish us good luck, @theniffer gets in the shower, I heat up a blueberry danish and put ice cream on it and @theniffer gets a text message from Kayley MacRae wishing us well! Thanks for reading the blog!

December 4, 2009 @ 8:59 AM: Let’s have some fun - what name do you think Guppy #2 will have? What do you think it should be? Email your answers to mathewhoy (at) gmail (dot) com or tweet them to @mathewh!

December 4, 2009 @ 9:07 AM: there is nothing like having a baby to make you wonder where all of your rechargeable batteries have gone (I can find three of four to charge). Name suggestions are coming in: Melissa says: Nolan or Lincoln for a boy and Rachel or Imogen for a girl. Angie has changed her guess for the sex to a girl. AW thinks we’re naming based on an 80s movie arc and suggests Lydia (beetlejuice) or Bastian (Never Ending Story).

December 4, 2009 @ 9:12 AM: Has realized that I sent all of our rechargeable batteries (except for three) with Matt on Wednesday night when he took the gear to shoot The GAMES DAY Podcast (which you should totally watch, after this is over - it’s awesome!). We have some fully charged brand new Duracell batteries in the closet (I think) that’ll do just fine.

December 4, 2009 @ 9:14 AM: My new ad concept: “If you think all batteries are the same, consider this - when last minute father, Mathew Hoy needs batteries to capture photos and videos for his blog, he turns to the only battery he can find in his house - Duracell. BING BONG BING!” Hey Duracell, call my agent.

December 4, 2009 @ 9:16 AM: Another name suggestion from my office (you guys rock, btw!): Twitter (L’il Tweet, for short). Keep them coming! Matt Q says, “how about Nemo? Everybody loves Nemo!”. Bridget says, “Sloan, to match Ferris”.

December 4, 2009 @ 9:20 AM: Bryan has thrown Eustice Jehoshaphat Hoy into the ring! Any others out there? Matt Q is up in this with Draper “from Don Draper on Mad Men”.

December 4, 2009 @ 9:24 AM: Paul M tosses up Chips Andrew Hoy (Chips A Hoy - never EVER heard that joke before) and suggests that with the fat Duracell sponsorship, some Nabisco cash would be sweet too. So there you go. Call me.

December 4, 2009 @ 9:25 AM: @theniffer gets out of a long, hot shower. Feels a lot better. Except for the contraction she just had. She just texted Kayley back and just got off the phone with her mom (again). Thanks for the calls from Courtney and Lindsey (my brother and sister)!

December 4, 2009 @ 9:27 AM: Melissa B. suggests Sookie for a baby name. @theniffer is on the phone leaving a message for our totally awesome Doula, Rachel. Angie S. thinks Bella, Alice, Buffy or Willow would be awesome. @theniffer is seriously thinking of changing it to Buffy or Willow (if it’s a girl) with all the kickboxing the guppy is doing in there. Basil is also on the Sookie bent (he also says, “definitely not Dexter”).

December 4, 2009 @ 9:31 AM: Ben sends us love from Facebook and AW suggests on Twitter that people use FollowFriday to follow our suggestions! Thanks so much!

December 4, 2009 @ 9:43 AM: Andy W sends in the name Zoltan. You don’t want to mess with him! On more of a sports kick, Lesley suggests Bex because of all the bending it’s doing in the womb. Last suggestion of the day from Angie W (I doubt it) is Baby Gaga.

December 4, 2009 @ 9:46 AM: @theniffer is laying on the couch trying to rest. Hard to do that when cats keep jumping on her. Just got off the phone with my dad. We seriously needed to hire someone to help us today. :) Anthea’s name suggestions are: Mason, Nash, Elsabeth, or Autumn.

December 4, 2009 @ 9:51 AM: Big contraction there. Walk-worthy. Starting to write down times for Carly.

December 4, 2009 @ 9:53 AM: @theniffer thinks it’s time to get dressed in case someone comes over (ps: we love you, but that’s not an invite).

December 4, 2009 @ 9:59 AM: I want to personally apologize to all of the employers out there. We are single-handedly crippling the economy today by pulling your workers from their normal duties to follow much more important things. Text message chimed in from @theniffer’s brother, Ian. What’s up, sucka?

December 4, 2009 @ 10:01 AM: Another noteworthy richtor-scale-esque contraction in @theniffer. Timestamped at 10am. BTW, Michelle E has suggested that based on the vampire kick the names seem to be following that middle names (so far no one else has suggested any) be: Erik, Damon, or Stefan. Keep them coming!

