The smitten older brother

Gabe is smitten and often claims that Clara is his favorite sister . We let him think that for now. What a blessing to have such a loving brother.

a big sister at last

Baby Clara Ann "broccoli" Stewart

Baby Clara was born May 18th, induced early due to mom's misery. Thank you Dr. Drikell
Baby is named after Great Grandpa Clarence and my sister Adriel Ann. It was also the name Joe and I didn't debate and argue over. Joe and I loved Grandpa so much. When we were first married we'd go over and visit Great grandma and Great grandpa and he would tell us funny stories about the good ol days.
He made us laugh and think about life past 20 years of age. We still reminisce about him and our happy pobre time in Grand Forks. Our favorite part about visiting with him was when he'd shout at grandma from his swivel chair, " Momma, give me some coffee!" and she'd yell back, " In a minute, I'm making your sandwich,". But in less than 2 minutes, there was his coffee on a hot afternoon day. Joe tried that on me once and I'm pretty sure he got a shoe thrown at him.
Ann comes from Adriel Ann, reaon being, I still like her after all these years, so I thought I'd name something after her.
The name Clara means BRIGHT and Ann means Favored or Grace. Clara is and will be Brightly Favored!
Birthing Story:
Joe and I went into the hospital at 7a.m. to be induced. I stole some toast on the way out the door because I knew I'd be starving and couldn't eat. I was hooked up to the "speed it up" meds and off the contractinons went. I was fine a happy for 2.5 hours. The contractions went every minute on top of each other all the way down to every 7 minutes. For jeeze sakes is all I could think. I have plans, come on baby! Watch what you swish for, right?
The Dr. came pre warned that I deliver fast starting at 5 months of pregnancy, so with this in mind she broke my water at 10:57. The contractions started immediately and I went from peace loving happiness to PAIN, in less than a minute.
I told Joe that if the pain lasts any longer than an hour or more I couldn't take it and he needed to help me make a decision for drugs or no drugs. Every time I contimplate them, I end up with a baby on my lap, 30 minutes later, so the plans for a spine shot nerv fully develope. The nurse was also the best EVER. She said, give it 15 minutes and I'll check to see how far along you are and you can make a decision from there. I agreed.
The pain worsened and I was feeling the need to push with in 15 minutes. She checked me again and said I was at 5 cm, then 6cm., then 7cm...Every 2 contractions, if not less, I was dilating 1 full centimeter. The nurse and Dr. were ready though, unlike my other deliveries, which seemed to surprise everyone but Joe and I. We always warn them; I deliver fast, but no one wants to believe me, until they're catching baby in a baseball glove.
I went from 3.5 cm at 10:57 to delivery in less than an hour. She was brorn at 11:39. It was super fast and Clara even got a bruise on her forehead to prove it!