Stella Grace.

The blog has been quiet for most of this week, and for the very best sort of reason. My niece was born on October 23rd! We spent most of Wednesday at the hospital, waiting not very patiently to meet her. :) Stella Grace was born at 8:41 that night, and she weighed 7 lbs 8 ounces.

Basically, she is the sweetest and most adorable baby ever. Oh my goodness...she is so lovely.

We got to visit and hold her the night she was born, but these photos are from Thursday evening. Two things: me and Stella were unintentionally matching (purple stripes and navy), and she's already frowning in family photos. :)

And these are from the day she came home. Cody and Rachel stopped at our house to let my grandparents see her for the first time.

These just melt my heart! She looks like a perfect little doll. (That's the hat I made her, and no, as sweet as it is, Stella didn't cross her feet like that. Mom just couldn't help herself. :)

I've only been an aunt for a few days now, but I don't think I'll have any trouble adjusting to this. :) I love this little girl so much and I can't wait to watch her grow up (not too fast, though!). Thanks so much to all of you who prayed for my sister-in-law any during her pregnancy...everything went smoothly these past months and she had a good delivery {says the aunt, who didn't actually birth the child. :) Rachel may beg to differ about how easy it was, but anyway, she and Cody are both great parents already. Though I'm still waiting for the day when my brother has to change his first diaper by himself...I want to witness that occasion.}.

I'll try my best not to bombard you guys with baby pictures over the coming weeks and months, but I make no promises. Stella is just too cute. :)