Carmen Joy Beery

So thrilled to meet my niece, Carmen Joy Beery, today! She is so beautiful, with lots of dark hair, dark eyebrows, dark eyelashes, and a beautiful complexion. 6 lb. 9 oz. 18 inches long.

Soon after hearing the news of her birth, this verse came to my mind: "Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever." And this is why...

Due to Rachel's cardiac arrest a couple of years ago, this pregnancy was labeled "high risk", and so she was receiving prenatal care at UVA the latter half of her pregnancy and planned to deliver her baby there as well. Among other precautions, the plan was for an epidural so that the adrenaline of pain wouldn't cause complications to her heart. Rachel and Anthony both preferred to deliver at RMH, and what do you know, that's what happened. Rachel's water broke at home, contractions were 2 to 3 minutes apart, and so instead of chancing UVA, they went to RMH, and a couple of hours later, Carmen Joy was born. No time for an epidural, and no complications of any sort arose! No complications during her pregnancy either for that matter. I just have to say "Thank You Jesus", and "Way to go Rachel"!

One more thing...Carmen Joy means "Song of Joy". Her parents named her that for a reason. Very very fitting given Rachel's past. What a gift of life!