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| Paige Christine D'Arbra April 6, 2015 |
I'm a little bit behind the times, but here she is!!! Grandbaby #16; Granddaughter #7.
Due April 16th, Brooks got her doctor to agree to induce labor on April 8th so that I could plan my visit to be there with them to take care of the older kids. My work schedule was such that it made the most sense to fly in on April 5th. As soon as I arrived and the family picked me up at the airport, I told Paige that it was okay; I was there and that it was okay to come early. About 1:00 in the morning, Brooks' water broke and Paige was on her way!
Brookie's easiest delivery by far with probably the most personable OB staff I've ever met. They monitored her closely and gave tips to help move the baby into the birth canal and before we knew it, we had a new baby! I felt so lucky that Brooks had made arrangements with a woman that Josh works with to come sit with the older kids so that I could be at the hospital with them. I was there when Ethan (oldest brother) was born and Brooks thought it fitting that since I was there for the first, I should be there for the last, and it was wonderful!!!
As per their family tradition, Paige received one of her names just because mom (and dad) liked it; the other with some familial significance. So, they decided on their honeymoon that if they had a second daughter, her name would be Paige. Christine is for Christy Casper, Brooks' elementary/middle school art teacher who encouraged Brooks' artistic nature and gave her the confidence to embrace her abilities. Mrs. Casper passed away several years ago, so she doesn't know about Paige (well, she probably does), but I know Paige will know all about Mrs. Casper. So, that was supposed to be her name until December when Randy's mother passed away. Her name was D'Arbra (a family name) and it almost became Brooks' name. But Brooks decided to honor her grandmother's memory and add one more symbolic name.
A little later in the day, Josh went home to bring back the other kids. The boys were all pros at a new baby since Claire is only two, but the absolute most precious moment had to be when Claire met her baby sister for the first time.
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| Claire meets baby sister Paige for the first time! |
Paige quickly earned another name from her grandmother. She was the squeakiest baby I think I've ever heard. And such cute little squeaks. So.... to me, she will always be my "Li'l Squeak."
Before long, Paige was deep in the heart of the chaos of her new family and getting to know her brothers and sister... I was surprised Claire shared her daddy quite so willingly, but Brookie did tell me that Claire always seems to be smiling and laughing whenever Paige cries... Hmmmm.....
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| Sloan, Ethan, Mason, Josh, Paige & Claire Enjoying some DS and television! |
Since then, Paige has been introduced to her other grandparents and last Sunday she was blessed at church. (As Mormons, we don't baptize children until the age of eight when they are able to understand the commitment they are making to follow Jesus and always remember Him. So, as babies, Mormon children receive a name and a blessing. The name by which they will be known on the records of the church and a special blessing by their father to help guide their way through this life, until they return home to Heavenly Father.)
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| Paige wasn't enthused to be in the spotlight. I think it was the hairbow! May 3, 2015 |
In closing today, as usual, I'm going to share a song that is special to most members of our church. It's called "I am a Child of God." It's a beautiful song with a little extra significance for me as it relates to Brooks. When she was very small, she didn't quite understand the words to the song. Imagine my embarrassment when she belted out in church "I am a child of God and He has sent me here. Has given me an 'awful' home with parents 'kind of' dear..." Have a listen... you'll know where she got it!
Welcome to our family Li'l Squeak!
We love you!
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