evan, lindsay, nina, elena and esther

That's how Nina says Elena, and she wiggles her tongue excessively at the end. She LOVES her sister. I try to imagine that while she can't show it (and is just too little and undeveloped at this point) Elena secretly loves Nina back. She is listening and watching Nina and waiting for Nina's encounters. They usually go like this: Nina will be galluping past Elena, who might be in the bassinet, or the swing, or on the couch, or in our arms. Zooming by on a mission to do something else in the house, (like play with her new $1 yard sale kid size chair, or try to fold Elena's swaddling blankets, or any other number of things) Nina will suddenly notice Elena from the corner of her eye. Seconds later her face will be in front of Elena's. She'll say "hi" once or maybe a bunch of times in a row. Then Nina might stroke Elena's head or her cheek or hand. She might give her a bunch of wet, accidental open mouth kisses. Meanwhile Elena is usually asleep but maybe she's just pretending to be asleep, so that she can enjoy these visits for as long as possible while Nina thinks she's a willing subject.

It hasn't been perfectly easy for Nina, these huge changes to her world. She's been tantruming a bit more, but it's never related or directed to her sister. Teresa helped Nina a ton that first week, and then Cassy and Don and the boys came, and Evan has been home every day with us, it's been as smooth a transition as possible for her. Every day she wants to hold her little sister and she's always excited to see her. So far. :)







I'm SOO glad this little girl has a sister.

Note that Lindsay was under the influence of an epidural while she was talking on the phone here. But wow! Doesn't she look great? You'd never know she was about an hour from delivering a baby! Click here to watch the HD version.

The music is Daniel Johnston's True Love Will Find You in the End.

Labels: Elena, Nina, video

Howdy all! Our newest addition is here and she is super healthy!

We got to the hospital with contractions in full swing at about 2:30; less than 4 hours after being admitted, she arrived! She was born at 6:20 pm on July 31st. Birth weight was 7 lbs 4 ounces.

We struggled to finally choose a name. In fact, it came to overtime! We wrote down Elena Noelle on the birth certificate papers just minutes before leaving the hospital!

Here are a few pictures!











I've been working on a little video montage. Will post soon!

-evan