Home to Home

We got to come home from the hospital a couple days after I had Ellie. I was feeling so great! I had a wonderful recovery. The day we came home my sisters watched Ellie for a few minutes while Andy and I went to the store. My mom and sisters were able to stay for a couple days and we were sad to see them leave. While they were there our apartment looked semi clean, but literally 10 minutes after they left it looked like a bomb went off! We got things under control quickly though. UNTIL...

The day after they left Andy got super sick. His stomach ulcers came back and he had a hard time doing much of anything. Anytime Ellie screamed, he would throw up. Haha. So, I had a screaming baby (because she wasn't getting enough to eat) and a barfing husband for the first week. Things settled down eventually and we got ready to move just three weeks after Ellie was born.

 First bath

Andy trying to train Ellie with chocolate chips

 sleeping with her mouth open

 andy doing ellie's nails

 ellie's first doctor appointment

On the way to California, we stopped at Megan's house for Easter with her family and Amanda's family. We had so much fun with everyone! Ellie loved meeting her cousins and Uncles. 

Easter Sunday.

This is the only picture of Easter I have, but luckily Megan has some more

So, when Ellie was three weeks old we moved back to California to stay with my parents for the summer while Andy does his internship. It has been such a blessing to live here! We love it. It has been so fun.

Ellie Jane Stewart

I guess it's time for me to blog about best thing that has ever happened to me... Ellie Jane!

Toward the end of my pregnancy I was starting to get a little uncomfortable. However, I was still able to be really active. I was walking every day and still doing all my household chores. Despite the constant pain I was in, I felt great! At about 36 weeks, I decided I was ready to be done. Each time I went to the doctor I kept hoping he would tell me it was time. Unfortunately, they would just tell me, "wow! she is so low. i can't believe how far down she is!" Then, at 38 weeks he told me that I was 80% effaced and 2 cm dilated. At my 40 week appointment I was convinced that I was not having Ellie for another week. So, the night before I unpacked all my hospital stuff and re-washed all of Ellie's clothes.

We went to the doctor on March 14 at 10 am. They told me that I was 100% effaced and 2 cm dilated. So, I was thinking we would have to come back in a few days. But, then the doctor said very nonchalantly, "So, do you guys want to have a baby today?" Both of us responded with a surprised, "wait, today??" We were told to go home and get something to eat then meet the dr at the hospital in an hour. As we rushed home we called everyone! Once I got home I realized that this is what I have been waiting for. I took a long shower, vacuumed, cleaned the kitchen, and repacked all of the hospital things. Andy gave me a blessing and I was much calmer after that point. We left the house, went to Sandwich Tree (our favorite sandwich place in Idaho Falls), and went straight to the hospital around 1130.

While we were getting settled at the hospital my mom, megan, and amanda were scrambling to get up to Idaho. I'm so grateful that they were all able to be there! It was such a blessing to have family there. My mom got on a plane right away to Salt Lake. Then, my mom, Megan, and Amanda drove up to Idaho as fast as they could (despite getting lost once!).

At 1130 I checked into the hospital and got into my wonderful, spacious room. Around 1230, I got changed and they started me on an average dose pitocin. Then they broke my water a half hour later. Once they did that, things went fast- TOO fast. All of a sudden I was having really intense contractions. They realized how sensitive I was to medicine. So, they slowed down the pitocin big time. The nurse said she had never seen anyone that was so sensitive to such a low dose. Things got better after that, but still moved quick. After a couple hours, i was dilated to a 3-4. Then the nurse came in 15 minutes later and explained that she knows that I was just checked, but the dr insisted that I be checked again right then. She said, "I'm sure nothing has changed, but the dr told me to". Well, thank goodness for our dr!! I was already to an 8. So they rushed the anesthesiologist into the room to give me an epidural. I was having a lot of contractions, so I had to stay laying down for the epidural. I warned the anesthesiologist that I was a lightweight with medicine, so he gave me the absolute lowest dose possible. Immediately after the epidural, my whole body was shaking. I tried so hard to control it, but I couldn't. Apparently that is normal. It was freaking me out. All of a sudden I got super hot and felt like I was going to pass out. My blood pressure dropped to 70/48. That lasted a few minutes and the nurse was able to talk me through it. The anesthesiologist did everything he could to lower the dose, but it was already low.

