It gets lengthy, but hang in there...its amazing, and pictures are at the end :)
Let me start by telling you about my previous births. I delivered my first baby Ashtyn at the hospital, I had some pain medicine while in labor with her. My second child, Brayden was delivered at a hospital and I had an epidural for pain medicine while I was in labor with him. Our third child, Peyton was also delivered in a hospital this time totally natural. He came 6 weeks early and came very quickly.
The events leading up to baby day...
39 weeks 3 days pregnant (Tuesday) I woke up in the morning, got myself and the kiddos ready and drove to Ashtyn's school. Dropped Ash off then headed to Teah's house (she so graciously watched the boys for me) then I headed to Hy-Vee where I met Ashtyn and her 1st grade class on their field trip. After Hy-Vee we headed to Currie, MN to the train station. It was an awesome day very fun but also extremely hot! Got up to 97 degrees out! I felt great the entire day!
After the field trip I bought a few groceries, picked up the boys and headed home.
We all played outside, the kids rode horses, then we got to ride in the tractor with daddy!
Came home, made some dinner, got the kids cleaned up and put to bed.
Then I headed outside to surprise TJ and finished mowing the lawn (for about 2 hours).
He came home around 10pm and had the best news ever. PLANTING IS DONE!!!!
Sigh of relief. I was praying that the tiny baby would stay cozy in my belly until planting was done.
Oh I forgot to mention, throughout this entire pregnancy and this entire day I haven't had any contractions and I have felt simply amazing. This has been by far the best pregnancy I've ever had (which amazes me because I have 3 other little babes to run after). God has been working this entire time. So many times throughout my pregnancy I could just feel God's presence and I truly knew that because of him that's why I was able to accomplish what I had.
TJ got home, I made him dinner and then we headed for bed. For some reason I couldn't sleep. I browsed on the internet for a while and then noticed it was almost midnight. I should go to bed. But I'm not tired.
Then I felt it. One very strong contraction. Was this real? Could this be it? It lasted for a few minuets. I was getting excited. Then another contraction! Strong but not very uncomfortable. I went to the bathroom and came back to bed, and had consistent contracts for 15 minutes, every 5ish min. apart.
After an hour of this I laid down and tried to sleep, starting to think this might be the real thing and I should try to rest and see what happens. I dozed off an on but the contractions were very steady.
Around 2:15am I woke up TJ and told him what I was feeling. Went to the bathroom again and he got up with me. He wanted me to call Diane right away since the contractions were fairly strong and very consistent around 5-7 min. apart.
I called Diane our Midwife at 2:30am. She told me she was going to pack her things and be on her way. This was it!!! I'm going to have a baby! I was so excited, not a doubt of fear in my mind. But wait. My house... it's not the way I want it to look when our precious baby arrives. Thankfully I have one amazing husband who knew how I was feeling without me saying a word. He got right to work. Vacuumed the carpets while I swept and moped the kitchen floor, then I went and re-organized the toy room (why.. I have no idea). I switched the laundry and did a few other things.
Diane arrived at 3:50 am. She listened to baby's heartbeat. It was in the 130s.
I was laying on the couch, TJ at the other end holding my hand and as we were talking TJ says to us. "I know it's a girl and she's going to have a lot of hair"!
I laid on the couch, rested while listening to a favorite worship playlist. Still couldn't fall asleep.
At 6am I went and woke Ashtyn. Got her ready for school and off on the bus. Brayden and Peyton woke up and we snuggled on the couch and had breakfast. Grandma Shelly came to get the boys at 8am. I finally napped for an hour.
Woke up at 9am and called our attendees that we planned to have at our birth. Teah and our doula, Ruthie and gave them a heads up that I was in early labor. I wasn't ready for anyone to come quite yet, I just didn't feel like I was progressing.
