4th Of July anyone...

4th of July pictures are a little late...but I'm sure you understand why! Wow how you forget what a newborn does to anything you want to do! I have so many things I need to get done and plan to do, but I guess Cole has other plans.

Back to the 4th of July! We have made it a tradition to go to my dad's up at Lake Tapps and enjoy the fireworks there. It was perfect this year with a newborn knowing it would be low key at his house, since he was out of town and there are bedrooms to lay the kids down if they get tired and he has big windows so we can watch from inside if we need to. I love being able to spend time up at his house and enjoy all the lake has to offer. I was sad my parents weren't there, they were in Israel for 3 weeks but glad we could still use his house. I love that even though my parents weren't there my grandparents were, since they live there... it's always great to see them.

Megs and I w/ baby Cole Tim, Sheila, Mary and TJ getting ready to eat some dinner! They guys hanging outsideRailene and Chase "Man"
The Ladies!Loren, Natty and MaxTJ and Kaley
Say "Cheese"

This picture cracks me up...Ben with his hand on his hip. The 3 of them look like they are having a serious conversation!
Thank you Max for being prepared for safety!!!
Cutie pie cousin Ben
Tim and Sheila brought the headphones for Ben and the kids loved them. Good thinking!
The kids...and my toes too!

It's always fun relaxing with friends and family on the 4th. Maybe we will see some of you up there next year! All are welcome. Happy 4th...we enjoyed it!

A picnic in the park!

My dear friend Andrea always has fun ideas...like going to the park for a picnic. You do what you did as a kid with your kids and she did a lot of picnics...me on the other hand...not so much. I love the idea of getting the kids out and having a a fun day at the park and eating our lunch. A quick drive to our local restaurant and off we went. Max had a great time enjoying the beach and the people at the park. It's so fun to see your kids enjoying their day!
Max eating his ice cream after lunch! He barely ate much of it...I have a lot to teach him about eating all your ice cream...who's kid is he...not finishing it???
Cole and I enjoying ourselves...well maybe more me.
A little better...many emotions for the babies!
Even when they aren't happy they are so cute!
Happy camper.

I can't wait to get a good camera. I had a little photo session w/ Cole trying to capture a picture for his announcements! I got a couple...I think! I also want to say how blessed we are to live in a beautiful place...I love where we live and I love that we are a mile away from the water and can enjoy it all. What a great place for Max and Cole to grow up in. LOVE IT!

10pm-4am! Nice, Thank YOU COLE!

As any parent with a new baby knows sleep is very limited for a while! Trying to go to sleep when baby does and not stay up to do random things is hard for me, but crucial. You don't realize how tired you are until you lay down! Cole has been a good sleeper for the most part, as in...he eats and then goes back to sleep. He for sure knows his nights from days...THANK YOU! Last night we went (Cole & I) to sleep around 9:30 and finally actually fell asleep at 10pm and to my surprise he didn't wake up to eat until around 4am! Wow...it felt so good to get about 6 hours of good sleep! He didn't wake up until about 8:30am but that was really due to me grabbing him when Max got up so we could go down stairs. I'm not thinking this will be happening every night, but one night of a good amount of sleep is WONDERFUL! Max was a great sleeper and from the looks of it Cole could be too. Hope so! Just thought I would share this exciting news with you!

Birthing story below most recent post...

Just thought you would want to know...plus pictures! I started the post before the most recent one, but didn't finish it until after so that is why it is below. Enjoy...

A Day at the lake and some other random pictures!

Well today is my first day all by myself with 2 kids. So far so good! I think we are going to go down to the park and enjoy another SUNNY day here in Washington! I love the sun. These pictures are from a week or so ago so I will download some more and post some later this week. Cole is growing and changing and I'm really trying to enjoy every moment. He sleeps well and wakes up a couple time a night. The last few nights has been sleeping a for longer stretches which is SO helpful for me! Wow it's amazing how broken up sleep really makes you tired. Max is adjusting well, but Loren has been home so we will see how it goes now that no one is here. My mom is coming this Saturday for week to help out which will be nice.

My fears of 2 children are gone and I'm actually really excited about our life with 2 boys and all that is ahead of us.

Time with daddy is always fun!
Little Cole feet

Loren getting ready to cut Max's hair.

