We now introduce Gabriella.

Gabriella is here. This is her account of her arrival and what she did during her first day out in the world.

December 23rd, 2008
6:00am
I arrived at the Parkwest Hospital birthing suite while still in mommy's tummy.

6:06am
I got my last picture taken while inside of mommy.

8:00am
I was startled when all of the warm, comforting fluid around me started to go away. I felt as if my world was getting smaller and smaller.

8:45am
I could feel something squeezing on me every 3-5 minutes and it seemed to be hurting mommy. I hope mommy feels better. I am starting to feel a little drowsy so maybe the nice doctor gave mommy something to ease the pain.

9:30am
I noticed that mommy is a lot more relaxed and I could hear the voices of Aunt Heather and Mimi and Poppa. But I'm also getting squished every 2-3 minutes now. Something must be up.

11:15am
A nurse named Tracy just came and poked me in the head, then she told mommy and daddy that it was time to push. I didn't know what it meant at the time but it wasn't long before I'd find out. For the next twenty minutes or so, Tracy would tell mommy to push real hard and I'd feel that really hard squeezing and I could hear daddy counting and when he got to ten mommy would stop squeezing and pushing me.

11:36am
Mommy pushed real hard and all of a sudden everything was really bright and my head was cold. After a few more seconds, poof. I was born. It was really cold so I let a BIG cry so everybody in the room would know that I was not a happy camper. Then daddy cut the tube of life that connected me to mommy. I love her so much.

1:15pm
Mommy and Daddy have been loving on me for the last forty five minutes or so after the nurses got me all cleaned up. They keep saying I'm beautiful and that I'm perfect. I can already tell that they love me more than anything and that they will always take care of me.

I guess Aunt Heather, Mimi and Poppa were out in the waiting area because I hadn't heard their voices for a while. Everything happened so fast Mommy and Daddy didn't have time to tell everybody what was going down. Daddy text messaged Aunt Heather and told them to come check on Mommy, he didn't tell them that I was waiting for them. They entered the room one by one while Mommy was holding me and Daddy took pictures of their surprised reactions. Daddy is funny.

6:00pm
I've been having some visitors and a lot of people keep telling me how beautiful and special I am. I really must be something to get all of this attention. Daddy and Aunt Heather won't stop taking pictures of me. Well, I digress. Nana and Granddad made it! They drove all the way from Waynesboro, VA to see me today. They sure do love me a lot.

7:00pm
My mommy must be something special like me. People keep telling her how beautiful she looks and how she doesn't look like she could have given birth this morning. And Daddy keeps saying I'm gonna be "beautiful like my Mommy." I think, between my Mommy and me, Daddy is in big trouble.

8:00pm
The stream of visitors has dwindled down now. I know that I was the main attraction today but I get the feeling that all of those nice people that came by really love my parents too. My Mommy and Daddy just kept going on and on about how thankful they are for me, and all of the family and friends stopping by and helping out. They pray to Jesus and thank Him for His protective hand over Mommy's pregnancy and over today when I was born. I can't wait for Mommy and Daddy to tell me more about Jesus. They seem to really love Him.

9:00pm
It has been a pretty long day. I had my first taste of oxygen, colostrum, and ice cream. Well, maybe not ice cream but I hear it is absolutely wonderful. I'm hungry and tired so I think a little colostrum and nap is in order. (then I get to steal Mommy's sleep.) Goodnight, and I love all of you.


Gabriella (with some help from Stephen!)

Graduation Festivities!

Sara = MSN

On Friday December 12th, at 1:00pm, Sara Danielle Deel graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Master's degree in Nursing.

I'm sure everybody is sick of reading me go on and on about how proud I am of Sara, but, it was a big day for her and I feel it is my duty to bring you news of it. We are so thankful for the strength the Lord blessed Sara with during the last two and a half years and especially the last nine months. Hours of studying Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, etc. Hours and hours of clinicals and for the last nine months doing them carrying our daughter Gabriella in her belly. I know she's happy for no more of the school stuff and only a little longer of carrying Gabriella around kangaroo style.

After the ceremony we went out to celebrate. It was a very special evening because we were celebrating Sara's academic achievement and it was also our last date night for a while. Regas Restaurant was deemed worthy of such an occasion with low lighting, the warm fire, and the little tray of bacon, almonds, and crumbled blue cheese for your salad. Dinner was great but before I get too carried away talking about food, I will change directions.


Sara, you've worked very hard over the last 30 months and it is no secret that I am proud of you. But what makes this so special and meaningful to me is how you did it. You did it while staying committed to me and our family every step of the way. Even though at times your work seemed daunting and I could tell it was taking a toll on you, I never felt as if I had taken a backseat to your ambition. I know a lot of the people you graduated with achieved success at the expense of not having a life and not having time for family. Not only was it the norm but it actually seemed expected. I laughed out loud when one of the speakers instructed the graduates in several ways to go out and enjoy a social life now. Has she seen your belly? I guess I just married a maverick.

By the way, even Dakota thinks that lady is funny. And he's proud of you too.

Stephen

The Home Stretch.

Here we go...listening to how Sara is feeling, we are now in the home stretch. Just to let y'all know, you should be on standby to hear that Gabriella is coming this way. On Monday, December 1st we had a very anticipated and somewhat surprising doctor's visit. Sara had an ultrasound and we got to see just how cramped little Gabriella is and also that she weighs a whopping 7lbs 8oz! Praise Jesus, Gabriella is very healthy and Sara is very healthy as well. Although both Sara and baby are healthy, doesn't mean that all is peaches and cream in Sara's field. As you all know, she is built small and the task of carrying around a seven a half pound baby in her belly is really taking a toll on her. I know she can't wait to feel like her sprightly old self again and not like a marsupial with a sore back that can't find a comfortable position to sleep in.

I don't mean to make it seem as if Sara is miserable all of the time, I just feel bad that I cannot help comfort her and take away some of the anxiety that is naturally coming her way. Anyway, we are very excited and look forward very much to being able to alert everyone that Gabriella is coming. We were also excited this past Wednesday when we were able to visit the Biltmore Estate. The Christmas decorations were beautiful and we had a great time but it was nice to come back home and rest next our own Christmas decor.

This should catch everyone up on everything...except one last thing.

On Friday, December 12th, Sara will be graduating from the University of Tennessee with her Master's Degree in Nursing. I just wanted to make sure everyone knew;)

Stephen