Busy, Busy

We have had a busy couple of weeks! Of course, taking care of a newborn has kept us busy enough, but we've also had doctor appointments, out of town visitors, Father's Day, our 7 year anniversary, our first outing where we left Elliott with my mom, and I've also begun the process of moving all of my junk out of my classroom! So, it has been a little crazy!!

Elliott is doing awesome! She's a great baby! She eats well, sleeps well most of the time (she's slept through the night twice -meaning more than 6 hours- but usually gets up twice to eat. She weighed 10 pounds 1 ounce at her 1 month appointment (+ 1 lb. since birth) and was 21 1/2 in. (+ 1 1/2 inches since birth). She focuses really well now and loves to look around, especially in her bedroom. She loves to lay in her bed and look at her mobile. She also loves her activity mat that plays music. She's getting stronger everyday and can hold her head up for long periods of time. She still loves to sleep on mom and dad (or anyone else that will hold her for hours)! She's also discovered that she can make noises and that she has control over when she can make them. This is a very recent discovery! She also smiles REALLY big while she's getting her diaper changed after a nap.

I never knew how much a parent could love their child. It's undescribable! I completely adore her and I'm so glad she has joined our little family.

Here are some pictures from the past three weeks:

She loves taking a bath!

The word on her dress says it all!

My Little Cowboy Princess

Just hangin' out by the pool at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

First time in the pool . . . the water was

still a little cold. She was not happy!

Tatum (on the left) came to visit Elliott. Her parents,

Stephanie and Shawn (aka "Goat") came to visit

us from Indianapolis for a few days. This was

the only moment in 2 days that the girls

were awake at the same time! We figure they'll

have plenty of time to get to know each other

when they room together at OSU!

Proud Papas!

I love this face! Elliott always makes

this kissy face when she first wakes up!

Our first time to leave Elliott with a sitter (my mom).

She was 5 weeks old. We went to Sherri's 30th

surprise birthday party. We had a blast, but

we were ready to get home to our sweet girl!

Father's Day 2010

Kyle and Elliott on his first Father's Day!

3 Weeks Old

It's hard to believe that it has already been 3 weeks since we brought Elliott home from the hospital . . . and then in some ways that seems like months ago! She's already changing and growing and learning! I'm trying to soak it all in so that I don't forget these first few weeks of her life. She's been a great baby so far, although she is starting to figure out that she'd much rather nap on her mom and dad than in her swing or bassinet. In fact, she is in her backpack (snoring away) on my chest right now so that I can post these pictures!

Desiree came over and took some family pictures of us last week. Elliott decided to throw a huge fit (her very first!) so we didn't get very many of her dressed up. I took off her dress and bow and swaddled her and she was asleep in 2 minutes. So, the rest of the pics are of her sleeping! We did get one great pic of the 3 of us though, so I was happy! Here are some of those pictures, plus a few more from the past week or so.

Our first family picture

Love those sweet cheeks!

She loves her daddy!

Memorial Day at my mom's- Elliott

was a big hit! She even wore her swimsuit!

All dressed up for Hayley and Jordan-

they came over and brought us dinner one night.

Taking her first bath-

She did great until she had to get out of

the water and get dried off. However, she

didn't shed a tear during her next bath.

All dressed up to go take daddy lunch at work

This was the day of Elliott's first major outing!

We went to Edmond to tour the St. Jude home

(cross your fingers that they call our name on

June 27th!), then to Vintage Stock where we bought

some Baby Einstein videos, and then to Ted's

for dinner. Elliott was awake most of the time at Ted's,

but just sat in her seat and looked around. :)

She looked so cute in her little jeans!

2 Weeks old

Elliott is 2 weeks old today. I'm really enjoying staying home and spending time with her everyday. I can't believe how fast the day goes by! It's amazing that she's already growing and learning and we're able to see differences in her after only 2 weeks. She's really opening her eyes up now and looking around. She'll turn her head at the sound of my voice and follow me with her eyes. She loves to lay in her crib and look/listen to her mobile. She also likes her swing . . . way more than she likes her bassinet! She's also very strong! She can lay on her tummy and hold her head up for a while and look around. And she is super sweet to lay with and cuddle! Here are some fun pics from the first 2 weeks (I had to choose from the 300 or so pics I've taken so far . . . I know . . . ridiculous!).

Looking at her daddy In her Eskimo Joe's shirt that dad bought for

her while I was pregnant

Sweet Feet!
Her bloomers have her name on them, although
it's kind of hard to see due to the flash.



Wylie is very protective of Elliott. Here you
can see her asleep in her bassinet through the mesh part.
Wylie managed to find a little cubby hole to crawl into
so that he could guard her!




I love this one! Look at all those rolls!
This girl doesn't miss a meal. At 12 days old
she had surpassed her birth weight by 2 ounces.

9 pounds 3 oz.




First outing with mom

We visited dad at his office where he watched

her for a couple of hours so I could go see my

students on the last day of school.

She did great!

She's here!

Elliott Rose Sevier is here! We are so excited, in love, and head-over-heels crazy about this little girl! She is absolutely perfect . . . and I'm not just saying that because she's mine . . . really!

