HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Thanks Grandma Barb for my pumpkin outfit!

Thanks T-Lyssa, Ella does love mummy!

Ella found her thumb!

Ella's First Photo Shoot

We had quite the experience at Kiddie Kandids and they may always remember us! I wanted the naked baby shot before she was too big to be willing to do it and we were very borderline with her about 2 weeks old. We fed her, loaded her up, carefully got her into the store avoiding all germs and changed her diaper quick before beginning. Joe had her in his arms and he heard something and assumed gas.....nope - it was poop!!! The pooper shooter got Joe and I each once and then pee'd on me as well!!!! We went through every blanket in the diaper bag and the two prop her up blankets in her car seat!!! It was quite an experience. I'm glad the pics turned out so well and I love my little model!

Scanimation Book

Ella has recieved many thoughtful, kind gifts. This book sent to her by Dale and DeNeitt is something I have never seen before. It is the coolest book - the animals all really move in black and white - I've read the book one hundred times!!! I will gift this book in the future! Thanks for the awesome book!

Ella Update

Ella had her 3rd visit with her pediatrician today. He is following her very closely. I don't like to admit it because she is so healthy, but she is a NICU baby. She finally gained some weight and is up to 7 lbs 4 oz. We will continue feeding her fortified milk from a bottle every 3 hours! I am so relieved to finally see her gain weight! It's been a long road and we will continue to go see her doctor every few days.

She is such a happy baby and loves to sleep! She likes to be awake for about 3 hours at some point in the middle of the night, but as long as she's growing, I'll deal with it!

I think she's pretty cute and I enjoy every minute I spend with her.

I'm learning this Mom thing is exhausting.....my full-time job was much easier!

The "It's a Girl" cigars arrived today and Joe is excited to pass them out tomorrow at work.

Thanks Nana Di --- we miss you!!

I want to express a HUGE THANK YOU to my Mom for all of her help the last 2 weeks, I couldn't have done it without her. It's true, sometimes you just need your Mom. She is great with Ella and did anything Joe or I asked of her including cooking, cleaning, laundry, errands, and more!!! She probably changed more diapers and did more feedings than she ever imagined!

Thanks Mom! Ella knows you and loves you and can't wait for you to return in November! You love and support was very needed and appreciated.

Can a girl catch a break???

It's a crappy day in Laurie Land. I sent out a virus to EVERYONE in my yahoo address book at 4:50AM while my computer was OFF and I was actually sleeping. Pretty sure some idiot spammer found a way into my email....well, my password is changed and I apologize to all of you who recieved it. Do not open "Good Website" email from me or if you do open it, don't click on the link! Do not keep your old boss's email address in your personal email......I can't believe how many contacts I have in my address book.

My bathroom door is locked shut (no key for the 93 year old lock on it) and my tricks of poking things in the hole aren't working. I assured my Mom that a key did not come with the house!

My pantry door is stuck open....stuck on a screw and I can't fix it!

Sweet Husband -- I have some projects for you when you get home! My poor mom is likely very ready to get on that plane tomorrow back to Iowa!

Go Badgers!

Daddy dressed me today and I am going to watch the Badgers with him (only because the Hawkeyes are off today).

My Little Pumpkin

Thanks Nana Di for the pumpkin outfit. Ella is lucky she is so cute....she is wearing me out!!!

Ella Fix

Auntie Meredith's little love bug!

Aaahh...what a rough day!

Night, Night Ella

Ella's First Visitors

Ella had company today - Grandma Dorothy flew back into town today and waited hours for Ella to wake up, but she was out for the afternoon.

Andrea and Marlow brought us an amazing dinner and got to see Ella dressed in pink and hold her. I am so sad that I forgot to take pics....the lack of sleep is my excuse. They'll be back to visit and have offered to help babysit anytime! Thanks for the fabulous dinner!

Ella had her first bath at home tonight and did great. I think she is getting used to her room and crib. Tomorrow she gets to meet her pediatrician!

This is Ella's Baby Tattoo from the hospital -- does anyone know how to get this off? I think it is a sticker with a tegaderm over it. I'm using lotion on it and hoping once we can soak her it will easily come off.

24 hour Roller Coaster

Nana Di takes Joe and Laurie out for the last dinner before Ella arrives at home!!!

Mom and Dad give Ella a bath and dress her in her Life Flight Souvenir t-shirt. We also prove we know baby CPR.

We send Nana Di out on our errands where she is robbed!!!! The Jeep window is broken and her Tom Tom and purse are stolen and she calls us at the hospital after meeting with 2 state troopers who tell her she was lucky they didn't hurt her! This is 8 blocks south of our house and the safest Walgreen's in town in my opinion!!!!!!!!! Just plain bad luck. Needless to say....no one heard from us for a while.

We all tried to get some sleep because we had a big day in the morning. My Mom worked on putting her life back together and cancelling everything. Joe went to get new glass for the Jeep and I went to the hospital to finish all the teaching and be with Ella.

Baby Ella gets dressed in her first dress to go home!!!

First family photo with Ella in clothes and looking adorable!!!

I need a class to learn how to use this car seat!!!

Home Sweet Home!!! Thanks Mom for making our house look so special!

Ella meets her puppy Nicky and we think it is going to work out fine.

AAAhhh.....celebration with chocolate cake and champagne!! It's been a crazy 24 hours!!!

Dad and Ella say it best right here!!!

The nurses dressed me!

The bili lights are OFF!!! The sweet nurse was able to find some clothes in the NICU for Ella and Nana Di had the perfect purple hair bow in her purse (yes, she shopped and shopped on our outing). We can't wait to bring her home soon!

Ella - 5 days old!

Ella had a great day - they brought up going home!!! We are hoping to bring her home this week. We will know more tomorrow. Her jaundice is improving, but she is still under the lights for now. She is eating like a champ and gained weight for the first time today. She loves to be held and hates the lights....but hopefully not much longer under the lights. She has some wild hair and she loves daddy!

Target in Luxury

Check out Laurie in her new ride at Target, post surgery.

There are a couple racks of clothes and some small feet that were scared

**beep** **beep** **beep** - that's reverse!

Ella Pics

Ella is doing well. We were able to get some good pictures of her with her eyes open today. The swelling is starting to go down and she is looking more like a healthy baby every day! We love her! The Grandma's got to hold her briefly today.

Go Hawkeyes!!

Cheers to the Hawks - way to go!! Sorry Badger fans....Ella is meant to be a Hawkeye! Nana Di has promised a Hawkeye Cheerleader outfit!

I'm home from the hospital!

I was discharged about noon and went straight to Primary Children's to be with Ella. She is still very sleepy - it's likely a combination of the lights she is under and her high bilirubin. I stayed long enough for 2 feedings and Ella is trying....but not quite there and still needing some supplemental fluid through her IV.

Grandma Diane made it safely and just loves Ella. We are going to bed early and have an exciting day with Ella at the hospital planned for tomorrow.

I am exhausted! I'm taking my pain pills and heading to bed.

Words from Daddy

"If you don't hold her head up, it just falls down"

Miss Ella

Ella is doing well. She is still in the NICU and they are taking great care of her. Today she got to eat and Dad even was able to feed her! She is much happier with a full belly. Joe also got some pictures of her with her beautiful blue eyes open! We love her so much. I should be discharged Friday by noon and I plan on spending the afternoon with my sweetie!