Our sweet little “Grace” was born early in the morning. Later that afternoon, after we were able to get a little rest, her siblings all came down to the hospital to see her and hold her for the first time.
“Mom, it must smell reallllyyy good inside your tummy!”
I asked if he’d like to hold her for a few more minutes or let someone else hold her. His response:
“I want to hold her FOREVER!”
This was actually the only time we have all been together since her birth. The five oldest left with their dad the next morning to travel to their grandfather’s funeral… I wish I could have been there too. They are on their way home now though and we will all be together again tomorrow night!
What beautiful photos 🙂 I just love how happy all of Grace's older siblings look! What joy to be blessed with a new baby!
2017-06-16 10:12:37
Congratulations! What beautiful pictures!
2017-06-16 11:46:52
Congratulations! Beautiful photos of a blessed family. : )
2017-06-16 13:59:12
God bless you, Jessica, you did it!! By His Grace you got through a really tough pregnancy, what to speak of the hardship of your father in law's passing and the family leaving town – wow – you are a shining example of living in Grace. May all the postpartum days be easy, happy and restful. May all those loving, capable children of yours do double duty when they get home so you can rest, rest, rest! Love and prayers and joy to you and yours!
2017-06-16 15:25:56
Ps. 'Grace' is gorgeous!!
2017-06-16 15:29:14
"Grace" is such a beautiful baby, and the photos are lovely! She looks like a little doll. Prayers for your continued recovery! You will all be together again soon, and let them take care of you! Were you able to avoid Strep B this time, if you had time to follow the prep?
2017-06-16 17:48:24
Thank you! She is so tiny and we are enjoying her so much! I appreciate the continued prayers. The delivery went well but we won't know until I get an X-ray just how much damage was done to my tailbone. It is at least bruised, if not broken again. I'm just so grateful that it didn't block her birth and I was able to deliver naturally! Anyway, I've been meaning to email you! Thank you again for sending met the protocol! I started doing it the week after you emailed me the directions (before they arrived in the mail) but I only had just over a week before she did the test (a little early at 35 weeks, since she needed to check me anyway at that point due to contractions)… I came up positive again. I was really hoping that I wouldn't, but with how sick I've been this pregnancy and having had it the last two pregnancies too, it wasn't really a surprise (though I did cry when I got the results). She had agreed to retest later, at my 38 week check up before inducing at 39 weeks, but I didn't get that far. I ended up getting one dose of antibiotics (the kind I can have due to allergies is only given once every 8 hours) and am continuing to take my probiotics… For the first time ever the nurse was able to get the IV into me in just one try, which was such a relief. It usually takes 4-6 attempts. I do appreciate your help though, and for going through the trouble to share it with me!
2017-06-16 18:49:20
Thank you, Karen! Every time I thought this pregnancy couldn't get any harder, it did! lol It was worth it though and this little girl is already such a blessing to our family. I'm so happy that everyone will be home again soon.
2017-06-16 18:57:48
Thank you! ♥
2017-06-16 18:59:26
Thank you, Maureen! 🙂
2017-06-16 18:59:41
Oh, yes! They are all so happy!
2017-06-16 19:00:09
What grace filled moments! How totally picture perfect too!! Awesome!!!!! All thanks be to God! What a beautiful beautiful family every one of you. Hugs from Colorado!
2017-06-16 19:49:43
She is beautiful and so loved!!! I wish I were younger and have one more 🙂
2017-06-16 20:33:21
Thank you for sharing your family photos. Grace is beautiful as are her siblings. A beautiful family. God Bless Marion
2017-06-16 22:08:06
So beautiful! What an amazing example of God's goodness. Since I cannot bring you meals, I was thinking of sending some gift cards, but was not sure which ones would be helpful with your dietary restrictions. Please email me with ideas if this would be helpful to you. God bless!
2017-06-17 03:38:50
Wonderful photos of your beautiful family! What a blessing for Grace to have such loving big brothers and sisters!
2017-06-17 04:06:13
Oh so beautiful! Your blog has blessed my life tremendously. I have been reading it for years and have gotten so many wonderful ideas for my children, home and classroom. Then, a certain Fr. Gordon entered our lives at our parish and I connected the dots that he was your brother-n-law. Grace upon grace…he helped us through my husbands cancer and death. I have loved being a part of your new precious gift of life. Thank you! Where of where did you get that sweet wrap and hat?? I have grand babies that NEED those 🙂
2017-06-17 05:09:57
Congratulations to you all on the arrival of beautiful Grace!! <3 She looks so precious! May God bless and keep you all.
2017-06-17 17:32:56
Thank you, Tricia! I'm glad you have enjoyed the blog. I'm so sorry to hear about the death of your husband and glad that my brother-in-law was there to help you through ♥ Isn't the hat and cocoon baby wrap darling?! It was a handmade gift from my friend Erica.
2017-06-17 18:48:42
These pictures are so beautiful I don't even know what to write. The awe and love on your older children's faces when they look her!!
2017-06-18 16:29:49
Her little crocheted outfit is precious. Glad we got to see her with her eyes open. You have an awesome family.
2017-06-18 18:58:52
Jessica, These pictures are beautiful. I am one of your regular readers and prayed for you throughout this pregnancy it is a blessing to see this little miracle!
2017-06-20 21:49:16
So sweet.
2017-06-21 00:01:18
Thank you so much Jessica for sharing this most Blessed Event with us. Each photo is more precious than the next. The expressions of your children's faces meeting and holding their newborn baby Sister for the first time is so heartwarming. Grace's crocheted outfit is darling. She is a tiny precious bundle fresh from Heaven. Grace is absolutely beautiful with so much hair! Which of her older siblings does she resemble? I have been keeping your husband and children in my prayers for safe travel and I trust that they have arrived home safely and each of you have enjoyed a most happy family reunion. I pray that the loss of your husband's dear father is getting better as he moves through the grieving process. There is something so very special about the relationship and deep bond between a son and his father. My husband lost his father last April and he misses him each and every moment of the day. How wonderful God blessed your husband with your beautiful daughter so close to losing his father. Grace is the most perfect gift for him and your family at this time. How magnificent God's love is for us!!!
2017-06-22 19:59:43