According to whose plan?

Ella apparently is calling the shots. Guess she gets her share of stubbornness from both mom and dad...and she's insisting her own timetable. Apparently the water hadn't broken "enough", so trip #1 to the hospital ended after two hours. Lots of graphs of contractions and monitors of Ella's heartbeat (both good for dad), but it wasn't quite time to go any farther.

A walk to Columbus Circle, the A train to West 4th, and a stroll along Washington Square didn't stimulate an immediate return to the hospital. Dr. Chen encouraged spicy food for dinner. Mom's getting quite uncomfortable and we're still hoping to be home for Christmas Day. Dad's got odds on the Winter Solstice, shortest day of the year (not sure of the implications).