Merry Christmas Sweet Girl!

Oh how we enjoyed celebrating baby Elle's first Christmas!  We were not able to travel to Northeast Arkansas this year and see my grandmother, aunts and all my cousins in Paragould, but we were able to see family that were able to travel this way.  We felt that we just could not travel 5 to 6 hours with a newborn.  We really missed seeing everyone!  This Christmas was especially hard because we lost my Popo this past November.  We miss you Popo!

Here are some pictures from our celebration with my mother and step-father and brother's family:

Baby Elle in her Moses basket.  She slept a lot this Christmas :)

Cooper peaking at his cousin Elle.  My brother and I have a similar picture somewhere.  

I think this is so sweet!

Outfit number 3.  We managed to go through 2 Christmas outfits before this one?!?!

George, Cooper, Gigi, and Elle

On Christmas Day, we drove 2 1/2 hours to Mountain Home to see Corey's family.  Corey's mom (Mimi) always makes a huge dinner and she is quite the cook.  Yummy!

Here is a shot of one of Elle's Christmas outfits!

Eston, Anna, Mimi, and Elle

Corey's sister, Kara, and her family:  Anna, Eston, and Travis

Daddy, Elle, and Mommy ( can you tell I'm a little tired :)

Like I said, she slept a lot!

Corey's grandpa "Papa" Troy, Elle, and Daddy

Two sleepy girls!

All pooped out!  She actually feel asleep this way and must have been dreaming about something sweet!

We had a great Christmas and feel very blessed to have this precious girl!  Corey and I look at each other sometimes and just say "wow, what a miracle we have made!"  Thank you Lord for this wonderful gift!

Our first outing

On Monday, we went to see Elle's pediatrician, Dr. Livingston.  She enjoyed being in the car.  She slept the entire time that we were in the car.  The doctor said she looks great.  She did lose some weight, which is normal.  She now weighs 6 lbs. 13 oz.  Here we are about to leave the house. I was excited to leave the house too!  It had been 4 days since I had left the house.

All dressed up, ready to go!

All snug in the car seat.

We've had a lot of friends and family visit us since we've been home.  Some have even brought us some wonderful food!  We appreciate them all!

Corbin, Ginger, and Elle

Aunt Angie and Elle

Hollyn, Morgan, and Elle

Kimber, Elle, and Josh

Here's daddy and Elle.  Can you see the resemblance?!?  I think they look so much alike!

Derby loves to sit by Mommy or Daddy whenever they are holding Elle.

  

Settling back home with our new baby girl!

Again, sorry for the delay but we've been a little busy :)  Elle's first night went pretty good. We kept her in our room and got a LITTLE bit of sleep.  I have chosen to breast feed Elle and so far it is going well.  I hope that continues! We were discharged from the hospital on December 16th.  The doctor said Elle and I both looked good and could go home or stay one more night if we wanted.  We chose to take our baby home!

Here she is, dressed and ready for her first car ride!

We're home at last! Thanks Holly for making this awesome wreath!

My mom has been staying with us since we've been home (Thank you mom!)  Here are some pictures that we've taken so far!

Our fur baby watching our new baby girl.  He has done really well adjusting.  He follows her around and sits by us when she is being nursed.  He also comes and tells us when she's crying.  I can tell they are going to be best friends!

My mom, Gigi, putting Elle in the Mama Roo!  It is the best thing ever! Thanks girls for this great gift!

Here she is bright eyed and bushy tailed!  This baby is alert!

Thanks for making this cute outfit for me Ginger!

Thanks for checking in with us!

Ellington "Elle" Alyse Balentine's Birthday

She's finally here!  Sorry for the delay but I wanted to give a quick update.  We had the pleasure of meeting Elle this Wednesday afternoon at 3:19pm.  She was 7lbs and 5ozs and 19 3/4 inches long.  I was induced at 7:30am and had my water broken at 12:00pm.  From there it all happened very quickly.  Here are some of Elle's first pictures from my phone.  More pics to come.

Mom and Daughter right after birth.

Profile shot. Head full of hair!

Wardrobe change.

Here's Daddy holding Elle.

Waiting for Elle!

Well, the nursery is almost complete.  I'm still waiting on a mobile and rug but I thought I would share what we have done so far.  Now she just needs to get here :)

Elle Alyse picture made from Salvaged by Grace with a prayer ring that our community group made for us.

