2 weeks has never gone so fast!!

Ella is now 2 weeks old and in some ways it feels like she was born yesterday & in other ways we can't remember life before she came.  It's strange, and we both still look at her in amazement and can not believe she's ours; although with all the problems her delivery caused my "nether regions", I'm not sure how I can ever forget she's mine!  In the last 2 weeks we have had multiple doctors appointments, a meeting with a colorectal surgeon, visits with family & friends, one Southeastern softball game, one prescription for reflux, a few sleepless nights, an unknown number of diaper changes, two baths (for Ella), more pictures taken than we can count, and one walk with big sister Fanny.

Sweet Ella loves bath time but hates getting out

Ella & Fanny

It has been so fun getting to know her, learning what she likes and doesn't like, but our favorite thing has been to just spend time together as a new family.  A lot of the time, we just stare at her and discuss how beautiful she is, who she might grow up to be, things we're scared of doing (my big fear is accidentally hitting her head on a door frame), and how blessed we are to have this perfect little healthy person.

 The Courter ladies

Scott & his baby girl

We used disposable diapers for the first week and a half and then saw that her little tushy was starting show signs of a diaper rash so we switched to Fuzzi Bunz.  We LOVE them!  No sign of diaper rash, they are holding up better than regular diapers, laundry is super easy, it looks like they are more comfortable for her, and they are adorable!!  She has been very good at self soothing until the reflux started and now she really needs her pacifier at times.  As you probably know, I'm not a big fan of pharmaceuticals but I know how bad heartburn hurts and I understand what's happening; poor little Ella is in pain and has no idea what's happening to her.  She LOVES her bassinet and sleeps great in it.  She also likes her BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance and we look forward to seeing her play in it as she gets bigger.

Ella napping in her bassinet

Hanging out in the baby bjorn

We just love our little Ella Louise and are having a wonderful time getting to know her. Here are some pictures of Ella with some of her family.

Poppa D and his favorite future golfer

Ella & PaPa Courter "resting their eyes"

Grammy & PaPa Courter with their newest grandbaby

Ella knew Uncle Chip would love her onesie

Uncle Lyle & Aunt Dilda came down from KC to meet Ella

And last but  not least, Ella and her very best friend

Baby Courter is Finally Here!!!!!

IT'S A GIRL!!!!  We are thrilled to announce the birth of Ella Louise Courter; she was born 4/4/11 at 6:50pm weighing 8 pounds 8 ounces and 20 inches long.  Her birth was more dramatic than we would have liked as Ella was in the posterior position (sunny side up) and had shoulder dystocia but she is here and both Ella and Beth are doing great.  If you would like to know all the details we are happy to share, it's just not blog appropriate. 

If you are wondering how we came up with her name, Ella is the name of Beth's Great Grandmother and the Louise comes from Scott's side where there are various forms of the name, most notably is the name of Ella's Grammy, Barbara Lou.  We love that her name is a mixture of our families and we know that she will love that when she gets older.  

And now to what everyone wants.....PICTURES!!!!!!!

Ella's very first bath, safe in Daddy's hands!

All cleaned up and pretty with her bow!

There will be more pictures to come but we are going to get some rest while we can.  Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes.  We can't wait for everyone to meet her.....we think she's pretty amazing!