happy birthday elle

Elle didn't surprise us by coming early so on my due date (March 21st) I was scheduled to be induced.

Tuesday night was so strange knowing we would be having our little baby girl in the morning.  Though we really wanted a surprise it was really nice to have the house in order and be mentally prepared and ready to go.

40 Weeks!!  On the way out the door...dropping off Noah at school and me to the hospital.

Reader's Digest Condensed Timeline Version...

• 8:00- My doctor broke my water and contractions instantly started five minutes apart
• 8:15- The nurse started my pitocin
• 8:45- I was expecting my labor to be about 4 hours since labor with Noah was 7...my doctor thought it would be quick but set the expectation that it could be late afternoon.  That being said I told Rob to run home and grab some snacks and DVDs. (We live just a couple of miles from the hospital.)
• 9:00- My contractions started getting closer and were more painful.  I set the goal to wait until 10 to have the epidural, wanting to go as long as possible.
• 9:35- I called Rob and told him to hurry back that I needed his help with the contractions...and that I was ready for the epidural.  
• 9:45- I told the nurse I was ready for the epidural- and she was going to check me right after, not thinking I was as far along as I was. 
• 10:20- The anesthesiologist finally arrived and right after prepping my back for the needle I had a PUSHING CONTRACTION!!  The nurse told me not to push which was insanely hard to hold back.  Had I realized it was baby time I'd of kicked the anesthesiologist out so we could get the show on the road.  After a few more pushing contractions, one epidural in a vein (oops), and one in my back it was time.
• 10:34- My doctor rushed in and got ready, the nurse transformed my bed, and the baby nurses were ready to go.
• 10:36- Elle came out in a push and a half!!!  Shocked!!!  (I pushed for nearly two hours with Noah and he still needed the forceps!!)
• 10:40- My legs started to go numb from the epidural.  So ironic!  But honestly IF we were to have a third I think I would go naturally knowing that one I labor fast, two that apparently I have a high tolerance for pain, and three the pushing part made so much more sense with Elle than with Noah (even if he was a full pound bigger). 

Elle Hopkins
3.21.12 at 10:36am
6 pounds 2 ounces
19.5 inches long

It was pure bliss when they placed my sweet little baby doll on my chest, she was perfect and straight from heaven.  It melts my heart to think my Heavenly Father answered my prayers and allowed me to be a mama to one more little one.  She is such an angel and we waited a long time for her to come. I can't wait to love her to pieces every day of her precious little life, she is such a special little one and I can't express how grateful I am that she has joined our family.

More to come later...it's time for a nap for Elle...and me!!

weekend of lasts

This baby of mine still has no interest of joining our family, quite yet...well that will change quickly.  I can't believe she will be here this week! 

Our weekend consisted of the lasts...last Friday night hanging out as a family of three watching a movie, last Saturday sleeping in and going to brunch, last Saturday of being completely lazy and pretty much doing nothing (heaven!!), last snuggle with Noah as an only child Sunday morning, last day of church for a while...it's always strange closing one chapter and opening another.

We also headed up to my brother's for family dessert night...my sister in law made the best homemade coconut ice cream with fresh almonds and coconut frozen in.  Delish!!

Noah loved this!!  He'd already flushed the green toilet water before snapping the photo

Corner Bakery for brunch...yum!  Noah and mama

Noah and daddy

I also made a couple of last minute freezer meals.  I opted out of a batch of red sauce because I still have some in the freezer from the last time around. But I made my fave ever freezer meal...Cheesy Chicken Bake (I discovered a long time ago it is so awesome made with a rotisserie chicken...yum!!) Below is the recipe, so easy and good.

Chicken and Rice Bake
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups water
4 t minced dried onion
2 cups uncooked rice (I use wild rice and cook according to the package since it is different than white rice but still add chicken stock and dried onion- just adjust the rest of the liquid and cooking time)
2 cups frozen peas
4 cups shredded cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken
2 cans cheddar cheese soup (undiluted)
2 cups milk
1 t salt
2 cups finely crushed Ritz crackers (about 2 sleeves)
2/3 cup melted butter

 In a large saucepan bring the stock, water, and onion to boil.  Add rice, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes (or as per package).  Remove from heat and fluff rice.  Divide rice between two 9 inch square baking pans, sprayed with Pam.  Sprinkle equally with chicken and peas.  In a bowl combine the soup, milk, and salt until smooth and pour over chicken/peas.  Toss the cracker crumbs with butter and sprinkle over soup mix.  Cover and freeze up to three months.

