Xenia Kathryn

Here she is!  Glory to God!!!

    meet

Maria Anna Kathryn

7 pounds 5 oz. and 20.5 inches long

She arrived safely and swiftly here at home last Thursday, just before 7 pm


I spent all of Thursday with "could this be it?" rounds of contractions.  I knew they were true labor pains, I just didn't know how long they'd last (hours?  days?).  Just before 5 pm we decided to summon the doula and midwife "just in case", so they could avoid bad traffic... even though I still had my doubts as to how much longer labor would be.  My contractions were only about 1 minute long, and anywhere from 5-7 minutes apart. 

Well, once my doula arrived, my water broke.  Ten minutes later, the midwife arrived, and I started pushing shortly afterwards (much to everyone's surprise, including me!!).  Eight minutes of unspeakable travail later, and she was here!!! 


We are all doing well and lover her so very much!!!  Even big brother is handling it better than we anticipated!

We named her after the Theotokos.  For 9 months I agonized over her name (literally!).  Just two days before she was born,  I finally pondered the simplicity and the beauty of "Maria", and the blessing of raising a daughter named after the virtuous and All-Pure Mother of God.  Job had no qualms whatsoever, and without much discussion, our decision was made.  We shall see what nicknames develop over time... right now we like "Maia" and "Masha", but we'll see what sticks :)  And Anna is after my MIL (Ann is her middle name), and Kathryn is my mom's middle name.  I promise, I didn't name her after myself!!

     Thank you so much for your prayers, your support and your love!!  My heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness and joy! 

Glory to God for all things!!!