It's high time I introduced you to our newest little munchkin, who arrived quickly — nay even precipitously — twelve days ago.
(If you follow me on Instagram, you've met her already, because it's a lot easier to post a photo from my phone while nursing than to try to open up the computer and get something done there!)
Josephine Elizabeth
3:25 am, March 10, 2017
9lb 1oz, 21″
We were able to Skype with her Daddy right away, so he got to meet her mere minutes after she was born. He also got to be there virtually (see that glowing screen above? That's him) when her brother and sisters came to meet her a few hours later.
(There's a special kind of happy chaos in that hospital visit, isn't there? Between the new baby and the bed that moves, the excitement levels are very high. Despite what you might think from that last photo above, where everyone looks inexplicably solemn.)
Despite my going into labor in the middle of the night and Josephine deciding that she was going to waste no time in making her entrance into the world, Auntie Leila sprang into action and got us to the hospital in time — even with nearly ten minutes to spare.
Yikes. I think I might need to find a good midwife and move in next door to her for the next baby.
I told this little girl many times over the last nine months that she really needed to be a calm, easy baby (and stepped up those pleas when we found out her dad would be deployed when she arrived!), and so far she is proving to be a wonderfully obedient child. Her actual arrival was a little bit of a crazy flurry, but since then she has truly been a model newborn. Thank the Lord!
We were able to have her baptized right away this weekend on the feast of her patron, Saint Joseph, which was beautiful! (No pictures of that yet though, as my sweet sister-in-law took a ton of photos for us and is still sorting through them.) Other than that excitement, we have been resting, doting on this sweet little girl, and providing my parents and Habou with ample opportunities to perform corporal acts of mercy as we continue to make their lives more chaotic!
Kate says
Congratulations! She’s perfect :). And aren’t precipitous labors weird – wonderful and awful the same time!
Jamie says
I have never heard it put that way before and it is just so true!
Anne Marie says
I need to start following the LMLD Instagram. Your oldest is too grown up all of a sudden!
Anne Marie says
Our newest (#9), 4 mos now, is Gemma Josephine.
Ona says
Congratulations Rosie & family! She’s a sweetie! Long time reader here, tho don’t comment much. What a blessing to follow you all at LMLD! God bless!
priest's wife @byzcathwife says
what a beautiful baby! your family is just lovely- you might like this old post of mine… I compare and contrast baby 1 and baby 4 🙂 (sob- my mother is 1,000 miles away and MIL is 10,000 miles away…)
http://remnantofremnant.blogspot.com/2010/11/no-catholic-guilt-here-just-mommy-guilt.html
NY Mom says
Ha ha! So right you are about the diminished fanfare for subsequent babies. The first has entire albums of photos documenting every milestone….every nuanced facial expression. The last one has maybe a handful of pics stuffed in a shoebox, somewhere…maybe. And they’re all crowd scenes, with him smooshed in some sibling’s arms.
Logan says
Diminished fanfare maybe, but not diminished love. The love seems to be magnified in later children–maybe because you get to see it in the adoring siblings.
Rain says
Such a beautiful baby with a lovely to name to match! Congrats to all!
Claire says
Congratulations all around!!! What a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.
And yay for having Auntie Leila and Habou available!
Lorraine says
You are becoming rich! Blessings on you and your beautiful family.
Dixie says
Congratulations, Rosie! She is perfect and you are amazing! I am glad you and the kids are getting support, even though I’m sure it doesn’t make up for not having Daddy there in the flesh.
Susan (DE) says
Happy congratulations! Love the pictures! The baby is sweet! All of them are.
Jenny says
Congratulations to you! She is a beautiful baby with a beautiful name.
Cass says
Oh, she is exquisite! We have five seven and under and the youngest is eight months, and this week I am in that weird alternate universe trying to get up the necessary courage to take a pregnancy test. Peering at photos of newborns helps a little! Thank you precious Josephine for the courage you give!
Joy in Alabama says
Awwww, Rosie! Another cutie added to your family!! And good for you, being so efficient with delivery. Thank you so much for letting us see her!
CMerie says
Congratulations! I love the photo where your baby is holding your baby! Isn’t it amazing how fast the (old) youngest grows up as soon as there is a (new) youngest?!
Catie H says
Warmest congratulations, Rosie!! She is a beauty, and such a lovely name! It was so sweet of your husband to send you a baby that looks just like him to help you as you’re missing him! 🙂
NY Mom says
Wow – such great photos of such a wonderful event! I especially like the one where child # 3 is hugging child #4…..
