Thanks.

Perhaps it is the Christmas atmosphere that puts us in the Thankful spirit but we would be ungrateful if we did not express Thanks for our friends, family and beautiful baby Ellie. As we waited for Ellie to come Mitch and I found ourselves saying, "Are we really ready for a baby?" and, "I don't even know what to do with a baby". But since the day she was born both of us have found ourselves saying, "it's as if she just belongs here". She has a sweet disposition and a distinct Heavenly spirit that has brought a feeling of peace into our home. We are fortunate to have her and we love our little girl.

New Pictures

While taking this picture Ellie had a little accident on Mitchells arm (#2!) good girl...

She has Mitch's Feet!

She is all about style...

My Cousin Shauna took these pictures for us as a baby gift. They really turned out well I think!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Welcome Ellie!

Ellie Marjorie Dorius Born @ 6:59 on Dec. 1st. 7 pds 13 oz. 19 inches. This is the first time I got to hold her. Mitch did a great job cleaning her up!

After 11 hours of labor Ellie stopped progressing at a '6'. Because her head was stuck and was continuing to swell, they decided to do a C-section. They made us put on our fancy hats and rushed us off to the OR all within 10 min. The C-section went perfectly. While Mitch held my hand, the Doctor let me look at a mirror above so I could watch everything, (that was really cool). After the C-section they swept her and Mitch away while they put me back together.

Mitch and I before the epidural...the natural thing became a little overrated when I was dialated to a 2.5 for 4 hours. I knew it was going to be a long day at that rate.

Our new little family!

2 days and counting!

Yes, we are still waiting. We went into the doctor last week expecting to get this party started but he simply said..."why don't we wait one more week...". If any doctor is looking for a way to make a 9 month pregnant woman cry he simply needs to say "why don't we just wait one more week". Lucky for Mitch and I, we previously talked/rehearsed this type of response, so instead of crying I kept my composure and went home and slept for 2 hours. :)
The good news is that he will be 'starting' me on Tuesday morning (December 1st). At our appointment he told us that I have a pelvic girdle that is very narrow and is not letting the baby drop. He also told us that because of the narrow passage way the baby might not be able to make it through during labor. He proceeded to tell me that he will let me 'labor' for 12 hours but if the baby is not out by then he will have to take it by C-section.
People have been asking me if I am nervous about all this. My answer... depends on the time of day. If it's before 8 p.m. no not really. After 9 p.m. yep, a little anxious. (I seem to lose emotional control after about 9 pm. Which, I don't think I should be held accountable for at the judgement bar, but I suppose I'm not the one who is writing those rules). Honestly, what makes me the most nervous is not being able to eat. I am supposed to stop eating after midnight the night before. Which means that if I do actually labor for the full 12 hours, it will be 18 hours before I eat anything (which again, no woman should be held accountable for actions/words during that time period either, again, not up to me (simply a suggestion for the judgement bar rule writer).
Overall, we are beyond excited for our little girl to join our family. We are thankful for a new addition to our little family during this holiday season...ask me if I feel the same way during 2 a.m. feedings... wink wink! Check the blog on wed for pics and updates!

The Annual Lifferth Halloween Party (part 2)

Uncle Bubba was in charge of the pirate treasure hunt, everyone had a great time.

Our fearless leader Indiana Zach always knew exactly what to do, as long as there was no snakes!

Leopard Taylor read "Cross the river of cement, and wind your way to the roaring rain gutter"

Pirate Spencer, trying to explain what a river of cement was.

2nd Annual Lifferth Halloween Party!

From left to right: Buzz (Will), Mr. Incredible (Tex), Indiana Jones (Zach), A Leopard (Taylor), Skeleton (Jacob), Witch (Keira), Minnie (Kate), Puppy (David), Butterfly (Olivia), Skeleton (Ethan)

It was our job to shoot "Pirate" Spencer and "Outlaw" Randy with marshmallows!

Get em Guys!

Good Shot!

Research: A punishment for grad school students

I'm taking this research class right now as part of my graduate program at Utah State. It is probably one of the most torturous classes I have ever taken part of. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about education, but this class has just pushed me over the edge. It's a 3 hour class, once a week, on how to conduct, write, and critique research. If I could grant every reader one wish, I would wish that they would never have to take this class as long as they live! agh. However, in all situations there is always something to be learned. Here are 5 things I've learned at least so far...

1) I never want to get my Doctorate
2) I will never let a professor take my research and use it as an example, no matter how good I think it is!
3) No matter how many parental opinions I hear, I will not believe that Autism is caused by immunizations until they have reliable studies to back it up.
4) You can't believe what you hear on the news.
5)Even a baby in the womb can become board in a research class!