Introducing...

Grace Noelle Petroelje

11/23/11

7 lbs. 12 oz.

19 1/2 in. long

I started having contractions early Wednesday morning, but told Eric head off to work because they were only about 5-10 min. apart and not really all that consistent. I called the doctor, though, because Brooke's delivery went rather quickly and I didn't care to have to race to the hospital later.  They told me to come into the office to get checked and to have my bags with me in case they admitted me.  I was measuring 4 cm. and the contractions were starting to regulate more, so they told me to head over to the hospital.  After being admitted, however, things started slowing down, and we sat around for a few hours with not much going on.  The contractions were still there, although less intense and coming further apart, and they were contemplating sending me home.  Around 2:30 Eric decided to leave to go a coach his b-ball team in a scrimmage in Otsego, since birth didn't seem imminent (can you tell this is our 3rd child? - I would have NEVER allowed that to happen if it was our 1st).  I laid down to rest for a while to see if anything progressed, and by resting, my contractions ever so slowly picked up in speed and intensity.  They checked me once again later on in the afternoon to make the decision whether or not to let me leave, and I was dilated to a 5, so they said I wasn't leaving.  Around 6:00 Dr. Kraker came in to check me again and then she broke my water (which I wasn't completely expecting at that point yet, as Eric was nowhere around and I hadn't spoken with him to update my progress).  I quickly dilated to a 6-7 and the baby dropped.  I could now get my epidural.  I called Eric, and when he answered I could tell his game was still going on.  I told him that he'd better leave right away because he was still about an hour or so away from the hospital.  I got my epidural but it didn't take at all on the first try, so they had to do it again.  Eric arrived a little after 7 and Grace was born at 8:24 after about 10-15 minutes of pushing.  As is trademark with the Petroelje kiddos - she had plenty of hair (although probably the least amount of the 3 kids).  She is really a good mix of both G and B in looks.  I was expecting about an 8 1/2 lb. baby given the weight of the other kids; however, she was a week and a half early, and given the fact that even my 2nd epidural didn't fully work, I was perfectly content with her size!  She screamed for about the first 3 hours of her life, but since that episode, she's been a pretty laid back baby overall.

We are absolutely in love with her (Brooke a little too much so as she can't get her hands off her.) and can't imagine our lives without her!

The best family pic we could get - Hey Brooke, look at the camera!

Proud big brother

Proud big sister (who tries to pry poor Grace's eyes open if she's sleeping)

Grandchild number 6 for Grandpa and Grandma P!

And Grace makes 5 for Grandpa and Grandma G.!

Great Grandma G was smitten.  She just loved holding Grace and looking her over.

My other grandma visited as well, but didn't want to disturb Grace who was sleeping in her bassinet when she arrived, so she didn't hold her and I didn't get a picture.

Just before heading home.

One final hospital picture before leaving (oh how I will miss being waited on; love the nurses - they were absolutely wonderful!)

All packed up and ready to roll.  Watch our world, here comes Grace!

Now, if only my house would pack itself up in preparation for our big move, possibly this coming weekend!  Yikes!