Thursday, November 26, 2009

A Picture of our newest niece, Ella Grace

Ella Grace is home from the hospital. She kept her parents up most of the first night, but did better the second night. Suffice it to say, there is no rest for the weary for a while.

Her cousin, Jenna, on the other hand, went from 10 pm to 4 am last night! Woo-Hoo! However, she does have conjuntivitis and an ear infection at 7 weeks old. We met our new ped this week. She is now on meds and feeling better. Actually, I had no idea she was feeling bad, but took her in for congestion and eye gunk. We would have never known she had an ear infection, but glad we caught it!

Do Your Part!

So one of the most rewarding charities we have given to is Compassion International - see link below. You literally can scroll through pictures of thousands of precious kids who need a sponsor for $34/month. This tiny amount of money literally transforms their lives. They get to go to a special Compassion School in their village every week and also any extra funds goes towards their families needs - food/blankets/etc. They only ask you for additional money (via email) for birthday and Christmas and we ususally just give $30 extra. Other than that, you can become a pen pal with your child. Our childs name is Irene from Kenya and she is very smart. Some day I hope Julianne and Jenna can start writing to her. Anyways, here is the link if your heart leads you to do this:

http://www.compassion.com/

Monday, November 23, 2009

Nothing (medical) is ever easy for the Williams Girls

The good news is Ella Grace has arrived and is a healthy, beautiful little girl. As I said before, she weighed in at 6 lbs. 7 ounces, 19 1/2 inches at 1;07 p.m. November 22. Jenny has had a diificult time, but is recovering. Her contractions started before she was dialated. She had a 34 hour labor, then the doc discovered the baby was face up instead of face down. The granola doctor didn't call a C-section, but (this is gross) had her hand in the birth canal turning Ella as she progressed down during the pushing stage. Then after the birth, Jenn developed a form of pre-eclampsia which happens post partum!! This means her blood pressure shot up to 212/100 plus and her body was at risk to "shut down". Serious stuff. She is now on meds to stop that, so pray all will progress well today.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Ella Grace Zimmerman has arrived!

My sister, Jennifer (Jenna's namesake) and her husband Ryan had their first daughter today around 1 pm. Ella Grace was 6 pounds, 7 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. She has a full head of dark hair and has the sweetest little face ever. Her features are just perfect. Jenny labored for more than 24 hours and has post eclampsia (never knew this could happen, but it is like pre-eclampsia, but happens after the baby is born)....Blood pressure is real high and lots of pain, but thank God they diagnosed it and she is on meds and feeling much better. Childbirth is just so miraculous and so freaking painful. Anyways, praise be that Jules and Jenna now have cousin #3 and the first cousin on the Williams side!

My youngest sister Lauren Elizabeth (Jenna's other namesake!) whose link is on my blog, and her hubby, Andrew, (Agamoo) find out where they will spend the next 4 years in the JAG - tomorrow. A HUGE day for them! Their first choice was Tacoma, Washington so we will see! My mother was actually born at this base in Tacoma!

My folks are truly going to be empty nesters starting July 2010. Lump in throat. What is WRONG with me???

We look forward to seeing Justin's parents this Christmas here in Plano! They just got back from Germany and are truly world travelers! :-)

Friday, November 20, 2009

Settled - NOT

For some reason with this move to Dallas, I am obsessing over being "settled" - I think it is because since June of this year (6 months) we have been talking about moving, planning a move, actuallymoving, or unpacking and all that is involved with starting over. I am ready to be settled, nested, in one place...you get the point. We are finally in our new house in Plano, TX and I love the house - I could not ask for a more perfect home. Now - can we please stay in this one for more than 2 years? God, I hope so. I hope we are here for 20 years. If you think that sounds ridiculous - you have not been through a move with a newborn baby and a toddler...not just a move around the corner either - a move to a new place where you don't know where the grocery store is and you can't find your own house after finally finding the grocery store! I am ready for things to feel familiar and homey, but I know we have a long way to go.

I do think the potential here is great for raising a family and enjoying a new place. We will desperately miss The Woodlands and our friends and family there, but thankfully we are only a drive away - albeit a long and hard one with 2 kiddos.

Julianne started her new pre-school yesterday and I walked her in with a huge lump in my throat, but a big, fake smile on my face for her sake. I think fake smiles may be necessary for awhile. Anyways, she seemed to love it. I was allowed to join them for the school play and Thanksgiving feast which was adorable. We are going to visit the church where her school is - Christ United Methodist Church of Plano this weekend. The faster we can get plugged in somewhere, the better. We are SO excited that our friends the Mills and the Andersons are near by so we have some wonderful friends near by - a huge comfort. Julianne already got to spend a day with Kendall at the Mills house last weekend and loved every minute of it. OH, we have a sweet 11 year old girl next door who is marketing herself as a "Mothers Helper" - she charges $3 an hour to come play with Julianne while Mommy unpacks and takes care of Jenna. We had her come over 2 days ago and Julianne loves her already. This is a blessing - truly. I know I have been spoiled beyond measure living so close to my folks and having a built in babysitter anytime I needed one - and they are still in town waiting for the arrival of Jenny's baby, Ella Grace, and helping me every day as I try to get unpacked. When they drive away - back to Houston - well, I can't even talk or think about it right now. I am finally going to have to "go it alone" as many people already do - but again - I have to adjust to it - and it won't be easy for this girl or for Julianne. I don't say this to sound negative, but truthful and honest. I am excited and I know this is where God wants us and I am thrilled beyond measure for Justin's new job - but that does not make moving easy.

Jenna is 6 weeks, but I feel like she has been with us forever. I feel she is neglected by me b/c once she is fed, I stick her in some contraption be it a swing or bouncy and don't pay attention to her until it is time to eat again. She plays by herself and puts herself to sleep. She is a low maintenance child by genetics or by necessity or just by the simple fact that mom and dad don't have time right now....once we are "Settled," I hope to spend some quality time with her.

Thanksiving and Christmas will probably be a blur for me this year - I may not even remember them, but I will try to enjoy them nonetheless as I know I have a lot to be thankful for.