Welcome to Baby Grace!

Grace Anne Hooper was born December 29th at 1:04 pm. She weighed 6 pounds 14 ounces and measured 19 3/4" long. She is PERFECT! Amy had a rough delivery and had to have some minor surgery afterwards. Grace is feeding very well, and Amy is sore but recovering.

Amy started with consistent contractions on Friday afternoon. By the evening they had intensified a bit and were about 6 minutes apart. We called in around 2 am and were given the go ahead to come in if we wanted. We waited about an hour, and arrived at the hospital at 3 am. When we checked in Amy was dilated to about 2+ cm, but 8+ effaced and the water bag could be felt. Amy labored for a couple fours and then had her water broken. We were concerned about back labor, and the contractions were really hitting hard. Amy got some pain medication and that really helped her make it through the bulk of the contractions. SHE IS MY HERO FOREVER!! She started to feel the need to push around 12:30 and after about 4 or 5 good rounds of pushing Grace was here! We cried and were happier than we could ever imagine being.

During Amy's surgery and recovery Grace and Dad had some good time together. Grace is so smart she was drinking out of a cup at 2 hours old. Dad was so proud of her! Amy hooked up with Grace around 4 pm and they had a good feeding. Grace spent some time in the nursery that night so Mom could rest, but did a super job during her feeding times.

Now we're getting ready to head home, and are looing forward to meeting all the Grandpaps, Grandmas, and Nanas out there. We're really happy with our little girl and give God all the gory and thanks! He is faithful and good! He has sustained, prepared, and encouraged us all along, and we will be clinging tightly to Him from here on out (though His grasp is much more secure on us than ours is on Him!).