Eleanor Grace Larsen

I am delighted to announce the birth of our daughter, Eleanor Grace Larsen. 

Born on St Patrick's Day (just like Mommy and Daddy wanted!!!)

                                     March 17, 2011 at 2:20am
                            7 pounds 10 ounces, 20 inches long. 
                   She is absolutely beautiful!!  See for yourself:

Mom, Dad and new Baby Ellie!

Right after her bath, already a little shamrock baby

Chase loves his little sister

After I had been contracting all day on the 16th, we went into the hospital for our scheduled induction as planned.  My doctor was on call on the 16th, so we went in that evening hoping to have a baby before 7am on the 17th.  Luckily for me, I was already 3-4 cm/80% effaced, so he was able to break my water around 9pm.  I knew after having Chase I wasn't going to have much tolerance for labor pains...my goal was to make it until 10pm before wanting my epidural... I made it to 9:45pm (believe it or not, this is an improvement from when I had Chase)  I don't remember it hurting quite that bad with Chase- although with him I wasn't contracting like I was with Ellie.  After Dr Svendsen broke my water, my contractions went from every 5 minutes to every 2-3 minutes...they hurt.  I ended up needing 2 epidural because the first one didn't take on my left side, but aroun 11:30pm I was finally beginning to feel comfortable.  I tried to sleep (Jason was sawing logs) but had little success.  My WONDERFUL nurse Mandy checked me at 2 am, and I was complete! YAY! once everything was set up, it took only 4 contractions and she was here!  The experience was quite short, but pain free (at the end) and just so smooth.  I feel fortunate to have now had 2 great labor and delivery experiences... and we got our wish- on the 17th, before 7am!!

Chase is loving his little sister.  He expresses interest in holding her, and calming her down when she cries.  He says "it's okay baby Ellie" or "do you need your passy baby Ellie" and my personal favorite "I am right here baby Ellie"... Melts my heart!  I am sure, with time, this is all going to change :)  Until then, we are a happy family of four recovering nicely at home!!

Our Family of 3 Will Soon Be 4!!

Well, it is about 1:45 am and I was only able to sleep for a couple hours...now, of course, I am wide awake.  Probably because I am getting anxious about our very fast approaching induction.  I go into the hospital at 7 pm tonight (the 16th) to be induced and have a baby *hopefully* on the 17th!  These last couple of days have been emotional ones.  I cried the other night before work, and then at work... I just can't believe we are going to be a family of FOUR!  I look at how much Chase has grown in what seems like and very short 2 years, and it is truly amazing... I am SO excited to be the mother of a precious little girl, and cannot WAIT to see how it will be (and what she will look like)!

Today, during normal daytime hours, Chase and I will be spending the day together before I have to go into the hospital.  Although we are together at home every Wednesday and Thursday, I never before have been looking so forward to spending a day with my son.  It will be our last day for one on one quality time... and the last day he is an only child.  I am getting choked up just thinking about it.  At 4 pm tomorrow when we part ways, I just know there will be tears!

Tears or no tears, I am ready!  And this is such an exciting day!!  I can't wait to meet her.  I promise to take lots of pictures, and of course, blog about her arrival :)  Until then...

Just Call Me Martha...

These last few weeks, I have been feeling quite crafty and organizational... I guess we can call that my personal version of nesting.  I have been cleaning things like the plantation blinds, curtains, organizing closets and drawers, and diligently scrubbing away at the bathrooms about every other day.  I am a clean freak regardless of pregnancy, but clutter and dirtiness seem to REALLY bother me these days... ask Jason, I have threatened him several times over the piles and messes of his stuff.  Luckily, he is being quite the trooper and calmly says, "okay, I will do it... and what should I do next?"  I really appreciate his willingness/readiness to help get everything ready around this place.  How can a family of 3.75 have so much stuff!?! 

I digress... my crafty side has also peaked its little head out.  Pre-children, I was quite crafty.  I kept up on my scrapbooking, cooking, baking and other miscellaneous projects.  Having a 2 year old definitely limits my Martha Stewart time, BUT I was able to get a very simple project accomplished a couple of weeks ago.  I made 2 diaper wreaths!  One for Eleanor (I used this as my "test" wreath to see how it would turn out... and I wanted something pretty to hang on MY hospital door and home) and one for Lucas, Michelle from work's unborn little boy!  We are due just 2 days apart, so I thought this would be just perfect.  It was surprisingly super easy to make! 

I have discovered I do not like printed diapers for decorative projects like this... so at babies r us, they sell seventh generation (who knew they made diapers?!) diapers.  They are more of an offwhite natural color, but have no gaudy prints on them...yay!  a little ribbon, paint, and cute baby items and you have yourself a diaper wreath.  I highly recommend trying this out.  On the difficulty scale, 0-10, it really is maybe only a 2!  No excuses and it's SUPER cute!  Check them out:

 The empty space on the bottom is for her stats when she comes out!

 The one I made for Lucas... don't mind the misspelling, I have since fixed my pregnancy brain error!

Hanging on her bedroom door!