Sleepover

Campbell had her 1st sleepover with a friend this weekend. Our good friends, Adrienne and Rob, have a 3 year old named Emily who has been Campbell's bff practically since birth. Emily spent the night Saturday and we all had a blast!

Here are the girls playing (many of you have commented about Campbell's clothes...most of them are hand-me-downs from Emily...including the outfit Campbell has on in this picture!)

Here they are in their matching pj's getting ready for a movie and popcorn.

The girls love to play together!

Who knew Dora movies were so intense? ;)

Oh, and here's the aftermath of two tornadoes...

Thanks for coming to play, Emily! We had a great time!

Time Out

Check out this picture . . . isn't she cute?



Can you believe that she was put in "time out" today while at preschool for not listening . . . not this cutie!!!

Where a kid can be a kid . . .

Campbell was able to spend the day with Nana, Ethan and Macy on Friday as we had to work and Campbell's preschool was closed. So Nana packed up the kids and took them to Chuck E. Cheese's . . .

20 weeks!

I wanted to update you all on this pregnancy.  Everything is going very well.  Of course, my OB and specialist both said that if anything goes wrong, it wouldn't happen until after 20 weeks...so we'll see.  My awesome OB, Dr. McClelland, who very accurately predicted Campbell's birth soon after I got sick, is confident this pregnancy will go well and he thinks if something does happen, it won't be until 34 weeks or later. 

I'm feeling pretty good.  My hips and back hurt occasionally due to sleeping on my side but I've been doing a pre-natal yoga video and it's been helping.  This baby is much more active than Campbell was at this time and it's been fun to feel her move.  Robbie has even been able to feel her kick.  My belly has definitely gotten bigger in the last few weeks and I'm hoping I'm beginning to look pregnant, rather than just chubbier :)  The Lovenox shots are getting more tolerable as I'm getting more used to them.  I am worried that as my belly gets bigger, it'll be harder to give the shots since I inject them into my belly.  We'll cross that bridge later, I guess...

So, right now I'm on the lookout for signs of problems such as swelling in my feet (had around 20 weeks with Campbell), hands, or face, headaches that don't go away, or stomach pain.  It's hard to predict since I didn't have any warning signs with Campbell (despite the early feet swelling) until I got sick at 26 weeks and we had her less than 2 weeks later.

My doctors are on the watch for rising blood pressure, protein in my urine,sudden weight gain, and restricted growth on ultrasounds.  These all can be signs of pre-eclampsia.  I got nervous at my 16 week appointment because my blood pressure was 134/78 (my highest this pregnancy) and I had a trace of protein.  Both of these can be normal but I freaked out.  Dr. McClelland was sure it was normal and when I went back the next week for a follow up, everything was normal.  While my blood pressure continues to be higher than my non-pregnant normal, it is within normal limits and it's common for blood pressure to rise during pregnancy. 

I go back next week for a routine visit with Dr. McClelland and then the following week to the specialist in Charlotte for a growth ultrasound. 

We appreciate your thoughts and prayers for a continued healthy pregnancy!

First Haircut

We decided that it was time for Campbell to experience her first real haircut . . . other than her mother cutting down her mullet a few months back. We took her to Doolittles in Pineville (outside Charlotte).

Here is Campbell in her very own barber chair . . . AKA The Taxi

One would think that she's being very still for the stylist . . .

Well she's staying still so she can watch her very own tv show

We're not sure if she's enjoying the haircut or enjoying the tv show

This is Campbell's most favorite part of the adventure

Voila . . . Campbell's new hairdo . . . I asked for the "Kate Gosslin" cut, but the stylist wouldn't do it . . .

Presenting . . . the "new" Campbell!!!

I'd like to give a big thanks to Jennifer for the camera tips . . . thanks!

A little bit better

Campbell seems to slowly feel a little better.  The sores in her mouth were worse yesterday and she refused most food and drink.  Our friend Crystal suggested a milkshake and sure enough, she drank quite a bit!

This morning she's pretty perky but we've  noticed the past few days that her mornings are much better than her afternoons, so this afternoon will be the true test.  She only woke up twice last night which actually worked out well because we could re-dose her with medicine.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for her health!

A pitiful sight.

Campbell is sick with an ear infection and some sort of virus that causes fever and a head to toe rash. Yesterday she was so pitiful that we made the perfect Elmo-watching pallet on the floor and she just laid there for a good bit of the afternoon (when she wasn't pitifully sitting on my or Robbie's lap).

At least she's resourceful...

This is what happens when Campbell gets thirsty and can't be bothered to ask for water...

It's a...

Campbell is very excited to announce:

We are all very excited! We haven't 100% decided on names so we'll let you all know that soon.  Robbie and I were quite surprised because at the 12 week ultrasound the doctor was 70% sure it was a boy.  However, we are thrilled it's a girl because she can use all of Campbell's cute clothes and other girly stuff.  Plus, preemie girls do better than boys....just in case.

At the ultrasound, baby was measuring a few days ahead which is great news.  With my history (Campbell's lack of growth in the last two weeks before her birth and the pre-eclampsia) and my clotting disorder (Factor V Leiden) we would be worried if she was measuring behind because that could be an indication of problems with the placenta.

