She's Here!

Anastasia Cosette made her entrance into the world today at 10:14 a.m. She weighs 7 pounds and is 19.75" long. (Hmm...those measurements sound very familiar. What can I say? We only know how to make one kind of baby!) "Anastasia" comes from the Greek, meaning "resurrection," and "Cosette" is of French origin, meaning "victorious people." And maybe we did miss Easter, but, hey, we were close!

The labor and birth went beautifully. We praise God for His goodness to us! We are now a happy, healthy family of five, and, so far, everyone seems to be adjusting well. Here are some pictures from our big day:

A final pregnancy picture, taken shortly before I give in and stop "getting things ready"

Evangeline coming to check on Mommy

She didn't stay in the room very long because she wanted to get in the tub, too!

Moments after birth

Eliana was present for her newest sister's birth and was actually a big help to Mommy.

Getting her newborn exam


Evangeline meeting her new baby sister (and claiming her as her own)

Eliana is SO excited about her new baby sister. She wants to hold her all the time.

Our friend Katie

Thanks for coming to help!

Anastasia with her birth day cake, made with love by Katie, Eliana and Evangeline

It was good.

Eliana enjoying her new ViewMaster, a congratulations-on-becoming-a-big-sister-again present

Evangeline enjoying her new bubble machine, a congratulations-on-becoming-a-big-sister present

....and, finally, the fluff you've all been waiting for

The Home Stretch

I am 37 weeks pregnant today and therefore considered "term." That basically means I'm cleared to have the baby anytime in the next five weeks. So, when do you think Baby Martin #3 will make her big debut?

You know you're nesting when...

...you wake up in the middle of the night after only 4 hours of sleep and all you can think about is your sudden urge to get up and clean or organize something.

You then spend the next hour+ trying to reason with the chattering busy-body in your head that if you get up now then you won't have the energy to be as productive during the day.

Enough blogging. I need to take a nap.

Change of Plans

You may recall a recent post in which I wrote about Chris's upcoming separation from the Air Force. Well, that's not going to happen after all! I'll spare you the details, but basically a certain someone in the Air Force made the mistake last year of putting Chris's application for the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in the wrong pile. Yes, I know. Anyway, they have finally righted the wrong and are now offering Chris the opportunity to stay in the Air Force and pursue his Ph.D. in aeronautical engineering at AFIT starting this August. He has decided to take it! So, Lord willing, we'll be moving to Ohio in about 5 months. Please pray for our transition.