Serafina is 2 weeks old :)

and doing really well, we're happy to report. Serafina is back up to her birth weight. We're all really enjoying the 'honeymoon phase' of this newborn Sleep (Well!) All The Time! (not to jinx ourselves, BUT) at night she's been going to bed at the same time as Madeleine (6:00/6:30) and only waking up at 10:30pm and 3:00am for feedings. (WISH that would last, but I know better...) She's also sleeping on the go very nicely. We'll all go with Madeleine on her 'Morning Adventure' (to the park, library for Story Hour, Zoo, Academy of Science, etc etc) and Serafina will pretty much sleep through it. Then, have a big nap from 12-3 when Madeleine does. Very nice. Again, I only wish this would last, but I doubt it... :P ah, well. at least we're all enjoying it now. :)

Big Sister Madeleine is also doing well (thus far ~ although still early to jump to conclusions as both sets of grandparents have been here entertaining her AND she's still able to go on her morning outings... ;> Hopefully we'll be able to say the same thing after everyone clears out & the dust settles. Stay tuned. :)

(pictures coming soon)

She has a name!

FINALLY decided on her name: SERAFINA INA SHARKEY

SERAFINA: Not sure why I'm drawn to European names given my Native American roots ;> but there it is. I was scrolling through Italian names when I came across Serafina. I loved the lyrical sound of it. My dad is also pleased as it happens to be an old-school biblical name: stems from Seraphim ~ the highest order of angels. win-win. ;)

INA: After Ina Dean, the mother of my Stepfather, Rich. Ina was the nicest, most giving, kindest, and fun person, not to mention best euchre partner, I've had the pleasure of knowing. I only wish I could have known her better and for a longer time. I am proud and honored to name my daughter after such a great woman.


Serafina is quite a mouthful for a 2 year old, so Madeleine has coined the special Big Sister nickname of 'Fina'.
However, we hope everyone else will call Serafina by her full name as we love her complete name and aren't so fond of the shorter versions. :)

Sharklette #2 is born!!! =)

Her birth story is short:
i sort of felt what might be contractions ~2am, went back to sleep until 4:30. told sharkey i wasn't sure, but he may want to stay home or go in for a half day. (he decides, what the heck, he'll stay.)
i take a long shower, and we head to the hospital at 5:15.
get all checked in & hooked to monitors at 5:45. am 8-9 cm dilated.
i want to start pushing ~6:25, they break my water, and Sharklette #2 is here at 6:30am weighing 7 pounds 12 ounces and 20.5 inches (no epidural, no time really).
we're all doing great. =) even poor sharkey who had a front row seat thanks to the (male) nurse who instructed him to take my other leg during pushing ~ didn't ask, just told, & sharkey did, and hung in there like a champ ~ EVEN when they broke the water w/ a totally unexpected big gush, hehe!!! good times. baby girl was laughed out. :)

(my hair is still all wet from my shower...)



another Cloney is born (adds sharkey), and boy, is he right!! i thought madeleine couldn't look more like him, but this girl has miss maddie topped, i think.




First Visitors: Again, Aunt Rebecca, this time with Cousin Owen! =)

Owen felt his little cousin's pain... so cute! (He was all smiles & entertainment the rest of the time.)