Henry is 10 1/2 pounds now! He is recovering from bronciolitis and RSV. He still needs oxygen. Hopefully only for another week or so.

Caroline is doing a lot better too-especially when I give her all the attention she wants.

It's snowing again. I just washed the car 2 days ago. Figures.

I had leftover salmon for lunch. Yum.

My mom left on Monday. I now can see why people hire nanny's. I miss her.

I took a shower 5 hours ago, yet I still haven't brushed my hair.

Caroline just woke up from her nap... and won't stop crying. Update you again soon.

Hospital Days

Day 3

Caroline spent the day with Grandma today. They went to the doctors. The Doctor said that Caroline had pneumonia, gave her a steroid shot and prescribed a nebulizer. She'll have to go in for another check-up tomorrow. She visited Henry and I. It was hard not to cry when I saw her, but I knew I had to be strong. She gave me lots of hugs and kisses. I miss her terribly.

Henry has bronchiolitis. He has a sad sounding cough, mucus and is on oxygen. His lungs sound clear, no fver, no throw-up. We are here because he is 'so little'- that's what the nurse's keep saying. I hope we can leave by Wednesday. And we will be able to go home and adjust to life again.

My Mom is coming tonight. I love her.

I have had several visitors today. I have never realized how comforting a visit can be, rather than a quick phone call.

I feel loved and watched over from someone above.

Things are improving and hopefully at the end of the week, it will be all just a dream.

My successful VBAC

Henry Watts 5 days old

More pictures to come...

My water broke the 19th at about 4:30pm (that's probably the weirdest feeling ever. Thank goodness it was at home.). I met Aaron at the hospital a few hours later. The nurse said I didn't officially start Labor until 9:45 the next morning (when I asked for drugs). I got my epidural a few hours after that. Progression slowed. I finally was dilated to a 9 about 11:00 o'clock that night (the 20th). That night, I got a fever and chills because my water was broken for so long. They finally decided to give me a tiny bit of pitocin. Dilated to a 10 soon after- pushed for maybe 20 minutes and out came Henry at 12:15 am on the 21st!

I lost so much blood and wasn't able to stand up at all the next day without my ears ringing that they checked my iron level. I think you are supposed to be at a 14 or 15 and my iron level was at a 7 and not improving. That night I got a blood transfusion and felt instantly better. So if you see that my dancing skills have improved you'll know why.

My Mom came out twice already. I miss her terribly, but things are going well (considering Aaron's 80 hour work weeks since Henry's birth). Henry is great. Nursing is great. Caroline feels better. She loves her brother, but still needs loves. I have a wonderful Mother-in-law who has gone to the store twice this week for me and is always there when I need her. We are all adjusting, but life is just precious (and busy) with our Henry.

Excuses

3 Main Reasons why I have been slacking, since November, on the whole blogging thing:

1. I was pregnant.

2. Now I have a newborn and a 2 year old to keep up with (who has been ill and in bed since Monday and calls my name every 5 minutes. I just went to the doctors this morning [Friday]and she is on the verge of Pneumonia).

3. One week before Thanksgiving I picked up a project and was determined to finish it before Christmas. I spent every extra second of the day or night to work on it (I haven't even written in my journal since Oct. 28th). Sadly, I finished the project one week after New Years.

I hope Caroline LOVES her Christmas stocking next year as much as I do!

I really, really enjoyed making it.

I now only have 3 more to do before Christmas of 2010!

Henry Watts

Henry Watts was born January 21 at 12:15 am. He was 8 lbs and 14 oz and 21 1/2 inches long.

Caroline holding Henry for the first time. She has been giving him kisses and curious looks. We think she will be a great big sister!

Neighbor Goodies

Well, I feel like I haven't done much lately, but rest here and there. I did get to some cookie making. They are some of my favorites... Ginger cookies topped with vanilla frosting and crushed peppermint. Yum!

I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Embarrassing Moment

Have you ever said anything that you wish you could go back in time and try it all over again? I did this last weekend. I told myself I never would never assume, not even mention... but it just came out! I asked the cashier when she was expecting... and she was NOT expecting. Can we say awkward? I had to talk to her for several minutes after that while the transaction was going through too- and I felt TERRIBLE. Her response was dead, straight face- "I'm not pregnant" as she pulled her shirt down.

Oh goodness.

Oh Lollipop...

The Lollipop

You were never my friend.
I always wanted you to be my friend.
My Dad never let me.
He would not let me buy you at the store.
He would never bring you home from a trip.
He would even take you out of my Halloween bag every year.

And yet, I know you.
I savored every taste of you when I got you from a friend.
When I got you in a Brithday bag, I would eat it quickly before I returned home.
I tried to save all your wrappers that had stars on them so I could get a free one at 7- Eleven.
I even kept a few of you hidden before Dad looked through my Halloween bag.

My Dad said that I could fall and choke on you because of your stick.
I think I could pull you out of my throat because of your stick.
He said I would just keep you and rot my teeth out.
But I thought you were my sweetest friend.

I have never bought you for my daughter.
Yet she knows you oh so well.
I can count a handful of times where she has tasted you.
I think she likes you too.
The Christmas Ringer at the Store gave her one of your own today.
Yes, I think she likes you just as much.

Princess Tent

Our sweet neighbors are moving. They have 2 little girls (now 9 and 11) and we get all of their handy-me-downs. I'll miss it when they actually go. Today she shows up at the door with this: A Princess tent. Caroline isn't quite into the whole princess thing like other girls (yet), but she still loves it.

Problem: It's dirty. It has dog hair and yucky stuff on it. Any suggestions? I plan on vacuuming it. I can't just throw it in the washer. I could steam clean it- but really? What do you think?

Girls Night Out

Have you seen it?! You'll love it- if you haven't! My Mother-in-Law, Elaine and Sister-in-Law Sarah and I had a wonderful time on Saturday night! We went to the Yummy Cheesecake Factory, had dinner and shared (one of my favorite's) Keylime Cheesecake! We then saw the fantabulous play Wicked ~ The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz. I loved it! I loved the storyline, the humor, the music.. it was just awesome. I would see it again in a heartbeat. What an enjoyable evening. And I would love to do it again!