What do you think?

I keep looking at Cordelia in awe. I waited so long to meet her, but I'm still not satisfied! I want to know all about her. What color will her hair be? Straight or curly? Are you going to stay this quiet forever? Are you going to be my daughter that likes to sit and color? Are you athletic or artistic? Do you like to be clean and orderly or dirty and chaotic? There's still so much to discover. Here's one attempt to defining what Cordelia might look like. Here she is compared to Eloise. (I'm already comparing them--how awful!)

Awake.

The sleeping car seat view. (Note: Eloise is a month or so older than Cordelia here.)

More Pretty Faces

Eyes Wide Open

Cordelia is changing every day. It's hard to get a photo of what she really looks like. Here are some photos of her with her eyes open which is a rare event. She's definitely sleepy!

Big Sister Eloise

Cordelia Fae Large

We welcome little Cordelia Fae Large to our family with open arms! She is a delightful, healthy bundle. She was born at 7:06 am on November 7, 2009 weighing 7lbs 8oz and measuring 18.75 inches tall. She's eating like a champ, sleeping soundly, and has hardly shed a tear. We are in love!

The journey began after our labor inducing charm Gigi arrived to town on Thursday afternoon. We had a relaxing day Friday. Gigi watched Eloise Friday night so that we could go out to Lebanese Taverna and enjoy a long and wonderful meal together. We walked "down town" Bethesda and finished the night with the movie Away We Go. As we headed to bed at 11:30, the contractions started coming quick so we knew it was time.

We arrived in L&D at 1:30am and started the process. We walked the halls, watched Entertainment Tonight, and laughed about the movie we had just watched: "We are against the 3 "S"s: no separation, no sugar, and no strollers!" Best part of the movie! (Anyone seen it?) From 1:30-6 am the contractions were building but quite tolerable. At 5:30am I noted to Alex that I was starving but doubted I'd have this baby by breakfast. I was wrong!

Thankfully after "transitioning" at 6am, or hitting 7cm and entering the most painful part of labor, we took off. In just one hour, I went from painful contractions to having my baby. It was too fast for an epidural, and while I wasn't 100% set on a natural birth, I was happy to do it. Although the process was a wild rush that scared the daylights out of Alex and me, it was exhilarating.

The process of delivery took me over. My mind started channeling a variety of people and difficult situations in my life to get me through the contractions. For example, I visualized running sprints in high school soccer practice. Coach Oldham would even appear yelling "faster!" as we sprinted across Highlander stadium to the end where I could rest. I knew if I could just make it to the other side breathing then I could rest. The images were so real. All my teammates where running and panting beside me. The feel of 7am workouts, turf shoes, and the odor of throw-up from the football practice the night before were with me. I also visualized my grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and all the wonderful women who had gone before me and accomplished this. After I made it through each sprint of a contraction, I would literally pass out until the next one began.

I started pushing just after 7. Three fierce pushes and she was out.

Cordelia is a very quiet baby. She has hardly cried. She eats and sleeps like a champ. We can't decide what she'll look like. Some times I think she's a mini-Eloise, and other times she's very distinct. We are home now and feeling great. To celebrate we're having steak and wine tonight. Then I'm getting some sleep.

Fall Fun Part 2

Still waiting on the baby to come. Raking didn't help. :-)

Another comparison. Eloise last year and this year. The Lambie costume has served us well.

Halloweens Past and Present

Halloweens 2007, 2008, 2009. It's fun to see how Eloise has grown!

Single Digs

Today we hit single digs to our due date!! 9 and counting. She's welcome at any time though.

Cute Lexington Photo

Fall Fun

The leaves are falling and the air is crisp. We are getting out as much as we can while it's still nice outside. One of Eloise's favorite afternoon activities is to play with Oliver, no, really, play with Oliver's toys. She's perfected the art of luring Oliver out of the house, baiting him to bring his toys out, then whining loud enough that he gives her what she wants. Once she's happy (usually cruising down the hill on his plasma mobile), he returns inside to finish watching his television program. We finish riding and return the toy to Oliver. This happens multiple times a week.

Let Halloween week begin! Eloise has lots of opportunities to wear her cute Ladybug Princess outfit (and lots of opportunities to eat candy). Here we are at the neighborhood party.

After being turned down for seconds...

There was a saucer full of melted ice cream left under the home made ice cream bowl. I rounded the corner and caught Eloise on the table on all fours lapping up the leftovers. She impressed our friends that were over for dinner. And she made her daddy proud.

The Eloise Collection

Can't think of a title

There's not enough brain juice left to think of a title. Finished our Mark study in my mothers' Bible study today and overall, it was wonderful. After teaching, I'm always left with exhaustion. It really takes a lot of extroverted energy. Hopefully the pumpkin pie I just consumed (without a fork) will perk me back up.

Eloise is sick. She as the croup. Had anyone else heard of the croup before 2 years ago? That's when I first learned of it and its funky symptoms. (She sounds like a barking seal or dog when she coughs.) I swear the croup does not exist in Texas. Am I wrong?

We had a great trip to Lexington this past weekend. Unfortunately my hands were too full to take any noteworthy photos. I'm hoping to get some passed along to me and I'll post some then. Some highlights: a LONG drive from Dulles to Lex with Jen and Maury, sitting in Diggers just as we did 5 years ago 2 nights in a row, that means, being anti-social and not going to the Palms, Aunt Sarah's Saturday morning, coffee ice cream punch at the Srat house, eating in the dark on the front lawn Saturday night (NOT). It was wonderful to be with my clan again! Thank you Alex for taking one for the team--Eloise duty all weekend.

Aunt Lemma and Uncle Bob

Or, should we say "Grandma and Bob" came to DC. Eloise LOVED meeting her "Grandma and Bob" as she affectionately calls them. They showered her with the sweetest gifts and treated us all to a yummy dinner. It was so fun to visit with them even if it was for only a few hours.

Daddy-Daughter Hiking Trip

Last weekend, while I was away for our Mothers' Retreat, Alex and our friend Greg took the girls on a hike to Cunningham State Park. They had a wonderful time, and I was proud of our men's adventurous natures. The 3rd photo is of Eloise, Madeleine, and Claire sleeping on the rock. Eloise loves playing with her sweet friends--and their Mommy is pregnant with another girl too!