Introducing Miss Elizabeth Suzanne

She's here!!  This was the toughest pregnancy yet, and the last 6 weeks were most miserable...but it's amazing how one day can change all of that!  I feel like I've been in labor all day, everyday, for 6 weeks--not to mention horrible back pain, acid reflux, lack of breathing, muscle pain, etc, etc, etc!  There were times I wasn't sure we would make it--but we did!! I thank Heavenly Father everyday for Mike...he is so good at stepping up and taking over.  I may have been in pain, but he has been doing double duty everyday and was so tired, I'm sure!  Not to mention dear friends and family who have brought us meals, watched our kiddos, kept me positive and remembered us in their prayers. It really does take a village! :)

But...WE MADE IT!  I didn't get much sleep the night before our induction (what's new!), but was bouyed up by the idea that it was our last night of no sleep with this baby. Hooray!  We lost our babysitter at the last minute, but got it worked out at the last minute (thanks Cassidy!).  We checked into the hospital bright and early, Tuesday May 26th--6:15 AM.  The goal was to beat our time for past delivery's, and we did that!  I LOVE my Doctor--this man speaks my no-nonsense language and was so good for Mike and I.  Once we got my IV hooked up (really, a most terrible part!), he came and broke my water and we made plans to start pitocin an hour later if I didn't move along on my own. I didn't, so we started pitocin and I got my epidural by 10:00.  I would not have made a good pioneer! :)  We were aiming for a 1:00 delivery, but you don't really have control over that...ha! ha!  Dr. Farley came to check me at noon and we were all disappointed to hear I was only a 5.  I took a nap and when he came back an hour later I was a 7 and we decided to get set up..."By the time we get in place, she'll be ready to go!"  Sweet!  This was the calmest delivery I have had...no stress, no rush, jokes and chatting. It was sort of unreal.  Three pushes and our little princess was here...wham, bam!  It was super slick and chill, and I loved it!  I was betting that we would have a 7 pound baby, but she surprised us and turned out 8.6.  SO glad we didn't go another week or two later!!!

Getting ready to go!

DONE! 

The Push Crew.

They kept her in the room to do all the tests and cleanup, which was fun to watch.  A small tear for me and then we just waited for the epidural to wear off.  I LOVE not being pregnant.  It is amazing to me how much better I feel, instantly.  A small part of me--a really, really, really, REALLY small part of me wonders what it would be like without an epidural--the comment you hear most from women is that recovery is so much better without one.  I can't imagine my recoveries going any better then they do!  Mike and I had been talking names for a long time, but this was the quickest we have ever decided. I think she was only here for 30 minutes or so before we knew.  We had known the middle name for a long time (she is named after my Aunt), and we just both liked Elizabeth. I'm a bit nervous that Katelyn is the only child that doesn't have a bible name, but she and I  can be buddies in that department! 

 

Elizabeth Suzanne Williams

1:37 PM, May 26th

8 Lbs, 6 Ounces

21 Inches Long

They moved us to recovery, got Miss Elizabeth a full bath, and then the kids came up. Katelyn was so excited.  What a fun blessing to have a sister--even with the big age gap.  We feel so blessed!

House Update!

We sold!  After all the stress with hiring a realtor, it ended up being For Sale By Owner in the end, ha!  Cracks me up.  I am convinced that the Lord had a definite plan and wanted specific people to be in our house cuz the roller coaster we rode was crazy!  But, all is well that ends well and we are good to go!  We are slated to move out end of June and we *may* have a place to move--it is crazy the cost of rentals!! But...all is well that ends well and if I've learned one thing from this is that the Lord has a plan and I'm just along for the ride--trying to enjoy the ride! :)

We've been meeting with our architect and our plans have been firmed up and we are headed towards permits with the city.  Our lot is under contract and once we get the construction loan approved, we are good to go.  I am nervous about moving out of our home and ward not having closed on the construction loan, but I am reminding myself to move forward with faith and that we've done our part so to give Heavenly Father the chance to do His.

The name of the game for us on this house is to get the bones right, and do all the fluff stuff later. We love to be projecting, so to move into a house with nothing to do would actually be a bit boring for us.  In the years to come we will make our yard amazing, install fabulous trim treatments, and lots of cute decor.  For now, it might look a bit bland, but the bones will be there and they are going to be awesome!

It's a rambler, with craftsman finishes and it's going to be blue! :)  We are finishing the upstairs for now, and one bedroom in the basement.  It might be a bit tight until we finish the basement, but based upon the apartments we will be potentially moving into, it will be a big step up! Ha!

The End Of School.

Can you believe it!?!  It's the end of school!  I love that our school gets out before Memorial Day weekend--and this year it's perfect timing with the baby coming.  School gets out tomorrow and Baby comes Tuesday.  Whew!

First Day:

Last Day:

Katelyn has loved school this year.  Her first grade teacher moved up to second grade this year so she got her again.  The other teachers in the cluster were new, but we were so impressed with them! 

Miss Kradel

Miss Mueller

 Mrs. Noyce

Her favorite friends:

First Day:

Last Day:

Josh was our first kid to go to Kindergarten at LLA.  We have loved the Kindergarten teachers.  Super impressed.

Mrs. Moss

Miss Larkin

 Despite his lack of smiling, Josh did love his teachers.  Silly kid!

I am excited for summer, and so glad we made it through another year of school! Once we get this baby here, we've got a long summer bucket list! What is on yours? :)

Happy Birthday!

We celebrated birthdays a bit different this year--joint parties and not as much fanfare.  Poor Ben, really got the short end of the stick, but I think he won't remember enough to care and with the end of pregnancy woes, we did the best we could.  Crazy to think my little buddy is getting so old.  His not talking makes him seem younger to me then he is--which I think it kind of fun. Luke grew up so fast I sorta missed this whole stage with him.

Mike got me a Ukulele, among other things.  I'm going to become AWESOME on that thing!

Can't really tell, but Mike nailed my angel food cake this year--yum!!  After a day spent at Womens Conference, it was fun to come home to my favorite people and my favorite food.

Happy Birthday to Me, Ben, and Brielle! 

Ben didn't even get a cake...poor kid!  We did Elmo trays though, and got him all his favorite things.  Sure love my little buddy!