Hattie Nell - Part I

Our little one has arrived - and she came in the form of Hattie Nell. In all our months of waiting you would think that the gender mystery was so huge that we (I) would not loose a second to find out what it was once the baby was arrived. Ha. I forgot to check. The moment of her birth was spectacular and stands forth in my memory so brightly, but one thing I didn't think to do was find out the baby's gender. And because we had requested that the nurses and doctor allow me to announce it - no one else said anything either. When I did realize I could now find out the gender maybe 1-2 minutes after she came out, I ran around the room past all the equipment and nurses, and took a glance. Sure enough - a girl! What a surprise. An amazing surprise. And when they asked what her name was, well, that's when I lost it. I couldn't speak out her name tears and the lump in my throat kept me from saying it. Eventually I got around to saying it - first to Robin, then to everyone else. Hattie Nell. Hattie means: Home Loving. Nell: Sweet Charmer. Hattie because we love the name (loosely named after Hattie McDaniel the woman who played Mammy in Gone With the Wind).  The name Hattie went out of popularity nearly 90 years ago and that only added to its charm, for us. Nell is a family name - Robin's mother's middle name.

The birth story could go on for pages, and I'm sure we'll get around to writing it soon, however, I just wanted to share a few pictures. 

 

Family friend, family doctor and now Hattie's pediatrician Dr. Gelburd came by to do one last check in the hospital before discharge.

 
Personal Friend, fellow father, and co-worker Ben Hays came by to let us know their son was born just one day after Hattie. They stayed in the room right across the hall from us. Amazing!