ANNOUNCING...Charles David Toves

Our beautiful grandson was born at 5:55 PM and (just like his Grammy estimated Sunday afternoon when I "midwifed around" and spent some time feeling Hannah's belly for baby size.) he weighed almost 8# 8 oz..........he was 8#, 5.75 oz and was 21 inches long, also my estimation! Everything went SO well, her contractions really didn't kick in till early after noon, she was completely dilated by 4:25, and shortly thereafter began that pushing stage to bring Charlie into the world. Even with an epidural which Hannah decided she wished she hadn't had after all, she was so in tune with her body and how to make it do what she needed it to!!! The nursing staff was wonderful and so laid back,so supportive of the Gramma/Midwife and midwifery in general. An old friend of mine was working L&D today, she too is now a midwife, but working as an L&D nurse, and was part of Hannah's care team.It was WONDERFUL! The kids got to come up and see Hannah during the day. I was so blessed to be with Hannah and Jon all day long . Although Jael was in the waiting room until just minutes after the birth, Hannah told Esther it was OK if she stayed in the birthing suite. Hannah had said earlier "NO PHOTOS," then as the day progressed,
"well OK" so Esther took the role of photographer, and she did an EXCELLENT JOB !!
She was able to stay for the whole labor and birth, although she did miss two classes, for which I felt badly, but she was in absolute amazement at the whole miracle of birth as she witnessed it with the camera.We had been talking with out of state daughter Kari on the phone and I had the phone at my ear while I was helping Hannah. As she delivered Charlie, Kari was able to "be there" by phone. I won't go graphic here, but Esther's photos are book quality! Jon's mom Karen, Esther and I were all SO blessed to be part of this wonderful day with Hannah and Jon! How I loved it when Jon asked me if I wanted to hold Charlie ( I told him I was waiting to be asked!) and I took my new grandson in my arms and praised God for him and prayed for blessings all over him and a prayer of dedication of his new life and his life in his family.
Family and friends converged on the Labor suite within 30 minutes of Charlie's birth and it was pretty non-stop for over an hour, but most only stayed a while. When you have a huge loving family on BOTH the Mommy and the Daddy's sides, and both are well loved by many friends, having little or no company is a bit out of the question, but people were considerate. All the immediate Grand-family, aunts and uncles left just as the wave of friends began. Baby Charlie is GREAT GRAND BABY # 13 for Jon's Gramma Lou. HOW precious it was to see her loving on the new arrival! We called my mom pretty soon after Charlie had arrived and she too was so thrilled!!! This is her first bio-great grand child. I'm sure we'll work something out to get her a visit soon.
WHAT A DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hannah, all settled in to her room for the REAL LABOR DAY!




I didn't get the photo I planned to later on in the day, with two computers, 5 cell phones and three cameras sitting on this table, but Jon with his computer kind of sums it up!!




Labor Hannah style: cell phone and orange popcicles




Esther and Caleb , hanging out in the Labor Suite



Yes, that is Pappa Charlie hugging Hannah



WOW a photo of Hannah and her mom!!!



Big sister Little sister bonding


more sister bonding


Another sister bonding moment






Cutting the cord. Jon's mom, Gramma Karen in the background




A very proud Mommy and Daddy with their son



Pretty cone-headed for now!




A tender Daddy -son moment


Baby Charlie looking amazingly like Uncle Isaac!!!!!


Pappa Charlie holding Baby Charlie, Grammy looks on, just a bit pleased!