Oh Baby!

My niece was born this week! Anabelle Mae Todd arrived on Tuesday, July 19th at about 1:45pm, weighing in at about 5lbs 15.5oz and 19 inches in length. She pretty much has the face of my sister-in-law, Rowena, and the long skinny body (and neck!) of my brother, Aaron. And she's adorable! So expect lots and lots of pictures of this little one in the weeks, months, and years to come.

Proud new parents

Baby's first close-up. I still need to get a decent shot with her eyes open.

Auntie Alison

I am super duper excited to be an aunt and spoil her rotten. I even look forward to babysitting, which my brother keeps bringing up. Though considering they hardly went out before the baby, I can't imagine they'll actually cash in on my free babysitting services very often. I hope they do though. I am already in love with her.

I was fortunate that my boss allowed me to spend the day at the hospital with my family and experience the whole thing. Rowena's contractions started at about 7pm the night before and they went into the hospital at 2am. When I arrived at about 8am, they had just given Rowena the epidural drip and from then on it was easy breezy. She said she couldn't really feel a thing and when it came time to have the baby it only took one push! One! The nurses said that never happens with a first time mother so I guess Rowena lucked out. The only tears I saw came from my mom when the nurse came out to tell us Anabelle had been born. Amazingly, I held back. It really was a beautiful thing.