Our world just got a whole lot brighter – and a whole lot more surprising! We’re absolutely thrilled to share the incredible news that our son made his grand debut a full SIX WEEKS EARLIER than expected. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions, unexpected turns, and immeasurable joy, and we can’t wait to introduce you to the newest member of our family.
Meet Our Sweet “Little Goat”: Ellis Thane Carter
It’s with overflowing hearts and a touch of disbelief that we officially introduce you to our precious baby boy. Please allow us to present:
Ellis Thane Carter
Everyone, say hello to Ellis. Ellis, my sweet boy, meet the wonderful community that’s been following our journey. It feels surreal to say these words, to finally hold him, and to experience this profound shift in our lives.
Ellis’s Unforeseen Arrival and Precious Birth Stats
Our little peanut certainly made a dramatic entrance into the world, a story I promise to share in much more detail when I’ve had a bit more sleep and time to process it all. Trust me, it deserves a dedicated, comprehensive post! The emotional rollercoaster and the rapid sequence of events leading up to his birth were truly unforgettable, and I’m eager to chronicle every moment for you.
The last weekend of September unfolded in a way we never anticipated. What began as a routine trip to the hospital for observation due to a few pregnancy-related complications quickly escalated. One night of monitoring turned into an overnight stay, and before we knew it, Ellis decided it was his birthday on the morning of September 27, 2020. It was fast, it was intense, and it was undeniably one of the most significant moments of our lives, transforming our expectations into an immediate reality of new parenthood.
Born at precisely 34 weeks gestation, Ellis came into the world via C-section. He weighed a tiny but mighty 4 pounds, 12.9 ounces, and measured 16 inches long. His early arrival meant he needed a little extra time and specialized care, leading to nearly two weeks spent in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Those two weeks were an emotional rollercoaster, a period filled with immense worry, cautious hope, and overwhelming gratitude for the incredible medical team who looked after our son with such dedication and compassion. Bringing him home after that time felt like the greatest victory, a moment of profound relief and unadulterated joy that words can barely capture.
The Origin of His Sweetest Nicknames
Even though he’s only been with us for a short while, Baby E has already accumulated quite a collection of endearing nicknames. We find ourselves calling him by a variety of affectionate terms throughout the day, each one reflecting a different facet of his tiny personality. But by far, my absolute favorite, the one that truly captures his unique charm, is “Little Goat.”
This precious nickname stems from the adorable, grunty noises he makes – sounds that, I’m told, are quite common among preemie babies. There’s something so incredibly sweet and endearing about these little grunts; they are a constant source of amusement and delight for us. I find myself soaking up every single one, knowing that these particular sounds might fade as he grows stronger and develops. I’ve even managed to capture some of these moments on video, which I can’t wait to share with you all very soon! It’s a tiny, unforgettable characteristic of his early days that we’ll cherish forever, a unique auditory signature of our “Little Goat.”
Beyond “Little Goat,” he’s also affectionately known as Stinky (mostly after diaper changes, of course, a new parent rite of passage!), Peanut (for his small, precious size that fits so perfectly in our arms), and Monkey (for his playful wiggles and stretches, even in his sleep). Much like his impossibly tiny preemie outfits, which are all adorable in their own right, it’s truly hard to pick just one favorite nickname. Each one holds a special place in our hearts and adds another layer of love and personality to our interactions with him, celebrating every tiny aspect of his being.
Navigating the New Normal: Life Interrupted and Future Adventures
As I type this, nearly a month has passed since Ellis’s birth, yet we still haven’t reached his original due date. This fact alone underscores the incredible speed and unexpected nature of his arrival. It’s a constant reminder of how quickly life can change and how adaptable we truly need to be. Our meticulously crafted plans for those final six weeks of pregnancy, including preparing for maternity leave and creating holiday-themed content, were instantly put on hold, replaced by the immediate and overwhelming joy and responsibility of caring for our preemie.
The reality is, we’re still playing catch-up in many ways. His nursery, a project we were so excited about, remains unfinished. Our guest bedroom, another item on our pre-baby checklist for visitors, also didn’t get done. I hadn’t even finished drafting my blog post chronicling my pregnancy journey, nor had we received our maternity photos back from the photographer – those cherished memories are still waiting to be developed. And then, in a blink, here he was! Sponsor deadlines were, regrettably, missed as well. I’ll be dedicating time to catching up on that content, which means, on the bright side, you can still expect some fresh blog posts from my maternity leave period that I had planned well in advance.
Honestly, the entire experience, from the sudden rush to the hospital to Ellis’s early arrival and subsequent NICU stay, was profoundly scary and surreal. The speed at which everything escalated was bewildering, a blur of medical decisions and urgent care. But those detailed stories, including our comprehensive NICU experience and the raw, honest account of adjusting to life as a new mom, will be reserved for future posts. I plan to publish his full birth story not just for those who might find it interesting, but as a personal memoir, a record for myself to revisit and reflect upon. For now, my primary focus is squarely on navigating these precious, early weeks – and the inherent struggles – of caring for not just a newborn, but a preemie baby who requires extra vigilance and love.
Embracing Holiday Magic: A New Family Tradition
Our holiday plans, too, are going to look a little different this year. Given the unexpected changes and the ongoing global situation, we’re actually enlisting some help to kickstart our holiday preparations early. I had originally envisioned coming up with a fun “belly costume” for Halloween, but that plan quickly transformed! Now, I need a costume idea that involves all three of us – a delightful and exciting challenge! I think I’ve landed on a fantastic idea for the dogs and Ellis, but K (my partner) and I are still brainstorming our part in the ensemble, aiming for something unique and memorable. We’re also planning to sort of “skip” Thanksgiving this year due to current circumstances and dive straight into Christmas decor. K is already making plans to cover the house in twinkling lights. After the year 2020 has been, filled with so many uncertainties and challenges, it just feels right to infuse a little bit of early holiday magic into our home, doesn’t it? We all could use some extra cheer and sparkle this year, and celebrating our first Christmas with Ellis feels like the perfect reason to go all out.
Your Support Means the World: A Call to Our Community
Thank you, in advance, for all your kind comments, well wishes, and understanding during this incredibly special yet demanding time. As our posts might be a little sporadic while we navigate this profound new life adjustment, I would genuinely appreciate your support in a huge way: please consider sharing your favorite projects of mine with your friends and across your social media channels. Advertising revenue is my primary source of income, and naturally, it can dip when I’m not able to post as regularly. I’m truly hoping that the foundation I’ve built for my business is strong enough to allow me to step away for a little while and fully embrace these precious moments with Ellis without too much stress.
Additionally, if you want to ensure you don’t miss any future updates, including Ellis’s full birth story, NICU journey details, and our adventures in new parenthood, please make sure to subscribe to our newsletter here. You’ll be the first to catch new posts as they go live directly in your inbox, ensuring you stay connected with our growing family and blog content.
Stay Tuned for More!
More updates are definitely on the way soon, especially after a little more healing and settling in to our new routines. If you’re eager to catch some of the early snippets of Ellis’s birth story and see more of our initial moments as a family, I shared quite a bit of it on Instagram as it was all unfolding. Simply click on the “Baby E” highlight on my profile page and tap through to see the real-time journey! Thank you again for being such an incredible part of our community. We are so grateful for your love and well wishes as we embark on this beautiful new chapter, learning and growing as a family of three.