Ellington Suzanne Finger

Its hard to believe that 3 weeks have already gone by.  I knew it would be this way because weeks fly by, especially when you wish they would just pause.   We welcomed our sweet baby girl into this world on Wednesday, August 7 and have spent these last few weeks soaking in all of the newborn snuggles we can get.
Here is a flashback to Ellington's birth story:

On Tuesday August 6, I spent the day with the kids just like always.  Kate had open house at LES that night and met her sweet teacher.  We left open house around 6:00 and then went back to our house to meet Sug & Pop.  They were taking the kids with them and Kelly and I were supposed to be at St. Mary's hospital in Athens at 8:00.  I was being induced which was a first for me.  Out of all of our kids I had always gone into labor on my own so we were both very anxious about this, since we didn't know what to expect or how long it could be or anything.  Its so crazy to look back on it all.  We were both a little scared, nervous, anxious, excited all in one!   For me, my emotions were all over the place.  I was scared to welcome this baby and so ready physically and mentally to get her here.   I think I've felt this way somewhat with all of my babies but you wonder if you will be able to love another like you love the ones you have.  I prayed constantly that we had not made the biggest mistake by adding to our already busy life.  I worried about Cohen, Kate, and Bryce and how they would react to her.  Cohen was so excited and wanted to be there with us every minute along the way, but of course she couldn't.  Kate didn't say a whole lot about anything but she is always the one that wants to be with her mama.  And Bryce was excited to meet the new baby.  I'm not sure how much he really understood but I loved his excitement.  I struggled in the weeks and days leading up to having her with him not being my baby anymore.  I would lay with him at night trying to come to terms that he would seem so big once she was born but yet still be my baby too.  Seriously an emotional roller coaster!

One last picture as a family of 5...holding it together & keeping the sunglasses on!

Once we got checked in we headed to our room.  We made the walk down that big hallway in labor and delivery one last time to room 3112.  We sat in there and I took this picture wanting to try to document each little step in this adventure because I knew this was it for us.

Tuesday night was all about getting settled in.  I was given cervadil to help thin my cervix and then was told to get as much sleep as I could.  We both actually slept pretty well.  After waking up Wednesday my doctor came by to check on me at 9:30.  The cervadil was taken out and then pitocin was started.  The process had officially begun!  They told me I could get my epidural anytime I wanted and that I needed to eat breakfast because it was the last time I would eat until the baby was born.  I ended up getting my epidural around 12:00 and was really having an easy go.  My doctor had planned to come back at 2:30 to break my water so I wanted the epidural in time for it to take for all of that.  I never got in pain so that was nice.  Once I had the epidural I was definitely not feeling anything.   Dr. Halbach came back at 2:30, broke my water and then had me put a "peanut ball" between my knees which looked similar to a big yoga ball.  I got so tired after this and ended up sleeping for a while.  My blood pressure fell very low, in fact it was setting off the alarm for being so low.  I remember hearing Kelly and my mama talking about him being concerned about it but I was in and out of a nap.  I woke up at 4:30 and could feel slight pressure when I had a contraction.  Of course I had to look at my monitor to make sure it was a contraction.  I'm telling you this was a good epidural.  Because I was feeling some pressure, and Kelly really wanted to tell our family something since our kids had now arrived, the nurse decided to check me and I was now at 7-8 cm.  Dr, Halback had planned to be back at 6:30.  She told me then she felt we would have a baby by 7:00.  Well my Dr. was about 15 minutes away at this point and she wanted the nurse to check me again about 5-10 minutes after checking me the first time.  Well on this time I had now dilated completely!  As soon as the Dr. could get back it would be baby time.  Kelly quickly texted Larry & Lydia who had taken the kids to eat and let them know we would soon have a baby!  Cohen was beside herself and said she had never ate so fast in her life.   Dr. Halbach arrived at the hospital and the nurses had the room set up and ready to go.  She told me she wanted me to have  "practice" push which she quickly had to stop me because she said it was a great push and she was "suiting up" for delivery.  Two pushes later I  watched our sweet girl make her grand entrance!  Seriously the easiest delivery ever and for that I was thankful!  And as always, the moment I saw her face I was in love.  It is truly a miracle!  This tiny person that I had felt move, grow, hiccup, and everything in between for the last 9 months was now in my arms and was more real than ever.  We spent the next 35-40 minutes bonding with this sweet baby and then it was time to introduce her to her sisters and brother.   They had been waiting impatiently I'm sure to get back there to her.  

