Belton Weekend

Earlier this month we went to Belton to visit my parents while Trooper was in New Orleans for the weekend for work. We had a great time jumping on the trampoline, going to church, eating at Jaliscos, carving a pumpkin for the book fair for Parker's school, and Parker taking pictures for the Reflections project this year.

Here are a few pictures from the trampoline fun!

Dad took lots of pictures and well...4 kids...we could never get all with kids looking/smiling/not crying and what have you. This was the best. Dad also took several of mom, Presley, and I...I will not post any of those. You would think that 2 adults and 1 baby could take at least 1 good picture...but not so much...mostly from mom and I, not Presley.

Parker took several pictures for Reflections (he turned in 1 of Grumpy's garden and 1 of his chickens that I will post at a later date). Before he took those he took this one of the pumpkin he carved for the Book Fair...while the pumpkin was enjoying the swing.

Presley also had her first sink bath in Belton. You cannot see that she is really getting clean, but this was just too cute to pass up posting. Presley also loves to stand. She has strong legs and will stand on the floor or your hands. She has been doing this before she was even 2 month old. She is only getting stronger and stronger. Trooper and I are trying to video her doing her standing trick...stay tuned for that one!

Presley...at 1 month and 2 months old

Here is our Baby P at 1 month old. At 1 month we were still not up to birth weight...8lbs 2 1/2oz, but we were close.

Here she is at 2 months. At 2 months she is tipping the scales at 10lb 1/2oz...making her in the 25% for her weight. She is 23in. long making her the 75% in lengh. She is following her brothers and sister in the weight and the oldest 2 in the height. Oh...and she started sleeping from about 10 to 7:30 a few days before turning 8 weeks old! Such a good Baby P. Plus...no more weight checks! I do not even know how many she had...between at least 10. We are good to go now...cardiologist does not have to see her again and pediatrician does not until she is 4 months.

Paige's 4th birthday

Paige had a blast at her 4th birthday party. She had (as requested for weeks...maybe longer) a princess castle bounce house, chocolate cake with chocolate icing (that she wanted to help make) and all her friends there!

It was a true girl party with the theme of the gifts being right up Paige's alley...shoes, gloves, jewelry, purses, dress up, and the star of the day..."Big Jesse" as Paige called Jesse from Toy Story 3. She asked for WEEKS for a big Jesse and now big Jesse is never far behind and in the bag to school every day.

When it rains it pours...

Well we have been to the doctor...more than once...in the past month since Presley was born.

Trooper: Sinus infection and Pink Eye

Jami: Mastitis, Strep Throat, Pink Eye

Parker: 4 different sets of Throwing Up (one the day before Presley was born, another when she was 4 days old, another when she was 8 days old, and the last one over the holiday weekend)

Paige: NOTHING...the girl never gets sick...well not never...she had the H1N1 last Halloween and threw up for about 10 hours when she was 16 months

Peyton: Ear Infection

Presley: Pink Eye and 6 weight checks...she has had her ups and downs. It is normal to lose at first then start gaining. Well Baby P lost, gained, lost, and is gaining. The goal is to have a baby back at birth weight by 2 weeks. She was still not at birth weight at 4. She has been gaining, but not enough.

At first I have also had to wake her at 2 1/2 to 3 hours to feed other than at night. Those of you who know me know I am a Babywise mommy so I did that anyways. At least anyone who thought I was/am crazy for doing it cannot say it this time! Doctor's orders!

So we then had to start supplementing if she took too long to eat (over 25 minutes) with 1 ounce because she was burning more calories to eat then she was taking in. As of last week we had to add this to every feeding other then at night. Yes...those of you who know my crazy milk...it is breast milk...I have tons...she was just not eating it all or eating it fast enough. Well in the last 6 days she gained 11 ounces!!!! We have to keep with the ounce (or try...most of the time she does not take it) after every daytime meal for another week. Then another weight check. Then go off the ounce for a week. Then yet another weight check.

Oh...also in there we have to have her heart checked because she has a heart murmur that might have been causing her slow weight gain. The doctor does not think that she has this type of heart condition (most murmurs are harmless) but wants her to be checked just in case.

Hopefully we are out of the woods...keep her (and the health of the rest of us) in your prayers!

Welcome to the world Baby Presley Jade Smith

Tuesday morning about 6:15, Trooper and I left for our scheduled induction to meet Miss Presley. After grabbing Rudy's for breakfast we arrived at St. David's in Round Rock. By 9 I was hooked up to everything and had the pitocin dripping. Soon after I received my epidural. My water was broken a little before noon. By about 1:30, not too much had changed and my doctor headed back to the office (across the street from the hospital). At 2, I changed how I was sitting on the bed. 35 minutes later, I was calling the nurse in because either it was baby time or something was wrong with my epidural. It was baby time! The anaesthesiologist gave me more meds and the OB was called over. At 3:00 on the dot I started to push. Presley Jade Smith was born at 3:03. She was 8lb 6oz and 19 3/4 inches.

