Today is our first day on our own since Mabel was born. Jonny’s sister and our niece were here through end of last week, and my mom and stepdad were here from late last week till yesterday. Friends are bringing meals, and we are being well taken care of. We feel very loved and it has been great having family with us.
And, don’t worry! I didn’t participate in the garlic harvest. I merely gave instructions and took a few photos. C-section recovery is so different, in some ways harder, but in some ways easier (and from what I have taken away from my friends who have had them, recovery can be wildly different from individual to individual). I have been instructed to be up walking around a bit, to listen to my body, and rest as needed. I am much more able to be up walking than I have been after previous births, especially my last, but my body definitely knows when it’s time to sit back down. I’m doing really well, and haven’t required pain medication beyond prescription Motrin. And I promise, promise that I am not over-doing it and don’t intend to. Because mostly, I just want to look at this baby! I have pulled out most of my kids’ newborn pictures and my own, and determined that Mabel doesn’t look like me at all, or like Beatrix and Larkspur. Maybe a bit like Seth. Right now she mostly looks like a mini Jonny to me. A friend commented that she has his hairline. He answered, “Is hers receding?” Right now her eyes are a cloudy dark blue, but I am holding on to the hope that she will have my green eyes. She definitely wins the most laid back baby ever award, and she did not inherit that from me. Even her body language says that she is just not too worried about anything. She stretches and sprawls, and I realize it is too early for smiles, but she’s been smiling from day one. I’ve never seen anything like it in a newborn of mine. She smiles and smiles and smiles. She’s the most darling baby ever. I love her so much and am still in the “can’t believe she’s here” stage.
But her name! I want to tell you all about her name. So in our family, I typically name the boys and Jonny names the girls, at least he chooses what name the girls will go by. He’s had Mabel picked out for a long time. Beatrix was almost named Mabel, but he ultimately decided against it. I think he chose well. Beatrix is definitely a Beatrix, and Mabel is a Mabel, amiable and easygoing. Mabel is a family name, Jonny’s paternal grandmother’s. He has many fond memories of his Louisiana MawMaw. As for her nickname, “Mae,” that is a family name too! Jonny’s maternal grandmother’s name was Gracie Mae. So he was able to name this little one after both of his grandmother’s with one name.
When we found out that we were having a girl, I knew immediately that I wanted to give her the name Sarah. Many of you know of my friend Sarah Harkins, who died unexpectedly two years ago, next month. What you probably don’t know is that my best friend in my late teen years was also named Sarah. She died when I was 20, and she was just 22. (I’m going to tell you more about her later this week.) My friend Elizabeth Dehority passed away on Holy Thursday in 2015 after bravely battling breast cancer for years. And it is also for her that we named our Sarah Mabel Elizabeth. I very much wanted to honor these friends who were, and still are, so dear to me. And you know what else? I have a sister named Sarah Elizabeth! So, I think we’ve got meaningful and special pretty well covered with our little one’s name. While we will probably mostly call her “Mae” (we are fans one syllable names or nicknames), her name is ultimately bound up tightly with so many people whom we love and that feels just right.
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I am also Sarah Elizabeth! Your baby is beautiful, enjoy her!
While I believe that every baby is precious and valuable, I do not automatically think that every baby is beautiful =). But your Mae? Oh, my . . . my first thought when I saw the pictures was how beautiful she is.
I’m looking forward to hearing more about your C-section, as I had two C-sections following eight home births.
Congratulations!
So beautiful! My heart is overflowing with joy for you!
She is just gorgeous! Congratulations. It is good advice to just listen to your body after a c-section. It was such a chaotic time for us…we knew she was going to be born via c-section, we just didn’t know when so I honestly don’t remember how I felt after mine. I was just grateful to have a healthy (with the help of some amazing NICU nurses) baby girl. Plus it was 5 years ago and I don’t remember last week… Enjoy Mabel!
I’m so glad you are recovering quickly & everyone is doing well. Mabel is beautiful & I love that she’s already getting in some homeschooling time. 🙂 I enjoyed hearing the story of her name, which of course I love since my own daughter is a Sarah Elizabeth. Now, go get some rest & snuggle with Mabel.
