So the quality is terrible because it was from my phone, but you get the point.
Look at the size of that okra!!! It came from Elsy's Great Great Uncle's garden.
Elsy's getting excited about trying veggies soon :)
Monday, July 25, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
"On the Road Again"
Since Memorial Day weekend, we (the three Futt's) have kept the pedal to the metal.
No really! We have kept the road hoppin'
In the last 8 weeks, our 4 month old has traveled a total of 6,118 miles in 115 hours through 11 different states!!!
First we went with my family on a trip to Orange Beach, FL. We celebrated my brother's high school graduation. We'd been talking and planning this trip since before we left for India! Elsy did great.
Next we met up with Joe's family in his birth town (and favorite place on Earth) Grand Marais, MN. We spent the time with family celebrating the life of Joe's Grandpa Chuck who passed away 10 days before Elsy was born. She would have loved her G'Gpa!
Our third trip was a "work" trip to Waco, TX with my brother. I did hair for the wedding party, and the guys did an amazing job with the photography. Elsy did the entertaining. It was just an overnight trip, but we loved getting to see our Indian parents again :)
And finally, we just got home from a trip to Colorado Springs to enjoy a restful relaxing time with great friends. We hadn't seen them in over two years! It was a quick trip, but one that we definitely needed. It was physically, mentally, and spiritually a very encouraging 5 days.
Now I know why Elsy doesn't love her carseat! haha
Actually I must say she did an AMAZING job with all the trips. She's a trooper! A traveling trooper!
see...I told you we've been all over the map
No really! We have kept the road hoppin'
In the last 8 weeks, our 4 month old has traveled a total of 6,118 miles in 115 hours through 11 different states!!!
First we went with my family on a trip to Orange Beach, FL. We celebrated my brother's high school graduation. We'd been talking and planning this trip since before we left for India! Elsy did great.
Next we met up with Joe's family in his birth town (and favorite place on Earth) Grand Marais, MN. We spent the time with family celebrating the life of Joe's Grandpa Chuck who passed away 10 days before Elsy was born. She would have loved her G'Gpa!
Our third trip was a "work" trip to Waco, TX with my brother. I did hair for the wedding party, and the guys did an amazing job with the photography. Elsy did the entertaining. It was just an overnight trip, but we loved getting to see our Indian parents again :)
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Now I know why Elsy doesn't love her carseat! haha
Actually I must say she did an AMAZING job with all the trips. She's a trooper! A traveling trooper!
see...I told you we've been all over the map
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Back at the Bloggin'
How in the world do people have time to blog with a baby?! I have had great intensions of blogging every little milestone and detail of Miss E, but obviously that hasn't happened.
Will I go back and blog every detail of the past 4 months? Probably not. (For the record, I do have it all written down in a calendar so I don't forget) Honestly, I'll be doing good if I can get another blog post in before she's 6 months.
For a little review...Elsy Kate's Monthly Pics:
Will I go back and blog every detail of the past 4 months? Probably not. (For the record, I do have it all written down in a calendar so I don't forget) Honestly, I'll be doing good if I can get another blog post in before she's 6 months.
For a little review...Elsy Kate's Monthly Pics:
Newborn
One Month
Two Months
Three Months
Four Months
I catch myself missing her newborn cry and tiny bird mouth. But just before I get too sad, she does something new! She'll giggle, eat her hands, or notice herself in the mirror for the first time. Every day holds something new, I just don't want to miss a moment of it. I'm just so thankful to be her Mommy!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Elsy Kate Futterer
Monday, March 7, 2011
8:00 AM - We made our way to the clinic for our 38 week check-up. After spending a couple weeks in a state of discomfort, we were anxious to see if I (and Miss Elsy) had made any progress. Joe and I agreed that even the smallest amount of progress would be encouraging. I had been dilated to 3cm for weeks and had decided that I was done being pregnant.
Wish granted.
