Independence babies make debut

When the clock struck 12 Friday morning, Lincoln II and Beth Deal listened to the Independence Day fireworks from their room at Doctors Hospital as Beth gave her final few pushes after more than six hours of labor.

A few minutes later, the faint cries of their first child, Lincoln Deal III, were heard as the seven pounds, three ounces baby boy made his way into the world; becoming the hospital’s Independence baby.

“It was so ironic because after my contractions began, we were saying, ‘well, he’ll be here on the 9th and we’ll just wait on his time’,” Beth said.

“But he literally stayed and stayed until he heard the fireworks going off, I guess, and a few minutes later, he popped on out and we had our Independence boy.”

The couple entered the hospital shortly after noon on Thursday, already ecstatic at the thought that they would welcome their baby boy the day before Independence Day.

However, while watching the virtual Independence celebration on TV, they realized their bundle of joy was gearing up to share his birthday with the country.

“First of all, we were grateful to God that we had a healthy baby boy and so that was first and foremost,” Lincoln said.

“The irony of it being our 47th Independence was truly a celebratory moment.”

For weeks and months, Lincoln was concerned that he would have to be in another room and watch the delivery of his first child through a monitor.

However, with a slight ease of restrictions and a rapid COVID-19 test at the hospital, the young father was able to be present and in the room with his wife the entire time.

“It was certainly a life-changing moment and one that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Lincoln said.

“My good buddy Carlos Palacious told me whatever I do, be sure to cut the umbilical cord. I got to do that, and I was very happy. It was a blessing.”

When asked what she’s looking forward to most out of motherhood, Beth said she couldn’t pinpoint one specific thing, except just to “bond with my son”. She added, “I’m looking forward to making memories that he will never forget.”

A stone’s throw away at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), Brittney Victor welcomed her baby girl at 1:05 a.m.

Gulfanique Bullard welcomed her baby boy two hours later at 3:52 a.m.

Both babies weighed seven pounds at birth and were given the annual Independence gifts from the hospital as the first boy and girl born on Independence Day.

The post Independence babies make debut appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

source https://thenassauguardian.com/2020/07/13/independence-babies-make-debut/