the GREATS in our lives

What a blessing it is to have grandparents, and for Elsie--her great grandparents!It was neat for each of them to meet sweet Elsie. One of the many treats during the holiday break was to visit my Great--Elsie's Great Great Grandma--Ruesch. It was sweet to see her reach over to hold Elsie like one of her own--even at 87 years old. She is much more frail and not as energetic as she once was, yet she will give a good smile and her eyes are as deep as they'll come with wisdom, experience, laughter, and love.

Home for the Holidays

It was so nice to be home for Christmas and to celebrate the New Year with them. Thanks to our families for making it so comfortable for us. We enjoyed all the dinners, get-togethers, and games! We love you!

ELSIE

It was so fun to have my cousin come and take pictures of our little family! Katasha is such a talented photographer! She creatively managed to set up her studio in our 495 square-foot apartment and took some beautiful pictures! Please click on "Ms. Katasha" on the side bar to see the pics (just scroll down a bit)! :)

"Old Soul"

One of the sisters in church today held Elsie, looked into her eyes then looked at Corey and me and said with a smile, "She is an old soul." What a deep thought. I am absolutely sure Elsie knows a lot more than both Corey and me. I have already learned so much from her innocence, purity, and perfection. These little new ones are certainly more mature in spirit than we are. So the next time you look at your sweet one, look into their deep eyes and see the "old soul" they are.

Corey & Alisa's lil' Pumpkin

More of Sweet Elsie Jayne

Elsie Jayne Crowell

Monday 27 Oct 2008
9:45PM Just as Alisa is putting the final touches on Corey's haircut, strong contractions begin and her water breaks. Corey & Alisa call their parents to make sure Alisa's in labor and on the way out the door snap
10:30 Corey & Alisa drive to the hospital using the fast lane on the Mass. Pike, contractions continue.
10:45 Corey & Alisa valet park the car (watch out) and Alisa is admitted into the hospital.
11:10 Alisa and Corey arrive to the pre-delivery area and are told to "wait here" Alisa shifts uncomfortably in her seat, squeezing my hand saying "I think I am ok." It took 20 minutes to get us into a pre-delivery bed.
11:30 Alisa is given a bed in the pre-delivery room. Her OB, Dr. Mikilean is in an emergency operation and cannot come. Alisa's contractions intensify to the point that Alisa begins to raise her voice in pain, Corey begins pacing the hallway requesting urgent attention.
11:45 Alisa needs to use the restroom so Corey uses this as a good excuse to ask the front desk for assistance as Alisa continues to release her pain via voice. While in the restroom Alisa realizes she didn't have to go to the bathroom but she was getting close to delivering. She continues to raise her voice as contractions intensify.
Tuesday 28 Oct 2008
12:00AM Alisa's doctor is still helping another patient so a non-affiliated physician, Dr. Johnson (female) comes running to help Alisa. She measures Alisa and exclaims "She's dialated to a 6/7, let's get her into the delivery room, now!"
12:10 Alisa is leap-frogged ahead of another patient to the delivery room. Alisa's contractions are now extremely strong and frequent. She requests an epidural as she is entering the delivery room. Kristi the nurse tells her she's ordering the anesthesia right away.
12:15 Dr. Johnson measures Alisa and says "She's fully dialated." Corey asks if it is still possible for an epidural. "This baby's coming right now!"
12:26 Alisa begins pushing as Kristi holds her left leg, Corey holds Alisa's right leg and head, giving periodic kisses on her forehead for encouragement. Dr. Johnson and Kristi are very energetic and optimistic as makes rapid progress.
12:40AM On the 7th series of pushes little Elsie's head comes out of the womb, Dr. Johnson gently removes the umbilical cord around her neck and Alisa gives the final push as little Elsie breathes her first breath of life and is laid at the foot of the bed. Dr. Johnson sets up for removal of the umbilical cord and Corey conducts the "honorary snip" with the scissors.
12:50 Elsie is placed into Alisa's arms as the doctors assess the damage below (not too bad). Little Elsie is as quiet as a church mouse and she is wide awake looking at Alisa.
01:00 Elsie weighs in at 5 lbs. 10 oz. and 17.5" in length. She looks healthy and happy.