Chloe is now eight weeks old, and I keep asking myself where the time has gone. Time seems much more fleeting with Chloe than with Fiona, at the same age. I think this has something to do with the fact that this is it for children for us, and Chloe's milestones bring up the rear for the raising of our children. The turning points and general growth of the girls are certainly something I look forward to, and herald in new things to look forward to, but others will remain memories of the past. Chloe went to the pediatrician on Tuesday for her two month well baby check-up and first round of vaccinations. Her doctor said that she is doing very well, and thriving. She now weighs 12 lbs (90th percentile) and is 22.25 inches in length (75th percentile).

As of last Tuesday (02/25/08) Chloe weighed in at 8 lbs. and 15 oz. So, she gained back her birth weight and then some. So I guess she eating well, and I am feeding her pretty well.

Dearest Chloe,

Welcome to…here. To this place called life, which is sometimes sad, sometimes happy, sometimes hopeful, sometimes scary; but always real and always full of energy and potential. You are a strong and smart girl; knowledge and wit will win you minds; courage and honesty will win you hearts. Don’t be afraid to listen to everything everyone has to say, even if you disagree. Especially if you disagree.

Don’t be afraid to take a chance just because you might look foolish. Risking your pride for a dream is far less foolish than keeping your dreams locked inside your ego.

You came to us stubbornly— fighting, reluctant… but now you have love and trust in your eyes. Treat your whole life that way: Do not trust too easily, but trust completely and wholeheartedly. Fighting is sometimes necessary—if you believe strongly enough—but weapons are strongest tempered by love and passion.

Thank you for trusting us. We can but give back the simple honor of trust and respect.

Right now you are amazing and tiny, but you will not always be tiny. See to it that you always remain amazing; seek to astound those around you, perhaps even bewilder them if you have to.

We love you. There will never be a time when this will not be true. There will be times when we will be mad at you and you at us, but, still, we will love you. We might, despite all our efforts, act unfairly. You might, despite all our efforts, do something stupid. But, still, we will love you.

Love, Your Mama and Papa Brose and Bex

This is a public computer, and I have no way to upload images. But pictures and movies have been taken; we'll post some stuff tomorrow when we go home.q

I imagine that by now everyone who is reading this knows why communication suddenly ceased about 10:30PM last night: Bex, after 16 hours or so, Bex was just too tired and in too much pain to continue. She had nothing in the tank, and Sonja--being a very skilled midwife--encouraged Bex in her decision to call it off. So, we ended up in the hospital. I only have a minute to write this, so a detailed story will have to wait. But Bex still managed to deliver vaginally, and Chloe was born at 3.18 am, Feb 6th, and weighed in at 8lbs, 10oz.

Pushing, but there is an anterior lip to push past. Bex is exhausted, and this is taking a very long time.