8:20 AM - To say that my Doctor was shocked to see that I was 7-8 cm dilated and 100% effaced is an understatement. And for that matter, we were shocked too. It definitely hadn't sunk in that we were going to have a baby, especially that day.
After hearing the news, our primary concern was that my Doctor wouldn't get to deliver Elsy due to a track meet she was attending that afternoon. She was quick to assure us, "Oh, Elsy'll be here before the meet!"And on that note, she prayed with us, and ordered us to go straight to the hospital.
It was such a rush! We didn't take the time to enjoy the moment or even think about it being our last hours as a family of two. Instead, we spent the next few hours calling, texting, posting and smart-phoning anyone and everyone in our contact lists about the news. Beyond that, we had to get our family to the hospital, Elsy was quickly on her way!
8:50 AM - I'll never forget the conversation I had with the receptionist as we tried to check in to the hospital through the ER. Here's how it went down:
ME: "I need to check-in to labor and delivery"
ER: "Oh, so do you think you are in labor?"
ME: "Apparently."
ER: "Do you think you can walk yourself up there?"
ME: "Sure."
Really, I didn't mind. I just wish I would have taken the time to finish my Sonic drink and banana that was stowed in my purse for an occasion such as this.
9:10 AM - With my gown on and IV in place, we waited for our Doctor to arrive to break my water.
Believe it or not, at this point I felt great. I felt better than I had felt for weeks. On a pain scale (10 being unbearable), I rated at a zero. Little did I know that I was having contractions every 4 minutes.
10:02 AM - Doctor arrived to break water. Contractions now 2-3 minutes apart.
11:07 AM - After showing no sign of progression, they decided to start me on a pitocin drip. And I decided go ahead and order my epidural. I had debated getting one up until this point, but I had a considerable amount of back pain and I wasn't liking it.
11:33 PM - The anesthesiologist arrived and gave me the epidural. Thankfully, I was able to feel my toes and have complete control of my legs throughout labor.
11:57 PM - Time to push.
12:05 PM - Bethany arrived and scrubbed-in. The only request on my birthing plan was for my sister Bethany to aide in Elsy's delivery. I was so thankful it all worked out for her to be there and help bring her niece into the world.
12:38- 1:26 PM - We worked hard to get Miss Elsy Kate here. Joe was incredible! We were a little nervous with how he'd do. He tends to get a little squeamish over medical stuff, but he was just the encouragement I needed. He fed me ice chips, held wash cloths on my face, and counted to 10 flawlessly!
1:27 PM - ELSY KATE FUTTERER arrived, weighing 7 lbs. 3 oz. and measuring 19 inches.
It's still hard to describe the feeling of being a new parent. But as for the events of her arrival, those few hours were the quickest and slowest, most mind blowing and most unforgettable four plus hours of our lives!
We are praising and thanking our God for the blessings of our sweet baby girl. May she grow and live life every day upholding the meaning of her name, "My God is my Promise!"
8:00 AM - We made our way to the clinic for our 38 week check-up. After spending a couple weeks in a state of discomfort, we were anxious to see if I (and Miss Elsy) had made any progress. Joe and I agreed that even the smallest amount of progress would be encouraging. I had been dilated to 3cm for weeks and had decided that I was done being pregnant.
Wish granted.
8:20 AM - To say that my Doctor was shocked to see that I was 7-8 cm dilated and 100% effaced is an understatement. And for that matter, we were shocked too. It definitely hadn't sunk in that we were going to have a baby, especially that day.
After hearing the news, our primary concern was that my Doctor wouldn't get to deliver Elsy due to a track meet she was attending that afternoon. She was quick to assure us, "Oh, Elsy'll be here before the meet!"And on that note, she prayed with us, and ordered us to go straight to the hospital.
It was such a rush! We didn't take the time to enjoy the moment or even think about it being our last hours as a family of two. Instead, we spent the next few hours calling, texting, posting and smart-phoning anyone and everyone in our contact lists about the news. Beyond that, we had to get our family to the hospital, Elsy was quickly on her way!
