Baby Graham is here!

We are so excited to announce the arrival of our newest bundle of joy, Graham Hinckley Michaelis. The short of it is he was born on April 6 (5 days overdue) at 2:11 a.m. (*we have yet to EVER have had a child during the daylight hours!). He tied Nathan for our smallest baby yet at 8 lbs. 10 oz and 20 3/4" long. He is healthy and beautiful and both mom and baby are doing great.

You now have the choice to just scoll down to the photos of Graham or read on for details of the birth story. Kinda like one of those chose your own ending books. So exciting!

Monday morning at 3ish a.m. Matt and I headed into the hospital with contractions 6 minutes apart. I was crushed when they checked me and I was still only at a 1! They offered to let us walk around for an hour and then recheck before sending us packing. We did so, but it was obviously by the end of the hour the contractions weren't increasing so, as we thought, we were sent home around 6 (it amazed us how long it took them to send us home!).

Monday was a rough day, as the contractions were still strong but only 10 minutes apart...all...stinkin'...day...long! The same thing actually happened with Luke, so it shouldn't have surprised me. But, finally an hour after we went to bed, I decided it was real enough to wake my sleep deprived husband and have him take me to the hospital. Again.

This time I checked in dilated to a 7 and they told me I was definitely staying. Two and a half hours after arrival, out came baby Graham! Matt and I actually laughed looking back on the end of my delivery in that they gave me the go ahead to push, and then left the room! I am sure they were getting things ready, but Matt was motified to see a head and only the floor beneath it to catch it's fall! Luckily, everyone finally got their act together and things turned out fine.

We were so blessed to have my sister here to help with the kids (more details on her visit to come) and have had so many friends pitch in as well to help with the transition. Thank you! Also, my superhero husband took the kids away on a trip as I recovered, which was just amazing and I will gush about that in another post. But, for now, no more delaying - on to the pictures!!

Graham minutes after arrival! Yes, Nathan and Luke were also born with that dark hair...it sadly falls out and then after the awkward half-bald stage they turn out blondies.

The proud (though incredibly sleep deprived) dad of four boys!

A family of 6 - wow, it's crazy to think we have FOUR kids.

Each boy wanted to take their turn holding Graham and everyone seemed excited about his arrival. Carter is singing head, shoulders, knees, and toes, making sure we didn't get gyped any important parts!

Some close up views...

The boys can't keep their hands off him, in a loving way, and I love how this picture captures that as Carter couldn't resist reaching in and touching him while I was taking pictures.

Of all the kids, Carter is probably the most captivated with his new baby. He can't wait to touch him, hold him, and see him every morning. Carter, I am finding, has a soft spot for babies and animals, which is a very sweet side to my little firecracker kiddo.

Finally, to answer the question I know you all have: who does he look like? Well, to me he just looks like "his brothers", but I will let you determine yourself. In order, here are two pictures of each boy, ending with Graham. What do you think?