The Story of Griffin

Griffin's birth was way different than Grayson's. I ended up having a c-section with Grayson after hours of pushing. I also ended up having quite a few complications afterwards, one being pretty scary, so I opted to have a scheduled c-section this time.  I know that a scheduled c-section is not for everyone, but I had the best experience with Griffin!

This was my last bump picture with Griffin. We had to leave our house at 5:15 to get to the hospital for check-in. Can I just say that it is so weird setting your alarm the night before so you can wake up & have a baby?!

We got up to our room a little before 6:00am. I changed into my beautiful hospital gown, took my contacts out, & they started pumping me with fluids through the IV. Also? We got the suite...biggest room on the floor!

The one thing I was so afraid of this time was the spinal. My OB assured me about 1,000 times that it really wouldn't be that bad but that was what I was dreading most. Ben got scrubbed up & they wheeled me back to the OR around 7:30.  I switched beds and sat up so I could get my spinal. The worst part of the whole entire delivery was the lidocaine shot they gave me right before the spinal. It burned for about 30 seconds & was just really uncomfortable, but other than that, I didn't even feel the spinal. I felt a little sick for about a minute as my blood pressure dropped right after the anesthesia, but then I was fine.

Ben came in at around 7:45 & they began the surgery. I felt so much less this time with the spinal versus the epidural. I actually had to ask the nurse if my OB had even started! That's when you know that you have a great anesthesiologist!

Griffin was born at 7:56am & he barely even made a squeak at first! The first comment my OB made when she got him out was that he was a good bit smaller than Grayson. He looked teeny!

Griffin had a little bit of an umbilical cord issue that the nurses noticed right away. The cord had been wrapped around his neck & had torn a little bit by his belly button. Apparently it was bleeding quite a bit so they had to clamp it twice to get it under control & then put silver nitrate on it to close it up. Other than that, our tiny boy was perfectly healthy!

Our first picture with our newest boy. Such a sweet moment! I could not get over how small he looked in comparison to how big Grayson was!

Ben went to the nursery with Griffin & got to show him to our parents through the window. Everyone said he had a great set of lungs! Griffin weighed 7lbs 5oz...a whole pound and a half smaller than his big brother!

 I got to really "meet" Griffin about 40 minutes later in our hospital room. He immediately nursed like a champ for about an hour & I just stared at him. There is seriously no love like the love you have for your child. Nothing compares!

It was so nice to have some alone time before everyone else came back. Ben & I both enjoyed those newborn snuggles!

 Both sets of parents were there during the surgery & met Griffin after he had eaten. These are my parents, Nana & Baba.

 These are Ben's parents, Mimi and Pops.

our first "official" picture with Griffin...he was being so sweet!

 Grayson had spent the morning with his buddy, Gray, and didn't meet Griffin until after his nap. We figured that would be the best time for him! He walked in & immediately started looking for "baby!"  When he saw that Griffin was in my lap he wanted Ben to pick him up so he could get a better view. He was SO confused as to why everyone was taking his picture.

 Grayson did so much better than I expected! He sat right next to me and kept saying "hi, baby!"

 Then? He kissed his baby brother & my heart just about melted to the floor. SO sweet!

 He loved his baby brother & thought he was really cool when he opened his present from Griffin: a weed eater! G played with that for 2 hours in our hospital room. Good shopping, Griffin.

All in all, this delivery experience was a breeze & I am so thankful that our baby boy is healthy and such a great eater! My recovery has been about 100 times easier this time around & I am so ready to be at home with both of our boys.

Thank you for all of the sweet words & prayers for our family as we transitioned into a party of 4. We are truly feeling blessed!