Settled In

This is Kara's mom, again. I've been coaxed out of retirement by Kara. She is finding that her time is no longer her own and posting has taken a backseat to nursing and sleeping. I will try and bring you up to speed on life since Gracie's arrival.

First, a word about the toes. Gracie got Aaron's big toes. They are unusually large with a mammoth space between them and the next toes. Kara is NOT happy about this gene being passed on, but Aaron is quite pleased.

Meanwhile, Gracie has spent her time napping--

with Dad and

with Momma.

She passed her hearing test,

and met new friends, both little

and big.

She showed off her mullet,

gave us a glimpse into her eyes

and got dressed for the first time.

She posed for "leaving the hospital pictures"

and discovered a Welcome Home sign on her front door.

(props to Mema since Poppy and his awesome sign making skills won't arrive until Saturday),

And now she has settled into life as

Gracie Kate.

One Last Post

I thought I would make one more post before handing the blog back to Kara. I tried to change the "baby ticker" on the home page, but I haven't a clue as to how to do it so obviously it is time for the professionals to take over. But, first I wanted to post the most recent pictures of Grace taken last night--

Texting with Dad.

Sunbathing under the warming lights.

Bonding with Mema.

Anticipating her first bath.

Getting her hair washed. She loved it. In fact she didn't cry a bit during any of the bath.

All sweet and clean.

Gracie Kate

Just wanted to let everyone know that blogging for Kara and Aaron has been really fun. Thanks for all your comments. I felt so connected to so many people, most of whom I didn't even know. One last thing before I go, yesterday between Posts ****Editor's Note**** and Update, I left out a huge portion of information. The nurses were so concerned about the drop in Gracie's heart rate and no progress in Kara's labor that they had scheduled the operating room for an emergency C-section. They were just waiting for the doctor to arrive and give the go ahead. At that point, we sent out an SOS to our immediate families asking for their prayers and Aaron gave Kara a blessing. I will let Kara tell you what happened when the doctor arrived about five minutes later. What an experience.

Kara says that I should hire out as a blog doula. Not a bad idea and since I have no other grandchildren on the way I am available (or am I, Ashby?).

Pictures!

Miss Gracie did not cry much but she pinked up so quickly that the doctor wasn't worried. What you can't see in this picture is her amazing conehead.

Gracie looks a lot like Kara when she was born but there is a lot of Aaron in her too.

As long as she is wrapped up she is happy.

Kara was SO GLAD it was over. 13 hours is a LONG time.

Kara, Gracie and Kara's doctor, Dr. Silverman, who was fantastic.

I took a break from my busy blogging job to pose with Gracie Kate

The happy family,

SHE'S HERE!!!!!

GRACE KATHERINE BARNARD

7 lbs. 2 oz.

20 1/4 inches

Born at 7:26 p.m.

Proud Parents: Kara & Aaron Barnard

More pictures to follow!!!!

TEN

Aaron and I left to get dinner. We were gone 10 minutes. We've been in the hospital room for 12 hours and the one time we both leave, Kara gets to a 10! The nurse called Aaron's cell phone and told us to get back ASAP. It is go time!

Update

Kara's at an 8. The baby has moments when her heart rate drops but mostly she is fine. Kara threw up again but is feeling pretty good. I don't think we'll see Baby Barnard by 7:30 but I'm hoping before midnight.

****Editor's Note*****

Kara is awake. She's at a 7. The baby is doing great.

Okay, this experience is so NOT what I expected. Kara's sisters' labors were 5 and a half hours, 3 and a half hours, 6 hours and 1 hour. Mine were 6 hours, 2 hours, 45 minutes and 2 hours. I thought FOR SURE Kara would follow suit and have had the baby by now. The tip off should have been the fact that her pregnancy was different from the start. She never had morning sickness. Perhaps she negotiated feeling good at the beginning for a long labor at the end. Anyway, the nurse says she thinks this will happen by 7:30 (2 1/2 hours). We'll see. Kara still has to deal with that pesky pushing.

Taylor (1 hour), Carly (6 hours), Emma (3 1/2 hours), Brooklyn (5 1/2 hours)

Ashby (6 hours), Stacey (2 hours), Matt (45 minutes), Kara (2 hours)