Welcome to the Party!

She's here!  After seven short months and two long ones, Eleanor Trinity Ferrell arrived at 1:15 a.m. on December 23, 2011.  She was named more than 12 hours after being born because we couldn't decide.  She weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches short.  Aaron called her Purple Monkey when he first saw her.  She was tinier than I imagined she would be and she had a lot more hair than I imagined as well.  She cried soon after being born but then our wonderful nurse put her on my chest and she nursed for a moment.  Instinct is a remarkable thing to witness.  Soon after, she lifted her little head like she was two months old and smiled at Aaron and I.  I know many people won't believe that but it is absolutely the truth.  I will never forget that moment.  The feelings flood back to me each time I recall that face, that beautiful smile, that most happy event.  My mother and dad, Aaron's mother, and our nephew and niece, Tracy Lee and Jenn, came in just after she was born.  I was so happy to have them there to welcome our daughter.  Several things are a blur from that evening but two things remain; I have never felt so calm, so much love and so much peace in my life.  Also, I had a much stronger appreciation for the love of our mothers at that moment and I will never forget that feeling.  How did we get so lucky?