Ellen's First Week

The first week being Mommy and Daddy to Ellen has been fantastic. We look at her and are amazed at God's gift to us. She is a little person who He has intrusted to us to take care of her and raise her to know Him. Ellen mainly sleeps during the day and rouses more at night - yes, this means we don't get too much sleep at night, but we know that comes with the package. She was born on a sunny, warm day and at the end of the first week, it snowed... yes, it snowed overnight on April 4th. I guess parenting has its extremes, too.

Because I can't help myself - more pictures of Ellen during her first week.

Ellen's first bath at home.

She sleeps most of the day... wish I could say the same about nighttime.
"Talking politics" with Granny

My mom, Ellen and me

Jeff's mom, Ellen and me

Nap time with Grandma

Hey! Ellen's actually awake!
Chatting with Daddy - notice the one leg out of the sleepsuit... she fusses when we try to put her legs in the sleepsuit directly after changing her diaper, so we wait a while until she forgets about it.
A cute wrinkled foot

Walk at Attingham Park

Today was a beautifully sunny, but slightly cool, day. Due to our first almost sleepless night, we decided it would be too much to go to church, but we decided we couldn't ignore the sunshine and went to Attingham Park for a walk.

We bought this "snuggle coat" to match what she wore home from the hospital, but when we brought her home on Thursday, it was too warm for her to wear it! So, since it was cooler today, we put it on her and she loved being snuggled in it. This is quite a typical "Ellen face", too... all squidgy and cute... blowing bubbles.

Ellen Meets Grandad and Granny

Today Grandad and Granny arrived from Northern Ireland to meet Ellen for the first time.
The first cuddle with Granny. Ellen is wearing the cardigan that Granny knitted for her.

They didn't come empty-handed either - friends of the family from the church Robert and Beverly attend were more than generous with gifts for Ellen.

Ellen being admired by her Grandad and Daddy.
Daddy's vs Ellen's hands
First cuddle with Grandad

A Dream Come True

Wednesday, 28th March at 5:33pm, our dream of becoming parents came true - Ellen May Bolton was born, weighing 7lbs., 4oz. Born twelve days after her due date, she and I now share birthdays, too.

Ellen wasn't necessarily named after anyone in particular, but Ellen means "light" and May is Jeff's mum's middle name. My grandma, too, was nicknamed "May" by my paternal grandpa.

Jeff and I will be ever grateful for our gift from the Lord.

Jeff admiring his daughter.
Grandma's first cuddle - about an hour after Ellen was born.
Getting ready for Ellen's first bath.
A midwife showing us how to bathe Ellen - and she loved it!
... that is until Mommy took over.

All dry and warm after her first bath.
Proud Daddy
Grandma and Ellen
Friends, Rich and Amanda Lingen, from our NCT group with their son, who was born 4 hours before Ellen!

Ellen and I were discharged from the hospital at about 3:00pm on Thursday. With the "going-home" outfit Ellen is wearing below is an adorable matching warm bodysuit, but it was too warm outside for her to wear it home.

Dozing with Mommy

Ellen on her playmat from her great-grandma and great-grandfather.

Week 40 Bump

This picture of my bump was taken last Saturday, but I'm sure it hasn't changed much since then. At the midwife appointment on Monday, the midwife said that my bump measured 1cm less than the week before due to BeeBee being further engaged. I also feel that my bump has dropped and is rounder and harder (finally, a hard stomach!) than it ever has been.
After a few finishing touches, BeeBee's room is mostly finished. My mom brought a white dresser runner from home that was mine when I was growing up; I think it's special that I get to use it in BeeBee's room, too. (Unfortunately, it's barely visible in this picture.)
The crib bumper from Pottery Barn Kids is decorated with birds and owls... I absolutely love it. In fact, when I was putting it on the crib a couple of weeks ago, I got all choked up... yeah, must be the pregnancy hormones. I found coordinating fabric in town and stretched it across 5 embroidery hoops and covered 3 boxes with it.
Now it's just a matter of being patient (not a strong virtue of mine) and waiting until BeeBee makes her arrival. I'll be 41 weeks tomorrow.

D-Day!

Today is my due date - March 16th. My mom arrived yesterday and will spend the next 3 weeks with us, and eventually, BeeBee. The ladies from my women's Bible study threw me a baby shower today, and not only was it such fun, they did a superb job at it considering none had ever organized, let alone, been to, a baby shower before! Rachael did the majority of the planning (from what I understand), but the other ladies all contributed in other ways - either by bringing a baked good and/or a small gift. The shower was held at my friend's, Yoo Jeong, home, and she even prepared a Korean lunch for us after the shower. It was just an absolute treat to have a baby shower when I didn't expect one at all, since it is an American tradition, not a British one.

Rachael surprised my mom and me with "Mum-to-Be" and "Grandma-to-Be" sashes.
The table was beautifully decorated and filled with cake, cookies and candy.
Rachael put together this arrangement herself, and I got to take it home!
Rachael began by explaining to everyone the history of baby showers and the purpose of having them today.
One of many games - my mom is transferring cottonballs with a large spoon to the bowl on her head, blindfolded.
Guess the number of diapers were needed to create this "Nappy Baby".
Marian and Janet racing to find matching baby socks.
Janet using Ruth's waist to fingure out how big around I am... everyone was over by a long shot!
Beth putting a diaper on a doll blindfolded.
I was blindfolded and told that I got to keep every item in the box that I guessed correctly.

After the baby shower, Mom and I had tea at the Lady Berwick Tea Room at the Attingham Park mansion. I had wanted to do this with her since September during one of my first visits to Attingham Park. The tea room just opened again for the season a week ago, so it was perfect timing for Mom's visit and BeeBee's arrival.
Pictures of Lady Berwick, who lived in this area of the mansion until her death in 1972, were hung around the tea room.
Our tea comprised of little scones served with clotted cream and jam, salmon and cucumber and butter finger sandwiches, rhubarb compote with cream, small chocolate cake, lemon poppyseed cake, 3 kinds of biscuits/cookies