I am pleased to announce that I have my first grandchild in arms today!

She was born today, September 23, 2009 at about 2PM.  She weighed in at 7 lb 9 oz, and is a cute 18 inches long.

Both mother and baby are healthy and happy – As a Grandfather and Grammy-Amy!!!

The Story (If you want you can listen to “We’re Marching To Zion” as you read on):

At our last family dinner night (usually every Thursday evening; Grammy-Amy has been giving special gifts to David & Kathy every week in anticipation of the previously unnamed and unborn treasure being carried by her mother) – We had the final celebration before the advent of our first grand-babe.

I normal get up for work about 5 AM each day.  Today was no different, except that Grammy-Amy had already been up for an hour.  Why? I asked her, rubbing my eyes with sleep clinging to them and with disbelief (if you know Amy you know why I say this).  Her answer:  “I couldn’t stay in bed any more.  I was too excited!”  She rode with David and Kathy to the labor and delivery building at Kaiser Permanente for the elective C-Section, arriving at about 6 AM to a bustling and crowded birthing center.

After about 2 hours they were told that because they have had so many more births and emergency C-sections than anticipated, Kathy would have to wait another 2 hours. And then another two hours. Finally, about the time poor starved and parched Kathy had come to the end of her ability to endure her deprivations and waiting (12:30 PM) – The doctor came in with a proposal to negotiate:  “Either you can wait your turn (10 more deliveries) and have me do the C-Section – OR – Allow another, very competent, well rested and fresh doctor just coming on shift do your C-Section next.”  Which is it?  Duh!!! Doctor Now!!!

She was wheeled into surgery at about 1:15 PM (with an enthusiastic doctor-wanna-be David at hand), and our dear grand-babe was born at about 2 PM.

At about 2:30 PM David marched out to the waiting area and proudly announced that she is born.  We all cheered and waited anxiously for him to finish, and then I finally asked, with impatient urgency, “What’s her name!”  David sheepishly responded, “We don’t really want to say until you see the baby and Kathy can be there.”  We all, supportively, assured him that we understood (although we were all feeling bitterly disappointed).

He threw us a bone though, and told us that he could say that she weighed 7 lb 9 oz, and was 28 inches long.  We had a good laugh at that – but he was absolutely sure that she is 28″ in length.  Bless his heart – New fathers are so fun!  He later repented of his error and confessed the truth, and we were faithful and just to forgive his ignorance and put it all behind us!

Baby's First Bath!

Finally, sometime after 4 PM David came out and led us to the promised land – a land where newborns are seen, held, kissed, smelled (I love that) and loved for the first by the rest of the family. Her Christian Name Is: Amara Zion Hayes.

Grandfather

The Proud and Heroic Mother - Kathy the Great!

What a marvelous name for a beautiful child. Of course grandfathers are generally ones that consider all of their children to be beautiful – In this case it is most certainly true, as attested by the witness of all who have seen her so far!

Grammy-Amy

Aunt Gracie

Uncle Adam

Daddy and Daughter

Amara Zion Hayes

Daddy is a real man! The First to Change Amara's diaper!

I could not be happier, prouder or more satisfied than to have such as son as David, married to such a woman as Kathy – Bearing this fine granddaughter – Amara Zion Hayes!