Our Trips to Washington

Here are some pictures from Gracie's and my first trip to Washington! We have so much fun hanging out with the cousins- I can't imagine just how much more fun it will become as they get older! Also, check out that picture of Gracie and "Big Ben." Can you believe he was born just two and a half weeks before her? . . . Although, Gracie's cheeks are starting to look more and more like his!

At the end of September, Carol and my Aunt Linda threw a baby shower for Gracie. It was so great to see all of our family and friends! It was amazing how adorable all of the other babies and children were that attended. It was especially great to spend time with my nephew, Matthew, and my niece, Emily!

The weeks are starting to fly by!

I have yet to post many pictures of Gracie with her aunties, which is crazy because they are such a big part of her life! Here she is at school visiting auntie Melissa during lunch!

My parents came to visit, and Gracie was on her best behavior! We can't wait for them to come down for three weeks in December when I go back to work!We are sorry to say that Gracie is mesmorized by the TV. We are going to have to do something about that. In the meantime, we can't help but laugh at how much she looks like grandpa when she is zoning out on the football game. :) Here I am with TWO babies. Gracie is in the Bjorn, and Zac is in my arms. Who would have thought I was scared to hold a baby just three months ago!

Gracie looks like grandpa!

Gracie looks like Grandpa Garry!

"Those parents"

Gracie's first run-in with "the law!" Here we are at Auntie Michelle's graduation from the police academy! We are so proud of her!

Maya did such a great job holding Gracie!
I absolutely LOVE this picture of Greg's dad caressing Gracie's forehead.
Dad gets Gracie for most of the day on Sundays . . . she loves watching TV on dad's knees, and here she is actually sleeping somewhere other than in the Bjorn! Good job, dad!

In looking back on these blogs I realize that we are "those" parents. Greg and I were noticing how already in the last 11 weeks, we have acquired more pictures of Gracie than we have of the two of us over the past four years. Thus, I am going to attempt to take more pictures of our WHOLE family- friends included. In the meantime . . .

Perspective

Greg holding Maya, Molly holding Zac, and Ty holding Gracie





The other week Greg and I had our birthing class reunion at our house. As to be expected only two families showed up as the others were busy with the trials of life with brand new babies. It was fantastic though to spend time with the Lomas and Matthews families. I have spent a lot of time with Paige and Zac over the past few months, which has been such a blessing. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have a friend with whom I can share all the joys of mommy-hood. However, it was so validating to talk with Molly and Ty at the baby reunion. Maya was also born with acid reflux and is pretty colicky too. Talking with Molly and Ty confirmed that every baby doesn't share the same constant contentment that baby Zac seems to have been instilled with, and that is perfectly OK!
Shortly after the reunion Greg and I learned that one of the couples we got to know during the birthing class had been dealing with much more than a little reflux and crying. Their baby, Ava, was born with Downs Syndrome and a hole in her heart. We are absolutely heartbroken for what their family must be going through. It certainly gave us some perspective and made us feel ridiculous for ever complaining that we had a "hard" baby. Our hearts go out to them, and yet we can't stop thinking about how they will be such great parents for baby Ava.





Greg and I are starting to settle in more to our "routine" (if you can call it that). Our favorite time of day is early morning when Gracie wakes up. She is all smiles and coos- especially with Greg. She is starting to become more content during the day and hopefully is realizing that there really isn't that much to cry (scream) about. :) She still insists on being carried around in the Bjorn for the majority of the day and loves going for long walks with her friends Paige and Zac.

Zac and Gracie in their parkas from Bolivia! (Thank you auntie Miranda!)

Gracie is starting to enjoy her toys!
Paige calls this Gracie's "snobby look."

Gracie's Getting Big!

Gracie loves bath time . . . She just doesn't like getting OUT of the bath. She's a screamer! :)















y!

Our little chunk is not so preemie anymore!
Here she is with her buddy Maya at the pumpkin patch. Maya is practicing her big sister role before her brother gets here in a few months!

What is that? Is Gracie actually SLEEPING??

Meet Baby Gracie!

Our Birth Story . . .

Greg and I woke up early on August 2nd to get a non-stress test before the baby shower at 2:00. My amniotic fluid was very low- 2.5 cm-, and she was breech with the cord around her neck. It had been a stressful week, and we were getting anxious to have our baby out and in our arms. Our plan was to run to the hospital quickly for the test while Davey and my mom got the house ready for the shower.

When we got to the hospital the nurse took us into the room and hooked me up to the monitors. Before she left the room she casually said, "Dr. Neeld is here this morning and wants to speak to you guys. You might be here longer than you had planned." Then she left the room. Greg and I looked at each other confused. Shortly after that Dr. Neeld walked in the room and sat on the edge of my bed. He explained that while it was still almost a month before her due date the risks and benifits of keeping her in versus taking her out were about the same, and would we like to have the baby today?

There was no question in my mind that this baby was ready to come out. Somehow my insticts told me that waiting any longer was not a good idea. We scheduled a C-section for 2:00. I called my mom to let her know that the baby shower would have to be moved to the post-partum room, and Greg ran home to pack our bags for our stay in the hospital. I sat in the hospital bed for the next hour listening to my baby's heartbeat on the monitor and trying to prepare myself for my life to change forever.

At noon my room was packed full of Greg and "the girls:" Davey, Hayley, Melissa, Cassandra, Michelle, and of course our eager moms. They kept me distracted until the nurse came in with Greg's scrubs at quarter to two. Everyone wished me good luck and I literally walked to the surgery room and got up on the table. It was the most bizarre and surreal moment.

I got my spinal, they put up the curtain, and the nurse went to get Greg. We decided to thumb wrestle to take my mind off of what was happening on the other side of the curtain. A minute or so in I asked the doctors if they had started yet, and they told me they were almost done. I felt a little bit of pressure and then we heard our daughter cry. . . then the tears began to fall.

I think Greg and I will always remember the image of Gracie being held up over the curtain screaming. She was a beautiful and healthy 5 pounds 0 ounces, and we were so relieved. The nurse layed Gracie on the table by me and when Greg and I started talking to her she stopped crying and looked right at us. It was amazing. She knew us. Needless to say, we were in love.