Welcome Ella Claire Touchette

Hello everyone sorry it has taken me a few days to adjust to being a mom with the lack of sleep. Anyway in case you didn't hear, last Friday (December 4th) at about 4:30am I noticed that my water had broke, so Casey and I went to the hospital where Dr. Kennedy met with us. After scanning Ella again it was confirmed that she was still in a breech position and my C-section was then scheduled for noon that day. The C-section went great (worst part was the anticipation) and Casey and I have nothing but great things to say about all of the doctors and nurses that took care of our little family. It was truly a pleasurable experience. Below are some pictures that I have posted that were taken during our hospital stay. Hope you enjoy!

I also managed to take some pictures today since she is changing so fast, enjoy!

Doctors Appointment - 39 weeks

Well everyone, this is probably the last post until the arrival of our little angel. Casey and I had our 39 week appointment this morning and everything was the same as last week (Ella is still breech and I am 1cm dilated). My stomach grew 3cm from last week but some of that could be due to Ella's position changing. I spoke to Dr. Kennedy about the chances of Ella turning and she felt very strongly that due to my size and Ella's size, that she was too big to turn at this point. That being said, we scheduled a C-section for Ella to be born next Wednesday, December 9th at 7:30am. Dr. Kennedy will be performing the surgery and she is also on call this weekend in case I go into labor. She said that the surgery will start at 7:30am and Ella should be born about 10 minutes later considering everything goes as planned. Then Casey will go to recovery with Ella and I will meet them an hour later after they are finished cleaning up. Between 8:30am and 9:00am we will be moved to our room where we will be able to meet with our immediate family. It is Casey and I's wishes that the first day especially be dedicated to our immediate family and resting. If you would like to come to the hospital following the first day, please call or text Casey or I first and we will let you know how things are going.

My stomach these days is very tight because Ella is taking up every bit of space that she can and may I add that she is still VERY busy, I have no idea who she gets that from.....I am still feeling great and have attached a picture taken this morning.

On another note, Casey and I are finished with school. His classes ended a week ago and I finished my last paper yesterday so we are both extremely excited to have our MBA's behind us. Now all we have to concentrate on is the arrival of our daughter. I have attached a picture of what a proud Papa-To-Be and someone that has just finished with his MBA looks like. Enjoy!

Doctors Appointment - 38 weeks

Well, not much to report this week. Ella is still in a head up position, even though she is dropping, and I am still 1cm dilated. Based on this, Dr. Kennedy feels that she will not come prior to my due date. There is still time for her to turn although her space is getting limited. My next appointment is next Wednesday, December 2nd (which is the day that I have always felt like I was going to have her). Dr. Kennedy said that if I go into labor between now and my due date, they will access the situation to see if she has turned (but I will know). Otherwise, I have 2 more weeks to go until my due date (December 9th) and if Ella still hasn't turned, we will schedule a C-section. I am still feeling great and have attached a picture taken this morning. Crazy to think that we will meet her in two weeks or less...... Stay tuned!

Doctors Appointment - 37 weeks

Well, this week started out with a trip to the hospital on Monday for Casey and I. Turns out I had a stomach virus and I was losing a lot of fluids. We figured everything was ok, but I got really nervous so we went just to make sure Ella was ok. I am feeling much better now! It was a trial run in travelling to the hospital and we learned a few things: 1)we will take the car instead of the SUV when I am in labor due to being able to maneuver in traffic 2)bring extra pillows because the one's in the hospital are flat.

Anyway, I saw Dr. Kennedy today and as expected due to being sick, I lost 3 lbs in the last week and my belly shrunk by 1cm (which could be due to her dropping a bit). However, our little girl or shall I say big girl is still trucking along. We had an ultrasound today and by her measurements they estimate her to weigh 6lbs, 13 oz and we still have 3 weeks left; SLOW IT DOWN GIRL! Just kidding, as long as she is healthy I am fine with her weight. She is still in a breach position and is facing toward my back. I am 1 cm dilated and I tested negative for group B strep, which means no antibiotics, yeah! Ella is still very high so Dr. Kennedy doesn't think that she will be making her arrival anytime soon. I know most of you have asked yourselves, is she going to turn????? Well, we shall see. The doctor says that she can still turn at this point and it won't matter until I go into labor, so it is just going to be a waiting game and we will access the situation once I go into labor.

