Baby Will--December 23, 2009

WILLIAM HARPER ELMS

"I'm free!"

Here he is! Everything happened so fast--the planned-for induction and epidural never made it into the picture. Instead, when the doctor started the initial examination, we had water breakage and then, thirty minutes later, baby Will was born, healthy and whole.

Here are the stats, in full: born at 10:08am on December 23, weighing in at 6 lbs. 10 oz., and with a length of 19.5 in.

Dressed in a little sweater the German hospital provided

Also dressed in an outfit the hospital provided (with his tongue out--apparently he doesn't dig the clothes OR the pink blankie).

All of us together on the night after the delivery (Mommy's radiant, Ellie's sporting her rain boots, Will's hiding, and Daddy's sporting his nice hat hair/travel beard combo).

We want to thank everyone for their prayers, love, and support. More pictures are forthcoming!

IT's AlMosT BaBy TiMe!

I went to the doctor today and he said it's time. I guess the baby is more than ready to come and my fluid levels are waning. SO I have an induction time set up for tomorrow at 9 pm. I'm so excited for this little guy to be here already- what a great Christmas present! I will admit though, I cried tonight putting Ellie to bed for the last time being the only child. It's crazy how time flies and how fast they grow up. Ellie is such a sweet girl and we have been so blessed to have her in our lives. She is going to be an awesome big sister. I can't wait for her to meet her new baby brother and teach him the ways.

36 weeks

So at 30-32 weeks I was thinking it was easier being pregnant than having a newborn....... at 36 weeks I'M DONE! I can't sit through an hour of Sacrament meeting without totally swelling up. It's time, he needs to get here or mommy is going to lose it. The doctor thinks he will be here sometime between the 21st - Christmas day! Let's hope it's sometime soon! Andrew leaves for LA on the 16th to the 23rd and is praying the baby doesn't come while he's gone (and so am I!) But no worries we are excited to have Andrew's mom and my friend Catrina out on the 15th- can't wait!!

On another note, I have to tell one Ellie story. Last Saturday she woke up talking to herself (as she often does) and I heard a barrage of words, but most clear were the words: doggies, baby Will (her new brother to be) and Jesus. Maybe she woke up from a really cool dream. I thought it was cute.

Colors

Ellie has been learning and practicing her colors. Her new favorite thing to say is "daddy's brown."

A Little Concerned

Yesterday we went to the check out the German hospital where we will be delivering in a few weeks. It's really nice, they have relaxing quiet rooms and the delivery rooms look like a day spa (that's spelled d-a-i-y-e.) To get in we had to ring a bell like we were waiting outside someone's house. When they finally let us in we waited for 5 minutes before we saw even one person- who was not a nurse. Upon finding a nurse, she didn't speak English and kept asking me if I was in pain. Of the 3 nurses there at the time (and NO doctors) only one spoke enough English to be able to converse in English and German and the first thing she asked me was "Why are you here," and "Well, are you pregnant?" A little concerned, I laughed giving her a "No, I'm just really fat in my tummy" look and said- Yes! I'm 35 weeks and will probably be here in about 2 or 3 weeks to deliver! No one seemed to understand I was just there to check everything out and ask questions. Another point of concern, all of the patient rooms were taken on our visit. I think everything will be fine, but I'm really going to have to brush up on my German medical terms and stuff. And I am nervous that there were no doctors around. I guess they have to be called to come in. Trying not to worry!! Thank goodness Catrina will be here!!!

Latest Ultrasound!

Pardon the off-kilter scan, but we wanted to share the latest 3D Ultrasound of our little guy! Isn't it amazing how you can actually visualize the little features? We think he resembles Papa Slim Gutierrez a bit. What do you think?

Silent Protests

Ellie is all about protesting these days. Sometimes it's loud and convulsive and others silent, but she always ends up on the ground. Usually it's over shoes or food. Other times it's the fact that she dropped something and wants mommy to pick it up (but that is getting pretty hard these days) or maybe she needs a certain book. Sometimes I have NO idea what it's about. I'm finding it really hard not to laugh at it though-- this is so terrible twos. I really think we are in for it when number 2 gets here in 2 months!!!!!

I let her wear her sandals today even though it's raining (don't worry she's not leaving the house like that.) Some battles are not worth it--esp. when your 8 months pregs.

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE.......

Look what we found in the PX the other day!!! We were looking at the limited baby stuff they have there and found this: BABY HITLER . Somebody drew this on his face and yes it's sooo bad but we totally died laughing:)

Snow White

The Pumpkins

Halloween Crafts and Stuff

Here are some things we have done to pass the time:

This is how I found her watching her "do dos." Not sick enough to rip off the keyboard protector.

She posed like this for the pic-- not joking!

In mommy shoes and YES I really do her hair everyday. She just woke up from a nap!

Mommy made homemade cinnamon rolls.

Starch ghosts and bloody candles

Shrunken Apple Heads-- you can tell Andrew's is better

We still have a ways to go. Thanks to Martha I've been cutting out mice silhouettes, bats and owls and we are putting those up too. It's fun, but I'm afraid that I'm giving Ellie a phobia ---ghosts! She's obsessed with them and very much frightened, but always wants to watch and read the stories and shows that have ghosts in them (Little Einstein's Halloween Show--It's awesome.) At first it was keeping her up at night, but she seems to be doing better now. She tells us the ghosts went bye bye before she goes to bed so I guess we're ok now! I'm a bad mom!! I love it when she says ghost though, she says it so funny and with a spooky drawl. I'll have to get video of it. She makes me laugh!

28 Weeks!! Things Could Be Worse!

We have all been sick now for about 2 weeks! All of us with varying versions of Bronchitis and the flu. Yesterday I was sneezing and coughing and I'm pretty sure I cracked a rib!!! So breathing, sneezing, coughing-- you get the idea and it's not fun!! The worst part is that we were supposed to be in Garmisch last week for a dental conference and I was super excited to go to Innsbruck, Austria, but alas my body decided it was better for me to have a bleeding throat instead. The good news is that the baby is doing great and I get to see him every two weeks now! I love being pregnant in Germany!

Keep in mind I'm sick and have a cracked rib so my hair can be messy:)