If you don't want to see baby pictures, or if you're not in a place to be receptive to baby-talk, I totally get it. Just skip this post. It took me a long time to get there myself. But some of you have been on this journey with me, and it has been a long time coming, so I will share her with you. My greatest hope is that she will be a sign of God's faithfulness and that she will be the face of His love and kindness.
We named her Azelia after Blessed Marie Azelie Martin, the mother of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. I have felt a connection to this beautiful (almost!) saint for a long time, and have asked for her intercession often. Not only did she lose children (five out of nine!) to death--some while infants, some in early childhood, she also died from breast cancer, a scourge with which my own mother has been afflicted twice. I have a feeling I'll never run out of opportunities to run to this saint with my prayers, and she, having raised such holy children, will hopefully never tire of my pleas. I highly recommend this book about her, written by one of her daughters.
We gave her the middle name of Josephine, because it is the origin of my own middle name, and because it follows a family tradition.
She was born on Tuesday, September 17th at 1:50 in the morning, after 9 hours of fruitful labor (many Divine Mercy Chaplets were said for you all!). She was 8lbs, 10 oz, and 21 inches long. It is no wonder my belly was quite literally "out to here." (I would show you a picture, but my hubs decided all the pictures of me before she arrived would be from the shoulders up...ahem.)
I give you our beautiful rainbow. The sign of God's hope to us and the image of His faithfulness:
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| She's about 1 hour old here |
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| At about 12 hours old (and quite a sassy expression too!) |
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| Really proud daddy. |
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| We let Little A come to the hospital to see her at 2am. Because we're great parents like that. |
Oh wow congratulations!!! She is beautiful! I love, love, love her name! So happy for y'all and thank you for sharing her with us :)
ReplyDeleteSorry, blogger ate my comment! Congrats to you all, she is so beautiful. I love that you named her after St. Therese's mom!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! two of my babies were 8 lb 10 oz (my smallest two :) )
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!!! She is beautiful and I LOVE her name and all the meaning behind it.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear all went well - thank-you for sharing your sweet family with us :)!!!
I love her! She looks just like I would imagine her to look--a lot like her big sister!
ReplyDeleteI was just wondering this morning...did KJL have her baby? =) Congratulations! That is such a beautiful name - WOW. Seriously one of the most beautiful names I've ever heard! Two little girls...I see the sisterly love already =) I hope you all are adjusting well!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I too was wondering how things were going with you - the baby, starting classes, moving, all of that! I am so glad you posted. She is beautiful and you know what I think about the name...love it, love it, love it!!!!! Happy feast of St. Therese!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your family!! She's so beautiful, and I love the sweet pictures of the sisters together! :) And, of course, always love pictures of dads in love with newborns... But where's the picture of you with her? :) So glad she's here and all went well!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to stop by and wish you a Merry Christmas and let you know I was thinking of you. Hope all is going well!
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