A boy and his puppies

Another quick update...tonight Sam is officially 24 hours old...and we are still completely in love! Here he is all dressed up in his puppy outfit. If you remember this post it's the first thing we bought for our new little guy! The day of our ultrasound we went to a sweet boutique in town and picked this little outfit out for him! I bought it in the newborn size...A & J were such little babies that I couldn't imagine needing anything bigger. Sam better wear it everyday this week as it barely snaps around him! That's our big boy!

And his stats!
Samuel Ellis
Born 6/9/08
8:02 pm
8 lbs. 1 oz.
20 inches

I'm in love!

Baby Sam is here and I couldn't be more in love. He is absolutely perfect in every way!

Our induction yesterday was delayed so we spent most of the day waiting and wondering if we were actually going to get to go to the hospital. But the long wait was definitely worth it! We got to the hospital in the afternoon and they started the pitocin around 4:30. At 6:30 my Dr. broke my water and within an hour he was ready to make his appearance! He came out 2 pushes later at 8:02 pm. The girls were able to come up to the hospital right away to see him and they fell instantly in love with him too!The girls are getting royally spoiled by their "Mimi" and "Baboo"...they spent the day yesterday at the mall doing Build-A-Bear and riding the carousel. Today they are taking a trip to the zoo! We hope to be heading home sometime tomorrow!

Thanks to all of you who have sent sweet messages!! We are absolutely THRILLED!

The time has come

My bag is packed and I think we are ready! My parents are coming in today and we are scheduled for an induction at 7am tomorrow morning! I have been having contractions all weekend but no baby yet.

I'm praying for a quick and easy delivery...can't wait to share some photos of our little guy as soon as he arrives! The girls have their "big sister" tees all laid out to wear to the hospital tomorrow and I have some special presents for them hidden in the car from the baby too.

I've never gotten to experience the anticipation of waiting for the day you know you will have your child. It is exhilarating, scary, exciting, sentimental, exhausting, and so joyous all at the same time. My water broke with both A and J (well before my due date!) so this is the most pregnant I have ever been (or will ever be!) I'm trying to just enjoy my last day feeling him move and kick and hiccup...although the anticipation of holding him is killing me!

Hopefully by this time tomorrow we will have a new addition to our family!

I'll be sure to post as soon as I can!

THANK YOU for all the sweet well wishes...they have meant the world to us!!

Our Little Teapot

I thought this was too cute not to share.

Wrapping up

Three more days to get through before we get to meet "Mr. Peepers". And I've had a few requests for another updated belly shot...although not much has really changed in the last few weeks. I'm definitely ready to pop! I've got my bag packed, my toes ready, and special presents for the girls set aside...so let's get the show on the road!

This was me this morning. A took this picture...not too bad for a 5 year old! I can't believe I let her hold my camera...but she looked right into the view finder and snapped away like a pro. She even reprimanded me for not holding still. It was so windy out today and apparently she didn't feel she was getting the best shot ;)

I've heard a great pedicure can start labor...no such luck here...although my toes look much better!

And a fun picture of A in a new summer set I made just for her. I so rarely sew for my own children...it is really quite sad....the dressmaker's daughters. I started out just sprucing up a cute pair of capris she had but got bit by the design bug and also made her a fun little halter and headband to match. I'm already itching to get to designing again and I haven't even officially started my break yet...I must have a serious problem!

That's all for now...baby pictures to come soon :)

Proceed with CAUTION...BABY FEVER!

I didn't think the baby fever could get worse. But today I had a photo shoot with a sweet neighbor and her gorgeous new baby boy Kason . I spent the morning cuddling him and shooting hundreds of frames of pictures...phew...I'm pretty sure the baby fever couldn't be ANY worse!

I took hundreds of shots and will TRY to limit it to some of my very favorites :)





And sweet big brother Landon


And some in black and white...






And as an update...ONLY FIVE DAYS TO GO until our little guy makes his arrival! I am scheduled for an induction Monday morning at 7am if he doesn't make his debut beforehand. I am so excited to finally meet him! Then I can start working on his portraits!

Childhood friends and a "special delivery"

There is something special about childhood friends. Something magical about the early days of summer...playing in the backyard with "just ran through the sprinkler hair"...with your best buddies in tow. We have some special friends in our neighborhood. Three beautiful little girls and together with A&J they make quite the posse. Together we have every age covered...6-5-4-3 and 2...and their mommy is expecting a boy too in just a few short months!
I couldn't resist sharing a few fun shots of them at play. I love shots that capture their true beauty...definitely not the posed studio setting with the perfectly ironed dress...but full of life and spunk and the joys of childhood friendship!


Here's to the carefree days of summer and the friendships we make along the way!

On a side note...my girls spent most of the weekend playing babies (probably no big surprise there!) When I checked in on them Saturday afternoon they were pregnant with bulging bellies. I was laughing so hard at their lumpy bellies I almost missed the "delivery" where they lifted their shirts and told me to "quick catch the babies" that fell from inside. OH...if ONLY it were that easy!!!!