11/23/2025
Marlowe Ryan McColl — 11.20.2025 • 3:40am • 5 lbs • 5 hours of labor • 5 weeks early ✨
It’s like she thought we checked all the boxes & were ready for her.
After a week filled with birth classes, partner-support prep, and a hospital tour, we found ourselves heading to labor & delivery on Wednesday night. By 11:30pm Ali’s water had ruptured, and less than 5 hours later—after only 10 minutes of pushing—our girl was in our arms: fast, fierce, and so undeniably her.
Her first 24 hours were bliss. Tiny but mighty, she passed all her initial tests and didn’t need the NICU. We fell in love instantly with her.
Heartbreakingly a little after 30 hours, her oxygen began to dip and she was taken to the NICU—our first glimpse into how overwhelming and heart-expanding parenthood can be. In that moment we never knew we could love something and be so fearful of the world for it so much.
Now we’re taking life day by day: navigating NICU parent life, recovery, emotions, and running our small business at the same time.
A haze of loving her, and figuring out how to be split energetically in two places: energetically with her but physically away from her. In gratitude she’s getting the care she needs, but shattered our arms are not enough right now.
Through it all, we’re endlessly grateful for our support systems, the incredible professionals at Kaiser, and the family and friends holding us up.
We have no doubt Marlowe will surprise us again with when and how ready she’ll be ready to come home. We’re counting down the seconds every day but also if she’s taught us anything - it’s that we are on Marlowe’s timeline.
Thank you for celebrating her with us & if you want to help; please send our baby some good vibes.
