Great news!

It's been a really good day. I vacuumed the house. I'm almost caught up on laundry. All bottles are washed, sterilized and remade.

Betsy has discovered another brand of pacifiers she likes... add the Mam brand to the Avents on the "Betsy approval list". Last night Betsy woke up at 1:30 and ate and was back asleep by 2, and again from 5:30-6. We woke up for good at 8 am. I'm not complaining, that's great for me, I still feel like I got a great night of sleep.

Ben is back to coaching as of this morning's practice, and he has his first soccer game of the season this Friday. After his morning practice today he met up with several of the other history coaches to golf, he was really excited about that, and it had been about 6 months since he's had the opportunity to do so.

Betsy and I went to the doctor's today (my doctor) and my blood pressure is looking good!! We're cutting my medications in half... I'm cutting out two pills completely, literally cutting one pill in half, and staying on the other medication twice per day. I have to continue to moderate my BP and in three weeks when I go in for my post baby check up I might get taken off the rest!!

Dr. Greene was so funny, she hadn't seen me since I had been discharged from the hospital (the second time). I'll admit I was looking pretty rough at that time period. Anyways the thinks I look much better ("You have cheek bones! And shin bones!" she exclaimed. I told her Ben and I want to start walking and I've been feeling fantastic. She gave me the go ahead, so I'm off the hook on 'taking it easy'!

Speaking of...tomorrow is January 1. I am re-committing to Weight Watchers, Ben and I will both be counting points. Wish us luck in our venture. It feels weird when you can cut back like I have been after 9 months of eating for two (which I didn't do that much of, I just seemed to swell for two!).

And my last good news is that I am laying in bed with my sweet baby next to me (Lauren, if you're reading this she's wearing the argyle onsie you sent her!), my schnauzer around my feet and typing on my laptop. I bought and hooked up a wireless router today! Why I hadn't done this months ago, I don't know but I'm going to enjoy it now! I can blog and upload and post pictures while I hang out in the living room with Ben and Betsy. Yea!

It's the little things, right? Don't forget to watch for Lauren tonight at the Chick-fil-a bowl!! Go Georgia Tech!

It's halftime...

In case you didn't know I have come to REALLY love football. It's halftime of OSU Oregon game so I thought yall might like a few more Betsy pictures while I had a minute :)

Welcome Isaiah!

Quick post...my cousin Cynthia had a beautiful baby boy yesterday who she named Isaiah Lee. Cynthia lives about a mile down the road and I hope our babies have the opportunity to grow up close and play together often. Cynthia is very excited to be a mother and she was moving around very well today and taking care of Isaiah herself, despite having a C-section delivery. Here are a few pictures from my trip to the hospital to meet baby Isaiah!

What's wrong?! 8 hours...

This morning I woke up thinking something was wrong, because no one woke me up. I went to bed at 10:30, Ben stayed up and watched a movie and gave the baby a bottle around 1:30 and she didn't wake up again until 6:30. So I slept uninterrupted 10:30-6:30. Holy cow! It must be a fluke.

Anyhow, Betsy's taking a nap. Today we went to the vehicle registration office to renew both my and Ben's registrations, then we stopped for Chinese food and ran by Target to buy more formula. It seems like Betsy eats a lot, but I think she just eats larger bottles (4 or 4.5 ounces) every 4 or 5 hours. So I think we're averaging 24 ounces of formula per day. We bought all the formula on the shelves with a couple Target gift cards we received for Christmas (yea!) so I think we have about enough to get through three more weeks. We also returned my library books on the way home.

I wish we would win the lottery because I really like both Ben and I being home with the baby. I'm an 'early to bed' and he's a 'late to rise' so somehow we're both getting enough sleep and pretty much splitting the baby duties. Yesterday we watched three episodes from the John Adams mini series made by HBO. My Mom got it for Ben for Christmas and we both have a love for American history, it was really good!

In a couple hours I'm heading to the local hospital to meet my cousin Cynthia's baby Isiah Lee. My Uncle Bo says he was born weighing 8 pounds 2 ounces this morning. I know Cynthia was so excited to meet her little guy.

All for now, I'm sure all the above info was super exciting, but it's fun to get out of the house and pal around with my hubby and baby! Here's a couple pictures of my sweet girls hanging out in bed with me yesterday. Maddie just had a haircut so she shivers unless she keeps her coat on. Plus she knows how pretty she looks with it on.

