My new granddaughter, Isabelle (“Izzy” for short) Karis, photographed when she was about 17 hours old.
SHE’S HERE. She’s beautiful. And she’s my first grandbaby, Isabelle Karis.
Born 19 days early late Wednesday afternoon, Isabelle weighed 6 lbs., 15 oz., and measured 20.5 inches. It is a joy to finally meet this little girl I’ve been loving since I learned in September of her forthcoming birth. I am thrilled to be part of what numerous well-wishers term The Grandparent Club.
Isabelle is named after her paternal great great grandmother, also her Oma’s middle name. Her middle name, Karis, is the Greek word for “grace.” So fitting. So lovely.
I felt that grace Thursday morning as my husband and I stood with our son-in-law at Amber’s bedside, baby Isabelle cradled in her arms, the hospital spiritual advisor also there. As Marc prayed a blessing upon his daughter, our hands hovering over her, tears leaked down my cheeks. It was a profound moment for me as I was overwhelmed by emotion. Relief. Thankfulness. Awed by the miracle of life. So in love with this little girl.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
So thrilled for you all. What a precious time that must have been together. So special. Wee Isabelle is so blessed to be in your family.
Thank you, Gretchen. Thank you. I am most grateful for your prayers, friendship and support. You are the best!
Likewise, my friend!
She IS beautiful!
Thank you, Greg. I am a tad biased.
🙂
Congratulations Grandma! She is beautiful! Enjoy every moment!
Thank you, Sara. I love my new name/title. And, yes, I will delight in every moment.
What a Cutie Pie and she came busting out early too 🙂 Enjoy her, spoil her and soak up the love!
She didn’t quite come busting out on her own. Health concerns necessitated her early birth. We’re thankful all turned out well. And, yes, I fully intend to spoil her and soak up the love.
I am sorry to hear that – glad to hear it turned out well. Lots of Grandma Time 🙂
As long as all turned out well, that is what we prayed for…healthy baby, healthy mom.
Exactly!
Welcome To this World Izzy!
Thank you, Jenny. I’ll email some additional photos to you this afternoon. I know I am going to enjoy grandparenting as much as you do with Olive.
She is beautiful and looks so sweet.
She may enjoy my children’s books when she gets a little older. ☺️
Thank you, Debbie. Your books are in my stash that’s been accumulating through the years.
Congratulation on the new grand baby!
Thank you, Dan.
She is beautiful.
She sure is, great grandma.
God is Great!
Congratulations! You will be the best grandma in the universe!! xx
Ah, thank you, Kim.
And, yes, God is great. Lots of prayers answered with Isabelle’s safe arrival.
Congratulations. You are now entering into a new world of Joy. God’s Blessing’s to all.
Thank you kindly, Jean.
Precious and beautiful, a true gift from God! And obviously she is coming into the lives of those who will cherish her.
Congratulations and best wishes for all.
You’re right on all counts of your comment. Isabelle has lots of family who love her deeply, from East to West Coasts and many locales in between, including lots of people here in Minnesota.
❤ …Is-A-Bell.. <3… Lovely, congratulations!!
Thank you, Henrietta. Interesting that you should write her name that way, because the same thought flitted through my mind this morning.
❤ 😀
Somehow news of this important event slipped by me. My heartfelt congratulations to you and family. Make some memories!
Thank you, Don.
Awe congratulations!!! What a beautiful little Angel
Thank you. I like that, “beautiful little Angel.”
She is so beautiful. Her first name base is “pledged to God”. I have a feeling that Izzy is going to be treated like royalty. So happy for you Grandma Audrey, Blessings and joy to all. Glad baby and Mom are well. What a wonderful story to start my day.
Janelle, thank you for sharing that name base meaning of Isabelle. That makes her name even more special. Yes, this little girl is an absolute blessing from God. So loved already by so many.
She is beautiful! Your life will be changed and you will love it. You feel like you just can’t hold her enough.
Right now I keep looking at the photos I took of Isabelle over and over. I posted two already on the front of my fridge.
Congratulations Grandma and Grandpa!! Grandchildren are so much fun!!
Thank you, cousin Bev. You would know. So good to hear from you.
She is perfect, your life will never be the same. Congratulations to you and Randy! God is good…. glad everyone is well!
Thank you, dearest Jackie. We are blessed.
Sweet and beautiful. What a lovely description, leaking tears indeed. You will find grandparenthood is addictive. The heart can expand to infinite love for our grandchildren.
Just as it does for our children.
Thank you, Marilyn.
Congratulations Grandma
Thank you, Ralph. I am happy to assume my new title and role.
Congratulations Audrey – to you and all your family and especially the brand new parents. What a precious time for everyone. I love the name – beautiful. And what a sweet face. That time in the hospital must have been so special – I’m glad you were there for that lovely moment. Best wishes to your daughter and son-in-law as they embrace parenthood and may their daughter live a blessed and peaceful life xx
Thank you, Charlie, for your well wishes. We love her name, too. And that sweet little face.
We arrived at the hospital 17 hours after Isabelle was born, giving our daughter and her husband the time they needed for themselves and time to bond as a family.
Joining (a tad late!) the chorus of admirers and well-wishers! An answer to many prayers for sure! The name chosen is so beautiful as is its “owner”!!!! Blessings to all ……….and Welcome to the club!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Doreen. Yes, many prayers were answered with the safe delivery of baby Isabelle.
I am delighted to join The Grandparent Club.
Congratulations again—what a beauty and what a gift. Your lives will never be quite the same again. 🙂
Thank you, Beth Ann, especially for being there for me on “waiting” Wednesday. 🙂
So happy for you and your family. What a sweet name for a beautiful girl. A little miracle in your lives – already she’s melting hearts! 🙂
Yes, Isabelle is already melting hearts.
Welcome to the best club in the world!
Thank you. I’m happy to be a card carrying (aka Grandma brag book) member.
wow the amount of responses to your recent posting should bring you much love and gratitude your way as you savor the happy time being a new grandparent.
Congratulations
Thank you, Sue. Yes, I am overwhelmed by all of the love shown by readers (friends).
All our best from your friends in the South.
Brad and Linda
Thank you kindly from cold Minnesota, where a baby girl is warming my heart.
May God bless the baby, the parents and the grandparents all the days of their lives. She’s beautiful.
Thank you, Jake. Thank you.
Welcome baby Isabelle. She is beautiful, Audrey.
Thank you, Christi. It’s good to hear from you.
I totally missed this post on the 10th. Today’s (April 20) was what cued me to scroll through and look. I’m sorry my congrats are late! But what a beautiful little girl. You must be ecstatic.
Ecstatic would be an appropriate word. Suffice to say we will be visiting your fair city a lot more often now that our granddaughter is here.