Ehlana and Ethan:
Congratulations, Jake and Stephanie – it’s a girl!
Sierra Samantha Stone was born at a quarter-past noon today, and mother and baby are doing well, but before we get into those details; our top news of the day began shortly-after Stephanie went into labor; so we’ll start this story there; and include the baby news as we go along.
We do not normally get wake-up calls for baby deliveries, but Sierra is an especially-strong Magi; so extra help was needed to shield the clinic while she was being born. Mom was among the first to be called, but by then; we already knew and were awake and getting ready to go over to the clinic. We didn’t want to get there first, so we had a quick breakfast before leaving; and we were only along for appearances – though we were allowed to help out a bit too until we needed to go to school.
Magi baby births haven’t changed since Mom and Cassie arrived in town, but protecting them during birth is more-organized, and thanks to Mom’s pre-natal training; there are fewer surprises. Sierra wasn’t an exception, but she is exceptional – just as her Uncle Michael is; so the combined family heritages have likely been an important factor even though Jake isn’t a Magi. One good example doesn’t prove anything, but we are getting more proof that the ‘right’ pairings from families with Magi heritage will lead to having more Magi children with stronger talents. Sure, we’re considered two of those examples too, but you know what we mean.
While we went to school on-time – meeting up with Aiden and Naomi along the way and sharing the news with them; Mom had to change her plans for the day while helping out at the clinic all morning. Her trip to the city was only delayed, though; and sharing in all of that joy and love was worth the effort – especially since she got to share some of that fun with Cassie and Michael – including Sierra’s birth. We couldn’t do that while at school too – though our links still allowed us to sense a lot of what was happening. While Cassie and Michael were in-between exams, though, they linked up with Mom; could share in everything that was happening; and even got to talk telepathically with Sierra soon-after she was born.
That, by the way, isn’t normally done, but Cassie and Michael were involved in Sierra’s pre-natal training, and had been able to talk with her telepathically while home at Thanksgiving; so having them join in wasn’t too-much for Sierra to handle. The newest member of our family – at least through Cassie – definitely had more support than normal – and it had been needed too; since an all-morning labor was tough on everyone involved. Mom and Doctor Adam had help from Miranda, Samantha, Grandpa Grant, and Grandma Eleanor for most of the shielding and work with Sierra; and they had some break relief as needed from others too. We shouldn’t focus only on that, since there was a lot of fun too – like the jokes about both another pandemic baby and a belated birthday gift for Jake. The love and joy that goes along with a Christmastime baby is awesome too; and that feeling was strong everywhere in town; since Sierra’s combined families are friends with pretty much everyone in the Ridge River region.
As we mentioned, Sierra is doing well and healthy. She weighed in at seven-pounds, eleven ounces; and we’ve been told that she looks like her mother did at birth – except that her hair is black like Jake’s instead of golden. We saw Sierra for a moment after school, but our visit was only a quick stop between our house and Naomi’s; and we didn’t want to be part of the too-many-visitors problem at the clinic. We’re at Naomi’s tonight because Mom still headed for the city once she could head out from the clinic. She didn’t want to miss out on a Christmas dinner visit with the Malloys – or the overnight sleepover with Dad at the hotel; and she’ll stay longer tomorrow to get her shopping to-do list done too.
Aiden is with us for the co-ed sleepover at Naomi’s too; and we’ll now have Liz supervising our home schooling tomorrow while Mom is busy – though that will only be a half day for us thanks to the seniors’ Christmas luncheon. That’s why we had a band practice once at Naomi’s – to get ready for our part in that party entertainment. It would be nice if Grandma and Grandpa could be there, but they won’t be home until next week. Our practice was fun – except for the interruptions from Zack and Eli; we helped to cook dinner; and then our evening has included video gaming; pranks, Christmas music, and we’re about to get into a Christmas movie to go along with co-ed cuddling and a possible co-ed sleepover. Zack and Eli are here too, so that last part of the non-plan might not work out for us, but we can hope; and will let you know the rest of the story with the update tomorrow night.
It’s time to get started on that movie and cuddling, though; so let’s wrap this up. Our Christmas song pick for the night isn’t dedicated to Sierra, but we do think that she’s a little angel; and we love this song a lot too!
This is Ehlana and Ethan Proctor; live from the hidden home of the Magi of the Light – and May the Magi Force be with you!