Thaw in fridge for 24 hours and bake uncovered at 350* for 35 minutes or until golden brown.  Perfect with another veggie side dish and green salad!

pink nursery

The nursery is donezo...minus pictures that need to be put into the frames.  Is it funny I replaced the pictures that come with frames with craft paper as placeholders?  He he. I got tired of looking at staged fake families.

I actually have two projects I want to do in the future but no rush...

1. Replace the tissue paper balls with fabric ones. Have you seen them?  They are DARLING!  (Circles quartered and glued to a styrofoam ball or round lantern).

2. Pennant flags to drape above the closet door (as long as it isn't too busy...not sure yet).

This nursery is PINK!  I originally didn't want pink because I wanted something less traditional for a girls' nursery/room...Rob begged to differ and talked me into the pink and I actually am so glad he convinced me because I love it!  It's bright, cheery, simple, and I really like how it turned out.

Entrance walking into the room...three little hooks so she can hang up her little sweaters and purses

'E' for Elle (from Amy's store...Jolley's boutique)

Glider, owl pillow from Etsy, darling lace romper from a cute friend

Need to add some pictures...block letters some friend's made for me...cute cow from a sweet friend when Noah was born

I so wasn't going to go with pink bedding either...but I love...and even better it's Dwell Studio from Target

Tissue paper flowers...want to replace with fabric ones when I have time to kill

Changing table...Etsy gray picture, ABC's from a cute friend, need to include my own pics in black frames

I adore this light, sigh!!!  Rob laughs at me because I turn it on every night and peek in the nursery every time I walk by!

Filigree frame, to die for booties my mama made, and a glass full of cute headbands, most homemade from me (thanks Pinterest) and a couple from my crafty sis-in-law

what is in a name?

Rob and I decided when we got married if we had a little girl we would name her Elle.  We have loved that name for years and are thrilled to finally use it.  The meaning behind Elle is that I served my mission in France and in French it means 'she'.  We love that it is so feminine, simple, and elegant.

Elle won't have a middle name because it's been a tradition for my mom, me, and now Elle to use our maiden names when we get married as a middle name.  Growing up I hated not having a middle name but now I absolutely adore using Perri as my middle name and it means a lot to carry it with me.  (Funny thing- I wish I'd of thought of Perri as a middle name option for Noah!!)

Most people 'get it' when we tell them her name will be Elle. 

Think culture...French (Spanish is Ella)
Fashion...Elle magazine and Elle Macpherson
Home Design...Elle Decor
Pop Culture...Elle Woods- Legally Blonde
Actors...Elle Fanning

Still don't 'get it' then I can't help you are probably old and need to get out there more.  Ha ha.  I swear some of the 'older folks' think we literally mean we are going to name her 'L'. Whaaa??? 

Family Shower

A week and a half ago my darling friends Amy (Rob's cousin), Megan, and Megan also threw me a delightful shower.  These are some of my favorite girls and we try to meet up once a month for a movie, dinner, crafting, etc.- we have the best time chatting and laughing.  I invited my aunts, cousins, mom, sister, sister-in-laws, aunt in-laws, etc. I don't know what the deal is but we don't get together often as we should as an extended family.  (I am already planning in my head some sort of a girls' lunch/brunch this summer...I adore my cousins, they are all such amazing ladies)

Aunt Stef (Amy's mom) is amazingly talented and came up with the creative invite playing on Elle's name, snapped a ton of pictures, and made the darling layout below.

Amy, Megan, and Megan put on a fabulous shower with seriously delicious food, pretty flowers/French inspired decorations, and a couple of fun games (how come if you put melted chocolate on a plate you would lick it up but if it is in a diaper your wrinkle your nose to smell it- ha ha).  These girls are so thoughtful and sweet, I just adore them.

