Introducing....

Elizabeth Anne

arrived this morning at 8:02am

weighting 7lbs 12oz and 21in. long

Madilynn getting to see Elizabeth for the first time through the nursery window.

Long Toes!

Mommy and Elizabeth doing well. Daddy is still awake. Madilynn loves her little sister very much. More pictures to come.

Anticipation....

We arrived at the hospital this morning at 5:30am to get set up for delivery. Excited...Nervous...and Anticipating the arrival of baby girl!

38 weeks

Today marks 38 weeks, here I am this afternoon! We went in for a check-up this morning and here are some things to note!

• I have gained a total of 23 lbs. so far - yeah!!
• Blood pressure is good, still no swelling - yeah!
• Baby girl's heartbeat in 150's and she is still head down
• I have been feeling good and have gone on two walks this week!
• Madilynn is so excited for baby sister to come out, she can't wait...she says she will sing her songs, like ABC's and Jesus loves me
• And for the big news....Our c-section has been re-scheduled for next Friday August 28th at 7:30am!!! (I'll be 39 weeks)

We are so excited!! Can't wait to meet baby girl...what color hair, what color eyes, how much will she weigh, and how long will she be....I can't wait for all the little details

I wanted to share this picture of Madilynn and Daddy snuggling this week! Madilynn is glad to be home and has enjoyed her home time this week. She has been very attached to Daddy lately and tells me when he's not home, "Daddy wuves me", and I tell her yes he does!

twenty-six

Thursday was a big day! I turned twenty-six and Madilynn came home after a 9 day visit with grandparents in Arkansas. It was one of the best birthday's ever! Michael had planned to stay home with me...he cooked us breakfast...then we made chocolate cupcakes and a small cake to celebrate...took a walk together on campus...I told him that I thought him just spending the day with me was the best present he could've given me.

Here's the chocolate cupcakes and cake and we made a homemade butter frosting and colored it light pink...turned out perfect!

Then that afternoon I went and had my haircut, here's the back before

And here's after....Madilynn was at home when I got there! It was great, she came running out of the house yelling "Happy Birthday Mommy!" I can't believe how big she had gotten, I went to pick her up and it seemed like she'd gained 10 lbs. while she was gone!

and here's the back..

As if there hadn't been enough excitement for one day, we all loaded up (Me, Michael, Madilynn, Granny, and Pepaw) and headed to the Iowa State Fair...

here we are on bus ride to the fair...

Madilynn running through the tunnel in the children's garden

Madilynn had a big time at the fair and loved seeing all of the animals. Her favorites were the pigs and the sheep. She even got to sit on a horse for a picture (on Granny's camera, I'll have to get that one soon!)

Then, this afternoon I received a package from Daddy Gene and Ladonna with this apron for my birthday! I am so excited! I had just talked about getting/finding one soon, and they didn't even know it. Thank you!

A wonderful birthday...Thank you to everyone! Love you all!

Baby Girl's Room Finished!

Can't believe it's all done and we are ready for baby girl's arrival!! Everything has been washed and is organized! So here it is....

crib and changing table

shelves for storage bins and curtainsI love it...and can't wait for her to get here!

Sewing Projects Completed...

While Madilynn is away I'm trying to use my time wisely by finishing up projects, resting, and just getting the last minute things all ready for baby girl's arrival. While my mom was here this last weekend she helped me pick out some fabric for curtains for the baby's room. The fabrics coordinate with the crib bumper that I had already made. You may have to enlarge the picture to see the design in the green fabric.

Here are some flannel receiving blankets I made
And some white burp cloths that I just sewed some ribbon on, so they would look cuter! They turned out really nice.

I plan to post finished pictures of the baby's room soon, I am working on some organizing in there with Michael this week and I am washing everything and getting it all put away. It is really coming together though, and looking more like a baby's room instead of just a spare bedroom.

Fun Birthday Weekend!

This past weekend Nana and Ashlee came to visit! The last visit before baby girl arrives...I can't believe it's almost time! We had a great time, of course. They brought Madilynn a "ballerina dress and dancing shoes" as Madilynn calls them, and she enjoyed dancing around for them.

Michael and I both celebrate birthdays in August...so we celebrated with my family this weekend. My mom brought a cake from Rick's bakery (yummy!!)

Then Monday night Michael and I took Madilynn to the hospital for the Big Sister class. She was such a big girl and did so well. We were so proud to she how she did with all of the other kids her age and she really paid attention to the teacher.

Here she is..it's Madilynn's turn to learn to change baby's diaper

Notice the "Big Sister" pin on her dress, I loved it! I got one when I attended the big sister class before Ashlee was born.

Afterwards, back at home we celebrated Michael's actual birthday... Here's just after Madilynn gave Daddy his birthday card

Ashlee and Madilynn (funny face)

The girls!!

Papa and his friend Gary came into town Monday evening on there way back home from Sturgis. Papa and Madilynn

Madilynn hiding from Gary

Papa and Madilynn on the motorcycle

Madilynn playing some hopscotch...it's getting pretty dark

I think it's bedtime! They all left out on Tuesday morning. I mean "all" and left me and Michael here. We had planned for Madilynn to get to go back to Arkansas for some grandparent time this week. Memaw & Pepaw will be bringing Madilynn back when they come on my birthday and we are going to the Iowa State Fair...can't wait!