Until Melinda can provide her birth story, here is the joyful announcement!

The day before...

Our 9lb 2oz “preemie” (at 39 weeks) was born yesterday, March 8, 2009 at 5:41pm. Moriah was born at home after 2 hrs 40 minutes of active labor, though unlike previous births in that Melinda started having (random) contractions around 9am. Daddy was able to come home from work (and is on leave for a week or so?), and the bigger “little people” went to the park with a gal from church long enough for Moriah to make her entrance.

Beautiful Baby & Happy Family!

Moriah is 22 inches long with LONG finger nails and chubby knuckles. She has fuzzy black hair like her sister did when she was born. She latched on wonderfully…and kept mommy up all night =).

Moriah is named after Mount Moriah, in the Bible. This is the area where the temple was built, and is presumed to be the region where Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac before the Lord provided a ram. Her middle name is a family name on Melinda’s side- Melinda’s great grandmother and great aunt both had the middle name of Clarice.

The verse (and therefore quilt which is intended to represent her name and verse…notice it is NOT FINISHED!! We expected another week or so to complete it!) we have chosen for her is Isaiah 58:11:

The Lord will guide Moriah always;

He will satisfy her needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen her frame.

She will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.    Isaiah 58:11

It is supposed to be 80 degrees here today. The kids are already outside in their new (and disinfected) pool.

Thank you for your prayers!
Enjoy the pictures.