Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Ellie ~ 1 month!

Ellie girl!
Back on August 12th you turned 1 month old! What an incredibly fast month. You are ALREADY such a joy and the perfect addition to our family. 

Here are a few stats from your first month...
-weighed 9lb 3oz at your TWO WEEK check up! That's almost 2 pounds, sister! Dr. Neely was rather surprised and actually weighed you twice just to make sure. Needless to say he gave us the ok to let you sleep at night and not wake you up to eat...so by all means, go ahead and sleep all you want! :) 
-you are already outgrowing some newborn footie pajamas and fit well into 0-3 month clothes
-wearing newborn diapers
-nursing every 2-3 hours during the day
-we introduced a bottle and you took it with no problem! Trying to do this every few days.
-giving us 3-4 hour stretches of sleep at night
-sleeping in the pack n play in our room
-you have blue eyes and a rather awesome hair do...it grows straight up on the top of your head
-you're crazy strong and can already lift your head very well

So what can we say about you...
Well let's start with the fact that you are the absolute cutest. Such a doll baby. Everyone keeps saying you look like me, which I love :) Although you definitely did not get your blue eyes from me, ha. And your cheeks...they are amazing and getting more scrumptious by the day. I could stare at you all day long. You rarely cry but you love to make these funny little noises and you're quite a squirmer and a grunter. Daddy calls you our little dinosaur baby. Also, you like your freedom! You do enjoy being cuddled but sometimes you just need some space and like to lay on your back and stretch out. In fact, you do not enjoy being swaddled at night which is a change from your sister. So we leave your arms out and you do fine. You're a bit of a spitter upper and we hope you outgrow your blocked tear ducts soon :( 

If you can't tell by a lot of the pictures down below, you have a big sister who thinks you are the best thing ever! She asks where you are as soon as she wakes up. She brings you stuffed animals. She wants to hold you and comfort you when you are sad. She is so proud and immediately says "that's my baby sister!" to anyone who will listen. You are so loved, Ellie girl! Between Libby, daddy and myself, we have quite a few nicknames for you already...including Ellie girl, sister, Ellie belly (sorry about that...it flows), baby girl, muffin, and the list goes on. I'm sure we'll have some more to add to the list before long!

We love you SO MUCH already, sweet girl. Daddy and I are so grateful to God for the gift of you and your precious life. What a miracle and testament to what a good and loving Father He is. Now that we know you and have you here with us, we already can't imagine life without you. My heart feels like it could burst right now just thinking about you and how much we love you. Happy 1 month!

Love, Mommy
Now here are some pictures of your first month...

Angel baby.

This is your daddy is setting up your college savings fund when you are 3 days old. He's a go-getter :)
Daddy and his girls.
Peaceful girl.
Look at that neck strength already!
Here you are just hanging out in the midst of chaos like a champ :)
More chaos. I think you were getting a check-up from Libby.

Sleeping beauty.
Those legs. You love for your feet to touch when you're sleeping.
Getting a good look at your sister...not sure about her yet, ha.
The lovefest continues.
You are a trooper, sweet girl.
Just chillin.
Libby brought some stuffed animals over for you.
First time on the play mat.
Sister love. Be still my heart.
Hi mom. Look at my belly.
Love those cheeks.
Your first "real" bath.
Never a dull moment around here!
Bright eyes.
Just one the funny expressions you make already.

Cuddles with my little loves.
Looking ready to take a punch.
Passed out.
Looking amazed. And wearing a hand me down from Vivi :) 
Just hanging out with sister in mommy and daddy's bed.
First time at the Northwood pool. We just can't stay away. It's too darn hot around here.
All dressed up and looking like a big girl.
Preciousness.
My heart in one picture. At lunch on your first Sunday at church! 8/10/14
Cute as a button.
Your signature face. Looking concerned :)
Yay, I'm one month old!
This just cracks me up.
Kisses from sister.
You two are going to be quite the pair...I can already tell :)

LOVE YOU ELLIE!

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Ellie's first visitors!

We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful friends and family that came to visit us and meet Ellie! Here are a few pictures of her first visitors in the hospital and at home. 
Also, I want to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who served us (and are still serving us) by bringing us meals and sweet gifts!! I hate that I didn't remember to get a picture of everyone but know that we are so grateful!

We love Cici and Uncle Michael!

Aunt Alli and a Hatch photobomb.
Blake + Hatch and Sean + Lucy
Papou Bobby and YiaYia Tina


YiaYia Libby
Garrett + David -YoungLife forever :)
Allison Cook
Amy McKenzie
Logan, Stella + Abby!
besties 
checking heart beats, Doc McStuffins style :)
Big Sister taking advantage of the all you can drink free apple juice. 
Britt + Liz. 14 years of friendship right here. 
Our family of 4!! 
Lots of love right there.
Precious baby.
An evening chat with Papa K. 
Ready to go! 
She's home!! 
First things first...Libby wanted to hold Ellie. 

"Hi baby girl. I'm your sister." Too sweet for words.
First of many kisses. 
Pretty YiaYia delivering dinner.
Uncle Peter is a baby holding champ.
Thanks for the ice cream Annie + Lola!
Papou is in town again for work, yay!
Can't get enough of our Ellie! 
Amanda + Cooper visit and bring donuts for the win! :)
Too cute.
Aunt Melissa and Allie came by before Allie left for summer staff at Frontier!
They're back from DisneyWorld! Max + Joey are the SWEETEST cousins to Libby + Ellie!
YiaYia and Aunt Holly! 
Aunt Holly gets to visit from Corpus! 
Sweet small group friends bring dinner - Joe + Haley
Lexie + Julie feed us too! We love these girls.
Aunt Cassie is back from China and gets to meet Ellie! Hooray! 
Ross + Kensey
Sweet Thea Elaine. 
We got to see Emily before she heads back to A&M! Whoop :)