Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Blessings II


Ella Lorraine O'Brien

We did a blessing for Ella with the immediate family here in Colorado. Present were Grams and Pop pop O'Brien, Grandma and Grandpa Cribley, and Aunt/Uncle McCracken. We placed the hoopa with our wedding cloth draped over the top in our living room with beautiful light and out of the cold winter day. AJ read a poem he wrote and everyone else gave blessings both traditional and from their hearts. Our loving families desire the best for this new gracious little girl!
Your Dad wrote and read to you...

What is a name like Ella Lorraine?

Ella was the name that we initially agreed,

while Lorraine was the name after a special great Aunt to me!!


Ella Lorraine you arrived with minimal pain in a dream like state,

While your parents looked at you in a wondrous stare with mouths agape.


We were dying to meet you
Your sister Sammy couldn't wait to squeeze you!

The past 9 months of not knowing who you were or what you would be was a mystery,

But the mere illusion of Dad knowing was the ultimate hilarity.


You were asleep when I first saw your face,

As your nurse Diana pulled you of your comfy space.


I will never forget when you were presented to me,
With the lingering question, well is it a he or a she?


In that point in time it was hard to get past,

All the poop that covered your bare a__!


Everyone was looking at me with pure excitement to be,

It's a girl I said with pure glee,!!

It's another girl to complete me.


You and your sister are everything I have hoped for and more,

I cannot wait to mess with the boys that arrive at our front door!!


Your name will always bring me a smile,

and I pray that our families' journey will take a long...long while.

In closing I'd like to say,
Thank you for being my dream come true
each and every day!!


Poppop O'Brien read...

Ella your first name is of German origin your second from the French. What you don't know is your great, great Grandmother on your father's side was Ella, short for Ellen. Your Great Grandmother's sister was named Lorraine. Both of these people were examples of love and generosity to others. They helped those in need during the financial depression and a depression that comes from within. May this tradition of love and generosity to others follow you all the days of your life. Let the smiles of all who gaze upon you bring you the warmth that comes from love and kindness to others. It is said that of all things important, the most important is love. As we look upon your family this day you can see and feel that this is true.

Albert read....
Deuteronomy 6:3-9

Grandpa Cribley read the following...
Grandpa also helped Sam to read...
Sister Samantha's Blessing
A sister is a special gift
given by Yahweh
who understands
our need
for someone
who can be even
closer
than a friend
that
is why Yahweh Gave us sister's

Grandparent's Blessing
Blessed is Ella who comes in Yahweh's name
You are blessed from this house of Yahweh


We all read...
May Yahweh make you like Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah
May Yahweh bless you and safeguard you
May Yahweh show kindness and be gracious to you
May Yahweh turn his countenance to you and establish Shalom for you

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Delivery

The end of October was a busy month, too busy to be having a baby. AJ celebrated his 40th on the 28th and I had to prank the silly guy. We did manage to have a wonderful family day to celebrate his getting old and with the help of his friend Chris I managed to do a little something to his beloved Camaro. Unfortunately he was quick to figure out that the reason the car wouldn't start was sabotage and not the oil and broken parts underneath. Chris did a great job and we at least got his blood pressure up for a few minutes, he thought his racing was over until he could afford a new engine. Anyway, we love you Mr. Comic and hope you enjoyed your 40th!!!
Of course the best birthday present came the next day when.....
Around 3 pm AJ decided to go to the gym while Sam and I took naps....only I wasn't napping because my belly began seriously contracting consistently every 15-20 minutes apart. Keep in mind that I had a midwife appointment that morning and at 10:30 am I was only 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I certainly was not thinking anything would be happening that day. By the time AJ got home we were stopping to breath deeply about every 10-15 minutes. AJ kicked into labor coach, adorned the stop watch and began preparing. We needed to pick up our CSA veggies and I wanted to have dinner before going anywhere (we all know that the hospitals don't feed you). So the entire family, including Sadie, jumped in the car. It wasn't so bad, I just had to BREATH every 10 minutes or so. We got home and AJ grilled some chicken while Sam helped my prepared some roasted spaghetti squash. As we ate and debated taking showers the spasms came every 5 minutes or so and my thighs began to quiver. Grandma was quickly called to take over Sam and Sadie (Sam had her first sleepover!!) and we jumped in the car. I called our midwife Diana to let her know we were on our way. She was still in Littleton and said she would meet us at the hospital. She was especially excited because she left for Hawaii the next day and thought she would miss the second babies delivery all together.

We checked into the hospital around 7:20pm and were in the room being checked by Diana at around 7:30. She couldn't believe it, I was 9 cm dilated and ready to push.
Ms. Ella Lorraine was born at 8:27pm, October 29th, 2010.

Pictures by Cora Kemp

Before we talk about the glorious expansion of our blessed family we must reveal some fabulous pictures taken by our friend Cora at CkempShoot Photography. We spent a few hours at Chatfield Botanical Gardens capturing Sam's 2 year Birthday and Mom's 8th month pregnant belly. Please enjoy and if anyone in Colorado wants a fun photographer please consider Cora!!!
























Monday, November 1, 2010

Ella Lorraine Arrived!!!

We will post stories and pictures in the next few days. Thank you to everyone for the notes and especially THANK YOU to Grandma and Grandpa Cribley for their help with Sam, Sadie, feeding us for 2 nights and just being around:) I'm off to rest with Ella, Dad and Sam attempted Storytime to get Sam out of the house for some sort of normal.