Another "photo shoot"

I've been having fun w/my dad's Canon...and took advantage of having Ruby Belle home for a few days.

Sweet, sweet boy

And sweet sweet big sister!

Saying "CHEESE!"

Just like a woman...can't put the phone down!

Kinda getting bored w/the photo shoot...

Feeling better and ready to head back to daycare!!

my first day with 2 kiddos

Beckett is a little over 2 weeks old now, and this past Friday was my first day with both kiddos by myself. Ruby Belle has been going to daycare during the week and I, of course, have had Justin here to help on the weekends. But today we had a doctor's appointment for both kids - Beckett for a 2 week check up and Ruby Belle for shots. BUT, thankfully enough we had this appointment scheduled in advance because Ruby Belle came down with Hand, Foot and Mouth disease. (I really want to show pics, but I'm saving you all from that...I'd hate to be censored for showing pics of my babies booty! just trust me...it looked brutal!)

F.U.N.

She'd had a rash on her diaper area for a few days that I thought may be just some bug bites...but Thursday night I noticed that it had gotten worse while she was at day care, so I knew it wasn't bites. At this point, I just thought it was "just a rash" and would ask the doc about it at our appointment. Well, Friday morning it was worse and I noticed it on her hands and feet. Immediately, I "Googled" hand, foot and mouth and knew that it was the real deal. CRAP! A toddler at home w/a newborn...and how was I going to prevent her from passing this along to Beckett!??? EEK!! She had already violated every "precaution" I read about. She LOVES to kiss him!!

anyway, the doc confirmed the diagnosis and we all spent the weekend plus Monday inside trying to keep our hands clean and Ruby Belle's saliva away from Beckett.

Thankfully, (crossing my fingers and saying my prayers...) Beckett shows no signs of HFM yet. Praying.

I must say, though. I have always had an appreciation for SAHM's. NOW, that appreciation is even stronger! How does a sleep deprived mom ever function w/a newborn and a toddler at home...w/only a small hope of an afternoon nap?!?!?!?

Beckett's unprofessional photos

I've been trying out my photography skills...I LOVE a good photography session with a real professional, but can't afford them as much as I'd like! who can, right?! I realized that's why so many stay at home mom's turn to photography as a "hobby" or "hobby turned business!" Thankfully my dad has a great Canon that he lets me borrow...and it makes me feel like the pics I take are a little more "professional" (for lack of better terms)! ha!! I'm NO professional, but here are a few point and clicks I took over the last few days!

One day I'm going to follow through with that Photography Class I've been planning on taking!! Until then...my sweet boy is cute enough for "point and clicks."

Another day in the hospital

Note: Post written Saturday, July 24, 2011

So, Beckett and I are back in the hospital. :-( Beckett was a little jaundiced before we left the hospital initially, but they let us go home and told us to see the doctor the next day. well, we did and his jaundice was a little worse, but he was pooping like a champ, so she just wanted to watch it still and check it again the next day (today). Still pooping like a champ, but bilirubin levels were not so much champion like. They were more elevated so we were sent to check back into the hospital. poor little man! He's a little golden child. (sounds better than being "yellow," right?!) So, here we sit...he under the bili lamp and I watching from this wonderful hospital bed. They will check his bilirubin again in 6 hrs to see if it's getting any better. If so, we're just here until tomorrow most likely. If not, it's IV fluids for Beckett and then maybe a little longer stay.

Either way it's frustrating...and a little sad to watch your newborn wimper under the bili lamp with the cool shades on...

Note #2: We were able to leave Sunday around noon!!! A little less than 24 hours after our arrival! We just have strict instructions to feed on a regular basis and spend some time in indirect sunlight to help continue to get rid of the bilirubin. AND we made it home in time to see Daddy off to Baton Rouge and wish him good luck on his test!! SO happy to be home, but sad to see him leave! Thank goodness for mommies who are here to help!!! My mom is staying with me while Justin is gone to help take care of Beckett and Ruby Belle!!

