Elle is One Month Old!

It is so hard to believe that Elliet is already one month old! The month flew by so quickly. Allot of learning has occurred this month, and boy was I naive to what life with a newborn would be like! I'm not sure anyone could have prepared us for the life we've come to know, the good and the hard parts. Thankfully she makes life much sweeter!



Elle is growing and becoming much more alert. We've started tummy time on her play mat to help strengthen her neck and back muscles to reduce her risk of SIDS. She does very well, she can lift her head while lying on her tummy and turn it from side to side. She responds well to sounds and will follow objects briefly with her eyes.



She is such a good baby. Thankfully we haven't dealt with too much fussiness, I think due to my sleep deprivation I'm typically more fussy then she is! Ha! I have been researching sleep training, when to start and what are the best ways to get baby to sleep through the night. I am so much looking forward to a uninterrupted night of sleep, just the thought of it makes me giddy as if I'm about to leave for a vacation!

Bath time has gotten much better! Initially she did not enjoy her baths, but as of a week ago, she will sit through them without a tear. She actually seems to enjoy them now.



What she has added to our lives is unexplainable. We can't wait to see what this next month brings!

 

 

She's Here!

Introducing our sweet Elliet Rose – born January 16, 2013 at 4:43 pm.

She weighed 6 lbs 11 oz and was 18 ½ inches long.

Fun Fact: Elle and I were almost the same size at birth, only 1 ounce and ½ inch different in our birth weight/length. I was 6 lbs 10 oz and 19 in long.

Wednesday, January 16^th started off as any other normal work day. I had my weekly OB appt at 9:00 am, which always starts with a blood pressure and weight check. Afterwards, I sat on the exam table while Dr. Martin reviewed my chart. “Oh your blood pressure is awfully high” she said as she closed the chart and walked over to begin the ultra sound. After hearing Elle’s heartbeat and confirming she was still breech, Dr. Martin took my blood pressure manually herself. After doing so she looked at me and said, “Well we’re having a baby today!” I was in total shock! I think I asked her 3 or 4 times if she was sure {HA!}! She reassured me that we would be meeting Elliet that very day and directed me to go check in at labor & delivery at the hospital. Immediately while still in her office I sent a text message to Ryan… he was out of town in Mustang, which had been my biggest fear since he works out of town during the week. He quickly left work and made it to the hospital in plenty of time. I was 38 weeks and five days shy of our planned C-Section.

Throughout my pregnancy and in the days approaching the planned C-Section I had not been fearful or scared, I was calm, anxious and excited. This feeling of calm, yet excitement remained with me until I reached the operating room.  Up until this point, the most medically I had experienced was having my blood drawn. Being in this cold, sterile room; reality started to set in. The spinal block I received in my lower back to numb my body actually was less painful then the IV that ha been placed in my wrist. Soon they allowed Ryan to come into the OR and sit by my side. I was really glad to see him! The section started and it was crazy to know what was happening to my body while I was awake, yet unable to feel, with the exception of the pressure, reminding me the Dr’s were there.

 

 

In a matter of minutes I heard her cry! I was completely overwhelmed with emotion! They immediately took her to weigh and asses her and Ryan followed. Then they brought her to introduce her to me and I couldn’t help but cry at the overwhelming feeling of love and joy! Our daughter was born, I could see her and touch her and kiss her! All things I had longed to do for the past nine months!

We are so in love!

 

 

Newborn

 

Sleeping with Dad in the hospital

 

Leaving the hospital

 

Sweet baby-to-be

Sweet Elliet,

In about five weeks you will arrive in this world. You are already so special to your father and I. You wouldn’t believe how much we already love you. You haven’t even taken your first breath and you have already changed our lives forever.

On May 23^rd, 2012 we learned you would be joining our family. I never thought my insatiable curiosity could withstand nine months of suspense, but I am enjoying this much more than I could have imagined.

On August 31st, your daddy and I learned we were going to become parents to a baby girl. Within a few days we had chosen your name and had started planning your nursery.

My mind wanders often, daydreaming of you. I wonder what we will share, if you will have my eyes, my long toes or your daddy’s smile. I pray that we teach you the best of us and most of all the glory of God.

You are kicking away inside me now as I write this letter to you and that puts a soft grin on my face. I treasure the feeling of your movements and the blessing it is to grow a tiny life inside of me. When I am exhausted or achy, I work harder at being thankful for the many reasons why I feel this way.

You have an eager family waiting for you…and you will be treasured and celebrated and admired. I am so excited for the moment of your birth. I would like to ask you to hurry–I am tired, and wobbly, and so ready to meet you soon. Instead, I will wait patiently for you, enjoying you in my belly.

I am not sure of the struggles that you will face in life or if we will be able to protect you from anything or anyone that may prevent your happiness. But I want you to know that your father and I are so in love with you and pray you always feel our love. One thing I know without any doubt, beyond what my mind can comprehend is God’s love for you. He will always be with you. Look to Him first and always, you will be in the arms of the one who holds the world in His hands.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
--Psalm 139: 13-16

We praise God for you, our sweet gift that can only come from Him.

Love,   

Mom