Ella Saige Nowell

Ok so I know it's been too long since my last post but I guess I have been busy!

Since my last post, Ella was born!! Of course most of you already know that but not all may have access to the facebook photos.

She was born on 11/11 at 7:54pm weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz. and 20 inches long. Emma's labor lasted 21 hours and she did such a wonderful job!!! The long hours ended with us both in the small pool that we filled up with water for the water birth. It really was amazing to see Emma work so hard for so long and all of it on her own, without what our birthing coach would call "intervention". At the end I was able to help the midwife deliver Ella into my hands and bring her up out of the water and give her to Emma. It was extremely scary and the most amazing experience I have ever been through.

Here are some pictures from the past 11 days of our lives as a new family.

35 Weeks!!

Just wanted to post a quick update since I haven't for a while.

Went to see the midwife this morning and all is well. Mother and baby are doing great and everything is as it should be. She is kicking and stretching all the time and its really fun to watch.

Doesn't she look amazing!!!!

Time to Go Get Mom!

Just thought I would test out the upload of a video to see how it looks on blogger using Vimeo.

Test Video from Ryan Nowell on Vimeo.

And here is the new floating "desk". Built it with scrap wood by ripping the wood, using biscuits and glue and attaching it to the wall. It worked!!

Baby Bump Update

Well I guess you really wouldn't call it a bump anymore!!

Everything is going well. She is now just over 27 weeks along and the little one is really moving now! You can see her tummy move and at times she really is active. I believe we have an appointment next week with the midwife.




I will write more later about the projects I have been working on around the house.

24 Weeks!

Ok so it's 24 weeks tomorrow but close enough. Emma is doing great! She is slowly getting used to growing and having her wonderful belly stretch each day. I know I have said this before but it really does seem to grow every time I see her.

Tomorrow we have another appointment with the midwife but will really only be a quick check up.

Still Working

Well, since my last post I managed to get laid off. Its been a week and a half and at first I was bummed that I had lost my job. Not that I really liked the job at all but it was an easy job with ok hours and good pay. But now that's its been a while and I have been busy with projects around the house, its actually kind of nice. Granted it will be nice to find a new job but for the moment, being off during the summer and getting a ton of work done is really a blessing.

I have been pretty much busy each day since being let go. I re-stained the fence in the front yard, built a new compost bin to replace the temporary one that we have been using for too long, and started with the baby's room and getting the outside of the house ready for painting.

I've only taken some pictures of the new cabinets from Ikea of course that we custom installed into the old closets. It was a bit sad to rip out the crown molding that I worked so hard to get in the first time. Oh well it's worth it!!

First One Installed

Getting ready to install the second cabinet

Had to custom modify the bottom for the crawl space

New Doors!!

Crown and molding installed

Baby bump update coming soon....I promise!!!

21 1/2 Weeks & Garden Harvest

Well it hot out and we are trying to stay cool! 90 is just a bit too hot for me lately! The dogs are all passed out and I would have to say that it sounds like a nice idea!!

Emma is now 21 weeks and 3 days along and I am happy to say that I finally got to feel the baby kick last night. Crazy amazing feeling for me...and I'm sure for Emma too. It only feels like a heart beat once or twice but it was really wonderful to feel it.

Here is an updated picture!



Also managed to build the trellis that Emma wanted for the tomatoes and beans on the back of the first box. A second one is coming once the cucumbers and melon get bigger. Was a pretty good deal in making it too and was quick to build and install.



Here's some pictures of the recent harvest in the backyard.

Reno Visit

This past weekend we headed on down to visit with Rosie and Mike and the newest addition to the family, Taylor Dianne Hope. We mostly hung out at the house and enjoyed a relaxing time doing nothing but holding Taylor.

I managed to get some photos of her...mostly sleeping of course but she is such a cutie!! We miss her already!



I will post more later when I get a chance and post some pictures of a short day trip up to Lake Tahoe with Camille.

New Doors and Weekend Ahead

I keep on forgetting to update the blog but I guess I have been busy at work and at home in the evenings. I will try better.

Everything is going great with the baby so far. Emma has more energy now and seems to be getting more used to the baby growing a bunch each day. She seems to be growing by the day and its amazing to see. Emma also said that she might have felt her kick. I of course tried too but didn't feel anything. I also try and listen but not sure really what I hear. Still fun though.

Last weekend was a big introduction into doors!! I managed to finally finish putting the last coats of Poly on the new front door and installed it. Of course ran into a few issues with it fitting perfectly but after a few tries it worked!! So hard to know what you are doing when you have no clue. Here are some pictures.







After the front door was done I decided to replace the old partially broken door in the garage with the previous front door. Thought that would have been easy as well but turned out to be an all day install. Long story short, I tore out a 3rd of the old broken door frame no realizing that it was one whole piece, and decided to design and build my own replacement. I figured for $2.45, I could for sure make my own instead of buying one for $40!! It worked but of course took the rest of the day to make sure it would work. Oh well, lesson learned and it just means the next door will be easier....I hope!

Lastly, we are headed to see our new niece in Reno. We head out tonight and come back on Monday. Can't wait to get pictures!!!

Weekend with Suzan

This past weekend Suzan came to visit before she headed on over to see Rosie and wait for baby Taylor to be born into the world. It was nice and relaxing which is exactly what we needed.

We started out the weekend with breakfast out and then going to Sauvie Island Farms to pick some really great Hood Strawberries. The price was right and it really didn't take all that long to get a large flat filled to capacity. I have to admit, I spent a good amount of time eating then as I picked them and taking a few pictures here and there.









Then Emma made a wonderful Strawberry Shortcake which was perfect and really hit the spot.

Then that evening we headed to one of our favorite places, Siam Society. They always have great food and it's fairly close to home.

Took a few pictures while we were waiting.





And if you haven't heard, we are having a GIRL!! We went to get the ultrasound last Thursday and the checked everything out. She looks healthy and is progressing along as she should be. We are both very excited!! Time is flying by though! So much to do to get ready before all our attention is focused on the new arrival.

18.4 Weeks