A day at the lake always takes me back to my childhood and I MISS it so much. I loved living on the lake and swimming all summer long, rain or shine. My dad is gone for 3 weeks so on one of the very hot days we decided to go up and relax. Max swam with Loren for a long time and Cole and I relaxed and enjoyed the weather.
Just Max
My view...love it!!!

Finally...Coles Birth!

Coles story of how he arrived... We didn't start taking pictures until I was admitted and had my epidural...I don't think you would want pictures of me without the epidural! Wow, I LOVE EPIDURAL!
Max came to say "HI" after mommy got her WONDERFUL epidural!

Ok, lets start from the beginning! Friday morning at 4:30 am I had a little water break, but no contractions. It wasn't a lot of water but for sure something. This happened last time to me when I went into labor with Max and when I got to the hospital and they check if my water has broken, it hasn't. My mom had the same thing happen in her birthing experiences too...something called the for-sak? (SP?). So we called the hospital and they said to head on in and we took our time and got there around 7am or so. I started having mild contractions but nothing painful. I was only dilated to a 2 so they wanted me to walk around to see if I progressed at all, but after a couple hours nothing changed. My doctor even had me get a full ultrasound to waste some time, which was fun. I was contracting on a regular basis but no change so I couldn't be admitted to the hospital. Not to mention that they were way understaffed due to A LOT of babies being born. We went home to labor at 11:30am which was a little scary because my only gage on when to come back is pain since my contractions were 3-5 minutes a part already. I went to my friend Andrea's house, she lives on the water which was a beautiful place to labor for a bit. Loren was timing them and they were coming every 2 minutes a part and were getting more intense. We headed back to the hospital at 3pm and I was for sure in labor but only dilated to a 3 and my first request was "I want on the list for the epidural...STAT". After getting hooked up I got into the tub and labored there for I don't know how long, but too long because the pain got a lot worse and knowing that I had to sit through the epidural was scaring me, not because of the needle but because they tell you "Sit still, don't move and Relax"...now keep in mind...you are in the worst PAIN of your LIFE and they are dealing with your SPINE that could possibly paralyze you if you move at all...GREAT...yah, really thrilling, but whatever I have to do to get rid of the pain...DO IT! So I have to say that was probably the worst part of the whole labor and if you have been there and done that...you know what I'm talking about. After the epidural I was at an 8 and shortly after that was at a 10 and ready to push. I pushed for 20 minutes compared to 1-1/2 with Maxwell and Cole was born.

We are ready!

It was a wonderful experience, though there was some serious, crazy pain, but what labor would be without that? I feel very lucky to have such great pregnancy's and labors...no complications.

Here are some of the pictures throughout our stay.

The last few pictures of the Ellingson family as 3!

First few minutes of meeting Cole...wonderful!

Not too thrilled in this picture. It must be hard having to go through what he did!
Loving being on this side of labor...

Our beautiful baby Cole!
Dr. Nelson...was so happy she got to deliver Cole!
Max meeting baby brother
Moms job...staring at her new bundle of JOY!

Cutie...
Max spending some time with baby brother!
Sweet picture...
Look familiar? Like Maxwells going home picture...
On our way home...the New and Improved Ellingson Family!

Love Paternity LEAVE!

Can I say how much I love my husband's company for giving him paternity leave? 2 weeks and it ROCKS. It's so nice having him home and starting life as a family of 4 together!!! I don't have time to share about my labor, but hope to do it soon. We are doing well and can I say how much easier a baby is than a toddler? WOW! And I thought 1 was hard when I had Max. It's funny how things change once you have been through something. We are loving having Cole around. He is a good baby and is eating and sleeping very well. He sleeps most of the day and I forgot how much they do that in the beginning. I haven't been taken a ton of pictures but hope to do that more this weeks. He had his circumcision on Friday and oh am I glad to have that behind us! OUCH! Poor boy! He did OK and I had a few tears, but all in all it went well. He has already passed his birth weight by an ounce as of Friday. In 2 days he gained 1/2 pound...so I guess he is getting enough food. I'm really cherishing the little baby stage because I know it will go by before I know it and I don't think we will be having another so I'm enjoying his littleness while I can.


