Baby Will--December 23, 2009

WILLIAM HARPER ELMS

"I'm free!"

Here he is! Everything happened so fast--the planned-for induction and epidural never made it into the picture. Instead, when the doctor started the initial examination, we had water breakage and then, thirty minutes later, baby Will was born, healthy and whole.

Here are the stats, in full: born at 10:08am on December 23, weighing in at 6 lbs. 10 oz., and with a length of 19.5 in.

Dressed in a little sweater the German hospital provided

Also dressed in an outfit the hospital provided (with his tongue out--apparently he doesn't dig the clothes OR the pink blankie).

All of us together on the night after the delivery (Mommy's radiant, Ellie's sporting her rain boots, Will's hiding, and Daddy's sporting his nice hat hair/travel beard combo).

We want to thank everyone for their prayers, love, and support. More pictures are forthcoming!

IT's AlMosT BaBy TiMe!

I went to the doctor today and he said it's time. I guess the baby is more than ready to come and my fluid levels are waning. SO I have an induction time set up for tomorrow at 9 pm. I'm so excited for this little guy to be here already- what a great Christmas present! I will admit though, I cried tonight putting Ellie to bed for the last time being the only child. It's crazy how time flies and how fast they grow up. Ellie is such a sweet girl and we have been so blessed to have her in our lives. She is going to be an awesome big sister. I can't wait for her to meet her new baby brother and teach him the ways.

36 weeks

So at 30-32 weeks I was thinking it was easier being pregnant than having a newborn....... at 36 weeks I'M DONE! I can't sit through an hour of Sacrament meeting without totally swelling up. It's time, he needs to get here or mommy is going to lose it. The doctor thinks he will be here sometime between the 21st - Christmas day! Let's hope it's sometime soon! Andrew leaves for LA on the 16th to the 23rd and is praying the baby doesn't come while he's gone (and so am I!) But no worries we are excited to have Andrew's mom and my friend Catrina out on the 15th- can't wait!!

On another note, I have to tell one Ellie story. Last Saturday she woke up talking to herself (as she often does) and I heard a barrage of words, but most clear were the words: doggies, baby Will (her new brother to be) and Jesus. Maybe she woke up from a really cool dream. I thought it was cute.

Colors

Ellie has been learning and practicing her colors. Her new favorite thing to say is "daddy's brown."

A Little Concerned

Yesterday we went to the check out the German hospital where we will be delivering in a few weeks. It's really nice, they have relaxing quiet rooms and the delivery rooms look like a day spa (that's spelled d-a-i-y-e.) To get in we had to ring a bell like we were waiting outside someone's house. When they finally let us in we waited for 5 minutes before we saw even one person- who was not a nurse. Upon finding a nurse, she didn't speak English and kept asking me if I was in pain. Of the 3 nurses there at the time (and NO doctors) only one spoke enough English to be able to converse in English and German and the first thing she asked me was "Why are you here," and "Well, are you pregnant?" A little concerned, I laughed giving her a "No, I'm just really fat in my tummy" look and said- Yes! I'm 35 weeks and will probably be here in about 2 or 3 weeks to deliver! No one seemed to understand I was just there to check everything out and ask questions. Another point of concern, all of the patient rooms were taken on our visit. I think everything will be fine, but I'm really going to have to brush up on my German medical terms and stuff. And I am nervous that there were no doctors around. I guess they have to be called to come in. Trying not to worry!! Thank goodness Catrina will be here!!!

Latest Ultrasound!

Pardon the off-kilter scan, but we wanted to share the latest 3D Ultrasound of our little guy! Isn't it amazing how you can actually visualize the little features? We think he resembles Papa Slim Gutierrez a bit. What do you think?

Silent Protests

Ellie is all about protesting these days. Sometimes it's loud and convulsive and others silent, but she always ends up on the ground. Usually it's over shoes or food. Other times it's the fact that she dropped something and wants mommy to pick it up (but that is getting pretty hard these days) or maybe she needs a certain book. Sometimes I have NO idea what it's about. I'm finding it really hard not to laugh at it though-- this is so terrible twos. I really think we are in for it when number 2 gets here in 2 months!!!!!

I let her wear her sandals today even though it's raining (don't worry she's not leaving the house like that.) Some battles are not worth it--esp. when your 8 months pregs.

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE.......

Look what we found in the PX the other day!!! We were looking at the limited baby stuff they have there and found this: BABY HITLER . Somebody drew this on his face and yes it's sooo bad but we totally died laughing:)

Snow White

The Pumpkins

Halloween Crafts and Stuff

Here are some things we have done to pass the time:

This is how I found her watching her "do dos." Not sick enough to rip off the keyboard protector.

She posed like this for the pic-- not joking!

In mommy shoes and YES I really do her hair everyday. She just woke up from a nap!

Mommy made homemade cinnamon rolls.

Starch ghosts and bloody candles

Shrunken Apple Heads-- you can tell Andrew's is better

We still have a ways to go. Thanks to Martha I've been cutting out mice silhouettes, bats and owls and we are putting those up too. It's fun, but I'm afraid that I'm giving Ellie a phobia ---ghosts! She's obsessed with them and very much frightened, but always wants to watch and read the stories and shows that have ghosts in them (Little Einstein's Halloween Show--It's awesome.) At first it was keeping her up at night, but she seems to be doing better now. She tells us the ghosts went bye bye before she goes to bed so I guess we're ok now! I'm a bad mom!! I love it when she says ghost though, she says it so funny and with a spooky drawl. I'll have to get video of it. She makes me laugh!

