Elaina Arrives
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Elaina
The Eagle has Landed.


We drove to Louisville early in the morning. We left at 4am. Everyone was excited and we decided that we wouldn't be able to sleep anyway so we left. It was stormy and raining as we got closer to the city. We could see the lightening in the distance as we travelled thru the hills of central Kentucky. It rained so hard that we had to slow down a couple of times.

Elaina Jane Deeter arrived Tuesday morning June 20th 9:15 am. She weighed 7 pounds and 3 ounces, height is 20 1/2 inches. Delivery was via c-section. Vanessa and baby are doing fine. She is due to be released from the hospital on Friday.

Baby has dark brown hair. Big feet. She has big blue eyes, which we hope that she will keep. Two nurses said that they see lots of babies go thru the hospital, but that none of them have her pretty blue eyes - which we think come from her Dad. The nose is unmistakable - definitely the Tilton nose. Nursing is slow, Vanessa is trying to breast feed, but it is not working real well - although progress is being made. They think that things will work out better once they are home. The baby is taking some formula for the time being.

Since the delivery was via c-section Elaina looks like a little china doll, very pretty. She has some brusing to the top of her head, but other than that she seems to be fine. Very alert when she is awake, she seems to be taking it all in. She likes to keep her feet moving, kicking when she can.

Another life's journey has begun. It will be fun watching the young lady follow her path.

I did take Joe and Chelsea to the Louisville Zoo. One of the highlights was feeding the birds. They had cups of nectar for a dollar. I had one on each shoulder and one was licking me on the neck - for the salt I suspect. I couldn't get them to leave me - I had to ask one of zoo people "How do I get them off me?"

Joe's favorite was the Lemur's at the end of the visit. They got into a fight over some leaves and carrots. So it added some excitement at the end of the trip.