Growin' Growin'

Man this little girl is growing so fast! It's hard for me to believe she is 10 weeks old already - and getting more beautiful and animated every day.

Here are some of her latest pics (some were taken with my phone and aren't the best quality):

My little chunky monkey looks like a toddler in this one!!


Ella had her 2 month check up and weighed in at 11 pounds 4 oz and was 22 1/4 inches long (50th percentile on both ht and wt). She also got 3 shots - poor baby was miserable. She cried all afternoon every time she moved her legs :-(


At least she had some cutesy daffy duck band-aids to show for it


Ellie got shots and Tuckie got the shave


I traveled with Ella by myself for the first time this past weekend. I was soooo worried she would cry the whole drive but she was an absolute angel and slept the whole time. We went to see Grammie for her birthday and had the best time playing with her sweet cousins who looooved to love on "Baby Ella."




Ella has changed so much in the past months. She is "talking" like crazy now. And smiling all the time.



This is my absolute favorite picture of her - those cheeks!!



She will actually sit in her bouncy seat and lay on her activity mat for almost a half hour! She's too cute, she just sits in her little seat kickin' those legs and smiling at the tv. Praise God that Mommy can actually get a few little things done around the house.



This child also looooves to watch some football with her Daddy.


Soooo pretty


Whistle face


She and Tuckie are buddies


I'm due back at work in less than two weeks :-(
Here comes a whole new set of adventures for this working mommy!

Crazy Blessed

Life is crazy right now with a one month old - ONE MONTH...one month...she can't be one month old already, she was just born. She's growing too fast already. Each day just flies by so quickly. I'm trying with all my might to hold on, to slow down, to memorize each little moment with her. To remember each little smile, each silly face, everything that she likes and dislikes right now. For tomorrow it will likely change. I'll look up and she will be 5.

Our days are a little disheveled. Or maybe that's just me. Yesterday a friend came by to visit, and even though I knew she was on her way, I couldn't manage to get dressed and put on makeup before she got here. My house was messy. The dogs were dirty. But I had spent the morning rocking my baby while she had a tummy ache. And suddenly I knew what it meant to be a mom. I can't put it into words, I just know that those things suddenly became far less important. My needs...well, they pale in comparison to hers. Taking care of her is my favorite thing. Even when she's fussy and won't sleep.

I always thought that waking up in the middle of the night would be so difficult. Well, I won't lie, it is hard, and I'm tired. It's hard until I walk over to her crib and see her looking up at me with those big beautiful eyes. And then I melt. And then I get to spend an hour feeding her and rocking her until those little eyes get so heavy that they finally close. I try to remember to cherish these quiet moments in the rocking chair while the rest of the world sleeps...

Motherhood is crazy, I've decided. It's the biggest blessing I've ever experienced. But it seems unfair that the days have to fly by so fast. In just a few short weeks I will be expected to return to work. I just don't know how. How will I leave her for a whole day. A 12 hour shift without my love?? I'm pretty sure she will miss me. Will she understand??

I thought I'd share Ella's newborn pictures, for anyone that has not seen them yet. Excuse the big C in the photos.

Make a Smilebox photobook

And while I'm at it, I don't think there is a better song to express how I feel right now...it takes a minute to load on the mp3 player at the bottom of the screen - but soooo worth the wait!
(and you might want to mute the sound on the slide show so you can hear the song)

"Me" - by Plumb

I haven't had
A chance to sleep
And when I wake
I wake with your dreams
I guess my pillow
Holds some kind of key
To your peace
Your peace

Me
I wouldn't trade your love for all the candy
In this great big world
Me
I feel so crazy blessed and oh so lucky
To be the place you go
When you need to feel safe
When you need a kiss
It's me

I haven't showered
And I tried to eat
But all your tears
Oh they needed me
I need some time, some time to think
But when I hear you
And what you need is...

Me
I wouldn't trade your love for all the candy
In this great big world
Me
I feel so crazy blessed and oh so lucky
To be the place you go
When you need to feel safe
When you need a kiss
It's me

I wash your face
To make room for
All the kisses
Of tomorrow
And every day
That I get to
Be here with you
Is sweet

Me
I wouldn't trade your love for all the candy
In this great big world
Me
I feel so crazy blessed and oh so lucky
To be the place you go
When you need to feel safe
When you need a kiss
It's me

Oh don't be afraid
Cause you'll have is....
Me

This song could not be more true. I've lost count of the times Ella has fallen asleep long enough for me to finally make myself something for lunch, and then I hear her cry. Lunch can wait. It usually does...

