Christmas at Troll

We spent Christmas at my parents place. They live at a ski hill just Quesnel, a perfect opportunity to leave Elyse with Grandma and hit the slopes. I got the green light that it was ok to ski, just before we left home. It was great, the skies were clear and it wasn’t too cold. I even got to ski a run or two with my dad!

My Dad and I hanging out on the ski hill in the sun

Beautiful Blue Bird day on the hill

We got so spoilt at Christmas, check out our stockings on Christmas morning, Of course Elyse’s was over flowing!

My mom made Elyse’s stocking – it is so cute!

We are going to the Olympics Opening Ceremonies February 12th, Santa must have known we had tickets. We will have to wear our new mittens to support our athletes

I got Scott a wake board for Christmas (to go with his new boat). I got my Mom and Dad to take it to Quesnel when they were down to visit with Elyse at the end of November. Scott was super surprised!

My younger brother was home for Christmas, here is Dan cuddling with Elyse

My Dad snuggling with Elyse

Scott and Elyse got Canucks jerseys for Christmas. They were modeling them before the game started.

Pre-Christmas in Sorrento

We left home on Saturday morning the 19th of December and spent 4 days in Sorrento visiting with Scott’s mom and dad.

It was a blast, we got to meet up with all of our friends that live around the Shuswap and Elyse got thrown a surprise Baby Shower/Christmas Party, Elyse sure has been spoilt!

The Cake – very yummy!

A few of the people at Shower

Scott’s Sister Sarah and her husband Jim and little girl Zoe, were visiting as well. It was very neat to see Zoe checking out her new cousin… She definitely wasn’t too sure of Elyse and very jealous when Sarah was holding Elyse. I hope that as they get older they will be able to play together and have summers with each other at Grandma & Grandpa’s.

Zoe and Elyse

We got to have a little bit of Mommy & Daddy time, while Grandma & Granpa took care of Elyse. It was only a short while in the hot tub, but it was great!

Check out the view!

Elyse having tummy time on her new activity play mat

Elyse hanging out on the couch

An opportunity for a family photo - next time maybe she won't be sleeping or crying!

Since we went to my parents for Christmas we got Zoe & Elyse to open their Christmas Eve PJ’s a night early, so we could get photos of them together.

Zoe really didn’t like it when Elyse was crying!

Relaxing with the muchkin!

1 Month Update

A Few Photos from this past week or so...

More Photos of Elyse

Another update of what we have been up, in the past few days... not too much. We are still getting to know Elyse and her routine.

It has been great having my mom here helping with laundry, dishes, cleaning and of course the tasty dinners she has been making for us.

Here are a few photos for everyone to enjoy, I swear I can see Elyse growing/changing daily!

Sponge Bath Time!!Snuggling with GrandmaWe got a baby swing, this chair and a few other baby items from my Auntie Nur's Sister Ebru *thanks* Elyse has been enjoying the vibrating chair
Just a cute picture of Elyse hanging out in her bassinet

Today we got bundled up and walked down to the Brewery to meet Scott and walk with him home - it was such a nice day for a walk
Scott's mom got Elyse an Advent Calender - Scott got to enjoy today's chocolate

A Few More Photos of Elyse

Elyse is just over 2 weeks old!!

We have been home for 1 week already!!

As this is my first post since Elyse birth (the other 2 posts Scott's mom and dad did for us) I figure I would give everyone one an update on how we are doing now and for a few of those who we don't know, what Elyse's birth was like.

Thursday November 12th - 12:45 pm

I started timing my lower back ache - I know I should have been feeling contractions, but I swear I never felt a single one, just the lower back ache!

Laying down in bed, having a bath, or walking around didn't change the consistency of the ache, so I called Scott at work at 2:30 pm

He got a ride home and we loaded up the car, figuring we would get checked out at the hospital in Creston and be transferred to Nelson for a C-Section if I "actually was in labor".

3:00 pm - Arrived at the hospital in Creston

- the nurse checked me out, I remember her eyes getting wide and she left the room really quick

Then my water broke - I remember asking Scott if the water was clear or if it had meconium in it (silly nurse in me) - Scott swears that he told me at that moment that he saw toes... but I don't remember that.

The nurse came back in the room and the next contraction one of her feet presented.

The panic button was hit and I was wheeled from the labor room into the delivery room, I didn't even get a chance to change beds!

3:17 pm - both feet, legs and hips were delivered

3:22 pm - Elyse was fully delivered

This is where time literally stood still for us, she wasn't breathing and didn't have a pulse. They finally got a pulse after about 3-5 mins and she finally was breathing on her own after 18 minutes!

We were transferred to Trail Hospital where Elyse spent 5 days in the intensive care unit hooked up to an IV, heart monitor and oxygen monitor in the isolette.

We got to room in with her for 2 additional days and finally got to come home last week Friday November 20th!

This past week it has been so good to be home, Scott's mom and dad stayed with us until Saturday and then my mom flew in on Monday - so lots of help around the house - cooking, cleaning and laundry.

Elyse and I have been working hard at getting breastfeeding established, with lots of help and encouragement from family, friends and the public health nurse.

She is growing like a weed and gaining weight - so we must be doing something right :-)

Scott cuddling our little "snuggle bug" in the NICU in TrailSome Kangaroo Care in the NICU in TrailOur first day rooming in at the hospital in Trail - look no wires!Going homeArriving homePolly checking out the new arrivalJust one of the many faces of Elyse

Thank you to everyone who had us in their thoughts this past couple of weeks

We will continue keep you all posted on how we are doing

More Baby Pictures!

Here are some more pictures taken over the last few days. We arrived home on Friday, Nov. 20 at about 4:00 PM.

Elyse Rose Stokes arrived Nov. 12, 2009!

Our beautiful baby daughter arrived at 3:22 PM on Thursday, November 12th. Elyse was born in Creston; weight was 7 lbs. 15 oz.

The baby was born feet first, complicating the birth process, resulting in the baby and I being transferred to Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail. Currently Elyse is in ICU for another day or so of precautionary observation. Here are some pictures of her first three days!