Mae is a picture of health! I see her smiling so you are not mistaken at all :-). She looks well fed and very well loved and is the picture of contentment. I am so very happy for all of you. Wish I could be there to place my hand on hr sweet head and pray over her. Since I can’t I’ll just do it here. Dear Lord, thank you for Sarah Mabel Elizabeth. May she come into your fold at a very early age and grow to know and love you intimately throughout her days. May this family be blessed abundantly by her presence as she is a present from Your hand to all of them.
May she be fashioned as a corner pillar fit for a palace and may her days be long and prosperous.
God Bless all of you.
It’s unfortunate for me that I just recently found your wonderful website. I so enjoy reading about your family and your newest addition is just precious. I recently became a Grandma for the first time, so watching your newborn is so exciting for me. I really enjoy knitting and do it whenever possible, so whatever you post about knitting is also my big interest. How do you find time to do all the great writing and posting that you do? It’s amazing! I look forward to many more posts about you and your lovely family.
When I first found Ginny’s blog, it was like medicine for my soul. It helped me through several years where life was nothing like I had ever known and definitely not what I’d hoped for. I went all the way back to her first post and just ate it up, the beautiful pictures and reflections on good times and hard, and the hope of Gods love through it all!
How can you go back to read den the beginning? Thanks for your lbs reply!
Scroll down to archives on the right hand bar and select the earliest month. Make sure comments are showing so the arrows to move forward and back one post are showing up on the right and left sides of the page. They are sort of on top of the regular page, if that makes any sense.
Beautiful little girl! Congratulations! Lovely names and story, so glad to see you are doing so well.
Oh I am in love with her and her name!!
She is just PERFECT!!
She reminds me of a porcelain doll….
I have to ask you…where do you get her adorable clothes from???
The prints are so soft and pretty….I am SO happy for you all.
God Bless you all!!!
She is so sweet and I love her name. You also look well but listen to your body. Hugs and blessings Sandra
The most precious pictures! Thank you so much for sharing. I love seeing each of the people in your life holding her and admiring her! I have loved your blog for years. It has been a blessing and encouragement to me. Thank you!
She’s just beautiful Ginny and her name is perfect…….love how so many loved ones are entwined in her name! You can tell by the photos that she is adored by all. What a sweet sweet time for all of you!
The photo with your son’s hand on her head brought tears to my eyes! such a tender gesture. How lucky she will be to have this young man for her big brother! Thank you for sharing your family moments with us.
Isabel
What a sweet baby girl and I love the name you chose. I adore the photo where little one is relaxing on sister’s shoulder while elder sister is writing.
These are such wonderful blessed photos. Thank you so much for sharing your precious new baby with us . She looks so loved by you all. Blessings from Wales UK
Congratulations to you all on your most beautiful baby!
Erin
So wonderful to read this! We had a micro-burst come through last night that left a path of destruction on our farm and our house and life feels like a war zone to me right now. But reading this left me feeling peaceful and calm and reminded me that my youngest son was exactly like this when he was born. He never cried after I gave birth – actually, the had a hard time waking him – and he smiled from day one and was just the happiest chill being on Earth until her grew up, lol. Mae is a beautiful little soul and you are just the luckiest family I know right now. Many blessing.
I love hearing the stories behind people’s names. She’s gorgeous! Keep on taking good care of you.
Congrats!! I’m so happy for your family. Welcome, sweet little Mae! I love the story behind her name. She is so precious and special!
She is perfect in every way!! Heartfelt congratulations to your family!
Sweet Mae is just so darling. And yes, she totally looks like a mini Johnny!!!
She is so completely beautiful. Her name is perfection, I can see easily why you are so in love with her. Congratulations to you all, Ginny. What joy to bring another lovely soul into the world!
What a sweet baby. She has a little personality already. Take care of Mama.
She is gorgeous Ginny! Loved reading about her special name. She’s a very lucky little girl to be surrounded with so much love. Continue to rest and enjoy this special time. They grow so quickly as you well know.
Love these pics! Thanks for sharing….
A beautiful blessing. I love all the sweet pictures!
Mae is beautiful!!! Glad that you are doing well. Enjoy and God Bless!! Janie
I love all of her names! Mae is just gorgeous!! Congratulations. I am so pleased to hear that you are healing well 🙂