Fiona Greenbaum Howard

Becky's account of Fiona is such a rich celebration of a new birth, it should captured in our diary. It starts on August 7 when Becky gave us an update:

Still pregnant, still pregnant, still pregnant!
Hello out there. I guess the pea pod likes it in her little garden. So, I'm not officially due until Sunday (three days) but I have a feeling it is going to be later than that...yes, yes, I know this is pretty typical for the first pregnancy, but goodness if you know me at all you know that patience is not one of my virtues. I'm feeling great except for the not sleeping, tired thing, which, yes, yes, I know won't get any better after the baby...except then I can sleep on me belly! As Lisa put it, I wake up in the morning feeling a bit like a rotisserie chicken.
I am nesting and preparing and going out for night swims. It's too hot for me during the day 100-114! All is well, we are prepared, registered, set to go. Can't wait for the little pooper to make her debut. She is a little squirmy worm in there and I keep telling her that if she's uncomfortable she should just come on out and meet the world!
Love to you all,
Becky

Then on August 11 Becky writes:

Word from the womb [stop] baby having a good time [stop] mamma going beserker [stop] please send thoughts of labor [..don't stop]!
No movement yet, not really any contractions either. Mom is arriving tomorrow but I have no baby to show her...what am I going to do with an industrious Iowa farmer for days? Mom suggested getting a bushel of peaches to can, but no one here knows what a bushel is and we don't have cellars to keep canned goods in Arizona. We need a project! I think we'll re-pot all my plants. I started a second birthing painting to use as visual focus during birth...still seems like she's waiting for her grand entrance...what a little diva...I don't know where she would get that personality???
Thanks for sending thoughts of love and smooth labor...I've decided to pretend like my due date is next week...
Becky

Finally, Fiona decides to enter the world, and the announcement came from Doris:

Hi

News about new granddaughter and am forwarding pictures that Ted sent us. All of us waited and waited but she was attending baby school so could not attend her expected arrival. But now she knows how to eat and how to sleep.!! Baby and Mother AND Father are doing well by all reports. Weight – 7# 8 oz (almost). Length (or is it height) – 20.5"Hair – yesLoved – YESBorn August 26, 2008 at 8:06 pm (night before we flew back to Iowa) We saw her and held her. And I have requested Michelle Becky's friend and travel agent to find me a ticket to return for my baby help/Grandmother trip. Last trip was vacation and retreat. Her name is Fiona Greenbaum Howard. A beautiful name for a very beautiful baby!
Love, Doris

And a September 11 follow-up from Becky:

It is WONDERFUL to have mom back out here to hold her and give me some extra TLC. We are having a great time of it here.

Fiona is such a good baby, eating well, sleeping well and never too fussy...so far. At her two week visit she is now 8 lbs 2 oz (she was 7.95 at birth). We are enjoying these first days and enjoying the ease of these first two weeks knowing it won't always be so calm. :-)

Anyway, it is nice to take life day by day right now and focus so inwardly and sweetly. I'm feeling great and healing quickly and easily. Ted is a wonderful partner...boy am I thankful not to have some rookie by my side! His calm and ease with her is relaxing and his willingness to run around for me attending to my needs and wishes is well...I'm sure fleeting...:-)! I'll soak it up while I can.

Hope this message finds you all healthy and happy.

Love,Becky and Fiona