Elizabeth Jane has arrived!

Well, God must have heard my prayers about wanting to have our little girl early b/c she arrived nearly three weeks early. Last Wednesday I went in for my regular apt, I had noticed the baby moving a little less than normal but I can honestly say I wasn't alarmed. He checked my amniotic fluid,which was fine and then sent me for a NST. After almost an hour on the NST, he came in and said that he wasn't happy with her heartbeat ranges. It seems she wasn't having acclerations, even though at this point her movement was back to normal. He sent me over to Labor and Delivery. I still wasnt't thinking today was the day. I called Jeff's mom and made sure she could stay with the kids. I also called my mom, who immediately went into panic mode.
After more monitoring and a u/s it was determined that she wasn't quite as happy as we would all would have liked in utero and that today would be her birthday. I can honestly say that I was never scared. I figured if they were really worried..they would take her and they did. It did seem really sureal...like it wasn't my life. It kinda stunk to not have any of my things..like a camera with me but what are you going to do?!
When they first took her out, I saw what a little peanut she was. She didn't cry as vigorously as Matthew and Caroline did, which freaked me out. But, they reassured me that she was fine. When they brought her over to me, she was just still and quite and looked like a little doll..she has the tiniest face I have ever seen! She is mellow so far..never cries. Just squeaks a little when she needs to be fed or have her diaper changed. The kids have taken to her quite nicely. Caroline really could care less but occasionally comes over and wants to hold her. The way she says "Ellie" is super cute too! Matthew loves her deeply but definetly is testing us when it comes to his behavior. He has been super naughty which has been trying. Thankfully Barb took him for the past two days to give him some one on one time. I am really trying to just remain merciful and patient with him and reassuring that we still love him even though there is a new baby in town!
I have to say that I am so in love with our little Ellie. She is so precious and with all that Sam and Jaime are enduring it makes it very hard not to just hold and love on our blessing 24-7. I find myself so overcome with thankfulness and joy at being privledged to be my children's mother. Not to say that I don't have moments where I am overwhelmed but I can honestly say that I feel better than I have in months right now. I am just thankful. Life is so very precious and nothing puts that into greater perspective than a tiny newborn.
My mom comes back next week to help out and Matthew begins school so we should be on our new schedule sooner than later. Right now,I am just holding and feeding and playing and book reading..enjoying the moment!