first bath...

Ellen got her first REAL bath last week and didn't even cry! It was really fun because the other kids helped me, even Sam.

hands

1st week home!!

I am catching up on photos here!! Enjoy.

Blizzard 2009

Big Blizzard last week and Nate had Monday off of work. It was really nice to relax as a family and not feel like we had to go out for the holiday rush or holiday parties. Here are some photos of the snow.

This first photo is precious because Sammy got right up to Nate's leg for the photo and put his arms around him. He ADORES his daddy.

Wish I could of had Ellen in this photo, the kids were so happy in the snow.
This is where Elle was... we all walked to Starbucks and got hot chocolate. Very fun to live walking distance from many neat places in downtown Vienna...

This was the first step outside in the morning... a winter WONDERLAND!

They were so excited!

Singing at Bible Study... Rita and Sam

I have been having a hard time downloading my photos on my blog. Will keep working on it. My files are too big and I don't have a program to make them smaller in size. If you have any suggestions or help, leave a comment for me!

How are things??

Things are going very well around here. We are on day four and Ellen has gained weight and we are getting situated with a newborn. We love holding her and smelling her and dressing her. Grace has been a big help and enjoys holding her. Rita is enjoying having her around and likes to look at her and take her socks off and put her blanket on. Sam is in shock-mode.

Part 3 - Ellen

Sam meets Elle.

Sam holds Elle.
Girls meet Elle.

Grace was so precious and just giddy to meet her.

A wonderful big sister and old enough to hold on her own.

Ellen Photos Part 2

Look at all this hair!

We can't forget the cat. This is when we got home.

Baby Photos Part 1

I am going to try to upload some photos today in batches throughout the day. I have been a little slow on doing this and I am so sorry! We don't have any photos yet of all four of the kids, I will work on that!

Going home... we were so tired and anxious to get out of the hospital. It was around 10 PM on Friday night but I am so glad I took some photos. They had some trouble with the birth certificate and getting bloodwork done for the lab.

Meet our beautiful baby girl...

I am having trouble downloading so I am just going to download one right now.
Sorry for the delay, I know what I should be doing and so I am off to do that - sleep.

Happy Birthday Ellen and Nate - Dec 10...

We are thrilled to announce Ellen Faith has arrived. We are at the hospital enjoying these quiet moments - no visitors allowed at all so it is very peaceful. I did carpool yesterday and was starting to get some contractions and then I took the kids to get haircuts at the mall immediately afterwards. Left the mall and got home around 5 pm. Nate had his birthday dinner - steak - and we ran out to the hospital at 6:50. She arrived at 8:08 PM!!!

8 lbs 14 oz
full head of light brown soft hair
pink blanket and pink hat
sisters and brother can't wait to see her!!!!

Big Day!

Happy Due Date to me!
Happy Birthday to Nate!

Oh NO!

My favorite TV mom is in the hospital.

"This weekend, Michelle Duggar was admitted to an Arkansas hospital due to gallbladder issues," says a network rep. "The pain from a gallstone was generating some contractions. Just to be safe, she was airlifted to a Little Rock, Ark., hospital, so that in the unlikely event that she had to be delivered early, she would be close to a NICU center. Though there were some fears that the baby was in trouble initially, it soon was discovered to be solely the gallstone causing the discomfort. Michelle is resting comfortably, and the baby is doing fine."

Christmas Cookies

We were playing in the snow today and went for a little walk. Sam wanted sticks the entire time. Rita wanted to run through the snow in the neighbors' yards.

Sam in his turtleneck for church on Sunday.

On Friday night we made Christmas cookies.

I am not hosting a cookie exchange this year because of the pregnancy but hope to do one next year. It was really fun to hear a bunch of the husbands of the women that have participated in the past get MAD that they weren't getting cookies this year. Next year: bigger and better!!!

Andria Natalie...

Thank you Grandma for our new outfits!

Rita has been telling Santa she wants a church baby doll set. What on earth is that? If you have ideas, let me know. Here are some photos from the church dinner that we attend in our neighborhood every Weds night. Grace had absolutely no fear this year to sit in Santa's lap.

Sam on the other hand...

Sam then made ammends when Santa gave him a treat.

He handed Santa his trash.

We also got our tree up yesterday.
No updates on "Andria Natalie".
Doctor said to me on Thurs, "I will see you next week."
????!!!????

5:55 AM

Kids were up at 5:55 AM this morning to play with the Christmas creches. Hope they don't do this everyday until Christmas!


Funny things the girls have said:


Rita asked Nate yesterday on the way to get pizza how mommy got the baby.


Rita told Nate yesterday not to put away any of the activities (nativities) so she can play with them today.


Yesterday I was having a little routine no-big-deal contraction and the kids were jumping all over me. I asked them to stop moving and talking and told Grace to hold my hand. I was being a little dramatic for them : ) and when I opened my eyes, Grace asked if I was "praying for the contraction."

No News!

No news, next doctor appt is on Thursday!
Sam was 5 days early.
Rita was 10 days late.
Grace was on time.

Post Thanksgiving Photos

Today the kids went to an indoor water park with their cousins. They also went running on the Oakton HS track. They had a lot of fun. Here are some photos from the Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. There were a lot of jokes about my sister-in-law Alayna (37 weeks pregnant) and I lying around and waddling like turkeys!

This is my mom. She did all of the cooking for all of us. Everything was so good despite the "fresh turkey" being frozen.

Right before we prayed.
Brian, Alayna w/baby, Rita, and Rita

Bryce ready to eat!

This is the only photo I could find of Alayna and I. As you can see, she is lounging while I rip apart the carcass of the turkey with pillows all around me. Sam is sitting with my dad. You can also see the pies!

Happy Thanksgiving DC style...

We spent our Thanksgiving morning in DC to get some exercise!

Afterwards we went to Dupont Circle to get coffee and muffins.

The kids loved the Jefferson Memorial.

Grace said, "Look at how high the ceilings are!"