Baby Update

So here we are - only three weeks away from our due date of November 15th...words cannot express how READY I am. Notice I said, "ready" not "prepared." Are you ever REALLY prepared? I keep telling myself that no one ever feels prepared. If any of you moms out there did, don't tell me, it might burst my bubble. The nursery may be ready, the diapers and wipes all sitting in their little basket, her clothes and blankets washed and hanging up, but does any of that really make you "prepared" for the life change that is upon you? We went to a newborn care class last night in the medical center. To be honest, there was some good advice, a lot more of it was kind of common sense. BUT at least it made me feel better to go.

37 weeks:

And Nolan thought it might be about time to update his belly pic ;-)

So I'm now on my 37th week and going to the doctor on a weekly basis. This past Monday was my second week to do that. The first visit I showed no signs of being anywhere near labor. However, yesterday, I got both good and not so good news. The not so good news is that apparently my Dr does not "like" to induce first time mommies. She says its best to go into labor on your own...says the person who is NOT pregnant and uncomfortable (don't worry I know that the dr does know best, I'm just antsy). So...she says we wont discuss induction until 41 weeks. That's a month from now!

And the good news...we hopefully won't even have to have that discussion because Ella has already "dropped" and is at the something (??) station (I forget the technical jargon - oops) and appears ready to go. And there were some other things that indicate labor may be near but I will spare you the details. Long story short - I will likely have her BEFORE my due date - per my doctor's prediction. I have to keep reminding myself that she will come at the PERFECT time - the day God ordained as her birthday. I'm just anxious wondering when that will be. My sweet mom shared a quote with me on the phone that was so awesome:

"Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy,
I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle."

(If I had my life to live over, by Erma Bombeck)

So, I'm praying that over these next few weeks that I would have that same attitude. That I would cherish every moment, each kick, each little movement, each hiccup...because pretty soon I will blink and she will be all grown up.


In the meantime, here are some pics of Ella's room. Huge thanks to all of the people who've helped us get it together! My mom, Megan, and Talli worked sooo hard putting that second coat of paint on the walls after Nolan and I did the first one.

I made these!! Thank you to my sweet mom for so patiently helping me hang them and for making such pretty bows :)

And thanks to Nolan's parents for hanging the shelf and frame on the wall...AND to Ella's Aunt Megan for hauling that frame around Canton ;-)

The Raggedy Ann my mom made for me when I was a little girl. And just a FEW cute little hats just waiting for someone cute to wear them!

Gotta love www.etsy.com

Lotsa cute lil' clothes waiting to be worn. Thanks Aunt Peggy for helping me hang them all!!

Happy Birthday (belated of course)

So as always, I'm a little late in doing this, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my love, my best friend!

I'm honored to call him my husband...

and thrilled to see him as Ella's daddy - in just a couple of weeks (or less???)



Some of my favorite things about this man:

• His heart...it's truly amazing. He loves the Lord and puts Him first.

• The way that he loves me - unconditionally. He lives out God's love to me on a daily basis.

• His kindness and generosity towards others...he would do anything for anyone.

• His encouraging words - especially these past 8 months. He tells me "you're face is NOT fat" - gotta love him because, yes honey, it is. He tells me I'm going to be a good mom when I start freaking out. He talks to Ella and tells her to take it easy on momma pretty soon, let's hope she listens :-)
  

• He's an awesome friend, not only to me, but to all of his friends. I admire the way he is so intentional about keeping in touch with all of his friends, even if its just a text here and there. He makes an effort.
  

• His desire to provide for his family - he is such a hard worker and does so with integrity. He takes such good care of me on a daily basis, not to mention going above and beyond during my pregnancy! I'm sure he's lost count of how many kitchen runs he's made ;-)

• He has always been able to make me laugh - from day one. Whether it was sporting the goggles in chem lab when I first met him, or being goofy around the house...his sense of humor has never left. I love it, and would be bored silly without it.
  

• He's passionate about the things that he loves - football comes to mind quickly ;-) But its so much more than that. He is passionate about the people he loves and doesn't hesitate to show that.

