By Grace Alone: The Story & Arrival of Grace

It's been a crazy journey with expecting our first girl..............

The day we found out we were pregnant:

Then telling Gentry he was going to be a BIG brother:

Months go by:

16 weeks

24 weeks

37 weeks

38 weeks

Enjoying a "sprinkle" hosted by Lauren:

The Story:

It was Thursday, September 20, 2012. I had a doctor's appointment and a NST (non-stress test), which was a weekly thing now that I was in my last few weeks of pregnancy. I was 38 weeks along and the nurse wasn't happy with the way my stress test was looking. She felt there was not enough movement. I was meeting with the doctor shortly after my test, so I had to wait and see what she said. Dr. Woeste said I was 2 cms dilated and agreed with the nurse that I should be monitored for a while at the hospital just to be safe.

When I left the doctor's office and headed to the hospital, I called Robby to let him know. I then followed up with my parents and Robby with his. Once we got arrangements made for Gentry to be picked up from daycare, I was convinced that I would be going home in just a few short hours.......but that wasn't the case.

As Robby and I sat in the room watching the monitors, planning where we would go for dinner, before getting Gentry (neither of us had eaten since lunch).....the nurses were surprised that I was having contractions every 2 minutes. Now I should say that this pregnancy was pretty difficult in comparison to Gentry. I experienced a lot of pain, was in the hospital for a week with a fever of 104, ended up with a kidney infection, had one other emergency visit, placed on work restrictions of 6 hour days, and so on....phew! The nurse explained that she would contact the doctor and see if they would keep me for induction. Knowing the doctor that was on call - I figured with 2 weeks left in my pregnancy, she would send me home. Instead, Dr. Billock came to the hospital to check me herself. I had dilated another 2 cms in just the short time since I was at the doctor's office. Therefore - it was baby time! Robby and I were shocked and excited that baby Grace would joining our family 2 weeks early.

Around midnight, I was put into a room, after a few hours, I got an epidural.

Everything progressed very quickly and after a long, trying pregnancy - little baby Grace arrived very easily and most importantly - healthy and perfect.

I had amazing nurses!