A Flashback: Ellie's Arrival!

I am going to make an attempt to re-create a little of Ellie's arrival through some of the pictures my family and friends took that Saturday and Sunday. And Monday. And Tuesday. :) I have several pictures that I may add later on here when I get them on the computer...so if I do...I will let you know in another post! I will try to keep all the "Arrival" stuff together. I also want to say that some of these may be a little blurry...so forgive me!

Although I had said all along that I thought she was going to come early, it was still a bit of a surprise when I realized I was actually going to HAVE her! Six days before my due date (April 20th), I began having contractions and went to the hospital. Below is a picture of the Emergency Room I entered through at Baylor Medical Center Southwest in Fort Worth. I have to say that I had the most WONDERFUL delivery room and the most INCREDIBLE nurses. I am a huge advocate for two things: epidurals and Baylor Southwest. I recommend both!

I was admitted to the hospital at some point later on Saturday evening...they waited a while (HOURS) to tell me if they were actually going to keep me...and if I was actually going to have Ellie or not! My contractions were right on with timing, but not much was changing physically. Fortunately I had an AWESOME nurse who talked my doctor into keeping me overnight. When Toni (my first nurse) came to tell me I was going to stay overnight...she also told me that I would definitely be having Ellie one way or another the next day! Dr. McAlpine decided he would induce me the next morning if I still had not progressed enough. I was SO excited and SO nervous! And in SO much pain!

Below is a picture of my two besties! Coach Candice is on the left and Hootie (Alexis) is on the right. This picture was taken post-epidural on Sunday morning. They made me lay on my side a lot!

Everyone was so tired on Sunday - Mom and Candice stayed up with me all night before I got the epidural. It was exhausting for everyone...and I have to say they both were amazing! They literally stood up with me and swayed back and forth all night during EVERY SINGLE contraction! As you can tell from the previous picture, they also had me on oxygen to help Ellie. I got in a lot of trouble from my second nurse, Kim (pictured below), for taking these pictures without my mask on!

At 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, my nurse Kim told me it was time to start pushing! With the help of Mom, Candice and Kim...it only took about 45 minutes of pushing before Ellie arrived (1:11 p.m.)! Dr. McAlpine showed up just in time to take care of a few things and deliver Ellie quickly and safely. He was such a blessing to have throughout my entire pregnancy...and I have one thing to say..."pushpushpushpushpushpush" (He is South African and VERY soft-spoken! I had to get Candice to interpret some of what he was saying to me during labor!). So below are some of the first pictures of Ellie and Dr. McAlpine, me and Ellie, Ellie, and the Sherrell family!

This is Papa, Uncle Travis, Nana, Ellie and Mom!

This is Ellie and her Uncle Travis. I think they like each other!

And finally here's one of Ellie in the nursery. She looks so long! She was 5 pounds 13 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long.

That's it for the Arrival...be looking for the Arrival Part 2...Coming Soon!

Pictures Are NOT That Hard!

So...apparently I am a big dummy. Putting pictures on here is SO easy! Since I am using dial-up, it takes FOREVER to load the darn things, but at least I know how to do it now! In lieu of a post, I am going to put some pictures...because I KNOW you are dying to see them! :) Plus I've been talking about it for way too long. I am planning on going back and doing a few posts from babby* showers, the hospital, and the past two months. But for now, I will just put as many pictures as I can stand to upload on the slow dial-up!

Okay apparently the number of pictures for today will be one. This is my current favorite anyway! She is looking over her Papa's shoulder...and in case you can't tell...those big eyes are blue! We'll see if they stay that way - but they are gorgeous!

Anyway, sorry to only post one picture, but at least you now have ONE! Love you all, and I will try to post more soon...maybe this afternoon if we have time.

Drooling? Chewing? Pulling? Teething?

Alright people...listen up. By popular demand, I will be adding pictures to this blog. Tomorrow. Ellie and I are going to visit Melissa and Joshua and Babby* Dos Murrell and Melissa has PROMISED /slash/ THREATENED to walk me through the picture posting. So it will be done. You will have pictures. And I can't blame those of you who beg/plead/threaten me. She's totally worth it!

Okay...first I'd like to say that I got a job! I went last Thursday to apply for a part time administrative position at a company, and ended up being interviewed for the full time Office Manager position. They called the next day and offered it to me...and I started on Monday! So I've been working this entire week...and it has been good and bad and fun and hard! I hate being away from Ellie all day, but I couldn't ask for a better caregiver for my girl. My mom is keeping her, and despite Ellie's constant fussyness / tantrums, she is doing amazing. My dad slips in and helps when he's not busy, too. They are great and I couldn't be happier that she's home with them! Not to mention the fact that I get to come home during lunch and feed her and spend time with her, since I only work ten minutes away! It has been a huge blessing, and I really enjoy the people I work with. It's so weird going from working with almost all men at my last few jobs to working with ALL women...but it's really cool, too. They are almost all nurses and are really intelligent and care for the people they work for. My job is extremely challenging and busy, so that helps keep me distracted from thinking about being away from Ellie. All in all, I think God knew exactly what I needed.

