Daddy's gone back to work...

And we miss him!

This Sunday will mark the end of a very busy two weeks for our new family of three. In some ways, it has flown by, but at times we have never felt more exhausted. Last Friday, my Dad, my Aunt Jean, and my brother Ben flew in to join my Mom for a weekend visit. We really enjoyed their company - and for Dad and Ben, it was their first trip out to McComb - but they had precious little time to steal snuggles and kisses from Ellery before their long drive back last Sunday.

Last Saturday night, Justin's family started trickling in as well for the Thanksgiving holiday. His sister Emily and brother-in-law Eric arrived first with their two girls, Gabriela and Lilian. His brothers Nathan and Travis, sister-in-law Brii, and their daughter Avalee weren't far behind. Finally, his Grandma and Granddad and Dad came to complete the family gathering. It was a big occasion for us; Justin's family has been celebrating Thanksgiving at either his great-grandmother or grandmother's home in Perry, Georgia for many decades without interruption. Ellery must be something special to move the celebration two states away, if only for one year! Justin's grandma and sister Emily tag-teamed on Thanksgiving dinner, and we had a feast - all of it completely homemade and completely delicious!

We've been enjoying our family, but resting and relaxing have been in short supply this week. As our families begin to leave and our house gets slightly emptier each day, we are thankful for their willingness and help, but look forward to a house to ourselves for a little while, as we continue to get adjusted.

   

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Ellery went in for her 2 week check-up with the pediatrician yesterday, and everything is looking great. She's now weighing in at 8 lbs 3 oz, which is up 17 oz from just 9 days ago (she was 7 lbs 2 oz at her 5 day check-up).   She's visibly growing everyday, and her legs and face are chunkin' up rather nicely.

 

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There's just something about babies. How they mesmerize everyone in the room, from the youngest to the oldest, everyone stands in awe of the wonderful miracle that has entered a family. With every whimper and facial expression, hearts melt and eyes brighten with so much love. It's amazing - this love that comes on so suddenly and so intensely that your heart stops and is filled with indescribable joy. This is how we feel about our daughter, our little love, our miracle that keeps us up at night. ;)

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The love of a family is a precious thing. 

Getting Adjusted...

 

 We left the hospital around noon on Sunday and arrived home to find that my mom had cooked a big lunch - a much-appreciated welcome after two days of hospital meals and fast food. The first two nights have been relatively easy, thanks to Mom stepping in and helping. She sleeps in the same room with Ellery and tries to calm her when she gets restless, only waking me when she needs to nurse. Hopefully by the time she heads back to Georgetown, I will be caught up on all the sleep that I missed in the hospital! We are enjoying our cuddle time and the itty-bittyness of our precious daughter. There is still a lot to get used to with feeding times and deciphering Ellie's cries and whines, but we are ready and excited about this adventure.

Introducing Ellery Kate!

A little bundle of joy weighing 7 lbs 10 oz and measuring 21 inches long joined our family on Friday, November 11, at 9:55 PM. Ellery Kate and I are both healthy.

Pregnancy: 39/40 weeks.

 Behold the belly...

Lack of inspiration has hit. My anxious soul has found a place that words can't describe. I never thought it would be this hard - waiting. You'd think I've waited 9 months, I could wait another week or two without much harm. But it is so difficult knowing that this young lady is baked and ready to come, she just hasn't decided she's ready to meet us yet. Come on, Little!

Justin and I have been cheering her on, chanting her name, and trying desperately to convince her that it is time for her to make her grand appearance.  Everyone is getting anxious. My mom's car has been packed for weeks, ready to hit the road as soon as she she gets the call. Neighbors are scoping out our house and noticing little changes - (such as our lights being on past 10:00 pm, which is very unusual). I'm getting daily texts and phone calls from church members and friends to see if anything has changed or if we've had 'the baby' yet. All of this has been wonderful and I am so happy that others are sharing in our excitement, but it does, kind of, make me feel as if I'm letting all of them down by still being pregnant. 


This whole pregnancy I have been going by the due date my OB in Augusta gave me, which was revised considering Little has been measuring a week behind in every ultrasound. That date was Nov. 15th. We haven't made it there yet. But, my OB here in McComb has has still been calculating it as Nov. 8th - which has come and gone and left me far too anxious to meet this little one than words can describe.

We were hoping Little would come on Justin's birthday, November 7th. We did everything practical to make that happen, but we failed and she's still cooking. Sunday we went for an hour walk around the neighborhood (which is a 30 minute increase in the time I walk everyday) - and at my doctor's appointment on Tuesday I was still the same as I was 3 weeks ago. 3 cm dilated, 50% effaced. Needless to say, I left very discouraged. My OB swept my membranes, in hopes of enticing labor to start, but nothing happened other than horrible cramps.

I have another appointment today to discuss options and to have a final ultrasound to check final measurements. My doctor doesn't like her patients to go past 41 weeks, so induction will be on the tongue today. An option I really hope not to have to accept.

In this time we ask for your help in prayer. Please pray as our final days of being a family of two come to an end that we can spend our time enjoying the special nature of the last few moments. Please pray for Little's health and happiness and safety during childbirth. Pray for my mom to have a safe 14 hour drive. And please pray for me.

We'll keep you posted on the progress and events to come! :)

Letter to Little.

Dear Little,

Time is passing so quickly, it seems as if yesterday was just the start of September. But now the air has cooled, the trees are changing into beautiful beacons of yellows and reds, and November has graced us with its marvelous presence once again. With the arrival of November, my heart starts to flutter, my face brightens with every thought, because I know this month I will have you. A daughter.

The days can not move fast enough, the restless nights last too long. You have been apart of me for the better part of this past year and to know that your beautiful and delicate little body will be wrapped in my arms in just a few short hours/days/weeks, fills me with excitement.

With the anticipation of your arrival and the unpredictable nature of it all, time all of a sudden begins to stand still. With each morning's light gleaming through the semi-cracked blinds, Justin and I share a brief look as if wondering silently, "Is today the day?" As he leaves to go to work he says, "I'll have my phone on me at all times," sparking an eruption of an even greater amount of happiness within my soul - just seeing the love and anticipation written across his handsome face.

Excitement fills our home. We have had fun trying out all of the old wives tales of inducing your arrival. We've eaten a lot of meals lately that maybe had a little too much cayenne pepper in them. We go for long walks. We drink pineapple juice. To our dismay, nothing seems to be changing, but we're keeping busy and enjoying this sweet time. 

Your room is now ready for you. There is nothing left for me to piddle with or wash. I often sit in the rocking chair that will soon be our special bonding place and ponder life and how soon everything is going to change.

The house is cleaner than ever. My bag is packed and ready to go. There is nothing left to do to prepare our home for the arrival of you. We are only left with the insuppressible urge to simply hold you in our arms. You will come in your own timing. You will be all we've dreamed of.

Love upon love awaits you here.