Welcome Claire Elizabeth

Claire Elizabeth Conrad finally joined our world on January 11th. She was beautiful and healthy and she stole my heart from the moment I heard her cry and saw the shake of her little fist. Being there in the hospital with Nicole and David that morning as Nicole struggled with a labor that was literally going nowhere and witnessing the connection between my precious daughter and son-in-law as they moved into the role of parents is something I will cherish always.

Just twenty minutes after being born, the doors to the hospital room opened and in came Nicole (in a hospital bed), David, Claire and nurses. There was a flurry of activity and both David and I had various cameras out taking pictures and videos of the first bath, footprints in the baby book, and first moments with mom and dad. Nurses were coming and going checking both Claire and Nicole (Nicole had a c-section in the end)and then the room was quiet. Nicole was sleeping. David was sleeping. I sat down in the rocking chair with Claire and just looked at her. I have never been able to tell who babies look like and though I tried to see a resemblance to Nicole and David, in the end she was just beautiful little Claire swaddled up in the pink and blue hospital blankets with a tiny knit cap on. Her eyes were wide open and yes, I know, newborns don't focus...but I swear those intense blue eyes were taking it all in. I whispered my prayer of thanks and told her how much she was loved already by a whole bunch of people she had yet to meet. After awhile I took some pictures on my cell phone and sent a few to Rich and the girls who were on their way. At some point the sweet little labor and delivery nurse, Erika, showed up and smiled at the sight of sleeping parents and doting grandmother (although my official name is Gi Gi). Those magic minutes passed; Nicole and David stirred as Claire began squirming and rooting around. The nurse took Claire over to Nicole for the first feeding. I left the room to give Nicole, David, Claire, and yes the nurse some privacy as yet another adventure for them began.

That evening Rich, Chelsea, and Katelyn arrived and joy filled the room again. Claire was passed around and more pictures were taken. Reluctantly we left the happy but very tired family and headed to Nicole's house to check on pets and get some sleep. All was right with the world. God's very best gift to us was giving his son to the cross...but His second best gift ...babies!!