A Name!

At the Lake House with Cindy's family and, suddenly, a month before the due date, Cindy's water broke!  Cindy and I took off for Bronson Hospital; Ari stayed with grandparents and cousins. 
Arianna's little sister was born at 5:00 the next afternoon, July 23.  We still didn't have a name!
   

Of course, as someone once said, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." And, though small, yes, she was a beautiful little girl and certainly sweet.

Even though "premature" the baby weighed nearly 6 lbs.  When Cindy's family came to visit the next day there were 15 visitors!

The hospital wanted to keep the early baby an extra day to make sure all was well.    

But, eventually, they wouldn't let us out of the hospital without a name. Cindy and I finally settled on Alexandra Rose Webb.  Alexandra alliterated with Arianna, and left many possibilities for nick names.  Rose is Cindy's grandmother's name, just as Adelia (Arianna's middle name) is my grandmother's name.

A day after we got home we received a call from the hospital: Alexandra has a rare genetic disorder, PKU, that prevents her from metabolizing a key protein.  Thank goodness the infant screen identified this condition and we have already started her on a careful diet that will allow her to grow up without negative effects.  More on this topic, I predict.

A dedicated big sister, Arianna is solicitous of "my baby." She frequently checks on her, covers her up, and worries how she is doing.  With mom or dad sitting next to her, Arianna can hold Alexandra and feed her a bottle.  

The name question might not be entirely settled. Arianna told me this morning that she would like to call her little sister "Dorothy."  "That's a good name for my baby," she says.  As you can see, in addition to Peter Rabbit, Ari is also a fan of The Wizard of Oz, many years ago her big sister Jessica's favorite.

We are so excited that Jessica will be back from Chile in four days -- all three sisters together for the first time!  And we get to see Nathan, too, in September.