Josiah Ishmael

"Hello Josiah Ishmael! You were born so little, named by God and are already leaving footprints all over my and your daddy's heart. Don't grow too fast, my Love, I just got you three months ago!"

Josiah started his entry on an early Monday at 3:30 am. We decided to try and get a little more rest, after all having a baby could take hours! The day was spent taking long showers, strolls around town and the neighborhood, lunch with the parents (I think the waitress thought something was wrong with me and my funny contraction faces), and endless comforting rocks in the glider. By 11 pm we were in the car and heading into Pittsburgh. Gosh, it was hard to relax through those contractions and a 40 minute car ride!


The woman checking into the hospital before me was just about to have her baby right there in triage. Women in labor don't find encouragement seeing another woman so far along! By the time our midwife arrived I was praying for good news. 6 cm dilated! Good news indeed! What I didn't know is that my little boy would arrive in just three more hours!

I barely remember the pain, except 'excruciating' was a good term to use. I do remember being able to feel the top of this baby's head, and thinking why is everyone staring at me. I can recall sitting at the edge of the bed and pushing in intervals of three; pushing as if my life depended on each push! And everyone, including Michael, shouting, "He's coming!" And I'll never forget what it felt like to hold my son for the first time!

"Welcome to the life God has given you, my son!"

Josiah Ishmael Grinder

November 29, 2011

7 pounds, 12 ounces

...and beautiful!