Welcome Baby!

Samuel James Ellis

Nov 7 2008 1:18 am

6lbs 11 oz 18"

After a week of grumpy days and one false alarm, Sam offically joined our family. Although barely 24 hrs old, he has been the easiest baby ever. I arrived at the hospital at 7cm (about 11 pm), had to be on strep b antibiotics for an hour, went to the bathroom, did a dance on the way back to the bed (thanks to the party music, James!), our fabulous Doc broke my water, and Sam was born about 15 min later. Jake held my hand at just the right time, and although he was a little nervous Marmee wasn't there, he did it! We are so blesssed to be healthly and have everything go so well. It was wonderful to have Ruth, Jesse and Kelby, Allison and Justin there. I really appreciate the support. Grace and Isaac really love the baby and Jake is doing a great job taking care of us (not an easy job). We are now home and excited to see what each new day will bring. Isaac, without prompting, sent a kiss Sam's direction this evening and Grace is eager to help. I am so happy to be sharing our good news! I hope it finds you all well, too...

Another boring baby update...

Thanks to all the good care of everyone, I am pretty much the same as I was last week. I guess that was the goal, but now I am feeling extremely anxious. I am the same dialated and he said the baby's head was right there... I am not sure what the scientific name for that is. What it means to me: I have time to be madly cleaning. Things haven't gotten too dirty because Grace and Isaac have been away so much, but when you are laying down for the good part of two weeks, it gives you time to contemplate why the windows haven't gotten clean, the couch is full of popcorn, etc. Halloween should be a nice diversion if I can calm down enough to enjoy it. Happy Halloween everyone and I'll keep you posted... (maybe next time some cute pictures of Grace and Isaac!)

Almost there...

So today I had another baby appointment and it looks okay if I just keep doing nothing. I am another cm or so dialated and 85 percent so whatever that means. At least we are another week down and if the baby comes there is a better chance for no problems. Have Jake around would be a luxury... so someone tell baby Sam he really isn't due for another month! I am so grateful for all of the help! Poor Ruth is the majority of the craziness. Grace and Isaac are doing good, but are certainly noticing the change in routine. Jesse took them to Wendy's and the park yesterday and they both came back quite pleased with the outing. Today, Trisa is earning her sainthood for taking the kids for the afternoon! The weekend sounds like it will be full of treats! I am so spoiled. I, on the other hand, am starting to get antzy. Who want to lay around with all of this fun going on? especially when I don't have cable!!! Luckily, James made me 9 cds of "labor and delivery party" music. I have been relaxing to it, and envisioning myself as the calm, controlled amazon woman you all know me to be! I'll keep you posted...

Pregnancy Update...

As of today, I am taking it easy. It is hard to do less when I already do so very little! The reason... the baby may try to make his appearance early. On Wednesday, I found out I am 2-3 cm dialated and 80 percent effaced. I just need to make it another week and a half! (There is nothing wrong with me or the baby, mostly I am worried about the extra expense of an early baby!) Say a little prayer for me. I am optimistic that we can make it. Jake gets home the 27th so that is the goal! Please no one plan on a long visit at my house as it will be a WRECK for the next week and a half! I'll keep you posted...

More summer memories...

California here we come! Santa Monica was so fun. I really had a great time and I think it was because Grace and Isaac were having so much fun. Jake, Grace, and Isaac made castles and even a little pool. Everytime it would fill will water, Isaac would jump up suprised! We had a wonderful hotel room just a few blocks away, but Grace was so exhausted she never had enough energy to make it very far! This is Grace after she collapsed on the wooden pier and waited for us. The wind was blowing just right to lift her dress up. She didn't care that about 10 people walked by...

Next to the hotel was a restaurant that had a big shell up against the wall. Jake called it the "magic shell." Grace would climb behind it and Jake would say "Magic shell, are you there? What should we do today?" Grace would answer accordingly and she never got tired of being the "magic shell." Last, but not least, we made it to Sea World. Grace actually sat through the shamu show without freaking out about the theatrical music, and she would like a big swimming pool for Christmas so Shamu can come to visit. Isaac really loved the pet show with the dogs, cats, birds, ducks, and pig. We went twice. I hope we get a chance to go to California next year. I know it was worth the long drive.

Next up was our trip to Jackson Hole, WY. I don't have alot of pictures of the fun parts like the boat ride Grace went on with cousins (Isaac was sleeping). Isaac helped Grandpa shuck corn for one of our many delicious meals, and I was amazed that we herded the kids around the buffalo and got them all looking in the same direction. I think they must be growing up... or maybe we promised them a trip to the candy store around the corner. For those of you who can't tell what this next picture is.... it is Russ, Grandma, GlobeHead... I mean Logan with a globe on his head, and Isaac. Ellis/Tidwells are so funny! (At least, we think we are.) I am sorry my camera doesn't take better pictures. Thanks for one last fun family trip of the summer.

