You don't know when labor is coming or truly how things are going to change. I had my bag packed for close to a week with anticipation of our newest arrival. I decided to forego many of the items that I deemed essential the first time around. This time I had some clothes, toiletries and the baby outfits for both genders since we were not finding out the sex. We also brought a special gift for Brylie from her new sibling. I had gone to my 37 week appointment the week prior and was told that everything was going well and that the baby will come when it is ready. I had mentioned my fear and prediction to my OB of my water breaking in Target and he assured me that only 10% of women actually have their water break on their own. He didn't think there was much likelihood of this happening. Monday March 4th Brylie and I decided to take a trip to Target to stock up on some things for around the house. We came home and I felt unusually tired. Brylie didn't go down for a nap and I felt spent. I texted Nick in the afternoon asking him if he wouldn't mind stopping by the store since I forgot mozzarella. I also asked him how the bid went for a job he was working on was going, his response was "I didn't finish it, so try not to have that baby tonight." Just reading this text made wonder if tonight was going to be the night. I went to the bathroom and stood up and noticed that I was leaking. I immediately called Nick and he asked with excitement"Are we having a baby tonight??" I wasn't entirely certain that my water had broken so I decided I would take a shower. While showering Nick called Labor and Delivery and they told us that we should come in to be checked. After getting out of the shower it become apparent that my water had indeed broke and I began to have intense cramps. Since we weren't as prepared this time around Nick raced around the house trying to pack for Brylie, find the carseat and base, as well as get himself packed. We called our good friend Cody and asked if it was ok to drop Brylie off at their house until my Aunt was able to pick her up. While driving I began second guessing whether or not I was truly beginning the labor process. I felt fine and thought maybe it was just a false alarm. Nick kept saying he believed that my water had in fact broken and we were going to meet our newest member. After dropping Brylie off at Cody's I was overcome with a thousand emotions. I was filled with excitement to meet the newest addition, but fear that the lives we once knew would never be the same. I worried about Brylie and wondered if I had done enough to make the upcoming transition as smooth as possible. I shed a few tears holding tightly onto Nick's hand as we drove to San Antonio Community Hospital. Tears for the unknown, for the fear of delivery and for the disbelief that we were going to be doing this again. We were admitted to the hopsital by 7pm on Monday March 4th and were joined by my mom. Since I was not having regular contractions they gave me pitocin in small amounts by 10pm and by 12:30 I had my epidural. The epidural this time around worked so much better. I had no pain and was able to relax a little. If not for the beeping of one of my monitors I would have been able to sleep pretty soundly. I was amazed when my nurse came into check me and she said I was fully dilated and ready to start pushing. At 6:15am Dr. Channel arrived and at 7:15am our beautiful baby girl Graceyn Elizabeth Pappas was born at 8 lbs and 20.25 inches long. I was much more alert this time around having had a shorter labor and was able to take in and really enjoy this delivery experience. We were overcome with love and the joy that comes from experiencing the miracle of birth and so happy to have another beautiful, healthy baby girl. Truly one of life's greatest blessings. We love you so very much Graceyn and are so lucky to have you as a member of a family. We want you to know that we will love you, support you and guide you through life as best we can. You are a very lucky girl to have such an amazing big sister who is already your biggest fan. She has been convinced for a long time during my pregnancy that you were a girl and she would call you Gracie. It is amazing that her prediction was correct. As I held our perfect daughter any fears or nerves I had prior seemed to slip away, and the picture of the family that God had intended for us filled my heart with such love and excitement. I am incredibly grateful to be the mother of these two beautiful girls and am elated to see how our family continues to journey through life.
Dumbo made it to this delivery as well. Nick gave it to me on our 1st Christmas with a beautiful bracelet around it's neck.
My mom was such a help during the labor and delivery process.
My amazing husband who has given me two beautiful children and a life that is beyond my imagination. Words can't really describe the depths of my love for this man.
Getting ready to meet the newest member of our family.
Our 1st picture with our little girl. Already so in love.
Graceyn Elizabeth weighing 8.02 lbs which was funny cause we thought it read 8.2lbs which was what Brylie weighed.
Daddy and Dr. Channel.
After getting examined by the nurses.
One proud Mima and the grandmother to 3 amazing girls.
Shelden holding little Gracie for the 1st time.
3 generations!!
She wasn't a fan of her first bath.
Looking so clean after her bath.
Who knew that my heart could expand so much at the birth of another child. My heart has grown exponentially. So happy to have my heart so full with love for my family. I guess it just goes to show that love within a family is limitless.
Brylie meeting her little sister for the 1st time. So sweet and loving.
Auntie Daffy meeting Gracie for the 1st time.
Granbrad although resistant at first to holding Gracie opened up and was taken by her.
Daddy and baby enjoying a little rest.
Brylie comes to visit us at the hospital and give her baby sister some loves.
Graceyn's 1st car ride. On our way home to start our life as a family of 4.
