Welcome Baby Cora!

So remember how my sister Tracy got married last spring?  She and Adam were both in their 40s at their wedding, so they didn't put off having kids at all.  I think Tracy had an appointment with a fertility specialist lined up for immediately after their honeymoon.  Luckily, they didn't end up needing any outside help and it was while we were riding rollercoasters in Dollywood that I got the call that Tracy was expecting!  This was doubly happy news because a) SHE WAS HAVING A BABY!!!  and b) I sort of suspected she might already be pregnant, but was trying not to pry (something I am TERRIBLE at).  So it was awfully fun to be right!  ;)

Because my parents are traveling around the world for the next few months, they decided to send me to help her out a bit after the birth (I can't even tell you how thrilled I was with this arrangement)!  So I've been anxiously anticipating the arrival of this little girl!

The doctors decided to induce Tracy on February 25th, about ten days before her due date.  They started her on pitocin around 10am, and by 9:30pm she'd delivered (naturally!) her perfect baby girl, Cora Patrice, who weighed in at 6 lbs 9 oz, the smallest baby born in this generation of Bentleys!  (Incredibly astute readers might notice that the middle name "Patrice" is shared by me, and Camille.  What you might not know is that Patrice is also my mom's name.  Tracy very kindly checked with me before using it.  I assured her that I hadn't copyrighted the name, so she was welcome to use it, too.  Besides, I think it's lovely and should be used as much as possible!)  Cora is also a family name-- my great grandmother on my maternal grandfather's side was Cora Fluit (she crossed the plains to settle in Utah, except she did it later when there were trains that could take her!  Smart lady!) and Adam's mother is named Carol, so they felt they were honoring both people with the name.  And, in case all that wasn't special enough, little Cora ALSO managed to be born on Janine's birthday, so that was really wonderful.

They had a friend do newborn shots for them right away:

Best. Picture. EVER.

Cora was born Monday.  Tracy and Adam returned home from the hospital Wednesday.  Natalie helped them for a couple days and then I flew out Friday and Natalie picked me up from the airport and took me straight to their home.  I was SO EXCITED to get my hands on this newest little niece of mine!

I've been traveling all day but I don't care!!!

Natalie spent another night at Tracy's house, but now it was my turn to help with taking the baby at night so Tracy could sleep (Natalie had been doing that in addition to chauffeuring me all over and was exhausted). The next day our friends Jeff and Juliana (Juliana is Janine's daughter) came to meet Cora and it was wonderful getting to hang out with them!

Me (holding Cora), Juliana with Mara, Natalie, and Tracy

Mara, liked me.  For a few minutes.  I especially appreciated that her bib matched my shirt!

Natalie needed to get back to her own family, so then it was just the four of us for a couple days (plus other happy visitors dropping by).  I tried my best to be helpful-- I folded laundry, made food, picked up other food, and tried to convince Tracy to sleep more.  Adam and I went to church together (we got a few weird looks from people who didn't know me).  It was really fun to see so many of my old ward members.  Usually when I come home all my sisters come, too, so it was kind of different to be the only Bentley girl there.  Not gonna lie-- the extra attention I got was kind of fun!

Venturing outside!  With a baby!  (And look at their beautiful home!)

Sleepy baby!

Look, she's awake!  And not crying!

And mostly I just sat around holding the baby whenever Adam or Tracy were willing to share!  She is so sweet and precious!

Back in Virginia, Craig took Friday off work, and then his parents came and helped watch the kids on Monday and Tuesday.  That was about as much time as I felt I could be gone, so I flew home Tuesday, getting in at the Charlottesville airport at midnight.  I was so tired, but so happy that I could help out even a little!

Welcome to the family, little Cora!