We are still alive....I think

Well it has been long time since I posted on the blog. I have been a bit preoccupied lately...well with work, and being a master court jester for Miss Ella, a wife and house keeper...the blog has been the last thing on my to do list. However I do vow to be better this year with updating the blog on the happenings of our lives.

As of 1/10/11, Brent started the first day of his last semester of school. I cannot believe it. I am excited and nervous all at the same time...and I am not even the one going to school. Brent is pretty excited too. He is still working for the same company, who is graciously paying for his schooling...yippee! He loves being a father and any free chance he gets he spends time with our little girl.

My work has slowed down a bit. I am only working 3 twelve hour shifts a week...not too bad, and for the most part I love being a nurse. It is so nice to work and care for children...they say the funniest things, and I love the people I get to work with. If I did not have to walk out the door and leave my little girl it would be the best job in the world. However it just makes me cherish the time I get to spend with Ella even more.

Miss Ella is already 6 months old. I cannot believe it. It seems like just yesterday that we were bringing a tiny little peanut home from the hospital...and now we have a big girl. Time just goes by too fast. Her first Christmas was so much fun. I wanted to buy her everything in the world...but Brent calmed me down...however she was still spoiled. It is so much fun to see the personality in Ella...she has spunk. From the time she was little she thought that she could sit up...well at about 5 1/2 months old her dream came true, she sits so well by herself and loves it...however she still refuses to roll over, even though she has done it once or twice...little stinker. She grabs and things, loves her big girl food, and is starting to teeth. She especially loves when her Grandpa Huffman comes to visit because she always gets ice cream...I have never heard her make such silly mmmmm-ing noises and lean so far to get that ice cream. It is pretty cute.

Well I hear someone starting to awake from their nap. Better go and be the entertainer for the princess. Hope all is well with you and your families and I promise to to better at blogging.

A long overdue update...

Well it has been crazy around our house. A list of events that have happened since May: Graduation, took the NCLEX, passed the NCLEX, my parents moved back to Utah, had beautiful little Ella, 8 weeks maternity leave, and started a new job as a nurse! CRAZY!!! So sorry for those of you that still look at our blog wondering when I will be updating things, and those of you that have given up on us! Haha! So here is a little bit of what is happening in our lives.

Brent has started the last year of his master's program. He is doing great and is Mr. Mom when I have to work nights and weekends. He is a great husband and is an awesome dad! It is funny to see him with Ella. He loves and adores her and she thinks he is pretty funny. Brent continues to work and loves his job. He is realizing that life is now a hard balancing act to work, go to school, and care for a baby when I am gone, but he does a great job!

I am slowing figuring out my job as a nurse. I love working at the children's hospital here. The kids are awesome and funny. I do however hate leaving my little girl. I am glad that for the time I do work I am around kids, it makes it a little more bearable. I love my days off and love spending time with little family. My eight weeks off was not long enough, but I am greatful that I did get that time off. I have been slowly losing weight, and I am lovign that! (Gotta love the breastfeeding diet- eat what you want and still lose the lbs!) Plus being a mom is the best thing ever!

Ella is now 3 months and is just a delight! She is almost 11 lbs, and is 24 inches long. She smiles and coos all the time. She laughed for the first time the other day. She is a very curious baby, she thinks that she is big enough to sit up and will try her hardest to do so. She is almost rolling over. She is so much fun and we cannot imagine our life without our little girl!

My resolution is to do better at blogging. I am finally not as tired, and hope to keep up on my postings so that people will know how we are doing. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment!

Announcing Ella Jane

Wide awake
Getting ready to have her picture taken
Looking pretty
Mommy getting a good look at Ella
Our Family of two about to become three

Miss Ella Jane has entered this world. She was 2 weeks early. I had to be induced due to high blood pressure (not that I minded). They had me come into the hospital on Monday night at about 10:00, and by 1:03 Tuesday afternoon we had a baby girl. My contractions ended up starting on their own, the doctor broke my water at about 9:15 Tuesday morning (I would highly recommend getting an epidural before having this done). The contractions were coming pretty regularly and were very strong. They gave me a bit of pain medication to help until the doctor could break away from an emergency c-section to give me the epidural. Well the pain medication did not even touch the pain that I was having. I definately know what a labor of love is. I would have preferred not to have been in pain, but I am I glad to have had the experience that I had. About 9:45 the doctor came in and gave me the epidural, and it felt great, after about 15-20 mintutes. I could still feel and move my legs, which was nice, because I could feel pressure and knew when I was having contractions with out feeling the pain. At the time of the epidural I was dilated to a 3, they checked me an hour later I was at a 5 and then an hour after that I was dilated to a 9. This is very quick to dilate with your first baby. By 12:30 we were pushing, and by 1:03 she was born. She is perfect in every way and we are so excited to have her here with us. She already has a funny personality, and a daddy that is very proud and knows that she looks exactly like him. Me on the other hand I am still trying to figure out exactly who she looks like. I think that she has her own little look. She was born on June 29th at 1:03pm weighing in at 7 lbs even and 19.5 inches long. Both Brent and I are proud parents! We will keep you all posted on the happenings of our lives.

Long Night...

Just thought that we would let everyone know that we are sitting at the hospital waiting for the grand entrance of our little girl. We will keep you all posted on the stats and when she arrives!

Finally!

I finally got my authorization to test for my NCLEX (RN licensing exam). I take the test on June 23rd. Keep your fingers crossed! The above picture is my nursing prep book...aka my bible for the next several weeks.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Just sending a birthday shout out to my Dad! He is such a great guy and I am so lucky to have him! He has always been there for me, and always will. He has a way to always make you laugh, calm you down, and is such a great person to talk to. Here are a couple of pictures of him. The first is him sailing his boat he made and the second is one him doing what he loves to do, firefighting. He has always taught me to serve others and help people in any way that I can! I hope that I can teach my children the lessons he taught me and make them feel as loved as he has always made me feel! I love you Dad and hope you always realize that!

Just a note...

Today I officially took my last final of nursing school and am set to graduate on May 7th! Two years of hard work has paid off. What a relief it is to not be worrying about care plans, class assignments, and weekly test. All that is left is the NCLEX (RN licencing exam) and to find a job! Pictures of graduation to come so stay tuned!