Andy, Andrea, Alex, Evelyn, & Audrey: Welcome Evelyn!

Our family happily welcomed Evelyn Paige on January 2, 2010 at 1:33 pm. She weighed 5 pounds, 3 ounces and was 19 inches long.

Here she was in mom's belly the day before...

We went to the hospital at 5 am to be induced due to baby's small size (ultrasound on the previous Wednesday estimated her in the 2nd percentile with a weight of 5 lb 2 oz at 37 weeks, 6 days). Besides the Pitocin to induce the labor, mom survived without any other meds. Labor progressed throughout the morning into the afternoon, and yet the doctor almost did not make it in time to catch Evelyn's speedy arrival. Mom and baby were declared healthy and besides some extra sugar tests and warming sessions, Evelyn had no special care needed. She had good Apgar test scores, got her vaccinations and genetic disease tests, and passed her hearing screening. She left the hospital 2 days later (Mon, Jan 4) weighing 4 lb, 15 oz, and at her weight check with the base pediatrician on Wed, Jan 6 she was 4 lb, 14 oz with reasonable bilirubin levels (9, tests for jaundice) not requiring further checks unless she changes color or stops eating and making diapers. Her next checkup is a 2 week well baby check on Jan 14th.

Evelyn's first visitors at the hospital were Alex and Grandma and Grandpa Brooke. Alex did great with her at the hospital and still is doing great at home. He likes to say "hush, baby" to keep everyone quiet and let her sleep, and he likes to give her kisses too. He has shown mom that he still wants her attention, but has been spoiled with grandparents to play with all week. Evelyn was also visited at the hospital by Mandy and Chris C. and Dan and Kerry G. and Beverly K.

Grandma and Grandpa were here to take care of Alex while we were in the hospital and the first few days at home, then Gram and Pop McElvaine arrived to help out and meet the new baby. Andy had to go back to work after the holiday break starting Tue, Jan 4, so thank God for grandparents!!

Evelyn's got skinny little legs and a narrow body with long feet, toes, hands, and fingers. She's tiny but bright-eyed and active when she is awake. Her hair, which is mostly on the back of her head, is dark blonde and her eyes are a dark steely blue, like Alex's at birth (his have changed to brown). She goes through diapers like crazy and is getting better at eating each day. She is very peaceful most of the time and we normally have to wake her up to feed her still so she is getting to eat often enough, so there is plenty of time to just stare at her sweet little expressions. We are enjoying this as we bet it won't last too much longer! All in all, it was a good pregnancy, good delivery, and a great first week for this new family of four.

Here are a more pictures of Evelyn still in mommy's belly, a few of Alex before Evelyn came, and lots of Evelyn's first few days with us.

There are several videos too of Alex and Evelyn, so here they are!