Elouise Kathryn Love

Elouise Kathryn Love has arrived. She was born on September 26th at 2:44 am. She was 6lbs. 12 oz. and was 19 1/2" long. Her delivery was great, and she is even better!
Josh and I never imagined that it would be this great. Everyone tells you and you tell yourself how amazing it is going to be to have a child, but no one can or could ever tell you or put into words really the emotion of welcoming your child into the world. We are beyond blessed with our little girl. She is "perfectly perfect" (even though she resembles her dad more than her mom!). I never thought I'd feel love like this until now. Elouise consumes everything we do, and we couldn't be happier to take on the task.
One of the most wonderful and heart warming experiences through this all has been to see Josh with her. I knew that he was going to be an amazing dad, but I never knew it'd be like this. He will just stare at her. He will tell her how beautiful she is. He is mesmerized. Goodness, I'm pretty sure he has changed more diapers than I have at this point. He calls her his sweetheart and his princess, and it melts my heart. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and father for our sweet precious Angel.
As many of you know, Elouise Kathryn is named after two of the most influential and inspiring women in my life...my grandmother Ghee (Elouise) and my mom Kathryn. Ghee was such a special grandmother to me (and all of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends, acquaintances, and anyone else that she encountered). Ghee had this ability to make everyone feel so loved. She gave wonderful hugs, told unforgettable stories, and blessed everyone with her presence and ability to make you feel loved. Growing up Ghee and I would read the "Eloise" series of books. They are stories about a spunky little girl who lives at the Plaza Hotel with her nanny, puppy (Weenie) and turtle (Skipperdee). When Ghee passed away, I got her Eloise books. I have been reading them to my Elouise. Currently, we are reading Elouise in Paris. I miss Ghee so much and can't get through the story of how great she was without crying when I try to tell Elouise about her. The doctor told us that Elouise has an"angel kiss" on her eye. (It'll go away, but it's cute to say angel kiss). I couldn't say it then, but I know which angel kissed her on the eye...it was Ghee! I just know it!
Ah!! Crying precious baby....I will write about my mom hopefully in my next post, but here are a few pics for now!

The Date is Set!

Went to the doctor today! I am 39 weeks and 3 days pregnant. I am 2.5 cm dilated and almost 100% effaced. The doctor says she'd be surprised if I didn't have her by my due date (September 28th), but in case I don't, they will induce Thursday, September 30th!

Sorry so short, but wanted to keep everyone posted!

Love -

Always Trust in God

First off, I've been having a rough week, and the one thing that really cheers me up is this picture....

I can't wait to kiss those kissable lips!!

I went to the doctor yesterday for my 38 1/2 week appointment. Everything is still on track for September 28th, but as many of you know, that doesn't mean squat! It could happen any day! The doctor is fairly certain that she is going to wait at least until Tuesday - the day Josh comes home. I've been praying she'd wait, because I'd be a WRECK waiting on him to fly home! I've already started dilating and effacing so we shall see....Only God and Elouise know when her "real" birthday is going to be!

As many of you know, we have been asking for prayers so that we will sell our house. We have had a couple that had a house in our price range for sale in Louisiana. They were going to make an offer on our house as soon as theirs sold. They had been to our house six times and even brought over a baby gift! Well, once they sold their house and made an offer on ours, it wasn't even close to what we could accept. Heartbroken, Josh and I started preparing to tell the people in Edmond that are doing our custom build that we would have to forfeit our earnest money and not proceed with our house. Josh talked to the finance guy here and while we could make it work with two mortgages, we both didn't feel as if it were the Christian thing to do. We both know that God wants our full faith and trust in him, no matter the sacrifices that we have to make. (So now we're praying that once our house sells...our custom will still be for sale!) It has been an emotional decision to make, but we both feel like it was the right one to make. We know that once our house sells (Josh is going to Idabel Wednesday morning to meet with our realtor), God will have something great for us here in Edmond. We just have to continue to prove our obedience and faith in Him. Such an easy thing to say, but a hard thing to put into action sometimes! We do ask for continued prayers in this situation though. With Josh potentially being gone for four weeks at a time and me with a newborn, I WANT MY MOMMY! This has been a long time coming, but we know that it will be much easier on our family to be in Edmond. I'll actually be able to drop Josh off at the airport! (Driving to Dallas 2.5 hours one way to drop him off at DFW with a newborn is just too much...).

Sorry that was long and winded, but it has been a HUGE struggle and part of our life the past few weeks. We are so sad about the house here, but we are so sure that God has something greater in mind for us ... when HIS time comes.

