My little daughter and I just got back from a walk down to the store to see her daddy. The 50-degree weather melted all our snow, and the sunshine kept peeking out, making it so inviting for a walk–especially since freezing temperatures are are forecast to swiftly return. And we had such fun–our girl is already proving to be a great farmer’s daughter, she loves the fresh air so! It always makes her stop crying to go outside…and today, she fell asleep as we walked.
Everything had been going fine until my appointment the Monday before Thanksgiving, when suddenly my blood pressure had skyrocketed, coupled with other symptoms. Merritt was amazing–not only washing dishes and cleaning house, but bringing me my meals and making sure I wasn’t out of bed longer than my five minutes per hour. My dad had already been up here helping with a building project, but my mom and siblings came up the next day…and just in time! When Mom took me to the doctor on Wednesday, I was feeling fine, and hoping to hear I could be up and around for Thanksgiving–instead, I got to call my husband and tell him that the doctor wanted to induce me right then and there, before I got any worse. And no pressure, the doctor told me, but her family was planning Thanksgiving dinner for 4 p.m. the next day. 
As it was, Merritt and I made it home with our little daughter for Thanksgiving dinner with the family the next day. Ruth didn’t even wait until Thanksgiving to arrive but came just nine hours after I got all settled in at the hospital. Merritt was an incredible support during labor–I’ve always known my husband to be a man of many talents, but he outdid himself as a labor coach. And as a Daddy…oh I love watching him with our little Ruth!
We kept everyone in suspense about the baby’s name but we ended up with one of the very first names we had chosen when we found out a baby was on the way. Ruth Ann was named for her Great Grandma Billie Ruth Acheson, and she had three Great-great-great Aunt Ruths as well. Ann has always been a favorite name of mine, and it’s a family name as well (Merritt’s Great Aunt Ann, among others).
When our little girl was born with her daddy’s dark hair instead of her mommy’s red hair, we decided to spell Ann without an “e.” If Ruth Ann ends up with an Anne of Green Gables personality, she can spell her name with an “e” if she likes. But when her mother went through her own years of signing her name Gretchen Louise Ann Glaser, for some reason she didn’t use an “e” then either…
Ruth Ann has kept her mommy busy feeding her and sleeping between times! I wrote the above a week ago, and as I sit down to finish this post I hear my little girl waking up from her nap. She does very well when we keep her on a routine (Babywise makes up much of my nursing-time reading). Ruth is a very happy, content little one–and growing so fast! Already almost 3 weeks old.
There are so many memories I want to put into words. Laying awake in the hospital until past 2 in the morning, in awe at the precious little bundle in the bassinet next to me. The surprise in everyone’s voices when I told them our baby was a girl (something told me that since everyone thought it was a boy, this little one just might surprise them!). 
The way it feels to have her tiny fingers curl around mine. Her little half smiles, the way she loves her bath, and how she instantly stops crying when she feels her mommy’s arms. Watching my parents become grandparents, my siblings aunt and uncle–the pride, the joy, the tears.
All my mom’s invaluable help in the two weeks she was here, and how she loved to shop for her new granddaughter. The way my heart overflows watching Merritt with our daughter, how he patiently changes her diaper in the middle of the night, reads her books while Mommy is busy, and always wants to get in his cuddle time with her when he gets home from work. Thank You, Lord! How I love being a mommy…
Gretchen,
You bless me. Thanks for sharing.
Becky
It’s SO nice to hear from you, Gretchen!
…and to see the photos… Thank you! Debbie
Congratulations Gretchen,
Thanks for taking the time to update us on all the news. Your baby girl is beautiful. I just recently got married, and this post makes me excited about the day I will be able to have my own little one to hold God willing!
–fellow believer
Oh, Gretchen! What a lovely post! It almost made me cry. You have such a way with words! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your very, very busy day to update all of us readers! You sounds like a wonderful mother, and Ruth Ann is adorable!
~Ellie
What a nice surprise–an update about the Acheson family! You look so happy, Gretchen, and I’m happier for you than I can say. God bless you all as you enjoy these precious first weeks of parenthood.