Diane and I had breakfast together, oatmeal and tea, it was so nice to sit and visit. After breakfast the contractions really slowed down to just a few an hour. I folded a few baskets of laundry and put them away then walked to the barn with TJ and did the morning chores, after chores
TJ and I went for a long walk down our road it was so peaceful and beautiful.
We finally came back in, Diane listened to baby's heartbeat again. Everything was looking great except for one small thing...my contractions, well they had pretty much stopped. I was becoming anxious. TJ took off of work, his mom had our kids, our midwife is at our house and I felt like nothing was happening. We were all sitting together in the living room and TJ prayed for us. For all of us, our nerves, that if it was God's will that the baby would come today and that it would be a healthy and safe delivery.
I finally relaxed and fell asleep again, snuggling on the couch with TJ.
Diane woke me and said lunch was ready! She had made us lunch! HOW INCREDIBLE!!!! And it was one tasty lunch I might add! We had chili, cornbread and salad. It was so good. I was in awe that my midwife who hasn't gotten much rest since she has been at our house just prepared this meal for us.
We all sat down and ate and shared stories and laughed. It was perfect. Except the contractions... still were not present.
The afternoon rolled in and we spent the entire time outside, my favorite. It was a beautiful sunny day. Diane and I walked our entire farm, walked through the grove and checked out the variety of herbs growing. We picked up sticks for TJ while he mowed, then played with the dogs and goats.
Then around 2:30pm I hopped on our riding lawn mower and mowed the lawn for about an hour.
Praise the Lord, the contractions started up again while I was mowing! When I started to get uncomfortable I got off the mower and felt the need to have a strawberry kefir smoothie. So off I went into the house to make some smoothies. Contractions were stronger, not unbearable but they were there and about one every 15-20 minutes.
Diane and I went outside sat on the swing and enjoyed smoothies we visited as we watched the horses frolic around in the pasture. It was so relaxing, so peaceful. This perfect day and I'm in labor (not feeling like it at the moment) and I'm sitting outside doing what I love.
The contractions started to become more intense, TJ insisted that it was time to call Teah and have her come (he wanted Teah to drop Ashtyn off at grandmas house then come back to stay until the baby arrives). I was still very hesitant and didn't want anyone coming yet because I thought the contractions would stop again and I would have all these people waiting for me to progress. So TJ took it upon himself, called Teah and arranged for her to come. Ashtyn got home from school,
TJ, Ashtyn and I walked around our farm, spent some time with the horses then came inside to pack a bag for Ashtyn.
Teah arrived at 4:10, I'm going to just start out by saying... she's simply wonderful. She came upstairs with a bowl of fresh fruit that she just cut up and gave it to me to eat. Helped Ash finish getting ready, did her hair and then off to grandmas they went.
5:30 Diane listened to the baby's heartbeat. Now in the 140's. Everything was still great except my contractions were so strong and so close together lasting from 1 to 2 minutes.
I started cleaning the kitchen and wanted to take all the scrap food out to the chickens (I was having much harder contractions at this point and very close together) TJ was hesitant to the idea of me going tot he barn with these intense contractions but he finally gave in and
we walked to the barn. He didn't think I was going to make it back to the house but I insisted that we go to the chicken coop and finish what I set out for.
On the way back to the house I was having back to back contractions, barley getting a chance to breathe. This was about 5:45pm.
Diane told me it was time for Ruthie (our doula) to come and they needed to get things ready. I was still in denial and said I wasn't ready yet and didn't think I was anywhere close to having a baby.
I went to the bathroom and got up to go to the living room but the contractions were so intense I leaned over the ledge in our bathroom to wait them out. Teah came in and did some amazing back rubs on my lower back to relieve the pain from the contractions. She was the best coach in helping me breathe through them while I hung onto TJ's arm for more support.
Ruthie arrived around 6pm. I'm so glad she came when she did, she had wonderful tips and tricks she used and she and Teah took turns massaging my lowers back, pressing on the cold rice pack. It felt so good and made the contractions manageable. (Ruthie I might add was such a calming presence, just amazing and I'm so thankful that she was able to be part of Gracie's story).
