4th of July

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays to celebrate.  Shelby's uncle, Guy, always goes all out and buys tons of fireworks for a huge dsplay. Every year the whole family goes to their house to swim, cookout, and watch the fireworks.  Even though E was just a few days old, we were determined not to miss it! We didn't make the fireworks, but we were able to partake in some hot dogs {yummy and a 4th must have}, swimming, and family time.  And E got to dip her feet in the pool for the very first time.

Lovin' a tan already

At Ellery's first Dr.'s visit {at 5 days old}, we discovered that her jaundice levels were high. We didn't notice her yellowish tint at home, but in the doctors office it was pretty noticeable.  The levels were high enough that she had to spend 24 hours in a lovely miniature tanning bed so to speak.  Cooks home health brought and picked up the bed to/from our house {sorry to disappoint - just in case any of you were thinking you could come and use it now}, and set it all up for us. She did better than I thought she would, but it was a rough night for mom and dad.  Other than to feed, Ellery had to lay only in her diaper, on her back on the bili blanket in the bed. Even when I was nursing, I had to leave the bili blanket on her back.  It was SO sad. I dreaded putting her back in there. Thankfully after this whole routine, her levels went down and she was cleared.  Here's our sweet little glow worm!

 She had to have on the little soft glasses at all times to protect her eyes...she was so good about wearing them even though I know they bothered her. Last cuddle before I had to put her in - Mommy was more sad at this point that she was.

 Our little glow worm. :) Couldn't wear anything but a diaper, glasses, hat, socks, and mits.

 Kiva protecting her sister.

 Last stretch in the bed before our Dr. Appt to have her levels checked again.

Cleared and looking so cute sporting my "non yellow tan".  One of my favorite outfits. :)

Best friends times 2

Last Halloween, our good friends Sarah and Bret brought their son Maddox by for some trick or treating.  However, it ended up being much more of a "treat" for Sarah and I, as we both shared with each other that we were pregnant!  It was such a funny moment ~ I excitedly shared that I was pregnant and Sarah's immediate response was "me too"! What fun it was to find out we were both having little girls, due one week apart. In the end though, they were to be born much closer than that. Bret and Sarah took this picture of us the afternoon Ellery was born at about 3:00....Sarah was still pregnant.

When the nurse woke me up at about 5 the next morning {a mere 13 hours later}, she started asking me lots of "weird" questions.  The conversation went something like this:

Nurse: Do you know anyone here?
Me: Umm...you mean anyone that works here?? No, I don't think so.{Again, it's 5 AM}
Nurse: Do you know anyone in the hospital here?
Me: Hmmm.....Well, I have a few pregnant friends...I suppose one of them could be here.
Nurse: Have you gotten any phone calls?
Me: Oh yes, we've had lots of calls from friends and family.
Nurse: Please for the love ask me if your friend Sarah is here Let me get you your phone (it was out of my reach and had been for hours)
Me: Oh thank you, it's been out of my reach and I didn't want to wake Shelby up to get it.
Me again - now with phone: OH MY GOSH!  My friend Sarah is in labor and is headed to the hospital (except the text msg was from 5 hours ago). I wonder if she's had the baby yet?! She's probably in labor and delivery! (Trying to text as fast as I can.)
Nurse: {Cue "Hallelujah"!} No she's not, she's right next door. {big smile}
And, scene.

So to make a short story LONG {as I'm good at doing}, sweet Olivia Layne came soaring into this world a mere 12 hours after Ellery.  And then we spent the next 24 hours right next door to some of our best friends and their new bundle of joy. Sidenote: The sweet L&D nurses called down to postpartum when Sarah was in L&D and asked if a room next to the Timmermans was available (Bret and Sarah had mentioned their friends were here) and the sweet nurses saved the room next to us for them. See, I told you the nurses were great! ;) We visited, laughed hard, oohed and aahed over the girls, and shared dinner together {and then had the nurses to tell us to please be quiet - ha!} The girls even had their first sleeopver. :) What fun it was to share this experience together.  We love you guys, and your sweet kids!  Ellery and Olivia, BFFB.

Hooray for you!

"For quite a long time the world saved a place.

Millions were born, yet none filled your space."

"Until the second of a minute of one special day,

you took your first breath,

and the world said

HOORAY!"

 (Above taken from "Hooray for You", a book given to us by "Aunt Katy")

My eyes welled with tears as I read the first 2 pages of the book "Hooray for You"; I felt that it was somewhat putting into words what I couldn't find words for. Ellery Jane came screaming into this world on June 24, 2010 and changed our world forever.  I'm not sure there was a dry eye in the operating room, as we celebrated and praised the Lord for the healthy arrival of our precious baby girl.  Family and friends prayed and waited anxiously and I'm told the grandmothers both burst into tears when Dr. Neville went to tell them all the good news. We LOVE my OB, Dr. Neville, and are so thankful for the care and love she has shown us. This was an especially sweet delivery for both of us, as she delivered Poppy last June.  We had a wonderful stay in the hospital and loved {almost} all of our nurses. ;) Below are some pictures from our stay, and of some of the proud family and friends that came to visit.  Blessed is an understatement. Our little girl is finally here and we are in love.

HOORAY for you, indeed.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the

heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

James 1:17 

Catching Up!

Over the next few days you may find me doing something that will likely make you gasp out loud and shriek with joy (and maybe even do some hand clapping). Yes, dear readers (all 2 of you at this point)...I'm going to be updating the blog!  Stay tuned! :)