We welcome precious baby Elle . . .

Last night Erica called to say she was having contractions, but nothing too serious. Well, not wanting to miss out on the birth of my 12th grandchild, I headed South to Battle Creek, arriving around 11:30 p.m. Her contractions were getting stronger and they decided to call the midwife at midnight. She arrived at 12:30, checked Erica and announced that she was fully dilated! She decided to use the bathroom quick before pushing, but baby Elle had other plans. Conveniently, her water broke over the toilet, but baby Elle decided to enter the world in a hurry. Erica scurried back to the living room and as she sat down on the birthing stool, there was the baby. Wow! We were all running to grab blankets, towels, etc. The midwife quickly wrapped her in a blanket and it took a few minutes before Erica pulled the blanket back to see if it was a boy or a girl. After holding her for about 10 minutes, Ben cut the cord. Isaac got up to see his new little sister and by 8 a.m. everyone was up checking her out. She spent her first night in a clothes basket (I didn't know she was planning to use my bassinet!) She is just a perfect! Erica said she doesn't even feel like she delivered a baby. I am at the library to order pictures and announce our exciting news, so I'd better get back to my duties - laundry, taking care of kids and fixing meals. I love it! When you close your eyes tonight, please say a prayer of thanksgiving for beautiful Elle Benting! Thank you!
Isn't she beautiful?
Check out all that hair!
Isaac and his three little sisters!
The whole gang!