Friday, July 31, 2009

Blessing

Michael blessed Baby Zoe this past Sunday. She wore the beautiful dress that I wore when blessed and sealed to my parents. My whole life I've loved to hear my mother tell about when the temple ladies brought me down to the sealing room in my long lacy dress, and how I looked like a little angel floating down the hall of the Salt Lake Temple. To see my own sweet babe, in that same dress and bonnet, clasped in her Daddy's arms brought tears to my eyes. My mom helped me dress her, just as she once dressed me. Michael gave her the most lovely blessing, and with my Zoe surrounded by good, loving Priesthood men, my own father and Michael's among them, I thought my heart would overflow with happiness. Truly we are the most blessed of all families!


Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Our Zoe - Pt. 4

Zoe's hands are long, long and lean. At first touch, they felt almost like an old woman's hands, just translucent skin loosely stretched over fragile bones, nearly see through. We called her long, long skinny purple feet "paddles" just like her Grandma Stanfills. Those pointy little feet with their pointy little heels felt very familiar to me. Remember the bag of pencils jabbing me in the side? Yah, I was SO RIGHT! Dark fur covers her pinky ears. Her lips form a perfect rosebud. Her mouth opens wide to squawk, a small jerking demanding yelp, then later a round-mouthed desperate cry around a crescent tongue. Her neck is strong. She lifts her head to look suspiciously around. She darts her eyes back and forth, looking, calculating, before they snap shut again. With a grunt and a chuckle, her head falls back into repose.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Our Zoe - Pt. 3

After birth, Zoe wasn't ready to eat. She takes her time doing things, my girl. Despite my efforts to latch her on, she screwed that tiny mouth shut and scowled. She needed a nap first, just like her mom. And then, just like her mom, she proceeded to engorge herself, again and again, drinking milk like a starving kitten, gulping and rooting, until at last she falls off with a lip smack and sigh. Always the lip smack, always the sigh.

She eats voraciously, again and again, seemingly without end, and then falls to sleep for several hours, giving mom a break before waking again for a marathon nurse.

At birth she measured a tiny 6 lb. 3 oz., 19 inches long. Three days later, at the doctor's office, the nurse helped us strip her rosy body down and place her on the scale. She wailed and wiggled about. The nurse pursed her lips. "What does she weigh?" She smiled. "SEVEN pounds, two ounces! What did you say she weighed?" Michael's eyes widened in amazement. I smiled smugly, remembering how the hospital was sure she didn't eat enough and would need formula. "Maybe I'll check my scale," the nurse muttered as she walked back across the room. Michael laughed at my beaming pride.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Our Zoe - Pt. 2

From the moment of his birth, Jed was all wondering eyes, craning his head to seek the light. Zoe, on the other hand, didn't seem quite ready for that much world. Her eyes tightly shut, the first day or two we weren't even sure she had eyes, let alone what color they might be. When she did grace us with a glance, one eye only would peep open for a split second, then squeeze shut again, resisting our pleas for a second look. We've named her out little Pirate Princess, since her left eye might as well be patched away. Her eyes will be brown.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Pictures @ the Park!




I guess I need a new phone message...

Hello!
You've reached the personal secretary of Master P. Jed Stanfill B.A. B.Y.
Master Stanfill is not available between the hours of ten and twelve and two and five, but feel free to leave a message and he will respond to your inquiry.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Our Zoe - Pt. 1

Our little Zoe tumbled out, like a wet baby horse, all purple and dark haired, eyes squeezed shut. I scooped her up and held her close, her red lips mouthing silent words, and reveled in her beauty. Now, 11 days later, her skin has warmed and softened to a dark rosy pink, topped by a mass of incredibly soft black/brown hair. Jed loves to stand close and coo at her, squeakily rhapsodizing "Ooooooo, she is sooooooooo CUTE!" again and again while rubbing his cheeks in that soft cloud of black halo.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Jed Meets Zoe





More pictures of the cutie pie!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Precious


Couple more pictures...



This is about all we've seen her do so far: Sleep. We think that her eyes may be blue, but we're not sure yet. We'll let you know! Everyone is doing great, if a little tired. :-) Michael

Monday, July 13, 2009

Zoe Ann is here!!!


Zoe Ann arrived @ 8:30 this morning central time. She is 6 lbs. 3 oz. and 20 inches long. Long and skinny. Surprise!!!

Vanessa is doing really well. She is such a champ!! We'll be posting more pictures as the day goes on, but wanted you to see how cute she is. She's glad to be here!! ;-)

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Big Blue Belly

What do you get when you cross an elephant with a big blue balloon?





Answer: A woman looking for her waist...

40 weeks and 2 days, baby, and I'm feelin' fine.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Still No News

Don't worry, we'll let you know when there is. Michael will have the camera out and ready. If you're looking for a cute newborn, take a walk down memory lane here or here.

Boy did those two and a half years fly by fast.

Monday, July 6, 2009

No News

Baby Z's due date rolls around soon, but still no news, for all you adoring aunties and uncles and friends, waiting impatiently with bated breath. Momma's still large and in charge.

In the meantime, a few corny Dowdle family photos from our trip in March. I ran across them on my brother's facebook page while digging for info about his newest female fancy. We're cute, aren't we?







Saturday, July 4, 2009

Freedom


I am grateful for the freedom to worship God as I will, the freedom to love my children and raise them as I will, the freedom to live in peace with my neighbors, the freedom to choose for myself and become whom I wish to be.