Our Family is Complete

It is with GREAT joy and happiness that we introduce to you our littlest angel, Ella Rose. GOD answered all our prayers with this journey and blessed us with a HEALTHY and BEAUTIFUL little girl. The journey the last year and a half has been a long one, but worth every bit of it now that we have our family complete. Here is the Labor story that many of you have wanted to hear about:
I started getting contractions around 1:15 am on Dec. 30th. Finally realized that they were REAL and I should probably wake Brian up. My contractions were different than with Kylie, so even though I was already dilated at a 3 earlier that week I still wasn't sure they were the REAL thing. But by 3:40am I gave Brian the go ahead to call a friend to come over and stay with Kylie so we could get to the hospital and I could find comfort with an EPIDURAL! Once we arrived I was dilated to a 5 and begging the nurses to hurry up so I could feel some relief as the pain was getting to be a bit MUCH! They struggled with finding a vain to put the IV in, and you have to have fluid from the IV for 20-30 min. before they will administer the epidural. So needless to say, I was about ready to show my mean side if they didn't hurry it up! Finally by 6:00 and 4 tries in diff. places they put the IV in and the epidural quickly kicked in, THANK GOODNESS! Unfortunately (or fortunately I suppose)I was already at an 8 when it finally started to work. An hour later I was frantically calling Brian (who once I was okay, snuck out to get a snack) and pushing the button for the nurse because Ella was ready to enter the world. Ella Rose Lamoureaux weighing in at 6 lbs. 14 ounces and 19 inches long arrived at 7:16 am. The shock on our faces when we first saw all the dark hair, was hilarious! But I did have really dark hair when I was born and even though I went through childhood as a dishwasher blond, it is dark now under my highlights so not to worry it really is Brian's!HA That has been the joke lately.
Kylie has been so WONDERFUL and I can't even begin to explain how excited she was and still is. That smile you see in the pictures hasn't left her cute little face and she hasn't wanted to leave the house at all the last few days as she doesn't want to leave her little sister. Every room that Kylie is in she wants Ella to be in. In fact today she was sooo excited to tell me (I had to run an errand) when I got back that Ella cried for her. I guess Ella was crying and Brian put her on Kylie's lap to hold and she quickly stopped crying. That literally made Kylie's YEAR and she has been telling everyone that Ella cries for her.
Although it will take awhile to get some sort of routine and maybe get caught up on some sleep, we are enjoying every minute of it and feel like we are the luckiest parents in the world. Thank you GOD for blessing us with two beautiful girls both inside and out! Thank you to all of our family and dear friends for being so support of through our pregnancy journeys the last year and a half and most importantly for all the prayers.

With Love,

Brian, Lisa, Kylie and Ella

A 36 week Update..

Hello all! Just wanted to give you a little update on things as I had three different appointments today. We had our last ultra sound today and little Ella is in the "ready" position. She weighs approximately 6 lbs. 7 ounces (gained over a pound in the last month). We are pleased that she went from being in the 37 percentile to the 50th and is looking great! We also went to the doc's today and my doctor checked to see if I was dilated. Good news, I was! I was dilated to a 2cm (4 is active labor and EPIDURAL TIME!). I was also 60 percent effaced. So things are moving right along and it is anticipated that I won't make it to my due date and really the baby could be here anytime within the next couple weeks. Also, the doc told me with things moving like they are that my labor should be even shorter than last time (and it wasn't that long to begin with). I am going to Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy several times a week to help with the S.I joint pain (was told today that with my pelvis joint all misplaced, etc. I could be in a lot more pain during labor, BUT, I reminded them that I am already screaming EPIDURAL which will help a ton just with that issue alone). That is about all in the Lamoureaux house. We went to the bookstore today and got Kylie some books that help explain everything and all the changes that are going to take place. We also found the cutest "Babies First Year" book that is written and documented by the older Sibling (Kylie). So we started that project tonight and Kylie is so excited. I decided at the last minute again not to have the doc write a note for me to quit work this week, I just want some closer with my students and have a pretty easy couple days coming up with activities going on at school. However, I will be taking probably Thursday off to rest up and also to attend more appointments. I will keep you all posted. Have a wonderful evening! The Lamoureaux's

33 Week Update...

Hello All,

Just wanted to give you a little update as it has been awhile since I have written. I have made it to 33 weeks and am doing great. So far we have managed to bypass some of the "risks/scares" that they have been so worried about (pre-term labor, pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, etc.). There was a lot against us from some earlier test that indicated it would be a pretty good likelihood that one if not several of those things would appear. THANKFULLY, none have and all is moving along just like it should. Today I had another ultra sound (8 and counting) and Ella was doing perfect. She is already face down and in "position" and weighs approximately 4 pounds 8 ounces. She had her little hands over her face while she was sleeping and so we couldn't look at her chubby cheeks again (the last couple U.S we all noticed her chubby cheeks). BUT, we did see her hair!! Little Ella will not be a bald baby! The tech. said it is either curly or "messy" as it was stickin' up!HA So fun! We even got to see her "practice breathing" as they call it which the tech said is a fantastic thing to see on an ultra sound meaning that she is getting ready to breath on her own.

