Welcome Elena Christina

Our little precious gift came into the world, Monday August 15th at 3:03 am, weighing 8 lbs. 3 oz. and measuring 21 inches long. She is a sweet, peaceful little girl who is slowly stealing all our hearts to her every smile and coo and newborn grimace. We named her Elena Christina, and she is every bit the tiny wonderful girl we could hope for.

On first glance she's a little puffy  

Mommy just knew Sunday would probably be the day, as she was feeling closer each day of the weekend. She got to steal away to an early mass without the kids, and get a little blessing and some quiet time away from everyone. Something about being present to the moment, with a busy household, makes these quiet hours special. Then we were thrown off by Joseph's 105 degree spike in the afternoon, since it was for the fourth straight day. Dad took the trip to Children's Urgent Care and returned telling us he had Hand, Foot and Mouth virus. So luckily discouraged Mommy spoke to Grandma who wisely suggested a nap, and to let everything go. He was well enough that he could be left, and the virus wasn't the scary ones that we couldn't return home with a baby.

 She woke up with contractions about 6 pm (first time laying down with contractions) and then began timing them around 7 pm. We called the doctor at 8-9 pm, and tucked in the children,  and went to the hospital to get checked in. She was confirmed as being in labor around 10 pm (not that she needed any confirmation at that point) but it's nice to see the monitor reflect what one feels, that is hard to describe. Labor was progressive, consistent and even tough, but not that long, and  Mommy's hero, the anesthesiologist, gave her relief for the last hour, arriving for the toughest part. Wow, did that change things, and probably sped them up, since one can really relax when you can feel a contraction but not want to brace oneself. It's hard not to dodge a sledge hammer steadily occurring, even if one is visualizing the hammer as natural and good, and willing it to move through oneself. Once they were two minutes apart and doubling, that epidural was looking good. So then our little girl was born comfortably, easily, and best of all without any distress, she never had any bradycardia. We had a peaceful arrival without incident, which is all we could hope for. Now we are just enjoying her little wonderful self.

The sweet smell and feel of a newborn is unlike anything in the world, especially for Mom. 

Johnny and Leesie visiting Elena on her birthday

Mom she's so tiny

She's our sister!