December 4, 2009 @ 10:05 AM: Quote of the night last night (from me), “that bloody show was worse than Friday the 13th!”. Trust me, you don’t want to know. Friends, that’s as bad as this blog will get.

December 4, 2009 @ 10:06 AM: Letter just came in the mail from @theniffer’s aunt Patricia. The label says, “Jen MacRae, Matt Hoy & Ferris + ?”. Awesome! Bell must be down as no phone calls have come in about 20mins.

December 4, 2009 @ 10:10 AM: @theniffer is dressed! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay! Ian calls to make sure the phone still works. Just looked at battery stockpile. We have two AAs left (of a package of 36). #goodxmaspresent

December 4, 2009 @ 10:16 AM: Just like last time, we have some library books to return. Maybe I can get some rechargable batteries while I’m out? Luckily, no rooms to paint. @theniffer is on the couch again, chilling out. I am marking times. Another huge tremor at 10:18am. Marked down in Textmate.

December 4, 2009 @ 10:20 AM: Another name suggestion from Jon: Stella or Keith. He writes (hi Mr. Potter): if it’s good enough for beer, it’s good enough for a guppy.

December 4, 2009 @ 10:22 AM: Just asked @theniffer is we should put on some music. I said, “if it’s Xmas music, then we can both suffer!” She is taking me up on the offer. Ugh.

December 4, 2009 @ 10:26 AM: @theniffer is dusting. Really. She is also looking around for something to eat but feels like everything is going to make her totally hurl. Like shea right. Email from Liz wishing us well. Thanks so much!

December 4, 2009 @ 10:31 AM: @theniffer is trying some toast. “I want a hippopotamus for Xmas” is on the iPhone now. Now we’re both marking down times we’re wincing.

December 4, 2009 @ 10:35 AM: Big name drop from Steve: Alanna or Kendall. Thanks for following along, buddy! Another big spike in @theniffer. Time marked for Carly (our midwife if you’re just joining us now).

December 4, 2009 @ 10:36 AM: Going on the 80s theme, Jacki (@jackiyo on Twitter) has suggested Ducky. Thanks for the suggestion!

December 4, 2009 @ 10:41 AM: @theniffer is eating toast with peanut butter and nutella and dancing to Rockin Around the Xmas tree over the iPhone speakers. @theniffer’s mom is coming over around 11am to give her a reflexology treatment. What about me!? I’m doing the blogging here!

December 4, 2009 @ 10:43 AM: Michael’s name suggestion is: “d7s - digital audio console (i’m in the chrw on air studio right now)”. Listen to his show on chrwradio.com (after we give birth of course).

December 4, 2009 @ 10:45 AM: Mary thinks we should name the baby Elektra. Also, if you’re on Twitter, please tweet this blog and tweet it often - we’re gonna try to get on trending topics for the day! Thanks so much! Hashtag: #guppykeynote2009

December 4, 2009 @ 10:55 AM: @theniffer called her mom who is picking up rechargeable batteries on her way over. @theniffer is also on her second bottle of Gatorade (call me, Coke) - orange this time. Bob and Doug MacKenzie Xmas song on the iPhone now.

December 4, 2009 @ 11:01 AM: @theniffer got a huge spike while brushing her teeth. Marked down. A choir is singing latin Xmas songs on the iPhone now. What’s your fave Xmas song? I’ll see if we have it.

December 4, 2009 @ 11:06 AM: Have you mentioned the blog on Facebook yet? Share our great day with your friends! George Michael on the iPhone now singing, “Just shoot me, I’m in more pain the @theniffer right now”. Bwa-ha-ha!

December 4, 2009 @ 11:07 AM: BTW, Jess’ favourite Xmas song is Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey. More names from Steve: Larkyn, Laelyn. Boy: Cameron, Charlie, and Freddie.

December 4, 2009 @ 11:11 AM: @theniffer has another spike and tries to relax on the couch again. The problem is that getting up makes her feel more pain and sick. So she’s trying to rest sitting up now. Picture on Flickr.

December 4, 2009 @ 11:18 AM: Matt Q suggests Mele Kalikimaka as a name (and maybe a Xmas song/video too from National Lampoon’s Xmas Vacation). I wanted to update everyone and say that by blogging I’m actually helping @theniffer. I’m both staying out of her hair, and recording this for the future.

