Many Meetings

Mom and Dad are thrilled to finally meet the little girl. Papa Craig paced the hallway alone this time (well, alone with his laptop.) (Last time, there was an entire contingent of Bartons to keep him company!)

Little Nora Kathryn - fresh from the hand of God

Ammy and Papa made a late night drive in order to be on hand for Nora's grand entrance. We arrived at the hospital about 115am, just in time to coach EB through the last of Labor Without an Epidural. At 336am, Nora was delivered by her daddy. I always feel like a newborn is fresh from the hand of God, like He just finished His creation and gave her to the parents. What a gift! I couldn't help but be reminded of Carolyn Arends' song, "We've Been Waiting for You."

Let me hold you close, I know you're frightened
Go ahead and cry, I understand
You were safe and you were warm
And then suddenly without a warning
Things began to change
It must have seemed so strange

To all at once be traveling a journey
All the way to this delivery room
But baby you are not alone
Your room is ready, let's go home
You're gonna like it here
Let me make it clear that

We've been waiting for you
We're so glad you came
We've been looking forward
To showing you the place
There's so much in store and
We've been waiting for you

She's here!

She's here!!!
336 am today
6 pounds 15 ounces
All are well.
Check out the Irving Blog for details.

The noise

And in that silence Edmund could at last listen to the other noise properly. A strange, sweet, rustling, chattering noise -- and yet not so strange, for he'd heard it before -- if only he could remember where! Then all at once he did remember. It was the noise of running water. All round them though out of sight, there were streams, chattering, murmuring, bubbling, splashing, and even (in the distance) roaring. And his heart gave a great leap (though he hardly knew why) when he realized that the frost was over. And much nearer there was a drip-drip-drip from the branches of all the trees.

I hear the noise of running water today out back on the deck, as the snow melts from the roof and flows out of the gutter in a little stream from the roof. (The gutter is disconnected at the top.) I don't hear chattering streams, but the running water is shouting THAW!! And even if it's only temporary, I know that winter's grip is broken, and spring is COMING! I never truly appreciated spring until I lived in the frozen northern lands. 6 weeks below freezing is long enough!

Stay tuned for report of first crocus sighting. . .

Happy Birthday, Laura

Laura and Jon were here this weekend, and we celebrated Laura's birthday.You might notice the cake only holds 4 candles. This is for 2 reasons. 1. Because everyone knows Laura is 20 something. The 4 just shows 20 what. You know, the twenty part is understood. 2. Because I only had 4 candles. Below, you can see the last time Laura blew out 4 candles on a birthday cake.