Ella Ruth Whitley is Home!

We were able to leave the hospital this morning about 11:00. It was nice to get home and then take a nap in my own bed. Anna, Nana, and Poppy came to the hospital this morning to see Ella one last time before they headed to Kentucky. Anna loves Ella so much and it is sweet to see them together. Anna is going to spend the next several days with Nana and Poppy while Joe and I get adjusted to having a newborn again and the lack of sleep. We were sad letting Anna go, but we know she is going to have so much fun there. Joe's mom is staying with us through the weekend. We are excited to have her help. She was great when we brought Anna home from the hospital.

We were so blessed to have many vistors at the hospital. I will post another day all of the pictures of Ella's family and friends.

We are so glad Ella is finally here! God is good!

Proud Daddy







I was afraid Anna would be scared to see me all hooked up, but she did great! Anna made the time pass by quickly as we waited for Ella's arrival.

Anna loved the rocking chair and the suckers!

Nana came prepared with gifts for Anna!


We have NO CLUE who Ella looks like.

Is that not the sweetest thing? Anna LOVES to hold Ella's hands.

Anna loved Mommy's bed!


Our new family of 4!

Proud Big Sister! Thanks LeAnn for monogramming their shirts!

Anna is really gentle with Ella!

Anna loved playing in Ella's carseat.



Ready to head home!

Grandma showing Ella Daddy's fish. We hope she likes them as much as Anna.

Happy Birthday Ella

Our Sweet Baby Girl

Ella Ruth Whitley

was born today at 1:30 in the afternoon. She weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. Joe and I arrived at the hospital at midnight and they started pitocin at about 1:15 this morning. When they checked me, I was only a 1/2 cm dilated. I was very frustrated because that is what I had been since 36 weeks. At 7:00 am, I asked for my epidural and was feeling no pain by 7:30. Dr. Vick arrived at 9:00 to check me and break my water. However, my water had already broke and I didn't know it. I was 2 cm at this point. At 11:00 I was 4 cm. Then Dr. Vick came back at 1:00 to check me. As soon as he did, he said, "Oh My", but did not tell me how far I was. The next thing I knew, he had me pushing and Joe could immediately see Ella's head. He let all my family and friends come in to see me one last time. I was able to kiss Anna, which made me cry. Then everyone left. Within 10 minutes Ella was here. I pushed 3 times and she was out! I won't give any more details, but it was an amazing experience and much easier than Anna. God is so good! We have been praising him all day for our sweet baby girl and her health! The Internet is really slow here at the hospital and this is the only picture I could get to upload. Many more to come when we get home Thursday.

Happy Halloween

We weren't sure if Mommy and Daddy would get to celebrate Halloween with Anna this year, but Ella is content in Mommy's belly. We had a great time yesterday and today celebrating Halloween. Yesterday we met Rhonda, Fran, and Lauren at Cracker Barrel for a Halloween breakfast. All the kids were so well behaved. We even got to sing Happy Birthday to a sweet lady who sat near us. Then today Anna, Nana, and I went shopping and then to a great Halloween party. Thanks Kristi for having us over today. We got home late and Anna and I took a long nap after the party.

Frannie the cat and Sara the pumpkin (as Anna says now). 3 days until we meet Ella!!

Kristi, thanks for the goody bucket.

Sorry this picture is so bright. My camera was acting up today.


Anna and Nana decorating a cookie at the party!


We went to visit Daddy at work yesterday.

Playing checkers...


What a cute bumblebee!

Rhonda, I think you need rocking chairs at your house!

Anna didn't recognize Jack at first! Great costumes Jack and Jake!

Anna and Joel the cute pumpkin!

The whole crew...

Anna and Joel took a bath together! I don't think Joel knew what to think about having a big girl in his tub.

We went to Josh and La La's house the other night. We just put Anna in a sleeping bag at 8:00. She laid right down and went to sleep.

22 Months

Anna was 22 months old on Tuesday. I cannot believe my baby (but now a big girl) is 22 months old. I think she is ready to be a big sister and is going to be a great helper for Mommy. Lately, all she has been talking about is Ella coming out! If all goes as planned, I will be induced Monday night (well at midnight) and we should meet Ella sometime Tuesday!!!

Anna and Mommy made brownies for the McKeehans Tuesday night. She was so proud!


Swimming in Mommy and Daddy's tub. Anna loves to take baths in our tub now. I am not sure if she will want to go back to her tub.


Anna loves to wear any kind of jacket, especially ones with hoods. She did not want to take her raincoat off the other day.

Ready for bed Tuesday night.

Catch Up

I honestly have not taken many pictures in the last few weeks. We have been busy getting ready for Ella's arrival and I just haven't felt 100%. I go back to the doctor Wednesday to see if I have dialated any more. Last week I had only dialated 1/2 cm, so we have a long way to go. At this point we do not think Ella will come until our induction date, which is next Monday night. We would love for her to come early because I am starting to be miserable. Here are pictures from the last few weeks.

TVA had a baby shower for us and the Vineyards last week. It was so nice of them to do that!

They had a special gift for Anna! She was so excited!

Anna sporting her name tag like Daddy's!


One of Anna's favorite times of the day is getting the mail with Daddy. Thursday she had mail of her own. Ma sent her a Halloween card and $5.00. She was so proud. She and Daddy put the money in her piggy bank!

We went to Soccer Taco for dinner Friday night. Anna loved the music and all the TVs.

We went to visit the McKeehans Friday night. Anna did great at the hospital and loved seeing Hudson. I think her favorite part was playing with Pastor Mark and the sucker he gave her.

Carrie and her sweet baby Hudson. Hudson was born Friday at 3:01 and he weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz. They are home and doing well!

As our Serving Knoxville as 1 project, we went to Trinity Hills to host a tailgate party for the Alabama game Saturday. Joe and Anna came after her nap and she had a ball playing with one lady. I was so proud of Anna because she is usually very bashful around strangers.