On another note, today is Casey and I's 4th Wedding Anniversary, hard to believe!!! I think we will celebrate sometime this weekend though since I have just begun to feel better today. I have attached a picture of myself that was taken today, until next Wednesday.......

Doctors Appointment - 36 weeks

The bed is ready, the bassinet is ready and we even have a wreath ready to hang on the hospital door. All we are waiting on now is Miss Ella to make her grand entrance into the world.



















Well, today was my first doctors appointment where my doctor checked my progression and so far there is none; I guess Ella is shy like her dad and doesn't want to meet anyone just yet, ha! ha! Dr. Kennedy says that it is still early and I still have plenty of time to start dilating. She tried to see what position Ella was in and couldn't, I guess she is still pretty high up. Her heart rate was 149 bpm and everything looked good. We go back to the doctor next Wednesday, November 18th (yep, Casey and I's 4th Wedding Anniversary) and she will do an ultrasound and check for progression again. Anywho, I am still feeling really good and I have attached a picture of my big ole' belly for your viewing pleasure. I will have another update next Wednesday.....

Halloween 2009 - 34.5 Weeks Pregnant

OMG I just logged onto my blog this morning and saw that there is only 37 days to go until my due date, that is just crazy. We had an action packed Halloween this year, it started off with a party the week prior to Halloween at MeMe's house. Ella and I wore a toga and Casey was some random old lady, who we all agreed ended up looking like a camel. I have posted a lovely family photo below for your viewing pleasure.

Casey and I left for Houston on Wednesday to take care of some things and we were able to visit Josh and Kristi's precious twins and see how great Kristi looked. We slept at Gaven and Kim's house and enjoyed visiting with them and of course, playing with Ty. While we were there, we carved a pumpkin for Ella. Then, on our way back from Houston we planned out our outfits for our friend, Andrea's, Adult Halloween Party. I was a beauty queen, who as you can tell MISSed a certain date and Casey was Pablo Escobar. It was really funny because most people thought my belly was fake. We had a great time visiting with Andrea (Amy Winehouse) and Lena and Justin (Reno 911 Cops) and enjoying the festivities.

Well, we are now down the final stretch to Ella's arrival. We will be visiting Dr. Kennedy next Wednesday and I promise to upload a "normal" picture of myself and Ella and give the latest from the doctors appointment. Until then.....

Doctors Appointment - 34 weeks

Casey, I and Ella had an appointment today with Dr. Kennedy and everything looks good. I gained a pound and a half in the last 2 weeks, my belly got 2cm's larger and is right on track and I am still feeling great. Ella's heart rate was 152bpm and she is having a party in my tummy all day long. I go back 2 weeks from today (36 weeks) and at that time Dr. Kennedy will start checking me and will let me know how things are progressing. After the 36 weeks appointment, I will see her every week until delivery. Last week we went to our friend Janine to do a 4D ultrasound but Miss Ella was breech and had her hands, feet and umbilical chord in front of her face so the pictures, which I have posted below, are not as clear as can be. I think she is wanting us not to cheat and to wait to see her beautiful face. Enjoy!

