Introducing Baby Barntsen!

It is with great joy that we share with you the news of Conrad Cross's arrival!

He was born last night after a very fast 4 hour labor. Mom was able to do the water birth she wanted, and we were so blessed with a beautiful birth, great nurses, doula and midwife (who came from Stillwater and literally just made it in time for the pushing phase).

Date: April 28
Time: 7:26 p.m.
Weight: 8 lbs 7 oz.
Length: 21 in.

The selection of his first and middle name was not taken lightly and was discussed over the course of many months.

While Conrad is a name Sarah always loved and admired, it wasn't on our early list of ideas (some of which include Judah, Ezekiel, Beckham and Kendrick). But then Conrad started coming up again in conversations around Christmas time, and it continued to be one we discussed (around the dinner table. And before bed. And in emails. And other random times throughout the day.:)) We were finally able to narrow it down to a list of three or four, and then two. And then Tom came home one day and said, "it's Conrad." Much like he came home one day and said, "I want to find out the gender." He knows what he wants! The name had to have a strong meaning, but we also wanted it to be easy to spell and pronounce. 

Conrad is an older name that was more popular in the 1800's (much like Gwendolyn). It means bold, wise counselor. We pray that Conrad embodies the meaning of his name - that he is wise, but most importantly, we pray he is bold and stands firm in his beliefs and convictions. 

We have increasingly realized we have nothing outside of Christ, and he gave us the greatest gift we could ever ask for in his death on the cross. In doing so, he took our sin - past, present and future - upon himself so that we can experience firsthand his forgiveness and restoration. We can't help but be gripped with emotion thinking about the selflessness he so lovingly demonstrated that day.

We deserve death, but when Jesus took our place on the cross, he made the sacrifice for our sin that we never would be able to do on our own. We'll never be rejected by Him. God's grace and mercy to us is incredible, and it drives us to change and draw near to him. We want Conrad's middle name to be a constant reminder to him and our family of the love Jesus has for us. 

Tim Keller summarizes it beautifully: "When Jesus looked down from the cross, he didn't think 'I am giving myself to you because you are so attractive to me.' No, he was in agony, and he looked down at us - denying him, abandoning him, and betraying him - and in the greatest act of love in history, he STAYED. He said, 'Father, forgive them, they know not what they  do.' He loved us - not because we were lovely to him - but to make us lovely."  

And so we have our precious Conrad Cross...we are so thankful for this gift and can't wait to experience life as a family of four. Conrad has a big sister who is ready and waiting to shower him with hugs, kisses, and singing. We may have our challenges, but we think Gwendolyn's sweet and gentle spirit will serve us well as we head into some big changes and transitions.

Thank you for sharing in our joy!

Love,
Tom, Sarah, Gwendolyn and Conrad