With great joy we welcomed
Isabelle Lucille Poppen into the world early on Friday morning, December 1st, at 3:03 a.m. She was a petite (for us) 7 pounds 4.3 ounces and 19.5 inches long - every ounce and inch precious and lovely! Isabelle is a delightful, sweet and (for the most part) very peaceful baby girl. We are smitten, and she doesn't seem to mind being smothered by our love.
Meaning Behind the Name:
After naming our first child, Zoë Anastasia, with a name originating from Greek (which we had studied together in seminary), and our second child, Isaiah Benjamin, with a name originating in Hebrew (which we both studied and Zac was pursuing in his graduate degree), it seemed only fitting to pick a name with roots from another language. After Zac took exams in both Spanish and French this past spring, we settled on French and quickly found a name with beautiful flair and rich meaning.
Bonjour, mon amour!
Isabelle
Isabelle means
"devoted to God" or "
consecrated to God." Isabelle is the French version of the English name Elizabeth. Both have roots in the Hebrew name
Elisheva which is often interpreted as "
my God is abundance" or "
God of plenty" and "
God's promise." All of these meanings hold great significance for me personally. From her conception through her birth, God poured out an abundance of blessings, grace, peace, strength, love and fullness of
life on me even in the midst of a wilderness season and many difficult circumstances. Our God truly is a God of abundance! As parents, our desire is for Isabelle's life to be whole-heartedly devoted to God in faithfulness and a constant witness to God's abundance in His goodness and faithfulness towards her.
Lucille
Lucille means "light." It is a French version of the name Lucia with roots back to the Latin lux. How beautiful is it that this precious little Light will celebrate her birth each year as we begin the season of Advent - lighting candles to represent the Hope, Love, Joy and Peace that come from the True Light of the World, Jesus. Jesus, The Light who broke through the darkness on that starry night long ago as a sweet little baby. This sweet baby grew into a man who conquered death and darkness through his own death and resurrection, and will one day fully push back the darkness with the brilliance of his light. O, Come Emmanuel - how we long for that day! Jesus, The Light, gives us the light of Life (John 8:12) and his light shines through those who walk in his light so that they too become a light to the world (1 John 1:7; Matthew 5:14). Sweet Isabelle is already a light in our home. She has brought great joy and delight even in a few short days of life! Our hope and prayer for Isabelle is that she would come to know the True Light and walk in his light. May she be a light that shines forth the hope, love, joy and peace of Jesus.
A Birth Story:
Part 1: Fast and Furious
November 30th - Thursday afternoon I went to the midwife clinic for my 40 week check-up. At 40 weeks and 4 days, my cervix was still at 1 cm dilation, 80 percent effaced, and baby girl was facing sunny-side up. Not exactly promising signs of the baby coming anytime soon. I scheduled my 41 week appointment, knowing there would be conversations about induction, and had to schedule a stress test and ultrasound the following week.
I came home, made Christmas treats for Zoë and Isaiah's teachers, got everything ready for the next day and went on a date with Zac to Spice for some yummy Thai food. I hung out upside down for a bit to try and create some space for baby girl to turn, tried a few other natural induction methods and went to bed prepared for another day of waiting.
Around 10:15 Thursday night, I began feeling some very strong contractions. Oh good, I thought. Braxton hicks. Maybe I'm in early labor.
They got stronger. Zac was still awake and noticed when I came out of the room unable to sleep. He started timing the contractions.
Two-minutes apart.
Zac was ready to head to the hospital right then, but I was unsure. Remembering the 12 hours of intense labor I had with Isaiah at home before going to the hospital to labor for another 15 hours (27 in total), I was convinced I was only getting started and had no intention of going to the hospital only to be sent back home. I told Zac to get some sleep and took a hot shower to help me manage the contractions, which were getting more and more intense. Exhausted, I tried laying down with Zac rubbing my feet - but the intensity was increasing.
One-minute apart.
Zac: "Uh, we need to go. NOW."
Me: "...yeah." No arguing this time!
At 2:10 a.m. on Friday morning, December 1st, we called my Doula Amanda and headed to the hospital. As we packed up the bags, my contractions changed and I felt incredible pressure. I was (unknowingly) already starting the transition phase. Fortunately, we live only 8 minutes from the hospital and there was no traffic in the wee hours of the morning!
By the time we were led to the labor and delivery room, it was around 2:35. I was relieved when the midwife Allison said I was dilated to 6 cm. Hallelujah. Amanda and my nurse were amazing and provided the calm and confidence I needed to persevere. My water broke a little before 3:00 and precious Isabelle Lucille was born at 3:03 a.m. - the first December baby at Texas Harris Methodist Hospital. The labor and delivery was so fast that I didn't even have my hospital band on my wrist; they never got an IV hookup inserted (hooray!); I never got to use the shower and we didn't even get the wireless monitor working. Allison had run into the room after my water broke and was ready in time to catch a baby! All in all, labor and delivery was under 5 hours. Compared to 27, it felt like the blink of an eye. I kept pinching myself to make sure it actually happened.
Oh, what a joy to hold her for the first time!
Part 2: Peaceful Bliss
Within seconds of her birth, Isabelle was in my arms. She was perfect. Beautiful. Peaceful. Not a cry. She lay on my chest and we bonded for nearly 2 hours before the nurse took her to be weighed and measured - even then, not a cry! After watching my first two children be whisked away to NICU, this experience with Isabelle was incredible. Bliss. What a beautiful beginning to her life!
Daddy and his baby girl
With Amanda, Doula and friend :)
The peaceful bliss lasted until the afternoon when a whirlwind of chaotic excitement known as Big Brother and Big Sister bounded into the room. Zoë and Isaiah were trilled to meet their little sister for the first time, and as I said before, she didn't seem to mind being smothered by their attention and affection.
First family photo before we left the hospital
Heading home!
She's not so sure about this guy... ;P
Didi has been a huge blessing to us despite having a cold/cough and not being able to snuggle with her granddaughter. We are so grateful for her care of the two big kids (along with Auntie Judy) while we were in the hospital and helping with kid duty and household duty throughout the week! We have also been blessed by family and friends who have brought or sent gifts, flowers, treats, meals and came to hold sweet Isabelle!
Isabelle's favorite activity
Hello there, beautiful!
Poppen, party of FIVE
Home for the Holidays
Much love from our home to yours!
