10 Days Old

Estelle is 10 days old as of last night! She is doing really well. Most nights she sleeps really well and goes about 4 hours in between feedings during the night. There have been a couple hard nights, but for the most part, it's been good. We've had Mop (Grandma Laura) here since Saturday, she was able to get into Seattle from Hawaii and get straight onto a flight to San Diego.

Reese and Estelle taking a little nap. Reese loves this little girl!
This is a typical awake face. Her pursed lips crack me up every time.
Lane kisses and snuggles her every chance he gets. This morning I came downstairs with her and he said, "Let me see that cute baby."

Tomorrow we will be having a quiet Thanksgiving at our house and then on Friday we will trim the tree (as Reese would say). This is our families favorite time of year. I am so thankful to be able to have Estelle during this time of year. It's is so strange to me that last year at this time we had Case to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with and this year he is celebrating in heaven and we have Estelle. Life can change so quickly. The bible tells us to give thanks in everything even in the hard times. I am learning to do that this Thanksgiving.

Well Worth The Wait

Our little girl, Estelle Hope, was born November 13th at 8:19 pm. She weighed 8 lbs 14 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. I was able to be induced on Saturday afternoon. My midwife was reluctant to do it because she didn't think she was real big and wanted me to go into labor naturally because of my previous c-section. Well, it needed to be done, obviously. My labor went fast, about 5 hours from the time they started pitocin to the time she was born. I barely got my epidural in time. She was born less than an 1 1/2 hrs later. Everything went quite well, other than not really getting the full effect of the epidural.

This is the first baby that I was able to just hold on my chest and enjoy. Lane was born by c-section and Case's blood oxygen levels were low so they took him from me pretty quickly. Tears of joy were soon streaming down my face as I got to just enjoy staring at our darling baby girl.
My friend Kristen drove down from LA that night. She got to see Estelle just a couple hours after she was born. Kristen, like so many others, has been such a blessing to our family. She has prayed so diligently for us and often sends me encouraging emails with verses she has found etc. I know she just couldn't help driving down when she knew I was in labor. :) Kristen took this picture of us while Estelle was just hours old..
The next day Aunt Lesha flew in. We introduced Estelle to Lane and Lesha that morning. Lane was very happy to have his baby sister here. He said the he "liked the baby" and proceeded to give her lots of kisses and touch her face as much as possible.
Our sweet little "big" girl Estelle. Check out those rolls on her arms!
Aunt Lesha brought this adorable little outfit that Estelle wore today. She was wide awake alot today.

My emotions/hormones/anxiety levels have been so much better than I expected. It's still early, but I am taking one day at a time and so far, so good. I thank God for the peace that I feel. I am able to sleep, when Estelle lets me, without worrying too much. I know this has to do with a whole lot of prayers being said!

39 + 2

Wow, I am 39 weeks +2 days! I have never been this pregnant before. I prayed that I wouldn't have her before 37 weeks because Case was born right at 37 weeks. But really? I had Reese take this picture of me this morning (actually he took 4 before I liked one enough to post!). My mirror does not make me look this big! This picture makes my stomach look enormous! That must be why people keep staring at me! I have to say I am not that uncomfortable, I am uncomfortable but it could be worse. I still can sleep pretty well at night and that in itself is a blessing. But as time goes by my help is dwindling. Reese's parents leave on vacation soon and Lesha is coming this weekend. I am going to try to be induced before Lesha comes. Pray that they will let me be induced! I don't so much need the physical help, but more the emotional support after I have her. So pray, pray, pray people!

Reese and Lane in Oct. 2007

Today, being Veteran's Day, I am thankful for my man who serves. Not only does he serve, but he is awesome at what he does! It takes a special man to do what he does, one with integrity, patience, and strength of body and mind. He represents all of these things.

Reese and I in May 2009

(and Case is in my belly :)

Halloween

Lane brought a picture home from school the other day. He said his teacher had them draw what they wanted to be for Halloween and he drew Darth Vader. Before he ONLY wanted to be a storm trooper, the costume was $40, yeah right. So we asked him if he wanted to be Indiana Jones again, sure. So when I saw the picture he drew, I thought hey that one was cheaper. The next day I went to the Navy Exchange where all the Halloween stuff was 40% off and got his Darth Vader costume for $5.99, score!

Lane and Reese carved a cool, scary pumpkin. I didn't feel much like doing it this year, but I did roast and eat the pumpkin seeds. We just hung out here and took Lane trick or treating around the neighborhood. We saw a lot of his friends and he got plenty of candy!

I am excited to have a baby in November! We have ALOT of October babies in our family, so this will change it up a bit. This will be my first baby that actually has made it to the month that they were due!

I had to include Lane's school picture. I have cracked up every year when his school pictures come home. First preschool, then last years, and now this year, complete with one missing tooth and one tooth hanging by a thread. He has that same forced smile in all of them. So cute!