Month 1

I cannot believe Ella is already 1 month old. It feels just like yesterday that I was holding her in my arms for the first time. My little miracle! What a month it has been. You ask, "Is motherhood everything you thought it would be?" Yes. I love being a mom. My life is never boring nor slow anymore. Every minute of my life now revolves around this precious little girl.

The First Month:
Along with parenthood being wonderful it is also the hardest thing I have ever done! People always say it's difficult but until you are in the midst you have no clue. Ella is going to be a very intense person. At the end of month one she intensely eats, intensely stares and intensely cries! Also, she won't dirty a dirty diaper, which I find hilarious. If you change her pee diaper as soon as you finish swaddling her perfectly, she poops and wants to be changed!

She sleeps okay. She now sleeps for 4 -5 hour stretches then when she wakes up around 1:30 she likes to stay up for 2.5 hours before going back to bed which usually winds her up sleeping on my chest on the couch. She sleeps long and wonderfully!

Ella's day usually consist of: waking up, eating, contentment time (she just stares and seems happy), followed by crying, then swaddled, held, swing and/or bouncy seat, nap. Eat, 2 minutes content time, crying, swaddling being held then swing and/or bouncy seat. Repeat!

I am so thankful to have read The Happiest Baby on the Block this week. It was wonderful and a true sanity saver for me. We are now only 2 weeks away till the peak of her crying and then slowly it will get less and less.

This month she experienced her first Christmas and what a wonderful first Christmas it was for her. She got so many things that I know she loves! Christmases in the Crabtree household will never be the same again, they will be so much better than they ever were!

I know it sounds like I'm complaining but I'm not. I am just telling it like it is. If I said everything about parenthood was always sunshiny and smiles I would be lying. It is the toughest thing I have ever done but it is also the thing that has made me the happiest person too. She is my world and I love her more than anything. She is worth every dirty diaper I have changed, every tear that I have cried and all the electricity I will use because of the swing.

November 29th!

Yesterday I went to the doctor for my 36 week check-up (36 WEEKS, it went by so quickly!). They palpitated my abdomen till it felt bruised, again, and then said that they need to do an ultrasound because they still couldn't tell which way she was lying. So, the ultrasound happens and low and behold there is her head jammed in my rib cage and her butt deep within my pelvis. I have known that this was her orientation for sometime but you never know, she could have turned. She didn't.

The doctor said that are best bet would to just schedule the c-section. We did! We will be holding our baby girl in our arms shortly after 9AM on November 29th. I am so ecstatic and antsy and anxious. I have so much to do!

From the beginning I kept saying that I hope she is born on November 30th, so I don't leave her with the stigma of being a Christmas baby and it looks like dreams do come true!!!

Ella Jean Crabtree

We recently went to see our beautiful daughter to confirm that she is as beautiful as I thought she would be. Well, Ella seems to be one to keep us on our toes. We got to see her pretty little profile but mainly her feet and hands. What a funny girl she is. We have been twice now and it's the same photos both times. Although we couldn't get any great photos we definitely get the idea!

This is Ella's hair on Sept. 24

This is Ella on Oct. 2 (look at how much longer it is!)

Once Upon a Shower

Today was Ella's first shower hosted by Allison and her mom Sylvia. It was a fantastic shower and I could not have asked for more.

I would first like to say thanks to Allison. To throw a shower is hard enough but Allison who is working full time, taking classes full time and on top of that had car trouble this week and her phone is broke went above and beyond, like always! Whenever someone offers it means more to me than people could possibly know. The time, energy and money that it takes to throw one is immense and I do not take it for granted!

It might have been a stressful time for her but it was such a great shower. The theme was Once Upon a Time and the gift of choice was a book or a toy (along with other great stuff). Ella is set for her reading time and play time. The turnout was amazing and I am so thankful for everyone who showed up. Kyle, I and Ella feel so loved and we cannot express our appreciation and love for everyone.

The Invitation

The Menu
Each appetizer was themed after a book; it was very creative.

The Table Set Up

The Hostesses with the Mostesses

Here are a few of the people that love Ella (the ones that we got good photos of anyways)

Ella's Best Friend Piper

Ella's Other Best Friend Kinsley

Thank you so much everyone. We love you all and again are so grateful to have all of you in our lives.

New Zulily Outfit - HELP IT'S AN ADDICTION!!

I am getting so excited! My showers start this weekend. I cannot believe it's already that time and that I have hit my third trimester. It seems just like forever ago that I found out I was pregnant (no, I'm just kidding). Anyways, I know with showers come a lot of clothes and I shouldn't be buying any but I just can't seem to help it!

This is Ella's newest dress. Ballerina Pigs!

P.S. Zulily, is a great place. Two of the 4 outfits in my last post have come in, however instead of sending me the black and white striped they sent me this black and white gingham with a yellow flower. It's cute but not as cute as the other one. So, I called telling them they sent me the wrong outfit and they didn't have any of the ones I ordered in stock so they refunded me the price of the outfit and gave me a $10 credit on my Zulily account and I get to keep the outfit. So, I guess they aren't perfect but they make up for it.

New Things for Ella (from Zulily)

So, having a little girl is so exciting to me. I have already over indulged this little princess and her closet is already full-ish. Nonetheless, I keep buying for her and Zulily.com does not help me with compulsive shopping! Here are my recent purchases:

Trenton's First Trip to Disney

Uncle Kyle and I took our nephew to Disney back in February. He had a great time and we had a great time with him!

Trenton the night before Disney! We was super stoked.

Trenton waiting for the shuttle bus

Trenton on It's A Small World! He loved this ride.Trenton with Tigger

Trenton with Piglet

He found out he loved Turkey Legs

Waiting for the Electric Parade

My Bows

Since before finding out that my womb was the luxury hotel of a little girl I began learning how to make bows! They are so much fun especially since I have had two great models!

My First Bow

Update on Pregnancy (Backtracking)

21 Weeks

19 Weeks

16 Weeks

14 Weeks

Ella at 17 Weeks

Ella at 9 Weeks

Ella at 7 Weeks

Ella at 4 Weeks