More about Betsy

Well...with all the activity around here I haven't posted a lot about Betsy's schedule and her likes and dislikes! I'll have to share those here. Betsy is eating 4 ounces every four hours. She likes being awake at night and sleeping during the day, especially in the afternoons and if we're out and about running errands. She likes liquid formula, not the kind you mix together yourself and feed her. That had been my original plan, because it's cheaper and basically the same product, but when I looked at her schedule and realized how many less times a day we were eating with the 'milk shake' formula as my Mom calls it we switched to completely liquid premade stuff. She loves her Avent bottles and the compatible Avent pacifiers. She LOVES her vibrating bouncer, she loves rocking in the glider. She doesn't like scratchy faces (Ben better shave that beard off soon!). She hates having a wet or dirty diaper but doesn't cry about it. She really doesn't cry much at all, she might let out one wail, then you pick her up and resolve the diaper issue and she's a happy little camper again.

Betsy still doesn't like changing clothes, she hates long sleeves but lord knows with all the cute stuff she has I HAVE To get her dressed up every day! She doesn't mind stuff that buttons down the front so much as she dislikes clothing you pull over her head. She loves taking naps on Mommy's chest, and when she gets hungry and wakes up she thinks it's cute to try to suck on my chin for a snack. (ok, it is cute, but Betsy, that's not where milk comes from.)

I would describe her personality at this point as mellow. When she's awake she likes to look around and watch things but noises and stimulation don't upset her, or wake her or anything. Even Madison's barking doesn't phase her! That's all about Betsy! Let me see what precious pictures I have to add to this post...

An empty house...

WOW! This is the first time in 3 weeks I've had an empty house. Literally since the morning of the day Betsy was born. My mom, dad, and sister left this morning for Atlanta, Lauren has a basketball game she has to cheer at tomorrow. It was so nice having them here. I wish they could move in and stay with us forever. Ben went to his parents house with the baby to drop off their anniversary card. I was given strict instruction to take a nap, but I decided to catch the blog up. Blogging is hard to stay on top of when you have company! I wanted to enjoy every moment with our families and the baby while they were here...so it's been days since I've touched the computer.

Dad helped Ben with a couple little things around the house. They installed an extra light in my hallway (which we already had from when Ben put ceiling fans in the bedrooms). It's a 'little thing' but I love that I can see in my sewing closet so much better, and it's right outside of our room and Betsy's room so I don't trip all over myself moving from one room to the next at night. They also installed two fans on my back porch, they look amazing. The weather has been nice here so we've sat out on the back porch with various company who have come by to celebrate the holidays and meet Betsy. She is one popular girl! Dad also decided Madison needed a haircut so he and Ben went to Petsmart, bought the shears and Ben got a schnauzer shaving lesson. She looks like a schnauzer now, and it's funny how much Maddie's little personality changes when she knows she looks pretty. Speaking of Dad and Maddie, we've all decided he doesn't know who he loves better, my dog or my baby! Dad is just a dog lover at heart, if he wasn't away from home so much I know he would love to have a little one of his own.

The highlights from the last two days... WOW! We've been so busy! We had dinner with my in-laws Christmas Eve, then we all attended our church service together. Betsy wore the sweetest outfit my great-aunt sent her with fur around the collar to church and she couldn't have been more well behaved. Not a peep during church. I was flanked by my Mom and Dad and I know God understands, Mom and Dad couldn't take their eyes off of her. Sleeping babies who have just had a bath and are dressed up will do that to anyone!

Christmas day we woke up and made breakfast, we opened presents and stockings. We had a nice Christmas with wonderful gifts. Ben did a great job for me this year, it was really touching to know he took the time to go out and do things for me when he has had so much on his plate to take care of lately. What a wonderful husband I have. My greatest gift was truly the presence of my family and our sweet baby. She's still new enough that I feel like every moment is a joy, not a chore. Each feeding is still fun. She's praised for each belch. I love to smell her head, and get her dressed every day. I hope I feel like this about my child for as long as possible. I'm getting choked up thinking about what a wonderful gift she is and how lucky we are that she is healthy, and we are too!

After we opened our goodies we all got into party mode and prepared for Christmas dinner that we hosted at our house. My Uncle Bo and his family came, as well as my in-laws and my family. It was the first time we hosted a party in our dining room! My Mom and Sister prepared the most delicious meal of Prime Rib, two kinds of potatoes, two kinds of salad, and lots of yummy desserts. I think everyone had a wonderful time, and once again Betsy was a little angel during the party!

That's about all for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. The past couple of days have been pretty low key, we had friends come over last night and this morning my family left. Ben and I worked on getting the house back in order today, it's been go-go-go nonstop for weeks and it's nice to get some order back around here!

I'll post a couple of pictures from the past few days. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

What day is it?

