Wow what an amazing couple
of weeks!!
First up, I need to say
congratulations to Tyler
for graduating from his Masters program!!
Unfortunately I was sick
with the flu on the day
of his graduation ceremony,
so I didn't get to see him
walk.
But, we thankfully still have pictures!!
It has been so fun getting
to know the people
in Tyler's program.
They are a silly bunch,
and they've made these
last 2 years more
enjoyable for Tyler,
I think.
Tyler has told me over and over
how glad he was that Dr. D.
was his Chair for his
thesis project.
Therefore, I am super grateful to him
for helping Tyler so much.
One more shot of the
Graduates!!
(Plus Stephanie)
Alright,
as if that wasn't big enough news,
another giant thing
happened in the last week...
My mom came to stay!!
I started having some small
contractions on Sunday June 15th,
and I was just sure that
the baby was coming
soon.
Called my doctor and she told me to
go into the hospital and have
them check me and stuff.
Downside was, Tyler had caught
the flu that I'd had the day
before.
Not ideal for baby birthing time.
She must have known because
the nurses said things
weren't progressed enough
and come back later.
Poo.
Well, my mom flew in
the next day!
And we went back to the hospital
that same day.
And then we went back home.
Poo poo.
But then I got to spend the
next few days
hanging out with my mom
while Tyler worked football camp.
It was really great to get
to spend some time
with just her and me and Kale.
We took Kale to the library...
And to what is known to us as
The Pirate Park.
Nana was so great to
play with Kale!
We let Kale take a picture of us.
Not too shabby.
And Nana showed us how
to make banana chocolate chip cookies!
SO. GOOD.
And then it was time to have
a baby.
Everything went really well.
My doctor broke my water
at about 6:15 PM
and my contractions
didn't take long to get stronger
and closer together.
So, it was epidural time!
The epidural was, once again,
so lovely.
It was a little different this time, though.
I could still move my legs
and feel pressure,
just no pain.
It was awesome.
And then,
at 12:24 AM on June 20th, 2014,
Ellory Joan Patterson
was born!
She was 6 lbs 7 oz and 19 inches.
Just perfect.
She was really cold when she
was first born so I
held her for a while skin to skin
to warm her up.
She was making the cutest little
pouty face the whole time.
And then it was time to
hang out and
rest.
Look at my handsome
guy with his little girl.
I mean, he's already super good looking,
but throw in an adorable
baby in his arms
and he gets even
more handsome!
Kale has been so cute
with Ellory.
He learned her name right away
and also loves to
call her
"My little sister."
He's very protective of her.
If she's crying he runs
over and says,
"Is something wrong with my little sister?"
in a very concerned voice.
He's obviously had some
behavior issues
adjusting to the lack of
attention he's now receiving.
But I'd say he's doing pretty great for
a 2 year-old.
I was unbelievable grateful
that my mom could
be here when Ellory was born.
It was wonderful that she
could just be at home with Kale.
It was wonderful to have her
helping around the house in
general.
And it was wonderful to
see the look on
her face when she got
to hold Ellory
when she was less than a day old.
We had some visitors
at the hospital,
which was so sweet of them!
Kristen DeBock stopped by
and brought me
french fries from the Palace.
Yum!
And she held Ellory for FOREVER.
It was great :)
Also, my visiting teachers each
stopped by and brought
Ellory adorable little
gifts.
Thanks Emily Hall and Valerie Calaway!
And our friend Stephanie dropped
by as well, also with a gift.
We are friends with the best people.
Seriously.
And then,
it was time to take her home...
Kale wanted to hold her,
which was adorable.
Obviously.
But then he suddenly didn't want to
hold her anymore.
Nana caught her.
It's all good.
Look how cute and little she is!!
The following is another picture
taken by Kale:
Check out those
GOLD pants.
This was the day we took
her to her first doctors appointment.
It's also the first time
she had a blow out diaper
in a public setting.
Gotta love all those
firsts that are coming!
Brother and Sister!!!
She's a little small right now.
But we make things work.
We went for a walk
and stopped at the store so
Nana could get Kale a
treat.
He picked a little juice.
And then we stopped about every
5 feet so he could take a drink.
Look at my adorable
family,
sleeping on the couch.
Just me and my little girl :)
Look how cute those P.J.'s are!
Kale got to help feed her
but he was trying to watch TV too..
Kale and I sat outside and read books
while Tyler held Ellory.
It was great :)
We had a super hot day so Kale played in
the sprinkler and Ellory and I
sat in the shade.
She loved the heat!
And that's about it!
My mom went home
early Saturday morning,
and we were sad to see her go.
Kale has asked multiple times
since she left
where she is.
It's so great how much he loves her!
Mom was such a HUGE help
and I just can't thank
her enough for everything.
She'll be back soon to help
us move though,
and this time she'll bring
grandpa with her!
Well, it's hard to believe
this is my new reality.
I have TWO children.
Two.
I still don't feel old enough
(and by old enough, I mean mature enough)
to be a mother,
let alone a mother of 2.
But I wouldn't have it
any other way.
Let the new adventure
continue!
Heather's parents hosted a little barbecue