December 4, 2009 @ 11:20 AM: @theniffer’s mom is here. She brought batteries! Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer is on the iPhone now.

December 4, 2009 @ 11:29 AM: @theniffer is getting a reflexology treatment now, trying to relax!

December 4, 2009 @ 11:32 AM: Sam writes, “If we are going on the 80’s theme: Princess Buttercup. As you wish………”. If you missed the link, photos are going up slowly on Flickr.

December 4, 2009 @ 11:40 AM: I think we’re gonna miss the family Xmas party tomorrow afternoon in Hensall, Ontario, Canada. Greg suggests: Bella, Caroline Clara, Dorothy, Hazel, Rose, Nora as names. Maybe if I offered a free Macbook Pro we’d start trending higher on Twitter? BTW, fat chance. More names from Greg: Ethan, Joshua, Jacob, Nathan, Leon, Jack, Harry.

December 4, 2009 @ 11:51 AM: Another spike. They’re on average 12 minutes apart. Looks like the reflexology appointment is helping. Sharon just helped me notice that @theniffer and her mom are wearing the same outfit. I need some dark pants and a red shirt so none of us get lost at the hospital today!

December 4, 2009 @ 12:01 PM: @theniffer’s pop calls from work on his lunch hour at The Home Depot. What’s up JD?

December 4, 2009 @ 12:05 PM: Our cat Ruby is pretty amazing. Each time a big contraction is going to hit, she jumps onto @theniffer’s lap. This is both cute and terribly annoying. Just found out that @London_Events (a twitter account of the London Free Press) has retweeted this blog! Welcome to everyone and thanks for your support.

December 4, 2009 @ 12:17 PM: Still no water breakage. @theniffer just had a tums and a Gravol. She’s feeling naseous. Oh, there’s a big spike! On average about 12mins apart now. She’s still looking smoking hot!

December 4, 2009 @ 12:21 PM: Still listening to Xmas music on the iPhone. Now the Amabile choir (@theniffer was in as a kid) singing The Christmas Song. Anyone else with a fave Xmas song? Send to mathewhoy (at) gmail (dot) com.

December 4, 2009 @ 12:25 PM: Jodi’s two cents for names: Clark and Ruth (for Xmas Vacation and her mom, who’s birthday is today!). Thanks for sending those in! PS: if you’re sending email and it’s not getting through, please note there is only one T in my name.

December 4, 2009 @ 12:30 PM: This Futureshop flyer is huge and awesome! What games are looking good in here this week? Why do PS3 controllers (and likely 360 ones too) never go on sale below $50?

December 4, 2009 @ 12:32 PM: We’re packing Ferris’ overnight bag full of Pull-ups and comfy clothes, toys, and love. Pretty Ribbons of Blue is on the iPhone now.

December 4, 2009 @ 12:41 PM: Rachael suggests Gavin or Freya for the name of guppy #2 but asks that we put the correct number of letters in the name (speaking to my name with only one T) to make it easier to follow them.

December 4, 2009 @ 12:49 PM: Another spike. 8 minutes since the last one.

December 4, 2009 @ 12:56 PM: @theniffer’s mom just left with Ferris’ gear. We won’t see our little buddy until after this is over. Miss him already.

December 4, 2009 @ 1:28 PM: Sorry about the “break”. @theniffer wanted to check her email. 78 messages of goodwill later and here we are. Name suggestions from @london_events: Michael or Jackson, Farrah, Natasha, Eartha, Ed, Patrick, Dom, Bea, Ricardo, Soupy.

December 4, 2009 @ 1:35 PM: @theniffer is resting in the back room on one of our Poang chairs under a nice fleecy blanket and I am beset with cats.

December 4, 2009 @ 1:42 PM: Michael at CHRW suggests Mulligan in honour of a terrible movie we’ve watched lately called 45RPM. @theniffer is still relaxing after another short spike.

December 4, 2009 @ 1:45 PM: Another spike and George Michael is back on the iPhone. The two seem connected..?

December 4, 2009 @ 1:50 PM: Raffi on. Time for a nap myself.

December 4, 2009 @ 2:01 PM: A few more names from Erin: Gaston, Michel or Hompté Dompté because we think it’s a boy. But just in case it’s not, Camille or Marie-Ange. Lindsey suggests Elenabel for a name.

