Introducing Ethan George Hackman

Just wanted to pause on Beyond The Pale to welcome my new son, Ethan George Hackman. into the world.  Ethan was born 2 days before Christmas on December 23rd at Queen Mary Hospital at 4:13 AM; which means he’s been in the world for 26 hours. (OK, it took me a few days to finish this post)

Although I always wanted to have more children, it wasn’t happening and you start reaching the age where you begin to accept the fact that you are blessed to have the son you have and to live with that reality.  Then, the summer before last we were back in the States visiting our home church in Boulder Colorado and during a time of prayer a prophetic friend in the church said she felt God wanted to give us another child.  We thought, “Cool”.  I mean at the ages of 43 and 38 we weren’t exactly Abraham and Sarah, but if it was going to happen, it probably needed to happen soon.

In May this year shortly after our move to Hong Kong, Tammy called me and asked if I could get off work early and meet her at Disneyland.  (We live fairly close to Hong Kong Disneyland and have season passes so the request was not THAT unusual)  We met at the souvenir shop on Main Street and she handed me a stuffed “Pluto” plushie  and said, “Congratulations”.  I honestly had no idea what she meant until I saw her eyes water up and nod.  Yep, she found out that morning and wanted to tell me at Disneyland. (How cool is that?)

Fast forward to night before last.  We were watching the Disney movie Enchanted and as usual, I slipped out early to fall asleep.  I had just started to nod off when Tammy came in saying her water had broke.  We grabbed our things, called a cab, and arrived at  the hospital about midnight.  At 1:15 AM with Gabriel sleepily installed in the waiting room I entered the labor room with my doctor’s garb on and my “Husband” badge displayed on my chest.

When I entered the room, Tammy was already in a lot of pain.  We had requested an epidural but they needed to get the blood type thing sorted yada yada yada…so she ended up doing the whole birth on gas and a shot (which didn’t seem to help that much).  Put it this way, I knew childbirth was painful…but it’s hard to watch your wife in such agony, and be able to do so little except coach and encourage.

We had not decided on a name having bantered a few around for the last few months.  I was tending toward “Ethan” which is of Hebrew origin meaning “firmness”.  Tammy and Gabriel were looking at the name “George” a lot wanting something more traditional and not the latest “fad” name.  Anyhow, at one point when when Tammy was in heavy pain and the mid-wife was encouraging her, she asked what the baby’s name was.   I looked at Tammy a little and muttered to the nurse, “Um, we haven’t really decided on a name.”

At that moment Tammy nearly stood up in the saddle in mid contraction to declare, “HIS NAME IS ETHAN!”

I looked over at the nurse, “His name is Ethan…”

The baby came a few minutes later to immense joy.  Funny story though…after greeting little Ethan into the world, the nurses rushed him off to be tagged and examined.  About 10 minutes later the nurse returned with “Ethan”.  He looked…different.  “Excuse me” I asked.  “This baby has a pink tag…is this our child.”  The nurse looked at the tags and in horror realized her mistake as she scooted out the door.

I guess all us white people just look alike 🙂

Before I wrap up…I have to mention our Christmas Eve in the hospital.  Tammy SO didn’t want to be in the hospital over Christmas…but things happen.  So Gabriel and I stopped at City Super (market) and got their take away prepared Christmas dinner which for some reason included lasagna and Teriyaki chicken wings along side the Virginia ham (Hong Kong diversity) and brought it up to Tammy’s room along with a couple Christmas decorations.  We sat together as a family and watched “Its a Wonderful Life” on a laptop enjoying each other and our newest member.

It truly is a Wonderful Life!