It’s a Boy!

How many hours can people stare at a closed door?

Too many, as the hundreds of media personnel guarding their prized location across the street from Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital.

The heightened frenzy began this morning, with an announcement from Buckingham Palace:

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted this morning to St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London in the early stages of labour. The Duchess traveled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge.

However, the long wait is finally over!

At 16:24 BST today, the 8 lb 6 0z royal baby boy was born to parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton, aka The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Of course, the beginning of this pregnancy story began back in December, when the Palace announced that Kate was admitted to the hospital for hyperemesis gravidarum.

There had already been plenty of speculation that Kate was pregnant, based on what she ate or drank, or didn’t eat or drink. But the hospitalization forced the Palace’s hand.

For the past several months, millions world-wide have been watching the growing baby bump, and chronicling Kate’s pregnancy fashion.

Kate was delivered by a team of doctors lead by Marcus Setchell, the Queen’s gynecologist, and Alan Farthing.

How will Kate and William be as parents?

Most believe that Kate and William will try to raise their child in a way similar to the way William was brought up by his late mother- Princess Diana. They are expected to be very hands on. Eventually they may have a nanny, but will probably do most of the early childcare themselves.

Kate plans to breastfeed the baby. William is expected to help change nappies. William was the first royal to have disposable diapers, and is expected to use them on his own child.

It is expected that the child will attend public schools, just as his parents did.

What will the child look like as he grows up? Genetic counselors have proposed some possibilities:

Best wishes to Will and Kate. Here’s to a healthy, happy baby!