It's a girl!

Saturday evening we drove to the hospital in anticipation of a new arrival. Sarah poses on our way out to the car in front of our apartment. Leaves have turned. All is calm.

Eliana Grace Stover Sackett was born 9:05 a.m. Sunday, November 12 at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington. She was healthy in all respects and weighed about 7 lbs and was 19 inches long. The name Eliana (pronounced “El ee ahna” comes from a loose combination of three family names: Elaine, Loraine and Ann. Grace was Sam’s great grandmother. Stover is Sarah’s maiden name.

Sarah did a remarkable job throughout the entire labor process, with several nurses and the doctor even commenting how calm and focused she was during the delivery.

Sarah's sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Bryan Lucore, drove from Ohio in time for the birth. Sam and Elizabeth were in the delivery room coaching and encouraging. They made a good team and it was the first live birth either had witnessed. Quite miraculous.

Eliana has a spiral cowlick in the center of her forehead.

Sunday afternoon we got a brief visit by Nancy, Caleb and Simona Brenneman, Kyla Cofer and Allison Madson. Thanks for the beautiful flowers and baby blanket!

Before coming home from the hospital Tuesday afternoon, Virginia Hospital Center gave us what they call a celebration meal. They do this for all new mothers at their facility. It was certainly a nice touch to an exhausting two days. Grandma and Grandpa Sackett sent the fragrant roses pictured in our celebration meal photo.

We are adjusting to new schedules, especially sleep routines. Once you fall behind on rest, it takes a while to make it up, especially for nursing mothers.

Eliana checked out OK during her first pediatrician visit this morning. We will return Friday for a follow-up.