Liam

You know 9 months is a LONG time to wait for something.  Especially when it's a little baby.  It's an amazing feeling to watch your children become parents.  I loved watching Robby take on the roll of a dad and it seemed to come natural for him.  I was excited to watch Kristen take on her new roll as a mom.  It was fun to watch her growing belly.  And boy did it grow.  She was BIG.  As the time drew closer they kept telling her she had a big baby.  Dr.'s told Rob and Brittany the same thing and that he would be about 9-2.  He was 9-3!  So I believed the Dr's when they told Kristen he would be 9+.

Kristen asked if I would come in with them while she was in labor.  I told her absolutely.  I was so excited.  Then the last two weeks there was talk of a c-section.  I was sad for a little bit but what mattered most was the health of Kristen and Liam.

I loved watching Lance and Kristen talk together as a couple and go to the Lord and ask for guidance in how to safely get the little guy here.  As a mom of children you teach and teach and hope what you teach and live gives them examples on how to live their lives in depending on the Lord.  I was interested to watch how they were going to take on this challenge.  I told them what I have always taught as a mother, talk to the Drs, make an informed decision and then go to the Lord and tell him what you think is the best way and then listen.  They did all of that and came to what they knew to be the correct decision.  A c-section date was set and we waited what seemed like an eternity for it to get here.

Sept 21, 2012- It was such an exciting day mixed with some sweet sadness as that was the day my mom passed away 12 years earlier.  I like to think she sent Liam down with a final kiss as he made his grand entrance into life .  Kristen and Lance arrived at 9:00 AM and Lori and I decided we should get there no later than 10 saying that just in case the kids needed anything we could help.  I know we were both excited and couldn't stay away plus we were excited to greet this little guy.  I was excited for Lori as this would be her first grand baby and I remember so well the feelings I had as Rob texted us what was happening to them on the day Robby was born.  And then holding Robby the very first time was such a sweet feeling straight from heaven.  So I was very excited for her.

We were sitting in the waiting room, phones in hand with text messaging at it's best.  Out walked Lance and he told me that Kristen wanted to see me.  He said to me, but they told me NO CRYING our your OUT!  I stood up and the tears came.  Lance put his arm around me as we walked to Kristen's room telling me it was all good.  I couldn't hide the tears as I walked around the corner only to see Kristen all strapped up to monitors but she was full of smiles and anxious to get that boy in her arms.  

In some respects I knew the time had come for my baby to become a mom.  I knew she would be an amazing mom.  There were so many emotions all wrapped up into one.  Excitement to meet Liam yet worry that Kristen would be okay.  Back and forth the feelings went.  I was able to stay with her for about 30 - 45 mins or so.  Dr. Dixon called over saying he would be about 15 mins late so that meant I was able to stay just a smidge longer.  

Her nurse was wonderful.  I asked about to expect as far as a timeline.  She told me all I wanted to know, she would walk to the OR, they would get her ready ONCE they heard Dr. Dixon was on his way over.  Now I have complete faith in Dr. Dixon as I saw how amazing he was with Alyse when she had to have her surgery for a cyst.  That was the reason Kristen chose Dr. Dixon because of Alyse's experience and I told her that I thought he was fantastic.  I soon left the triage room and headed back to the waiting room where I told Mike to come on over.  The show was about to start.

Kaitlyn was with Lori and I, and had the presence of mind to look at her watch when I came out to explain what I had learned and the time frame.  I sat down and looked up and out walked Chris Sundstrom, a man in our ward who is an OB.  He walked over to Lori and I and told us he would be assisting Dr. Dixon.  My soul eased as I knew my daughter would be okay.  If anything happened she would have two priesthood holders with her.  Chris told us what would happen as well.  I told him hey take care of my girl okay.  He said don't worry she will be fine. 

 Lance is pretty fast at texting and kept us up to date as much as he could.  Lori got a text that said..  He's here and it's the most incredible thing I have ever seen.  I'm so in love!  We knew Liam had arrived.  By this time Mike and Perry had come and we were 4 proud grandparents and one proud aunt.  Lance came out and showed us pictures.  He ran back in to be with Liam and eventually Chris came out and said everything went well and he is a BIG boy!

We got word 10-8.  Wow no wonder K had issues carrying him.  She was a trooper.   Lance came out and told us that the grandma's could go back to see Mom and baby.  I told Lori you get to hold him first.  He's your first.  I just wanted to get to my baby and make sure she was okay...  She was loopy but doing great.  And then that sweet baby was placed into my arms.  Heaven was so close I felt I could touch it. 

 It's times like these that you want to drop to your knees and say a mighty prayer of thanks.  We had another healthy boy in the family.  Blessings that are over flowing my life and feeling like I cant even comprehend it all.  I remember feeling this same way when Rob text me that Robby had been born I couldn't leave my computer at the house.  I cried tears of joy as each text message came.  Mom and baby are both well and healthy. 

 Kristen text me to see if I would come and give Liam his first bath and show her how to do it.  I remember so well my own mother doing that for me.  I had flash backs and in my head I could once again stand and listened to her talk to each baby of mine.  Now it was my turn.

 Life is an amazing journey.  I remember my mom telling me how great it was when the babies came.  Being a grandma is an amazing job.  It is like having heaven so close you can peek through the veil.

Mike and I have goals and one of those goals is to serve a mission along side our two grandsons.  Mike had that privilege while he was on his mission as well.  We can't wait until the 4 of us are serving in the Lords army at once.  Until that day we get to spend the time watching our children teach and be examples on how to trust the Lord and know his will for us in our lives.