I am loving having a little baby in the house. It’s so wonderful. She is absolutely amazing. The faces she makes, the sounds she makes, the way she moves her little hands and feet… everything she does is simply wonderful. Her older brother and sisters just lover her to death and think she’s the cutest baby ever and they like to hold her and feel her soft skin. I could easily sit and hold her all day long and still not feel like I’ve looked at her long enough. Since she’s number four, I know how fast this tiny new baby stage goes by and I am soaking it up as much as I can. So I don’t care if the laundry is piled high (and it is) and I don’t care if there are dishes in the sink (there are). I am going to enjoy this time with her and try and remember as much of it as I can because she is so, so lovely.

We welcomed Miss Ella Marie to our family on September 25th at 1:06 pm. She weighed 8 pounds 15 ounces and was 22″ long. She has a headful of auburn hair and it looks like she’s got blue yes, but its hard to tell which shade of blue just yet. We came home from the hospital today. We love her to bits. She is a real cuddly sweetheart and just so soft all over.

More pictures to come very soon!

My doctor’s appointment today was full of exciting news! It looks like Ella will be arriving tomorrow, which just happens to be my brother’s birthday. I am 5 cm dilated, so she asked me to come into the hospital tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. I am very excited. David was able to work it out with his work schedule and he will still have all his days off, plus 2 more! So that’s awesome! Needless to say, I am one happy mama!

Obviously, it will be a few days before I post again, but when I do, it will be with new pictures of little Ella and a good story, I’m sure!

I will be headed out the door in just a bit to go to my LAST prenatal appointment before my induction planned on the 1st. Obviously, I could still go into labor before then, but I doubt that’s going to happen. I will update after the appointment this morning.

I am still pregnant. Ella has not decided to make her appearance yet. I go back to the doctor this Wednesday when we will schedule an induction. I’m still not opposed to going early if it happens! Nothing much else new other than this waiting game. I’ll keep my blog updated as soon as anything happens.

I went to the doctor today for my 37 week appointment. I am now considered full term should I go into labor on my own, so that’s great. I am 2-3 centimeters dilated and I’m hoping that means Ella will make her appearance sooner rather than later. However, I’m not holding my breath. I was 3 cm dilated with Jacob for a full month before I was induced, so it’s no guarantee labor is imminent.

I am extremely tired. I feel like an 80 year old because my back always hurts these days and I’m really just ready to have this baby! David is hoping I’ll hold off until my induction date of October 1st because he has all his days off lined up, but frankly, I’m miserable and just as ready as can be. If I don’t go into labor before then, I have my next appointment a week from today.

As of right now, according to an ultrasound, Ella weighs about 6 lbs. 11 oz.

My sister-in-law, Erin, hosted a baby brunch for me today. It was very small, just one of my aunts & her daughter, my mom, MIL, my girls, and a good friend of mine, and of course, Erin. We went to a fancy little breakfast/lunch place in our downtown area. It was nice. I didn’t want anything too much because it is my 4th baby. I got some cute stuff; my Exersaucer, lots of clothes, a shopping cart cover, a gift card to Target, cute burp clothes and extras like crib sheets, blankets, bottles, pacifiers, booties, etc. The food was yummy (I had a California omelet with swiss cheese, avocado & mushrooms *drool*) and my sis-in-law brought a delicious chocolate cake from a swanky bakery called Zoe’s. Very chic. LOL My girls had fun and the company was nice. It was girl’s day out and so nice! After that, my mom and I went to Walmart and got my crib mattress for my little one and when I got home, we set up the crib and bedding! I’ll post pics soon! Now I’m totally ready for baby Ella to get here!

Ouch… ouch… ouch. My back is killing me. It’s to the point where I can’t move without it hurting. I’m assuming it’s because of the way the baby is positioned. The dr. told me she is lower and I can only guess that she is resting on a nerve. My tailbone is extremely tender. I have to be careful how I sit. My sciatic nerve is killing me on the right side. The only time I don’t hurt is when I am sitting still or laying down. It hurts when I get up, walk, bend over, lean… anything. It’s basically crippled me to where I just want to sit and do nothing all day. And that is SO impractical.
I try to do laundry, but getting clothes out of the dryer is almost impossible. Unloading the dishwasher is way harder than it ought to be. The one thing I can do is sit and fold clothes, but then I have to put them away, which involves walking. Ouch. Needless to say, I am ready for little miss Ella to make an appearance at her earliest convenience. If she doesn’t come early, these next 3 weeks will be long and painful. Ugh…

VP candidate, Sarah Palin, has come under fire from the media and certain women’s advocacy groups as being against women’s rights because of her conservative stance on certain issues.

You know, it infuriates me that people say that she is against women’s rights just because she opposes abortion. I oppose abortion vehemently, but I am all for women’s rights. I think it’s funny that this whole group of women’s rights advocates call themselves “feminists” because, in my opinion, they don’t want to be feminine, they want to be men with vaginas. What’s wrong with wanting to be treated like a lady? What’s wrong with wanting to be a good wife and mother? What’s wrong with a woman wanting to defend an unborn child? We can be all these things and still be respected. We can do all these things and still work and provide for our families. We can do all of these things and whatever else we want to! Because we’re women… not men!! LOL

These women’s groups try to portray themselves as “the voice of American women.” Well, they’re not!! They are the voice of liberal American women. They are not my voice! Sarah Palin is exactly the kind of woman that represents the other millions of women who don’t want to abort babies, who want to be conservative women raising families and working. She’s a fine example of what American women are and can be!

The most important thing she’d learned over the years was that there was no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.

Jill Churchill