Calm in the Craze: 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!