And Her Name Is.... (Photostory)

Danielle would like to thank everyone for their suggestions.  She really appreciated the help since Rod was no help at all with the naming.  At the end of the story, she explains her thought process on the name she chose.

When the baby was brought back to the room, it was clear that she was hungry.  Danielle quickly breastfed her then threw on a little dress to prepare for her pending visitors.

"So do you like that name?"  (Danielle)

"I do.  It really suits her.  How did you come up with that name?  It wasn't even on the list."  (Rod)

"It just came to me as I was looking into her eyes while she ate."  (Danielle)

**KNOCK KNOCK**

"Come in!"  (Danielle)

"Hello, we're finally here."  (Roberta)

"Come on in.  The baby has been waiting to meet everyone."  (Rod)

"Hi, Mommy!  We brought the baby a present."  (Julian)

"Awww, that's so sweet of you."  (Danielle)

"That's why we're so late.  We stopped by the hospital gift shop.  So many things to choose from."  (Roberta)

"Hi, Jacob.  Did you come to meet your new sister?"

"No."  (Jacob)

"What do you mean no?  I thought you came to let her meet one of her new big brothers."  (Danielle)

"Jacob, I think you are going to like being a big brother.  You and Julian will make sure that she is safe and well taken care of."  (Roberta)

"Do you want to come closer?  She won't bite."  (Danielle)

"Ummm, no."  (Jacob)

"Jacob you have to be nice to her like I was nice to you when you were the baby."  (Julian)

"I'm sure he will come around.  Let's give him some time."  (Roberta)

"Roberta, would you like me to take him, so you can meet the baby?"  (Rod)

"No.  Mom just put him down on the floor to see if he will come meet her."  (Danielle)

"Okay, but don't force the issue, dear."  (Roberta)

"I know.  I know."  (Danielle)

"So how is the new papa doing?"  (Roberta)

"I'm good.  No matter how much you think you are prepared, seeing a life enter the world will always be amazing."  (Rod)

"God's greatest miracle for sure."  (Roberta)

"You know you are still my baby, too, right?  You are also my big boy.  You have the best of both worlds.  You have a big brother and a little sister."  (Danielle)

Jacob just stands there looking at the baby.  He's not moving closer, but at least he's not moving away either.

"Jacob, when you were a baby, Mommy had a big brother party for me."  (Julian)

"That's right!  I totally forgot about your big brother party.  Maybe we should have another small party to help Jacob with his new big brother role."  (Danielle)

"So how long before I can scoop her up and hold her?"  (Roberta)

"You are welcome to do that right now."  (Danielle)

"You got her?"  (Danielle)

"Oh don't be a nervous nelly.  I've held far more babies in my day than I can count."  (Roberta)

"Why don't you take her to the rocking chair and relax."  (Danielle)

You know who follows Roberta and the baby to the chair.  He is so enthralled with his new baby sister.

"So what do you think of your new sister, Julian?"  (Roberta)

"I like her.  She's small but kind of pretty.  She has big cheeks like me and Jacob."  (Julian)

"Oh, you saw that, too.  You are so observant."  (Roberta)

"Mommy?"  (Jacob)

"Yes, sweetie?"  (Danielle)

"Can you hold me like a baby?"  (Jacob)

His words weren't as clear as that, but Danielle understood what he was saying.

Rod, overhearing the conversation, gently reminds Danielle not to over do it.

"Honey, please be careful.  You did just give birth today."  (Rod)

"I am feeling a little tired.  Come take him for a minute, please."  (Danielle)

Danielle straightens the sheets before she lays down.

She scoots back on the bed and stops.

"Are you okay?"  (Rod)

"Yes.  Just a minor pain.  It has passed."  (Danielle)

"Maybe I should call the nurse."  (Rod)

"No, not yet.  She will make the boys leave, and I want a little more time with them."  (Danielle)

"Here, let me have him."  (Danielle)

"I will put him where you want him.  You shouldn't be lifting him and moving him around."  (Rod)

Jacob is staring in the direction of the baby.  This could be a good sign.

"Mommie's big little man.  I think Julian is right about having a big brother party.  Would you like that?"  (Danielle)

"A party?"  (Jacob)

"Yes, we are going to celebrate your new role as big brother."  (Danielle)

Rod watches as Roberta and Julian talk to the baby.  Overall he's happy, but seeing his new daughter makes him miss Nicole even more.  He wishes she was here to celebrate with them.

"By the way, we are tired of saying 'baby'.  Have you two given her a name yet?"  (Roberta)

"As a matter of fact, we have.  Her name is Zoé Noelle Taylor."  (Danielle)

"What a pretty name."  (Roberta)

"Mom, can you bring her over here?  I'd like one more try with Jacob before they have to leave."  (Danielle) 

"So can Zoé come to your party?  You can introduce everyone to your new little sister."  (Danielle)

"Will Ciyana be there?"  (Jacob)

"We will definitely invite your best friend, Ciana.  Do you think she is going to like your new little sister?"

"Maybe, but not like she like me."  (Jacob)

"Of course not."  (Danielle)

"Mommy, can I come up?"  (Julian)

"Yes.  Kick off your shoes, real quick and join your siblings."  (Danielle)

Roberta is telling Rod the meaning behind the elephant.

"Danielle may not remember this, but she had a stuffed elephant when she was a little girl.  The minute I saw it in the shop, it brought back those memories and I wanted her daughter to have an elephant, too."  (Roberta)

"Wow, that's a really special gesture."  (Rod)

"I have several pictures of her with her elephant.  When you guys return home, I'll show her the pictures to refresh her memory.  I'm kind of surprised she didn't remember, but not really.  The memory is quite challenged after giving birth."  (Roberta) 

"Well, I think you should remind her today when it's just the three of you."  (Rod)

"I think I will."  (Roberta)

Soon after that Rod gathers up the boys, kisses the ladies goodbye, and heads out.  Danielle is happy to have alone time with her mom and her daughter.  

EPILOGUE:

When I saw that mini stuffed elephant at Hobby Lobby, in the miniature section, I almost flipped.  They had a cool giraffe, a cute monkey, and a cuddly dog.  I had to have that elephant right away.  I didn't want to risk him selling out.  The following week, I purchased the giraffe and the monkey, and lots of other mini items for 30% off.  I had a stuffed elephant when I was a little girl.  It is one of only two childhood items I still have.

Here is my personal stuffed elephant that I had as a child.  He is almost 40 years old.  My mom didn't even know that I still had him.

He is still in great shape, and still brings me so much joy when I look at him.

Now, I'm sure some of you are wondering, where the heck Danielle came up with that name.  She was all ready to name her Jasmine Grace, but all of a sudden she was reminded of two little girls she recently saw on tv.  One was a little French girl, named Zoé and the second was a young African American girl named Noelle, who started a charity to help kids understand what breast cancer was all about.  Her mom had won a battle against breast cancer, and she wanted to help other kids who may be dealing with a parent battling cancer.  

Again Danielle thanks everyone for their input.  There were some good ones.  In all honesty, the boys had J names because of their father.  She wasn't sure a J name was appropriate.  She really wasn't too keen on most of the R names, except the ones people in Morristown already have.  A first name with an N would have been nice, but there are so many N named ladies in Morristown, she didn't feel it was unique enough for her little princess.  

Danielle will rest in the hospital another day, and will be discharged on day three.  She's looking forward to getting Zoé home with the family.