To My Darling Elena: Month 1

To my darling Elena,

Let me officially introduce you on this platform, a place filled with many letters and entries dedicated to our life, my work and the love for my family.

You, Elena Gianna are so loved! Your arrival has been much anticipated after much heartache. A dream come true for mama, papa and an ecstatic sister, Adriana. Speaking of Adriana, she is your big, proud sister who stills prays “thank you for my baby” in her nightly prayers. Her prayers have changed from “please let my baby sister be a girl”.

I really pray that the two of you grow up to have an unbreakable bond as sisters, to be each other’s best friend and confidante. You will grow up to experience how your sister will be your “go-to” person for everything. Your keeper and protector. Just look at Adriana’s face when she first set her eyes on you. Absolute pure joy!

A joy you have been to us. Just like the meaning of your name, Elena “bright, shining light”, you bring joy to our lives and it is hard not to light up when we look at you. You are a happy, easy baby that has fit into our family like a missing puzzle piece. Making our family whole.

Waiting for your arrival was a bit of a rollercoaster. The date of your birth kept us on our toes. It moved a couple of times. Your due date was 3 November 2022. It moved to 25 October then 18 October then moved again to 11 October. Adriana was excited whenever I announced that your birth date had been brought forward.

It seemed like a crazy waiting game, waiting to have you, waiting to meet you. Waiting is often a virtue that makes many of us impatient, it tests us and often I am reminded of the quote, “Patience is not simply the ability to wait – it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” – Joyce Meyer. Oh boy, did we wait for you over the years. You are worth every tear, prayer, injection and more!

Even going into theatre, we waited…again. I went into labour waiting to go in and was moved to the front of the queue. However, there were two emergencies so again we had to wait our turn.

Eventually rolling into theatre, I was eager for the c-section to be over. It had been a long pregnancy and I just wanted you to come safely into this world.

When it was time for you to make your grand entrance, you were comfy inside and did not budge. My anxiety was at an all-time high as I just wanted to hear your arrival. I thought all would be ok once you took your first breath, that I could finally “breathe” knowing that you were here safely. I cried happy tears hearing you cry! The biggest relief! Seeing your little squishy face and your mop of hair as the nurse brought you to me for our first pic together.

You were much smaller than we anticipated. A little petite thing that has doubled the love in our hearts and our home.

Your first month has been an eventful one, attending Adriana’s school concert, graduation, school orientation and even a Disney event!

I do have to laugh at people’s reaction to you. The grasps and squeals you get when women come up to us to stroke your hair. You are like a real-life doll.

A little doll that loves to guzzle her milk with much gusto, and lets out a sigh of content once she is done. As you drift away into dreamland, you make the funniest sounds that even our dogs look at you puzzled. From little grunts to sighs of happiness, we do love to watch your facial expressions as you do them.