Bella, one week later...

It was a week ago last night, that my cutie pie arrived and it seems like it's been a lot longer. It maybe due to carrying her inside me for the last 38 weeks, our bond was already there. I can't believe it, but it was love at first sight. The feelings of worrying about what kind of trouble she may become in the future were all gone, only love abode. The adrenaline of a natural birth, a new life, more love all contributed to the insurmountable amount of happiness I feel now.

Helen Isabella, named primarily after her paternal grandmother, whom she crossed paths with briefly in Heaven while waiting to come to this earth. Helen was diagnosed with cancer right before Mike and I got engaged, and consequently we knew it was only a matter of time. When I was pregnant with Isaac, we decided it that if the baby was a girl, she would carry her grandmother's namesake, and her great grandmother's too. Now that she is here, there was no doubt in our minds that she fitted the name perfectly. Her middle name, and possibly the one she will go by for most of her life, was partly decided because of its Italian roots; our love for Italy, the place where Isaac was conceived(remember we thought he was a girl).

So she starts her life, full of health, full of promises and dreams. A quiet baby, but not for long I'm sure. She will be strong, in will and physique. Beautiful like Helen of Troy, charismatic like her grandmother, spunky like her mother. She will give so much to this world, my little bundle of joy will be una Bella Donna. And I, the one to teach her; to love her Saviour, to be kind, to be helpful, and to bridle her will. It seems almost impossible that I can and will help her to become the woman she one day will be. I'm humbled and excited to watch her grow as part of our family.

Welcome to the world Bella!