Grace
by Kym on February 28, 2012
I woke up this morning in a small puddle of drool. For me, exhaustion = sleep drool, but I’ve never been happier to be exhausted.
Meet Grace Amelia VanderHorst. Born February 15th via emergency(ish) c-section, at seven pounds three ounces. She was discovered to be in distress during a non-stress test ordered by my ultra-cautious doctor, and while it wasn’t a crazy panicky rush to get her out, the doctors agreed to play it safe and get her out early. So we had her a full week earlier than planned, and I didn’t pout TOO much over the sudden change. In fact, the sweet nurses at our local hospital kept patting me on the shoulder or leg or head, telling me how well I was handling everything. A very clever move on their part as I believed them and behaved myself all the better for it.
Baby VanderHorst went through several names her first two days in the world. Elsie, Abbigail, Anne, Sarah, Amelia, Ellie, and Anna. We tried them all on, dismissed some quickly, kept others for hours. But it wasn’t until we tried calling her Grace and Gracie, that everything slid into place. And I learned that you don’t have to have a name for someone to love them, but that it helps. Focuses the love like a sunbeam through a piece of glass – intensifies it somehow. There really IS something in a name, I think.
And life is crazy and wonderful and tiring and hard, but also somehow easier than we expected it to be. With four little girls to raise, I think it might always be that. But even on the days that start with my cheek smushed into a puddle of sleep-drool, I know I have accesses to joy. I know, I remember, because we just added another one. Welcome, Grace. You’ve joined a family who lives loudly, geekily, and fallibly, but who love hard, sing, dance, read, bake . . . oh yes. We’re going to have some fun, little love.
Stay tuned for more pictures. I’m not much of a blogger these days, but I can at least promise my few readers some serious cuteness.
23 comments
Congrats :) !! I am looking forward to all the cuteness you will be posting soon.
What came back abnormal in the non-stress test? Just curious since I have had so many of those myself :) !!
And there definitely is something about a name. My sister-in-law recently took over a month to name her new little girl. At least it only took you a couple of days :) !!
by An Ordinary Mom on February 28, 2012 at 1:56 pm. #
She’s beautiful. Sorry it had to be a C-section. Recovery for that is rough, from what I hear. I hope it goes well for you.
We never name a baby until we’ve seen them. It’s usually just before we’re ready to leave the hospital and they say, “You have to have a name.” We like to get to know them first, too.
by Kayeleen Hamblin on February 28, 2012 at 2:20 pm. #
Serious cuteness is right! I’m so glad things are going well for you all. xoxo
by Luisa Perkins on February 28, 2012 at 2:28 pm. #
Oh yay! Congratulations on another gorgeous little girl! Hope you have a fast recovery and everyone enjoys your little precious baby :) I love her name, and many on your list are on my favorite girl names list too (if I ever get to use any of them lol).
by Kara on February 28, 2012 at 2:36 pm. #
She is just perfect. :) I love that picture… and her little hand!
by Sarah on February 28, 2012 at 3:24 pm. #
A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Congratulations!
by Angie on February 28, 2012 at 3:39 pm. #
She is darling. And this post is so full of love. I’m so glad the delivery went well, that baby is home and healthy, that you’re getting SOME sleep, and that you’re here, sharing it all with us. I’m so happy for you. Love you!
by L.T. Elliot on February 28, 2012 at 3:40 pm. #
What a beautiful name for a beautiful baby girl. I love how you explained that it didn’t feel right until you came upon that name, and then it clicked. So special. I look forward to seeing more pictures!
by Erin on February 28, 2012 at 4:51 pm. #
she is just as sweet as can be . . . enjoy your snuggle time! :)
by Kate on February 28, 2012 at 7:21 pm. #
What a beautiful, beautiful post. Congrats! :)
by Laura Barnes on February 28, 2012 at 10:07 pm. #
You brought tears to my eyes with your description. I too am curious about the non-stress test. Did you deliver in WL or 100 Mile?
D
by Deanna Rich on February 28, 2012 at 10:14 pm. #
Congratulations again Kim! She’s lovely!
by Heffalump on February 28, 2012 at 11:14 pm. #
Many congratulations to everyone in your family for its new member. But congratulations especially to you, for doing most of the work of bringiong her into this world!
xxx
by Snailquake on February 29, 2012 at 3:47 am. #
She is beautiful. Congratulations!
by Kate on February 29, 2012 at 7:20 am. #
Grace is a perfect name. I hope you get more sleep-drool time. XO
by Becca on February 29, 2012 at 9:31 am. #
She is beautiful Kim!!! Congrats over and over again!! rest easy mama and enjoy your baby moon!! and remember to take it easy… tricky with 3 other wee ones I know, but important and a priority none the less. Love you sososo much!
by Jenn on February 29, 2012 at 11:47 am. #
She is simply beautiful. Congratulations to you and your family!
by Beth on February 29, 2012 at 12:20 pm. #
Oh, how I love that name. In recent months I’ve tried to have a deeper understanding of just what grace really is, and it’s so beautiful and soul-sweetening that I can hardly find the words. She’s beautiful.
by DeNae on February 29, 2012 at 4:13 pm. #
she’s gorgeous. and her name is perfect.
wish i could hug you all up. congratulations, my dear girl.
by nic on March 1, 2012 at 8:05 am. #
She’s just beautiful Kym! I’m so glad you both are recovering well.
by Summer on March 1, 2012 at 7:56 pm. #
Congratulations to you! New babies are a joy and her name is beautiful!
by Nichole on March 2, 2012 at 7:58 am. #
She is adorable. And sleep drool sounds more like something I would like to strive toward if it equals happiness and fulfillment and an exhaustion filled with sugarplum fairies. Hugs.
by Kazzy on March 4, 2012 at 5:53 pm. #
Oh she is so sweet! I love that you call the nurses clever for “encouraging” your good behavior. I’m not sure how I would act. Glad you were so chill. So happy for your family and for little Gracie.
by LisAway on March 6, 2012 at 2:36 am. #