Touchette Baby Shower - 32 weeks

I had my last shower two weeks ago for all of the friends and family on Casey's side. It was allot of fun and Ella really racked up on the gifts, now we just need to figure out where to put everything! I have attached some pictures from the shower and I would like to say thanks again to the hostesses for all of their help, it really turned out very nice and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It is kind of scary too because now all of the showers are over and the only thing we are waiting on is the arrival of our little bundle of joy, wow, how time flies! The first picture is one of the lovely hostesses and me that was taken during the shower. The second picture is of the petit fours that Ella's MeMe had made for the shower, they were delicous and last is a picture of the bassinet that Uncle Mike and Aunt Karen are letting us borrow with all of Ella's blankets in it. Since the shower, I tied a pink bow around it and really girlied it up in preparation for Ella. Thank again to Uncle Mike and Aunt Karen for lending us the bassinet, in case you are wondering, it is going on Daddy's side of the bed, he!he!

Appointment - 32 weeks

Well, allot has happened since the last post. To start with, I got a job last week. It happened quick but I am very excited about it. It is at a Architecture/Engineering firm here in Lafayette called Poche and Prouet. I am going to work at my own pace until Ella comes and I start work on Monday, I am super excited!


On another note, we got Ella's car seat at the last shower and tried it in both of our vehicles. I was sure that my car would work with the car seat in it, boy was I wrong. That being said, I traded in my IS 250 for a GS 350. It is still sporty but gives me the room that I need, I am really enjoying it. Additionally, Casey has been looking for a while for a new vehicle so we pursued trading his in also and got a deal that we couldn't pass up. Casey got a black Yukon, it is very nice and I feel really good about both vehicles and feel like little Miss Ella will be very safe in both.


I had an appointment 2 days ago, on Wednesday, and I am presently 32 weeks. I am now going to the doctor every 2 weeks. My stomach grew another 2cm in the past 2 weeks and I gained 2 lbs. Ella's heartbeat was 156bpm, which is very strong and Dr. Kennedy was very pleased with that. I am still feeling great these days! I have posted a picture below taken today so all of you can see that Ella is definitely growing in there.
Oh, one more thing, Annie's dad, Mr. Benny is at M.D. Anderson this week receiving a stem cell transplant. We visited with him last weekend and he looked really good. He had the transplant this Tuesday and has had good days and bad days since then. Please join us in praying for many more good days for him and a speedy recovery, we know you can do it Mr. Benny!

Last but not least, our friends Josh and Kristi, who we shared our Houston shower with, had their beautiful twins today, Chace and Peyton. Josh let us know that Kristi and the babies are doing well, we can't wait to see them!

I have a shower tomorrow for Casey's side of the family and I am excited! Until next time....

Dr. Appointment - 30 Weeks

We had another doctor appointment today at 30 weeks and it was short and sweet, which I am not complaining about because no news is good news. Ella's heart rate was 156 bpm and my belly has gotten 3cm larger in the past three weeks. I will start seeing Dr. Kennedy every 2 weeks until I am 36 weeks and then we will see her every week. Our next appointment is October 14 so I will update the blog after that appointment. I have uploaded some pictures below for your viewing pleasure which were taken today. As you can see, we are both embracing this pregnancy and we cannot wait to meet our little girl!

Hebert Baby Shower-29 weeks

I had my first baby shower in Lafayette this past weekend and I have to say that I had a blast. I made the comment at the shower that registering and opening baby gifts is so much more fun that opening wedding gifts was four years ago. The hostesses did a wonderful job making this day extremely special and I would like to thank all of them (Mom, Natalie, Annie, Monique, Rodney, Mel, Ava, Monica, Carol, Katie, Lena, Kim and Tiffany). Ella got tons of precious outfits and essentials that we are going to need. Thanks to everyone that came and made the day special. Here are a few pictures of the event. The first picture is of Ella's bedding and curtains. The second one is of the precious bassinets that were on the tables (thanks again to Rodney for doing a spectacular job with the flowers.) The next one is a picture of Ella's Nannie and Nanna. The one after that is one of the proud mom's, MeMe and Nanna. Last but not least, the final picture is the candy bar that was set up at the shower.

