May I introduce my Precious Gem?

Friends, this is 

~Emerald Peace~

Born Tuesday evening June 17th

at 7:58pm

Weighing 8 pounds

19 and 3/4" long

Emerald is our delight, 

and my heart aches with the joy of being stretched larger still!

************

As the time of her estimated arrival drew near and the anticipation of labor

put a foreboding taste in my mouth, I found myself clinging to this verse

Zephaniah 3: 17

"The LORD your God in the midst of you is mighty; he will save, 

he will rejoice over you with joy; 

he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

My labor started in the late afternoon, slow and with no pattern.

At 5-ish on that cool and very rainy evening we packed the kids off to Auntie Hannah 

(who gave them a slumber party to remember for years to come!)

and the house became still and quiet.

Through contractions I stirred with the final details for a cozy birthing. 

Midwives were on their way, house tidy, two baby bundles with bows (one for girl, one for boy)

sat carefully arranged on top of extra towels and blankets.

Standing back in the softly lit  living room with candle flickering in the corner

I surveyed the arrangement and felt ready.

The atmosphere was peaceful, my beloved opted to let the midwives deliver this baby

and so was right beside me, a comfort and presence.

I had intended to meditate on the larger part of Zephaniah 3:10, 

knowing that the Lord God, He rejoices over me!

He sings for me.

He quiets me.

Instead, with each labor pain I breathed only "...He will quiet you with his love..."

and knew it true.

With long restful breaks between contractions it wasn't long before she came.

Gently she came

and the peaceful calm was broken by a tiny but rather indignant squall.

She was born in the caul; "that means good luck" they told us.

I don't know about luck, 

but our home has a brand new blessing in the addition of sweet Emerald Peace.  

I'm certain we are the privileged to know her and to be the ones

holding and loving her.

{About 3 hours old}

{A little sister for Aloria}

{5 days old}