Ellie's Newborn Pictures

I titled this blog post less than a month after Ellie was born, and that was about as far as I got! So here it is...9 months later.

We were so LUCKY that a few days after Ellie was born our friends, the Slaton's, were in town visiting. Parker took some amazing shots for us even though Ellie decided to keep those big blues open during most of the session!

photo credit: Parker Slaton

Ellie's Birth Story

It is about time I write out Ellie's birth story before the lack of sleep makes me forget all of the details!

If you don't want to read a birth story I would stop right here. 

Since Will was a c-section I had two options: VBAC or repeat c-section. I knew that a scheduled c-section would be a lot easier than an emergency c-section, but I still vividly remembered the pain and did not want to go that route again. We decided to try to VBAC. Because of my previous c-section  my doctor could not induce me, and I could only carry Ellie to 41 weeks (why on earth would I want to be pregnant longer than that in August!!). 

The last few weeks of my pregnancy I left every doctors visit in tears or close to tears. My body was doing nothing, and I was still pregnant. Scheduling that repeat c-section was looming. I was measuring small those last few weeks. Apparently I only grow babies to a certain size, haha. Nonna came to Memphis to help with Will. My doctor finally suggested that we go ahead and pick a date just in case we needed to schedule a c-section. We picked August 19. 

August 18: I cried ALL morning. I desperately wanted to go into labor. At the same time I was feeling sad for Will. He was about to have his world rocked, and I had no idea how he would react. I tried to stop my tears and plan a fun day for Will. It was kind of funny to have people ask me when I was due and see their face when I said "she'll be here tomorrow". Remember I was measuring small so to most people I didn't look like I was overdue! That day I started having some random contractions. That night my mom got into town. I was still having contractions so we decided to go for a walk after Matt and I put Will down for bed. My mom and I walked up and down the street as my contractions started to develop a pattern. It wasn't nearly as cold as when Matt and I walked that same street when I was in "labor" with Will. Unfortunately, it was the same labor I had with Will. It was going no where. Contractions would get closer together just to space out again. A few times I wondered if we should head to the hospital, but I knew there was no point. My mom sat with me until pretty late, and I decided to go shower and head to bed since I had to wake up in a few hours. I didn't get any sleep since I was having contractions on and off all night. 

August 19: Still pregnant. We had to check into the hospital really early. When we were checking in the lady at the desk realized I was having contractions and was curious about why I didn't come in sooner. We got to our room and settled in. We had to answer a million questions and sign papers. The nurse was going through a bunch of questions about my history and asked if I had a history of sickle cell. We all got a chuckle out of that. We met with the anesthesiologist and told him about our history with Will which made me start to cry. Oh I forgot to mention I had been trying so hard to get rid of my cold I caught from Will (c-sections and coughing don't mix). I was a sniffling mess. My doctor came in and realized I was having contractions. She asked if I wanted her to check me before we headed out for the c-section. I was really hoping it would be good news. I was at 1 cm...maybe 1.5 cm. She said I should probably have the c-section and she didn't think I was actually in labor. We decided for many reasons to just go ahead with the c-section. This time Matt was getting to gown up. I had a pretty rough time on the way to the OR. All of the traumatic memories of racing down that hallway and leaving Matt behind started coming back, and I couldn't stop the tears. Once we got into the room the anesthesiologist started my spinal tap. Matt was still in the hallway for this. I didn't realize there would be a loud noise during the spinal tap and I jumped. After it was administered and I was laying back down the anesthesiologist was pinching me to see if I could still feel certain spots. I was less than thrilled with him, and we both became frustrated. He told my doctor I was hypersensitive which made me very angry, because I am a pretty tough person and I was only answering his questions. FINALLY he went to go get Matt. After that there was a lot of pressure and then a wonderfully, loud cry. It was amazing getting to be awake and see my sweet baby girl. We went to recovery awhile later, and I got to feed Ellie for the first time. She knew what she was doing!

We are so blessed to have this sweet, little red head in our family. Our hearts just explode with love for her.

*At my six week post op appointment my OB actually told me I had a teeny, tiny pelvis and there was no way I wouldn't have ended up with a c-section. Good thing we went with that c-section! So thankful God was watching over us!

Ellie::9 months

Ellie is 9 months old today!! She is still pretty tiny, but she looks bigger to me. She has the cutest leg rolls. 

Ellie can say bye-bye, ut oh, ma ma, da da, and ba ba. She is constantly babbling. She waves goodbye and can sign more and all done. 

She is eating pretty well! Her favorites are still peas and yogurt. She has added strawberries and avocado to her list of things she likes. We got her a new bib to catch all of her food, and she loves to peek in the pocket and see what is in there! 

She finally started crawling (on Mother's Day)! She is pulling up on everything. Her new trick is using toys on the ground to help her stand up. 

Will and Ellie are so crazy together. Our dinners have never been so loud! Will loves to hold, squeeze, and kiss Ellie. 

9 Month Stats

Length: 26.5 in

Weight: 15 lbs 6 oz

Will::2.5 Years

Today Will is 2.5 years old. How on earth did that happen? This sweet, crazy, loud little boy has grown so much! He surprises us daily with how much he is learning.

Will has such a kind heart. He is constantly making Ellie laugh and helping take care of her. He also talks to his toys which is hilarious and so sweet. Even though he is growing so quickly he still has time for big hugs and kisses!

His vocabulary is insane. He is a sponge. Lately everything is "maybe". (Looking at a Daniel Tiger book) "Maybe that Daniel Tiger". I still melt every time he says "I love you". He also loves everything! "I LOVE my sunglasses!" "I LOVE that book!" Will is endless entertainment these days!

I swear Will could survive on milk, yogurt, and cheese. He also loves pizza, cheese quesadillas, grilled cheese, and mac...so really any dish that involves cheese!!

He is still a pretty good sleeper. He sleeps through the nights most nights. We went through a phase after Ellie was born where he wouldn't take naps, but most days he is back to taking a two hour nap!

Will loves to be moving! Dance parties inside, or walking/running outside. He would stay at the park all day if we let him. His new favorite spot is the beach!

He is obsessed with trains and cars these days. Some of his favorite tv shows are Daniel Tiger, Chuggington, and Caillou.

His latest accomplishment is working on potty training. He basically decided it was time and went for it. I made a sticker chart to help him along. We've had some ups and downs but it has only been a week. What a big boy!

We love you so much Will!! We can't believe in just six short months you will be THREE!! Love you Squirt!

Will: newborn, 6 months, one year, 1.5 years, 2 years

APRIL 2015

The Big 3-0

For my 30th birthday we decided to go to the usual spot- Mellow Mushroom. :) After dinner we headed to the beach to play!

Love this little family of mine! 

The "Early" Big 3-0

While we were home for Easter I learned that Matt, my family, and some friends had a little secret they had been keeping. I am such a lucky lady to have so many amazing people in my life! I think 30 will be a good year!