December 4, 2009 @ 2:04 PM: A big hi to everyone coming here from Kings Alumni! Another spike. They seem to be about 8mins apart now. Based on the noise she’s making this one seems like one of the worst contractions of the day. I wish I could help. I could try by skipping this Raffi Xmas song on the iPhone I guess!

December 4, 2009 @ 2:09 PM: Did you miss last night’s post? I posted the entire Guppy Keynote 2006 when Ferris was born last night. Have a read! Got so many good comments and vibes from it we’re doing it again.

December 4, 2009 @ 2:19 PM: @theniffer is on all fours, her head on an exercise ball and is rolling around gently. We just had two contractions that were 3 minutes apart, but the 2nd one was very small. Most of them are 5 or 10 seconds long while once every 15 minutes, they are bigger, more painful, and last up to 1 minute. Michael wants us to name the baby Banana Phone.

December 4, 2009 @ 2:28 PM: Another big spike. 10mins apart now for this big one. Laura has an awesome idea: naming the guppy after fonts! Sweet. Any ideas? Send them to mathewhoy (at) gmail (dot) com! I’m totally all over Baskerville.

December 4, 2009 @ 2:32 PM: Sharon says Gigi for a guppy font name. What do you have?

December 4, 2009 @ 2:34 PM: Samantha says Chiller Coolsville, Desdemona, Dayton, Gaze, Herman, Scruff let, and Wingdings. Mary also suggests Roman or Ramona for boy and girl names!

December 4, 2009 @ 2:37 PM: From Julie: Arial! Marlett! Candara! Corbel! Melissa: Aphrodite. Speaking to last time’s in-joke, Basil suggests iMat or iJen. Another vote for both Roman and Arial from Jeremy! These are great!

December 4, 2009 @ 2:50 PM: Another big spike. We just danced in the kitchen as @theniffer made her way through it. She’s hungry but not sure what to eat. Gonna try some oatmeal.

December 4, 2009 @ 2:55 PM: Text from Kayley asking for an update. We’re on schedule with no issues. Oatmeal is going down okay. Names from Nora Anne: Mary or John.

December 4, 2009 @ 3:13 PM: Huge spike hit. Massages and lots of table gripping. Calling Doula as it’s getting hard to cope with contractions now. Rob suggests Cobra Commander Hoy and Lindsey says Alice.

December 4, 2009 @ 3:33 PM: We just paged the midwife and the doula again. This one is a huge one. The contractions are getting larger and closer together. Big contractions are about 5 minutes apart. @theniffer is sick to her stomach.

December 4, 2009 @ 3:35 PM: The midwife called and it sounds like we’re off to the hospital in a few minutes once she calls us back! I’ll try to update the blog from the hospital as long as wifi/3G is working on my iPhone. See you all soon!

We are at the hospital. Contractions going strong. Doula is here! 4:33PM - in triage room getting to move to a new room. Everything is good so far.

December 4, 2009 @ 4:44 PM: Hi everyone! We’ve moved from the original, tiny triage room to a larger, private birthing room. Rachael our doula is providing pressure to @theniffer’s back while Carly is getting everything else ready to go. I am blogging like a nerd.

December 4, 2009 @ 4:49 PM: Vitals being recorded, more Doula pressure being pressured..? Trying to catch up on emails from friends and family now. 30 mins in a long time! Thanks for your messages of support. Please send more to mathewhoy (at) gmail (dot) com.

December 4, 2009 @ 4:53 PM: Coming faster now, but @theniffer is pacing the room, talking casually. With Ferris, we didn’t use any meds. This time around we’re going to try to do the same. We have a safe word, “pizza”. If she says that we’ll go for it.

December 4, 2009 @ 5:03 PM: More contractions. Swaying/dancing now. Carley listening to baby and trying to track down some oral Gravol. Anyone got any they can share?

December 4, 2009 @ 5:07 PM: @theniffer was about 5cm last time she was “looked” at, btw. Contractions are like 2mins apart. Lots of dancing/swaying with each other.

December 4, 2009 @ 5:13 PM: Another serious contraction and more swaying. Breathing in through the nose out through the mouth. Can hear a baby crying for the first time next door!

December 4, 2009 @ 5:27 PM: When I talk about swaying, Jennifer has her arms circled around the back of my neck and I hold her shoulders and we sway back and forth. It helps her focus and connects us.