I finally went into the living room, leaned over the edge of the couch and watched the horses graze through the window. I felt 100% at peace. Worship music softly playing the background, strong strong contractions kept rolling in but they were manageable and the constant massage from Teah felt just amazing. The contractions were so strong and becoming very painful but I closed my eyes and talked to Jesus. Asking him to help me get through each one and kept repeating "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in your weakness" (2 Corth. 12:9) over and over in my head.
Diane came downstairs and told me the bath was ready and I could get in now. I told her I'd come up in a little bit (I was still thinking that this was going to stop, that I wasn't really in labor), she was hesitant but let me stay on the couch until I was ready.
All of a sudden I felt a lot of pressure, I finally gave in. I walked up the stairs, changed my clothes and put on my cover-up and went into the bathroom. I got inside the bathroom to see candles lit everywhere, worship music softly playing, the bath tub was filled with warm water. I was again filled with an overwhelming amount of peace. I can honestly tell you I could feel God's presence at that moment and it brought tears to my eyes. This walk of faith is so real, the trust I have in God at that moment is stronger than ever before.
I got in the bathtub at 7:05pm. What I had envisioned the hundreds of times I sat in the bath during my pregnancy, the way I would be positioned, etc.. wasn't at all how I ended up. I leaned over the front of the tub, my legs were resting underneath me. Ruthie grabbed a few towels for me to rest on. Ruthie offered me many sips of ice cold water from my water bottle. I don't ever remember being so thirsty! Then I got really hot. Teah instantly showed up with a bowl of ice filled with water and they put the cold wash cloth on my forehead and a fan was blowing in the room. The contractions were back to back, very intense. I breathed through them. Picturing my baby moving down the birth canal and I would relax every muscle in my body.
In between contractions we all talked and laughed. I can't explain in words how amazing this was.
I had an extremely hard contraction, and then felt it.
My water broke! It was now 7:17pm. This is it!!! It's really happening!!!! I am going to meet our sweet baby. The baby that we had prayed for. I finally in my head knew that this was really going to happen and as the contractions got stronger and stronger I kept talking to Jesus. I was not sure when I was supposed to push and asking him to give me a clear answer. Let me backup. Diane didn't ever "check me" the entire pregnancy or even now. I never knew how dilated or effaced I was. That's another beauty of home birth. ALL 100% NATURAL!
Ruthie was in front of me, I was squeezing her arm and resting my upper body against TJ. Who also I forgot to mention earlier was so supportive so amazing through the entire day. He kept whispering in my ear that I could do this and how strong I was. Kept giving me just what I needed to get through that next contraction.
Then I had the strongest hardest contraction of them all. I shut my eyes, and spoke to Jesus.. was this it? Do I push? And instantly I felt the urge to push. I pushed long and hard and I heard Diane say "I can feel the head, your baby is coming"! I stopped pushing. I felt like I couldn't do it, I felt like the baby was stuck and I kept picturing the baby's head underwater. I couldn't find the strength to push again. I looked at TJ and looked at Ruthie and said that I couldn't do it. Ruthie camly told me "Yes you can" and I shut my eyes again, the next contraction came and I pushed as hard as I could, I could feel the burn but knew that the baby was coming now.
THE BABY'S HERE!! It was 7:27pm. Diane slid the baby through my legs and TJ reached in the water and grabbed her. I reached down and took her from TJ as we pulled her up together. Ruthie placed a towel over her and I laid back on the back of the tub. "What is it??" I asked TJ. He reached down, moved the towel and said, "IT'S A GIRL"!!! I screamed and cried and praised God. I looked up at TJ and told him how much I loved him and saw the tears streaming down his face. Gracelyn Joy Gniffke
There is no other word to describe what just happened other than a miracle. God was by my side the entire time. I could feel him, I could hear his voice and I trusted him. He gave me the sweetest gift I could imagine.
