Elle's 2nd Homecoming...

Okay...so this week was a little rough. We brought Elle home from the hospital on the 16th, we couldn't wait to get home, it just seemed like it would be more comfy for the three of us. Not that HOAG wasn't amazing. The staff there is unbelievable and not to mention the ocean view but we just wanted to be home. Anyway, the first five days were like a dream. Sean and I are so unbelievably in love with this little girl it is insane. We spent most of the time giving her kisses and just staring at her in disbelief. We also were getting the swing of the feedings, changings, etc. Which by the way is not as hard as we have heard (knock on wood) either that or we just have a really good baby. Everything couldn't have been going better and then we had her first doctors appointment. When the doctor came in he noticed that she had a yellowish tint and decided that we should go to the lab for some blood work and test for jaundice again. Her first Jaundice test came back perfect and Elle was such a good baby with no other signs of Jaundice that I thought there was no way the test would come back positive or with high levels. We left the doctors and he told me he would call me later that day with the results.

We got the call that evening. The lame nurse at the front desk called and in a completely uncomforting manner told sean that we needed to rush her to emergency immediately, she told Sean that she had such high levels that it could cause hearing loss, seizure and could lead to cerebral palsy which sent us into panic. Not only that but they sent us to Fountain Valley emergency!! WTF???? We still dont get that part....but I guess that is besides the point. Anyway a normal level for a baby is 10-12, many babies are born with levels around 14 and the doctor will send them home with a special blanket that helps to bring the levels down to where they should be. Elle's bilirubin level was at 25.3....more than double the normal level. When we got to Fountain Valley they told us that she was going to be admitted to the NICU and would be staying there in an incubator under high powered lights so that they could monitor her and bring her levels down. As they took us to the NICU I started to really freak out. Walking into a giant room filled with sick babies in incubators was horrible! I just kept looking at Elle thinking...there is no way this is happening.

The nurse took Elle and started hooking her up with sensors and put her in an incubator with blue lights. While she was explaining everything she was doing and explaining more about jaundice all I could do was to sit there and cry. They told us that we would have to leave her there until her levels dropped and thats when I lost it. They were sending us home without our little angel. I dont think I have ever been so upset in my life.

Once we got home Sean did more research on Jaundice and the effects of the high levels of Bilirubin and found out just how common it is in newborns. The more and more we learned the better we started to feel, even though we missed her sooo much and moped around the house we knew that they were just going to make her better and get her home to us asap. Elle ended up being admitted on Thursday and they discharged her on Saturday night. To make us feel better we said she was just enjoying herself at a day spa....getting a tan!! :)

She was so strong and her levels dropped so quickly that we didn't even have to bring the special Bilirubin blanket home with us...she was all better. :)

Saturday night was great! Sean and I were so happy to bring her home, it was like bringing her home from the hospital for the first time! You dont realize how much children change your life until you have one of your own. She is the most amazing gift that we could have ever imagined and we are so blessed to have such a beautiful and healthy little girl. She definitely has made our lives complete.

Here is Elle at the Day spa....catching her first tan... :)



All the nurses loved her...by the second day thay gave her little eye shield some lushious lashes! :)





My baby comes home....best Christmas present ever!!!







Merry Christmas!!!!

Elle is HERE!!!!

Elle Ryan was born on December 15, 2007 at 8:03 p.m. Weighing 6 lbs 13 oz, 19inches. She is the most perfect little angel we could have ever imagined.

Here are some pics from the most amazing day of our lives....I will post another update soon with more details once we get situated....just wanted to give you all a sneak peek....

Christmas Baby????

This Sunday I will be 39 weeks pregnant!!!! I cant believe it but Elle will really be here any time. This week at my doctor appointment they checked my progression once again. As far as being dilated there was not much of a change. I am a little more than 1cm and still about 75% effaced.
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My doctor keeps telling me that she could be here any time and that it is just very hard to predict labor when it is a first pregnancy. So we are just kind of waiting around. However this week I have felt a few changes, Sean and I have been doing a lot of walking and I have been having more contractions...I definitly feel like something is going on.

Will we get an early Christmas present or will we have a Christmas baby???? I guess she will come when she is ready.....