I must now pay tribute to my last summer fling with Ann in Vegas. This is us at the Blue Man Group. They give you white crepe paper to dress up with. We (Ann, Kaitlyn, and I) were in the front row so we had to wear panchos. I am so glad the we avoided to spewing chewed up food. With that note, it was a great show! Is it just me, or are the blue men attractive in a mysterious sort of way? Thanks, Ann, for the great trip. I just wish you were actually relaxing instead of posing as if you were relaxing!!! The food was amazing, the view was amazing, and I can't imagine a better way to have ended the summer of fun. With so much changing in my life right now, I, at least, had the summer!

Looking back at the summer...

I already miss the summer. I know fall is fabulous, but this summer was so busy I haven't even looked at the pictures from all of our adventures. This is in Wisconsin at America's largest water park, Noah's Ark. It was a little chilly, but there was never a dull moment. Grace pooped in her swimming suit 5 minutes after we got there (to my horror), Allison shed a few tears before she made a courageous pludge down the super scary drop, everyone chased Isaac (he fell asleep the second we put him in the stroller), and Marmee made everyone's dreams come true with the strawberry fruit drink. Next up was the Zoo in Madison, WI. It is free and fabulous!!! Isaac saw a giraffe for the first time, he squealed and pointed. It had a large variety of animals and was very well taken care of. Uncle James went with them on the train ride. Grace was alittle upset that she had to wait in a line and it didn't help that it was close to lunch time! I know I mentioned to trip to WI in an earlier blog, but we really did have so much fun. I wish I could share more pictures, but do to my lack to computer knowledge I can't figure out how to rotate the pictures without having to save them to my computer. Sorry, folks! No picture of James, Grace and Isaac sitting on the alligator at the tree house at James's work. I wish I could quit my day job and work there!! I find myself cleaning toliets more often than any person should! Anyway, we love you James. If any person gets a job that includes the use of a tree house, I am glad it is you!

I will be less wordy with our trip to Ohio, more pictures! Corn was everywhere on our trip. We even had the chance to go the local corn festival. Tasty cornin the shade of a tree, the community band, face paint, and dollar earings make for a fun Saturday. Somewhere between chasing Grace and watching the Olympics, Marmee and Jessica found time to freeze a few quarts of corn. My dad had a work party at Young's Family Farm and they had the best slide. Grace spent the majority of the time making friends and taking them down the slide with her. Before we left, she even got the boy working there, Joey, to go down the slide with her! We loved Marmee and Papa's new backyard, too. We even played kickball. I think Grace played on both teams. That is the best way to be sure to win! Airplanes were constantly flying overhead and Isaac would point to the sky everytime he hear one. My parents are stationed at first air force base. It is the land the military bought for the Wright brothers to continue their work developing the airplane. (I think I got that right.) They have a great musuem there. Thanks for the great trip!

While we were there we made a mini trip to Kentucky to see MaMaw and PePaw (I have no clue how to spell that, my mom's parents). We also visited with my Aunt Kathy. Isaac got to meet them all for the first time. Everyone was kind to my wild children! (If I blamed their "activity" on the 3hr drive, would anyone believe me?) The trip was short, but luckily we will be visiting again during the Christmas holidays. I think I'll take a break before I head to my west coast trips. It is amazing how much I forgot happened even though it was only a few months ago!

IT IS AUTUMN TIME...

Happy Fall! This is my favorite season. I love the crisp air, the changing of the leaves, the harvest (not that I've ever had much to harvest), the anticipation for the holidays to come, and the beginning of the food fest. The first tradition is going to the Red Barn in Santaquin. First with Jake and then with Grandma, Grandpa, and cousins. We didn't ride on the big wagon with the school children this year, instead we just rode on this little one. Grace picked out a few little gourds and Isaac just threw them. The green behind Grace's leg are the weeds she picked in the pumpkin room. True to character, Isaac is smiling sweetly and Grace is talking. I think she is telling us how she wants to be a baby grasshopper for halloween. Before we left, we bought a candy apple to share and some apple syrup Jake supplies for a friend in New York. Apparently, it is pretty amazing stuff.

I think Isaac's favorite part about the trip was the stop before the pumpkin farm. We met Grandpa for a moment on his route. Isaac could have stayed and been Grandpa's helper all day!

Friday night we went up in the mountains for hot dogs and smores. The leaves were beautiful and we had fun with the cousins. Grace loved roaming, although I was slightly offended when she took a seat on a log with a different family. She doesn't know a stranger. Saturday night, we went to McDonalds with Ruth, Trisa and the cousins. Grace also moved her food to sit with a fun Grandpa and Grandma and kids. I wouldn't let her sit at their table, but she insisted on the next table over.

