Trick or Treat

For Halloween this ear we went to a so called pumpkin patch in Scottsbluff, really just a farmer's house where he grew some pumpkins- nothing like Vala's.

Next we carved the pumpkins and invited our neighbor over, his name is Cole and he is 13, him and Claire were instant friends.


Last but not least was trick or treating-Claire was a fairy princess. Brama and Papa Hein came up for the festivities. First we went downtown to the local businesses who handed out candy, she had fun except for the scary monsters. She loved going with Papa. Next my mom and I took her to the mall where they hand out candy. What a zoo that place was, my mom and I had more fun at Bath and Body Works. Overall she got lots of candy and managed to say "Trick or treat" twice, despite all the practice we had the week before.




Ella was going to be an angel, my mom found a dog costume- you might laugh but it was the only thing small enough for her to wear- too bad the costume malfunctioned. Better luck next year.


Well I think that is it, Happy Halloween!

Updates

Ella is doing really well and continues to eat we went for her checkup at the Dr yesterday and she is already 6 lbs, 2 oz and has grown an inch! She was just 5 lbs 13 oz on Monday.a I think last night I got 4 hours of sleep so that is a new record, Matt doesn't get much sleep while he is here either. Ella sleeps really good during the day but thinks its fun to stay awake at night. It may take us a while to get her used to sleeping in a quiet room, quite a change from the sounds and lights of the noisy NICU.

Claire still loves "Baby Ella" but does have her moments when she tells me to "Put her back" (in her crib.) Most the time she says "Ahh she is so cute." I think she will be a great big sister.

Welcome Home Ella

Ella came home from the hospital this morning. Claire was so excited to have her baby sister home. My mom has been here all week cooking, cleaning and watching Claire so we could be at the hospital, thanks Mom!

Ella is 5 lbs, 9.9 oz today and eating great. Thanks for all your prayers it helped little Ella come home.

Ella Marie's Birth

Well I am not sure if you readers want to hear about the events leading up to Ella's birth but since I am also doing this blog so my children have a record of their life this is for you Ella! On Monday October 1st at 1:30 PM my water broke. I was only 34 weeks and 4 days along, as well I knew little Ella was breech. Therefore she would have to be delivered by C-Section unless she had some how turned around. When I went to the hospital they did an ultrasound and said she was in fact breech. Luckily Matt was in town on this day but had almost been sent to Edgemont, SD- someone was watching over us. My Aunt Sara who lives 40 minutes away in Torrington, WY graciously offered to come watch Claire until my mom arrived so Matt could go into surgery with me.

The surgery happened so fast, I had 4 nurses in my room all drawing blood, putting my IV in and other stuff to prepare me for surgery, they told me I would have a spinal block similar to an epidural but it would wear off in about an hour. I then was ready and walked into a room that was about 40 degrees, it was sooo cold. They did the spinal block which wasn't horrible just a sting in my back and then they laid me on the table and asked if I was feeling numb yet. The anesthesiologist stayed right above my head in case somehow the spinal wasn't working. Matt was then able to come in and held my hand while I shook uncontrollably through the entire surgery. They said shaking is normal I guess. After they took Ella out they let me see her head and then rushed her off to the NICU in case she was unable to breath on her own. Matt was able to go with her. Meanwhile I had to lay in the 40 degree surgery room for an hour until I could feel my toes. I was then wheeled to my room where I would have to lay flat for 6 hours. Usually if the baby is term they will bring the baby into the room soon after but since she was in the NICU I had to wait the 6 hours till I could get out of bed and go see her.

Finally at 1:00Am I was ready to walk to the NICU and see my precious little girl. She was so small, I had never seen a baby so tiny. She had lots of dark hair and looked like Matt. I wasn't able to hold her for a day or two later.

Since then we picked little Ella's name, we had Madeline picked out but it didn't suit her. We hope you like your name Ella! Ella was born on her Uncle Tracy's birthday, what a special surprise she was to everyone. Claire loves her new baby sister she calls her "Baby Ella".

Ella Marie Nietfeld

October 1st, 2007

4 lbs, 10.7 oz

18 3/4 Inches long

Me and my baby sister!

Welcome little Ella...

Claire and Heather at the Park

Heather and Jenn our old neighbors in Lincoln were in the area so we met at a park so the girls could play. They are great friends and growing up so much. We miss our great friends in Lincoln!

Chimney Rock Video

Chimney Rock again

Becky, Sarah and Janis came for a visit earlier this month. We took a short trip to Chimney Rock about 30 miles from Scottsbluff. Claire and I went once before but this time she got to hike to the base of the rock and have a picnic lunch. Everytime we drive by Scottsbluff she says "Look Mama its Chimney Rock!" Here are some photos.

Singing ABC's

Happy Birthday

We have a lot of birthdays in July....Claire's Grandma, Aunt Angie and Aunt Sarah.

Happy Birthday!

Family Stuff...

My parents had lots of company at their house over the last few weeks, my grandparents from Florida, my Aunt Rhonda, my cousin Amanda and her husband Eric and daughter Kenadie. My mom's step-brother Doug and his family from New York, and my mom's step-sister Donna also from Florida. We also had a BBQ with all the rest of my mom's side of the family, some from out of town, others not. It was so much fun seeing everyone. Claire made lots of new friends.

Here are some photos:

Kenadie and Claire (Eric is the horse)

Claire, Savanna and Kenadie

Claire in Estes Park

4th of July

More Birthday Pictures

When we went with Katie and Alex to get their photos done, the photographer did a couple photos of Claire in her birthday outfit (thanks Eric and Kelly), we didn't really order any except some wallets since we had just done her 18 month photos. Anyways I wanted to share them with you and if you really want one printed we can do that just let me know.

Claire turns 2

We had Claire's second birthday at my parents house this year, they have the best yard and the day was perfect. Claire had so much fun and had been preparing for the big day by singing Happy Birthday and blowing out a flame from a grill lighter we had. She did a really good job blowing out her candles. Her party was a Curious George theme, her favorite cartoon.

Claire is growing so fast, she can count to 10 and doesn't leave out 4 and 5, she says her alphabet all the way through. She sings Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle Little Star, Rock A Bye Baby and Jesus Loves Me all by herself. Her newest phrase is "Don't touch me" and "Don't look at me" also "But Why? when asked to do something she doesn't want to do, or she acts like she doesn't understand by saying "Huh?". Claire's favorite music group is Bon Jovi, also a favorite of Grandma and Grandpa Hein. Claire is a very passionate child, who loves everyone she meets. Claire loves babies so she will be a great big sister, we can't wait to complete our family. We love her so much and thank God for her everyday.

Thank you everyone who attended her party, your presence means the world to us as we are so thankful to have such wonderful friends and family who love our child so much!

Katie, Alex and Claire

Claire's cousins Katie and Alex are here for a couple weeks and we got to go have some photos done. Claire loves her older cousins so much!

Becky Returns Home

Claire's Aunt Becky arrived safe from Sudan in May and we were able to surprise her at the airport and spend some time with her. We are so glad she made it home safely. Here are some photos.