Welcome, Ellis!!

Ellis made his arrival nice and early.

I was ecstatic that I was THERE... in Utah... how lucky was that??

Remember how I was talking to Bill when Britt called to tell me her water broke?

When, unbeknownst to me, Bill got his little bod dressed and ready, packed up a few things, loaded up the dogs, hopped in his car and DROVE ALL NIGHT.

 When Scarlett woke up that morning, I told her baby brother was on his way, so she painted him a lovely welcome picture.

I was surprised when, while giving Wonderful Sweet Scarlett her not-so-desired bath, the doorbell rang. Then it rang again. I thought {perhaps} it was a delivery Britt and Austin were expecting, so I ran to grab the door, only to be so so pleasantly surprised to find Billy-my-hero standing there at 8:30am. I was even more happy when it perked up Scarlett's gloomy I-don't-want-to-wash-my-hair attitude because... well, GRANDPA WAS THERE. (He has to do so little to gain the love of those adorable grandchildren, and I work so hard for their affection... so not fair!)

Ellis had not arrived just yet, but we were on a schedule that day anyway. We had planned a day of shopping and wedding planning with Shi. I know, I know... was she engaged? No. But that didn't stop us from pretending hahahaha. And you just never know when your mama will be in town again, and what can happen before she comes back...

We met first that morning at a prospective reception venue. We received word (via text and picture) that baby Ellis had made his grand entrance, and that things had gone well.

"He's here! Born at 8:55am, 6lb 14oz! Everything went smoothly! 

He's got a head full of dark hair :-)"

We had an appointment at a bridal shop, and figured that by the time we were done there (+ lunch), Britt, Austin, and Ellis would be ready for visitors.

 The whole family showed up pretty much at once. Jill and my mom met us at the hospital, then Jason and Lex, Tay and Nae arrrived not long after.

Ahhhhh... 

there is NOTHING like a newborn baby.

As excited as Scarlett was to finally meet baby brother, once she saw him she was very tentative. Maybe it was the reality that baby brother was not just a novel and fun idea. Maybe it was the environment... seeing mama in a hospital bed, surrounded by hospital paraphernalia. Maybe it was the fairly large group of people gathered to welcome Ellis to the world. She didn't want to hold him, and preferred to watch a show while snuggling with mom in bed.

That was okay with everyone else... more time for us to hold him haha.

Grandpa got his snuggle time with the girls.

When I had my babies, I always loved the attention and excitement of family gathered around to welcome a new little soul. So reminiscent of the good days long ago. (Always better for those who did NOT just push a bowling ball out of their body haha!)

Later that evening I took Wonderful Sweet Scarlett back to the hospital by herself. Her purse had been momentarily replaced with a bucket... a gift from Jason and Lex, who had just acquired it at Jason's work party. She also had her shades and her self-crafted binoculars (which, by the way, helped locate our loose and rampant dogs, who had dug under Britt and Austin's fence to escape and run free for heaven knows how long), which drew a plethora of smiles from passers by. That girl comes prepared.

 I still don't think she held Ellis that day. She was just needing a little warm-up to the baby who would now split her mama's time.

 I loved holding him some more...

...and I just can't resist pictures of stray baby feet.

Ellis got to come home the next day, so we all loved on him some more.

Baby brother gave Scarlett a gift... some "Big Sister" books and a camera (seriously, so brilliant... just an old camera Austin had from his mission).

Scarlett was thrilled, which can only endear her to her new brother, right?

That night while we were away at another special event (next blog post), Britt sent this snap:

 Yay for baby brothers and all that baby-holding practice Scarlett has done over the past months!!

On Sunday, we had to head back to CO.

 We snuggled and cuddled that baby one last time before saying good-bye.

We love you, Ellis! 

We are so so happy you joined our family!!

I'm driving back out this weekend to help out, although Britt seems to have it pretty together.

Here are a few snaps from the past couple days:

I can't wait to see them all again!