Well I'm off to give Cole a bath and some other things. More to come soon...sorry for the delay!

COLE LOREN ELLINGSON

The new challenge...getting the ENITRE Ellingson Family to look for a picture!Max running to see baby Brother!
Great G&G Gordon
Megs, Cole and I Cole being a cutie! Grandpa Gordon
Me enjoying my sweet baby boy!
Max giving loves to his new baby brother...love it.
The Gordon crew...some of them. My parents and grandparents
Sleepy baby...priceless.

Just wanted to post some pictures that Beth, my step-mom took this morning so you could get your first look at Cole! We are thrilled that he is here and are enjoying these first few days. We are going home tomorrow and our crazy life as a family of four begins.

More updates later...

Mothers Intuition is RIGHT!!!!

COLE LOREN entered the world June 20th at 7pm! We are thrilled that he is here and labor is behind me! Wheww...that hurt! He is a cutie and I will post pictures when we get home Sunday or Monday! He was 8 lbs, 4 oz like his brother and has brown hair. Thank you for all your prayers and I'm still shocked that the day I thought he would come...he did. The tough labor went pretty quick...3pm to 7pm but there is a little more to the story. Can't wait for you to meet him. Max is doing well being a big brother!

Nothing, Notta, Zero!

Not much to report! I wish that was not the case but obviously Cole is feeling comfortable in his womb right now. I have had some contractions but nothing painful, just a little uncomfortable. I feel like a broken record to Loren because I keep saying I'm having some contractions and then they go away. We are just waiting and hoping something happens soon. Its been very nice because I have had nothing on the calendar and have been taking each day easy and slow and it has been LOVELY. I love that anytime I call someone and I'm ready to say "I'm not in Labor" they answer the phone "Are you in Labor?" Hopefully that will all change soon. He has to come out sometime though, I can't be pregnant forever, even though right now it feels like it!

Thanks for all your prayers! Can't wait to introduce you to our newest little boy, COLE!

An update...

Hello friends!

I have some belly pictures but my camera is upstairs in the hospital bag and I really don't feel like going up to get it. Maybe tomorrow that can happen. And no this isn't Cole, but a picture of what I'm hoping the next week will bring. (This is a picture of Max on our way home from the hospital!!!) Either way just know that the belly is getting bigger and any day Cole could grace us with his presence! We are excited and are just curious when it's going to happen. I had my weekly doctors appointment today and was happy to have some progression from last week...YIPEE. And I do have to brag because I lost a pound and to some that might not sound like a big deal, but to me it's HUGE and I love it! Not that I'm counting...yah, um right! Bags are packed, plans have been set...people are in place to help us carry out our departure to the hospital when labor starts...we are READY!

We had a wonderful Fathers Day hanging out with both families up at Lake Tapps...2 separate family functions which was a little tiring but fun to be able to see both of our dads. The weather was AMAZING and I so hope we have more of it in the future. We have been going on walks which have been great...figure that can only help move things along right? Yeah...just trying to help Cole along...that's what mom's do right...

I have been EXHAUSTED! I am for sure getting up more in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom which is probably making a difference, but I also just think being 39 weeks pregnant has something to do with it. I get up and feel good if contractions haven't kept me up all night but after a few hours I'm so tired. It's weird how you can do nothing and still feel tired. I keep thinking this is how I'm going to feel when Cole gets here...lack of sleep and the pure exhaustion. It's weird how you feel like you are going to be pregnant forever and labor is never going to happen. I do know that he will come, but at a certain point you do kind of wonder. It's just this cruel mind, and body game...oh is this the beginning of my labor contractions? Will I be holding him this time tomorrow? Should I call the hospital? Do I have everything packed...oh and then contractions stop and I realize nope...not happening right now! Cruel, cruel game and exhausting.

Oh and did I tell you that my best friend and my dad and Beth are going to be leaving shortly after Cole's due date? Yeah my dad is leaving June 28 for 3 weeks to Jerusalem and Andrea is leaving July 2 for California so please, please PRAY that he comes early so they will all be here for his birth. Max was 4 days early so I'm hoping that will happen again. June 20th is a day that has been sticking out to me, but who knows if that will mean anything??? We will see! I progressed as far as dilation goes in 5 days so I'm hoping that means something...a girl can hope.