Welcome to the World, Beckett King Smith

Beckett King Smith made his arrival Tuesday, July 19, 2011! Exactly 2 weeks early and not exactly the way I expected, but it was just as well. I was supposed to work through Friday, July 22nd, but was off Tuesday, July 19th because I had worked the weekend. So, I thought I'd take advantage of my day off (maybe this was my form of "nesting"), clean a little, and cook/prepare some meals to freeze before Beckett arrived. I spent a couple of hours digging through some magazines, websites and my all-inspiring sister-in-law's blog (Stephanie) to find some good "starter" easy, freezable recipes! And after my morning walk, I met my mom at Target to do a little shopping/grocery shopping prepared with a list and all, I managed to begin to tackle one of my fears...shopping to actually COOK. What a concept!

I don't cook.

I'm a dietitian and I don't cook. Yes, it happens to the best (or worst) of us! My poor (not really) husband has only been honored with about 3 meals in the 4 years we've been married! Such suffering, I know!

anyway, in the middle of preparing the first 2 meals I was attempting, I thought I was feeling what may be my water leaking. I won't describe it, but it's different. I mean, you lose a little control of a few bodily functions when you're pregnant, but this was different. I didn't want to believe it though. I was in denial, but again, thankful that I had my 38 week doctor's appointment that afternoon. So, continued on...I got 1 meal prepared and ready to freeze and left the other in the crock pot while I headed to the doctor.

And I never got to go home!... The visit with the doctor confirmed that my water was leaking and they wheeled me to the hospital, admitted me and hooked me up to IVs immediately! EEK!!!

I had secretly, excitedly anticipated each day that my water would break and I would go into labor, but at the same time was SO torn on when exactly when I wanted this to happen. AS IF, I got any say in the matter! HA!! I had beat my inner self up with "when is the best time/when do I want to/when does Justin want to/when is a good time to have the baby" scenarios! Most of this because:

1) i had planned to work until the 22nd, and was going to be off work for a good solid week before my due date - and THAT I was looking forward to. Maybe there would be some R&R and some planning and prepping before I actually had the baby!

2) Justin was leaving Sunday, July 24th to take the Bar exam...in Baton Rouge...and would be gone until Wed, July 27th!!

Ok. You see the dilemma?! My husband would HAVE to be gone for 4 days with about a week until my due date!!! YIKES!! a whole set of issues!!

1) will I have the baby while he's gone?

2) will he lack focus for his exam if he's worried about me

a) having a baby while he's gone or

b) at home w/ a baby

3) if i have him early, will he still be able to get some final studying? ...the list got endless in my mind!

(did you catch all of that...crazy thoughts in my head don't always make sense on paper!)

so, God took care of it all and Beckett arrived safely, smoothly and as easy as anyone could ask for! I was in labor for about 9 hrs and only pushed for 4 minutes. yes, 4 minutes!!

So, meet Beckett King Smith!

Born: 10:07pm, 8lbs 6oz, 20 in (not a small man!)

Ready to head home!!

Quick Catch up: Belly Pics and more pics!!

the last few pics of my belly...

32 weeks

34 weeks

37.5 weeks

And a few randoms of Ruby Belle over the last few weeks/months...

4th of July - Firecracker 5k

Swimmin' at Uncle Ty and Aunt Stephanie's!

Ready to go swimming, eating the breakfast of champions...Caramel rice cakes!!

relaxing after a long day of swimming/playing

She dressed herself...She can't get enough of these boots!!

Showered with love!

Note: this post is WAY late...like a month or so late!

Again!! I remember writing a similar post almost 2 yrs ago...and to think I would get to write another is just amazing!!! on 2 levels...1) we've got another little miracle on the way and 2) we have sweet sweet women around us who care so much!

I cannot be more blessed!! We have only been (back) in town for a few months (6 to be exact) and really haven't had a chance (or made a lot of time) to get out and make friends. But, to my disbelief 13 wonderful women showed up at Beckett's shower! My sweet, sweet sister-in-law and her friend (well, my friend, too) LJ, threw me a perfect little get together at a wonderful restaurant, the Olive St. Bistro. It was quite perfect. Cute and delicious restaurant, lovely details (baby blue/periwinkle hydrangeas and some REALLY great cookies) and wonderful ladies! I could not believe this many folks whom I’ve only just met showed up to shower Beckett and I with Love!!

Here are a few of the pics… J

Nancy and LJ...kinda fuzzy :-)

a few of the ladies! Amanda made it out just 3 days before she was being induced!!

my mom, my sister-in-law and I...with my FAVORITE gift!!! my sis-in-law got me this awesome baby book for Beckett!!

1/2 of the group

kinda creepy how much we look alike, huh?!