Where to start? We were lucky enough to have my mom come for a week and a half and boy did she get put to work! In addition to kitchen, laundry, and bathroom duty (she had to catch up from some serious neglect), early-morning Hannah duty, baths/diapers/drinks/meals, she also helped...okay, single-handedly painted my kitchen, bathroom, and Hannah's room (FYI to anyone who ever has to remove the old kind of wallpaper, skip the DIF spray, the laundry softener, etc and go rent yourself an industrial-size wallpaper removal steamer and good luck). Whoa. The paint was SO needed and let's face it, would've never gotten done without her capable hands. Thanks Mom for the help, laughs, treats, and more laughs!


before


AFTER!! Shizam!





Master bath before


And after!




Miss Ellie Walbruch is doing superb. Sweet little angel has changed so much. She can hold that little head up with the best of 'em. Ellie LOVES to be held...constantly:)




Guess whose room got done and completely accessorized very first? Mmm hmm.





Mom's new toy!
YESSS! I'm in LOVE! I have been dreaming of a Dreamer Design double jogging stroller ever since I found out I was pregnant but just couldn't fork out the $450 for a new one. You just can't find used ones because people don't ever get rid of them. Well, Nannah comes to town and guess what pops up on craigslist within hours? This incredible stroller for an incredible price. Now, as for the trip to Fort Mill, SC and transaction of the stroller's purchase, well that's another story... let's just say Mom and I will be laughing about how the deal went down for many years to come. Thanks Jim. One of the many perks of living in NC is the oh-so-beautiful stroller weather! Got an infant insert on order for wee little Ellie and we're off!




These grapefruit provided hours of "organizational" task for Hannah while the painting was getting underway.





There's our update. Enjoying the journey!

Can't get enough...

Thought I'd post a few shots of Ellie (Nate calls her E-fizzle) with her little peepers open...especially for Ellie's grandparents. She's growing and changing every day!


Lil wink and a smile

8 days and counting...

Natalie caught Ellie smiling. She actually did this a couple times last night = just melts my heart. 1 week checkup was all good. She weighed 8 lb 6 oz. Hopefully my weight gets going the opposite direction. Ellie sleeps for 3 hours at a time at night. She's usually very awake between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. but will sleep from 1-4 and 5-7. Such a sweet little doll.


Why am I complaining - it's clearly Hannah who's become overworked to the point of physical exhaustion. No one told her being a big sis was this demanding.


"Okay, you can have one. I'm down to one bag left of these marshmallows."


Be afraid Ellie. Be very afraid.


Yeah right - what trouble could these little angels possibly get into?



"Okay sis, I gotta go to church with Daddy. You watch mommy until I get back."


Had the timing been a little better, I would SO have been at IKEA Grand Opening in Charlotte (only 20 miles away)today. Seriously, when Nate was thinking of taking a job here, this was a BIG perk in my book. Can't wait till I can go. The thought of leaving this house with both girls for more than 15 minutes is presently out of the question.


And last but not least, Spencer entered the MTC today! 2 years! Go get 'em brotha!

Home

Well, we are home and thrilled to have our new little Ellie with us. My second birth experience was COMPLETELY different than my first. MUCH BETTER! Here's the details of my perfect labor for all those who are interested. Tuesday, Feb 10, 2009.

0400 My water breaks
0730 We arrive at Presbyterian Hospital Matthews (A HUGE thank you to Bryan and Natalie Sammis, who took Hannah). I'm dilated 3 cm.

0930 Loving my Nubain
1100 5 cm and Nubain's wearing off
1130 Epidural IN!
1200 Nurse tells me to roll back onto my back because my contractions have stopped
She decides to check me only to find I'm complete!
1222 Ellie comes on out!

As you can see, she clearly belongs to the Walbruch family. It was so nice to bring her home in 70 degree weather!

Introducing Ellie Barbara Walbruch!!!

Spence visits North Carolina/ MN Christmas pics

Okay, here's a picture I snapped before I went to work. Again, not the exact cut I asked for (I asked for #2 - see previous post. Does anyone else have this problem with hairdressers?) and I somehow refuse to believe that my natural color is quite this red. But, I LOVE it! It works well with my coloring (aka freckles - gotta love em). I think it might be even cuter in a month when it fades and grows out a titch.


Elder Richins folks. Figured we better take him to the beach since he may not be seeing too much water for a while :) It's like what President Hinckley told Nate's group when they were in the MTC, "Well elders, you're not much to look at, but you're all the Lord has."


The boys tubing down the "lazy river" at the hotel. They would have much rather been catching some waves dude but it being the January, the Atlantic was a bit too cold. Don't worry, they jumped in the ocean. That video coming soon.


Looking for sea shells?


Some quality babysitting was done...I just don't know who was babysitting who???


Chillin in the wagon (you gotta blow this one up to see the look on HJ's face)


Hannah+Buzzer Walbruch= Friends4Ever
(...actually, one of Buzzer's rougher weeks)





Don't ask me how these 3 hooligans ended up with these beautiful wives and children. Kidding - I probably have these boys to thank that my husband graduated high school safely. So good to see you Johnsons and Watkins!


Playing "Rock-Em-Sock-Em Robots"


Hannah reading Grandpa a bedtime story


Grandma with Hannah and Ben