Welcome Elena Faye Esden!!!

Well I guess this blog post is long overdue?  As most know by now we have welcomed yet another member to the family.  Elena was born on March 20th at 6:23am.  At 7lbs 1oz, she came rather quickly after Jana started laboring around 9pm the night before.

We really enjoyed Callie's birth, well as much as one can really but having Elena at home was pretty special.  In the days leading up to Elena arrival Jana had been quite uncomfortable having mild contractions every so often.  Things escalated on the evening of the 19th and as we laid down to bed it became quite clear that the show was starting.  Jana as always was amazing.  I really admire her focus and commitment to natural childbirth.  And to be able to birth at home just made the experience that much more incredible.  Jana's aunts Stephanie and Bev were here to help, along with my mother Lynn and Jana's cousin Sarah.  Everyone played their part and helped with the process.  Elena was born just after 6am, just in time for Callie to wake up and meet her new sister.


Bringing Callie in the room to meet her sister for the first time is something I will never forget.  With all the people in the room she was a bit shy, but crawled right over to Jana and Elena and was the best big sister the rest of the day.  Since then she continues to be very gentle and is interested in all things having to do with Elena, including changing diapers!

Having a newborn once again has been a sometimes hard, but fun change.  There are of course the nights of hardly any sleep and we have had plenty of those!  The biggest change is that instead of sleeping when the baby is sleeping (which is what we did with Callie), we are busy entertaining Callie and keeping her happy!  It is hard but so rewarding at the same time.  And to think, #3 is not far behind!  I see a lot of Starbucks iced coffees in my future!

We have had a lot of help from family since Elena has arrived.  Jana's aunt Bev is literally a saint.  She came days before the birth but also stayed nearly 2 weeks after to help with the transition.  My mother has also been awesome!  Having her own house just down the street is seriously so convenient.  Living alone in Florida and away family, Jana and I have gotten used to doing things on our own, but having some extra help now and again is nice too!