I nursed Gracie and just held her. At 7:48pm TJ cut the cord. Then Ruthie took Gracie out and cleaned her up and gave her to daddy to snuggle. At 8:10pm I delivered the placenta, got out and joined my sweet girl and husband in our bed.
The kids and grandma came at 9:00 pm. Then Diane got all of her stats.
She's... 7lbs 12oz
20 3/4" long
13 1/2" head
Heart beat 140
Ashtyn got to cut her umbilical cord shorter. And we all snuggled with Gracie. Daddy then put the kiddos to bed.
Auntie Halie and Uncle Matt came to visit and stayed for quite a while, it was so awesome to have them there!
They left and I nursed Gracie again. I looked down at her beautiful face. Still in awe that I had this perfect baby lying in my arms. How good God is. I had an unending amount of love for this brand new baby, this baby that I had never met, my heart was over joyed. It instantly reminded me of how great our Father's love is for us. How much he truly cares and loves each one of us and he gave that love to me to have for our daughter.
People were very skeptical about me planning to have this baby at home, especially since we had Peyton 6 weeks early. The questions and doubts from people were never ending but I NEVER at one time had a doubt in my mind. I knew my God was greater than any doubt I could have. I knew that he granted my prayer and gave me this baby and that this baby is ultimately his baby and he will take care of me and this baby and that he has a plan for us. I read this and always treasured it, "Babies and mothers were built for birth. There was no accident in their creation. Babies fit perfectly within their mother’s wombs and when allowed to birth free from restrictions, they also fit through mom’s pelvis and bottoms. Every part of pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum are provided to the mother and her baby for a reason. When we honor this time of growth, maturity and adaptation, we are rewarded with a miracle."
I was able to deliver Grace at 39 weeks and 4 days. I can not put into words the way I felt about this birth. It was the best experience I have ever had.
Let me start by telling you about my previous births. I delivered my first baby Ashtyn at the hospital, I had some pain medicine while in labor with her. My second child, Brayden was delivered at a hospital and I had an epidural for pain medicine while I was in labor with him. Our third child, Peyton was also delivered in a hospital this time totally natural. He came 6 weeks early and came very quickly.
The events leading up to baby day...
39 weeks 3 days pregnant (Tuesday) I woke up in the morning, got myself and the kiddos ready and drove to Ashtyn's school. Dropped Ash off then headed to Teah's house (she so graciously watched the boys for me) then I headed to Hy-Vee where I met Ashtyn and her 1st grade class on their field trip. After Hy-Vee we headed to Currie, MN to the train station. It was an awesome day very fun but also extremely hot! Got up to 97 degrees out! I felt great the entire day!
After the field trip I bought a few groceries, picked up the boys and headed home.
We all played outside, the kids rode horses, then we got to ride in the tractor with daddy!
Came home, made some dinner, got the kids cleaned up and put to bed.
Then I headed outside to surprise TJ and finished mowing the lawn (for about 2 hours).
He came home around 10pm and had the best news ever. PLANTING IS DONE!!!!
Sigh of relief. I was praying that the tiny baby would stay cozy in my belly until planting was done.
Oh I forgot to mention, throughout this entire pregnancy and this entire day I haven't had any contractions and I have felt simply amazing. This has been by far the best pregnancy I've ever had (which amazes me because I have 3 other little babes to run after). God has been working this entire time. So many times throughout my pregnancy I could just feel God's presence and I truly knew that because of him that's why I was able to accomplish what I had.
TJ got home, I made him dinner and then we headed for bed. For some reason I couldn't sleep. I browsed on the internet for a while and then noticed it was almost midnight. I should go to bed. But I'm not tired.
