2008 A Year in Review

January 2008

Martha is 24 weeks pregnant with our first child. At week 26, she gets the news that she needs to go on bed rest due to a rapid onset of preeclampsia. At week 27, she is admitted to the local hospital, then transferred to a level 4 nursery hospital in Charlotte.

Martha and niece Macy at Piedmont Medical center.


Martha and Robbie checking out their new sleeping arrangements at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, NC.

February 2008

February 3, 2008 at 8:47am, Campbell entered the world weighing 2lbs 01oz. She was born at 27 weeks 6 days. She spent the remainder of the month in the NICU at Presbyterian Hospital.

World, meet Campbell. This is my first picture of her.


The infamous "wedding ring" picture on Campbell's left arm.

March, 2008

Campbell is still in the NICU but is doing extremely well. She's a "fighter" and her doctors and nurses are all impressed with her progress. She has some of the best nurses and doctors that we could ask for. Not that we wish this on anyone, but Presbyterian Hospital NICU is the place to go if you have a preemie.

Martha and Campbell's "first kiss"


Campbell sucking her thumb in her isolette.


Campbell's first day in the "big girl" crib.


Campbell and her nurse enjoying Day Light Savings Time together!

April, 2008

April 9, 2008, our prayers were answered, after 66 days in the NICU Campbell was released to us with a clean bill of health. She weighed 4lbs 11oz.

Me, Martha, and Campbell standing on "the other side" of the NICU


Campbell's first car seat ride, showing her parole time of 12:40pm

May, 2008

This was our first "real month" as parents. Campbell, Martha and I did some local traveling. We participated in a local 5K walk/run, went back for a NICU reunion, and enjoyed some silly time.

Campbell meets Santa at the Izzy 5k run.


Campbell and daddy out doing some shopping


Campbell looking as cute as she can in her swing

June, 2008

We took a small family vacation with another couple. Campbell got to visit the beach for the first time. She even found some time to catch some rays. Campbell even had her first real photo shoot.

Catching some rays in Myrtle Beach


Campbell enjoying a bumbo and the great outdoors


Campbell's first "camera" smile

July, 2008

We spent 4th of July at Folly Beach with some friends. Campbell also became more "mobile." It was much easier to take her places.

Campbell sitting in her own bumbo


Martha and Campbell watering the yard


Two cool cats . . .


Campbell enjoying sitting on the beach

August, 2008

This was a sad month for Martha and Robbie since Martha and I went back to work. However, we are lucky to have Nana watch Campbell for us during the day. We also started feeding Campbell "real food." Martha makes all of Campbell's food for her.

We have come to realize that Campbell has crazy hair just like her daddy


Campbell enjoys her first real bite of food . . . avocado

September, 2008

It was a year ago this month that we announced our pregnancy to the world. Campbell and Martha have been exploring more food items. By now, we are adding a new food each week.

two words . . . sweet potatoes . . .


Campbell wishing mommy a "happy birthday."

October, 2008

Campbell got to experience her first Halloween. We also enjoyed some of the local fall festivals.

Campbell hanging out in the back yard


Campbell and mommy enjoying sleeping in on the weekends


Happy Halloween!!!

November, 2008

With many things to be thankful for, Campbell enjoyed her first Thanksgiving. She's also enjoying her time playing with some of her toys. Campbell also had her first "fall" this month. She fell from the couch to the floor and got her first tooth this month.

Check Campbell out . . . she can stand (propped up against something)


Campbell enjoying some of her toys


Look . . . twins!

December, 2008

Campbell's first Christmas . . . how special this Christmas has been. We enjoyed spending it with our family and friends. We thank God for all of our blessings that he has brought us this year.

Santa . . . I'm waiting and I've been extra good this year!


Santa, I want a new bouncer, dog, squeaky toys, paci, ceiling fan, I love looking at fans . . . I also want . . . .

The best present of them all . . . Campbell, we love you!

Special Thanks . . .

Martha and I would like to take the time to thank our families, friends, Campbell's therapists, NICU doctors, NICU nurses, and blog followers . . . because of all of your prayers, thoughts, and considerations, 2008 has been a wonderful year for us. We look forward to all the blessings that 2009 brings us and to you! Happy New Year!!!!