OH YEAH! DRUMROLL PLEASE..................my mom decided on a "grandma" name for herself. For those of you that know my mom, she is NOT the "grandma" type. She just celebrated her 50th birthday yesterday in which she happily called herself "VINTAGE". Oh I love my mom. We knew she didn't look like a "grandma or nana or granny"....she uses Arbonne for goodness sake! But she came up with the name ........ KAKI! (Sounds like Kathy only different :) )

Have a blessed day, and I'm sure the next time I post (since I'm not too great at keeping up) I will have pictures of ELOUISE KATHRYN!

Love -

Elouise's Bedding!!!!!

Josh and I finally brought Elouise's bed back to our house! Josh set the bed up, and I got to put the BEAUTIFUL bedding I had made for her on it. I absolutely love it! I can't wait to set her in there!

We are going to Edmond to pick up the rest of her furniture next week! She still has a dresser and my glider to add to her room! I can't wait!









Prayers needed! We are still trying to sell our house in Idabel. We recently had a couple tell us they're going to make an offer on our house after the closing on their house now. We are praying that they are able to make an offer that we can work with so we can move!! Tons of prayers are needed right now!!!!!

Love - HL

4D !

I'm sorry they're crooked, but I can't figure out how to turn them!! Anywho - Josh and I went and did he 4d ultrasound the other day! We almost didn't do it, but at the last second decided it'd be worth it. The only downside, now we are sooo anxious to see her!!!!! From what we can tell (or what the ultrasound tech told us) is that she has a big bottom lip, small upper lip, pudgy cheeks and hair. We couldn't tell if it was a full head of hair or what, but there definitely is some hair. Her nose looks like Josh's. We will see! We are so excited, and we only have a little over a month left!

We haven't even set up her room yet. All of her furniture are still in the boxes they came in. Guess we need to be getting on that soon! (We are hoping we'll be closing or moving from our house at that time, and trying to make moving easier, I guess!) Nesting has been a nightmare to say the least! I have no baby room to "nest".

Pray that our house sells! We have a very very interested couple that are waiting on theirs to close. They haven't made an offer yet, because they want to see how much equity they end with at the end of their deal. They have wanted the house since we put it on the market in April. We have been praying long and hard for this deal - now it just needs to happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love -

HL

Catch up!

I'm playing catch up now! I didn't realize that it had been two months since I last posted!! I would love to say that a lot has happened, but it's summer..........I've taken it easy!

First, as many of you already know, Josh and I decided I would be a stay at home mom. Eek! I'm very excited about this but very nervous as well. I have a hard time NOT having a job. I know that come September I will have a full time Mommy job, but it's this summer break that is driving me nuts! All in all, I know that this is what I'm supposed to do, and it is something that I have prayed about. I would rather go back to a job later than regret that I can't go back to raising our daughter. Some moments you just can't replace!

Second, I am about to enter my third trimester! Where did the time go? It seems like it should still be January - telling everyone I'm pregnant!! However, if you have seen me lately, it is BLATANTLY obvious. HELLO BABY BELLY! All doctor's appointments have been great up until now. Everything is "normal" and this unsightly weight that appears on my body is "textbook". If only all weight gain was textbook.

Third, we are still trying to sell our house. This has truly been a test in faith. Pray pray pray!! We have a BEAUTIFUL house, and it is completely updated (it was built in 2008). However, it is finding that ONE family that fits the house and loves it. All the prayers possible will be greatly appreciated! We hope to be able to move BEFORE Elouise is born.

Finally, one of my best friends, Morgan Menefee and her mom, are throwing Elouise a baby shower!!!! I'm so excited! Invitations should go out soon. Keep July 24th marked on your calendar.

That's all I've got for now, but let's keep our fingers crossed that I updated before two months pass again!!

Love -

HL

Elouise Kathryn Love

It's a GIRL!! We are very excited for Elouise Kathryn to be here!! The name came from two very important people in our lives. The first name, Elouise, is for my grandmother Elouise (we called her Ghee). She went to be with the Lord in September, and she is missed beyond belief. However, in her time here on Earth, she portrayed all the qualities of a Proverbs 31 woman. We are more than happy to name our sweet baby girl after her. The middle name is my mom's name. My mom is my best friend, and she has been there for me through everything in my life. She has never once given up or lost sight of the plans the Lord has for each one of her children.

We are very excited to welcome our sweet daughter in September! Now it's off to shop for some PINK!!