Doctors Appointment - 27 weeks

Well, Casey and I had our first doctors apt in Lafayette today and I am pleased to say that it was nothing but good news, which is always great to hear. We met with my new doctor, Rose Kennedy, and Casey and I absolutely love her. First of all, I am happy to report that my placenta has stretched upwards as I have been growing and is no longer an issue, YEAH!!! Secondly, Ella looks great and she is still growing in the 54th percentile, so right on track. She is 2lbs, 3 oz and is between 13 and 14 inches long. The ultrasound tech said that if she keeps growing at that rate, she will be about 7 lbs. but that could always change. She also said that Ella already has hair, too bad we can't see what color it is! Her ultrasound tech even gave us a DVD and a 4D shot of Ella (see below), which I am sure I will be staring at for many hours now. During the ultrasound, Ella's toes were touching her forehead, I was scared that she didn't have enough room but they said that is common.

They recalculated my due date and pushed it up 2 days till December 9th, which means that I am now at the 7 months mark and have 3 months to go. I have gained 13 lbs. since the start of my pregnancy and I have included some shots that Casey took of me today.


I will be going for blood work, which includes another CDC and my gestational diabetes test, either this week or next and my next doctors apt is September 30th (3 weeks from today). After that appointment, I will start seeing her every two weeks. Until then.....

Houston Shower - 25 Wks Pregnant

First of all I would like to apologize to all of my faithful bloggers that I have not updated my blog in over two weeks, you should have known something was up when I posted 2 blogs last time! Just kidding, hopefully I will get better. Anyway, things have been a little crazy since I last posted, we moved to Lafayette and were in the process of getting settled in. We did allot of work last week cleaning our Plaquemine home for showings and getting our condo ready for our renters. Therefore, on Thursday, we headed to Houston for a fun-filled weekend. We arrived Thursday afternoon and Kim, Gaven and Ty were in the yard setting up for the shower the next day. It was great seeing all of them because it had been 2 months since we saw them last. On Friday, Casey went to work in the Houston office while Kim, Gaven, Ty and I set up for the party. I had to run to Babies R Us for a bit so Kim and I couldn't resist putting a crown on Ty while we were there, he is such a good sport! The rain threatened that afternoon but the fun-filled party was not backing down and the weather stayed nice and it never rained at the party. In case you were wondering, the party was put on by Kim and Gaven and it was for Casey and I and Josh and Kristi. I used to work with Gaven and Josh, therefore, that's how I met their lovely wives. So, the party consisted of Casey's Apex office and friends from Burns & McDonnell (my old office). Here is a picture of the 3 girls, Kristi is 31 weeks pregnant with twins and she looks great and Kim is training for a triathlon (I can only dream of looking that good 10 months after Ella)!

The following are some pictures of the decorations for the shower, Kim and Gaven really did an excellent job with everything.

During the party, she played a game where the guys had to drink an ounce of beer from a baby bottle and the task proved harder then they all imagined, guess Ty will have to give some of you some pointers!

On Saturday, Kim, Ty and I went to Kristi's Baby Shower, it was allot of fun and the food/decorations were great. Then on Sunday, we left in the morning to drive back to Lafayette. I have to admit, it was nice not having to go one extra hour on I-10. Thanks again to Kim, Gaven and Ty for throwing a fabulous shower and putting us up for the weekend. Also, it was great to see all of our friends. It was weird saying goodbye to everyone, especially Kristi, knowing that she and I will have a baby/babies next time we see each other next.

On another note, I am 26 weeks pregnant today and growing at a rapid pace. Ella is extremely active and I still feel great. My first doctors appointment with my new doctor is next Wednesday and I will update my blog afterwards. Tootles!