With love,
Teresa
How precious, Gretchen. Ruth is a doll!!! I am so happy for you and Merritt. I cannot wait till I get to hold my own little one!
Beautiful family! Ruth Ann is so adorable!! Those big eyes and tufts of hair! And her parents were beaming in each picture!
Blessings to the Achesons!
She is beautiful Gretchen!
How very precious to “hear” your heart; and how good God is to overwhelm us with His blessings day after day!
Thanks for the update Gretchen! Lovely pictures too…Ruth Ann is a little darling, and looks like she has wonderful parents. Merry Christmas!
Oh, Gretchen! She’s just so precious! And thanks for sharing the story – how sweet… Our God is so very good!!
Hugs
~Nicole
Oh Gretchen! I praise the Lord with you and Merritt! At 24 weeks April 6 seems far away. . .I can hardly wait to meet our little one.
Thanks for sharing a bit of the birth story with us, as well as your precious memories. Keep us updated on you and your little family
Also, I have been reading Babywise and it seems to be very practical. Any other recommendations for the expecting mom?
Blessings,
Vanessa
This blog has been such and encouragment for me, from weddings to babies! I have been married 4 and a half years and we have 3 little girls. Life is busy here having 3 babies in 3 years, but it is so worth every moment! All the wedding posts reminded me of Bryan and I’s wedding and the sweetness of being newly weds! And then this post on a new precious bundle of joy reminds me when my first baby girl came into this world. Times have definetly changed, but the joy is so much more. Each day brings new trials, and new Joy! Trusting in God makes it so much easier, I know I will fail as a wife and mother, but God’s Grace will see us through!
Thanks so much for sharing!
Valerie
How beautiful! Your thoughts are so sweet. Makes me long for the day when, Lord willing, I’ll have a home of my own and a little one to care for.
I think that almost all babies are cute, but Ruth Ann is particularly so.
Thanks for sharing the photos. You must know the insatiable appetite that we girls have for baby pics!
Thank you so much for sharing these adorable pictures! It is wonderful hearing from you, and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your new little one (who is distantly related to me!).
Stephanie
Thanks for sharing, Gretchen! What a beautiful little treasure Ruth Ann is. You both rightly look very proud! God bless you in the days to come of “mommyhood”.
Oh, how lovely to have an update from sweet Gretchen. Ruth Ann is beautiful!
Congratulations, she is beautiful! I have been a lurker on here for awhile, but I just wanted to encourage you to stick with Babywise. I know not everyone likes it, but we found it to work great with our daughter (who is almost 3 now). We will definetly use it with our next baby (due in March). Our daughter still has a scheduled nap daily and slept through the night at 2 1/2 months. We had a lot of people tell us we were “lucky” to get such a well adjusted baby, but I really think it was the training that we gave her. So, keep up the hard work, it get’s much easier!
Yay!! An update!
As always, thank you Gretchen for taking the time to write so beautifully and share your life with us. It’s such a blessing to see how God is working in a fellow sister in Christ and filling her life with blessings.
Thanks for the update! Ruth Ann is so beautiful. Gretchen, you look great also! Love in Christ
Gretchen,
As I read this post I thanked God for giving you such a treasure in your husband Merritt. You are so blessed. I also rejoice with you and Merritt as you daily enjoy the blessings of parenthood.
May God always bless you richly. Merry Christmas!
“God’s girl”
Wow. Gretchen, thank you for sharing your blessing and joy! I am praying for you all and hope you have an amazing and wonderful Christmas! :->
Aww, so good to hear from you Gretchen! It was neat to read about Ruth Ann’s coming into the world and how it all went. I’m sorry to hear that you had high blood pressure and had to be induced but glad it all turned out well. I did notice that you spelled Ann without an E.
It was interesting to read about little Ruth’s namesakes too.
I’m glad that you and your family are doing well. And how nice of Ruth to come before Thanksgiving!
I’m glad she is doing so well, too.
I have to say that she does look a LOT like Merritt! What cute photos!
You are so Blessed with Merritt and Ruth!!!
I’m so happy and thrilled for you. *Big Smiles*
*hugs*
~Samantha