ellie + judge

friends from the start.

we were slightly worried about how they'd get along.
they just sniff each other, mostly.
i'm very proud. judge got in the trash and didn't even eat her diapers.

judge gets concerned when she cries and tries to see what is going on.
i think they both love naps equally.

i think this is the beginning of a beautiful thing.

one week out of the hospital.

let's start off by explaining the lack of capitalization. i'm typing with one hand because i refuse to stop holding my beautiful child. sorry.

we've been home for a week now, but we spent four of those days checking ellie's bilirubin levels. her tiny heels are all marked up. daddy and i took turns holding her for the pokes. we spent the weekend feeding her as often as she'd eat and playing in the sun. five ounces gained and the jaundice is on its way out the door!

with all the feeding
(and consequent pooping)
i've been pretty tied up.

here's what our little family has been up to this week:






and here's a list of what our little girl likes:

not wearing clothes
saving big poops for fresh diapers
peeing on daddy
being swaddled
pounding on mommy's chest while she eats
her pacifier (but only the kind from the hospital!)
smiling (mostly while pooping)
sleeping on daddy's chest
swinging in the sun
being sniffed by her doggie
jay-z songs
sucking her fingers

she dislikes:

diaper changes
keeping her arms in her sleeves
going to bed
baths
foot pricks


birth story coming, but probably not that interesting.
also, my mom and dad and sister will be here in a matter of hours! hooooooray!

She came!

Eleanor Marie
February 22, 2010
12:25 PM

7 lbs 7 oz
18 1/2 inches

We're home, healthy and happy.

I'll catch you up on the details soon.

Zero Day.

To my beautiful daughter, on her due date:
Olly olly oxen free!
But seriously, come on out.
I'm getting really tired of this game.

Love always,
Your Very Patient Mother

You may have noticed that the baby countdown says 0.
You may have also noticed that there is no baby.

Well, the latest report is that I am no further in progression than I was two weeks ago. On Thursday I saw the midwife and got another appointment - the dreaded "41 weeks" visit.

As we were walking out the door, she cheerfully said "I really don't think I'll be seeing you here next week, though."

Later, in the car, husband said, "She said she didn't think you'd be coming back next week!"
I said, "Of course she didn't. Do you think she has a death wish? She sees pregnant women all day, every day. There is no way she's going to tell me that I'm for sure going to be here next week. She knows better than that."

At least I'm not feeling it physically. A friend of mine has been to the hospital several times this past week and just keeps having to go home and wait . . . in extreme pain. I'm just sitting around the house, a nervous wreck, afraid to answer the phone and tell whoeveritis that I'm still as pregnant as ever because I'll likely start to cry. Severe emotional distress doesn't hold a candle to days and days of unproductive contractions.

I did try to make myself feel better by reminding myself that the first due date I had was for February 26th . . . yeah, it didn't work.

The good news is this: there is an official end date in sight. If I do make it until next Thursday, they'll have me go in for induction early Friday morning. Despite the fun I'm having pacing around the house day and night, it's nice to know that it is almost over - one way or another.

If I do have to go back next week, do you think there's a chance I won't have to have my weight checked? That's the part I really can't take again. I'd rather not know what a week of anxiously eating M&Ms weighs.

Does anybody out there actually think . . .

. . . that I would have a baby and just NOT MENTION IT?

"Did I what? Give birth? Oh yeah, that."

Um, really?


Let's quit with the
"So, no baby?"
"I see you're still pregnant."
and
"Any news?"
stuff.

Believe me. If I had just gone through the most intense physical and emotional experience of my life, you'd know.

She's not even late (yet).

Also, I haven't somehow forgotten that there is still a baby in my belly.
I only notice every time I breathe.
You can stop reminding me.

(This is not addressed to anyone in particular and I think I'm allowed at least one outburst as a pregnant woman, right?)

Okay, now that the emotions have run rampant,
this is what I look like:


Well, at least that's what I looked like four days ago. I'm bigger than that now. So what if I'm probably wearing that same outfit?


On a happier note, husband has recently decided to play blog. He says it is the perfect "man blog" and I agree. It's still in the opening stages, of course, but feel free to check out Microwave Jackson. Oh, and the trailer might be a little graphic and probably contains some strong language. It's a war thing.

Gettin' all spiritual and stuff.

Today in church, the teacher asked us:
"What are some benefits that come from being a member of the church?"
To which I responded immediately (and only loud enough for husband to hear):
"Dinners. Yummy dinners."
Of course, at the same time someone else said something like:
"Peace and eternal life."
Husband shook his head and told me I needed to get my thoughts on that level.

I don't take it back. Dinners from the Relief Society might just be my favorite benefit of membership. I know husband feels the same way. He asked me just the other day if we could call up a sister in the ward and tell her weren't doing very well. He wants more delicious pot roast.

Also, there is a ward social the same day the baby is due. If she isn't here, I'll be there getting my fill of southern cooking. There's a macaroni and cheese contest and everything.

See what I mean? Dinner wins.



On a somewhat related note:
If anybody wants to make a very selfish little prayer for me, you can pray that I have another Valentine to love by the end of the night.
Or I can wait another . . . however long until she decides to get here. Blah.

(If you want some pictures, see my previous post.)

Snow 2010.

Here are some pictures from our little storm:


When it first started snowing, Judge barked at the snowflakes.
He wasn't quite sure what was going on.

Just before it got too dark, we let Judge out to play.
At first he wasn't too excited. In fact, he looks pretty mad at me for making him go out.


Then he started to remember . . .


And then he was in LOVE. Notice tail-waggin' blur.
He remembered that snow is way more fun than rain!





The next morning: trails crisscross the yard. Happy explorer.



I thought about making a snow angel, but decided against it.
I'd still probably be stuck out in the yard with a snow-capped belly if I'd tried.