Seriously, I don't know what day of the week it is. I DO know that my Dad is flying in tonight and my brother-in-law JD is picking him up from the airport and bringing him to Killeen! I keep telling Betsy.. "You get to meet your Grandbuddy tonight!"

Yesterday Betsy had her two week check up. The big news is that she gained 12 oz since her birth! I knew those cheeks and legs were getting chubbier. We came home and Ben's Aunt Tish and Uncle James, and cousins Andy and his wife Lisa came over to meet Betsy. Andy and Lisa just found out they are expecting, and most likely it's twins or triplets!! We had fun talking baby gear and Ben impressed them with his baby knowledge.

After the family left two couple friends of ours came over, one couple Ben coaches with, and Raymond and Tiffany who brought Ryder over to meet his future girlfriend Betsy! Betsy is two weeks old and Ryder was 6 days old. Laureen, Mom, Ben and I threw together a pretty nice little soiree in an hour...I've decided Mom should have a show on TLC like "Home Made Simple".

Well, Ryder and Betsy are both cute babies, but if you put them in Mr and Mrs Clause outfits it magnifies the cuteness factor by a million. Here are a few pictures from last night's get together, and the Baby Clauses.

Granny and Aunt Lauren are here!!

My Mom and sister have arrived, it's so nice to have them here. It's also SO nice to feel 100% again! My Mom wants to help stay up with the baby, but it's not completely draining for me anymore to be awake with her at night. Betsy is a good little girl, a great sleeper, noise doesn't bother her and she LOVES to eat! We're going to the pediatrician for a two week follow up today so we'll see what the doctor says about our sweet girl!

Some of Ben's mother's family came in town yesterday, Betsy met her Great Grandmother Butler, Great Aunt Gail and Great Uncle Byron, and second cousin Erin who also shares her birthday! Everyone came to our house to see her, then Ben, Betsy, Mom, Laur and I all went to the Bralley's and we had a nice lunch. Later today Ben's Dad's side of the family will be in town and meet her! She's a popular commodity :)

This has to be a quick post, but I'll leave a few pictures for your enjoyment. Lauren is just wonderful with the baby. She was so funny, she had never held a baby before she got here but she's fighting tooth and nail with Mom for Betsy's attention.

Also, we recieved the nicest box from my Aunt Dolly in the mail Saturday with lots of goodies! Featured in the picture with Madison and Betsy is the most beautiful baby blanket, hand made by the Churchill hand weavers in Kentucky. Betsy is so lucky to have lots of people across the country who love her.

Long story short...

Hello readers!

I'm going to skip a few days and let yall know why I've been out of touch. Monday I was readmitted to the hospital for severe preeclampsia. As usual I did things backwards, people typically are very ill before the baby comes, then within two days of delivering preeclampsia goes away. I'm the rare case where the condition worsened a week after delivery. So we spent a few days in the hospital, my blood pressures were ridiculously high. There was fluid around my heart and in my lungs. My heart was enlarged due to the excess blood flow from all the swelling being reabsorbed in my system.

But I'm better!! I had an echo done on my heart which showed it's perfectly healthy, was just enlarged due to the swelling and is not permanently damaged (man THIS was a relief to hear). They gave me a diuretic to get rid of the fluid in my cavities (think lungs and chest) and I lost about 5 pounds a day while in the hospital of fluid. My feet and hands have also returned to their normal shape.

Wednesday late night I was discharged and I came home to Betsy. I was supposed to take it easy but I woke up at 2 am and took her off Ben's hands for a while. All of a sudden at 4 am I started feeling sick. I thought it was all these medications they gave me in the hospital (think shots and pills hourly) but all of a sudden I was violently ill... apparently I picked up a virus at the hospital. Poor poor Ben. He had a screaming baby and a sick wife to handle all day Thursday, but he took care of everyone like a champ. At one point the dog even got a little too excited and threw up. Seriously? Today of all days?! He did call in reinforcements and my Father in law came and took care of the baby for a few hours while he went to get my oil changed and to buy some low sodium foods for me.

I'm feeling 99% better today, not risking it with solid foods at this point, but I took a shower on my own and even took care of the baby from 1 am to 8 am. It's amazing how much easier it is when you're not severely ill.

So Betsy, Shannon and Ben are doing well now, and I hope to have more regular posts now. Quite frankly I'm done with the hospital. My Drs and nurses were phenomenal, but I'm ready to be home with my sweet girl. Now to post pictures!! :)

December 8th

On Monday, December 8th I awoke about 5 am with an upset stomach. I attributed this to the labor chili I ate the night before. I got up to use the restroom and when I stood up I felt a gush of fluid...

