Dear Family and Friends,

I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to our daughter and first child, Mio Elise Allen. She was born Saturday, April 2nd at 9:12 am in Walnut Creek. She weighed 7 lbs, 13 oz and measured 20 inches long. She’s the perfect bundle of adorableness (is that a word?), and Dan and I just cannot get enough of her.

Labor was a whopping 35 hours, but I’ll save the grueling details of the arduous experience for another day. The first few days and nights back from the hospital have been a bit stressful for us, with some minor complications and daily trips to the doctor for Mio, but for the most part she is doing great in this first week since making her debut in this world.

I can’t believe that she’s finally here… and that only a week ago, she was still in my belly. We are in awe of the reality that we made this little person in front of us “from scratch,” and she has already become (and of course, will continue to be) such a huge, dominating presence in our lives. I know it’s cliché, but it’s not an understatement to say that life began all over for me when I first gazed upon her sweet face.

Panda Mio

peacefully sleeping

Thank you for all of your thoughts, well wishes, and prayers. We were so touched by the flood of sweet congratulatory messages following her birth as well. Mio’s birth was the most incredible experience for us, and we are still in the middle of just trying to process it all. We look forward to sharing more about her in the weeks, months, and years to come.

With hearts full of gratitude and love,
Happy parents
Misono & Dan