Baby Bump - 23 weeks

I know I haven't posted pictures in a while so I am making 2 posts today, I know, major accomplishment. Anyway, Casey took this picture of me last night (exactly 23 weeks pregnant). You all will be very pleased to know that I tried to find an outfit and pose that would enhance the bump, see it is growing. Ella is extremely active these days, I took the phrase from Annie that she thinks she is a Rockette with all of her kicking, it is a great feeling though. Last time we went for an ultrasound (22 weeks), she was measuring 11.5 inches, weighed 1 lb, 3 oz and was in the 50th percentile, which means that she is right on track. I continue to feel great these days, but I have definitely noticed that I get out of breath a whole lot easier than when I wasn't pregnant. We will be moving to the Touchette house (our new house) starting this weekend and we should be all moved in by next weekend. I see my new doctor in Lafayette, Dr. Rose Kennedy, September 9th for the first time and I have Casey and I signed up for tons of baby classes at the hospital, should be fun!

Colby & Tom's 30th Birthdays

So two weeks ago, two of Casey's best friends, Colby and Tom, joined him in the "30 Club." A few of us joined them for sushi and then we all went downtown for a bit. Needless to say, it felt great to Casey and I (and Ella) to be able to let loose and enjoy ourselves. We arrived downtown around 10:30pm and we left to go back home around 12:15pm, I tried to stay longer because we were having so much fun but I was getting tired. I think Ella enjoyed dancing, especially to the Stevie B that her dad requested, ha! The first picture is of all of the guys and the second picture is of me and some flamboyant guy that I met there (Ha, notice how his shirt is tied). I HAVE to show these to Ella one day:

All in all, we had a great time and because I was able to conceal my bump, I did not feel like Brittany Spears while I was dancing and having a good time. Thanks Crissy and Wanda for inviting us!

Ultrasound Appointment- 20 wks, 5 days

Casey and I had another ultrasound yesterday and got 99.9% confirmation that Ella was still a girl, ha! I wanted to hold off until this appointment on monogramming her bedding just to make sure. Here is her profile....we are so in love with her already:

Dr. Sherman says that everything looks good. By the way, I started to feel her kick about 2 weeks ago today and she is definitley very active in there. Below I posted some belly shots of myself that Casey took yesterday at 20 weeks-5 days and my tummy is getting bigger, thicker, whatever you want to call it:

My next appointment is August 25th, so until next time.....

Casey and I would like to introduce you to Ella Claire Touchette!

So, it's official as of today (17 weeks), Casey and
I will be having a little girl in December and her name will be Ella Claire Touchette. Both of us have loved the name Ella since we found out that I was pregnant and I think Claire fits it well. Both of us are really excited! I think Casey was about 90% sure that the baby was going to be a boy due to the Touchette tradition, so it took some time to sink in that he will have a little girl. The second picture on the right shows the sex of the baby. For all of you that have no idea what you are looking at (like me), if it is a girl you will see three white lines which resemble a hamburger. But all and all, we are very fortunate to know that she looks very healthy.

I went for my 3rd appointment today and Dr. Sherman listened to the heartbeat and said that

everything sounds great. Ella's heartbeat was still rocking and rolling at 160 bpm. I gained 1 lb. in the last month, which shocked me because I thought it would be more!

After Dr. Sherman's visit, I went to see Casey's cousin Kelly to do another ultrasound (just in case I may need to hit up a 4th of July furniture sale). He did one at 15 weeks and said he was 90% sure it was a girl but today he confirmed 100% it is a girl since she has had 2 more weeks to develop. My next appointment is in 3 weeks (20 weeks pregnant) and that's when my doctor will do the big ultrasound where she looks at all of Baby Ella's organs.

You can see her precious little foot in the third picture. I have not
posted anymore belly shots because it really isn't that impressive yet, so I will post some when you will be able to see a difference.

On another note, Ella's Popie (Mr. Dale) is in need of everyone's prayers at the moment. He has been in ICU since last Monday and is sick with something similar to a bad viral infection/pneumonia. Casey has been at the hospital this whole time doing exactly what he needs to be doing, being there for his dad. So please take a moment out of your day and pray for his recovery. Ella and I are praying over here but we feel very strongly that he will be back on his feet and back to the same ole' man that all of us love in time to enjoy his first granddaughter in December.