Now, a week before I went to labor and delivery thinking my water had broken and it hadn't...so I didn't freak out, because I wanted to make sure this was the real deal. I took a shower and laid back in bed and noticed I was having pretty intense contractions not regularly spaced, but close together nonetheless. Ben woke up for work at 7 and I told him I thought my water had broken and I was having contractions but to go ahead and go to work to get his lesson plans together for his substitute teacher. I didn't want my contractions to stop and him to waste a day of personal time. He left at 7:00 and by 7:30 I called him and said, THIS IS IT! Come home so we can go to the hospital! We still had the hospital bag in the trunk from a week before but I didn't *really* think we were going to be admitted that day.

We get to labor and delivery and I'm having strong contractions about 5 minutes apart. Ben was great "breathing through it" with me. He was SO excited bouncing around saying... "Are we having a baby today?!". I didn't call anybody and asked him not to as well because if it was another false alarm I didn't want to get anyone's hopes up.

*side thought-Ben asked if we could drive through Chickfila on the way to the hospital and I said no because I was in too much pain. I later came to regret this having gone through 17.5 hours of labor on a small muffin alone. NOT FUN.*

The same doctor was on call as a week before and I thought "Oh great, he's going to think I'm some crazy chick trying to wish myself into labor". He checked my cervix and swabbed for fluid and went to look under a microscope and came back VERY quickly to say, this is it! You're having a baby today! They will only let you go 18 hours after your water breaks to delivery the baby so we were on a time clock.

We moved to a labor and delivery room (very nice, I love the hospital where we had the baby). At this point it's 9:30 in the morning. They told me to relax, breathe through the contractions, I was only 2.5 cm dilated and had a while to go before I could have an epidural. So I labored naturally until 3:00 in the afternoon then they came in and asked if I wanted to go ahead and have it done (YES! I do!).

*Sigh* about the epidural...to make a long story short I had three epidurals, the first going to a wrong cavity and the second was a 1 in 1000 chance there was a kink in the epidural line. The third epidural worked fine thought and the pain wasn't bad. I just didn't look at what they were doing.

*side note~ Ben later told me he wanted to punch just about every doctor or nurse while they were doing all the procedures invovled in this process. I think him seeing me in pain was worse for him than me being in pain...except that last hour. I'd say it was worse for me than for him.*

After the epidural kicked in they gave me pitocin to speed my contractions. I dilated pretty quickly at this point from 4 centimeters to 7 centimeters. THEN the "reaction" to the epidural hit, and I think I threw up about 30 times between all the medications they gave me in the process. It helped speed things along though. Can you believe the throwing up action pushed the baby down?!

*side note, Ben was a champ, taking care of me during all this. It takes a strong man to see what he saw and stay positive and in good spirits. He helped me stay cleaned up and feeling as good as possible throughout this long day*

My doctor was on vacation but made it to the hospital to deliver the baby! I pushed about 20 minutes and then I looked up and she was there! Ben said it was hilarious that I was a little loopy with fatigue at this point and I said "Dr. Green! I am so glad you could make it!" another cool thing, one of Ben's students' Dad's is the head of the OB.GYN department in the hospital and came in to watch the delivery and encourage me. I was SO exhausted at this point when they told me "it's getting close!" I quite frankly didn't believe them. Finally after an hour of pushing she arrived!

Elizabeth Jane was born at 10:07 pm on Monday, December 8th. She weighted 7 lb 1 oz.

December 1st-December 7th

I'm sorry for my prolonged absence...I have an excuse, I was put on bed rest, then surprisingly I had my beautiful baby girl three weeks early! Here's the quick synopsis so I can get around to the fun part...posting pictures of my sweet girl!!

On December 1st the Doctor called me to say I was being put on bed rest, due to highish blood pressure, swelling and protein in my urine. Tuesday, December 2nd I thought I was in labor and went to the hospital, it was a false alarm. I know they thought I was a crazy first time mom...wen's your due date again? December 29th?

I went to the doctor that afternoon and although I had several early labor symptoms I only was dilated to 1.5 centimeters. Wednesday and Thursday I bed rested, then Friday I came back to the hospital for a non stress test to check on the baby and to talk about my plan to control my Preclampsia. Dr. Green stressed that it did NOT look like this baby was coming anytime soon and that lots of people get crazy about trying to induce before Christmas but to let it go, this baby would most likely be born the week of Christmas. Saturday I bed rested and Sunday I took it easy, but our friends Raymond and Tiffany came over to watch the Cowboys game and eat chili (which we aptly renamed 'Labor Chili' 48 hours later. I didn't sleep well Sunday night....

that's the end of this post! I'm going to have to break this up so it's easier to keep track of!