8:50 AM - I'll never forget the conversation I had with the receptionist as we tried to check in to the hospital through the ER. Here's how it went down:
ME: "I need to check-in to labor and delivery"
ER: "Oh, so do you think you are in labor?"
ME: "Apparently."
ER: "Do you think you can walk yourself up there?"
ME: "Sure."
Really, I didn't mind. I just wish I would have taken the time to finish my Sonic drink and banana that was stowed in my purse for an occasion such as this.
Believe it or not, at this point I felt great. I felt better than I had felt for weeks. On a pain scale (10 being unbearable), I rated at a zero. Little did I know that I was having contractions every 4 minutes.
10:02 AM - Doctor arrived to break water. Contractions now 2-3 minutes apart.
11:07 AM - After showing no sign of progression, they decided to start me on a pitocin drip. And I decided go ahead and order my epidural. I had debated getting one up until this point, but I had a considerable amount of back pain and I wasn't liking it.
11:33 PM - The anesthesiologist arrived and gave me the epidural. Thankfully, I was able to feel my toes and have complete control of my legs throughout labor.
11:57 PM - Time to push.
12:05 PM - Bethany arrived and scrubbed-in. The only request on my birthing plan was for my sister Bethany to aide in Elsy's delivery. I was so thankful it all worked out for her to be there and help bring her niece into the world.
12:38- 1:26 PM - We worked hard to get Miss Elsy Kate here. Joe was incredible! We were a little nervous with how he'd do. He tends to get a little squeamish over medical stuff, but he was just the encouragement I needed. He fed me ice chips, held wash cloths on my face, and counted to 10 flawlessly!
1:27 PM - ELSY KATE FUTTERER arrived, weighing 7 lbs. 3 oz. and measuring 19 inches.
We are praising and thanking our God for the blessings of our sweet baby girl. May she grow and live life every day upholding the meaning of her name, "My God is my Promise!"
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Eager for Elsy
Monday Morning at 8:45, Joe and I were waiting for our scheduled appointment to see our Doctor.
In the last couple weeks I've gone from tons of energy and feeling pretty normal to a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions, tons of pressure, and sometimes even saying something like "I feel like I'm just sitting on her head". I've even started to swell a little in my hands in right foot. But even in all the discomfort I try to always remind Elsy that she's worth it :)
Anyway, back to the appointment. After sharing with our Doctor how I had been feeling and such she decided to go ahead and check me, even though she wasn't planning to start that till next week.
I so wish I had a picture of her reaction to checking me as she said "No wonder you feel like you're sitting on her head. You are!" She proceeded to tell me I've already dilated to between a 2-3 and my cervix is like butter. I'm assuming that means soft and thin.
She said we may have a baby soon.... as in the next 8 days soon!
So now we are getting in full blown baby gear.
Joe and I went to Little Rock for one last date as the family of two. (I've been overwhelmed and emotional about this lately but can't talk about it because I'll cry over the keyboard.)
We ate at PF Chang's and then got some shopping done at Target and some sweet children's boutiques.
We found Elsy's outfit to come home from the hospital in at Pickles and Ice Cream. It's a special gift from her Great Grandma and Grandpa B.
Our showers are scheduled for this weekend! We'll just have to wait and see what happens.
So we'll continue to "nest" and wait patiently for Miss Elsy's Kate's grand arrival.
In the last couple weeks I've gone from tons of energy and feeling pretty normal to a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions, tons of pressure, and sometimes even saying something like "I feel like I'm just sitting on her head". I've even started to swell a little in my hands in right foot. But even in all the discomfort I try to always remind Elsy that she's worth it :)
Anyway, back to the appointment. After sharing with our Doctor how I had been feeling and such she decided to go ahead and check me, even though she wasn't planning to start that till next week.
I so wish I had a picture of her reaction to checking me as she said "No wonder you feel like you're sitting on her head. You are!" She proceeded to tell me I've already dilated to between a 2-3 and my cervix is like butter. I'm assuming that means soft and thin.
