The Stinson Family

Justin, Heather, Hadley, and Canaan



Friday, September 21, 2012

Canaan Dale Stinson

Canaan, our precious baby boy, entered the world on Thursday, September 13th.  I was 40 weeks and 5 days pregnant and longing to have my baby!  I actually worked up until the day before he was born (Wednesday) and even attended a faculty meeting that afternoon.  Although....the meeting was a bit of a blur at that point.  Thursday morning, I had a doctor's appointment at 8:45 and we were praying that our doctor would send us on over to the hospital to be induced.  Justin and I dropped Hadley off at daycare that morning and, after being checked by my doctor, got the amazing news that we would be parents (again) that day!  My labor and delivery was a wonderful experience.  I was in labor for a total of 7 less hours than with Hadley and only had to push for 30 minutes, as opposed to 2 hours with Hadley.  Canaan weighed 8 lbs. 5 oz and was 20 1/4 inches long.  We are so in love with this little fellow.  God is so good!

Hadley getting her very first glimpse of baby brother. 
Hadley was thrilled to hold little brother for the first time.  She kissed and kissed him and talked to him so sweetly.  What a special moment it was to watch her hold him and see our family of four together.  He was finally here!!
Canaan even got Hadley her very own special gift.  An entire set of goodies to take care of her baby dolls, just like the real-life ones we have for Canaan.  She just had to open it in the hospital.  She felt so big!
We had so many precious friends and family members visit us at the hospital.  What a blessing it is to be surrounded by people who share in your excitement.
   It is no secret that Justin and I struggled immensely with deciding on a name for baby boy.  Five years ago, I had a student in class named Cainan.  When I came home and told Justin about his name, he LOVED it.  We said, then, that if we ever had a boy, his name would be Canaan (Biblical spelling).  But when we actually had to make the decision, it was really hard for us to pull the trigger, so to speak, on a name.  Well, the morning AFTER baby boy was born, we were told that our beloved pediatrician, Dr. Fraser, was on vacation and would not be able to do the circumcision.  In fact, we were told that no other doctors in his practice even performed the procedure.  Later that morning, Justin and I were enjoying some much-needed quiet time (alone), talking and praying about what to name our baby.  About that time, the door to our hospital room flung open and in walks Dr. Fraser.  I say, "Dr. Fraser, we thought you were on vacation."  He said, "I was!  I just got in at midnight last night.  Congratulations on your baby.  What is his name?" Justin and I look at each other, rather sheepishly, and I say, "Well, we think we have decided on Canaan."  Knowing that Dr. Fraser is from India and unsure of his religious beliefs, I start to explain to him that it's from the Bible.  He abruptly cuts me off and says, "That's where I just got back from. The Holy Land. It's amazing to watch the Bible come to life right before your eyes." 
Canaan....the land of milk and honey.  What a sweet blessing you are to our family.  Welcome, baby boy!

2 comments:

  1. Precious pictures! Welcome Canaan! I love that you have a blog. Now I can read all about your sweet fam!!

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  2. Thank you, friend. You really inspired me! I so enjoy reading your blog and love the journal you are keeping of your family memories. That's what so important to me! I hope you take as a great compliment the fact that I feel like I know Miller and Eliza Kate very well! You do a great job!!

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