Sunday, January 13, 2013

Grant Liam

After spending Saturday unpacking, taking down our tree, organizing, and napping, we all went to bed. I woke up at 1:30 AM on Sunday with my usual back pain and decided to surf the internet for awhile since I couldn't sleep. At 3:00 AM, I had a pretty strong contraction and thought hmmm...this might be it this time. I thought I'd better wait it out for awhile after Friday's contractions had stopped. I really didn't want to wake my parents up but Ethan thought I'd better call them since it would take an hour for them to get here. I called Mom at 4:00 AM, Dad stayed with the kids, and we checked into the hospital at 6:00 AM.

The contractions were still coming and pretty painful. I was dilated 6-7 cm when we got there and let them know that I wanted an epidural. They had trouble starting an IV and I began to panic at the thought of no epidural.  But, I got my epidural around 8:00 AM and felt so much better. The doctor broke my water and Ethan, Mom, and I just chatted while we waited. Ethan felt really sick so spent the majority of time laying on the couch breathing heavily. I thought he might pass out. Mom thought it was funny that he was the one doing heavy breathing when I was the one in labor!

I started pushing at 11:00 AM and had to stop when the doctor got called to an emergency. I was okay thanks to that epidural. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been too happy with him. He came back and was putting his gown and gloves on when Grant decided he wasn't waiting any longer. Grant Liam Anderson was born at 11:58 AM and came out crying!

Grant weighed 9 pounds, 2 ounces and was 20 3/4 inches long. I instantly thought he looked like Emma when she was a baby. He had full cheeks, a pug nose, and a little bit of dark hair. I was so relieved that he was here and that I was no longer pregnant! The timing was perfect as we had made it through Christmas but he still made it before the end of the year so Ethan gets his tax deduction : ) We were also glad that he got to meet Uncle Ian, Aunt Amanda, Cousin Jude, Uncle Kyle, and Aunt Lindsey before they all went home. I still can't believe I went two days early after going a week late with the other two! We had a room full of visitors that afternoon and then Ethan, Grant, and I spent a quiet New Year's Eve together.

We made it home and Mom stayed with us for a few days to help us out. It has been a smooth adjustment so far and I think I'm less stressed now that he's here, the holidays are over, and I'm not working. Our friends and family have been spoiling us with gifts and yummy meals. We are so thankful for everyone's kindness to us. Emma and Noah adore their new little brother and have had lots of fun questions for me :) Emma thinks it must be boring to just have milk for every meal. Noah wants to know when he will grow teeth so he can eat cereal.

Grant is a good baby so far but is starting to wake up for longer periods of time and wants to be held. You wonder how you can love another one as much as the children you already have. It's amazing how he has already captured our hearts and fits right into the family. We are so blessed to have another healthy baby boy and are grateful to the Lord for this gift!



Me in labor and Ethan doing his heavy breathing


He's here-all nine pounds, two ounces!

Happy to finally meet our new son

Meeting little brother for the first time

This little guy gets lots of love.

Big brother Noah

Big sister Emma

Grandpa and Grandma Crim
 
Auntie Rachel
Uncle Braden
Auntie Kyli

Uncle Austin


Grandpa and Grandma Anderson

Grandma Janis

Papa Paul

More visitors
Our family of five

Uncle Kyle and Aunt Lindsey

Aunt Amanda


Mr. Grant

First bath

Uncle Adam, Aunt Anna, and Cousin Sadie


First night in the hospital
He looks like Emma!

Quality time with Dad


Love this bundle


Heading home



 Two weeks old today


 Wondering if those eyes will stay blue?

 
 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Christmas 2012

Presents!

The movie Brave

A new mini American Girl doll for her collection

Noah had to put everything he opened in front of the camera while saying "cheese."

More "cheese"


His very own mixer

London Bridge at G&G Crim's

Sadie and Noah chowing down


Jamming with Uncle Austin (even Sadie was dancing and clapping)

These brave souls spent hours making a snow fort with tunnels.

Everybody loves Uncle Andrew!

Hanging with Cousin Jude
Smile!

Hug
"We want a ride Uncle Kyle."

Green PJs after their sauna

Acting out the Christmas story while Papa reads
Ian, Amanda, and Jude
Kyle and Lindsey


Caleb and Katy

Our family of four for just a few more days

Papa and Grandma with their grandkids

Opening more presents


A magazine perfect for Janis

Aunt Amanda made this adorable hat

And one for Noah too


We had a very fun and memorable Christmas this year. It started the weekend before with our own little family Christmas. The kids enjoyed their gifts and we relaxed at home. Then we headed to Mom and Dad's for a couple of days. It was a house full of Crims and we played games, watched movies, played in the snow, and just hung out. The kids had a blast with all of their aunts, uncles, and cousins. We ended the week at the Andersons. All of Ethan's brothers and wives were back this year for Christmas. We enjoyed several meals together, dominoes, shopping. The boys did a hot dog roast in the snow and lots of saunas. It was a great week spending time with family.

I was waking up most nights with a backache. Friday night, I had several contractions and thought we might be heading to the hospital but they stopped. We headed home Saturday morning to get our stuff unpacked and rest at home. I'm sure glad we did...