A Very Special 'Birth'day! -a note from Oma

I promised some details and here they are: Caroline Ashleigh Counts was born on May 31st, 2007 at 12:49 PM - six pounds/10 ounces and 20 inches long. Now for a little story on her first day of life!

Big brothers, Garrison and Daniel have had quite a bit of practice with babies (since cousin Jack Greer is only 8 months old right now and they have Peter and Spencer on the other side of the family). But we all know that it'll be a different story when a baby actually moves into their house with them! (They've already had to give up one of their rooms for her! But that'll be OK since they have bunk beds to look forward to!)



Thankfully, a lot of fun and exciting things happen when a new baby comes into the world. On this particular morning (before Little Sister's arrival), I presented the big brothers with some really cool toys (at least I hoped they'd think so): a kaleidoscope with Thomas the train decorations on the outside, and a car that pops when you roll it.
Naturally, smart little copy-cat Daniel thought that he should use his toy the same way that his big brother did his.
Fortunately for me, these toys proved to be a bigger hit than even I'd guessed - and helped to fill quite a few blocks of time in the day (in between watching Elmo, playing in the sandbox, napping, playing with rocks, eating a few meals and enduring bathtime!)
Anyway, after naptime, since we knew that 'Baby Sister' was finally here, G & D celebrated with pink popsicles that Garrison had helped make the day before.
We weren't even finished our treats when Mommy and Daddy called from the hospital and told us her name: Caroline Ashleigh!!


Then it was time to put the pink ribbon on the mailbox and greet a few well-wishing neighbors. The boys were euphoric about her arrival, or just about life in general, and as they spun around the lamp post in the front yard, we made up a new song (Uncle Will will appreciate this):

Ring around the rosies,
Caroline likes posies
Ashleigh, Ashleigh,
we all fall down!

At last Bryan returned home from the hospital (very sweet of him to take over bedtime duties) in order that I could go the hospital all by myself! Spending time with our own first daughter, and holding our first little grand daughter was a pleasure 'beyond all praising', to quote the words from my favorite hymn.
Caroline, you are so beautiful (of course) and your little face really reminds me of Erika's 30 years ago. We'll have to pull out her baby pictures today - I bet Garrison will really like that.

But this is only the beginning of the story, of course. Caroline, your little brothers are coming for a visit today - you're going to meet the rest of the most important people in your life!

Pops, when you fly out here on Saturday, would you please bring an infant-sized hard-hat or football helmet please?

With love to all the Baker's (and Counts')
from Oma Marijke
(in sunny, dry Colorado)