Elle Ryan's Room

Here are some pics of the new nursery...there are a few odds and ends left but for the most part Elle's room is ready for her arrival!!!....which could be any time. I am now 37 weeks (full term) and have another doctors appointment tomorrow to check on my progression....I will keep you posted as to what I find out... :)

Kara's Shower

This Sunday I hosted Kara's baby shower along with Erin, Jenn and Stacey! We have been planning the shower for a few months via email and this Sunday it all came together.....I have to say that shower was a success! Good Job girls...I think Kara had a great day! :) Here are some pics from the day....

Photography by Lauren Beck.

The beautiful mommy to be....


Kara and Jeremy got some of the cutest gifts for Baby Ritt!


She is going to be sooo well dressed.....


The day was perfect....sunny and beautiful!


Jenns diaper cakes turned out sooo cute! :)


Kara LOVES Italian....so we had the shower catered by Roman Cucina....Yummmmmm!


Baby clothes galore....


Stacey had personalized candle favors made for the day....too cute!


We love little girls....


Just the four of us girls.... Kara and Baby Ritt 33 weeks and Me and Elle 37 weeks.


Congrats on your little girl, Kara and Jeremy!!! We cant wait to meet her and kiss her little nose! :) Love you! xoxox

Doctor Update

I went for my 36 week visit on Tuesday and everything is going great. The baby's heart beat is strong and she still has a lot of movement which is good. From here on out I will be seeing my doctor weekly as he will be checking my progression as far as signs of labor go. This part of the check up was new to me (the pelvic exam) and will now be a part of my weekly visit. To my surprise I am already dilated to 1cm and 75% effaced, which made me both excited and nervous. In my doctors words, "Looks like she will be here sooner than we thought....She definitely will be here before Christmas!"

I drove home thinking....HOLY SH*T.... she could really come any time! So needless to say Sean and I have been hurrying to get things finished at the new house and with work and etc. As I am scrambling to get all of the last minute things that I might need for her arrival and to get things done like my hair (just seems like something I should have done???)Sean is making sure things are done with the house....like a Plasma installed Elle's room...you know the necessities! HAHAHA! I think we have both lost our minds! Anyway the nursery is now finished except for a few odds and ends and I think we are pretty much ready.....or should I say as ready as we can be. We are sooo excited to meet her and are so curious as to when that might be....

Stay tuned for pictures of Elle's Room.....

Turkey Time....35 Weeks Pregnant!

This weekend Ash had a Thanksgiving feast for all of our friends. We had such a nice time and the food was wonderful. I am now 35 weeks pregnant and feel like I am about to POP! Now that the holidays are here it wont be long....which is such a trip...but we cant wait!

Here are some pics from Ash's Thanksgiving dinner......


Me and Sean...



Me, the belly and My Sissys... :)


Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!

Rebecca and Baby Geneveve's Shower

Last Saturday was my dear friend Rebecca's Baby Shower. It was so beautiful and we had so much fun. Rebecca is due exactly one week after me and I am so excited for her and Alex. Having all of these girlfriends due so close to me has made being pregnant so exciting and so much more fun!!! I dont know what I would have done without all of my fellow pregos!!! xoxox

Baby Geneveve is going to be one beautiful little girl....I just cant wait to meet her.


Everything from floor to ceiling was G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S!!!!



All of us girls got together and got Rebecca the cutest (not to mention....rare) L.A.M.B. Diaper bag that you have ever seen!!! Thanks to Tina, Pro-shopper and coordinator of the gift we made Rebecca scream with joy! :)



Love it! Love it! This gift is sooooo perfect! We all know that this will be Geneveve from head to toe!


...I cant wait for our little girls to get here!!!! XOXOXO

Baby Shower for Elle

My closest girlfriends threw Miss. Elle a baby shower this last Sunday. Kara, Ann Marie and Diana hosted a PERFECT baby shower brunch for us a El Torito Grill in Fashion Island. All of my closest girlfriends came to celebrate the soon to be arrival of Elle with champagne, a delicious brunch and yummy treats. Everyone of course out did themselves and "showered" Elle with the cutest gifts ever!!! She really is going to be set from head to toe.

Here are some pics from the day....Thank you to everyone for making the day so special for us!

Diana, Ann-Marie and Kara......Elle and I are so lucky to have such special ladies in out lives! Love you! xoxoxo



...an E for Elle's room



...the cutest onsies for a well traveled little princess


...our little WONDER WOMAN!!!


...the perfect shower favors! :)



...the ladies




....me and my mama! The soon to be grandma! HAHA..that sounds weird!




...all of the pregos...the countdown is on! Over the next few weeks we will be meeting 5 new little angles! I cant wait....