It was really fun to get together with my family and in-laws for a great afternoon hosted by awesome friends!  I came away with so many darling and thoughtful gifts...adorable outfits, accessories, blankets, gear, and all things girly- it was really fun to show Rob and neatly put everything away in its place! 

 

Neighbor Shower Time

Clare and Rachel, a couple of thoughtful and darling neighbor friends offered to throw me shower which we had few weeks ago.  Since this is #2 I really wanted to keep it simple and low key with just a few close friends.  Everything turned out lovely and I had the best morning eating delicious food and chatting with amazing women.  I feel so blessed to have so many women close by that I truly adore and admire.  Their gifts were so sweet and thoughtful, it sure is fun to get a lot of girly pink adorableness!  We got sidetracked with the visiting and forgot to take a group picture.  Oops (typical of me).  It's so fun to sit around with a bunch of women talking about babies and giving birth...so many good stories, fresh ideas, and advice!  A couple of nights later we hit up the movies and I snapped a picture with a lot of the same ladies.

Sparkling grape juice, cupcake pops, build your own fruit pizza cookies

Homemade mini quiches, bacon, sausage, scones, and fresh muffins

Cute sisters Clare and Luci made these 'Elle' letters for the nursery...so darling

T: Clare, Kylie, Jill, Moi, Liz, Lucy B: Angela, Miranda, Lisa

Still Here

I am still here...and anxiously waiting for la bebe to make her debut! 

The nursery is ready to go (I promise to make a post with pics asap, I love how it turned out!!)
bags are packed
every evening I tidy the house just in case
my hair is freshly highlighted/cut
I have a glossy pedicure/Shellaced manicure
work is wrapped up
and I am getting tired of shaving my legs each morning (ha!)

Just waiting.  And waiting. I hope she doesn't make me wait another week until week 40!

The last four nights I was convinced I was beginning labor...then everything would come to a screeching halt after two hours of minor but consistent contractions.  My body is so ready to go!

9 months

Apparently this is what 9 months looks like.  I have four weeks (or less...or perhaps a tad more...who knows??) to go and STILL am in shock that I am actually preggers, seriously.  It's hard to wrap my head around even with all the daily and nightly visible evidence. 

I swear in real life I am huge- I'm starting to wonder if something between my camera phone and mirror is toning me down.  This belly is large and in charge.  Not to mention my hips have definitely widened within the last couple of months, oh yayyy.  Thank goodness none of this is permanent!

The nursery is just about finished and I am sooo loving it...just need to add a few more accessories, create something whimsical for above the crib, and hang everything up.  Can't wait to post pictures!  It's been fun to organize and put away gifts and the things I've purchased.

Little Tid Bits...

• Starting to dilate, thank you Braxton Hicks for giving me a head start!
• 50% effaced
• 24 pound weight gain thus far
• Genes that let me avoid stretch marks (thanks mom!!)
• Taking advantage of 'couch time' each night while Rob is in charge of bedtime with Noah
• A DARLING baby shower with my sweet neighborhood friends (more later!!)
• Hanging out in the nursery soaking up all the pink
• Peeing at least twice a night
• Loving Noah call his sister by name and kiss and hug the baby bump
• Taking advantage of the 'expectant moms' parking spot at the mall
• A little hooked on cupcakes right now...and cereal with milk...and just plain milk  
• Crazy hurty trigger points around my shoulder blades OUCH!!!!  Thank goodness for strong husbands and prenatal massages (reminds me I need to schedule an appt)
• Jeans = no comfort.  The maxi-dresses are in high rotation the next four weeks

be mine

I adore Valentine's Day.  The decorations, sweets, flowers, chocolates, extra hugs, and kisses...  Having a dedicated focus on the ones we love.  Spoiling my boys rotten.  The over commercialism and exploitation of holidays doesn't bother me, I like to take advantage of the additional options in making the perfect day. Ha!  Last year we turned what would normally be a couples holiday into a family holiday and I think it has become our new tradition, and one of my favorite family days! 

