Almost two hours later, she was born, in the water. We laughed and we cried at the same time; holding on to each other, we held her for hours before they weighed her and measured her and covered her tiny feet in ink.
I had thought about those moments for so, so long, since back when she was just an idea. Those moments were more beautiful than I was prepared for. It just felt like it happened the way it was supposed to: during my labor, Susan, one of the midwives, said we would have a morning baby and a Sunday baby, and "Sunday's baby is full of grace." Susan didn't know Grace was one of our name choices. We didn't even know she was a she. But Grace, she was.
Our daughter's birth was beautiful. But one thing surprised me. Grace was placed in my arms, kicking and yelling, eyes closed, slippery and wet. I couldn't have loved her any more at that moment. But I had never seen her before. I didn't recognize her face. And I thought I should have; hadn't she been the one with her foot in my ribs, wasn't she the one who pummeled my insides when she was hungry, who got the hiccups at least once a day? How could I not recognize her?
Hours later, we were alone in our room, in the quiet dark, as we had been so many nights together. She was asleep in my arms. And then she sneezed, and then she hiccuped. And she hiccuped again. And I started to cry. I had known those hiccups for so many months. She really was my Grace.
No longer a part of me, she is her own person. She has become her own person more and more every day, and she will do great things. I don't know what those things will be, but they will happen the way they are supposed to. With diamonds and hiccups and grace.
Grace Lennon Cotter
July 31, 2011
9:43 AM
7 pounds, 8 ounces
19 inches long
(taken by Kaela Tierney)
(taken by Kaela Tierney)
Very well said, Kate. It's hard to put this unbelieveable experience into words, you've done a fine job! It's amazing to meet that little peep for the first time.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. You have so eloquently put into words what i have struggled to say. Xxxxx
ReplyDeleteKate,
ReplyDeleteYou expressed your birth with so much "Grace". You should be so proud of yourself and of poppy seed. She is a little peep now. Hold her tight. She will wiggle out really fast.
Beautiful pictures. The one of you and her in white sheets is glorious. Take care of yourself and Grace.
Your friend,
Cheryl
Kate,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful expression of your feelings and experiences with your gorgeous new Grace! She is beautiful! Keep writing it all down. It's lovely to read and someday Grace will be thrilled that you've written about her. Congratulations to you and Chad. Fred and I can't wait to see Grace. We will be in touch.
Love, Anne and Fred
Dear Kate,
ReplyDeleteYour description of Grace's birth is just beautiful - especially your "aha" moment when she hiccupped. LOVE the photos. She's gorgeous.
Love, Annie30
Thanks to all of you! I will definitely keep writing all the little things down, because she already has changed so much! It's amazing.
ReplyDelete