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...

Crazy Month

This month has been a crazy one.

Parker and Paige finished up their last t-ball and soccer games of the spring season. Peyton finished up being held back on the sidelines from trying to get on the field and play with the team. Little P cannot wait until he is old enough to play.

The kiddos and I went and spent a wonderful few day in Abilene with my aunts, cousins, and mom. We had a blast. We ate great food (WONDERFUL enchiladas Kris!), talked (Paige liked sitting and listening in on girl conversation), watched the kiddos get wet in the slip and slide, and so on. We had a great time.

The very next week (or less than 36 hours later) we had our cell group (life group, bible fellowship, Sunday school class...whatever your church calls it this decade) over for Sunday Brunch (yes I did say Sunday brunch...we go to Sunday night church at FBC Georgetown...it is a more modern service and class) and we made yummy homemade pancakes, blueberry pancakes, eggs, and 2 kinds of sausage. Our friend brought some of the other fixings and I made only over 60 pancakes. Afterwards we all went to the pool in our neighborhood for swim time.

Soon after finishing at the pool, we were off to New Braunfels to visit Trooper's sister and niece. We ate, talked, had ice cream...a must for this preggo...visited Samantha (our niece) at her work (coffee shop) for breakfast on our way out of town, then headed to San Antonio. We were there for 3 nights and had a great time. We went to the children's museum, hotel pool, river walk for Mexican food, hotel pool, Sea world, hotel pool, out to eat, and did I say hotel pool? We had fun just relaxing. We did not have great cell service in the hotel and did not take them to Sea World...that was a good thing though. It was a real vacation all of us and Trooper was even able to turn the email push off on his phone for the first time since he get his iphone. It was great! When we got back home on Thursday, Trooper did not have to go back to work either! Again...Great! We realized it was the first family vaction since the summer of 2006 when I was pregnant with Paige. *Side note, when I was in Abilene and all the girls and I were talking about different things over the past few years, I always thought of when as to who I was pregnant with or who I was breastfeeding...now I am doing it in my blog.*

We are back home now...but leaving again tomorrow for San Diego/Dallas. Trooper has to go to San Diego for work and is flying out of Dallas so the kiddos and I are going with him as far as Dallas. We are going to see some friend from the Rockwall/Rowlett area for a few days then to visit with my sister-in-law and family for a few days. We are looking forward to seeing friends and family and for it being our last of travels for 3 weeks in a row. Sunday is the last day I am to be within an hour of the doctor/hospital.

I also have another sono in about 2 weeks. Baby Presley was measuring a little less than she should (not bad, but enough to get another picture to be sure) and I only gained a pound (she was not worried about that though). I will update more later...I would say that I will put up pictures, but I have not been great at that since Presley made it in the family.

Happy Summer to all!

Baby Baby Baby...

I am sitting in the living room right now...

*Feeling Presley Kick

*Having a few Braxton Hicks (have been since about 20 weeks and yes the doctor knows)

*Looking up stuff on the next Twilight Saga movie...Eclipse.

*Thinking about when I am going to read the Twilight Saga books again and watch the first 2 movies again

*Remembering I have Bunko with the neighborhood girls on Thursday

*Thinking I am only counting about 10 more weeks to be pregnant (had the others at 37, 38, and 38 weeks), but also praying my doctor is up for inducing as I am up for being pregnant a few days as possible.

*Excited that Mom came in town (with Dad who watched little P while P1 and P2 were at preschool) to help sew the bedding for Presley's room. We were able to get about 75% of the work done. All I am waiting on is my WONDERFUL Aunt Kathy to make her board (like she did with the other Ps), the hutch/changing table from again my WONDERFUL Aunt Kathy and Handy Uncle Chuck (hand did by him of course), for myself to make the baby mobile this week, and for the Smiths to have our family pictures of belly shots taken by my WONDERFUL Dad and his GREAT camera in a few weeks. Almost there! Trooper and I have a goal to have all baby stuff we need (since we sold most of it before moving to Round Rock from Rowlett) by the end of June...sounds close, but it goes fast!

*Tired now and ready for Bed...

Night all!

All my Ps

I know it has been forever and a few months since I have posted a picture (other than on Facebook/twitter...it is just so much quicker and easier to do from the phone...) and almost a month since a post. So here are a few updates of all our Ps.

Parker

He picked to play t-ball again this season and is doing wonderful! He is almost 5 1/2 half (hard to believe) and so ready for kindergarten next year...other than the fact that we are missing his shot record for his first 18 months and have been working on retrieving them for over a month now and have to register next week...or not if we do not have them!!! Parker still loves to be goofy, talk your ear off, build and create things, and be a great helper.

Paige

We curlfriend here is playing soccer this season. She is interested at times, but when reminded about the snack at the end of the game...she is all in. Paige is still taking speech, but going 2 days a week She was riding the bus (her choice not mine) up until a few weeks ago when she wanted me to take and pick her up. I don't mind because next year she will have no choice...she will be riding until the baby is sleeping 12 hours (3 months old) at night. She does love going to school, her Build-A-Bear pony, all of her "stuff" that she has in her many purses, her brothers, and giving baby Presley kisses.

Peyton

Will Little P loves sports...t-ball, soccer, basketball, football, golf...anything! He wants to join the team today! He kicks the ball at Paige's soccer practice. He hits at least 15 balls off the T while Parker's team is warming up. While at home, he is either throwing/kicking/hitting a ball or pushing his shopping cart (that is better than the pink stroller it was until he received his cart for his b-day from his Grammy and Grandpa Joe). Peyton is also now sleeping in a big boy bed in the same room as Parker and doing perfect.

Presley

No pictures for a few more months, but we have decided on her name...well her first name for sure. We will now be accepting all of those monogrammed burp rags, onesies, blankets, and so on that you have all been waiting to put her name on! Ha!