Super Sam!!!

Our sixth and last (unless God decides otherwise) grandchild was due Oct. 20, just after my   scheduled trip to Disney World (see previous post).  Normally that wouldn't give anyone pause, but Jenni follows my time-honored tradition of always delivering early.  The race was on to see who would arrive in town first, baby or Grammy.

The last day of the Disney trip began uneventfully.  After getting ready and packing for our trips home, the Silver Foxes would spend our final hours at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, savoring one more time the sights, smells, and sounds of the world.  On the water taxi from hotel to theme park, my phone rang.  Jenni was in labor!

As enjoyable as the Disney experience was, my heart and mind were in Texas with my laboring daughter and soon-to-arrive grandchild.  We kept in touch periodically throughout the day.  I was even able to hear Jenni power through several contractions; like her mom, Jenni always labored and delivered naturally without medication or intervention of any kind.  At last it was time to head for the airport.

With Jenni's other three deliveries, I was at her house in a matter of minutes as soon as the call came that she was in labor, ready to help with the other kids.  This time I was half a country away, unable to help at all.  Fortunately, dear, dependable Tony and Erika were able to take care of things in my absence, and no one skipped a beat.  

Sitting at my gate at the Orlando airport, it was all I could do to keep from calling Jenni and Dave every 5 seconds to see how labor was progressing.  Finally, just moments before we were about to board, the call came: Jenni and Dave had a son, Samuel David Cribbs!!  It took every bit of my self control to stay in my seat the next 2 1/2 hours while the plane dragged its way to Dallas with agonizing slowness.  As soon as I landed and collected my suitcase, Tony hustled me straight to the hospital to meet our new grandson.  After a short visit and a stop home to pick up some necessities, we headed to Jenni's so I could send Erika back to her family and take care of the girls for the next few days.

The following day, three very excited big sisters responded to the question, "Who's ready to go meet your new baby brother?"!

The entire Cribbs family of 6, happily reunited at the hospital.

Big sister Zoey had the first turn holding baby Sam......

.....followed by sweet Ruby.....

.....and finally adorable Maggie, who was instantly in love with her 21-month-younger sibling.

Daddy was able to squeeze in a turn, too.

Samuel David Cribbs, hours old, 8 lb. 3 oz., 100% cuteness!

Papa thought Sam was pretty cool.  All the menfolk were ecstatic to have another male in our heavily female-dominated family!

Same was an exquisitely beautiful baby.  Of course, I'm not the slightest bit prejudiced.

He has the bluest eyes.  It will be interesting to see how they end up.  Zoey's and Ruby's turned brown fairly quickly.  Maggie's stayed clear ice blue until about a month before her second birthday, when they suddenly turned gray-green.

After 2 days it was time for Sam to come home!

This is a terrible picture of me, but I couldn't resist sharing the almost instantaneous bond between Sammy and Grammy. 

Sam quickly carved a permanent place in our hearts and lives, especially those of his precious sisters.  We think we'll keep him!