nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals the power of your intense fragility

Today our daughter, Jessica Patrice Burdett, was brought into the world via a surprise (but, thankfully, not really "emergency") C-section. She is very small--3 pounds 13 ounces, 16 1/2 inches--but like so many tiny things, truly precious.

She was three weeks early, but for all intents and purposes she is full term. She is, nonetheless, spending a few days in the NICU (the neonatal intensive care unit) so they can make sure she can maintain her body temperature and keep her blood sugar up. So far she is doing very well. We don't know how long she'll be there, though.

Anna is recovering nicely, and we hope will be able to go see--and hold, and feed--Jessica tomorrow morning.

(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens; only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands

Here are some more pictures of Jessica from her first day: