Welcome to the world!

After 41 weeks of waiting and lots and lots of growing our beautiful baby girl (surprise!) has arrived.  The doctor had scheduled an induction for April 5th - which happens to be someone else's birthday - but baby girl decided to come on out and have her own party.  Most people we had talked to including the doctor were guessing baby boy but that was not the case. 

Ellie Jayne Stephens was born on April 4th at 9 pounds 11 ounces and 22 1/2 inches long. She has a great head of hair, beautiful eyes, and so far an amazingly calm and content spirit.  We certainly are thankful for that 23 hours in.  The maternity ward is full of babies today and a few are not nearly as quiet as Ellie so we are thankful for a little rest. 

Sue is doing fantastic as well considering the hard work she had to do.  She was amazing and beautiful and is clearly enjoying spending her time with Ellie in her arms as she eats, sleeps and snuggles. It is so amazing to see how God creates and orchestrates life.  It completely blows my mind. 

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,

and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

and crowned him with glory and honor.

You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;

you have put all things under his feet,

all sheep and oxen,

and also the beasts of the field,

the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,

whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

(Psalm 8:3-9 ESV)

 

I know, I know...on to the pictures.

Our beautiful baby girl who is very content...

and big and healthy...

 

with plenty of hair...

beautiful eyes (when we can see them)... 

and a very tired girl.

 

 Savannah and Isaiah were two of the people guessing (hoping?) we would have a baby girl.  Savannah's rationale was sound, she already has a baby brother and wanted a baby sister.  Admittedly this probably means Isaiah will be wearing more dance outfits in his future but I know they are both incredibly excited to be a big sister (again) and a big brother. 

When we left for the hospital at three in the morning our friends the Durkins were more than gracious to host the kids.  They live close by and on the way to the hospital so it worked out really well. Thanks Durkins for all your hospitality. While the kids were waiting on the news Grammy and Poppie were able to drive down from North Carolina to come celebrate Ellie's birthday.  We waited for all of them to meet Ellie Jayne in person before introducing her to them.  Needless to say everyone was very excited.  Savannah and Isaiah have been so sweet with their baby sister already.  Savannah was very proud to have a sister, to help pick out her name and to share cupcakes with the nursing staff in celebration.  Isaiah meanwhile was very sweet but also slightly confused about the baby that went missing from mommy's belly. He is a little more standoffish than Savannah but is right there with her when checking out his sister.

 

 

Of course I know there are two sets of very excited grandparents. Don't worry Poppie and Grandpa there is plenty of spoiling to come.  I'm just not sure if it is the girls or the grandpas who will be spoiled.  Thanks to Grammy and Poppie for helping out with Savannah and Isaiah.