Second...Ellie has been a little weird the past few days-ish. Now, I know that I have been at work and that it is a huge adjustment for her...but I think something else is going on. My mom LIVES by the "What To Expect" book series, and has been doing a lot of reading. Ellie started drooling excessively about a week ago (which we read is normal around ten weeks). Ellie started pulling her ears more than normal recently (which we read is something to soothe and calm herself). Ellie started chewing on her hands frequently when she isn't hungry (which we read is part of the sucking reflex). Ellie has also been a little distracted during her feedings...and is refusing the bottles a little more the past two days. She actually only ate about an ounce and a half the ENTIRE time I was at work (excluding the lunch feeding). Which combined with all the other symptoms...suggested that she might be TEETHING? If you are anything like me...you probably just said "What the heck?"...or your own choice word. Apparently some babies can start teething this early, or show symptoms of teething for months before they even GET teeth. Okay moms...this is where you give me advice and tell me if you have EVER heard of this before. I think it is ridiculous...but possible? I don't know. Maybe she's just having a hard time with me being at work. I guess we'll see a little more this weekend when I spend two full days with her again.

Just to refresh everyone's memory...I will be adding at least ONE picture within the next two days. And I will post about Babby*. Don't think I have forgotten. But I'd like to post the picture with it...so we are on hold until tomorrow.

I'm good at teasers. I should work for NBC.

I'm Slow. So Slow! But This Is Long.

So I have obviously had Ellie...almost TWO months ago now! She will be two months old on June 15th...and I think I'm the slowest EVER at getting back on the internet and posting! But here it is. I'm posting! Allow me to do a quick blurb on the birth...

It was long. LONG! Well...it seemed long anyway. :) I started having contractions at about 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 14th. I watched them for a while, and when they were the right length apart for two hours...we left for the hospital! This was around 3:30 p.m. that afternoon. I was in labor all night...and was given an epidural and pitocin around 5 or 6 a.m. on April 15th. I got to rest for a while (I am now a COMPLETE advocate for epidurals!)...and was able to start pushing at 12:30 p.m. Ellie was born at 1:11 p.m. on April 15th! She was healthy, and although there were some complications during labor...everything turned out just fine!

So here we are, almost 2 months later, and Ellie has completely turned my world upside down! She is beautiful and SO sweet! I have loved every minute of being a mom...even the hard ones! I am lucky to be her mom...and I know with a lot of praying and advice from others...hopefully I won't screw her up too badly! :)

I also quit my job...which was a huge leap of faith for me! It sounds crazy, yes, but I just felt it was the right thing to do for both of us. I have been doing an online teacher certification program since December, and am finishing that up. And I'm applying for teaching positions and other random administrative stuff...and praying that the right thing will happen and that I will be open to it. Needless to say, I have been busy and a little stressed out! I am also making a promise to figure out how to add pictures on here, and that once I figure it out, that I will post some. I have a million people that I still have not sent pictures to...so if that's you...I apologize! Please don't hate me. As I said in the beginning - I'm slow! So slow! Before I end this FIRST post since Ellie's birth, I want to say a few not very brief words about some of the people who have supported me endlessly (so if you get bored easily...MOVE ON!):

CANDICE - You have been my ROCK since I found out I was going to have Ellie. You looked at the stick. You were at every doctor's appointment. You held my hand through some rough phone calls. You went shopping with me. You told me I looked better than the other pregnant women when I didn't. You bought me Ginger Altoids and anything else I needed to help my morning sickness. You intervened when I almost killed a few people with my bare hands. You almost killed a few people with your bare hands. You stopped at Sonic on the way to work every day. You drove me when I was too tired or achy or fat. You listened to me whine and complain. You threw me two babby* showers. You left work early to come stand and sway and hold my hair back for 24 hours. You cut the cord. You brought me pizza. You gave Ellie her first Vacay...including her first ride in a car with a calf. I love you. I couldn't have done it without you. You are completely unselfish. You are my hero.

MOM & DAD - You guys have been there for Ellie and I in ways I never imagined. You have held my hand and hers through some of the most difficult and exciting times in our lives. I love you both for who you are and for how much you have cared for and loved my daughter. I couldn't have asked for anything more. I am forever grateful to God for giving me such amazing parents. Thank you.

TRAVIS - The always stable and always loving brother. I am so happy you are Ellie's uncle. She has no idea what an amazing and fun person you are to be around...although she will learn! You have been an incredible support for Ellie and me. I cannot begin to thank you enough for just being you. And for the competition you have provided over the years...even if it is just a high-kick contest! ;) I love you with all my heart. I couldn't imagine my life without you.

HOOT - You will always be so precious to me. You have a heart of gold...and you inspire me. You are always encouraging. I know Ellie has no idea what "dressing up" means yet...but she soon will. And I know she will have just as much fun doing it as we did. I love you. Thank you for everything.

I know this doesn't even begin to scrape the surface of the people who have supported Ellie and me...but I had to name a few. For those of you I didn't name - I love you, and I can't wait for Ellie to meet each and every one of you. I know she will cherish you as much as I do. I am blessed.

*For those of you who have not already heard, the word "baby" no longer exists. It has been replaced by "babby". The word "babby" will receive it's own short post, explaining the origin and meaning, etc., as it is most deserving. So for now...all you have is this teaser. Maybe it will entice you to keep reading!