Pumpkin Carving Party

Jelani wanted to do pumpkin carvings at our house this year. Ella and I took it easy since we've only been home from the hospital a week. The Charlishes are some of the quickest carvers I've ever met! We all came out with some really crazy looking pumpkins. Jelani carved one for Ella too! We'll take a picture of the "Memory Family Pumpkins" one of these nights and post a photo ( :

Here's a glimpse of our party:

Happy One Week Ella!

This past week has been a dream... Jelani and I bonding with our newborn daughter, spending quality family time getting to know one another, eating all kinds of home-cooked meals brought over by friends and family...
Okay, well, maybe it's not 100% dream material. There are the long nights of sleep, wake, feed, change diapers, sleep, wake feed and change more diapers. You get the idea. Then there is the emotional roller-coaster caused by my post baby hormones, which is a ride the family is forced to take along beside me ( :
A few days ago I found myself having a small panic attack at the site of a small spider that had run inches past my feet. My own scream sent me into hysterics, causing my dear, sweet husband to run inside to my aid. When he found out it was just a spider, I started crying and apologizing. Through all of this, Ella slept like... well, like a baby ( :
Somehow, these potential "drawbacks have failed to phase me however. I find myself thankful for the painful learning process of breast feeding, as watching my precious baby fill her tummy gives me an incomparable peace. The daunting task of remaining rested for the next six weeks has managed to inspire within me a previously unfound patience... and these crazy hormone changes have become a reminder of wonderful changes ahead.
Obviously, having a child is a great responsibility and change, but magically and most importantly its also a great blessing and gift. I feel full, revived, in awe. I feel more in love with my gorgeous husband for aiding in the creation of our daughter. I am truly content ( :





Photos by my husband Jelani Memory

Here's Ella "dancing" with Jelani and it looks like she's LAUGHING!!! She's not even a week old in this video!

New Baby Ella

So, after 48 hours of monitoring at the hospital, we arrived home on Wednesday with our newborn baby girl, Ella Marseille. Jelani was such a doll to give her my name as a 2nd middle name, which makes her full name read as:

Ella Marseille Lavenda Memory

We were able to establish breastfeeding within the first hour of Ella's life, so catching on these past few days has been easy peasy. We're giving her a little while to set the new schedule and she's doing a great job so far! We sleep while she sleeps (plus some for Jelani) and oh boy does she sleep right now!

Mama Memory (that is me) is sooo grateful for visitors during this first week. First of all, my body needs time to heal so my daily tasks are limited to changing diapers and breast-feeding- secondly, I LOVE the company during this emotionally overwhelming time. I find myself overjoyed most days to the bring of tears. Yet, other moments I feel entirely sad and lost. I think this may be the signs of early "baby blues". Our good friends and family have been a perfect support and encouragement through their company.

Well, I am getting tired and expecting a visitor any minute now.

Mama Memory: over and out.

Pumkin Patch

In order to keep my mind off the impending birth Jelani and I decided to go pick out pumkins today! Since I am too pregnant to jump on board the hay-ride, we trekked across the fields on foot ( : Here are some snapshots of our day!

40 weeks

Due date is today! Jelani and I have everything in Ella's room ready... but just realized a couple days ago that the cradle she'll be sleeping in (in our bedroom) has no sheets or bumpers! So, I've got to get on that ( : Jelani will be updating people about the labor (which is impending over the next week) so make sure you've sent your text in!

Lots of love!

Belly Time

Second shot by Q. I like this one more because it's so simple ( : I was only 36 weeks in this photo, but this Saturday I will be 40 weeks!!! That means I'll be full term, can you believe it??
The doctor says my body is ready to have her any time, but who knows when that will be exactly? That was 3 days ago and I still don't "feel" any different... haven't had any positive intuitions.
I always heard that the end was the worst part and only now do I realize that it's not due to pain or discomfort, but the anxiety of WAITING! I know I'm supposed to stay relaxed, so my relaxation slash distraction strategy begins tomorrow! (Think: shopping, nesting, cleaning- and not necessarily in that order!)

Before and Afters

This first one I accidentally posted the "after" first.

Modern Baby Co. Giveaway

The The Modern Baby Co. has a beautiful website and a wonderful array of fashionable baby gear. In addition to the above, they also carry baby and toddler bedding, mobiles, decorative pillows, apparel (these are absolutely adorable, by the way), larger plush baby blankets, change mats (that roll up with its own fastener!) and wall art. This is especially good for those of us who cannot coordinate to save their lives; The Modern Baby Co. is a one stop shop. All products are manufactured in the USA.

To enter contest to win 2 free burp rags and bib, please stop by My Wee View.

This is the set I'm hoping to win ( :