In the spring we found out she was on the way. “Finally something good this year!” said her Papa, who had been feeling really bummed out with the ups and downs of raising turkeys, (mostly down,) and the ins and outs of life during a “pandemic”…(mostly in.) News of a little baby to love was music to his ears… “October baby,” the ultrasound tech said, “What a perfect time to have a baby!” Thus, the whole family looked forward with joy, to October.

October came and went. No baby. We started through the first week of November, and I was starting to think we would make it into the second week, but early in the morning, Friday, November 5, she finally arrived. All 7 pounds and 8 ounces of her. We named her Elizabeth Joy. And a joy she has been.

We are so blessed and thankful for another healthy little one. Another little soul to shepherd; the weight of this responsibility isn’t lost on us- but what fun to welcome a little one to the family! Baby Elizabeth is adored by her siblings, and of course the Papa bear and myself.

Anna Grace loves to hold her- for as long as her intense levels of energy will allow- but soon she bounces up and is back to helping me, which is a huge blessing. She pushes a stool up to the washer and unloads it, stands on a crate and hangs laundry out on the line. She folds laundry, and puts it away. She carries clean canning jars to the basement, sweeps and mops, and…you get the idea. I’d be lost without her.

Oliver is so proud of “his” baby, and she has brought out a gentler side of him that I don’t see with his other sisters. He probably spends more time holding her than Anna Grace does. He softly touches her hair, and whispers “she’s so pretty…”

Then there’s Ruth. Poor Little Ruthless Ruthie. She loves the baby with her whole heart but kinda hates sharing Mommy. One minute she is hugging and kissing “E-viv-a-beff Joy,” and the next, she has dissolved in tears because Mommy isn’t able to immediately get her a drink or something else she “needs.”

I think they’re all going to adjust just fine, but you could say the transition phase has been interesting. And probably will be interesting for a few more days. 🙂

If anyone needs us, we’ll just be over here falling more in love with Miss Elizabeth.