The Mobile from the ALMIGHTY!

So I have spent the past 6 or so months looking for the "perfect" crib mobile for Elouise. I was extremely picky (probably too picky, oops). I had to have one where the rotating items faced down towards her face. Who cares if they had pretty hearts, but if she only saw the bottom of those hearts.....how boring! Also, I didn't want a "boy" one or a random sea themed or goofy one. It had to be "perfectly perfect" as Ghee would say. Finally, I found one. Once I got it, I discovered that it didn't fit on a sleigh like crib. LUCKILY, I called the company and they shipped me an adapter free of charge. It came in the mail today! Yippee! As I was reading earlier, Josh yelled at me to come upstairs (that is where Elouise's room is). I grumbled about putting my book down, and I hiked up the stairs. I could hear her, but I figured she was just laying on her changing pad talking. For some reason, while laying on her changing pad, Elouise LOVES to talk. Nope, not this time. She was laying in her crib MESMERIZED by this new mobile. Matter of fact, when I picked her up after nearly 20 minutes of looking at the mobile, she stuck that bottom lip out so far. She about burst into tears. So Josh and I put on our best baby voices to coax her out of crying.........
This mobile is definitely A MUST for us!

Big Smile!

Elouise loves to smile now!!! She will smile when anyone is talking to her. This is a picture I took of her smiling today. I was having a chaotic day, and this is all I need to make myself slow down and realize what really is important. It's amazing how life changes after you have a baby. You learn to cherish the moments that they fall asleep on your chest, holding them in your arms, and all the smiles. It really forces you to slow down - realizing it won't be like this for long. It amazes me how long I can spend just looking at her sleep! Oh God is so good!

Merry Christmas!

First trip to see Santa!!!!! My mom came in town, and we took Elouise to meet Santa. She loved him. She was decked out in a I love Santa tutu outfit with precious red leggings and red mary jane shoe/socks. She loved Santa, too. She got a little "too" lovey. She started nuzzling her face into his beard (which was real, by the way!)
I have to sign off for a sec to put a VERY tired elf to sleep! But I have more pics to post very soon! Her stocking...etc.
Love and Merry Christmas

Gearing Up For Thanksgiving! Another First!

We are getting ready for another first in our small little family. Elouise's first Thanksgiving! I've never been one for the big Thanksgiving feast (it kind of grosses me out that people overindulge just because of a "day", but that's just me!), however; it's the first holiday Elouise will be experiencing! Halloween was one thing, but now we're getting into family holidays. My family will be coming down to Idabel this year to celebrate. We normally would be going to see them, but we are figuring out how much harder it is to travel with a newborn. Maybe it's just me and my excessive packing, but we LOADED my Commander with stuff the last trip we made. Between suitcases and strollers and all kinds of fun things, I'm thinking I should be driving a bus instead of a Commander. There would be more trunk space for sure! I like to pack "in case of emergency". You never know when you'll need something. Plus, when traveling, you ALWAYS have to leave room for incidental purchases such as: shoes, clothes, home decor, you name it!

A boastful intermission - I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping! I prefer to have all of my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving. This drives my husband NUTS! He will wait until December 23rd to start shopping for Christmas. AH! This year, I have "wised" up. I have been keeping a running gift list on my cell phone for each recipient. That way I won't forget something someone mentioned they'd like - back in April! I live for gift giving. I don't care if I get anything. I just live to give presents!!!!!! I get more excited watching people open gifts I'm giving them then opening my own. However, as I'm sitting here typing, I overheard Natalie Morales discussing Black Friday deals. She asked the guest on the show if cut out coupons were "in style" anymore. Hello?!? Who cares if coupons are "in-style"! If they save me a few bucks that I could use elsewhere, I'm using them! That has got to be one of the most ridiculous things I've heard in a while. Just sayin.......


Oh! Another thing that I have to get done early (like my Christmas shopping) is my Thanksgiving grocery list. I can't stand going to Wal-Mart, but it's even worse a few days or day before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving groceries purchased?? CHECK! I have an excessive amount of canned pumpkin puree, cream cheese, butter, eggs....you name it!


IN my head at the moment, I'm preparing myself for the next thing after blogging that I need to do today (including a feeding and diaper change). Working out. I have always enjoyed working out. I love the rush, the terrible feeling during the workout where you're just trying to BREATHE, and then the prideful feeling after the workout. However, as much as I enjoy working out, I LOATHE AND HATE LOSING WEIGHT. I've never been good at a "diet". I like working out for the maintenance idea, but NOT having to lose weight. BUT - while I have lost all but 3 lbs of Elouise baby weight, NOT ONE PERSON told me what having a baby does to your body!! OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS! I now understand the mommy "pooch" below the belly button! GOOOOOOOOOOOODNESS! I have some SERIOUS sit ups to be doing!

Anyway - ONE MORE THING TO REPORT! ELOUISE HAS SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT 5 NIGHTS IN A ROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have always swaddled her at night, but to no avail, she would wake up at 330 and then 530. Now, we put her to bed at 1030 and she wakes up just before 7! THANKS TO THE SWADDLEME invention. Click on the SWADDLEME to see what this FABULOUS invention is! My Aunt Betty bought us these and we hadn't used them because we thought she had to be bigger. I had a fellow "new mommy friend" that told me it didn't matter the baby's size and to try it out. AS SOON AS WE DID - TADA! She slept through the night. So for those of you that struggle with gift giving - give these (for a baby of course). They are the greatest thing ever! The baby can't get out of them and they keep them nice and cozy. FABULOSO! I feel like a new woman with all this sleep! I actually organized many parts of my house yesterday with all my new found energy!

That's all for now! Got to get to working out! Enjoy the pics!
love

Firsts...

A few firsts this week that I get to tell about!

1st - First smile on camera! She is starting to smile in response to people talking!! It's soooo much fun! After we got home from church and lunch, she was allllll smiles!! After about 5 minutes of pictures, she got tired of it though.

2nd - First time to church! Elouise went to Bypass Church of Christ in Idabel. She almost lasted the whole service! We are both very happy that we both were able to take her. Josh leaves on Tuesday for the first time since she was born! Yikes! Here is a picture of her getting ready for church.

3rd - First Halloween! I have never been a huge Halloween person (I don't like the dressing up as dead people scary kinda stuff...) However, you can't beat a baby dressed up!! We had tons of trick-or-treaters at our house, and Elouise was ready! She went as Snow White. I will post a picture later today!

4th - This is the first time Josh is going to back to work since she was born!! He and I are dreading it. We are so thankful that we are blessed with a wonderful job, but it is sad that he will be leaving for 2 weeks. It will be an eye opening experience to say the least! Life a single mom...yikes!!!! (for 2 weeks anyway!) Please keep us in your prayers!

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 -