Anyway, I finally stopped shaking after about an hour. I fell asleep and couldn't feel any contractions anymore... it was GREAT! The nurse came in at 600 and said it was time to start pushing! The whole time I was pushing, I was thinking, "is this really it? I thought it was supposed to be hard and I am supposed to be screaming". I was having a great time though! My dr was making me laugh the whole time and we were making jokes between contractions! It was a very pleasant experience.

44 minutes after I began pushing, my sweet little Ellie arrived! They laid her on my stomach for a second, but I couldn't see her face. Then, they took her to clean her up. That took a while because her lungs were full of nasty stuff. By the time I was stitched up, Ellie was ready to come over to me.

 7 lbs. 12 oz. 21 in long! 

Meeting my little girl.

First family photo

 Grandma Miller

 Aunt Megan

Aunt Amanda

 such a good daddy!

going home on 3-16

We just love our little Ellie girl. We have so much fun with her. The whole experience at the hospital was wonderful. My doctor, dr.leavitt, was amazing! And the hospital, Mountain View, exceeded my expectations!

35.5 Weeks!

Here is the baby bump at 35.5 weeks! I can't believe I am really that far along already. This has been a fast, but slow process. The days seem to go by slow because I don't do much, but the past 8 months have gone by really fast! We can't wait for our Ellie Jane to come in 4.5 weeks! (I really should have taken more pictures!)

At this point, I am over the morning sickness for the most part. I was really sick until about 26 weeks. Then, I got a break until about 31 weeks. Then, I started getting really nauseous again. I haven' been throwing up like I did in the beginning, thank goodness! I just feel sick to my stomach a lot.

I really haven't craved anything weird this whole pregnancy! I have always had a sweet tooth and that has definitely continued. For the first little while I couldn't keep any sweets down, but I love candy again! Mostly fruity candy. I really haven't been a chocolate person since I've been pregnant. I really love smoothies lately. Andy makes them for me quite often.

It is definitely getting harder to move around a lot. I am having trouble putting on my boots and painting my toe nails. A couple months ago our box spring broke (thanks to my fat butt literally just sitting on the bed), so our mattress has just been on the floor. SO... I have a REALLY hard time getting out of bed sometimes. Especially in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. I feel like I pee non-stop! I swear that the baby things my bladder is a yoga ball and she is just trying to do a handstand on it!

I have really had a great pregnancy so far! The baby has been healthy and growing right on schedule. Besides being sick and recently having a hard time breathing... it has been great! It is pretty awesome to feel her moving around in there! We really can't wait to meet her, even if it means staying up all night to feed and change her.

This picture was from Christmas in California. I think I was about 29 weeks? I can't remember. But we had a wonderful Christmas with our families! We got to see most of Andy's siblings (minus Adam who was missed) and we get to spend lots of time with my parents and Troy. Andy got a new power drill, a gun safe, a tool box, and lots of other awesome things. I got lots of gift cards, things for the baby, a waffle maker, and Italian lessons (like rosetta stone) :) It was wonderful!

We are just loving life right now! Enjoying spending time together before the baby comes and we can wait to move to California for the summer!

Valentine's Day!

I LOVE Valentine's Day! How could I not love a day about LOVE??? This is mine and Andy's third Valentine's Day of actually being together. Sadly, he has to work until after 8 tonight. So, we are celebrating on Thursday. We decided not to give each other gifts this year. (Last year he was so sweet and got me a wedding band). So, I figured I would just post a blog about how much I love him. It's not like he will ever read this, but it is my gift to him :)

Things I love about my hubby:
NO ONE can make me laugh harder than him.
He makes me breakfast at least once a week. (It used to be just on Saturdays, but lately he does it a lot more)
He regularly does chores around the house without me nagging. (bathrooms and dishes are his specialty)
Every night he tells me three things he loves abou
t me.
He is so excited to be a dad.
He has always provided for me in every way he can.
He is SO kind... always willing to donate time and money to people that need it.
The poor guy can handle my crying like a champ! (which has been especially bad from the pregnancy).
He is faithful to his church callings and the covenants he has made.
He loves his family and my family unconditionally. (he loves to call his family just to see how they are doing because he wants to make sure everyone is always happy and healthy).
He is talented. (athletic, good voice, he can draw (who knew), smart, builds things, and he is pretty darn cute (that's a talent, right?)