When Parker held Presley for the first time, he said, "She is fuzzy!" Already a great big brother to 2, he well be a wonderful big brother to 3.
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When Paige saw Presley she said, "I want to hold her". When every she was asked to give someone else a turn, within about 10 seconds she was ready to hold her again and would ask over and over until she was put back in her arms again. Paige was only 19 months old when Peyton was born and not too into being a big sister. This time, she is very excited. My brother said after getting home from the hospital, Paige went into Presley's closet and was looking/picking out things for her to wear.
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When asked about Presley/baby sister/baby/mommy/his name/if he was tired/whatever, Peyton said, "No!" Eventually he warmed up to her and even gave a few kisses to his baby sister.
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The kids gave Presley a few gifts (toy for her car seat, book to put pictures in, and a "Little Sister Presley" shirt with a matching skirt). She also gave them a few (coloring books and their Big Bother/Sister shirts...and Paige had the same skirt to match Presley). The 2 oldest could not wait to put their shirts on. Peyton said, "No!" Big surprise there!

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After giving birth, I have not had any of the dizzy/lightheaded feelings, racing heart, or shortness of breath that have been making my life oh so much fun before. We are very thankful that Presley is out safe and that I am doing much better already!

Here are a few more pictures of Presley and the family soon after she arrived!
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Here are some pictures that my dad took yesterday...enjoy!

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Less than a week until Presley

Well I have had 3 doctor appointment in the last 24 hours.

First was my cardiologist. I was put on a 24 hour heart monitor. Trooper turned in back in about 2 hours ago. I am now on partial bed rest (cannot drive, have to have my feet up as much as possible, cannot clean house and so on...). He wanted me to see an electrical doctor...well wanted...not so much...made me...yes. He made the appointment for me and did not give me a choice as to day or time or what have you.

I was just glad my dad drove me while mom watched the kiddos so I would not have to tell him that I have been having breathing/lightheaded spells while driving and then drove myself to the appointment!

Second was my sono and OB. Trooper took me there. We had our sono to check her size and she is perfect for her gestational age (was showing 38 weeks and 3 days on the sono and I was 38 weeks and 2 days at the appointment). She was showing about 7 pound and 5 ounces. I am still measuring small, but the doctor is not worried...Presley is just getting in position.

Hey...I have not even gained the minimum weight recommended. Only off my 2 pound and I am sure to gain at least 1 in the next week. Also less to lose! I did not gain it with Paige or Peyton either. They recommend 25-35. Parker...well I gained 50 so that was so much fun to get rid of let me tell you!

Anyways...induction is set for next Tuesday. I wanted sooner (and those of you who know me too well know I also wanted an even day, but that would bean I would have to wait until Friday the 6th for an open even spot...this 9 month pregnant bed rest momma of 3 said NO WAY), but she said no. In the past year they have shown that some babies born at 38 weeks still do not have lungs totally developed. So now they do not do it without a medical reason before 39. As of tomorrow, Presley will be the one to stay in the longest. The other kiddos were born 37, 38, and 38 and 3 days.

I know some people have asked why they induce, why not just wait, and so on...well I have had to be induced with all mine. Parker my water broke and I never went into labor. It was that or a c-section. Paige I had issues with her pregnancy. I was on bed rest for 6 1/2 weeks with headaches and high blood pressure. I was put on meds and it got better. At the end of the pregnancy it went up again while still on meds. I was told at 36 weeks the day I turned 38 I would be induced for both of our safety...you know...death for her, stroke, death, coma, and so on with me. With Peyton, the doctor said my others were early and just fine so she did not mind taking him early. As a mom with a 19 month old and a almost 3 1/2 year old and family not close enough to help without a few hour drive (that is if you did not count my sister-in-law and family who was also 9 months pregnant...), planned was better for us.

As with Miss Presley, I am on partial bed rest, have 3 kids running around, tired of being pregnant, cannot drive, cannot take care of my kids, cannot take them to the park/pool/Chick-fil-A, blah, blah, blah...so I gladly bring on the induction! Plus this way I have a little recovery time before Parker starts kindergarten 2 1/2 weeks after she is born and 3 1/2 weeks before Paige and Peyton start preschool. All that said, I will bring on the water breaking/labor before the induction please...oh and don't forget the epidural!

Finally was my third appointment that was downtown Austin this morning. Trooper took me while my neighbor watched the boys (Paige is at my mom and dad's house). It was with the electrical doctor. Nothing new really, just more explanations for my condition as well as saying the effects will (or should) go away once Presley is born. He said the worst that may happen is I pass out again (what and fall on Presley...again) If that is not another reason for her to come this week I do not know what is.

Not on that band wagon again, Jami.

So let us all come together and pray that I go into labor/water breaks before Tuesday so I can be done with all of this heart/head mess!

