Yesterday our seventh grandchild and fifth grandson, Henry Alvin, was born.

He has been much anticipated by his big sister, Ellie, who adores babies, and, of course, by his parents, and by all the rest of the family who know they are going to adore him, too.

He got off to a good start — weighing in at close to 9 1/2 lbs. — when he arrived yesterday morning. The nurses in the delivery room already think he’ll have a career playing linebacker for Montana State. We’ll see.

He was named for two of his great-grandfathers — wise and wonderful men, both. So little Henry — or “Big Hank” as his dad called him yesterday — has some pretty good-sized and well-worn shoes to fill in his own way as he grows up.

Ellie will no doubt be there, pointing the way.

I’m looking forward to going to see him in 10 days. I need to get a lot written before I go, because unless Ellie takes longer naps than she is reputed to take, I won’t be getting much writing done while I’m out there.

And why would I want to write anyway when I can bask in the presence of two such wonderful little people for two weeks?

My new “Mothers & Babies” contest should be going live this week on my website. So stop by and enter and you can win a goody box that Henry and Ellie would certainly approve of, if they read romances and ate chocolate and liked fun stuff turning up in their mail box.

Just answer three questions that you can find answers to on my blog and website, and send them to me via the link provided. The contest begins as soon as my webmistress gets up the information. It ends at midnight the night before Mother’s Day.

Ellie and Henry and I will pick the winner (since Mitch and Micah will be home) and I’ll post it on Mother’s Day — internet connection willing.