He has arrived!!

My first grandson was born on Friday at 12:20 a.m. 6 lbs 7 ounces, 19 1/2 inches long. He is so precious. I'm smitten over the little guy. He has captured my heart completely.

It was a long day for my daughter. She went in at about 7:30 a.m. on the 18th. At 8:30 they broke her water. Part of the reason they induced labor was because her husband is home from Iraq for a short time for the delivery, and they wanted him to be able to enjoy the baby. The other part is because he wasn't growing very much, so they were concerned about the placenta. But anyway, back to the story. By the time I finished work and got up to the hospital (about 1), she was only 2 cm dilated. The contractions were coming, but they were short and sporadic. A couple more hours went by and she was starting to feel harder, more intense contractions, but yet she was only at 3 centimeters. It was time for an epidural.

I guess going in the epidural was a little rough, and it did cause some bruising in her back. I don't think she liked not having feeling in her legs, but other than that, she was able to enjoy her delivery because of it. Her and her husband took a nap while we waited in the waiting room. When they woke up from their nap after supper, they checked her again and she was up to 7 cm! We started getting excited then! She labored for a while longer, and at around 10-10:30 they told her she was 10 cm. That's when my heart started to race. I knew the moment I had waited for was about to arrive. But they wanted her to continue to labor so that the head would drop further (less pushing that way). She was sort of laboring like I did (shot up to 7 cm and then it went quickly from there) so B and I had a bet. I bet she'd deliver by midnight, he bet after. I still think I would of been right, but the nurse didn't want her to push and we still had to wait for the doctor to arrive. So, he made his appearance at 12:20! 3 contractions and out he came!

It was amazing to watch him be born. I feel so honored that my daughter trusts me enough, loves me enough, and needs me enough to want me there for the birth. I know that is not the case in all families, and I am sooo thankful! It was an incredible experience, one I will never forget.

The doctor mentioned that the placenta was "calcified", and apparently he wasn't getting full nourishment which stunted his growth slightly - and that is why he is such a peanut. It won't have any long term affect on him, and he will catch up quickly with mommy's milk. Mommy has plenty of that for him already, and she's doing great with nursing. She's a natural born mommy - and has wanted to be one since she was 4 years old!

Here she is meeting her son. I get overwhelmed with emotion when I see this picture. The joy and love and excitement is all captured in her face, and you can see the little guy gazing up at her. Sigh.

After mommy and daddy had their time, Grammy and Grandpa got to meet him. We were just a "little" excited.

Today the happy family came home. Today is the day that starts a new life for them. A new life for us too. Life as we know it will be different. I look forward to the rest of his life. His first teeth and first steps, trips for ice cream and to the park, sleepovers, catching frogs and jumping puddles, making messes cuz he can't at Mommy's, snuggle time in bed, bubble baths, T-ball games and Christmas concerts, reading stories and singing songs. Talking about Jesus, or the facts of life. It is going to be grand. We love you little man!! Welcome to the family!