Then I felt it. One very strong contraction. Was this real? Could this be it? It lasted for a few minuets. I was getting excited. Then another contraction! Strong but not very uncomfortable. I went to the bathroom and came back to bed, and had consistent contracts for 15 minutes, every 5ish min. apart.
After an hour of this I laid down and tried to sleep, starting to think this might be the real thing and I should try to rest and see what happens. I dozed off an on but the contractions were very steady.
Around 2:15am I woke up TJ and told him what I was feeling. Went to the bathroom again and he got up with me. He wanted me to call Diane right away since the contractions were fairly strong and very consistent around 5-7 min. apart.
I called Diane our Midwife at 2:30am. She told me she was going to pack her things and be on her way. This was it!!! I'm going to have a baby! I was so excited, not a doubt of fear in my mind. But wait. My house... it's not the way I want it to look when our precious baby arrives. Thankfully I have one amazing husband who knew how I was feeling without me saying a word. He got right to work. Vacuumed the carpets while I swept and moped the kitchen floor, then I went and re-organized the toy room (why.. I have no idea). I switched the laundry and did a few other things.
Diane arrived at 3:50 am. She listened to baby's heartbeat. It was in the 130s.
I was laying on the couch, TJ at the other end holding my hand and as we were talking TJ says to us. "I know it's a girl and she's going to have a lot of hair"!
I laid on the couch, rested while listening to a favorite worship playlist. Still couldn't fall asleep.
At 6am I went and woke Ashtyn. Got her ready for school and off on the bus. Brayden and Peyton woke up and we snuggled on the couch and had breakfast. Grandma Shelly came to get the boys at 8am. I finally napped for an hour.
Woke up at 9am and called our attendees that we planned to have at our birth. Teah and our doula, Ruthie and gave them a heads up that I was in early labor. I wasn't ready for anyone to come quite yet, I just didn't feel like I was progressing.
Diane and I had breakfast together, oatmeal and tea, it was so nice to sit and visit. After breakfast the contractions really slowed down to just a few an hour. I folded a few baskets of laundry and put them away then walked to the barn with TJ and did the morning chores, after chores
TJ and I went for a long walk down our road it was so peaceful and beautiful.
We finally came back in, Diane listened to baby's heartbeat again. Everything was looking great except for one small thing...my contractions, well they had pretty much stopped. I was becoming anxious. TJ took off of work, his mom had our kids, our midwife is at our house and I felt like nothing was happening. We were all sitting together in the living room and TJ prayed for us. For all of us, our nerves, that if it was God's will that the baby would come today and that it would be a healthy and safe delivery.
I finally relaxed and fell asleep again, snuggling on the couch with TJ.
Diane woke me and said lunch was ready! She had made us lunch! HOW INCREDIBLE!!!! And it was one tasty lunch I might add! We had chili, cornbread and salad. It was so good. I was in awe that my midwife who hasn't gotten much rest since she has been at our house just prepared this meal for us.
We all sat down and ate and shared stories and laughed. It was perfect. Except the contractions... still were not present.
The afternoon rolled in and we spent the entire time outside, my favorite. It was a beautiful sunny day. Diane and I walked our entire farm, walked through the grove and checked out the variety of herbs growing. We picked up sticks for TJ while he mowed, then played with the dogs and goats.
Then around 2:30pm I hopped on our riding lawn mower and mowed the lawn for about an hour.
Praise the Lord, the contractions started up again while I was mowing! When I started to get uncomfortable I got off the mower and felt the need to have a strawberry kefir smoothie. So off I went into the house to make some smoothies. Contractions were stronger, not unbearable but they were there and about one every 15-20 minutes.
Diane and I went outside sat on the swing and enjoyed smoothies we visited as we watched the horses frolic around in the pasture. It was so relaxing, so peaceful. This perfect day and I'm in labor (not feeling like it at the moment) and I'm sitting outside doing what I love.
