Wednesday, January 25, 2012

State of the Baby's First Week Address

Grandmas, Grandpas, Auntie Tala, distinguished guests, and fellow World Citizens:

I'm happy to report that my daughter--former Ambassador to Terabithia--Madame Stevie, is thriving!

I'd refrained from mentioning this, but Stevie's first five days outside the womb were spent at Community Medical Center due to Hana's unexpected high blood pressure. On Sunday, however, mother and baby were released with flying colors.

Having Stevie in our apartment has been a delight.  Grandma Mary has been taking the night shift to allow Hana and me to catch up on sleep, so our days have been active and cheery.

Yesterday we decided to give Stevie a second middle name, Angela, which was my great-grandmother Herak's name.  She is now Stevie Angela Kasm Sand.  I like this.

Now, more on the back story . . .

On January 17th, our midwife Sandhano encouraged us to let go of our home birth plan and have labor induced at the hospital.  We checked in at 2 p.m.  By 2:30 p.m. a quiet snowfall began and continued steadily for four days.  About an hour before midnight, Hana pushed fiercely and firmly, our li'l snow angel's head crowned, and we welcomed our daughter into the world.

Five days later, we bid farewell to the friendly nurses, blinking hospital lights, and painful IV needles. As we drove home through streets piled high with snow, the sun reappeared, making the mountains especially bright and beautiful.  

The front page of the Sunday Missoulian featured a picture of a majestic snowy owl.  Parliaments, aye blizzards, of them, have purportedly been gracing the area of late!  I'd love to think they brought our cherub with them, or, better yet, that she is one.

In my heart she is . . . Stevie the Snowy Owlet. 

Birdgirl of the North.

3 comments:

Flying Mermaid said...

Ohh, little Owlet, how darling!

jsl said...

So wonderful! I meant to say I am so happy for all three of you! What a blessing!!!

Chris Sand said...

Life is good!