Congratulations and may God bless your beautiful family!
Lisa G. says
Many congratulations to you!! She does resemble your clan – a lovely baby.
Rozy says
Blessings to you all! What joyful photos of a sweet and wonderful family. Thanks for sharing the special moments of your life. I miss those days of participating with God to bring new life to the world.
Karen says
Welcome to the world, little Josephine! You are fresh from God! May He bless you with many more healthy and happy years.
Mary says
She is beautiful Rosie! How wonderful that you could get her baptized on her name day! God is so good all the time isn’t he. May your remaining time up north be filled with great joy my friend. Congratulations once again.
Margo, Thrift at Home says
oh, she’s beautiful! All of you are beautiful 🙂 Congratulations and blessings to you in this special time.
Mab says
Beautiful!!!!!
Lisa says
She is a gorgeous, beautiful baby. My uterus feels quite empty now. And you look amazing in those photos- not at all like someone who just gave birth. You make it look easy.
Many congratulations
Mrs. Bee says
Congratulations, Rosie & family! You have such beautiful babies! I saw the picture of all the children on the bed with you, and thought, Yes, this is what love is/does. It’s wonderful. Thanks for sharing your joy with us!
L.W. says
Congratulations! She is beautiful.
BridgetAnn says
LOVE “Josephine”! It’s our girl’s middle name but I’d use it again for a first. Congrats!
Nancy says
So sweet…Congratulations!
Catherine says
I love to see the older children loving on the new baby. I have 9 and the new baby was always being held. Our pediatrician was worried about sibling rivalry, the real problem was eager baby holders and only one baby!
Faith says
Congratulations on the arrival of the new baby! What a sweet addition to your adorable family. What a beautiful and loving group of photos. Blessings to you all!
Faith
Lindsay says
Rosie! Congratulations on the birth and baptism. When I swore off Insta for Lent I felt a particular pang knowing I would miss you baby announcement, thanks for putting it here. She’s a love. Precipitous labor is its own kind of intense – though after I had two like that in a row, a 2.5 hour labor felt like an eternity. ;). Enjoy her!
Annym says
Congratulations! I love the name choice! You look like you’re glowing- beautiful! I continue to be amazed at how love multiplies. Number 4 may grow up in a slightly more chaotic word then her older siblings. But definitely will come out on top in terms of being doted on constantly- and always being entertained! Your number 3 is a complete doll- So sweet!
Stephanie says
Rosie congratulations! I love the name Josephine! Always reminds me of Jo March. I must add that I admire you as a military wife, you are so strong to do this with your husband away.THANK YOU for this small glimpse into your life. And how beautiful to see all your four little ones together in your arms…SUCH FULLNESS! God bless you!
Kim F. says
What a wonderful witness to love! Congratulations on that beautiful girl! Love the name, too. We have an Elizabeth and a Sarah Josephine here. I think it’s so beautiful that she was able to be Baptized on her patron’s feast day. As I get older, and the likelihood of more babies decreases, I love to see young Catholic families bringing all these babies into the world! God bless.
Clara says
Congratulations! She is beautiful! I’m so glad she is a calm, easy baby! Enjoy your snuggle time with her!
Kari says
Congratulations!
I’d love to read a birth story when you’re up to it!
Diana says
Many, many congratulations! She’s beautiful – love the name!
We’ve had one precipitate birth (2cm to holding the baby, sans midwives, in 10 minutes), and it’s really quite an adventure, isn’t it??
Congratulations again!!
Diana
Diana says
*Precipitous* LOL
Kimberlee says
Congratulations to all of you! Josephine is beautiful, as is the rest of her family. What a blessing to have her baptized on her feast day! St. Joseph can be counted on to take very good care of Josephine, especially while her daddy is away. May God grant Josephine many blessed years in health and happiness.
Cami says
Congratulations on your new, beautiful daughter! Our baby boy arrived just a week later, also 9lbs, 1oz! We named him Owen Patrick as he arrived 3 minutes into the feast of St. Patrick. Although when you delivered your daughter, I actually was in early labor (so close to active labor!) that stopped and had us wait another week for our fourth bundle to arrive. It’s chaos now with 4 kids, 5 and under but Owen Patrick is a sweet little boy. Enjoy this time with your family. I wish you an easy recovery and adjustment and lots of joy and blessings!
Ashley says
Congratulations! Love the name!
Emily says
Oh, congratulations! And what a sweet name!