We kicked it off early this year and began the celebration on Valentine's Eve.  Instead of making a fancy dinner like last year we had homemade pizza a la Rob, salad, and garlic bread...which was delish!  I was full but couldn't stop eating...I think I have reached that bottomless stomach phase of the pregnancy! Yum!!  And our candles stayed lit the entire dinner this year, we are making progress.

I stopped by Sweet Tooth Fairy (my favorite treat bakery) for an assortment of cupcakes.  Do you love the VaNIElla cupcake?  The frosting is a mixture of vanilla, coconut, and almond flavorings- divine!! 

Noah woke up extra early and super excited it was Valentine's Day...he was ready for his surprises!  Since we were all awake I made a quick family breakfast before we headed our separate ways to work/school. Hot cereal- chocolate flavored with whipped cream and brown sugar and pink milk.  Noah's place was covered with chocolates/candy in the form of his favorite characters and a couple of wrapped presents- Treasure Buddies and a Star Wars puzzle.

Noah wrapped up a present for me- a colored pencil, in yellow, because he knows I love yellow.  Ha ha, he was so excited of his gift, such a cutie.  I told Rob that we didn't need to give gifts to each other since we have been getting ready for baby.

Tonight we are headed to see The Mysterious Island...I can't wait for our little family date!  I'm already dying for popcorn and a diet coke and in addition I want either a grilled ham and cheese sandwich or a cream cheese banana filled crepe...maybe both!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

bffs, 100 years, mama's boy, and french toast

BFF
Last weekend my bestie Melissa from Cali came to visit for a girls trip.  We met ages ago at BYU-Hawaii and have been the best of friends ever since.  Ironically she is also pregnant (two weeks behind me with #4!!!) and we needed a quick girls' trip before the babies are born.  I love that our husbands are fully supportive and encourage us to get out of the house to re-charge.  I'm so glad she came up...we had the best time.  The weekend was all about relaxing...shopping, eating fabulous food, watching movies, lounging around, and talking non-stop.  Both of us have had full plates so the break was definitely well deserved.  We stayed downtown Saturday so it would feel like a vaca for me too.  It was an amazingly fun weekend! And I didn't take any pictures of us!!!  Arghhh!!  I'm so bad with pictures, I never want to stop the fun to document anything.

100 Years!
Rob's Granny turned 100 over the weekend!!  Doesn't she look fabulous and not even remotely close to 100?  She is such a cute little firecracker and still so active- she lives by herself in a second story apartment (no elevator)!   Sadly we had to miss her big birthday bash in California.  At 34 weeks I'm not about to wander far from home, I'm fairly certain this baby will arrive right on schedule but I'm not about to chance it.  I was sad to have missed out, I love getting together with Rob's cousins- it's always a guaranteed fun time. 

Mama's Boy
Rob went out of town yesterday for work...he gets back around dinner today so it's just a quick trip, but I love special one on one time with my favorite little man.  He has been waiting for Big Miracle to come out (he still has a thing for whales!!!) so we had a special date at the movies last night.  The movies has been one of our special things since he was 2 1/2, he used to be able to snuggle on my lap and now he is so tall if he sits on my lap he has to swing to the side because he blocks my view.  Sigh. Not that there is much lap room for that matter.  It was fun to plan something special and fun while daddy was gone, I cherish all of our little dates together.

Lemon Stuffed French Toast
Friday night I whipped this up and threw it in the oven Saturday morning.  OhMyGosh it is divine!!  The citrusy lemon flavor is amazing.  I totally recommend making it.  And how delicious are croissants...if you are like me you love them but rarely eat them simply because they are so fattening.  This is a great breakfast treat!  I served ours with fresh sliced strawberries with a little Truvia sprinkled on top to make them nice and juicy.  I can't wait to make this again!

8 Months

Today marks 8 months!!

I just got back from my doctor's appointment and gained a whopping 6 pounds this last month (and I should have taken off my boots at the scale, dang it!).  I'm at 21 and counting.  Never mind the pipe dream of only gaining 25 total- ha ha!

I think I'd freak out more had I expected it, or noticed it, as in if my pants wouldn't fit over my thighs or butt.  They've been as snug as they have been since Thanksgiving, okay, a little tighter, I will be honest.  Ha ha.

