Welcome Home Katy Ellis!!

February 5th: Back to Lexington with Our New Girl!!

Rich and I figured out that between the two of us, we have spent over 700+ nights in the hospital over the last decade. That is 2 years!! So after 48 hours of being admitted at East Cooper, we were ready to grab our girl and hit the road. I got up, got moving and with our doctors blessing we were off on our next adventure!!

Katy Ellis all dressed up in smocked Kissy Kissy sleeper for the ride home.

Wearing an adorable little hat that Gigi made and monogrammed, this girl is ready to go home to Lexington to her new home!

Aunt Olivia came to meet Katy Ellis and see us off!!

As they rolled me down the hallway past the nurses station, I felt like the proudest mama in the world! She was perfect and beautiful, and she was coming home with her Mommy and Daddy!

I was a little anxious about the 2 hour car ride immediately after surgery with a newborn.

Loading our girl in the car.

Daddy had run to Publix that morning for my prescriptions, and he had brought his girls (ie me, Blakely and Katy Ellis) this beautiful, colorful bouquet!

This was Katy Ellis' initial response to her car seat..... this made me more than a little concerned about the 2 hour car ride home! Thankfully I had nothing to worry about and KE slept the whole way home!
It had been almost 2 years since we had used this carrier with a 6 month old Blakely. I could not believe how small Katy Ellis looked in the carrier. I was worried that she was just too tiny for that harness. Even though I work with newborns everyday as a pediatrician, you forget just how little and fragile they are.

After 2 peaceful hours in the car, we arrived at Katy Ellis' new home!! We were immediately greeted by the cutest BIG SISTER on the block!! We missed this girl!!

Toby the Stork makes his 3rd appearance and his first appearance in Lexington!! I have a feeling he might be making his way over to Foxglenn next!! *wink *wink ;-)

 Blakely was very excited to see the new baby again, and greeted her with a "Hi Katy!"

So, so glad to be home in Lexington with our 2 beautiful girls!! Really looking forward to 2 whole weeks with Daddy at home!!

Getting to Know You

February 3rd-5th: Hospital Days
I'm still in shock that we have gone from a family of 3 to a family of 4!! It is shocking and amazing and terrifying and wonderful!! (I'm a little overwhelmed... does it show?) Our hospital stay this time around was much shorter as it was a scheduled C-section; we were in and out in 48 hours. We had lots of friends and family come to meet our Katy Ellis and everyone loved her immediately. Overall, we were blessed with an uneventful delivery and recovery. Thank you Lord Jesus that our girl is here and both Mommy and baby are well!!

Hanging out with this little cutie.

Love these precious monogrammed hats that Gigi made our girlfriend! Thank you Gigi!! You are super talented.

Our "pink cake" for our GIRL!!

The Monk's family friends the Sawyers came to meet Katy Ellis.

Ashley meeting Katy Ellis

Our first family picture with Katy Ellis

Little snuggler

Hanging out with GrandPop

Love our announcement for the door!! My mom and Alyssa had made it for Blakely and now it got a second round with another Tober baby girl!!

To celebrate the birth of our child, the hospital made us a delicious steak dinner! It was pretty good for hospital food!!

Aunt Olivia coming to meet Katy Ellis. Unfortunately, Uncle Ryan had caught a nasty stomach bug and didn't get to come to the hospital to meet Katy Ellis.

This picture cracks me up!! This baby was covered in monograms! There was one on her dolly, hat, pacifier and blanket!!! She was looking good... our TRUE southern girl!

Katy Ellis is here!!!

February 3rd: The wait is over!!

After the last week of my pregnancy (which felt like an eternity), Katy Ellis has arrived!!! She is healthy, perfect and just about the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. I can say that without insulting Blakely, because this baby could be her twin!! So crazy- Katy Ellis looks like and even sounds like (when she cries) her big sister, Blakely!! I couldn't ask for two more beautiful girls. Rich and I feel so blessed to get to be their parents! Thank you Lord for this awesome gift!!

Last Picture of me and Katy Ellis together before she was born. Such a surreal feeling going into the hospital knowing that in 2 hours they will be handing you your baby!! Such a different experience than with Blakely, but everything went smoothly and both me and Katy Ellis came out happy, healthy and whole on the other side. Praise God!

My first glimpse of this little cutie. Rich and I's first reaction was "Oh, my gosh! She looks just like Blakely!" Then we heard her cry, and we were like "She even sounds just like Blakely!" I felt like I had traveled back in time 25 months. We will have to watch and see if she continues to look like her big sister.

APGARS of 9 and 10 (since I'm a pediatrician- *wink*).
Wt: 7lb 14oz
Length: 20 3/4 inches
10 fingers and 10 toes...perfect in every way!!