She said we may have a baby soon.... as in the next 8 days soon!
So now we are getting in full blown baby gear.
Joe and I went to Little Rock for one last date as the family of two. (I've been overwhelmed and emotional about this lately but can't talk about it because I'll cry over the keyboard.)
We ate at PF Chang's and then got some shopping done at Target and some sweet children's boutiques.
We found Elsy's outfit to come home from the hospital in at Pickles and Ice Cream. It's a special gift from her Great Grandma and Grandpa B.
Our showers are scheduled for this weekend! We'll just have to wait and see what happens.
So we'll continue to "nest" and wait patiently for Miss Elsy's Kate's grand arrival.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Everything Elsy
Well it's time to give an update on this 'bun in the oven' (I looked back to old posts and I'm pretty sure the last update I gave was week 26! We're at 35 weeks right now. So this post is everything baby!)
January 10, 2011
Joe and I were super thankful that the snow didn't affect our first prenatal appointment here in the states.
After getting tons of blood taken, a flu shot, the glucose test, and a physical we finally got to the best part of the appointment... the ultrasound.
We spent the whole day dodging our family and phone calls while we prepped for a little Baby Futt Gender reveal party at my sister and bro-in-law's house. My brother got some great shots from the night.
My friend Meg made some amazing cupcakes that held the big secret...
And it was so fun to watch the family get excited about biting in and seeing...
Then we made the family play a game to find out her name. We split them into teams and gave them envelopes full of letters, a glue stick, and a black poster board to post it on.
None of them had heard of her name (since it wasn't even on the short list) so it was really fun to watch!
**I had been so stressed about not having a girls name picked out... like losing sleep so stressed. But we ended up finding it in a baby name book that our friends the Lance's had at their house. Joe mentioned it while we were hanging out, but I didn't say much till we got to the car. It was like instantly I knew it was her name! Haven't doubted it since and got a full nights sleep from then on (minus all the potty breaks) :)
It's so fun to be able to pray for her and call her by name. It makes her feel even more real (not that all these kicks don't make it feel real enough)
I'm feeling more and more pregnant. And pretty sure the words "don't know if this belly can stretch any more" have come out of my mouth.
We've had our child birthing classes and tour of the hospital.
At week 32 our Dr told us that we most likely wont be making it to a full 40 weeks... Elsy is already head down and I'm already dilating and thinning. oh my!
At week 33 I woke up with some MAJOR back pain at 2 am. I made it through the day, but it got worse and worse... finally I ended up at the hospital around 6. Turned out it was a kidney stone. No wonder I was in pain! I had never been so thankful for those pain pills.
I'm not sure if I ever passed the stone or if it just disappeared but 5 days later I was finally feeling normal again. Passed or disappeared.... I'm thankful either way
At week 34 everything looked great at our appointment. Our Dr said that she's already dropped some. That explains the pressure I've been feeling :) who knew
We're now at 35 weeks. We used to joke and say that 'growing a baby was hard work' but now I'm saying it with a little less joke. I'm starting to get a little more uncomfortable.... but I tell Elsy every day that she's worth it!
We're anxious to go to the Dr on Monday and begin our weekly checks. I've been having quite a few Braxton Hicks so I'm curious to see where we stand. Just praying that Elsy will marinate at least a couple more weeks.
Oh and just a sneak peak to Elsy's bedding...
January 10, 2011
Joe and I were super thankful that the snow didn't affect our first prenatal appointment here in the states.
After getting tons of blood taken, a flu shot, the glucose test, and a physical we finally got to the best part of the appointment... the ultrasound.
We spent the whole day dodging our family and phone calls while we prepped for a little Baby Futt Gender reveal party at my sister and bro-in-law's house. My brother got some great shots from the night.
My friend Meg made some amazing cupcakes that held the big secret...
