Hiking the Tent Rocks

The Many Faces of Anastasia

Catching Up With Pictures

"Monday's child is fair of face"

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.

The Business of Being Born

A new documentary about birth in America was released on Netflix today. I saw a benefit screening of it at the beginning of January. I think it's a good introduction to some of the current issues facing birthing women in this country. If you're looking for a place to start looking into these issues, consider renting this. There is a preview found on their website, The Business of Being Born.

In other related news, many states in this country are introducing legislation this year (or are at least planning to) to establish regulations and licensure of Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs)! While we are fortunate that about half of the states in this country already have licensure available, it is a sad truth that there are still some states where out-of-hospital midwifery care is not legally protected, and in some cases, is even illegal. Thankfully, though, The Big Push for Midwives, a nationally coordinated campaign, is advocating for licensure and regulation in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The map below breaks up the current situation state by state. I would love to see the day when it is all dark blue!

Prepared to Pacify

Unbelieveable as it seems most days, this baby is coming soon! I have less than 6 weeks to my "due date," that arbitrary date which I have never before hit. I'm hoping this may be the first time, though. It feels as though there are so many things to do in preparation for this new little one, and the thought of making the adjustment to three seems overwhelming some days.

One thing I have already made sure to have on hand is a couple of pacifiers. Not that I necessarily plan on using them right from the start (I'd rather establish a good nursing relationship first), but who knows when I'll leave the house again. I figure I should be ready to survive at least the first month or two without a trip to Babies 'R' Us.

With help from Eliana, I tried to pick the cutest BPA-free pacifiers available at the store. I'm hopeful the baby will love them as much as Eliana seems to. Eliana eagerly anticipates the birth of her new sister so that she can promptly shove one of these pacis in her mouth. Perhaps she'll finally be able to accomplish what I was never able to do--get my girls to take a pacifier. That never seemed all that bad to me until Eliana developed a high, narrow palate and a cross-bite from excessive thumb-sucking. I'd much prefer the paci (which I can take away) over dental appliances. I hope the baby will agree.

Personalities Shining Through

Husband and I kept referring to Eliana as "fiesty" throughout the last half of my pregnancy with her. My midwife, after noting the baby's movement during every prenatal visit, finally asked one day, "Is she always like this?" During one of the ultrasounds the tech commented that she had never seen a baby move so much and that I was sure to have my hands full. Then, to top it all off, my midwife's assistant, whom we had never met before the birth, commented just moments after the birth that, "This baby is fiesty!" And, sure enough, she is still a neverending ball of energy and movement.

With Evangeline, I kept commenting in pregnancy that she was very "particular." She would always let me know if I was doing something she didn't like! I told Chris I was afraid of having a fussy baby. I even had nightmares of her being born and fussing so much that no one wanted to hold her. When my parents came out to meet her when she was 4 months-old she screamed so much that they both quickly handed her back to me--my nightmare come true. I'm confident that she will always be a princess. :)

I have prayed for a mellow baby this time. I think I'm due for one. So far, though, I can't say I have any good reason to hope for it. My one-word description for this baby--"spastic."

Yes, Indeed!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23