Two

Tomorrow is Eloise's birthday.  I can't even believe I'm typing it... but she'll be 2.  Where has the time gone?  If I dwell on it too much, it puts me in a funk... so I try to enjoy each day as they come.

On Sunday we had a small get together at our house.  "Small" still means "packed" when it comes to our little house!!  Eloise knew we were having a party, but was napping when everyone came.  She was pleasantly surprised to see everyone when she came downstairs!  She was especially excited to see her cousins!

I tried to muster up a Sesame Street theme... but I forgot to take a picture of my handmade invitations... and with little Miss Dinah greeting the world less than 3 weeks ago, my decorations left much to be desired!  Thankfully though, Eloise is quite happy with simple things like... plain old balloons.  So it didn't turn out too bad!

I am no photographer... but here are some pictures from the evening!

Cookie Monster Cupcakes!

 

So excited about the balloons (and cousins)!

 "Ernie's Rubber Ducky Punch"

SO thankful that Pappy could be at the party with us!

Opening presents!

 Having fun!

The "Birthday Tree"... decorated with Sesame Street decorations!

Hugs for Jaxson!

 

My dad holding Dinah.

Sisters...

And last but not least... a short little clip of Eloise blowing out her candles!

Tomorrow will probably be emotional for me...

Two whole years.

I can't imagine my life without our Sweet El!

 

Things are going well here... the 4 of us are settling in nicely!

Just thought I'd share a few pictures!

 Playing with Eloise in between contractions!

 Welcoming Dinah Jean!

  Getting ready to head home!

 And Eloise meets Dinah Jean... and boy, was she excited!

 

We are blessed!

Drum Roll Please....

Please welcome...

Dinah Jean

6 lbs, 9 oz (18" long)

I labored at home... Cory dropped me off at the ER entrance at 8:35PM.

He couldn't drive through to the parking lot because of a Life Flight Helicopter...

so I headed in and waited for them to send me to Labor and Delivery.

We got signed in to L/D at 8:58PM...

2 pushes later...

and Dinah was born at 9:12PM.

The doctor barely had time to get to the hospital and

I don't believe they even had time to tie his gown!

But all is well with mommy and baby!

Should be going home tomorrow!

(Cory and his folks... they made it home in time from the hospital to be here to greet our sweet baby!)

B-B-B-B-Baby Time!

We are timing contractions... they're getting pretty close together (and painful--Yeow!).

Thank goodness for online contraction timers!  So convenient!

I suspect we'll have a baby in the wee hours... but we'll see!

Also... Cory's dad is HOME!  

He will start treatments locally tomorrow.  

What a blessing that they can be home for the birth of the baby!!

Thank you for your prayers!

I will update on his/her arrival when I can!

Update

Upon further review... the doctors found 7 lesions on Gene's brain (originally it was believed to be 4).  They are coming up with a radiation treatment plan to hopefully get rid of the small masses, and if that works move on to surgery at another point for the larger one.  We thank everyone for their kind words, thoughts and prayers.  It truly means a lot!  We are just taking things one step and one day at a time.

I have a doctor appointment tomorrow, where I'm sure the doctor will want to talk about inducing.  It is not my wish to be induced, as I wish to do things as naturally as possible - given the fact that I'll be in a hospital setting (I'm not quite at 40 weeks yet)... and we are hoping that Gene will be able to come home at the end of the week to start treatments at a local hospital.  If this baby can hold out until then, perhaps "Mimi" and "Pappy" can be there for the special day.  That is my hope!