Oh, one last thing about Friday night, we hit a deer on the way back. Actually, it hit us. We slowed down for the mommy deer, but the baby we didn't see, and it ran right into the side of our car. No damage was done to the us, but the deer broke its neck. Jake dragged it off the road and wanted to bring it home to process. Thank heavens the division of wildlife will process it for the food bank. The last thing I want is a cooler full of deer meat bleeding out, along with a house to pack, a baby coming soon and a baby grasshopper costume to find. (Sorry, Jake, I didn't post the dead deer picture.)

Conference weekend was wonderful. Sunday, Allison and Justin came over for lunch and the last session, and Tom, Ruth, Trisa and cousins came over for dinner. It was nice to have everyone over here for a change. Grace reinacted the deer hitting the car for everyone. It was quite amusing (Jake was the car). I am looking forward to having Jake around alittle more.

Lets see, other updates, I did make it back into BYU, I believe Grace finally had a day at preschool where she didn't cry, Isaac is making more noise (does that lead to talking?) and Jake back in NY. Hopefully, I can get the summer pictures up now that a got these few up! Right now though, Isaac is poopy, Grace just stubbed her toe, and story time at the library awaits!

Down but not out....

Yes, I am alive... perhaps just barely. The same could be said for my computer. I have yet to convience it to download my pictures so this is just a short (who are we kidding, I am never short), not exciting update. We traveled the majority of August and the first of September. First to Wisconsin and then Ohio, thank you James, Marmee, Papa, and Jessica. The trip was really fun. Grace is still talking about it. Two nights ago, she made up a story about the turtle shower hook and how it went to Wisconsin to visit Uncle James and saw alot of corn... and cheese. (It really is all about the food!) After two fun-filled weeks, we came back at two in the morning and left the next day for Santa Monica, California. Jake had a job there and we went to enjoy the beach by day and get a glimpse of Jake in the evenings. (Jake's job didn't work out so we just had a great vacation.) Grace and Isaac loved the beach. They stayed at the water's edge for hours, even without any toys! I will be posting pictures... eventually. Grace also decided what she wants to be when she grows up (drum roll, please) a shamu trainer at Seaworld. She would like to dive with Shamu. After our week in California, we rested for a few days and headed up to Jackson Hole, WY with Grandma and Grandpa for a cousin baptism. Jackson is gorgeous and between the candy store, the boat ride, Russ's niece, and all the cousins, Grace can't wait to go back. Thanks, Joanie and family! That catches us up to the second week in September, though not traveling, I still felt like I was on vacation because my dearest friend, Ann, came and stayed for the week. Since she lives a luxurious life in Hawaii, I don't get to see her too often. Luckily, she'll be back on the main land soon. Every time Ann had come to visit she has to help with a medical emergency. Once it was Grace sticking her finger in a pencil sharpener, but this time it was just Grace running full speed into a fence and getting her first bloodly nose. Surprise? maybe only that this is Grace's first bloodly nose.... Meanwhile, Jake is in New York and comes home just in time for me to drive with Ann back to Las Vegas. It only took me about four hours to get over the anxiety of leaving Grace and Isaac, so I was ready to relax for the night and fly back to SLC the next evening. Little did I know that Ann had many surprises up her sleeve! We picked up her sister and then drove to Vegas to stay at the Bellagio! The water show was even more amazing viewed from the twentieth floor!!! Then we ate at the buffet. Baby Sam was in heaven with the gourmet desserts. The fun didn't stop there... Ann got us tickets to the Blue Man Group. I really enjoyed it. And yes, there are pictures.... (I am sorry!) The next morning I ate a chocolate muffin while I read my book club book in bed. Then Ann and I got pedicures, lunch and had just enough time to hit a book store before I got back on the plane to reality.... Shortly before landing, I cried. Yes, folks... I'd like to blame it on the baby (hopefully, anyone who saw me thought it was the book I was reading) but I just can't believe I am so luckily to have such wonderful friends and family. I don't deserve all the kindnesses given to me. I have certainly never displayed or will ever be able to measure up to all the wonderful people in my life. Anyway, this is already longer than anyone will read. A few other notable events, we went to the BYU vs Wyoming game with Uncle Justin (thanks for the ticket, Allie), the contract with the house and the bank fell through, Jake quit working for his employer, I CANNED peaches (thanks, Leanne!), my BYU application is almost done, and I am turning into a huge (I have to force myself to eat fruits and veggies, it is going to take me years to lose this weight!) emotional wreck! I'm just about to reach week 32 and probably won't make it to week 38. Then I'll be an emotional wreck with a baby!!!! Sorry for the blogging absence. Hopefully my next update will contain pictures!!!