So, this is how it all happened:

On Friday morning my water broke at about 7:25 a.m. We got all our stuff together and headed to the hospital. We arrived around 8:15 a.m. After the nurse checked to make sure my water had broken, they took me to the delivery floor. I was having some pretty good contractions (and by "good," I mean painful), so I got my epidural about 10:00 a.m. I dilated about 1 cm an hour and everything was going great! Once I was dilated to 10 cm, Dr. Hager had me begin the process of pushing. To make a long story short, an hour and a half later there was no progress. Dr. Hager decided that Elliott was just too big and suggested having a c-section. I was exhausted and a little disappointed, but otherwise okay with the decision. We went straight in and I saw her for the first time about 30 minutes later! She weighed 9 pounds 1 ounce and was 20 inches long! No wonder she wasn't budging! She was born at 6:47 p.m. on May 14, 2010. She had over 20 people waiting for her in the waiting room! They wheeled us to our room where Elliott got her first bath and I nursed her for the first time. After that, it was like a party in our room. I'm a little hazy about that first night thanks to a couple of doses of morphine, but I know that Elliott was very popular!

We were in the hospital for 3 nights and came home last Monday. She has been an absolute joy! She is good and awake for an hour or two in the morning and then again at night. She opens her eyes and follows movement really well already. She is also very strong! She can raise her head up really well (although putting it back down is another story)! She's nursing well and gained 5 ounces in 2 days! Her pediatrician, Dr. Moore, was very impressed. He will see her again next week and predicts that she will be back to her birth weight. We've scheduled an ultrasound to look at her kidneys once more, although I think everything will be fine.

Once again, she's perfect and we feel so blessed to have her in our lives. She is very loved by her mom, dad, and lots and lots of family and friends. Thanks to everyone for the gifts, cards, and well wishes for our sweet baby girl!

On the way to the hospital

So excited that the day is finally here!

9 pounds 1 ounce! That's a big baby!

Look at those rolls down her legs!

Our first family photo

Elliott's first bath

At her new home


Happy baby

Future Cowboy!

These are her newborn pics from the hospital.

You can see them all at www.our365.com.

My First (unofficial) Mother's Day

Well, I just knew that Elliott would make it here before Mother's Day, but that was not the case. She is one stubborn baby! We have done everything possible to get things going, but she isn't having it! Although, I keep telling myself that she just loves me so much she wants to stay put! I've been dilated 3 cm and 90 % effaced since last Monday. We made a trip to the hospital on Thursday night after an hour and a half of contractions (5 minutes apart and each lasting 1 minute). After 5 hours and no progression we returned home. So, now that I'm officially off work, I'm just sitting around waiting for this little diva to get here!

Even though she's not officially here yet, I celebrated my first Mother's Day. I mean, technically I've been taking care of her for the last 9 months, so that should count for something! Kyle surprised me with a really sweet card and a beautiful ring. The ring has alternating diamonds and emeralds. (Elliott's birthstone will be emeralds and Kyle's is diamonds.) It's perfect! I absolutely love it! Plus, I can't wear my wedding ring right now and this one fits my ring finger perfectly!

Then we went to lunch at Zio's with Kyle's parents, Des, Mike, and the girls. I got to pick the restaurant in honor of my first Mother's Day! Then, we went to my mom's house for the evening. It was a great day! The only way it could've been better is if my water would've broken (AFTER I finished my tortellini at Zio's, of course!). Here are a few pics from our day:

3 generations . . . awaiting a 4th! Mom and Dad . . . waiting patiently.

My Mother's Day gift-
Thank you to my wonderful husband!!

We're ready!

We are ready for Elliott to get here! There is really nothing left for me to do to prepare for her. Her nursery is ready and waiting. My sub plans are done and waiting at school. My laundry is completely caught up (for today, anyway). I don't really know what else to do with myself. Everyone says to rest, but I'm too anxious for that! We go to the doctor tomorrow. Dr. Hager said she could do something to get things moving, although it's not the same as inducing (I just don't want to type the actual words . . . it sounds kind of gross). Last Tuesday, I was dilated 1 cm and 90% effaced. She seemed amused when I told her I was supposed to work through May 7th. So, everyone has started betting on what day she'll be here. Guesses range from May 4th - May 8th. I personally would like a little Cinco de Mayo baby, but ultimately Elliott will decide for herself. Here I am at 39 weeks . . . ready and waiting!

Kyle and I had a date night on Saturday night.

We're thinking this will be our last weekend as

a family of 2! We took this picture right

before we left to go eat at Longhorn Steakhouse.

Elliott's Last Baby Shower . . . I think!

Well, I have to say that Elliott is one spoiled, lucky baby . . . and she isn't even here yet! My homeroom moms and students had a shower for me last Friday, April 23rd. It was so precious! They had cake, cookies, and pink soda pop. The cookies were shaped like princess crowns and even spelled out ELLIOTT. The kids all worked on a gift for me. It was a pink piggy bank which they covered with their fingerprints. Then, my homeroom mom had a lady turn the fingerprints into flowers before they fired it. On the day of the shower my kids brought baggies of change to put in the piggy bank. They explained to me that they were "starting Elliott's college fund." So cute! Many of them had emptied out their own piggy banks to fill hers up! I got lots of other cute things, as well: dresses with tutus, embroidered bags and bloomers, OSU dress and booties, OSU wipe holder, zebra slippers, diapers and many other cute and practical items! My class has completely spoiled me this year! Here are some pics from the shower:

PINK, PINK, AND MORE PINK!

Diaper Cake

Yummy!!

How cute is that? I didn't want to eat them!

Filling up the piggy bank.

Afterwards, they had to pass it around to

see how heavy it was. :)

The whole gang

(Well, almost the whole gang . . . We

lost a few kids before we were able to

take the picture.)

Thank you so much to all these sweet kids and their parents!

I truly appreciate everything you've done for me this year.