We welcomed Elsa Jae Weisbrod into our lives on June 25th at 1109am. She was 7lbs, 1oz, and 19inches long. Here's some pics from our stay at the hospital, most courtesy of Steve (aka "Teeb"):
For those who are wondering, I found the name Elsa in a baby name book when searching during my pregnancy with Sam. It's hebrew in origin and means "joyful." It has also been linked to Elisabeth and remains more popular in Sweden and Norway than in the States. We liked the name because its easy to pronounce and to spell (you say it how you read it). It also provides a good sophisticated adult name while easy to adapt into a kid's nickname. We are planning to use the nickname "Elsie" while she is young.
I used Mom's nickname "Jae" as a middle name. During my last conversation with her before her death, I had told her that if I had a daughter, I would use her name to honor what a wonderful mother she had been to me. In my own life, I try to emulate her mothering style: how she was able to make each of us feel loved and special. As a woman, I remember my mother to be approachable, kind, and joyful and I hope Elsa is similar in her nature.
Elsa took after her brother Sam and decided to be breech so our delivery was a scheduled cesarian section. Having provided anesthesia for over 100 c-sections, I'm well versed with the procedure. My physicians did a great job acknowledging that I have an anesthesia background while allowing me to play the role of the patient. I had to tune-out a lot of the information in the operating room (the speed and tone of my pulse oximeter for example), but once Elsa was born it was easy to do. They put her to my chest right away and I just cried with joy and forgot all about the medical-aspect of it all. Within a half hour, we returned to my room and she was breast-feeding happily. Every birth is such a miracle...
A number of friends visited us. Here's a visit with Pauline, who had given birth to her son, Orion, just 6 months previously in the same hospital. Moses and Bess also visited on the first evening.
Sam enjoyed learning how the nursing pillow worked. He and I walked around the unit and discovered the view of Pudget Sound from the waiting room and a water fountain that sprayed him in the ear! His favorite part probably was pushing Dad in the wheelchair...