• He's going to be one amazing father. I know this simply because I know him. While being a Dad will be new to him, and diapers may get put on backwards, I can't wait to watch him love our little girl. That's the part that matters. She will be the luckiest little girl ever. I've just been praying she gets all of these very same qualities that her Daddy has.

So, Happy belated Birthday, Nolan.
I'm blessed to have loved you and been loved by you for the past 7 years.
Wow how time flies.
You're the best part of my day and I love and respect you with all of my heart!

Showering baby Ella!

I've just had the most wonderful weekend!

I've decided there are few things better than sweet little baby clothes, and boy does Ella have enough of them now :)

Some pretty amazing women put together one beautiful baby shower for Ella and I on Sunday at the church where I grew up. It was perfect! Huge thanks to all of the women who helped, but most of all, to my big sister - Aunt Laura. Sister, you are amazing! I know you put so much hard work into making this day special for me and it truly meant the world to me. I have been excited for this shower since I knew I was pregnant! And you did an awesome job! The decorations (all pink and brown) were adorable, the cake was so cute and DELICIOUS! Again, it was perfect and I am so BLESSED and so grateful.

Here are some pictures from the big party. And special thanks to Houston Folmar for being such a great photographer! I was very entertained looking through all of the pictures monday morning while waiting for my dr's appointment - you did a great job!

My sweet sister, Laura, cutting Ella's beautiful cake



My other sweet sister, Megan, being the "gift girl" / "trash girl" ;-)



Some of the beautiful ladies that attended :)



Miss Lily Ann smiling so pretty



Anna Kate Asby really enjoyed her cake!



Miss Lily was the best little helper - I think she might need to help Ella open Christmas presents too!!



"Wet Happens" - One of Cousin Talli's cute gifts to Ella



My beautiful Mom "Grammie" and long-time friend Janet Hecker oohing and awwing at something cute



Aunt Kathy had the magic touch with Anna Kate - 30 minutes later and she was fast asleep



Cute jammies from Anna Kate :)



The softest little newborn outfit



Sweet ruffles from Aunt Kathy



THE cutest diaper bag from the Gardners



My amazing Mom gave me my baby book from when I was born. The amazing thing is how well she kept up with it! I hope I'm that diligent!!



My sweet Mom also gave me a dress that my granny had made for me 27 years ago! Wow -it looked brand new! So awesome :)



A basket full of very fun goodies from Aunt Ann!



Excited to see some good friends - Lora Tyra...



...and Karla Clemons - thank you so much ladies for coming!!



Beautiful flowers from my sister Laura that sadly couldn't fit into my too full car



Again, this was the most fun shower! I was so excited to take it all home and show it to Nolan. He reopened every present and loved them all as well. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone. We truly appreciate the kindness and generosity of all of our family and friends. Ella is one BLESSED little girl already, and she's not even here yet! I can't wait to see her in all of these cute outfits :-)

Waaaay behind

So it's official - I'm a blog slacker! Soooo much has been going on - I promise I have had the best of intentions to update the blog...but you see where that has gotten me.

So here's a quick run down (probably all out of order):

-I've officially ballooned! The belly is out in full force (pics to come soon!)

-We've started going to the doctor every 2 weeks now and have a sonogram (FINALLY!) this next week, the 16th I believe

-I survived an all day trip to Canton - I think I surprised the girls!

-Work has officially gotten busy again and man are my feet and back NOT HAPPY about it. Had to abandoned the cute shoes and take up the crocs!

Flu season must've started early this year - for those of you who know or have witnessed my awesome fainting skills - did you know that I GIVE the flu shots at work?? Scary huh ;-) All joking aside, GOD IS GOOD because He has given me strength to do something that completely freaked me out to begin with. AND my customers say I'm pretty good at it :)

Speaking of work, I had my FIRST baby shower Friday Sept. 11th. It was fun stuff - pics to come as well!

-Ella's room is getting closer to being done, thanks to some hard working ladies and one awesome daddy!

-I've been blessed to have some very special girl time this summer - with mom and my sisters, my sweet cousin Talli, my old roomies from the college station days (Renae and Kristy).

-Nolan's family from Germany was here to visit for 2 weeks and we were able to spend a lot of time with them. PS please keep praying for this amazing, sweet family!!

-My AMAZING mother-in-law sewed the most beautiful curtains/drapes for our living room and wow did she do an awesome job!

-We got to travel to St. Louis for a wedding and stay in an incredible home / resort!

Ok that's all I can think of, more scattered thoughts later :)