I'm sure a major contribution to this jump is from the delicious orange rolls I have been making- oh my gosh they are so good!  One of the best things with pregnancy is when something tastes good, it REALLY REALLY tastes good and full on hits the spot!

One thing I won't miss is being so moody.  I've never ever had to deal with PMS or any of these irritating hormones.  Poor Rob.  I know my frustrations are pretty much irrational but it doesn't matter and doesn't make me bitchy when I am on a rage.

I need some opinions here...

I'm going back and forth between setting a date and being induced or going into labor naturally.  I love the idea of being fully prepared if it's scheduled- there are far more pros; however I LOVE the element of surprise with waiting and letting it happen when it happens.

I woke up in the middle of the night in labor with Noah and it was like Christmas!  I was so excited!  I rested until morning- the contractions hurt but it wasn't that big of a deal, then in the morning I showered/got ready, and we drove to the hospital which is just up the street.  I was at a 6 when we got there so we cruised along until Noah made his arrival into the world. 

SCHEDULED

Pros:
*Arrangements made for Noah
*Clean house
*Groceries bought
*Freezer meals prepared
*Fresh pedicure and Shellaced manicure
*Hospital bag ready to go
*Nursery/pack and play/car seats ready to go

Cons:
*Missing the element of surprise
*Waiting around at the hospital while I am in labor, snoozefest

NATURAL

Pros:
*The surprise of waiting and wondering when it will happen...I love that!!!
*Dialating at home sweet home so when we get the hospital we can get the show on the road

Cons:
*Possibly hectic and bad timing with Noah
*Possibly no clean house (Pro for me- Rob will clean it himself while I'm at the hospital (not me))
*Possibly no groceries (Pro for me- Rob can get groceries himself with my list (not me))
*Freezer meals may be an extra week old
*Having to remember to add last minute things to the hospital bag

So...what has been your experience and what is your opinion???

on the list: making a list

Are you a list-ey kind of person?  I always make lists for errands, groceries, meals.  But otherwise my lists are usually mental to-do lists.

The count down is on so it is high time I start making some actual official lists so the baby doll has some newborn clothes to wear, blankies to swaddle in, and diapers to poop in.

The nursery has been painted, the moldings touched up, changing table brought up from the basement, and the glider is ready to go.  This weekend Rob needs to bring up the crib, that's on his list.  I still need to order the bedding and do some accessorizing.  I have been putting it off because I haven't wanted to make any permanent decisions yet.  But I've found a few adorable things from Etsy that I think would be cute...

How darling are these little owls?  So perfect for the glider or corner of the crib. It would be so easy to make them...but eh, no time for that!

I love these customizable color prints. It is important to me that my babies know who and how special they are!
  

I will spell out her name above the crib.  I'm not sure if I want plain letters, these whimsical ones, or what color ribbon- so many options!

broken bones, deer, and hot chocolate

The day before New Years Eve my cute mama shattered her ankle while enjoying a little horse back riding.  Poor thing!  How unfair is that?!  When I told Noah he said, 'again?', just days before we were looking at the plate/screws she had removed from a break a couple of years ago from the other ankle. My mom needs a punch card for her random broken bones.  Ha ha! She is so cautious but somehow has the most random accidents happen.  I'd say she should hang up the bike, skis, horse, hiking boots and stick with knitting...but those needles could be dangerous too, so she might as well continue on with her fun adventures. Right?

Unfortunately due to the nature of the break she has been nearly bedridden.  Noah and I stopped in for a visit at The Lodge a couple of Saturdays ago.  It's been nice to pop in and spend time with her, and time with my dad who is having some health issues of his own.  My parents each have a special relationship with Noah- and he adores them as well so it's a win win! 

While chatting we spotted a few deer outside the window. We kept counting them...there were nine of them!  It was fun to watch them wander around the yard and hop over the horse corral picking at whatever they could find to eat.

It brought me back to being a kid because we always had deer, skunks, racoons, etc. in our yard.  I loved that Noah was able to experience what I did as a child. 

