Less than 2 weeks!

Tim and I are practicing a lot of patience these days. We are so excited that we are so close to the due date. I had my 38 week doctor appointment on Thursday, nothing to much to report. My blood pressure is back to normal and her heart rate was at 137 bpm. I'm still at 1.5 cm dilated and continuing to "thin out". Dr. Epperson said she is very, very, very, very low, which I hope that means when she decides to make her appearance that it will be quick moving when I go into labor. Ella's movements were way down in the day before my doctor appointment so they decided to monitor me for a bit on Thursday. I'm happy to report that everything is good. I was having contractions, they were mild and about 3 mins. apart, but I couldn't feel them. Ella and I are making good progress and it can be any day now :) Here are a couple of pictures. Tim found these adorable mirror butterfly decals for the walls at Kohl's. Maybe the next update will be letting everyone know I'm in labor :)

Love Stef & Baby Ella

37 Week Update

I had my weekly doctor appointment today. Ella's heart rate was at 147 bpm and I'm continuing to make progress. I am now 1 1/2 cm dilated and still continuing to "thin out", but my blood pressure, which was always normal, has gone up. Dr. Epperson said that next week if it has went up again we will have to talk about our options to get my blood pressure down. We have our bags packed and ready to go for the hospital and Tim installed the car seat base. We are just waiting for her arrival. She is moving a lot, Tim said it looks like I have an alien baby in my stomach. I usually see a heel or a foot sticking out or she moves all to the right side of me. With only three weeks to go, the bathroom trips at night have been frequent. Last night I got up 6 times in one hour....I guess good training to what is to come. We also had some more exciting news this week, the dinner club is expanding again. Derek and Sara are expecting in early September. We are so excited for them. Come September when we go out to dinner we will be asking for a table for 18. Here is a picture @ 37 weeks....mama is large and in charge. I don't think the pink tank helps make me look smaller.

Love Stef & Ella

A surprise baby shower!

On Friday, Tim's store threw him a baby shower at work. Everyone that he works with is really nice and sweet for thinking of us. I think we got the largest box a diapers I have every seen, a ton of adorable outfits and a blanket, and a cute picture book that Tim can put on his desk.

They knew that her room has a butterfly theme so one of the ladies at work made a butterfly cake.

They also made some delicious treats including some hand dipped chocolate strawberries. Tim has wonderful co-workers....no wonder he loves working for Kohl's.

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.... even though Tim and I don't exchange gifts on this day, he surprised me with a beautiful diamond "journey" necklace. I love my sweet and thoughtful husband. I hope that everyone has a wonderful day.

Love Stef & Ella

36 Week Update

Today I had my first weekly doctor appointment and we have started to make progress. Ella's heart rate was @152 bpm and my blood pressure was normal. I am 1 cm dilated, started to "thin out" and she is also head down. Dr. Epperson said that we are on our way and in the home stretch. Everything is looking good and going well. I will keep you updated on anymore progress that I make.


Love Stef & Ella

35 Week Update & Shower Pictures

I can't believe that I have only 5 weeks left. The time has went by so fast. I had my 34 week check up last week and everything was normal. My blood pressure was great and her heartbeat was at 152 bpm. My next appointment I will start to go every week until Ella is born, so next week I will have a better idea of her size and how I'm progressing with the pregnancy. Also this past weekend we had our birthing class @ Waukesha Memorial where I will be delivering. I think the best part of the class was when they showed the husbands the massage techniques when labor starts...Tim got good practice :). I think that they need to update the videos they use, but the class got some good laughs out of it. I enjoyed the class even though it was a long weekend, but I want to thank Tim for being so good at the class, I know that it was not that fun for the husbands. Here are some pictures from our baby shower. Hope you enjoy.

Here is my beautiful and amazing cake. It was from Simma's bakery, the same place that made our wedding cake and the same flavor as well. Mom and Dan did a great job designing the cake. I know when you look at it you may think it is a wedding cake but it was for a baby shower. I loved my cake. Can you only imagine what Ella's birthday cakes will look like :)

Here is my other cake...Carrie and Mom Blaha did such an amazing job making my diaper cake. It is now on display in Ella's room. I never want to take it apart.

Here is our Dinner Club..... It is amazing that 2 years ago we were baby free, oh how times have changed. I think now when we go out we may have to get babysitters....not just one, we may need 2 or 3 :)

Here are some friends from work. Thank you guys for coming.

Here is Sophie...the Queen of the shower. I thought this picture was so cute.

Here is another cute pic of Sophie. The camera loved her.

Here are a couple of pictures of some of my little helpers. The little butt that is hanging out of the bag is my niece, Alina. She was just trying to help Auntie Stef.

Here are my other 2 helpers...Lauren and Sophie.

Uncle Dan planned the shower...Thank you for your time and effort with the shower.

Here is the family photo.

Here is my other niece Rhyan....My little cuddle bug with Grandma.

My sister Stacie with smiles. She is such a good baby.

Thank you so much to my wonderful husband for not only coming to the shower but giving me my baby girl. I love you so much and I can't wait until we are a family.


Love Stef and Ella Joy