I'm a lil' WU Crew

Peeps . . . it's been a while . . . I've been on computer restrictions ever since I pulled the "caps lock" key off the keyboard . . . hehe. Well, I'm back and I'm doing great! I had a wonderful day today. I went to my first college basketball game today. It was Winthrop's Homecoming so mommy and daddy (both Winthrop grads), and I went to go see the Eagles play the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers . . . Chanticleers . . . what kind of name is that? Anyway, we went to the game with Chrissy too . . . she's my bunko friend. Speaking of, when do I get to come back to play bunko?

While at the game, I was able to socialize a lot. My parents got to talk to former Winthrop friends . . . and I got to hang out with my peeps, Eleanor and Emily . . . girls it was nice to play with you!!!

This is me learning about basketball.

Me checking out the pep band . . . did you know that one of band members plays the cowbell? I wonder why my dad kept yelling . . . . "More Cowbell!!!"

I was looking for Big Stuff

This is Big Stuff

Chrissy and I cheering on our favorite player . . . #44 Johnathan Rice

Winthrop 70
Coastal Carolina 50

GO EAGLES!!!

Spread the Love

The good news keeps on coming . . . . our local radio show (Matt and Ramona Show from 107.9 The Link) is holding a contest called Spread the Love. This is from their website:

"Spread the Love is the brainchild of Matt and Ramona. Basically each member of The Matt & Ramona Show- Matt Harris, Ramona Holloway, Bandy, Doc, and Wheezy- are all going to team up with a listener partner. That show member and listener teammate will each be given $100 to grow."

Well last week, Martha and I submitted an idea to them about helping us help the March of Dimes of South Carolina. I received a phone call at work from someone saying that "Matt and Ramona wants to talk with you." I asked, "on or off the air." They said "on the air" . . . below is the conversation that took place . . .

They asked us to come by the studio on Monday (around 4pm) so we can meet Doc and write out a fundraising plan. They said they might try to get us "on the air" . . . so Martha, Campbell and I will make the trip on Monday to the studio . . . . wish us luck!

"Never trust a preemie..."

This is the mantra of our pediatrician and words I think are important to share. I think that many people think of preemies as just small babies and that when they get bigger everything develops the same as a full term baby. Sometimes I think people think I'm a paranoid mama and I understand this because Campbell looks chubby and healthy and has actually been very healthy for the most part. I understand that she's a year old and her "preemie" days seem far behind her...unfortunately that's not quite the case.

Robbie and I have struggled this RSV season with finding a balance....Do we keep Campbell at home all the time on "lock down" or do we go about our lives normally? We have spent a lot of time talking to each other, talking to Campbell's doctors, and talking to our families striving to find this balance.

We decided that we couldn't survive "lock down" so we do the best we can to limit Campbell's exposure to germs. We try to go to stores when they are less populated and keep strangers from getting too close. We make sure everyone washes their hands before touching her (this includes her nurses, therapists, and us). We don't allow folks who smoke to hold her unless they've showered and changed their clothes since last smoking. We sent emails to family and friends reminding them about all of this before the holidays and her birthday party...and were shocked when we got a little "flak" about it. Apparently some people look at her and forget how small she was when she was born. I think the statement below from the company that makes Synagis (the monthly shot Campbell gets in case of RSV) is very informative. I bolded the phrase that really struck home with me.

If your baby was born prematurely, you probably already know how fragile preemie lungs can be. And even as preemies start to look healthy and strong, their lungs remain smaller and less developed than those of full-term babies. That's why preemies are at greater risk for a severe lung infection from RSV.

We have been very blessed with Campbell's good health. Her doctor directly attributes this to our efforts to keep her germ-free. When I told him "I'm a paranoid preemie mama" his response was "I always say...never trust a preemie, because you never know what they'll do."

We appreciate all that our family and friends do for us. We had dinner with friends the other night and I handed Campbell to one of them quickly because I had a bunch of stuff in my hands. She said "Eek! I haven't washed my hands...hurry get the hand sanitizer before I touch her skin." I so appreciate the friends and family who understand and encourage our efforts to keep Campbell germ free. We couldn't have kept her so healthy without all of you!

Now let's all begin the countdown to the end of RSV season at the end of March...

February 20, 2008

Dear Campbell,

Today you are 2 and 1/2 weeks old and weigh 2 and 1/2 pounds. You seem so much bigger than you looked just last week. Your daddy and I are really enjoying watching you grow. Yesterday and today they tried to let you breathe on your own without the CPAP (a breathing machine that pushes air into your lungs). It's hard for you but I'm so proud of how hard you are trying!

Right now I'm sitting here watching you kick your feet and wave your hands. The nurses all say you are "feisty". This is so encouraging to us; we'd rather you be a fighter than just lay there!

I love you so much, baby girl. Your daddy and I are so blessed to be able to look at you and touch you.

