3 months already!

I've been really bad about keeping the blog updated since Miss Elliott arrived. One of my best friends (AMY) has been sure to remind me frequently that she is much better at the blogging game and has a much harder job (mommy to 3 and a nurse). So any excuses about not having time kinda don't work. With that said, I'm posting mostly pictures this time around because my child has colic and loves to fuss when I'm not holding her. Here's what has gone on since her birth in a brief slideshow....I've left out many of the ones of her screaming as to not scare those without babies and to not remind anyone who has had a colic-y one about how rough it was!

Briley came to visit on the same day Elliott had to begin phototherapy for Jaundice. We laughed that Briley didn't enjoy meeting her friend, and then I sobbed while taking the one of my poor baby in her tanning bed. It was really hard to not be able to hold her for those couple of days.

Here her color is starting to get better.

Her first bath. She LOVES them!

Taking a senior picture with Uncle Dangles at her first Groundhog softball game.

With Daddy (her favorite person). In the second one he is testing to see if she is hungry by sticking his nose near her mouth...if she latched on it was time to see mom.

At her sip-n-see with her G-Boo and GiGi

The Fam

Her newborn pictures with Nine Photography, our favorite people! She is actually closer to 3 weeks old.

Her 6 week pictures with 365 Photography (a rip off...when free turns into $400)

Hanging out with her cousins

Her and her BFF Briley

Just a couple of cute pics

At her first Ranger game (Chad's 10 yr reunion) eventhough the game got rained out.

With her BFF and Aunt Priss

She loves watching TV (football) with Daddy

At Alton and Becky's wedding in San Antonio (we only took a handful of pictures since she was not a happy camper during the trip)

Third Time is the Charm

After two trips to labor and delivery on the Thursday before Elliott's arrival (due to painful contractions) and being sent home, Chad and I were reluctant to go in on Sunday July 19. We spent the day celebrating Marla's birthday by seeing Harry Potter (3 of the longest, most terrible hours of my life) and then going to dinner. The contractions that started Thursday, after having the terb pump removed the day before, continued through the weekend...hurting about 70% of the time, but not getting any more intense then a 6 or 7 on a 10 scale for pain and not getting closer then 5-6 minutes apart. In fact, Sunday evening (after leaving the dinner early because I was hurting too bad to sit and eat...even to just sit) the contractions still were only every 4-6 minutes, I was just in too much pain to make it through the night, so Chad and I packed up and headed to the hospital. When we got there I was still only dialated to a 1, no progression since the Thursday night visit to l&d. They had me walk for 45 minutes and checked me again, no progress. They gave me a couple of pills for the pain, no relief. They checked me in overnight and gave me a shot of Demerol, some relief...and kept me until the doctor could see me in the morning (at this point it was about 4am, and he was expected around 7am or so). The doctor came in (not my doctor, but this was a relief since I ended up not liking him at all and was dreading that I would be in his care during labor...instead it was Dr.White (the same doctor that delivered LD for Trish)) and checked me and I had progressed to a 2 and my 'membranes' were bulging so he went ahead and broke my water (gross). I thought I was in pain before with the contractions, but they immediatley intensified both in the front and in my back. I was sobbing and thrashing about in my bed for about 45 minutes waiting on the epidural. Threatened Chad that if his mom came in with a camera I'd be pissed, almost didn't want to call my family and let them know that Elliott would be making her appearance by the days end because I didn't want anyone to see me like that (I would compare this entire scene to something out of the Excorcist). Of course, once the epidural was in I was dilated to a 5 and very relaxed...ready for visitors. Mel, Dan and Briley stopped by for a visit...things were going well. At noon they came in and told me to let them know if I felt any pressure, Trish was on her way up so that she could be our photographer (since my Dad had first dibs, but was in Iowa for his mardi gras on bikes ride across the state -RAGBRAI, Trish was the only person I would even consider having by my side...no offense Mom, but I know you too well and your worrying would make me worry more), my mom and Marla were there hanging out. Trish got there with the boys and since Grayson hadn't eaten, Mom, Trish and G went to the cafeteria for lunch. Marla stayed in the room watching little D. I looked at Chad and told him that I thought I might be feeling pressure, but since I was completely numb was having a hard time telling. Chad told me that the nurses were gonna be back in 15 minutes and just to wait. I waited about 5 and told him that I thought we should call them, Marla called Trish to let her know they were checking me. Dr. Gagnon came in and said it was go time. Marla gathered up baby D and tried to get out of the room, called Trish and told her to get upstairs asap. Dr. Gagnon had me do a couple of test pushes, told me I'd be pushing about an hour and left. Marla called Trish and told her I'd be pushing, but it would be a while....Trish was trying to find an elevator or stairs since the elevator they took downstairs was no longer working. Marla was still in the hallway gathering everything to take to the waiting room, I'm pushing with the nurses in the room and Chad by my side, when they tell me to stop and page Dr. Gagnon. As he came rushing back, Marla called Trish again and told her to hurry. Mom, Trish and G make it back upstairs. Mom and Marla gather the boys and head towards the waiting room. Trish gets the camera ready, Chad is still by my side, and after 7 hours of labor and about 5 minutes of pushing...Elliott arrives-7 pounds, 21 inches, full head of hair (darker than either of ours...Tracy has some explaining to do), and screaming. Mom and Marla had not even made it down the hall yet. I guess after 9 weeks of contractions, Elliott was ready to come out and play. NICU nurses were standing by because she was 4 weeks early, they laid her on my tummy for a second and then got to work on checking her and cleaning her up. They let us know that her breathing was not where they wanted it to be, but not bad...they'd be keeping her for 4 hours in NICU to monitor her. Chad went with Elliott to NICU, and came back with the news that she would be there overnight. It was very surreal to have had a baby, but not have her with us...not get to hold her. It was difficult to tell people not to come visit because there wouldn't be a baby to see. Elliott spent the first 15 hours in NICU on oxygen and a feeding tube, they removed them the next morning and began bottle feeding her. We were able to go visit at 11am, and Chad held Elliott for the first time (I cried)...since she was taking the bottle so well, we were able to try to breast feed her at her 2pm feeding (Chad missed this due to a quick trip home turned to a 5 hour deal due to a flat tire and no jack), since she did so good on that they brought her to us at 5pm and we were able to go home the next afternoon. Below are pictures from the hospital and Elliott's trip home. Another blog to follow soon with updates on the past 3 weeks. Tracy really got on a roll here and I can't imagine a detail that has been left out...so I'll chime in more on the next one.

