The Anker Fam·i·ly

Elina's Birth Story

Written on August 22, 2003 at 11:00 AM

Our Ellie is a beautiful gift from a beautiful person, my sister. It will take several months before things are “official” but that’s just paper work, for the moment, we are enjoying every second of our new daughter Elina Dawne Adele.

Elina Dawne Adele(a.k.a. Ellie) was due to arrive on September 3, my plan was for me to leave Toronto on Aug. 18 (Herman on the 19) and spend two weeks with my sister, attend the Pic River PowWow, and make final preparations for her arrival (talking in past tense because we did not know she was a girl or boy).

On Friday Aug 8, I was speaking with my sister online. She said she was experiencing some pressure and had been feeling some braxton hicks contractions in the previous months. She then said that perhaps she was also feeling some sense of “leaking”. She decided to go to the hospital and the monitors showed some small contractions but nothing to make them think the baby
was on its way.

Back here in Toronto (1600 KM away) I had planned on spending a Friday evening with Hillary and my girlfriends at the Taste of the Danforth. My initial feeling was that the contractions were an overreaction and honestly, that they were (my family) playing a silly joke on me. I came home about 930 and spoke with my sister again and this time, after some minutes on the phone, she was pleading with me to get on a plane and get to Marathon **Marathon is 3 hours east of Thunder Bay by car**

After several hours on the phone with Air Canada (I had to attempt to change two Aeroplan tickets (free ones which DID NOT happen) and change my niece Hillary’s ticket (which we had already changed once, she decided to go home early – and joked that she thought we would be going with her…..intuitive eh?). We had to purchase two new tickets – $1300 in total. Herman held the phone playing Air Canada elevator music while I packed for myself, my niece and our new baby.

After about 2 hours sleep, at 5:30 AM my mother called to say that my sister was 5cm dilated and that they were going to break her water. We were leaving on the first plane at 8:15 AM and due to arrive in Thunder Bay at 10:00. Herman & I did not sleep and were anxious and excited (so we did not sleep
on the plane either). We were going to rent a car and drive to Marathon but decided to ask Dawne and Heather Kilgour to drive us. We went to a store in Thunder Bay to pick up the small things I thought I wanted and we arrived 8 hours later in Marathon to the beautiful sight of our new baby girl!

At 8:00 on August 9, 2003 weighing 6 pounds 2 ounces (2.780 KG) our Elina Dawne arrived. She came quickly (my sister said only 3 pushes) and this made her face, hands and a small piece on her chest bruised. The first words out of my mouth was that “She’s Blue” – Im really really hoping that she heard “I Love You” instead. I was a little concerned about her coloring but as the nurses assured me, she was ok.

I spent the night in the hospital room with my sister, she was released that following evening and Ellie stayed one more night in the hospital. Marathon Hospital’s staff and physicians were the most absolute best we could have hoped for. They were attentive and helpful and kind and accommodating, especially due to the different situation (my sister giving birth and then I caring for her).

There were a few lessons I learned that first day: #1 – I cannot control everything #2 – Go with the flow (we cannot drive any faster or be more prepared that we can physically do) #3 – That instant love you feel when you look down at your baby to be was the most full and beautiful feeling I could ever imagine – Almost like meeting my husband for the first time but different! I was grateful for the 8 hours my sister got to be with the baby and the time my mother and family spent with them as well.

We stayed at Pic River First Nation for 2 days and then left for Thunder Bay to visit to lawyer. We hoped to leave for Toronto that Sat or Sun, but then were delayed for 4 more days due to the Power Outage in Toronto.

We relaxed and took care of our Ellie !

We named her after 3 important women in our lives – Elina is a Scandinavian name but also includes Elin and Lina (Herman’s mother and my mother). Dawne is her second name – for two reasons, first because of Dawne Kilgour – a childhood teacher who became my friend and mentor and luckily for me, a second mother – Ellie also arrived early in the morning – thus Dawne! (with an E). Her 3^rd name will be given to her in September by an Elder here in Toronto at a Community Welcoming Event we are hosting on September 20, 2003.

This is the short of it but the real time begins, we love waking up to her cries for food and our attention. So far, we are blessed with a quiet content baby. She is very regular and when awake, a silent inquisitive type. She has lighter brown hair, fair like skin and eyes a mix of green and brown (almost hazel). How ever she turns out, she very special to many people.

My sister says not to thank her but to thank the Creator. She is a beauty person and I cannot thank her enough for what she has given us. We are now a family!

Thanks Dea … Thanks Creator

Mom and Dad

You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker

You are so beautiful to me
You are so beautiful to me
Can’t you see?
You’re everything I hoped for
You’re everything I need
You are so beautiful to me

Such joy and happiness
You bring
Such joy and happiness
You bring
Like a dream

A guiding light
That shines in the night
Heaven’s gift to me
You are so beautiful to me