I just love him so much! I am so glad I am sealed to him for ETERNITY!!!!
Happy Valentine's Day, Andy :)

Grandpa

Has it really been four months since I have blogged? Who knew! I guess not much has compelled me to blog until recently. I am terrible at keeping a journal, so I want to write on here about Grandpa Miller. I always wanted my children to meet all of their great grandparents. Sadly, that won't happen on this earth, but I am grateful for the knowledge that my kids will someday meet one of their great grandfathers later on. I really want my kids to understand how great of a man he was.

Grandpa Miller has always been, and always will be, one of my biggest heroes. His attitude about life couldn't be matched. He was always positive about everything! I never understood how he could be so kind to everyone. I don't think I ever went anywhere with him and left without him getting to know someone better. He had a special gift that allowed him to talk to anyone and make them comfortable. Grandpa had an awesome sense of humor. He could make Andy and I laugh every time we talked to him; even after we left his house. Andy never knew his grandfathers, so it was a huge blessing to him when we got married and he gained two wonderful grandfathers. I loved watching Andy and Grandpa bond over cars, guns, and everything else.

The thing I admired the most about Grandpa Miller was his love for Grandma. I have often told Andy that when I am older I want to be just as in love as them. He adored everything about Grandma and it was obvious to anyone that knew him.

Someday, I just want my kids to know that their Great Grandpa Miller was a brave man that fought a hard battle with grace. He never complained and never let his health stop him from investing time and energy in our lives. He always had a way of making me feel special and happy. I will miss his phone calls, chocolate frosting, and silly jokes. Most of all, I have recently realized how grateful I am to have a knowledge of The Plan of Salvation. I cannot wait to see him again and give him a big hug! I know that our family can be together forever. We love you, Grandpa!!

Welcome winter!!!

I suppose it has been a really long time since I have posted on here! Oops. I was hoping this would be a journal of my pregnancy, but I have definitely neglected that thought. I guess it's time to try this again. It doesn't feel like there is too much to share, but I'm sure I'll think of something as I go.

Andy and I are back in Idaho. We just love it here. Sadly, we aren't in rexburg anymore though. I do really miss the atmosphere of Rexburg. And, oddly enough, I really miss school. Maybe not the homework or annoying teachers or brown noser girls, but I miss the stuff I learned in classes. I feel out of the loop because I'm not in school or living near the school, but there are some perks to living in Idaho Falls. Perhaps the best part is the fact that we are close to Sam's Club. I realize that makes me sound like a nerd, but please... We are talking about free samples every Friday and Saturday!! And Andy and I can share a meal there for $3.00! What's not to love about that, right?

If anyone is reading this, then I'm guessing they just want an update on the baby. So, here it is... The baby is great! Healthy and growing. Still making me very sick everyday, but we love it anyway! The last time I got an ultrasound, the baby was just waving to me the whole time. It was pretty cute! I was sad that Andy didn't get to see it. Luckily, he will be able to see the little bundle of joy in a couple weeks. That is also when we will get to see a lot more than a waving baby!! We will get to see either a baby girl or a baby boy! I'm sonexcotes. Then, maybe, we will be able to pick a name ( I highly doubt it though)

Sorry this post is so long! I would try and post pictures but I never take any and I'm blogging from my phone, so I definitely don't have any pictures to post! Hopefully I will be better about blogging i would love to have record of all the fun times that Andy an I have!

Ps. My husband is the greatest. He has been such a trooper! He help me with cleaning and cooking all the time! In fact, he made me a great breakfast this morning. I couldn't imagine going through all this with anyone else!

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!

That's right family... Andy and I have a surprise for you!! Are you ready??


We are getting a puppy!!


JK

I'm pregnant :)



We told our parents yesterday, after a very long drive to California for a 24 hour trip. It was really fun. Now, we are so ready for our siblings to know!!

Yay!