First Cousin to hold the baby honors ...

Makenna was so excited to be the first cousin to hold the baby!

Visitors from Michigan

Aunt Elissa, Uncle Steve, and Makenna dropped by for a short visit. Lizzie was very happy to meet them.

Daddy and Lizzie

Now it's Daddy's turn to hold the baby.

What're you lookin' at?

Proud Grandma

Emma, Abby, and Elizabeth were glad that Grandma Mangum could come visit during the first week of February.

What's In A Name?

When Doug and I began to contemplate the possibility of our having another girl, we thought it would be fitting if we chose a name that had special meaning for us. Our first two girls are named Emma Louise, and Abigail Joy: Emma was chosen for being the name I always liked, and Abigail because it means father's joy in Hebrew.

We wanted our 3rd girl to have a name that was equally special, so we began to look at family names. Soon, there were two names that seemed to fit. I have two very special great aunts who have always meant a great deal to me. These two sisters inspired in me a curiosity about the world around me and fostered a love of books and history. Aunt Liz (Elizabeth) and Aunt Nette (Anne), we chose to name our daughter after you, and hope that she grows up to be proud of the heritage she carries in her name.

So, what's in a name? We think, Bible, history, literature, and perhaps most importantly, the faces of family members whom we love very dearly.

Namesakes for Elizabeth Anne

So, did you name her after anyone or did you just like the name? I'm glad you asked. There are so many options to choose from - so many namesakes that could've inspired the name.

You might be inclined to think we like biblical names. After all, Abigail (our second daughter) has a biblical name. In that case, Elizabeth could be named after John the Baptist's mother in Luke 1 and the middle name Anne is a variation on Anna, the prophetess in Luke 2:36-38.

Or perhaps, knowing that Erin and I were both history majors, you might suppose we had historical figures in mind. It is true that Elizabeth and Anne are very royal names. (After all, Erin's middle name is the same as a famous queen of England, too.) Elizabeth I was a great queen of England whose reign from 1558 to 1603 is looked back on as a golden age in English history. Of course, the present queen of England is also named Elizabeth. Anne is also a royal name. Queen Anne ruled England from 1702-1714. We get "Queen Anne's Lace" and Queen Anne furniture from her. Anne was also the name of Elizabeth I's mother, the second queen of Henry VIII. And there's Anne of Austria, the queen of Louis XIII of France. (Perhaps that's it, I am a big fan of the Three Musketeers.) Finally, Anne is the name of Elizabeth II's only daughter. She's currently 10th in line for the British throne.

But, then, you may remember that Erin and I are both bookish types, so you might expect we had more literary namesakes in mind. If that's the case, the first literary heroine that comes to mind for Elizabeth is Lizzie Bennet from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. That could be, especially knowing that our first daughter, Emma, also shares a name with a Jane Austen heroine. Perhaps we picked the middle name Anne because of a fondness for Anne Shirley from L.M. Montgomery's 1908 classic Anne of Green Gables.

Or we could be choosing names based on worthy role models among our friends. A good friend from church is called Betty, short for Elizabeth, and Anne is the middle name of another close friend.

I like to think that all of these are true in some sense. The heritage of the names brings all the best qualities to mind of the great women of life, literature, and history who have borne each name.

The real reasons we chose the names are more sentimental and practical. But you'll have to wait in suspense until Erin fills in the details.

I'm Awake!

Elizabeth is more alert today. Good news for Mommy--Lizzie gained 4 ounces and her bilirubin count was down when we went to the doctor today.

Snow, Snow, Snow

The Big Snow

We got about 18 inches of snow yesterday.  The girls loved it.  The rest of us weren't so excited about it.

Lizzie's Lovely Voice

Here's a taste of real life with the little one for those of you who can't be here to experience it yourselves.

First Bath at Home

Baby Elizabeth had her first bath at home today. She liked it for the first minute or so . . . then the crying began. At least now she's clean.

Cute Little Baby Feet

Eyes Wide Open, Finally

Baby Elizabeth finally started to open her eyes and look around a bit, after 5 days of mostly sleeping with the occasional squinting at Mommy or Daddy.

New Babies All Around

Since Mommy has a new baby, the girls needed their own special new baby dolls to take care of. They burp them, change their diapers, and put them to bed just like Mommy with her baby.

Home Sweet Home

Mommy and Baby came home on Tuesday, Jan. 29. It's good to be home. Now we can start getting used to this new little person in the house.

Baby's First Bath

Baby Elizabeth wasn't too excited about her first bath. Look at all that dark hair to wash!

Cuddle Bug

Abby loves being a big sister. Baby Elizabeth and Abby both love to cuddle, so they should get along just fine.

Babies Are Fun

Big Sister Emma was excited to see Baby Elizabeth and Grammy.

Funny Faces

Abby was enjoying some silly time with Mommy.

Thank Goodness for Grammies

Grammy Mehlhaff arrived the next day to meet Baby Elizabeth.

Sleepy Elizabeth Anne

Sleeping has been her most favorite thing to do all week long.

The Four Girls

First Visit with Big Sisters

Emma and Abigail were excited to visit Baby Elizabeth for the first time on Jan. 27. She was only about 12 hours old for the first visit. Her big sisters are very gentle and loving.

Baby Elizabeth is Here!

Elizabeth Anne was born on January 27 at 5:19 AM. She was 7 lbs, 9 oz, and 18 inches. She's at home and doing well now. She wasn't due until Feb 15, so it was a bit of a surprise to welcome her in January. She was born about 5 hours after we left to get to the hospital.