Full of Laughter

. . . that's what I'm choosing to believe about the little teaser in my tummy.  My little Ella baby has been teasing us for the last week - to the point that her Grandmommy and Aunt Anna have already flown in from Alabama and are sitting on pins and needles ready to meet her and I'm officially on maternity leave!

Tease #1: At my check-up last week on Wednesday (37 weeks), her head was already at a station 2 and I was 3 cm dilated.  Last Friday I began having semi-regular contractions.  The magic number to go to the hospital is 5 mins apart for at least an hour.  We would get to just under an hour and then not have another contraction for 20 mins.  Then they would pick up again, be less than 5 mins for just under an hour, and then slack off for 15 mins.  Brandon was in Abilene praying he could finish the weekend with the symphony, his folks were at my house with me, and my mom caught the last flight out of Birmingham hoping to get here and go straight to the hospital.  My contractions continued that same pattern through Saturday morning, and then all but disappeared (and disappointed) for the rest of the weekend (though we did have a couple of other tell-tale signs that things were going to happen soon - but they're gross and you don't want to hear about that).  Still, we made it through the weekend, Brandon finished his gig, my mom decided to stay, and Ella was still chillin' in her cozy little womb.

We had our next check-up this past Monday.  Because of all the contractions (and other signs) we had over the weekend, my doc didn't want to check for dilation for fear of getting things stirred up too soon (Monday I was 37 weeks and 5 days).  He did say that IF nothing happens between then and this coming Monday that he'll get things started for us and send me straight up to Labor and Delivery.  But he thought that was a big if - meaning she could come anytime.  I decided to keep working and try to finish out the week at my school (it's state testing week, all I had to do was sit and monitor the bathrooms).

Tease #2: Anna flew in after her exams on Tuesday and was very thankful she made it in time.  I hit 38 weeks yesterday (Wednesday), went to work/bathroom duty, and started having regular contractions again.  They were close enough and strong enough that I started timing them.  Regular contractions at about 4 mins apart!  When I hit the one hour mark, I went up to our school nurses office, called Brandon, then called the doctor.  They suggested I go get monitored in Labor and Delivery just in case.  So, some of my closest work friends (our principal, counselor, and art teacher) and I loaded up and left the school while Brandon, my mom, and my sis loaded up and left from home (the hospital is almost right in between).  We got hooked up to the monitors (Ella was perfect, btw!) and checked and measured and all of that "fun" stuff.  I was 3.5 - 4cm dilated and 75 - 80% effaced.  They monitored us for about 2 hours, but when they measured everything again they didn't see enough change to keep us.  So, home we went.  My contractions got harder and stronger and stayed regular (and painful!) all afternoon but started getting further apart as the night went on.  This morning I'm only having 2-3 contractions an hour.  They're still stronger than they were yesterday morning, but not quite as painful as the worst ones yesterday right after we got home.  We decided to go ahead and officially start my maternity leave as of today though, just in case something else happens . . .

DISCLAIMER: Very few people knew we went to get checked yesterday - we didn't want to alert everyone just in case this wasn't the real deal - so please don't feel bad if you're just finding out.  I promise we'll shout it from the rooftops when she's really on her way!

I really don't mind waiting.  I know the longer she stays with me (to a point) the better and healthier she will be.  I'm not totally miserable unlike many of my preggo friends at this point and it's been a pretty easy pregnancy, so I'm not in a hurry to have this part of the journey end.  Of course, my heart's desire is to see and hold and kiss my baby girl as soon as possible and if I knew it would happen today I would just burst with joy, but I'm ok with waiting a few more days if we have to.

What's killing me is all of this teasing!  Is she coming?  Is it time?  "Just kidding, mom!"  Up, down, up, down, up . . .  I can just picture little Ella giggling one day as I tell her all of the ups and downs we went through in these last few days before she was born.  I'm choosing to believe that she's showing us a little of her personality now and that she will be full of joy and laughter (and probably a little mischief).   :)

Ella Elizabeth Stewart

Ella Elizabeth Stewart

Stewart Little has a name!!  Our baby girl is Miss Ella Elizabeth Stewart.  Ella means "beautiful" and Elizabeth means "oath of God".  It's a gorgeous name that sings of the promises of our God.  But, we didn't pick these names for their inherent meanings alone.  These names mean something even more to us.

Our little girl is named after one of the dearest and sweetest people in our lives, Brandon's grandmother, Ella Jane Stewart.  She is a sweet loving woman with a servant's heart, someone who always puts others needs in front of her own.  She is still with us today and I can't wait to get a picture of big Ella and little Ella one day soon.  Sadly, her memory has faded away over the last few years thanks to a type of dementia.  I was blessed to know her before it really began to take its toll and have loved her from the first day I met her.  Family means so much to her and while she still could, she would tell me stories of her children (including Brandon's dad), her family growing up, and her mother and aunt, twins Merley and Pearly.  Ever the hostess, she would always make sure we had something to eat and drink within minutes of walking through her door.  She was the caretaker of her family and even today, though she rarely recognizes people anymore, she still has the same sweet disposition and the same care and concern for those around her.  She will smooth out the wrinkles on her husband's pants, check his shoes, and pat his hand as if to say, "everything is ok."  It is so sweet to watch them together.

She is such a dear woman and she has left a legacy of love for her family.  There couldn't be a more fitting namesake for this littlest Stewart.  Little Ella will grow up hearing the stories about her great grandmother and hopefully living up to her name.

Visiting Brandon's grandmother just weeks before we found out we were expecting.

Little Ella's middle name, Elizabeth, comes from one of my favorite women of the Bible, the mother of John the Baptist.  She was one of the first to speak out in faith and proclaim Jesus as Lord - even before he was born (Luke 1:39-45).  She welcomed Mary into her home when Mary was pregnant, unwed, and uncertain of her future.  I can only imagine what a comfort Elizabeth must have been to Mary in the weeks they were together.  I know in my own life, and especially during this pregnancy, it has been a huge comfort to have close friends and family to call on.  It's even more exciting to go through such a life changing event with someone you are close to.  I have been blessed to be pregnant at the same time as several of my close friends.  I think it multiplies the joy!  I am certain it was that way for Elizabeth and Mary long ago.  I pray that our Ella Elizabeth grows to be a woman of faith who is not afraid to take a stand and proclaim it.  I pray she is a comforter and someone who can help multiply the joy of others as well.

As an added bonus, Ella Elizabeth will share her middle name with two other close family members.  My sweet cousin, Elizabeth Jane and Brandon's cousin, Abbey Elizabeth - two beautiful women who are both very special to us.


I'm so excited to finally get to announce Ella Elizabeth's name to everyone!  This little girl will have some big shoes to fill, but I'm certain with the help and prayers of our family and friends, she will live up to the name she has been given.

I love you, my sweet Ella Elizabeth Stewart!