Grayce Lynnae

She is perfect. She is loved. She is adored. 

I wish I had documented my pregnancy and birth of our sweet baby girl better, but I will do my best to recall from memory all the moments that made me giggle and my heart smile...and maybe my back ache a little more than it used to.

We were so excited to be having a girl! How perfect - 2 boys and 2 girls. We struggled picking a name and for months we were leaning towards "Sophia Lynn". I liked the name, but was not in love with it. By the time delivery time came I was still unsettled with her name. I had thrown out Grayce Lynnae, but Bry was not sure about it. After she was born the hearing screening woman printed out a certificate for each name we thought we might pick. When Bry saw Grayce Lynnae written out we decided that would be it. It is a beautiful name for a beautiful baby.

Her arrival was much anticipated in our home. The kids new sister would be here before Christmas. Maylee would say on multiple occasions how excited she was for Christmas because her baby would be here! The children were excited for the toys and such, but truly they were anticipating the arrival of their baby sister. After Christmas came and went Carter said he knew what the best present was in the house.....Grayce. Oh how I love these children!

As my stomach continued to grow and get rounder and rounder Drew one morning told me that I should be a snowman for Halloween. He pointed at my stomach for one snowball, my chest for two and my head for three. He got us all laughing with that one.....and on another occasion he informed me that my stomach was a sphere. I guess he was right on that account! Maylee was obsessed with my belly button and would ask daily to see it. She was very intrigued as to when it would look like hers again.

After baby came home we had to have the nursing talk. Apparently my children knew nothing of the sort - at least I could refer to cows coming from milk so they had a point of reference! Carter was greatly disturbed by Grayce's umbilical cord. He was NOT a fan and would check daily to see if it was still there and questioned when her belly button would be normal. He even asked if we could just pull it off. He may have celebrated a little when it fell off!

Everyone loves to hold Grayce. There is lots of hand washing going on and gushing over how cute and tiny she is. One day Carter said "She is like....a tiny person". He is so right! Drew loves being a big brother, but is not as much of a fan of holding her. He loves to look at her and say sweet things to her in passing as he goes about his day. It has been such a treasure to have everyone home for a couple weeks on winter break and soak it all in without the craziness of schedules and routine.

Bryan had an adjusted schedule at work and was able to go in for shorter days for a while. We slept in and it was lovely. For a couple days we ended up with both boys on our floor in the morning, Grayce on my chest sleeping and Maylee in bed with Bryan and I. A queen bed never felt so small and so full of tender moments.

My mom came and stayed for 3 weeks while I had the baby and helped a TON while I recovered. I went in early on Tuesday morning at 5:30 for check in for my scheduled c-section (38 weeks along). This was my first delivery without rushing in for an emergency delivery. I am not sure which way I prefer better. The adrenaline definitely helped through the other ones, but it is all worth it! There were no complications and I was able to nurse Grayce shortly after the surgery was over. She was a dream. I did love not having so many drugs going through my veins and I was able to truly bond and enjoy her right from the start.

Bryan was my rock through it all. He was there to help at home and there every moment I needed him at the hospital. He was so excited for this sweet baby to arrive. He told me on one occasion that 9 months never seemed so long....he loves his babies! He has helped keep the sanity at home and in me. He is always helping and giving attention to all the children.....and has had an extra amount of patience with me since I have been a bit unstable with my moods with all the changes. I love him so much and could not do any of this without him.