HOLIDAYS

It was wonderful enjoying the Holidays with Elise this year!! Even though she wasn't able to understand and be involved in all the Christmas activities- it was so much more fun having her smile to lighten up every party!! Above is her first picture with Santa- this was taken at our PCC Employee Activity Association party...


Here is a picture of Abby, Marissa and Elise at our "Lewis Family" Christmas party. James and I hosted the party this year since it was easier for us to not have to pack up all of Elise's stuff (it's amazing how much stuff a little baby requires). She got a stuffed puppy that talks from Grandma & Grandpa and a "jumper" which you put in the door way for her to jump in from Uncle Bryan & Aunt Lisa (she's not quite ready for that yet- but will be soon I'm sure). We had a GREAT party!!!!!!


We drove to Milwaukee for Christmas and spent five days with the Moseley's. Elise started getting sick on Christmas Eve with a horrible head cold and eventually got an ear infection. Her "Three Month Birthday" was on Christmas morning... she looks so sick :(

She got her "Bumbo Chair" from me and James (which she's almost outgrown already) and clothes and other fun stuff from Grandma & Grandpa Moseley. James' brother and family arrived on Saturday night after Christmas and we opened more gifts with them (sadly I didn't get any pictures- I think I was so distracted trying to make Elise feel better).


James and I were home for New Year's Eve and invited my mom and dad (Grandma & Grandpa Lewis) over to eat Fondue and play Wii. We had a nice relaxing time to welcome the New Year!!

Elise had her "New Years Eve" outfit on and partied until 8:30!!!!!! She was starting to feel better and wanted to show off her "standing" skills. She's been getting very strong legs and wants to stand (assisted of course) as much as she can.

Much love and best wishes to everyone for a WONDERFUL 2010!!!!

First Family pics

I can't believe I haven't been keeping up with the blog. I feel like I don't have any time during the day... and when James comes home and night I just want to soak up the time we have together as a family.




Corby and Chris VanDee (James' long-time diving buddies) came over and did a family photo shoot for James and I as our "baby gift." The timing was great because we're able to use some of the pics for our Christmas letter and to give as gifts.

Here are some of my favorites... Elise was so well-behaved and

did great until she just couldn't stay awake another minute. Even the "sleeping" pictures turned out pretty well.





Best wishes to all for a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!!!!!!

BIRTH STORY

I can't believe it's been almost two months since my last blog. I had no idea how little free time I would have once the baby was born. I thought that I should blog about Elise's birth before I blogged about anything else.

My doctor scheduled me for my FIFTH ultrasound on Thursday, September 24th. James and I met with the doctor after my ultrasound to discuss how I would deliver Elise since she was almost one week past her due date. I was told that Elise was between 9 and 10 pounds, that I was not dilated at all and that the doctors believed me to have a narrow pelvis.

Because of all these reasons, James and I discussed that the best thing to do was to have Elise by cesarean birth and avoid the stress and complications of a natural birth- since it was believed by my doctor that if I chose to try a vaginal birth that I may end up with a cesarean birth if there were complications.

I arrived at Aultman Hospital at 7am on Friday, September 25th. After checking in and going through all the preparations, James and I went to the operating room to prepare for the long-awaited birth of our baby girl. The worst part of the surgery preparation was the spinal. After three tries and calling in another doctor- I finally received my spinal. The surgery went well and Elise Lauraine Moseley was born at 9:53am.

Because the curtain was in front of my face, I wasn't able to see Elise be born- but it was amazing watching her enter this world through James' eyes. He didn't have to say a word as I saw his face and his eyes filled with tears. As James cut the umbilical cord- I began to cry- knowing that we had just become parents and that our lives would be changed forever. James brought Elise to me and we both kissed her welcoming her to our family.

Elise was 8 pounds 15 oz., 20 1/4 inches, light brown hair and blue eyes. We all fell in love!! Elise and I did well while staying at Aultman Hospital. After our second day in the hospital, Elise had learned how to breast feed and was able to eat well enough so that she did not develop jaundice.

We are proud of her development and love her more and more every day. Elise is a blessing from God and a wonder to us. James and I never knew the joy that we could feel in adding a beautiful baby girl to our family.

