Ethan is a Big Boy!!

We now have a big boy on our hands! Ethan turned 2 on January 15th!! Can't believe how fast time has flown!!! I know it's so cliche to say that, but it's true lol!!

Matt was still getting over a cold that day, so we decided to take it easy and just do some things at home. Every chance I could (basically when Elly was sleeping) I would take Ethan outside to play because that's his favorite! We still had a lot of snow in our backyard so we just ran around in the snow lol!! Then we made him a cake and sang to him...that was the funniest thing ever because of his confused reaction! haha I also made his favorite meals, chicken tetrazzini for lunch and jambalaya for dinner!
(before hair cut)
(after hair cut....he hates getting his hair cut lol)








The next day, Matt was feeling better, so we drove to Atlanta to take Ethan to the Children's Museum and he had the best time ever!! Maybe we will go again for Elly's birthday :)












Last week we took Ethan to his 2 year check up and Elly had her 2 month check up the same day. First, we took Ethan to his appointment in the morning, and luckily it was a day off for Matt so he was able to go with us. It was actually the first time Matt had been to a doctor appointment!
Ethan is doing very well! He is in the 95 percentile for height and will be about 6'2 when he's older! He was due for 4 shots, so he wasn't very happy about that!
One of the questions we had to answer to make sure he was up to speed with everything was if he was saying at least 30 words. It was fun because Matt and I started saying everything he says and we were cracking up! We counted over 40!

Then later on in the day I took Elly to her appointment. She needed a few shots as well. The doctor said that babies should double in weight from birth by the time they are 6 months old, and here Elly is only 2 months old and she has almost doubled already lol! So, needless to say, she's a healthy girl! lol!

I have a feeling 2011 is going to be a great year!! :)

Welcome to the World, Elly!

It was a typical morning of cartoons and breakfast for Ethan and me before we headed to my OB appointment at 10:20. Little did we know, that was the last "typical" morning that Ethan and I were going to have together, just the two of us.
It was Wednesday, November 10th, 2010. It was a special day, the United States Marine Corps birthday!
This day was soon to be even more special! Ethan and I headed to my appointment together. He was in a very bad mood that day and I didn't understand why. He was acting out the whole time we were in the waiting room and I hardly had the energy to control him. Finally, some snacks did the trick! Then the nurse called me back. I told her that at my appointment the previous week, I was checked at 3 1/2 cm and 70% effaced, so I was anxious to see if I had improved any since I was only 2 days away from my due date.
The nurse took me to my room where I was to wait on the Midwife. I had never met the midwife I was seeing that day, but I had heard about her. I knew that she was going to strip my membranes, and was told that she was a "great stripper" and was famous for putting women into labor after she did. So, I had hopes it would do the trick for me, too!
She came in and checked me at 5 cm and 85% effaced! She told me that I was basically a balloon about to pop and that if I started having contractions to go to the hospital, even if they weren't consistent.
So, we left and on my 30 min. drive home, I started having contractions! I then started thinking, "I'm finally going to meet my daughter today!!". I called Matt to let him know and he said he would leave work to come get me at home and I called my dad to let him know so he could come pick Ethan up.
Well, I get home and I rush to get my bag and any last minute things ready. My contractions started getting more intense, closer together, and my lower back started aching more. I called my mom and she told me that if I was able, I should just drive myself to the hospital. Matt works close to the hospital and I wasn't sure if I had enough time to wait for him and then go back in the same direction he was coming from. So, I got Ethan and our stuff in the car and headed to meet Matt and my dad at the hospital, which was a 35 min. drive.
On the drive to the hospital, my contractions were staying consistent and my main concern was to keep her in there lol! I did not want to have someone deliver her on the side of the road! I started speeding a little and before I knew it a cop car was behind me! I was on the phone with Matt at the time because he was giving me the directions to the hospital (I know I know, way to be prepared!) I started crying and he told me not to worry and if they did pull me over, they would just escort me to the hospital. Well, they ended up turning so I was glad lol! They probably would have thought I was a crazy woman driving myself to the hospital while in labor...with a toddler in the back seat haha!
Anyway, I finally get to the hospital and Matt and my dad were already there waiting for me in the parking lot. We get Ethan's stuff in my dad's car and say our goodbyes to him! Luckily, a man driving a golf cart was going by and he gave us a ride up to the front!
We walk in and there was already a woman on the delivery floor waiting for us because Matt checked me in while he was waiting on me.
We go to Triage where they hook me up to monitors to check my contractions and get all my information. We stay in there for about an hour before they told me "ok you can stay!" SO happy to hear that...although I didn't have a doubt about it lol!
So we were then moved to the labor and delivery room. It was so nice!
I absolutely loved the nurse who was in my room! She was so nice and I really enjoyed talking with her!
I knew exactly how I wanted to go through labor and delivery and nothing was going to change my mind. After not doing it the way I originally wanted to the first time with Ethan, I just had to do it my way the second time around.
Because I was going all natural, I was able to do so much that I wouldn't have been able to do had I taken medication. So first things first, I was able to take a jacuzzi bath! It was amazing (although, I would have preferred it to be a little hotter lol).

