Hope "Humming"

The other night Esperanza called to me from the living room, "Mom, Hope is humming!"  When I went in to listen, I was treated to this "cooing concert" which went on for about 15- 20 minutes.   Even in her sleep, Hope makes us all smile.

Bright Hope

Here she is, our little Hope Rose, at 15 days of age:

Big Brotherly Love

After some initial shyness upon meeting his new baby sister, Frankie decided a good getting-acquainted method would be to demonstrate his "hokey pokey" moves with his partner, dancing Elmo.  Afterward, he felt a bit more confident approaching Hope (with some guidance from Mom).  Now, he frequently interrupts his play to plant a gentle kiss on little sister's head or cheek, or to request a short stint of holding her.  He seems very smitten with her in his own way.

Hope's First 15 Days

For a peek into life with little Hope Rose, check out the link below.  These photos chronicle her first 15 days in our family, in our lives and in our hearts.  As of today, October 4, she weighs 8 pounds, 5 ounces--a gain of 1 pound and 10 ounces since birth.



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Well-Baby Visit Today

     18 ounces!  Yes, in one week, our little princess has added that much weight.  Today, she weighs 7 pounds 12 ounces.  Obviously, she's keeping her mama quite busy with feeding times.  The other good news from the doctor visit today is that she finally passed her hearing test in both ears.  We weren't really concerned, because we'd seen plenty of evidence already that she hears quite well, thank you very much.  But if she hadn't passed it pretty soon, she'd have been referred to a clinic in Santa Fe (two hours away) for a further evaluation.  Nothing against Santa Fe--it's a pretty drive between here and there--but we feel like we're all busy enough right now without adding that to our agenda, too!
    

Hope Rose is Finally Here!

Here at last!  Our beautiful little grand-daughter, HOPE ROSE, was born at 10:48 am (MDT) just two days ago, Saturday, September 17!  She weighed 6 pounds, 11.1 ounces and was 20 inches long.  She has gorgeous soft, black hair just as her brother did, and dark eyes.  We think she has her mother's eyes, nose, mouth and ears, too.  And we all think she is the spitting image of her brother who hasn't yet met her but will on Tuesday.  We are eager to know how he feels about being "big brother" and having a little sister around.  He has seen pictures and is already calling her, "my baby."  Everyone is fine, but Esperanza is not getting much sleep yet so she is pretty tired. 

Hope--Highly Anticipated

     Esperanza is now 4 days past her due date (40 weeks and 4 days into her pregancy.)  Yesterday the doctor ordered some tests at the hospital for early this morning.  We now know that little Hope Rose is just fine, that she IS a baby girl (who already has lots of hair), and that if she hasn't put in her appearance on her own by Monday, the 19th, Esperanza will go into the hospital at 8 am to have labor induced.  (Hope's big brother was born on the 18th of April; maybe Hope, too, will come on the 18th!) 
     It is now no more than three days until we meet this newest addition to our family.  We are all very eager to get acquainted.  Her big brother, Frankie, will soon be learning what all the hubbub about a "little sister" means.  Many changes ahead in all our lives--we can hardly wait!