40 Weeks and still Pregnant

I am one day away from my due date!!! I can't believe that September 20th is finally here!

I have had a wonderful pregnancy- I think I have been "glowing" from the day we found out that I was expecting. I haven't had any problems, I have only gained 19 pounds (which the doctors tell me is very good) and we're enjoyed every moment- feeling the baby move, picking out maternity clothes, spending time with family and friends at our baby showers and James and I growing closer together by planning for the baby and attending our labor preparation classes.

I had my doctor's appointment on Friday and found out that I'm 50% effaced and dilated 1 cm. I realize that I have a long way to go- but we are very excited to know that progress has begun and we are a little bit closer to having our baby!!!!

My next appointment will be Wednesday and I have been told that if my labor doesn't start by next Friday (September 25th) that they plan to send me to the hospital to be induced.

We hope that labor starts naturally this week. We are going to start walking more, driving on bumpy roads and drinking Red Raspberry Leaf tea (which I hear can start labor). Whether all these things will work or not- I'm willing to try anything!!

Keep watching our blog or Facebook for pictures within the next week... we can't wait to post pictures of Elise!!!!

As ready as we can be

The nursery is officially READY!!!! James and I finally hung the letters for the baby's name on the wall today above the crib.

ELISE LAURAINE MOSELEY

We are excited that we have agreed on a name and that her first and middle names mean so much to both of us (we'll share the meanings in a later blog).

Now we just have to wait and see what happens next. We are both nervous and excited about the next step in our lives. We are happy with our doctors and are pleased that I will be delivering at a very good hospital. We also feel somewhat prepared through our classes and books that we have been reading.

Please be sure to keep us in your thoughts and prayers- that Elise and I are both healthy and do well through the labor process.

Moseley Nursery

The Nursery is ALMOST finished.

Here is a small shelf that's above the glider- notice the "E" block- we're naming the baby ELISE!!!!

James heard the name and we both just love it- so that was one decision that was fairly simple. We may have also decided on a middle name- but I'm not 100% sure... so I don't think I'll share it quite yet.

Here's a picture of the glider and small bed that we're leaving in the room for nights that I might have to stay with her. I made all the pillows and most of the stuffed animals are passed down from my nieces or given as gifts from the baby shower.

The only thing we have left to do is put the baby's name up on the wall behind the crib. My sister-in-law Lisa just called me yesterday to tell me that she finished them for me... so I can't wait to see how they look (I will post a final picture when the letters are hung).

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and will be officially 38 weeks on Monday (only 2 more weeks until my due date). I have been feeling more and more "tightness" and some pain- but have been continuing to work... just trying to take it easy in the evenings.

I'll keep everyone posted on the outcome of my appointment and all other news as we look forward to seeing our baby girl very soon!!!!!

Work Baby Shower and 36 week appointment

I know that it's been quite a few weeks since I've posted, but James and I have been so busy trying to get everything ready for the baby's arrival.

The girls at work threw us a Baby Shower. We had a very nice lunch with some VERY yummy cake!!!!!

Most of the group went together and bought James and I our Baby Stroller and Car Seat- which we were excited to get!! James was so excited that he put everything together that night and put it in the car. It's amazing to think that we're going to have a baby so small that she will fit inside- can't believe it's only weeks away!!

We also received a crocheted blanket, sweater and hat from one of our friends from work. Another friend bought us a basket for the dishwasher and other baby stuff. We had a wonderful second shower and are very blessed by everyone's generosity!

I had my 36 week doctor's appointment on Wednesday. The doctor reported that I had only gained one pound- which puts me at approximately 16 pounds in total (feels like soooo much more). The baby's head is still down and she was laying on her stomach- so we could hear the heart beat very faintly. He also checked me for dialation... no signs of labor yet.

I'm continuing to work... and still feel pretty good. The hardest part of my day has been between 6:30 and 7:30AM- getting up, getting ready and driving into work. Once I get to work- I seem to be fine. I usually get home an hour before James- so Sieben and I have been taking naps until he gets home and then the three of us enjoy the evening together.

We will continue to keep you posted- maybe you'll see a post soon from James including the baby pictures...

Much love to all