I was also able to walk around the hospital, but that was kind of awkward because I was just wearing a robe lol!
Around 4 my Midwife who was on call came in. She broke my water for me and then the pain really started! I was about 7 cm dilated at this point. I decided I wanted to take another bath to help with the pain. The jets really helped! I was only in the bath for maybe 20-30 min. and I decided I wanted to lay on the bed and watch tv. I asked the nurse to check to see if I dilated anymore and I was then at 8 1/2 cm! (Me smiling between contractions)
Matt stayed entertained by listening to Dave Ramsey and Mark Levin...until I said, "Hello! I am 8 1/2 cm...can you put your phone down and come help me!!!" lol!
He came over at the right time because it started getting pretty painful, but I just breathed through each contraction...and squeezed his hand until it turned purple lol!
Shortly after, I yelled for the nurse to let her know I needed to start pushing! She paged my Midwife and they both helped. All I remember is screaming and pushing with everything I had! I felt so stupid when I was screaming, but whatever...it hurt lol!
I pushed for 5-7 min. and finally felt her coming, so I quickly reached my hands down to pull her out and brought her up to lay on my chest right at 6:29 pm! She was so beautiful! The pain disappeared as soon as I touched her and was quickly forgotten. I was crying and kissing her. I looked up at Matt with tears in his eyes as well! After 9 months, our baby girl was finally here!!
(Me after they took her from me so they Pediatrician could look at her)
(Talking to the nurse after Elly was born)
Elly Ann Bureau! She was 7 lbs. and 5.6 oz. and 18 1/2 inches!

After the Pediatrician checked her out, she handed her back to me so I could begin nursing. I have to say, it was a lot easier the second time around lol! (After she finished her meal...snoozing)

We were supposed to move to the postpartum room, but there was no more room, so we ended up staying the night in the labor and delivery room, which was fine with me because I didn't feel like moving lol!
I hadn't eaten all day so the first thing I wanted to do after she was born, was order a meal! I ordered just in time because the kitchen was taking their last dinner orders.
We went to sleep shortly after...although I didn't sleep much that night....even though Elly did.
Pictures from the morning on November 11th.





They finally had a room open on the postpartum floor, so we moved in only a few hours before we were going to go home. While Elly and I moved up to the postpartum room, Matt left the hospital to meet my dad to get Ethan. I wad so excited for Ethan to meet his baby sissy!
Daddy introducing Ethan to Elly!! He would rather sit on the rocking chair... So daddy got some one-on-one time with her!
My favorite picture from the hospital! I was eating and feeding Ethan and Elly all at the same time lol!!

Elly was now 26 hours old and we finally were able to leave! It was about 8:30 pm. Getting ready to leave! :)

Matt and Ethan went out to drive the car around to the front of the hospital while Elly and I were getting last minute things for discharge.
We were rolled down in a wheelchair and helped out to the car. Once we got the kids in the car, Matt drove us to his car. Remember, I drove myself to the hospital! I told him I was fine to drive, and I was. So, I drove my car with both kids and we followed Matt home (since he knew the way and I didn't LOL). We drove very slowly the whole way. Elly in her bassinet her first night at home!!


The following day, I took a picture of Elly in her USMC bow that a friend made for her. I though it was the perfect bow because of the day she was born :)

Matt and I feel so blessed to have Ethan and Elly in our lives! We are so happy God chose us to be their parents!! :)