Tagged

As I am new to blogging, this is the first time I have been "tagged". Thanks for thinking of me, Leanne! I am sure most of you wonder what I could say that I haven't already said... I wonder that, too!
Three Joys:
1. my children
2. being warm
3. the gospel
Three Fears:
1. bridges: drivers who look over the edge, please keep your eyes on the road
2. people who sleep walk, talk.... may attack me in the night
3. talking on the phone, talking to much, saying the wrong thing....
Three Goals:
1. be healthly.... I may have to cut back on the reese's cups, after I am pregnant!
2. finish school
3. document (baby books, scrapbooks, photo albums, blogging...) my childrens' lives
Three Obsessions:
1. reading
2. eating popcorn
3. my children
Three surprising facts about me:
1. I attended an aerobic boxing class at 6 am during the summers while attending high school.
2. I have played 5 instruments and now I play the radio. Sorry mom!
3. People used to think I looked like Julia Roberts.... yes, folks things have gone down hill.
Three people I'm tagging: ...you are all off the hook!

Happy Pioneer Day Week!

Since we have been home Isaac has been diagnosed with a double ear infection and pink eye, making it possible to attempt an update my blog again due to large amounts of sleeping. He is feeling much better after the antibiotics, but since he had never had them before, he sure puts up a fight!

Grace has graduated from her session of swim lessons (not quite swimming yet), although it was almost like private lessons since she had two teachers and one of them spent the whole time with Grace. She loves the water and dives, belly flops, cannon balls off the side every chance she gets. Isaac failed to gradute his lessons due to illness. Grace was so proud, but disappointed I forgot my camera at the pool so I couldn't take a picture of her with the sucker she was given. For Pioneer Day we made to journey up to Allison's house and we were able to wave to the Prophet at the Pioneer Day Parade. The picnic at the park we planned was canceled due to extreme heat (or perhaps I am just starting to feel extremely pregnant). We had a picnic at Allison's apartment instead and Grace was able to watch the classic movie, Shaggy Dog. Thanks for the fun day, Allie. Jake is almost done driving across the country. It seems he goes about every 6 months. Although I have no picture, Jake was able to stop at the world's largest truck stop. He was able to restrain himself the first three times he passed it. Who can blame him for stopping the fourth time? The apricots are ready to be picked so say a prayer that my first attempt at canning will go smoothly!

Ellis Reunion

On Saturday afternoon, Jake's sister took us to an old fashion soda shop and we had a "world famous" huckleberry milkshake (the chocolate oreo was better) and Isaac loved it! The straws were huge....

After the non-stop excitment last week with Grace's eye (it was some sort of bug bite and she could open her eye by Tuesday afternoon), we had some actual fun at the Ellis Family Reunion. It was a beautiful weekend in Idaho, the condos were fabulous, and we couldn't have had better company! On Saturday we were able to go to the farm Tom moved to when he was 14. I think it was probably the highlight of the trip. Since it is a land trust now, we were able to walk around the house and the land. That night when we were saying our prayers Grace said the thing she was most grateful for was walking in the tall grass. It was wonderful to spend time with the cousins and family we don't get to see too often. There were no major problems. Grace fell in the small, but rushing, river only once and we take that as a blessing. Isaac spent the majority of his time in Grandpa's arms. They both slept thru the night, thanks to Jake who slept on the couch to keep his snoring muffled. Ahhhh, that is love. I was sad to see it end so quickly. Thanks to all those who made the trip so successful!

New Development!! I came around the corner yesterday and this is what I found. Isaac is climbing so nothing is safe now! He is determined too (at least Grace had a short attention span). Luckily his tantrums are him sprawled on the floor crying, even when he is bad, he is good.

Here we are at the Scottish Festival. Isaac loved the bands. We didn't stay for too long but we had alot of fun. Thanks Leanne for letting us in on it!

It's a boy! I'll try not to expect that he will be as good as Isaac! It was so fun to have family there especially since Jake couldn't make it.

Sorry for the goof up everyone! I'll get the hang of it. I decided this morning while Isaac is still asleep that another more flattering photo would be handy. Luckily Marmee was here with up last week so I took a few.

Poor Grace!

Perhaps not the most flattering picture for our blogging debut, sorry Grace.

Welcome!

This is my first attempt at blogging so here goes nothing! This is my attempt at staying in touch with family and friends scattered everywhere. I expect my words to be few and the pictures plentiful. Life is crazy. Everyone and everything change so quickly. Just today, for example, Grace woke up with her eye swollen shut. (Apparently, she was bit or stung by something on Saturday night.) I have no idea what tomorrow will bring but at least it will be documented. Oh, and on to more exciting news, we just found out we should be expecting a little boy this November! Reasonable name suggestions are welcomed.