oh the blessings, number 22!!!!

 Welcome to the world, baby girl!  She came early and surprised us all!  She was supposed to stay in there comfy cozy until November, but she was so excited to meet her sister and brothers.  Without being too personal about someone else's labor and delivery, I'll say this:  it was textbook perfect.  I'm sure dear Kathryn had her share of suffering, and it's exhausting to have a baby, but things went well.

Rhys got to hold Jovi Madeline first!

Jamie got a turn!

Ellis really liked her too

What a blessing...

They're so excited.

Ellis gave her a hug.

I did get to go see her last night, when she was less than three hours old.  Darius was really wanting the kids to meet her, they couldn't wait.  Today he'll bring them up again, but I am going to keep little Ellis with me for a few hours, so they can have a more chill visit.  He's 19 months old, and very busy.  :)

And, Abigail did get to hold her sweet Nicole Elizabeth yesterday! 

My weeks tend to fill up quickly, and I am thankful for that.  I do like empty days, but they are few and far between.  The rec center pool will be opening up again soon, so I will have to get back in the groove of prioritizing that.  Tomorrow night we are having a gathering at Evelyn's house for the girls in the family.  The baby sprinkle we planned so long ago, well, the baby is here, and way too little to come with her mama....so we'll just get together since we have all marked our calendars and saved this chunk of time to be together.  

I will be making/grilling chicken for taco/fajitas, and have some other things to make...there is a dessert on the back burner of my mind, we'll see.  Sunday I'm going to another gathering at my friend Joannie's place, then Wednesday I'm heading to Delaware again, with Mariel and Suzanne. We come back on Friday, then up to Ottawa for the day on Saturday for a birthday feast for a friend.  

Picture taken from car window of where we cross the Seneca River.  This river separates us from Sonja lives, and from the small city, where we have a lot of appointments, and where the girls' college is.  The major bridge spanning it has been under construction for over a year now, and another local bridge closed abruptly last month.  This is one of the only crossings, and it's a one lane red metal bridge from long long ago.  We're all hoping it holds up until the big new bridge opens.  It also makes every trip take extra long, going the round-about way through the back roads, but the view is quite nice.  

Camille is going to Connecticut this weekend with friends, Char is going hiking in the Adirondacks with Emily, and I'm guessing Paul is going hunting.  I honestly wouldn't mind a little quiet alone time, as I putter around and prepare food for Saturday.  :).   But, I am glad to have such a busy life.  It sure is different being older though, my goodness by bedtime I'm done!  

Ellis will be here in a few hours, and I want to clean some things up and put in a load of laundry....so you all have a good day!