Elle wreath that my cousin Kersten made us.

Derby made it in this one.  This boppy was covered by my friend Ginger.  She has a monogramming and sewing business called "Cute Pea by Ginger E."

Update

Yesterday was my last day at work.  I made an executive decision that it was time for me to stop working.  I am having trouble walking a lot and not to mention the lack of sleep.  I having a feeling she'll be here soon!  We also went to the doctor yesterday for our weekly appointment.  Dr. Cole told me that I am 2.5 cm dilated and 80 percent effaced.  He believes Elle will be here anytime now.  He said I would be induced on Wednesday, December 15th if she doesn't come on her own.  He is working the delivery room that day and I have really enjoyed working with him lately so it would be nice to have him deliver Elle.  Interesting fact is that he delivered my sister-in-law, Kara, 35 years ago.  I'm so ready to meet our baby girl!.  I

Tic Toc, Tic Toc

Well, we are a week away from baby Elle's due date and we cannot be more ready for her to make her appearance!  Last Tuesday, Dec. 1st, my doctor said I was 1.5 cm dilated and 75 percent effaced.  That has been the case for a few weeks now!  My next appointment is this Tuesday, Dec 7th!  I know I need to be patient but I can't wait to meet her!  Our nursery is almost complete.  I am waiting for a few things to come in and I'll post some pictures!  Corey's been so sweet hanging curtains, pics, etc.  I know he is ready for Elle to get here so I will quit piddling in her room!!! We'll keep you posted :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving, we didn't travel to Northeast Arkansas like we usually do.  My doctor said I couldn't travel farther than 2 hours away just in case baby Elle decided to make her appearance.  So on Thanksgiving day we went to Mountain Home to have lunch with Corey's family.  It was great as always and it was really good to see everyone.  We stayed for only 4 hours and then headed back home.

On Saturday, my dad came up to Rogers to celebrate Thanksgiving with us.  We had a Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and all the fixings!  I couldn't help as much as I'd like because I couldn't stand up for too long.  My sister-in-law was sick also so she couldn't do much either.  My brother and Corey pretty much prepared everything.  It was so good!  I was really impressed with their skills in the kitchen!

We also got to watch the Razorbacks beat LSU!  Yay!  Go Hogs!

Here's an updated belly pic!  We're so ready for Elle to get here!

Delta Dinner / shower

Every month there are a few girls from my pledge class that get together and have dinner.  It's a really nice to see these girls so I always try my best to make our get togethers.  This month they surprised me with a little baby shower at Table Mesa.  I was so surprised to see all the pink decorations! Thanks girls for the celebration and for going in together and getting us our high chair and other goodies!

Paragould Shower

Every time a person in our family gets married or has a baby my family (more specifically my aunts) hosts a shower for them.  The shower had been scheduled for a month or so but after my Popo passed away I assumed it would be cancelled.  My aunts insisted on having the shower after all.  It was really nice to spend so much time with family that week.  We all needed to spend time together and it was a happy way to end the weekend.

The hostesses:  Aunt Melinda, Aunt Lisa, Aunt Karen, and Aunt Judy

Beautiful blanket Momo made for Elle.

Thanks Aunt Karen for the cute diaper bag!

An "Elle" wreath that my cousin Kersten made.  Love it!

My cousins on the Ellington side:

Mallory, Meredith, Lucy, myself, Kersten, Ashley, and April

Chloe or Maggie (I'm not sure she's a twin) taking a picture of her big sister Emerson. How cute!

The ladies on the Riggs side: Kelley, Aunt Jean, myself, mom, Aunt Barbara holding Jenna Brooke, and Stacy

Kathy  had ordered a diaper cake for us filled with toys, receiving blankets, hats, and socks for the Paragould shower.  Since we had to rush out of town, it was not ready in time for the shower.  She surprised us with it when we came through Mountain Home on our way back to Rogers.  

Thanks for the diaper cake Mimi and Grandpa!

I also have to wish my sweet husband a Happy Birthday!  His birthday was on Thurs, November 4th but with baby stuff and family stuff he did not get the celebration that he deserves!  We finally went to dinner this Friday (a week later) and celebrated.  I love you very much and cannot imagine life without you.  You are a great husband and I know you will be a great daddy! Love you!