December 4, 2009 @ 5:33 PM: Longest contraction yet. Lasted about 3mins that time. Really working hard. Still no water breakage. Carly listening to guppy in there. Your last change to submit a name might be in the next coupla hours! Send em to mathewhoy (at) gmail (dot) com!

December 4, 2009 @ 5:37 PM: More swaying. No real opportunity to take pictures as the iPhone is tethered to the laptop so I can connect to make posts. It’s either photos or posts, folks!  :) Contractions are about 1.5 mins apart and coming on strong.

December 4, 2009 @ 5:54 PM: Just created the birthing room in Gowalla! Hooray!

December 4, 2009 @ 6:05 PM: @theniffer is throwing up in the washroom after two back to back massive contractions. I think she’s got it all out now. Midwife and doule checking on her. I’m trying to not listen or I’m going to get sick too (I’m such a wuss like that).

December 4, 2009 @ 6:08 PM: Carly is having another listen to the baby. Everything sounds just super in there!

December 4, 2009 @ 6:12 PM: I’m gonna need some serious neck and shoulder massage after all this dancing and swaying!

December 4, 2009 @ 6:19 PM: Another contraction, another listen. Everything is good! Every two minutes or so there’s another contraction and @theniffer is in a lot of pain. She’s got a cold, wet towel on the back of her neck and is trying to sit the next contraction through.

December 4, 2009 @ 6:30 PM: She’s made it through two contractions sitting down and is doing great! @theniffer is so strong and tough - better than me, anyway. The only thing bad about this labour is that I’m starving (missed dinner). I wish I could run someplace and get something hot to eat.

December 4, 2009 @ 7:00 PM: Contractions continue. We have shifted positions from standing to a couple of chairs in the room. Sorry for the lack of updates - I ran downstairs for a sandwich.

December 4, 2009 @ 7:10 PM: I think we’re about to head to the bed to change positions again. Carly is getting an iv set up and ready to go. Contractions happening every minute or so now. Sandwich was good! Going to get into some of these double chocolate donuts in a minute.

December 4, 2009 @ 7:12 PM: The human effluent I’m seeing here, no violent video game can prepare you for. Right now, three back to back to back contractions. Poor @theniffer.

December 4, 2009 @ 7:15 PM: Standing in front of the sink and going through her fouth contraction in a row, @theniffer’s water just broke. Water is crystal clear, nothing to worry about. Listening to the baby now and the heart beat is making a, “wtf is going on!?” sort of sound. After a couple of seconds, it’s back to normal. @theniffer is doing awesome! Go team guppy! Please share this blog with everyone you know so they can help cheer for her too! Thanks for our love and support!

December 4, 2009 @ 7:19 PM: Don’t get too excited, but Carly said she thinks it’s going to happen sooner than later. Last couple of minutes to share the link, suggest a name, and cheer on @theniffer!

December 4, 2009 @ 7:22 PM: Baby warming table is heating up, bed has been made, ready to transfer to the bed! Just waiting until she’s ready to move.

December 4, 2009 @ 7:43 PM: Carly is positioning lights and @theniffer has started pushing a little bit. Go team guppy!

December 4, 2009 @ 7:46 PM: Pushing! Water drinking! Pushing again! @theniffer is on all fours and doing great. Breathing deeply. Doula is on her right side and I’m on the left. Go team guppy!

December 4, 2009 @ 7:54 PM: We’ve rolled over onto @theniffer’s back to change the position and pressure on the baby to make it want to come out even more than it does now!

December 4, 2009 @ 7:57 PM: Awkward, indescribable pushing (this is a family show folks), but we’re making headway (haha!).

December 4, 2009 @ 8:03 PM: Pearl MacRae Hoy is here! She is totally awesome and everyone is cheering! She is cute and pink. Lost and lots of hair! Thanks so much for all of your love and good wishes!

December 4, 2009 @ 11:06 PM: We are now home. No private rooms at the hospital meant that I wouldn’t be able to spend the night with @theniffer. So, here we are. Pearl is home and feeding on the couch with no troubles at all.

PS: Tool of the day was TextExpander! I had a bunch of snippets in there to help make fast blogging even faster. Typing “@niff” would spell “@theniffer”, typing “ghash” would add “#guppykeynote2009 - http://tumblr.com/x8r4g5ipj” to Twitter, and typing “gtime” would add “December 4, 2009 @ 8:43 PM: ” to the blog making it super easy to update!