Ethan Austin Graf

So here he is. The newest miracle to our family. I must say that I am a rush of emotions. With Audrey I had some pretty severe post partum depression. Surprising since I don't really consider myself a real hormonaly emotional person. I don't think it is the same this time. There is a moment every day right about when the sun goes down that a little trickle of fear hits my stomach. It is hard to be so tired and to have the uncertainty of a long night ahead of you. All you want to do is sleep, and newborns don't always go right back to sleep! Fortunately Ethan has pretty much been perfect up till this point. He sleeps A LOT! Something we didn't really get from Audrey. He actually can't even stay awake long enough to drain both sides while feeding! (sorry sure all the men out there want to know these things right!) Found out today he is tongue tied though and that is why I am so sore. With some helpful feeding direction and hopefully a tongue clip in a couple days we will be well on our way to doing MUCH better.

I was scheduled to be induced at 6am Friday morning. FYI, this was a great idea. We were the only people there almost all day and felt very taken care of. It was great. They checked us in right away had us do the paperwork. I was hooked up to an IV by 6:30, broke my water at 6:45 and was on to my first contraction by 6:55. I made it about an hour and a half without an epideral. He came in at 8:15 because I was worried that I would end up going so fast that I wouldn't have time if need be. Audrey's labor was only 4 hours and everyone predicted this would be faster. I was already dilated to a 4 almost a 5 by the time I was induced. The epideral didn't fully reach everything so he came back in and added a little something, which proceeded to render me completely numb from the ribs down for the next 5 hours! I am glad I was able to push and that it was effective, because I sure had no idea that I was actually doing anything. Having to watch people lift your legs for you and move you around, and not even being able to sit up straight is a completely humiliating experience. I felt like one of those 300 pound people that just have skin that wobbles all over the bed and stuff. It was not my favorite feeling. However, I am totally certain I would do it again over the pain of labor!

Ethan was born at 10:17 am totally the entire process from first contraction about 3.5 hours. I am pretty lucky. He was a healthy 7 lbs 14 oz and 21 inches long, making him smaller than Audrey but longer. He has very dark hair and darker eyes than I remember seeing on most newborns. It will be interesting to see how he turns out. He looks a lot like Audrey in most of the ways he moves his face but I don't really know who he looks like. I am not that good at telling these things, unless it is an exact likeness.

We are all doing really well and hope that everyone's holiday was amazing. We are so grateful for the best joy that can be imagined! Thanks to all your love.

5:30 AM MORNING OF

AUDREY GAVE A GREAT BIG SMILE WHEN SHE FIRST SAW HIM, GAVE HIM A HUG AND KISS AND THEN MOVED ON TO MORE SERIOUS THINGS

THE BOYS WATCHING FOOTBALL TOGETHER

AUDREY IS ACTUALLY GREAT WITH HIM AND IS EAGER TO BE A GOOD HELPER.

WID AWAKE LOOKING ALL MANLY