Say Hello To My Little Friend!

As you can probably guess . . . someone in our family (not going to mention Martha's name) wanted a Wii "pistol" for Christmas . . . nothing represents the birth of Christ more than a pistol . . . anyway . . . I guess you are never too young to start learning. Yesterday sign language, today, clay target practice! Way to go Campbell . . . .

Campbell

Martha

Cousin Ethan

Baby Genius

Did you know that research shows that learning sign language can encourage communication and language development? Children can often learn simple signs before they can say words. Learning signs will not replace us working on her talking, it will actually encourage it. Having a form of communication can reduce frustration and encourage language interaction. (Can you tell that Robbie and I are special education teachers who work on teaching communication every day?)

We have recently been working with Campbell to sign the word "more". The sign looks like this:This morning Robbie and Campbell had some quality time while I slept in and this is what I saw when I woke up:

I'm so proud of my big girl! We'll start working with her to make the sign look less like clapping and more like the sign, but it's an awesome start to her communicating with us! Her therapists (OT, PT, and Early intervention) will be so proud!

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!

To all of our family, friends, and Campbell blog followers . . . Martha, Campbell and I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Merry Festivus.

First Overnighter . . .

The following poem is written by Campbell for her spend-the-night at her Nana and Pop's . . . her mommy and daddy went away to celebrate their 4 year anniversary . . .. (please note, this poem is an over-exaggeration and quite far from the truth . . . )

Twas the week before Christmas and my parents went out of town . . .
No car seat needed for this girl goin' all around.

Nana and I visited all the stores in Rock Hill
Looking for that before-Christmas-last-minute-deal

The nice thing about the parents being gone, this girl gave up on her diet.
For dinner last night, rice cereal was a riot.

Later that night, Nana and I cheered on the Panthers
As Pop laid asleep in his chair thinking about those Top Cat Dancers.

We wished and wished that the air would stand still
So Kasey could kick that ball so they would wrap up home field.

At noon on Monday, I sprang from my crib to see my parents return,

too soon though, as for more time with my Pop and Nana I yearn.

Then as daddy came in I heard him say,
"I came for my princess, I missed her all day."

I heard him exclaim, as he drove down the drive,
"Nana and Pop, thanks for Campbell's overnight invite,
Happy Christmas to you all, and to you all, a restful night!"

There but by the grace of God go we....

Robbie and I would like to ask a favor of all of our friends and family who keep up with our blog. Some of you have noticed the link to the right for Kayleigh's blog. Kayleigh is a fellow preemie who was born almost 6 months ago in Charlotte at CMC. Kayleigh's story hit close to our hearts because she was born at 28 weeks...not far off from Campbell's gestational age at birth. She was only 1 pound and has had to overcome many burdens that Campbell avoided.

We have been in contact with her parents and keep up with her through their blog. They have been very inspirational in their strength and courage. This week Kayleigh has taken a turn for the worse and they very well may lose her soon.

To make their current situation even sadder, Kayleigh's parents are realtors who have been financially devastated both by the current market and the time they have had to spend in the NICU with Kayleigh. At the urging of their blog readers, they have put a donation link on their blog. I would love it if some of us could support them. I understand money is tight around this time, so if a monetary donation isn't possible, I would ask for your prayers for them during this tough time.

I encourage you all to read their blog. I promise your hearts will be touched. The title of this post sums up our feelings...

4 years and counting...

Yesterday Robbie and I had our 4th anniversary. It's so hard to believe it's been 4 years since we got married. It's interesting because it seems like it was just yesterday and yet I honestly do not remember how life was before Robbie was a part of it. We have been so blessed in these past 4 years, particularly in this last year.

We are celebrating this weekend by going to the Chateau Elan for a night. I am so excited because they have both a spa and winery. What more does a girl need? I have already scheduled a facial and massage (thank you, Robbie!) and we have plans to tour the winery and we have reservations for their nice restaurant. It will be our first baby-free night since Campbell came home. Robbie has been so cute because he is really nervous about leaving the baby overnight. I, on the other hand, can't wait!

So, I just wanted to say thank you to Robbie for putting up with me these past 4 years and I look forward to many, many more.