And Her Name Shall Be... Drumroll...

Ruby Delilah Greider

Sorry, everyone, for the hold up, but the umbilical cord just fell off, and kola nut is harder to find than you'd think. Now we can file with the State and insurance company, and most importantly, our church secretary for inclusion in the bulletin.

As for meaning, like our other four, it's slim at best. Ruby was recommended by the ever-lovely and gracious Karen Lacy, and we love Karen Lacy very much... so... And Delilah is Biblical, of course. Sure, a little edgy, to say the least. But that's kind of why it appeals to Hallie and me. Not to mention, I loved the song by the Plain White T's, and can still sing it to her, just substituting "Ruby" for "Hey there". And believe, she's shines brighter than Times Square!

PS - Thanks, everyone, for the name suggestions. We're grateful and would use them all if we could. Well, maybe not Zelda. But all the others, yes.

Barack Roll

This is great simply because it's so creative and well-executed.

Our Friend... Admitted Arsonist

Unbelievable!

Dan, as we knew him, has been a friend ever since we moved back. He grew up on Jackson Street (his parents still live there!) and still lived there for a portion of this last year before he moved to Hendricks. He loved and cared for "the boys", three boys who also live on Jackson and have become quite close to our kids. And Dan even dined with us in our home a couple times a few months ago. The day of the first fires, he's the one who came to our house, awoke me, and told me he's the one who called the fire department.

Unbelievable!

Beth's Perspective

Because we had a photographer taking pix, I really didn't focus on getting good ones myself. (Hers will be available soon.) However, our friend Beth Ritzman, who attended the birth as a sort of homebirth au pair, posted some great sentiments AND great photos. Thanks, Beth!

Speaking of Beth, she was one member of a great homebirth team. Others were Hallie's sister and doula, Jordan, our midwife Rhoda, our photographer and friend Koren, and our four other rugrats.

As for the name, we're working on that. We might do as they do in Sierra Leone, where a baby is named only after the umbilical cord has dropped off. Prior to that it is believed that the baby does not yet have an identity of its own. During the ceremony, the baby's hair is shaved off and the paternal aunt offers chewed kola nut and pepper to the baby from her own mouth, which is to wish the baby a long and brave life.

What do you think, Aunt Cindy???

Papa and... Daughter

...sitting on the front porch about 3 hours after birth.

It's a Girl!

No name yet, but our fifth child - a DAUGHTER! - was born at home at 4:16pm, Wednesday, August 6th. All are very well. Thank God!

Obviously, more later...

Labor

Just letting anyone who still reads this know that early labor, we believe, has begun. The official due date is Monday, but Alden was three days early, so this one could be too. We feel pretty good about our level of preparation, but still, if you're the praying type, we'd love some cover.

Another post coming soon...