I love you!

Mommy

Campbell IS the cutest baby

The Comptons have two announcements to make . . . .

1) Campbell was voted "Cutest Baby" by the readers of Leelou Blogs. She won for the birth to 2 year old age group. She received over 1,000 votes. THANK YOU!!!!!

2) Campbell has learned a new trick by copying her mother . . . Martha was feeding her last night and sighed . . . all of a sudden Campbell sighed too . . . Martha did it again on purpose and Campbell did it again. 24 hours later, EVERY TIME we sigh, she does too . . . it's quite funny!

February 13th, 2008

Before Campbell was born, my sister-in-law Beth gave me a journal to write letters to her. I thought I'd post a few of the entries. This is the first entry I made into the journal:

Dear Campbell,

My dear, sweet baby girl, today you are 10 days old. You weren't supposed to be here for another 2 1/2 months but you had to come early. You are doing so well despite being so little. You are the tiniest little baby I have ever seen and yet you are so perfect!

Your daddy and I love you so much! We go to see you every day in the hospital and we hate when we have to leave you. But we know you are in great hands and every day you are there is one day closer to when we get to bring you home.

Today I'm really excited because they took you off the CPAP machine which pushes air into your lungs and you only have a nasal cannula to help with your breathing. If you do well, hopefully this will be the first step to you breathing all on your own.

I'm so proud of how well you are doing. All of the nurses tell us how you are a little "fighter" with lots of personality. We see it too and can't wait to watch you grow up.

I love you! Mommy

WE'RE DOWN BY 20 VOTES - PLEASE VOTE

Hey Friends,

We posted about Campbell being in the running for 'cutest baby.' Well, we've maintained a lead throughout . . . . until this morning - we're in 2nd place by 20 votes. If you haven't voted yet, will you please consider voting for Campbell at http://www.leeloublogs.blogspot.com/.

I just hate thinking one day that I have to tell Campbell that she's the 2nd cutest baby that I know . . . just kidding guys, I would never tell her that. =)

PS I would never tell you that if you have two different web browsers (i.e. internet explore and firefox) then you can vote again by using the other web browser . . . .

VOTE FOR CAMPBELL!

We found out about a cutest baby contest being sponsored by leeloublogs.blogspot.com from Kayleigh's blog. Robbie thought it sounded like fun and we think Campbell's the cutest baby so we submitted a picture. Well....out of 820 pictures submitted, she is a finalist! Woo Hoo!

So, everyone go right now and vote for Campbell:
http://leeloublogs.blogspot.com

You can vote from home, from your work computer, even from your phone (if you have internet on your phone of course). Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your neighbors!

PS This is all just for fun, I think the winner gets a picture or something. We just want to win so everyone knows Campbell is the cutest baby!

Happy Birthday our Pint-Sized Princess

Campbell's First Year:

Current Stats:
(note: she's on the charts...finally!!!)
Weight - 18lbs 01oz (5th percentile)
Height - 27in (10th percentile)
Head - 50th percentile

Campbell Enjoys Her Cake set to NKOTB music ~ you're welcome =)

Photos by Bryan Hayes
Cake by Beth Muller

It's my party . . . and I'm 1 year old!

My silly daddy . . .

I love birthdays . . . look at all the fun toys !

My Peeps!

Hmm . . . it looks good, smells good, and tastes good too!

Cake 0 - Campbell 1

Campbell would like to give some shout-outs to some of her peeps in attendance . . . in no particular order:
Emily
Evan and Jillian
Eleanor
Ethan and Macy
Thomas, John, & Ann
Mitchell and Brinkley

Again, thanks to Bryan for your photos and all of your help today, Beth for the beautiful cakes, the Becks for making the trip two days in a row, and to the Hoppers, thanks for hosting Campbell's First Birthday Party . . . everyone, thanks for making it a memorable day for me, Martha, and Campbell.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

On Friday my daddy had a birthday! He turned 31...isn't it so neat that his birthday is the same week as mine?! To celebrate mommy invited a few of their friends over to play Rock Band on the Wii.

Here's my daddy on the drums...he's so silly!

Daddy wants to say "Thanks" to everybody who came over: Adrienne and Rob (my bff, Emily's mommy and daddy), Susan and Andy (my bffs Evan and Jillian's mommy and daddy), my Aunt Say-Say and her friend Todd, and daddy's college friend, Bryan.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!!!!!!!!

Enjoying Hump Day

Good Morning World!!!

Cute Bath Video

Campbell's plan to be a plumber

Pictures and other goodies will be here on Sunday! Check back then...we can't put them up yet because her birthday outfit and video are a surprise for her birthday party.

Splish, Splash I Was Takin' A Bath

Watch this and see if you can tell why Robbie and Martha end up soaking wet after giving Campbell a bath...

This is how she ended up after the video was over:

Isn't that the cutest little butt that you ever did see?