A little later Noah and Grandpapa went out for a hide and seek snowball fight, it was too darling to watch the shenanigans from the window.  I wasn't prepared for outdoor play and Noah's bare hands were freezing cold when they came in so Grandpapa made him some hot chocolate to warm up.

Looking like a Walmart kid after taking off his hat...but still a cutie!

 

I'm wishing my mom a speedy recovery and until then we will continue to enjoy our visits and doing whatever they will let us help with!

And part two- can you believe my darling niece Eire broke her leg skiing last week?!  I don't know what is going on with my family!! We need a picture of Eire and Grams layed up in bed with their casts on. :)  I am wishing Eire a quick recovery too!!!

7 months & 1 week!

29 weeks down and 11 to go!!  It's getting closer! 

Last night Rob came upstairs to find me lying in bed watching a movie, texting, and eating a snack with my bowl conveniently placed on my belly.  He couldn't stop laughing at my built in shelf. One of the advantages of being pregnant!

I had my 7 month appointment and can I just say how much I loved the glucose drink- yum, the sugar tasted awesome!!  Thanks to the blood test I found out the reason I had been so unmotivated to do anything the last couple of months...low iron.  I thought I was feeling okay but now I realize how tired I am, and I am enjoying milking it!  I'm having as many green smoothies as I can possibly drink and chowing down on protein style double doubles as fast as I can eat. Or at least I did with last night's dinner and today's lunch. Hopefully it jumps up soon and that my weight doesn't.  Luckily after all the yummy Christmas food and treats my weigh in wasn't crazy- only four pounds, I was pleasantly surprised!

Over Christmas vacation we cleared out the guest room, painted, and moved Noah in so he can enjoy having a large room.  We also painted Noah's old room to get ready for the Little Miss.  Rob couldn't wait to pick up some pink paint and get to work, it is really cute to see how excited he is for our little baby doll to arrive.  It is coming along!  She will be here before we know it!

Christmas 2011

Aunt Jenny is always so thoughtful, she gave Noah this Santa hat...he wore it to bed every night before Christmas!

Every morning as soon as Noah woke up I would hear him run to his door, tear a chain off the Christmas bear, run to throw it in the garbage, then jump back in bed.  He had so much fun counting the days before Christmas!

Expert knitter whipped up these darling booties and beanies for the little miss! I adore them and can't wait for her to wear them!

 

My cute boys!  Noah is OBSESSED with sharks, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, basically any ocean creature.  Most of his gifts were centered around ocean animals.  His teacher has a globe like this and Noah wouldn't stop talking about it and even drug me to his classroom to check it out.  I found one on Amazon a few days before Christmas.

The boys got a new XBOX 360 for Christmas...Rob is excited about his games and though maybe I should be worried that nothing else will get done...I know this assures me extra time out with friends or shopping at NO RUSH.  It is really cute to watch the boys play Lego Star Wars together!!  

Noah was excited to get a bunch of new ocean animals books!

I received cute accessories for the nursery...and Rob kept the tradition alive with jewelry from Tiffany's.
He probably wishes this is one tradition he never started.  Ha ha!  But I love it and have been able to collect some pieces that have special meaning over the years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After opening our gifts my siblings met up and went to church with my parents.  It was a fabulous meeting and the spirit was so strong.  It was truly the perfect way to spend Christmas morning, reflecting on the real reason we celebrate.  I am so grateful to have a strong testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ and the importance this plays in my life.  It also meant a lot to be together with my family this Christmas, we have been dealing with some health issues, and being together creating new memories warms my heart and soul.  Family is everything!  it was also Francesco and Evelyn's first Christmas since moving from NYC.  Everyone was there except for Gabey in Virginia.

Then we headed to The Lodge for the annual family Christmas Brunch.  My brother Chris made THE BEST eggs benedict with a killer hollandaise sauce and huevos benedict with avacado and homemade salsa- amazing!!!  We also had breakfast potatoes, sour dough waffles, raspberry pastry ring, vegan style breakfast casserole a la Francesco, homemade hot chocolate with whipped cream, spiced punch, and fruit cakes.  It was delish!!  

 

Francesco and Evelyn!                                                     Eire, Grams, and Noah

My siblings and the cute cousins!