A few of my favorites...

Elsie and Daddy still at the hospitalElsie's uncles having some fun with her

Swimming in her going home outfitFinally home from the hospital Daddy and Elsie on EasterMy little sailor babyIn the afternoon sunlight

I'm behind on blogging...

Well, let's just start at the beginning...

This was taken Tuesday night; my 39 week sizing shot. As you can tell, I'm not too thrilled with still being pregnant. I was very ready for it all to be done and over with. So luckily for me, the very next morning...

Introducing Elsie!! She was born at 10:16am Wednesday, April 8th, weighing 7 lbs 10 oz and 20 inches long. She's a bright eyed girl with lots and lots of dark hair. The nurses couldn't take covering up all that hair with a little beanie, so they styled it for her after her bath.

I kinda have this fascination with reading birth stories, so I plan on writing mine out and blogging it, but it'll have to wait for a little bit. For a few more pictures, you can check out my mom's blog. She's staying with us this week, and will probably update with more photos faster than I will. For now, I'll just leave you with a cute video of Alan introducing Elsie to some of the classics. :)

"Mom, I love Bon Jovi!"

Finally!

Some progress! We went into my doctor's today, and after being dilated to only about a 1 for the last three weeks, I've finally jumped to about a 2.5! We're starting to move in the right direction!

Dear Baby Girl

I want to personally invite you to come out into the world! I know you're getting squished and squashed and you don't have much room in there anymore. I'm sorry that my ribs, hips, bladder, and pelvic bone get in the way of your movement. Come out and explore the wonderful world of stretching! There are endless ways you can move and wiggle about out here! Space galore! Your Daddy and I really do have a nice place set up for you. You have your own car seat installed, a pack 'n play set up, plenty of blankets and cute outfits, diapers and wipes for your every need... We even got a new car with you in mind! (well, it was mostly for your Daddy, too.) I promise, any time you want to come out now, we won't try and stop you. I know it got frustrating the first couple of times when the hospital didn't want you to come out yet. But they'll let you this time! Really! I guarantee it! So please, leave that dark, wet, cramped uterus of mine and come out into the bright sunny world! Everyone is just waiting to meet you!

Love,
Your Mommy

Nice people

Alan and I had our date night this evening. We didn't go out last night because we were babysitting for another couple in the ward (you know, building up some good karma for when our little one comes). We ended up going to the dollar theater to see "Inkhart" (pretty good movie) and then to Red Robin for dinner. There was quite a wait to get seated, but being 8 1/2 months pregnant, we managed to snag a bench to sit and wait for our table. There was a talkative motherly figure (not really an old lady, but you know what I mean) with her husband sitting next to Alan, and we waited out our time chatting away. We ended up being seated in the booth next to them, and as they got up after their meal they once again wished us good luck with the baby. When it was time for our check to come, the waitress happily told us that our meal had already been paid for! So thank you talkative motherly figure!!

Dang it!

I had two separate dreams last night where I went into labor and gave birth. I can't tell you how disappointed I was to wake up and realize I was still pregnant...

Any day now...

...is what my doctor says. I'm starting to dilate, I'm almost completely effaced or thinned out, and the baby is in a wonderful position. Lets hope I don't jinx it by posting this...