We are happy to announce that our daughter, Iona Maria Scholastica Barthos Burrell, was born Tuesday, 7 April 2009, at 10:03 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs 8 oz., and was 19.5 inches long. A healthy baby!
Both she and her mother are doing well. We all returned home from the hospital on Thursday, and Iona is settling in to her new home. It turns out that looking after a newborn is an exhausting job. She ignores the distinction between day and night, eats more meals than a hobbit, and, even when sleeping, has the power to wholly absorb the attention of anyone whose gaze falls on her.
Already we begin to see ways in which she resembles each of her parents. For instance, she takes after her mother insofar as she:
- has cold hands and feet
- dislikes the thought of delayed gratification
- likes to stay up all night
- is a ravishing beauty
She takes after her father insofar as she:
- has a prodigious appetite
- likes to sleep after lunch
- has hair on her ears
- loves to sing (so far only vowels)
In short, she is wonderful, and we are full of joy and thanks. Those with an interest in seeing a few pictures can look here. A short video can be seen here.
Please join us in giving thanks to God for this new life which has already so greatly enriched ours! Your prayers and well wishes are much appreciated.
Have a happy and blessed Easter. Things are likely to be quiet around here for the next little while.
April 12, 2009 at 7:11 am
She’s beautiful! Congratulations.
April 12, 2009 at 8:14 am
What a beautiful child! God bless her and you!
April 12, 2009 at 8:42 am
A hearty congratulations to you and your wife, Craig! Indeed a beautiful child… and so tiny!
God Bless!
April 12, 2009 at 11:28 am
congratulations!
April 12, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Lovely. Congratulations to all, and wishes for a night’s sleep.
That is quite a head of hair.
April 12, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Congratulations … what a beautiful little one with a head of hair that makes me think of when our girls were brand new. You have many years of happiness ahead of you.
April 12, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Congratulations to both of you. She’s beautiful.
April 13, 2009 at 12:31 am
She is indeed beautiful. I had a child that didn’t have that much hair when she was 4. None of them had that much hair at 1, but they turned out alright anyway.
Does she make lists of books that she wants to read?
AMDG, Janet
April 13, 2009 at 10:53 am
Beautiful! As a father of two (so far), I can confirm you’re in for a fascinating time. –And I love the name! I keep trying to get my wife to let me incorporate Athanasius or Augustine into one of our children’s names, but have had no success thus far.
April 13, 2009 at 2:35 pm
What beautiful pictures of a beautiful girl. Congratulation.
April 13, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Thank you, everyone, for your kind words. They are much appreciated. This little kid is pretty spectacular.
April 14, 2009 at 12:25 am
Congratulations indeed! I’m sure she will have (and be the occasion of) many intriguing adventures as the days move ahead.
April 14, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Congratulations! She is so beautiful. Enjoy every minute of parenthood, it passes by so fast.
April 15, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Kongratulations from the kooks over at Korrektiv! That is one beautiful baby. Many blessings, many more!
April 15, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Magnificence incarnate! God bless the three of you!
April 15, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Congratulations Craig!! That’s so amazing. Children are such a gift
May she always be healthy and happy.
ps. I’ve moved Letters to the World to a new WordPress home;) http://letterstoworld.wordpress.com/
April 15, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Congrats! What a blessing. My wife and I are expecting our third next month, so its fun to read about other little ones as we try to get ready.
April 16, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Oh, such a sweet child, and such a blessing.