On Friday evening March 20, the first day of Spring, at 5:58 PM, our first grandson was born.
His name is William Ryusei Grové, and he weighed eight pounds two ounces. He was nineteen-and-a-quarter inch long. And he is BEAUTIFUL!
We will call him Ryusei. You pronounce it ‘r-you-say, or roo-say.Â
Ryusei’s first hour
Tommy and Yuki arrived at the hospital Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 4 PM Pacific time, and soon after that the contractions began. Starting at 3 AM on Friday March 20, contractions started intensely, and at just after 6PM Friday night we heard the first cry. I don’t think I will ever forget the expression of awe and joy in my son’s face, as we all wept together. It is hard to believe that it was 30 years ago on March 16 that Katie and I experienced this joy when Tommy was born.  Yuki was a real trooper through the 23 hours, nineteen of it in hard labor. She looked so serene with the baby lying on her chest, barely one minute after performing this miracle.
With Yuki being Japanese, they have been struggling with picking a name. After it was over, Tommy said, “I don’t care, after more than 20 hours of this Yuki can pick any name she wants!â€
Because of the nationalities of his parents, it took Tommy and Yuki some time to decide on a name that would work in both Japanese and English. I am not a traditionalist in the baby-naming department, so I was surprised at how their selecting my first name as the first name of their baby touched me. The name William has been the first name in my family for several generations. I suppose there is something in each of us that would like to see tradition continue…
The birth was all natural. You may know that both Tommy and Yuki climbed and summited Mount Kilimanjaro with me in March, 2008, a nine-day extreme hiking trip to the top of Africa at almost 20,000 feet. Yuki said this experience was MUCH harder!
A new life. What a miracle.
Ryusei’s first day: First diaper change
Grandma (Ouma) Katie Grové
Oupa Willie Grové
Yuki and Thomas, Aaron Shinn and Gina
Two days old…
Going home!
Going home – didn’t like that car seat!
Katie with Grandma Kazumi Miyajima
Peace… I wish you peace. love, and happiness
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What an amazingly beautiful baby! I wish for him a long life filled with good health,happiness, love, spirit and adventure. All babies are special, but I feel that there is something extraordinary about this little guy. I remember when I first met Thomas and Jessicca at ages 4 years and 16 months respectively. Then, like now, I sense greatness. Enjoy the ride!
Love,
Edna
Tommy & Yuki…. Willie & Katie
Congratulations once again. William Ryusei is gorgeous!!!
What a miracle a new life is. Treasure him!
Oupa & Ouma… It is a great feeling, isn’t it?
We can’t wait for one day to see him in South Africa
Mari
Katie…. I just had to come and say this!
Your face expression holding little Ryusei is priceless!
ADORABLE! Congratulations! Hope you are all well.
Baie geluk met julle pragtige klein-seun!! Congrats Tommy and Yuki with the birth of your beautiful baby boy! Lots of love from your distant cousin in South Africa 🙂
Doné
xxx
Baie geluk met julle pragtige klein-seun!! Congrats Tommy and Yuki with the birth of your beautiful baby boy! Lots of love from your distant cousin in South Africa 🙂
Doné
xxx