We went to bed at about 10:30 p.m. on that night. Psychologically, we were
worn out. Earlier that day at 5:30 a.m., Heidi awakened with moderate
contractions that faded within two hours. The rest of the day she had almost no
signs of labor. Thinking that the earlier signs were only false labor, we went to
bed imagining that the “real thing” could possibly be weeks away. Heidi’s
mother Kathy, and sisters Betsy and Anna, had come from Rolfe to help with
the birth.

After sleeping about one hour, Heidi woke up at 11:35 p.m. and said, “Jim,
I’m about to have a hard contraction!” Her water broke and she immediately
began having contractions, shaking, and showing others signs of late First
Stage labor and then Transition. At 12:25 a.m. a purple, wet, scared but
beautiful little person slipped into my hands. She cried and I was so relieved
that she was alive–alive and finally with us. My concern then moved to Heidi.
It took her a full and intense hour to birth the placenta. As it was emerging, I
could have sworn that it was a second head crowning--in fact, I said, “Heidi,
you’re not going to believe this . . .” But then it was all out and my
momentary thought of twins was confirmed untrue. Which is a good thing
after all, because who can properly admit so much joy from one little orb of
gladness–let alone two?

Maria was born in her great-grandmother Martha Elizabeth’s bedroom at
Wellinghall (built in 1897 by Byron Bair). The ambience of the house was
one of hushed expectancy- the bedroom was aglow with soft candlelight which
gleamed from the white organza curtains of the newly built canopy bed with its
green  duvet cover. The green of the walls, with their stenciled poetry border
softened the shadows, from which peered Jim’s hand drawn fairies. Hail
Gladdening Light, some of our favorite “church” music played softly. Later in
the evening of her birth-day, with both families present, we had a dedication
ceremony that included an explanation and history of her names, a blessing,
singing and prayer.

Now, at a week old, Maria has a brownish tint to her skin like her mother.
From under a protruding brow glow big, round, dark eyes with long lashes.
Like her Papa, she has the Roland “pudges” below the corners of her eyes
and her dark brown bangs swirl in a cowlick. Like Sophia, she has one ear
that forms a puckish “point”- a peculiar trait that she inherited from both sides
of the family.  Her great-grandmother Ives and Grandpa Warren Roland
both passed on elements of it- and it has been said that there must be elf blood
somewhere in the lines to inherit the “pixie ear.”  Her face has noble lines--
fine lips and a well-defined chin. Her nose is darling–it is fully proportioned,
gracefully sloping down to a rounded end that is perfect for kissing. We love
her.

Sophia frequently wants to hold her, kiss her head, pat her, poke her, mimic
her sounds and laugh at her general monkey-likeness. They sleep together in
the same crib placed next to our bed, and oftentimes Sophia sleeps with her
arms around Maria, one rosy cheek resting against Maria’s dark head. It is
infinitely precious.

We are all doing well. Jim and I (Heidi) are trying to consciously enjoy
every moment spent in this big, old home and the beautiful things that we are
surrounded with as we begin to gear our minds up for this summer’s move.
Jim has been accepted to the Master’s Degree program at Trinity Evangelical
Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill, which is a suburb of Chicago on the
Northern edge. We will be moving over there sometime before school begins in
the fall. He loves to gain knowledge, and I enjoy following his progress,
reading over his shoulder, and hearing new ideas. We both enjoy a good
challenge, so seminary seems the perfect next step. Jim’s degree will be in
Christian Thought- a hybridized program, combining theology, philosophy,
and Church history. This is geared for the individual who intends to pursue a
career in college or university teaching and who will need a research degree
which provides competency in more than one of the theological disciplines. In
the Christian Thought concentration, Jim will take his emphasis courses in
Early Church History and cognate studies in Philosophy of Religion. He is
going to attempt to do all of the required course work in one year, leaving the
second year free to write his thesis.

Sophia has been learning by leaps and bounds! She follows us everywhere
and imitates our actions; whether it be dusting, washing dishes, feeding the
chickens or typing- she wants to do it, too. Sophie is a social butterfly. People
are her favorite things, especially aunts, uncles and cousins. She likes books,
too. I don’t know how much of the stories she understands, but she does like
having us read to her, or just thumbing through pages on her own.

We would like to invite you to come and meet Maria in person. Please know
that our door is always open to you.

                       With love always,
                   James, Heidi, Sophia & Maria