The contractions started to become more intense, TJ insisted that it was time to call Teah and have her come (he wanted Teah to drop Ashtyn off at grandmas house then come back to stay until the baby arrives). I was still very hesitant and didn't want anyone coming yet because I thought the contractions would stop again and I would have all these people waiting for me to progress. So TJ took it upon himself, called Teah and arranged for her to come. Ashtyn got home from school,
TJ, Ashtyn and I walked around our farm, spent some time with the horses then came inside to pack a bag for Ashtyn.
Teah arrived at 4:10, I'm going to just start out by saying... she's simply wonderful. She came upstairs with a bowl of fresh fruit that she just cut up and gave it to me to eat. Helped Ash finish getting ready, did her hair and then off to grandmas they went.
5:30 Diane listened to the baby's heartbeat. Now in the 140's. Everything was still great except my contractions were so strong and so close together lasting from 1 to 2 minutes.
I started cleaning the kitchen and wanted to take all the scrap food out to the chickens (I was having much harder contractions at this point and very close together) TJ was hesitant to the idea of me going tot he barn with these intense contractions but he finally gave in and
we walked to the barn. He didn't think I was going to make it back to the house but I insisted that we go to the chicken coop and finish what I set out for.
On the way back to the house I was having back to back contractions, barley getting a chance to breathe. This was about 5:45pm.
Diane told me it was time for Ruthie (our doula) to come and they needed to get things ready. I was still in denial and said I wasn't ready yet and didn't think I was anywhere close to having a baby.
I went to the bathroom and got up to go to the living room but the contractions were so intense I leaned over the ledge in our bathroom to wait them out. Teah came in and did some amazing back rubs on my lower back to relieve the pain from the contractions. She was the best coach in helping me breathe through them while I hung onto TJ's arm for more support.
Ruthie arrived around 6pm. I'm so glad she came when she did, she had wonderful tips and tricks she used and she and Teah took turns massaging my lowers back, pressing on the cold rice pack. It felt so good and made the contractions manageable. (Ruthie I might add was such a calming presence, just amazing and I'm so thankful that she was able to be part of Gracie's story).
I finally went into the living room, leaned over the edge of the couch and watched the horses graze through the window. I felt 100% at peace. Worship music softly playing the background, strong strong contractions kept rolling in but they were manageable and the constant massage from Teah felt just amazing. The contractions were so strong and becoming very painful but I closed my eyes and talked to Jesus. Asking him to help me get through each one and kept repeating "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in your weakness" (2 Corth. 12:9) over and over in my head.
Diane came downstairs and told me the bath was ready and I could get in now. I told her I'd come up in a little bit (I was still thinking that this was going to stop, that I wasn't really in labor), she was hesitant but let me stay on the couch until I was ready.
All of a sudden I felt a lot of pressure, I finally gave in. I walked up the stairs, changed my clothes and put on my cover-up and went into the bathroom. I got inside the bathroom to see candles lit everywhere, worship music softly playing, the bath tub was filled with warm water. I was again filled with an overwhelming amount of peace. I can honestly tell you I could feel God's presence at that moment and it brought tears to my eyes. This walk of faith is so real, the trust I have in God at that moment is stronger than ever before.
I got in the bathtub at 7:05pm. What I had envisioned the hundreds of times I sat in the bath during my pregnancy, the way I would be positioned, etc.. wasn't at all how I ended up. I leaned over the front of the tub, my legs were resting underneath me. Ruthie grabbed a few towels for me to rest on. Ruthie offered me many sips of ice cold water from my water bottle. I don't ever remember being so thirsty! Then I got really hot. Teah instantly showed up with a bowl of ice filled with water and they put the cold wash cloth on my forehead and a fan was blowing in the room. The contractions were back to back, very intense. I breathed through them. Picturing my baby moving down the birth canal and I would relax every muscle in my body.
In between contractions we all talked and laughed. I can't explain in words how amazing this was.
I had an extremely hard contraction, and then felt it.