Funny story...when Bryce saw her he immediately noticed her belly button and the little clamp that was on it.  He wanted to know what it was and if it would come off.  Then he was worried if it would hurt her when it came off.  I explained that it was how she was attached to me, and he then wanted to know if it hurt when it came off of me.  I love seeing the wheels spin in his mind and I know we have a lot of funny questions to come.  

someone found her thumb

they all loved her at first sight

big big sister was so proud

got her all swaddled & warm

I took this picture of her sleeping in her little bed because I thought she looked so tiny all wrapped up in there.  I wanted to freeze this moment just watching her from my bed.

Thursday morning Ellington had her hearing test.  She had to repeat one ear twice to pass.  We thought she looked so cute with her big "earphones" on.

Thursday morning Ellington also had her first photo session.  We decided to let Bella baby come in and take pictures.  She just looked so sweet, I almost cried. Again all the emotions!

After her pictures she had her first bath which she was not a fan of!  She let us all hear just how loud she could be.  She was mad!

Later she had some sweet visitors.  Grace & Dawn came by, her uncle Davis, then the sisters and brother came back with more love to give..

Our first family photo!

Since school was starting the very next day we had asked to go home if possible.  She had to be there for at least 24 hours but they said everything would be good to go after that.  I really wanted to stay one more night and soak her up and rest but I knew the girls wanted me home for their first day and I did want to be there for them.  Just a busy time and it just felt forced to be home but I wouldn't miss their first day for anything if I could help it.  For Cohen it was a big day...starting middle school!  They were so excited to have her come home too.   I was so emotional when it came time to leave though.  I knew this was definitely it for us in the maternity ward and the last baby we would have.  I wish I didn't even let these thoughts enter my mind but they did.  Nothing gets me emotional like my kids!  I love them so!

I had to get this picture, I have this identical one with all of our kids now!

Remember that room picture we took when we checked in Tuesday night? Well it was crazy to look back over the last 48 hours and what all had happened.  I had to take another picture of our room, now with Ellington in it.  The room was all messed up now, the monitor was frozen with my contractions, she was asleep in her bed.  Life had changed for the better, but it was just crazy to sit in the same chair and look at the room with all different emotions this time.

Ready to go home...the last moment of calm she might know for a while.

I'm sure there are so many baby blog posts to come.  Thanks to anyone who took time to read about our sweet Ellington's arrival.  We are blessed beyond what we deserve with each of our kids.  She has completed our family and we are in love with her.  Its funny how God gives you what you need even if you weren't sure that you did need it.  I had always felt a little incomplete but thought maybe it was just me being crazy or sad that my kids were growing so fast.  Turns out I wasn't complete and she has now given me that feeling of wholeness and being complete.  She is our last little gift from God and we can't wait to make memories with her.  For now we are going to sit and hold her and do pretty much nothing else!  We love you Ellington Suzanne!

And about her name...Cohen had seen the name Ellington on a birth announcement at my doctor's office.  We had not fully decided on a name even in the middle of my labor.  We had a few options in mind and ended up going with Ellington.  This girl was hard to name for sure!
Suzanne is my middle name and is after my aunt Suzanne.  I was named after her and now Ellington is named for us both.  We do plan to call her Ellington.  I know a nickname is sure to come but that is the plan for now.  We feel this is just a beautiful name for a beautiful baby girl.  When she starts writing her name and spelling she may want to go with just Elle! LOL!