Sweet, sweet baby face

It is amazing how your heart changes so much in just a matter of seconds! I had worried during the pregnancy that I wouldn't be able to love Katy Ellis as much as I loved Blakely, or that I would have to share the love that I had for Blakely... but neither of those was correct. My heart literally expanded the minute I saw her, so I was able to give her just as much love as Blakely. I felt like the Grinch... my heart grew 2 sizes that day!

Such a sweet moment, holding our girl for the first time. I couldn't wait to get my hands on her.

That sweet face. I fell in love the moment I saw her. I cannot believe I am the mother to two beautiful, perfect girls!! So blessed!!



Perfect girl! 10 finger, 10 toes. Couldn't be more relieved that she is here and all is well!

 

7 pounds 14 ounces
20 3/4 inches
Born on February 3rd @ 8:07am

 

No pictures of Daddy's favorite time, but Daddy loves to go to the nursery with his girl while they finish with Mommy in the OR. He loves his special time bonding with his girl.

 

 

Meanwhile, back in the waiting room...
My family had gotten to the hospital at 7am just in case something happened. Unfortunately this meant they had to wait a long, long time. We were slightly delayed with getting to the OR as East Cooper had just gotten a new computer system. Then they held me in the recovery for over an hour. It was past 10am when they got to the room to see us. They were about to lose it!! They were ready to get their hands on our girl!

There had been several text message debates as to who would get to hold her first- Gigi vs. Auntie. I think we all know who the clear winner was!

Gigi already loves her newest little addition!!

PopPop meeting his newest Grand daughter for the first time. Everyone loved Katy Ellis the moment they saw her. She is easy to love and such a cuddle bug.

That is one proud Gigi and PopPop. Watch out Katy Ellis or they will spoil you sweet!

Finally!! Auntie got her hands on Katy Ellis.
Someday I am sure Katy Ellis will want to "run away from home." Thankfully, Auntie and Uncle Matt's house is only 4 minutes away. Alyssa is the best Auntie there is!! Katy Ellis is one lucky baby to have so many people who love her.

Some of my favorite girls.... add a Blakely and I'm set!!

Meanwhile down in the Lobby...
Big sister Blakely has arrived, and she is ready to meet her baby sister!!
Actually, I think at this point in time she has zero idea that her life is about to change forever (for the better)!!

We had heard that the best thing to do with the introduction of the new sibling was to be baby free when Blakely arrived, and they introduce Katy Ellis to Blakely. Blakely was so excited to see Mommy and Daddy!! And then...

"Hi, Baby! Hi Katy!" Blakely did better than I could have ever hoped for. At first she didn't even notice the baby, and then when we pointer her out she said "Hi baby!" We then told her this is her new sister Katy Ellis, to which she waved at the baby and said "Hi Katy!" So sweet.... and then she was off and running again.
Some day these two will be the very best of friends! I pray that they love each other and they are as close as me and Alyssa. I know they will fight and bicker the way sisters will, but at the end of the day they will ALWAYS have one another!!
Bring on the babies, barbies and bows!!

 

This picture cracks me up! Blakely was way more interested in this barf bag then in her sister.... she played if like a musical instrument making flute noises!! HA!!! I am literally looking away in this picture to avoid laughing, which for the record is not a fun activity after abdominal surgery.

 

Blakely saying "Bye Katy!"

As recommended in sibling books, the new baby gave Blakely a gift!

Blakely got a new baby doll!! So Blakely can take of her baby, just like Mommy takes care of the Katy Ellis.

 

"Thank you Baby!" Blakely giving Katy Ellis a little thank you kiss. This was about as close as she got that first day... I think she was a little scared to touch the baby. (Oh how I wish that would have lasted!!)

 

GrandAnnie and GrandPop meeting Monk grand baby #2!!

Blakely will tell you "Gannie" and "Gran-ha" are two of the best grandparents around. This baby is so blessed to have two amazing sets of grandparents!!

Love at first sight!! GrandAnnie was so excited to finally hold Miss Katy Ellis!! The wait was finally over.

 

Aunt Kelly even got to come and meet Katy Ellis after she got off work.

Katy Ellis if you are anything like your big sister, you are going to think you Aunt Kelly is one of the funniest people alive. When Blakely gets around Aunt Kelly, she goes crazy and giggles the whole time.

We are so excited that Katy Ellis is finally here!!! Mommy and Daddy love you so much already little girl. We can't wait to see what the future will hold!! You are one love little girl!!

Thank you Lord for this most precious gift of a second daughter! Thank you for her health and a safe delivery!! We pray that you will help us raise her in a way that is honoring to you. We pray that she would come to know and love you at an early age. Please grant us wisdom and endurance to teach her the truth, and help us to show her Jesus and more of his love and grace each day! Please make us worthy of this calling!! Amen.