T Minus ???

Well, we're finally making that final sprint to the finish line. Tracy gets taken off the meds tomorrow and this baby could be spitting out at anytime after that. I'm hoping she hangs out in that baby cave for another 3-4 weeks though. Sounds like Pat Swayze is really struggling so I'm not ruling out that she outlasts his life and he is reincarnated as my daughter. She will no doubt be born with the ability to dance provocatively and surf with Keanu Reeves. Regardless, I've got to feel more comfortable bringing her into a Michael Jackson-less world.

This entire pregnancy has been a lot tougher than we expected. (Really, it hasn't been too difficult, I've felt fine the entire time, but didn't enjoy being stuck with a needle every 3 days. And, I guess I'm not a very good bedrest patient, I've been extremely bored, but other than that....I can't complain). First Tracy starts getting contractions more often than Zantjer creeps out my co-workers (IMPOSSIBLE), then we spend a week at the hospital (where I watched Weekend at Bernie's and was very disappointed...was I just at an impressionable age before?), then Tracy is put on a medicine pump. It's got me thinking that it's time for a significant change in the human race. You know why chickens and lizards handle pregnancy so well? That's right, they simply lay an egg then monitor it for a while. Why can't we genetically enhance women to simply lay an egg right off the bat, stick it under a heat lamp, and play the waiting game? We can land on the moon, make moving pictures, clone a sheep, and make Star Wars movies that look like cartoons. Why can't we make this happen? How about it Science??? (I'm usually not one to go along with Chad's crazy ideas, but this one I'm on board with....no getting fat, no watching what you eat (I really want a sandwhich and a corney dog), and no pushing a 7+ pound baby out the hooha...it's a great concept).

Not everything has gone wrong though. In fact, the shower couldn't have been better. We saw all of our friends, we received a lot of gifts, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Well, everyone except for Badger who may have permanently ruined his man region. I've got my fingers crossed that Bella will someday have a sibling. (Because, honestly, what is better at a baby shower than a keg and drunk guys playing an invented game called "Man-Part"?!?! Go here to watch a short video clip of the punishment phase of the game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTghne7uFR0)

We've also made a lot of progress on Elliott's cribless nursery. Lots of drama where that was concerned....the crib won't be here until mid-August now, but the rest of the nursery is as done as it can be until I know how much room the crib will really take up. (The crown is molded, the quarter is rounded, and the chandeliers are hung. Big ups to Kyle for his assistance. My unborn daughter officially has a nicer room than me but I feel like a carpentry genius. F you Bob Vila.) I've posted some pictures below....the blue painters tape shows the dimensions of Elliott's crib, I think we'll be getting a small side table for next to the rocker in front of the window, and the pink lamp will be moved over there. The last picture shows the fabrics that will become Elliott's bedding...I'm very I'm very pleased with how it's turned out, it's not often I'm able to pull my ideas together how I picture them.....this comes really close :)

We also had our maternity pictures done, so there are a couple posted below for yall to enjoy...the belly has definitely taken over at this point!!!

That said, we will have a new member of the family very soon and we are very excited. We're counting the days. We'll be having a Cupcakes and Cocktails Sip'n'See Open House pretty quickly after Elliott's born (probably within 3 weeks), so keep an eye out for those invites...I figure this is an easy way for everyone to be able to meet our new little one.