Frostbitten in Minnesota: Jay, Karen, Lucas & Isla's Midwestern Tales: 3 + 1 = FOUR!!!

Hello there! My name is Isla Meredith Dean. How are you?

It's a little more crowded at 4054 Raleigh these days with the addition of Isla Meredith Dean. The newest Minnesota Dean arrived on October 13th at 4:42 AM at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis and weighed in at 6 lbs, 15 oz, and measured 20 inches. We took her home Monday and it's been nothing but pure joy - the sleep deprivation version of joy, but joy nonetheless. Lucas, Karen, and Jay are all totally in love with baby Isla, and are excited about the many adventures with her ahead.

Isla was visited by the Rolig Clan on the first day of her life - Grandma Bonnie and Grandpa Jack, along with brother Lucas - were the first on the scene, followed by Auntie Jessica, Uncle Eric and cousins Max, Annika, and Emerson. Uncle Brian and Great Aunt Carol stopped by a little later in the day, and Auntie Kristy made a special visit on her way back from the cabin on Sunday (unfortunately, Ingrid was under the weather and has yet to meet her new cousin).

We've had many visitors at home, too, and many home-cooked meals from the neighbors. Jay's parents visited this past weekend, and spent a lot of time over at the house soaking up some Lucas and Isla energy to bring back east. Jay is taking two weeks away from the Blake School and, despite being a zombie, plans to help with the transition as much as possible. Not much someone who can't breastfeed can do, though! It's amazing how much we forgot about life with a newborn, but it's also amazing how much comes back so quickly.