I have to admit that when I got in the car today afterwards I was a little teary eyed as I just felt SOO much relief and like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders knowing that she was growing so well and if something changed and I had to have her early, she would most likely be okay. Since July, there has been a lot of "worries" and with the ongoing blood pressure issue I just didn't know what to expect (no one did) but I can now relax more and enjoy the last few weeks of my LAST pregnancy. And, I have been able to avoid BEDREST (other than a few weekends earlier on in the fall) and looks like I can WORK until my goal of Dec. 18th.

Other than really swollen feet, I am doing well and feel great. Work keeps me super busy waddling around and on my feet all day, but I have a great class and it is fun to keep my mind busy and on other things than the ticking of the clock. Kylie is doing fantastic at preschool and we are all settled in our routine...for now...anyways!HA

We are all pretty much ready for her arrival. Brian and Kylie have spent a lot of time getting the baby room ready and sorting through things. After Thanksgiving break I will only have three weeks of work left so that will be nice to be able to relax more over the holidays. UNLESS, Santa brings a bundle of joy a little early??? WHO KNOWS! Well, take care and thank you so much for all the prayers and thoughts along this incredible journey!

P.s Kylie loves this pregnancy thing. Yesterday she told me I was walking like a Penguin. A couple weeks back she said that my "chest" looked like it was going to "POP", and several weeks back she said my belly was getting so "fat". Love this age!?

Much Love,

Lisa (Brian, Kylie and Ella)

Week 25

Today, I had another ultra sound and was able to watch Ella a lot! It was so fun, thankfully despite all the other issues with pregnancy this is one exciting thing to look forward to!!! She weighs 1 lb 10 oz and is measuring at 25 weeks and 1 day! So she is growing perfectly, which is just what we wanted to hear! Everything for me checked out great as well. My fluid is in the normal range as well as all the other measurements. So thankfully, even with all the "possible" risk things are moving right along! In the little/short video you will see Ella's hand moving up and down by her head. She also opened her mouth as if to say "hello" (or yawn!HA) as you will see in the video. We have a couple pictures too, but they don't show up well on the computer. In one of the photo's the tech and I were laughing because her cheeks (on the face) looks so chubby (maybe this child will actually look like her Mommy after all!HA). That is about all. Blood pressure is a bit lower, still have a ways to go but all is well. We are so grateful for each "healthy" day that goes by and for each great "report" on Ella!

Much Love!!! Brian, Lisa, Kylie, and Ella Lamoureaux

A little detour in the journey...

Went to get a check today as I have had some more swelling in my feet and hands as well as a little bit of an elevated blood pressure. The nurse confirmed that my blood pressure is elevated (was 120/75 a couple weeks ago and now is 140/80) and a slight increase of protein in urine. Since all the docs were out today and with the potential /risk of pre eclampsia that could happen at any time now (hopefully NEVER), the nurse put me on bedrest until Tuesday (only can get up to use the toilet and shower, thank goodness for my Blackberry phone!HA). Reason is to do what we can to keep my blood pressure down as it can be dangerous for the baby and I if elevated. She agreed to let me go to work Tuesday since it is the first day with the students ONLY if I don't develop any other symptoms this weekend (she gave me a list of things to watch for) and if I follow her orders of bedrest until then. I go back in on Tuesday at 4pm for another check and to determine what do to from there. If anything. I am hoping it is just a matter of adjusting my dose in blood pressure medicine. So keep Ella and I in your prayers that all is fine and that I can resume somewhat of a normal routine next week. At only 5 1/2 months we have a ways to go yet...In case I have failed to mention this before, this is the LAST pregnancy!!!!

Ultra Sound at 21 weeks

Today we had our 5th ultra sound and this one was the most fun! Ella actually looks like a human!HA She does have a personality like her dad (ha-ha!) and can be stubborn at times and we learn something about her personality each ultra sound believe it or not. Today she spent 30 minutes moving all over the place and gave the tech. a hard time as she was trying to get measurements. Then apparently after all that exercise she finally got tuckered out. HOWEVER, she decided to lay down so all we could see was her backside. The tech. wanted to do a little video of her so we could show Kylie and was trying to get her to turn around and face us. She had me turn on my side in hopes that Ella would have to roll over then, BUT Ella was smart she quickly stuck out her legs and braced herself so she wouldn't roll!! She managed do this several times. Gave us a good laugh! Everything appeared to look good and she was going to fax the measurements and results to my doctor who I will meet with on the 10th. Enjoy the pic of little Ella Rose Lamoureaux (a.k.a-wild one!) P.s to the right is her head (you are looking at her as she is laying on her back so you are getting a side profile). Just above her face you will see her right hand as she kept rubbing her face. Then of course to the left of the pic you will see her legs bent at a 90 degree angle bracing herself so we couldn't roll her over!

p.s.s right below this message is the little video we have of her and you will see she wasn't very cooperative. You will notice her little hand moving by her face and her legs are holding strong against me so she doesn't move (you can tell we were prodding her and trying, but no such luck on this day!HA)

Much Love,

The Lamoureaux's

It is Official

We have finally reached a final decision with our baby girls name. It is going to be Ella Rose Lamoureaux. Grandma Cheryl had written Ella down on our baby name list and both Brian and I really liked it. Ella's big sister Kylie got to help pick the middle name and she has been very adamant about it being Rose (thankfully it sounds nicely together). Ultra Sound on the 27th so I will post a note then.

Much Love,

Brian, Lisa, Kylie, and Ella