Ok, this is getting long...I always ramble! Just wanted to update you all on life at the Ellingson house. Hope to be posting soon of our newest addition! Can't wait...

I love to LAUGH

My mom and brother, Andrew were here this weekend. You know how there are certain groups of people who get together and you just end up laughing...the whole time? Yes, well that is the 4 of us. I seriously laughed the whole weekend. We didn't do that much but just sitting around and talking was great. We relaxed, ate and just enjoyed their company. I get a little depressed when my mom leaves because we have such a good time when she is here. We are a lot a like and could really do nothing but sit and talk and relax and that would be plenty for us. The nice thing is Loren and Andrew have a good time together and they end up going out to do something so they aren't totally bored. As they left today I realized that I wouldn't see them again pregnant and that when my mom sees me next time I will be holding Cole and that was really crazy and kind of sad. It's the last time my mom will see me pregnant...I know that might sound kind of weird?!?!?

On another note...can I say THANK GOODNESS for ELASTIC? Yah it's the best when pregnancy jeans get uncomfortable! I have to keep washing my black, sweat pants so when I go into labor they will be clean to bring them to the hospital. I'm trying to stay on top of it. But really when your belly is getting bigger and bigger you need something that won't make you feel contained.

We finally got a couple little things done around the house that we kept putting off, like hanging pictures and a rod to hang Cole's quilt on...yah it really takes us forever to do some simple things that end up taking us minutes, but still we put it off. Anyway...it is done and I think that was the official last thing in Cole's room...whoooo hooo...I'm ready.

I'm going into my 38th week and have been thinking how strange it is that I'm waiting for some SERIOUS pain to start and anxious for it...hmmmm, how often are you waiting for pain and your excited? Strange...I know! But I also think how many times are you in intense pain and get an amazing gift at the end? Not many so it's nice to know that the end brings GREAT JOY! I have been feeling major pressure, pain in the pelvis, cramping and gas like pains which I have read is a sign of labor too...so stuff is starting I think. Of course I always doubt myself and wonder if my mind is playing tricks on my...I am in total self denial with stuff like this. I keep thinking it will be a few days and than think I will be pregnant for another month. Who knows when it will all REALLY happen, but I'm trying to take a day at a time and not be so anxious and not be disappointed if it doesn't happen when I think it should. It's times like this when you feel so close, yes so FAR away!

I have told Loren to bring his wireless card to the hospital so I can post when I deliver...I know that most people wait, but of course I'm always dying to know details for others so I will try and post when things start happen and when it does actually happen. We will see how that works out...I could always have someone post it for me too. Either way I hope to let you all know when Cole gets here.

Please pray for my labor and delivery and that Cole will be healthy. I always pray for the moment he is delivered that it will be an enjoyable moment and not a pain staking one...I prayed that with Max and I was able to enjoy it and totally remember it and LOVED it and am hoping to experience that with Cole too! I hate the idea of saying "Just Get Him Out"... I don't want to do that if I can help it. So please pray that everything goes well and that it will be a healthy, wonderful, amazing experience. Also pray that if things don't go according to MY PLAN that I will accept that and not dwell on it...it's so easy to have a plan in your head and with this kind of thing you can't plan and surprises happen. Lots of prayers!

Cole, you are officially INVITED to our HOME anytime now...

I'm in my 37th week of pregnancy now and had an exciting ultrasound! Well just seeing him is the excitement. Good news is he is head down and his approximate weight right now is 8lbs, 5oz (give or take a pound either way). Max was 8lbs, 4oz so Cole could be bigger than his big brother. Everything looked really good which is so reassuring and makes me feel really good if he came early. He is still a he...had to verify that again for peace of mind, why not if we can? I have a picture but don't think it will come out well enough for you to see...I might try that tomorrow. He looks like he already has chubby cheeks, his dads nose and even some hair...I will be anxious to see about the hair??? Weird to say but I do think he is already a little cutie, but I guess I'm a little partial to him. So anyway just wanted to update you all and also Welcome Cole into our home so he knows he can come anytime...please don't stay in too long, a 10 pounder isn't my idea of fun, but whatever happens...and he is healthy...I will be one happy MAMA! Can't wait to meet him!