And it was so fun to watch the family get excited about biting in and seeing...
We're having a GIRL!
Then we made the family play a game to find out her name. We split them into teams and gave them envelopes full of letters, a glue stick, and a black poster board to post it on.
None of them had heard of her name (since it wasn't even on the short list) so it was really fun to watch!
Little ELSY KATE is joining the family soon!
Elsy means "My God is my Promise"
**I had been so stressed about not having a girls name picked out... like losing sleep so stressed. But we ended up finding it in a baby name book that our friends the Lance's had at their house. Joe mentioned it while we were hanging out, but I didn't say much till we got to the car. It was like instantly I knew it was her name! Haven't doubted it since and got a full nights sleep from then on (minus all the potty breaks) :)
It's so fun to be able to pray for her and call her by name. It makes her feel even more real (not that all these kicks don't make it feel real enough)
I'm feeling more and more pregnant. And pretty sure the words "don't know if this belly can stretch any more" have come out of my mouth.
We've had our child birthing classes and tour of the hospital.
At week 32 our Dr told us that we most likely wont be making it to a full 40 weeks... Elsy is already head down and I'm already dilating and thinning. oh my!
At week 33 I woke up with some MAJOR back pain at 2 am. I made it through the day, but it got worse and worse... finally I ended up at the hospital around 6. Turned out it was a kidney stone. No wonder I was in pain! I had never been so thankful for those pain pills.
I'm not sure if I ever passed the stone or if it just disappeared but 5 days later I was finally feeling normal again. Passed or disappeared.... I'm thankful either way
At week 34 everything looked great at our appointment. Our Dr said that she's already dropped some. That explains the pressure I've been feeling :) who knew
We're now at 35 weeks. We used to joke and say that 'growing a baby was hard work' but now I'm saying it with a little less joke. I'm starting to get a little more uncomfortable.... but I tell Elsy every day that she's worth it!
We're anxious to go to the Dr on Monday and begin our weekly checks. I've been having quite a few Braxton Hicks so I'm curious to see where we stand. Just praying that Elsy will marinate at least a couple more weeks.
Oh and just a sneak peak to Elsy's bedding...
Friday, February 11, 2011
1 Month
The other day, while eating lunch with some girlfriends, I was asked, "What was the hardest thing about going? And then, what has been the hardest thing about coming back to the states?"
This might be my favorite question yet.... and the answer came pretty immediately.
TIME.
I had a super hard time two years ago adjusting to the 'slower' pace of life. It wasn't the crazy horns, the different foods, or even the smells. It was time.
I realized that I was used to cramming my days with as many activities as possible whether it be work, church related activities, hanging with friends, or family. So to move to a place that took life a little slower was hard. I found myself having, what I thought was, WAY too much time to sit around and think.
Funny thing is this slower pace of life actually became one of my favorite things about being overseas!
The same answer is becoming true with our return to the states.
TIME.
I'm no where near the schedule I carried before going overseas, but even still, I feel like I'm super busy all the time. Whether it's doctors appointments, visiting with friends and family, job hunting, or attempting to organize our lives... we're busy.
Honestly, I think part of the busyness is self inflicted to distract myself and my heart from all the emotions I'm feeling.
I love, miss, and think about India every day!
And at the same time I love being with family and friends here!
I've got so many emotions (does it help that I'm almost 35 weeks pregnant?) to work through....
All this to say, In the last month we've...
made it back to America safely
been loved and spoiled by family and friends
found out we are having a GIRL, Elsy Kate
started the search for Joe a job... (I'm cutting hair out of the house till after Miss Elsy gets here)
had multiple speaking engagements
filled all our silly American cravings
enjoyed the insane amounts of snow
began the adjustment process ( I wouldn't by any stretch of the word say we've adjustED but...)
etc.
now if I could just be a little more consistent with this thing... maybe that'll be one of my 'nesting' goals.
**all the pics in the post today are stolen from siblings cameras when we arrived back in the states Jan. 7
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