In the middle of the afternoon on the seventh of November, I experienced what was quite possibly the best moment of my life. Shane Martin O’Donnell was brought into this world screaming and it was the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard. Grand ideas for an epic blog post went through my head, do I post about how the country has just re-elected Barack Obama? Or is a post on how the economy is faultering? Maybe something about the billboard number one single (One More Night by Maroon 5) or number one movie (Wreck it Ralph)? Each of these are nice topics that might help him realize what the world was like when he arrived, but none of it was me. Then I realized something, I am a giant weather dork and it’s rare that someone knows what the weather was like at the exact moment of their entrance into the world. So without further ado; Shane this is what the world of weather was like when you were born.
US Satellite
In the United States, the second strong storm of the season impacted the Northeast. This storm dropped more than 4 inches of snow through an area from NJ through Massachusetts In fact, it was the earliest Central Park has recorded more than 4 inches of snow in its long history! Normally this storm would be nothing more than a nuisance, but unfortunately there was a historic storm the week before which caused massive destruction in the Big Apple as well as most of the Jersey shore. I’m positive it will be back to normal before you get a chance to visit, but it is a storm that will be studied for years to come. Your mother and I both thought that you would be born during it because we lost power for a little while.
Looking at the visible satellite, there was some thick marine stratus off the California coast. Maybe I can teach you why this forms when you’re older but the feature is quite obvious on the image. Also clear is a jet streak on the top of the ridge in the west. At first is may look like con-trails but looking at the model initialization and the water vapor imagery you can clearly see that there is a jet streak in the region. Other than the stormy-ness in the east, the west was quite warm with several record highs reported in the southwest. But overall it was quite tranquil there.
It is also interesting that you were born on a day where meteorologists int he Philly metro area blew the forecast, we were expecting 2-4 inches of snow and only saw a few flurries. The storm formed a bit later and further east than we (including your daddy) had expected. People are not happy when this happens.
Weather Image Gallery
Surface analysis showing conditions throughout the US
National Radar Mosaic; much of the reflectivity around Texas is just surface clutter. The winter storm is shown off the coast.
Model initialization on the day you were born showing the many levels of the atmosphere.
What I would like my readers to do is name something that happened to you on Wednesday. Whether it is something stupid like a jerk cut you off or something huge like you found out you are pregnant. I want Shane to know what everyone was doing when he entered the world. Even if you want to add something to the weather part of this. List it in the comments!
On the day you were born I was working and getting phone calls about your cousin Caleb being sick, which was really sad for him because he wanted to meet you so so badly but couldnt. <3.
First, the weather map you show, with the purple and red? Looks like a smiley face. 🙂
Second, that day another friend of mine had a baby. A girl they named Alexandra Michelle. 8lbs, 5oz, 20 inches long at 7:23am. Maybe someday Shane will run into her. The world is a very small place. 🙂
Welcome Shane!! While many of us awaited your arrival, no one was more eager than your parents! Let’s see, what did I do the day you were born?
My usual routine….
Work and Crossfit
Crossfit is where I met your parents. First they were opponents, but our journey allowed us to become friends. And boy, did we struggle together!! Your parents give everything their all at what they do and Crossfit was no different.
What you will learn from them, (like I did), is to go after what you want, don’t give up! Reach above and beyond- that goal is attainable!!
On the day Shane was born I was all by myself in ‘Cube City’ at work because your mommy and daddy were, quite obviously, busy with more important things. And the other member of ‘Cube City’ stayed home because he is a big wuss and thought we were going to get a lot of snow that day. Alas, as your Dad has already written, we didn’t really get much of anything in the Lehigh Valley in the way of snow.
Since I was by myself in the city of cubes, I had a lot of time to wonder and think about how your Mom, Dad, and you were doing and I was so excited when I received an email with the 1st pictures of you!
I was at the hospital waiting in the waiting room with your other grandparents wondering why there was no restrooms in the birthing area. There was also blinds on the window that did not work so I fixed them so we could see when it started snowing ( never did ). Then your dad came and told us you were born. I will never forget the look on his face. He was the happiest man in the world.
Welcome to the world Shane! I know you’ll find it to be a mix of excitement, frustrations, joys, and sorrows. Luckily for you, you have a loving family who will, I don’t doubt, make your excitements and joys outweigh the frustrations and sorrows.
On Wednesday, it was a normal day in Colorado. We woke up to the re-election of our president, and the acceptance of marijuana as a legal substance in the state (it’ll be an interesting thing to follow, and a social battle that I’m sure will be fought as you grow up). Unlike where you were born, the weather here was beautiful – pleasant temperatures and sunny skies. I spent time at work, followed by celebrating a birthday of a good friend of ours. I settled into bed after putting my daughter to sleep (who you share the same birth year!), while my husband went to Las Vegas. Nothing crazy, silly or exciting, but it’s the life we saw as your life began!
Shane — I was at work on the day you were born, checking my cell phone constantly and harassing your mommy for text updates! 🙂 The moment I found out you were born I was tutoring at Palisades Park library during a crazy early November snowstorm! I was quite perturbed that Mother Nature had freakishly thrown another crazy storm our way inhibiting me from from meeting you!
Welcome Baby Shane! On the day you were born, I was at work, then drove home during that snowstorm (we got a few inches in CT where I live) and narrowly avoided about 5 car accidents. Then, instead of kickboxing, I baked some very yummy chocolate cookies. Your cousin Daniel and I can’t wait to meet you!
November 7th, was an average sort of day for me. I am nearly half-way through my 3rd year out of 4 in my Pathology residency program. That day I sat through an early morning lecture on Pediatric Hepatobiliary pathology, previewed bone marrow cases, sat through a lunch time lecture on approaches to pediatric autopsy, then reviewed my bone marrow cases with my attending. We then went to the multi-disciplinary conference for review of lymphoma and leukemia patients. When I got home my boyfriend and I had soup and sandwiches. It had been a bit of a windy day, but it was nice. Although everyone had expected snow where we are, there was none, although, there were plenty of clouds.
I was at work when I got a text from your great aunt Diane (my mom) saying ‘It’s a boy!’ and I knew you had arrived. I told my girlfriend (Alex) right away and she was very excited to meet you.
On the day Shane was born i got a text from my brother it was just three little words “it’s a boy”.Alittle while later he sent me a picture and wanting to send the picture to Sean i decided to forward it,well it took awhile but i figured it out after a couple tries.so thank you Shane because that was the day i learned how to forward things.
Shane… The day you were born I attended my college classes
For the day… Biology and chemistry and after a long afternoon of studying I went to crossfit competition class as usual! My out let from school! Maybe one day u will do crossfit !
On the day you were born I was at work watching the snow fall and as one by one my team members went home. Your Uncle Kevin sent me a text to let me know that you had been born. Oh you probably don’t want to ask Kevin how much you weighed he says “and change” instead of ounces! Welcome to this crazy wonderful world!
I was at work looking at our fantasy league like usual and I sent your Dad a trade offer. I messaged him and below is what he said.
9:33am
Jason: just sent u a trade offer..MJD + crabtree for demaryious thomas
9:33am
Dennis:I can’t look at anything right now. At the hospital And they don’t have wifi
Jason: ohh good luck!!!
9:34am
Dennis:Thanks! We’re keeping it Facebook silent right now. So not that you usually do but nothing online yet
I’m wondering if they had wifi would he have accepted the trade. I cancelled it a few minutes later in case anyone is wondering.