Grace Has Arrived!

This last week and a half has been so far from anything I could have imagined. I left you last in the middle of an unfinished countdown. Although I was looking forward to Grace's due date, I was skeptical she would make an appearance before it arrived. Sometimes it is wonderful to be wrong!

After my normal weekly OB appointment last Wednesday I began to have contractions. Unfortunately, these weren't the wonderful kind that grow stronger and closer and lead to a quick drive to the hospital. These contractions lasted Wednesday night and all day Thursday with inconsistent patterns and only led to frustration. At 2:30 Friday morning, I was exhausted, angry with my body, and in major need of sleep. I lay in bed praying that my water would break so that I might be able to go to the hospital.

Praise the Lord for His quick answer to my plea! At 4:30 am (after only 2 hours of sleep) I woke to a very strong contraction and the unmistakable feeling of my water breaking. With a huge amount of relief and a surprisingly small amount of anxiety, I woke up Duane and urged him to get ready quickly.

By 5 am, Duane, my dear friend Mo, and I made it to the hospital. I will spare you most of the details, but things moved very fast!

Grace Elizabeth made her entrance into the world at 9:42 am on Friday October 9, 2009 at 7 pounds 5 ounces and 21 1/4 inches long! She did have a few problems at birth because her umbilical cord had been wrapped around her neck. Although the midwife was able to remove it quickly, Grace did not receive the gush of air her lungs needed to fully expand.

Within a matter of minutes, Grace was whisked away to the NICU and was given help to breathe. She was given oxygen for a day, but by day two was breathing on her own. After a battery of tests, she was finally allowed to be discharged on Monday. Duane and I were more than happy to pack up an outfit for her, grab the car seat, and head to the hospital!

Grace has proven to be an absolute joy in these last few days we have had her home! She has welcomed many visitors and is certainly already surrounded by family and friends who love her.

She sleeps and eats well, but refuses to nurse (since she was given a bottle while in the NICU). This is the only problem we have had with her since we have been home and would appreciate your prayers as we continue to make an attempt to nurse her. We have a pediatrician's appointment for next Friday and also are praying that she gains the appropriate amount of weight before then.

Thanks for helping us welcome our little sweetheart!