December 8, 2009 (Nanaimo, BC) – The folks at Pedal would like to extend their congratulations to Wendy Simms and Norm Thibault on the birth of their son, Tycho, on December 5. Simms and Thibault are strong and colourful fixtures on the Canadian cycling scene. Among their many accomplishments, both hold cyclocross national titles. Perhaps we will see Tycho practicing dismounts and run-ups on a tiny Kona very soon! Here is the story of how Tycho came into the world, courtesy of Thibault.

Tycho Simms Thibault. Born: December 5, 2009. 10pm. 3.815kg.
For me it means slot cars when I was a kid. For Wendy a famous scientist…. A derivative of it is Greek for the Goddess of Luck…. Has Scandinavian roots (just for Stefan). Not in the top 1000 names of North America….

Saturday morning Wendy “suggested” that I skip the ROC run at Doumont as she did not want to be without the car. Instead we headed to Lindley Valley. We bumped into Donna who was out for a run (looking under-dressed in the cold weather). Marty [the family pooch] decided he wanted to run with Donna and me….so we went off. Wendy decided her body did not want to walk very far so she did not….

At 11am Wendy asked if I had to go to the shop to cover Kathie from 12-1:30… again a “suggestion” that it might not be a good idea.

12:00 – Contractions started.

I was under strict instructions to call the midwife when the contractions were 3 in 10 minutes or Wendy’s water broke. Stop watch in hand I started to take splits. I was not told that I could give the midwife a heads up at any point just so they could adjust their day if needed… details.

2:00 – Three contractions in under 10 minutes. Midwife called.

2:30 – Midwife at house for first visit. Everything “normal”. I later learn that “normal” usually means VERY PAINFULL for Wendy!

3:00 – Midwife leaves to go get Wendy’s file from the office and get some gear for the day. Says she will be back at 4:00.

3:58 – Water breaks.

4:00 – No midwife so Norm calls.

4:00:15 – Midwife arrives and norm hangs up the phone.

5:00 – We leave for the hospital after letting Marty out to go to the washroom. 2X in one hour… he looks at me like… didn’t I JUST go outside?

5:02 – Mini is VERY nice but Wendy complaining about the stiffness of the suspension.

5:04 – Arrive at hospital…this time we take the elevator.

5:10 – all checked in (midwife took care of everything)

5:10 to 9:58 – a LOT of PAIN… but surprisingly only one curse word and no
drugs.

9:58 – Tycho arrives. Wendy said that if he came out in a helmet with a lit suit on we could keep the working name of Tron… no luck! Darn it!

11:15 – Norm departs for food… only thing open is McDonalds… oh well once a year is not too bad.

11:15 to present and beyond – …not too much sleep, but a lot of fun.

Thanks for all the e-mails, facebook comments and text’s from everyone. People comment that “we” must be very proud… well we are very ecited…. Tycho has not done much to be “proud” of yet… although I personally think he might be an exceptional farter… we are super happy for sure. VERY impressed with the hospital facilities at Nanaimo General and SUPER impressed with Margaret our mid wife. I can tell you though I am incredibly proud of Wendy. She went through an immense amount of pain and called for “the drugs” but got through it all. As my brother Jamie (not blood brother) who went through this in May with Wendy’s sister Sharon says, “It is quite something”… it certainly is!

Thanks again for all your well wishes.

Norm, Wendy, Tycho and Marty