Sweet Child of Mine

Introducing Ellie Michelle Christenson --

Born Dec. 2nd at 11:14 a.m.

7.10 pounds, 19 inches and perfectly healthy.

Even after 36 hours of labor and little rest,

It was the most incredible experience of our lives.

Detailed birth story to come.

{Below} My mom, Michelle, cut the cord when Ellie was born, so it's only fitting that Ellie's middle name is Michelle!{Above} Melissa and Melanie - my amazing doulas. I could not have had an unmedicated childbirth without them. They seriously were angels and I love them so much!

{Below} Ellie has a full head of brown hair with blonde highlights. She loved getting it washed!

{Above} Fresh from the womb. Sorry I'm showing some skin ... pushing was hard work and I was feeling really warm!

40 Weeks and Then Some

So, I've been having regular contractions for the past week, and they unfailingly get more intense at night. They have progressively gotten harder each night and they've helped me dilate, etc., which is great, but they have yet to turn into active labor. The sleepless nights and anticipation have been a lot to handle at times, but I'm feeling pretty positive overall. I know she's coming soon! Bear with me as I list some reasons it's good Ellie hasn't come yet to keep me sane. Feel free to add some to the list!

• Ellie's brain and lungs are developing at their most rapid rate now, so she's becoming smarter and a better breather every day.
• I have been able to clean my entire house from top to bottom. (Thanks to some crazy nesting urges and a wonderfully helpful husband and mother.)
• I feel more emotionally and mentally ready for Ellie to come with each babyless day that goes by.
• Clay and I have been able to spend some quality time together.
• December's not such a bad birthday month after all, right? I do love Christmas!
  

That's all I've got for now.

How about some pictures of the nursery? The photos aren't great quality so they don't show the colors very well. I wanted to keep the nursery simple and elegant without being too girly — I think it turned out pretty well. I even got crafty and made a pink frame, yellow lampshade cover and fabric circles to decorate it.

Target and I were already pretty good friends.

Then, it started selling these —

Tim Tams. My favorite Australian cookies.

I had been hearing rumors for a year that they were going to start carrying them, but I didn't believe it until Clay and I spotted them tonight, boasting their $2.50 awesomeness on aisle 3. I was literally speechless and staring for about 20 seconds.

BFs forever, Target.

P.S. If you decide to try some Tim Tams for yourself, keep in mind that their heavenly deliciousness is only truly unveiled in the form of a Tim Tam Slam. You can look up videos on how to do it. Oh, and I highly recommend the ones with caramel.

38 weeks

It seems so unreal that our baby girl will be here so soon. She is due next week!

The nursery is almost finished and we have a few last things we want to get done before she comes, but I'm feeling more ready every day for her birthday.

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with emotion when I think of the moment she arrives. It seems too good to be true that I will finally get to hold her in my arms and look at her and she will be my very own and I will be a real mom!

Any thoughts on the first time you held your first baby? I would love to hear about it!

My amazingly talented friend, Mollie, owns a successful custom invitation business and just opened an online boutique. She has some very cute (and affordable) things for sale ...

Click on the banner (above) and check it out!

Once upon a time ...

I got one of these.

Then I got these.

So I had to say goodbye to him.

Then I took this!

And in just a few weeks, we get one of these. A pretty good trade-off, don't you think?

It's Here!

No, not our baby — but the most exciting issue of Utah Valley Magazine — our holiday issue.

It was so fun for me to work on the Utah Valley is for {food} lovers and the Worth the Weight fitness challenge sections.

There are some really fun recipes and tips in the food section, and the fitness section is cool because we followed 5 people's progress throughout the year and there are some awesome before and after pictures.

Check 'em out here!