My water broke! It was now 7:17pm. This is it!!! It's really happening!!!! I am going to meet our sweet baby. The baby that we had prayed for. I finally in my head knew that this was really going to happen and as the contractions got stronger and stronger I kept talking to Jesus. I was not sure when I was supposed to push and asking him to give me a clear answer. Let me backup. Diane didn't ever "check me" the entire pregnancy or even now. I never knew how dilated or effaced I was. That's another beauty of home birth. ALL 100% NATURAL!
Ruthie was in front of me, I was squeezing her arm and resting my upper body against TJ. Who also I forgot to mention earlier was so supportive so amazing through the entire day. He kept whispering in my ear that I could do this and how strong I was. Kept giving me just what I needed to get through that next contraction.
Then I had the strongest hardest contraction of them all. I shut my eyes, and spoke to Jesus.. was this it? Do I push? And instantly I felt the urge to push. I pushed long and hard and I heard Diane say "I can feel the head, your baby is coming"! I stopped pushing. I felt like I couldn't do it, I felt like the baby was stuck and I kept picturing the baby's head underwater. I couldn't find the strength to push again. I looked at TJ and looked at Ruthie and said that I couldn't do it. Ruthie camly told me "Yes you can" and I shut my eyes again, the next contraction came and I pushed as hard as I could, I could feel the burn but knew that the baby was coming now.
THE BABY'S HERE!! It was 7:27pm. Diane slid the baby through my legs and TJ reached in the water and grabbed her. I reached down and took her from TJ as we pulled her up together. Ruthie placed a towel over her and I laid back on the back of the tub. "What is it??" I asked TJ. He reached down, moved the towel and said, "IT'S A GIRL"!!! I screamed and cried and praised God. I looked up at TJ and told him how much I loved him and saw the tears streaming down his face. Gracelyn Joy Gniffke
There is no other word to describe what just happened other than a miracle. God was by my side the entire time. I could feel him, I could hear his voice and I trusted him. He gave me the sweetest gift I could imagine.
I nursed Gracie and just held her. At 7:48pm TJ cut the cord. Then Ruthie took Gracie out and cleaned her up and gave her to daddy to snuggle. At 8:10pm I delivered the placenta, got out and joined my sweet girl and husband in our bed.
The kids and grandma came at 9:00 pm. Then Diane got all of her stats.
She's... 7lbs 12oz
20 3/4" long
13 1/2" head
Heart beat 140
Ashtyn got to cut her umbilical cord shorter. And we all snuggled with Gracie. Daddy then put the kiddos to bed.
Auntie Halie and Uncle Matt came to visit and stayed for quite a while, it was so awesome to have them there!
They left and I nursed Gracie again. I looked down at her beautiful face. Still in awe that I had this perfect baby lying in my arms. How good God is. I had an unending amount of love for this brand new baby, this baby that I had never met, my heart was over joyed. It instantly reminded me of how great our Father's love is for us. How much he truly cares and loves each one of us and he gave that love to me to have for our daughter.
People were very skeptical about me planning to have this baby at home, especially since we had Peyton 6 weeks early. The questions and doubts from people were never ending but I NEVER at one time had a doubt in my mind. I knew my God was greater than any doubt I could have. I knew that he granted my prayer and gave me this baby and that this baby is ultimately his baby and he will take care of me and this baby and that he has a plan for us. I read this and always treasured it, "Babies and mothers were built for birth. There was no accident in their creation. Babies fit perfectly within their mother’s wombs and when allowed to birth free from restrictions, they also fit through mom’s pelvis and bottoms. Every part of pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum are provided to the mother and her baby for a reason. When we honor this time of growth, maturity and adaptation, we are rewarded with a miracle."
I was able to deliver Grace at 39 weeks and 4 days. I can not put into words the way I felt about this birth. It was the best experience I have ever had.
Our birth video of Gracelyn Joy "This is G rated" :)