Baby Presley...almost...twice

Warning...long post, but there are pictures...
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To say I have been ready for Presley to be here for a while is a little of an understatment. I have been ready to have her out...and well now she is developed and ready. I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions since March. The majority of her room has been ready since May (with the final touch added 2 days ago with her name board above her bed thanks to Aunt Kathy). I have had her bag ready for the hospital as well as mine started since our last out of town trip in late June. We have the car seat base in the car, Peyton potty trained, Parker's school supplies, baby clothes washed, lunch boxes and backpacks purchased, baby must haves for the first few weeks, new bag tags made for lunch boxes, backpacks, baby carrier, and diaper bag, addresses updated for coming birth announcements, hospital gift for Presley to give the kiddos and the kiddos to give her, batteries charged for cameras, and so much more. We are now just waiting on my body to be ready to get her out.

Okay...Before I get too far into my rambling...here are a few pictures of Presley's completed room!

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As the title says...Almost...twice. The last 5 days being the craziest. It is a little bit of a story...

Let me start at about 2 weeks ago. I woke to hearing Parker say, "You went poopoo in the potty!" I know he was not talking about himself or Paige so I popped out of bed. It was Peyton! We have been setting him on the potty before bed, bath, nap or whatever for a few months. He has never done ANYTHING. Until the poop 2 weeks ago tomorrow. He then continued to poop every day on the potty. Thursday after nap, he went teetee. That was it...the next few days it was no pants in the house and little potty all the time. We are now in underwear and doing great (no pull ups...they are too much like diapers so never use them other than nap/night time...well that is when we run out of those size 3 diapers).

Last Saturday my neighbor, Kim, threw me a wonderful shower. Paige came with me to the shower. We had a great time and my friends even walked the gifts back to the house afterwards so that they could see Presley's room. At that...I was offically ready for the birth. I had all the stuff you need to get by for the first few weeks as well as being far enough along.

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Tuesday, mom came back in town to watch the kiddos while I was at the doctor (imagine getting "checked" with 3 kiddos...fun stuff...thank you Mom). I came home and started having contractions (nothing new) about 10-12 minutes apart. This went on for a while. After dinner (which I was not up to eating) my felt sick and layed down afterwards. Within a few mintues of laying on the bed, I had a contraction, then another about 3-4 minutes later and another and another. Trooper was down stairs with the kiddos and mom came up to check me/say bye when I told her to get Trooper. I had been having them for about 30 minutes at 3-4 minutes apart. We waited a little longer then decided to go to the hospital.

Well...Trooper and I had YMCA free family Friday Date night scheduled for 3 days away. One of the things we were going to do after dinner was go buy a new video camera. Our video camera broke when Peyton was a few months old. Since then we have been using our still camera for video...bad quality video that is. Since it was Tuesday...not Friday...we did not have one. So on the way, we stopped by Best Buy and Trooper ran in and purchased us one. Then we were back on track to the hospital.

By time we arrived I had been having contractions (lasting about 45 seconds from start to finish) 3-4 minutes apart for just over an hour and a half. For over an hour (of on the monitor and walking) I had them 3-4 mintues apart. Then...they started to be 5. Then...they turned to about 6 minutes. At that point we could be admitted and they would give me meds so I could sleep or I could get a pain pill and go home. Trooper and I thought...Tempurpedic bed...so we chose the pain pill and went home. By time I was in bed it was almost 1. I woke until about 3:30 with contracations every 5-6 mintues. Then they moved apart a little more and woke about every 10 minutes until 5:40.

The next morning mom and I went on a walk (I have been walking with the kiddos or gonig to the gym and walking or doing the bike or taking classes all pregnancy). Trooper had breakfast for us when we returned. Mom left. I pushed the kiddos on the swings and watered the garden/plants. We were getting warm so came in for a drink. While pushing the kids, I had my heart issue come up bothering me (happens several times a day so I thought nothing of it). While getting a drink, I started to feel lightheaded/dizzy. I sat down for a few minutes and finished my drink. Peyton then had to go potty. At this point his little potty is in the living room on the tile. I helped him get on. Trooper was in the recliner next to the little potty and showed me something on the computer. I started to feel light headed again so leaned against the wall behind me. I thought to myself...I need to sit down so I pushed off the wall.

As I took a step I passed out. I fell into the recliner first then to the tile floor onto Presley. Needless to say I was very thankful that Trooper was going to wait until after lunch to go to work.

Off to L&D we went after calling the OB. There they checked out Presley. I was shipped to ER to check out me. I had an abnormal EKG (will find out more at my appointment this Tuesday with my Cardiologist). Was shipped back to L&D. Finally relesased 8 hours after I arrived. All the while, Trooper took the kiddos to the park, fed them lunch, traided them off with my mom for nap time, and came to spend the rest of the time with me. The kiddos also got to visit me twice while I was all hooked up to machines and Paige held my hand as they wheeled me to the ER.

I am okay now. I have still had some lightheaded feelings and cannot go walking until after I see my doctors this week. I was ready for her to come out before to just start being a mom of 4 and to not be pregnant. I am now READY to get her out so that I can hopefully be done with the effects of my heart stuff and the lightheaddedness. It is making feel very incapable of doing anything or too much. Also forcing me to ask for help and take breaks.

Soon...she will be here...for sure...