The doctor (MFM specialist) was so happy with how she is doing, that he doesn't need to see us for 6 weeks.  At that time, we'll have another ultrasound to check on her growth.  I go back to my regular OB January 4th for a regular check up.   Hopefully my blood pressure will still be good and everything will be normal.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support!

Merry Christmas

From our family to yours . . . Merry Christmas!!!

5 years

Robbie and I celebrated our 5th anniversary this past weekend. On our 1st anniversary, we decided we would rather get away just the two of us rather than spending money on gifts. We have been able to do this every year and it has been a great tradition for us!

This year we went to the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. They had a major snowfall (16+ inches) the day before we arrived and it was still snowing when we got there. The snow was beautiful but luckily by the time we arrived, most of the main roads were pretty clear. We had an awesome time. I got to have some time at their famous spa and Robbie got to play in the snow. 

Many thanks to Nana and Pop (and Aunt Julie and Uncle Dean and the cousins!) for watching Campbell for us!

The spa includes an outdoor heated pool...there were actually people swimming in it when snow was falling!

Here's me and my 17-week pregnant belly (ok, I know I just look chubbier than normal, but just humor me folks, ok?)

Robbie enjoyed experimenting with the settings on the camera as we were sitting in the rocking chairs in front of the huge fireplace!

Here we are in front of the fireplace.

Robbie with one of the many snowmen we found.

One Cute School Pic

Here is Campbell's first ever school picture . . . I know I'm the father so my thoughts are a little biased . . . however, that's one cute baby!  I'm just so happy to know that I won't have to submit this year's picture to this website:  CLICK HERE

Campbell's First Christmas Program

Today, Campbell's school had their Christmas Program . . . CAMPBELL'S FIRST CHRISTMAS PROGRAM and you know we were there with camera (video and picture) . . . .

Daddy . . . it's me . . . Daddy, it's Campbell!

I don't know what's going on, but I like it!

Clapping . . . now I can handle this . . .

Oh Holy Night . . . . (check me out front and center)

I'm having sooooooo much fun!

mommy, daddy, nana, pop . . . where are you?

Merry Christmas!

Of course . . . this post wouldn't be complete without the videos . . .

The Duggars #19 is a preemie

A fellow preemie mom wrote a thought-provoking blog post on the Duggar's preemie that was born this week.  I have to admit when I first heard that it had happened, I immediately thought "oh that poor baby and family" and then my next thought was "well, maybe they'll stop having kids now..."   My first instinct was to believe it was the result of her uterus giving out or some other negative result of having so many kids.  When I heard it was pre-eclampsia, my thoughts immediately changed. 

I think Trish (the blog author) is to be commended for having a more compassionate, accepting heart than most (including myself).

http://fertilehope.blogspot.com/2009/12/fine.html

Boo!

Tonight Robbie was telling Campbell that it was bath time and she started playing a game!  So cute!  This kid makes me laugh so much.




(oh, and the reason she's still wearing her coat is that she loves it and refuses to take it off when she comes inside!  Crazy kid...)

What Does A Lion Say?

Plus bonus footage . . . .



Even More . . .

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Each year Rock Hill hosts a little festival called Christmasville. It includes the Christmas parade and lots of fun holiday events such as Breakfast with Santa. This is the first year we have gone and it's been a lot of fun!

Friday night we went to the parade. Only in Rock Hill, will you see some of these floats...

Campbell's ready for the parade to start!

Nana came along and Campbell loved sitting with her!

Martha's sister, Emily, and her family were on a float.


So were our friends, Rob and Emily.
Ethan jumped off his float to come give Robbie a quick hug and get a snack.

If you look closely you can see Ethan running to catch the float. He made it!

Saturday morning we met our friends Adrienne and Emily to have Breakfast with Santa!

Campbell's in shock when we tell her who's coming...

The bffs: Emily and Campbell

The big moment
The girls had tons of fun playing in the booth!

The girls with the big man.
"I don't know about this..."
"Let's push really hard and try to knock this over!"
"Bye! See you next week!"

Turkey Trot 2009

Each year I run the Charlotte Turkey Trot which falls on Thanksgiving Day. . . . speaking of . . .

Campbell and Nana on Thanksgiving

Anyway . . . We usually take Ethan and let him run the "tot trot" which is 26.2 yards. This year I decided to let Ethan run the 1 mile and I would run it with him. For the days leading up he kept asking about if we will run or jog. I told him that we'd jog and he would say "no . . . . I'm going to run it." We even made a plan on where we would meet up after the race in case he ran so far ahead of me . . . the following is our video diary from the morning.

Check Ethan out . . . he's gone! Maybe I will be meeting him at our finish line meeting spot . . .



Well about 30 seconds later . . . look what I found . . .



So Ethan must have caught his second wind because he's gone!



20 seconds later . . . .



Still walking . . . now he wants to know if we're done . . .



Check out some of the video of the people (3 and 4 year olds) passing us.



Finally . . . the finish line . . . Ethan, we can run this . . .



So Ethan technically survived his first "official" run. On the way home he was telling me that he hoped they would not post his time on the internet. Well below are the official results. I'd like to point out that we came in 264 out of 275. Check out the screen shot and you can see that multiple 3 and 4 year olds who beat us. At least we can sleep well knowing that there were 10 people who finished behind us!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!