Finally, an opportunity to report in!

I'm sure all of you reading this would know by now that our beautiful daughter, Ella Michele Hofmann, was born at 1.02am on November 17th 2007. She weighed 8lbs 4oz and was 52.5 cm long. James and I are absolutely thrilled and completely in love with our new little one, who is now one week and one day old.

This is a copy of the birth notice we placed in our newspaper, The Advertiser, on Saturday November 24th 2007.

The Advertiser|24 November 2007
HOFMANN (nee Murphy).
Courtney and James are thrilled
to announce the safe arrival of
their precious and much loved
daughter Ella Michele born
November 17, 2007 8 lb. 4 oz.
Special thanks to all at LMH.


Ella's birth didn't entirely go according to plan- I ended up having to have an emergency caesarean after around 2 and a half hours of pushing (urgghh... let's not elaborate on that any further...) - unfortunately she remained up too high and badly positioned so it really was the only option. But she arrived safe and well and I came through it all fine too (so did Daddy, though a little overwhelmed by everything that eventuated). We were able to go home last Tuesday, so it's been nice to be here and settle into the home routine.

Taken just after she was born, still in theatre



Taken yesterday on her 1 week birthday, in Daddy's arms


She is just beautiful, and such a good baby. She hardly ever cries, except for the odd times of being unsettled, feeds really well and loves to cuddle. We're over the moon :-)


Speaking of feeding, she's loudly telling me she's hungry right now so I must go- will write more and post more pictures when I have a chance. Before I go though, I just wanted to write a huge thank you to everyone who's sent us good wishes, cards, flowers and presents- it's overwhelming to think of all the people who have been thinking of us xx