28 Weeks!! Things Could Be Worse!

We have all been sick now for about 2 weeks! All of us with varying versions of Bronchitis and the flu. Yesterday I was sneezing and coughing and I'm pretty sure I cracked a rib!!! So breathing, sneezing, coughing-- you get the idea and it's not fun!! The worst part is that we were supposed to be in Garmisch last week for a dental conference and I was super excited to go to Innsbruck, Austria, but alas my body decided it was better for me to have a bleeding throat instead. The good news is that the baby is doing great and I get to see him every two weeks now! I love being pregnant in Germany!

Keep in mind I'm sick and have a cracked rib so my hair can be messy:)

OHH Andrew!

Everyday he says something witty that makes me laugh. So I decided that I should start writing these things down so I can remember them. Here is one from today and another from a couple days ago.

1. In regards to Obama (and 2 other economists) winning the Noble Peace Prize:

-"They must have renamed it the Piece prize"

2. In regards to army meetings:

-"If a German captures me the worst thing that's going to happen is they will make me eat crappy food and listen to Pink."

We are busy watching the news online trying to figure out where that little 6-year- old boy is that floated away in the balloon. Hope he's OK. So that's all for now.

Last day in Paris

"Hotel God" Right next to Notre Dame. It's also a hospital, the French are funny.

The Louvre

My favorite picture of the Mona Lisa. She is so small and attracts a crowd. This is what I saw.. a bunch of heads.

The quick run down. We went to the Louvre and Notre Dame. The Louvre is BIG, I got lost many times!!! Andrew stole me a virgin mary candle from Notre Dame. It's my favorite souvenir yet--have it by my bed. Should I burn it during the football games in hopes they lose every game or is that necessary? Good thing I'm not Catholic or I might be in a little trouble, maybe I am anyways. We ate fresh, hot croissants for breakfast and chowed on crepes for dinner. Paris is awesome!

24 weeks

The little guy! He is so sweet I can't wait until he is here! In the ultrasound video he was snuggled up and smiling-- so cute!! I don't deserve these sweet little ones......... well, at least Andrew doesn't-- j/k!!!! We are so, so happy and excited for him to come.

Ellie's 2!! Paris Day 2 Disneyland

Happy Birthday Ellie!!

She takes her cupcakes very seriously. I wish I could have gotten a picture of the way she was eating this thing- just licks like an ice cream cone; she was cracking us up.

Happy Birthday Ellie!! She turned 2 on the 5th, and we can't believe she's growing up so fast. Just this week she's been singing for the first time, and I'm talking real, mostly understandable words and in the right tune people!! And she can cut a rug at the same time. I love watching her dance and sing to her shows. She is so much fun--each month is a new fun adventure with this one.

Daddy's little girl is 2

Mommy with scary eyes- I was all off balance on this wobble bridge with my big belly- thought I was totally going to take a dive.

Ellie's favorite part by far was "the Bear"--she loves Pooh

She was glued the whole time

They have Big Thunder Railroad (My favorite)

Phantom Manor (which is the Haunted Mansion back home)

and of course Skull Rock and Pirates of the Carribean

Paris Day 1 (sort of)

On Thursday night, on our way to Paris (about a 7 hour drive,) we stopped halfway and visited a little town called Trier, which is sort of on the border of Germany, France and Luxembourg. It was a cute little town with a ton of history and lots of old Roman ruins including a very old roman catholic church and a what seemed to be an excavated bath house. We spent the night there and then continued on our way arriving outside of Paris, by Disneyland Friday afternoon. We passed Metz on our way there and thought of grandpa Bill, Andrew's dad who served his mission in France a few years ago:)

We took the train to Paris and first saw the Arc De Triomphe. It was in the middle of the road so we had to cross under and though a sea of people and army guys with guns (something was going on) to get there. It was our first view of the town since we came from the subway and it was so charming! The Arc De Triomphe so huge and inspiring amidst the quaint town with white townhouses, trees and the street lamps exactly what you imagine Paris to be. In the distance we could see the Eiffel tower and thought that walking there would be easiest, since Andrew had to carry Ellie in her stroller up and down stairs to get to the subway- the French were not so big on elevators where you needed them.

So, we then walked from there to the Eiffel Tower. I wasn't sure if I was going to be that impressed with it, after all it's just a whole lot of metal and I've always heard it was smaller than everyone imagined. But I loved it. It's hard to to even explain why it's so cool. It is huge despite the rumors and there is something magical about it. Maybe it's because I've seen to many romance movies, but it was beautiful, surrounded by a river, the scenery and it's own design made it a very romantic place and I can't wait to see it again.

From there we took the train to the Opera house and went out to eat at a good French restaurant. I ate some ratatouille for the first time and tried out all the different sauces they could give me with my steak. It was my kind of meal, I love sauces! Andrew had a really good burger and loved the fresh green beans. For dessert we shared some creme brulee and that was a treat! Ellie actually really liked her food too- which is a big deal these days!

Our first day in Paris was a blast!