Amazing Grace

Sorry Grace - I know you will hear that through out your life, but there is no other word for it - you are simply amazing. I am spending almost every minute of everyday with you, and it's my first time at being the mummy. You are only three weeks old, but already I can't remember a time without you and I can't imagine what it would be like if you weren't there.

I sat in the bedroom with you this morning and you were still poorly from my antibiotics. I cuddled you whilst we listened to the Rockbye Baby Beatles, which somehow seemed to calm you down. You looked me straight in the eye, and just to check I moved my head side to side a little bit, and your eyes followed. I said "Mummy loves you Grace" and you smiled at me!! (Some might say it was wind, or a flook but it wasn't and we know it!). I love you so much my pretty girl. For all your funny faces and poopy nappies and cuddles and sneezes and your lovely hair that you let me stroke and for how daddy behaves around you and how beautiful you look in everything you wear and because you are my own tiny person.

I will try my very best to never let you down.

x

A few pictures of Baby Grace...

Grace having a little nap...

On the changing mat - just before the crying started.

she's got an iron grip on anything she touches!

Michelle on the run with the nearest baby she could find... security kindly escorted M & M back into the hospital and set things straight.

Photographic evidence of someone trying to snatch or gorgeous girl.

Tiny toes... what more can you say?

Mike and Michelle think Grace looks like daddy when she is asleep.

The armed robbery only lasted a minute, but Grace insisted on keeping her hands in the air long after the incident was over.

An exhausted daddy having a moment with his special girl...

Katie and Elaine holding Grace Emily Richey after they had cleaned her up. They were wonderful and supportive throughout the labour, and were kind enough to allow Mike to be Michelle's primary support - rubbing her back, helping her through every contraction, keeping her focused and calm, and helping her with the difficult pushes. They even let Michelle throw up on him!

Grace finally getting some colour in her face and body.

Daddy cried more than Grace when she arrived!

Just minutes after the birth and Grace is lying peacefully on top of her mummy who herself made a quick transition from screams of pain to serenity and adoration.

Hayley and Donna spent the early hours of the pregnancy occupying M & M with conversations about Harry Potter! As the look on Michelle's face indicates, this was still way early on. Pictures showing Michelle in the more painful moments were strictly verboten.

A surprise for the ladies when they walked into Grace's new home!