About 5:30 am last Thursday morning, Andrea was awakened by contractions. Our first reaction was fear, not so much of having the baby, but of not being able to get to the hospital due to the snow.
We called the doctor; she said to come immediately to her office. We called and woke up our friends,
Scott and Rebecca, because we knew their car had snow chains on the tires. We had not expected this to happen a week early, so we (well, Andrea had a bag packed) frantically ran through the house making sure we had passports, credit card, clothes, camera... all the necessities of a trip to the hospital. Due to the fact that it had been snowing for 3 days in Istanbul, we had to walk to a main road in order for Scott to pick us up in the car.
Yes, that's Andrea, 7:30 am, contractions and all, walking in the snow.
After a consult at the clinic, we were informed that everything was in order, and we should make our way to the hospital. The contractions were about three minutes apart and the baby was on her way. We arrived at the hospital about 10 am, Andrea saw the doctor, we checked in and got our room. Due to the drugs of modern medicine, Andrea was only in pain for a few hours before the epidural, which was given around 1 pm. We spent the rest of the afternoon watching the monitors and waiting.
A view from the hospital room window of the Marmara Sea.
We made our way into the delivery room at 5 pm, and Adeline Marie Smith joined us 25 minutes later.
Andrea and Adeline about five minutes after delivery.
Great friends who came to visit about two hours after Adeline was born. (Thanks, Callie, Elizabeth, Laura Beth, Billy, Rebecca and Scott!)
Aunt Lindsey holding little Adeline.
Jeff and Adeline making faces at eachother.
On our way home!
Our family.
Three generations.
Andrea's brother, Scott, flew into Istanbul for 36 hours about a week after Adeline was born. So, he was able to spend some time with his new niece and bring us some fun stuff from America. Thanks, USAF!
We think that Adeline is praising the Lord in her sleep! Thanks to Aunt Emily who crocheted the great purple blanket, it's Adeline's favorite.
Aunt Callie and Adeline. 
Some of the softball girls came over and loved on Adeline. They just passed her around for about two hours and Adeline slept through it all!
Ebru and Adeline.
One of Jeff's baseball friends, Eren, came and spent some time with us. He was so great with Adeline, we were impressed!
Jeff holding Adeline in the Baby Bjorn. She has the cutest little arms and legs, doesn't she?
Another baby shower! Today, the shower was for Rebecca and Katie, both due mid-March. Elizabeth (next to me in the picture) was due yesterday (Feb. 24) so she is pretty ready to meet her little girl any day now! I told them that this picture would be titled "One down, three to go." 
