We'd like you to meet...

Ellis Averi Mankin

Born April 12th, 2010 at 1:05pm

6 pounds, 11 ounces and 21 inches long

Her entry into the world we pretty good for Mom and we've enjoyed the last (almost) two weeks just getting to know her and our new family of three. I know we are partial but we think she is absolutely the prettiest, sweetest baby girl we've ever known! She has a full head of dark hair, with a natural mohawk - I'm sure she'll love that when she's older! So far she's been a great sleeper, eater and dirty diaper maker (although really what else does she have to perfect in her simple little life) : )

The following is some of our favorite pictures!

This is just a small sampling of all the pictures we've taken so far!

Ellis's Room & The Countdown

Ellis's official bedroom will be upstairs, but until we feel comfortable with that she'll be rooming with us. We have a huge master bedroom (odd for a 30 year old house) with the perfect little nook to fit her crib. With her about to make her big entrance we finally got our little rears in gear and finished up her area. Thought I would share a few pictures.

Her nook, featuring bedding my mom made.

Ellis's pony from Daddy!

Artwork from cousin Jennifer!

Artwork from Aunt Jill

(showing Little Ellis with her two favorite puppies)

I went to the doctor on Friday (April 2nd). We didn't get any new pictures. But, we got good news on the delivery front. I've progressed a little further and effaced about 50%. If I don't go into labor on my own, he'll induce me on the 12th. So at the very latest we only have about 8 days! It's very exciting and mostly surreal! Hard to believe I'll be seeing my baby girl so soon!

I went to the doctor yesterday. He told me not to worry about going into labor anytime soon. That's exactly what every 37 week pregnant woman wants to hear. They actually made my appointments for the next 2 weeks (which they've never done)...I guess that's just how sure they are that I'm not going to pop this kid out anytime soon. It's not like I really expected much else, but everything is ready for her - like the clothes washed, bags packed, everything bought and set up kinda ready...So now I wait!

She got a new ultrasound picture, but its not that great. It kinda looks like she's eating my insides, so I'm not going to post it... I don't want to scare anyone.

Not much else going on. I'm going to walk (more like waddle) every chance I get, so if anyone wants to volunteer to go on a waddle with me I will welcome you with open arms! Just a warning... I waddle very slow!

Nesting & Pictures

I've been nesting like a mad woman... which I guess is to be expected at 36 weeks pregnant. I still feel like I have a ton to do before she arrives. To date I've washed everything in the house, including all her clothes for the next year (just in case I forget how to do laundry once she's home), we've set up all her furniture, bassinet, travel system, changing area, my Mom made her crib bedding (which is totally adorable and I'll post pictures later), I've somewhat packed my bag for the hospital, I've shopped until we are poor (and not just for her, we are totally stocked up on tp, paper towels, soap and other everyday necessities - again just in case all stores go out of business after she arrives). And I'm sure there's more, but I can't think. Does anyone else feel like they get an adult case of ADHD when pregnant? If I could just focus on a single task at a time, I'd be a whole lot more productive!

Ok...well my phone rang and now I have no idea where I was going with this post (again with the ADHD), so I'll just move on to some pictures!

First, Baby Ellis at 34 weeks 6 days - asleep with her hand over her face - classic Ellis pose!

Second, me at 36 weeks - getting bigger by the day!

My last doctor's appointment was just over a week ago. She weighed in at 5.4 lbs and everything looks good. She is back in a head down position. And she has hair - 1cm to be exact! My next appointment is on Friday and I'll post more then. I'll be considered full term!! Weird!

The Many Emotions of Ellis!

Frowning Ellis

Kissing Face Ellis

Smiling Ellis

My 32 week appointment went well. Everything looks good, except she has flipped back into a transverse position (side to side) - not the most comfortable for mommy! But doc said she should flip back to head down soon. In this transverse position she can kick my ribs AND punch my bladder - I feel so lucky! I go back in two weeks, so I'll update more then!

Belly Pics!

30 Weeks

31 Weeks

32 Weeks

(With my super cute Princess Bump shirt my mom made me!!)

Baby Ellis Profile - 30 Weeks 6 Days

Everything still looks great with Baby Ellis! I'm 32 weeks and I go back to the doctor in a couple days - I'll try to update more then.

Baby Ellis had a craving!

So, one of the best things about being pregnant is the cravings! Or better yet having someone little to take the blame for the cravings! I having taken full advantage of this! It makes everything better to say,

"Baby Ellis wants/ You know what sounds good to Baby Ellis... (fill in appropriate craving here)!"

Moving on to my/ her current craving(s). It all started this weekend when we decided we wanted homemade lasagna. So I went to the store, bought the stuff and made lasagna! It was delightful! Then today, a mere day later, we decided we wanted Caesar salad to go with our leftover lasagna! No problem went back to the store. While at the store, I smelled the fried chicken at the deli. So, of course we got some of that as well! Then....and I repeat, then she decided,

"Oh, cake sounds soooo good Mom!"

"What kind of cake?" I ask.

"Strawberry Cake!" she answers! And for some reason I couldn't have agreed more!

So, we bought the ingredients and came home to bake! Now I should preface the following pictures of "our" cake by saying a baker I am not! Nor a clean one! It honestly looked like the baking aisle exploded in my kitchen when we finished! But, despite the mess it turned out great!

So for dinner tonight we will be having lasagna, Caesar salad, fried chicken and strawberry cake!

Like I said, "Baby Ellis had a craving!" (or like 4!)