Growing Up

I can't believe it my little Caroline is almost 9 months old. Where has time gone? She's still a mini version of Madeline. Those little girls get to giggling it's so funny. Caroline already looks up to Madeline. Then we call Kate, Mommy 2.

It's wonderful having a 14 year old who loves to help.

Lot's going on with us..... actually coming up.....

We've been circulating and sharing a wonderful stomach bug. I haven't been that sick in years. Thankfully mine was 24 hours.

We've discovered that Caroline has reflux. She's had tummy problems since birth. Recently it's gotten worse and we're trying some meds. Anyone have experience with GERD or Reflux? I need some tips this is new to me.

Answers for Name That Baby

It was so much fun to read your responses for name that baby! These girls look so much alike.

Our family even gets mixed up on who's who in baby photos.

Baby A : Madeline who is now 3. This was taken by my wonderfully talented photographer friend Adrien.

Baby B: Sweet Caroline who is 6 months old.

Name That Baby

These two little girls are so sweet. They each just melt my heart.

My friend Ashlee made these very cute shirts for the girls. Remember the cute no sew shirts she made when Madeline was little?

Now I have a little game, pick out the baby photo. These two look very similar at the same age. I have a photo below both of them at 6 months.

Name that baby photo:

Madeline is the (3 year old) or Caroline (6 months)

Baby Photo A: Which Baby? Photo B: Which Baby?

I know my in real life friends will pick it out fast!

Sweet Caroline's Room

I can't believe this little girl is 3 months old!

Really it was yesterday when I was blogging about being on bed rest and asking for your prayers.

Thank you Lord for my healthy smiley little girl! What a blessing she is! Finally a view of her girly room. Remember we thought she was going to be a boy. Here's a link to the boy version of the nursery.

I repainted the mural over the bed. I found this beautiful script and saying. I bought a new red crib skirt and added some rick rac.

Remember I scored this Pottery Barn bedding at a garage sale for $20.

Ribbon and ruffles can make a blue curtain girly. I love the way they turned out!


I'm using red as an accent color to bring out the whimsy. This changing table has been wood color, white, pink, black and red. It's held up for 4 children.
We've got a growing bow collection.

Madeline has the mother load so these sisters will share bows.


Caroline is sleeping in her crib now. The best news.... she's officially sleeping through the night. It's been a week now of going to be at 8 pm and waking up at 5:30 am.

However mommy still wakes up 3 times and sneaks in quietly to make sure she's ok.

ER Trip & Hand Sanitizer

Last night we made a trip to the children's emergency room at the downtown hospital. Little Caroline has had a stomach bug and it decided to come back. We went at the Dr's request, she was concerned it was not just a stomach virus but a serious stomach condition, plus her breathing was off and thought it might be the dreaded RSV.

We got there and it's amazing how fast they move along a baby. We didn't get anywhere near other sick kids we were in isolation. They did IV fluids and a sonogram to check her intestines and stomach and her breathing was monitored. All clear, except we saw a ton of gas bubbles. Turns out she doesn't have reflux just a gassy tummy. One issue solved. I've got to switch bottles

So the verdict, a stomach virus just as we initially thought. Which brings me to:

I've got to do a better job keeping little hands and people away from Caroline. I posted a while back we weren't going to get out much well, that's impossible with 3 other children highly involved in activities. Who was I kidding? I can't live in a bubble so I'm going to take extra precautions.

I was asked to review this 6 hour hand sanitizer last week from mom select. I couldn't think of a better time for us. Let me tell you this is all I will buy now. 6 hours! Check it out http://www.outlastgerms.com/ . I was given 10 bottles so I will be passing them out to our close friends and family who come in frequent contact with her. I also put a bottle in each of the kids school bag.

Little Caroline with the bottle and her "Don't touch me sign". My church friend Melanie picked up this hang tag, she's a NICU nurse. Thank you!

Colic Fixes

I want to thank all you wonderful moms for the great info on your experience with colic. We spoke to the Dr and she thinks Caroline has a milk protein allergy. She's also had diarrhea like poop since she started formula. Sorry TMI. It has gotten worse the last week. So we switched her formula to Similac Allimentium. Nothing frugal about that pricey stuff.

We kept her on the Similac Sensitive formula for so long hoping her body would adjust since she kept growing and showed no signs of dehydration. Allimentium is one of those last resort formulas.

My Caroline is sleeping soundly in the swing right now. I'm getting some much needed chores done, and of course some blogging.


Let me share what worked for me:

• Switching Formula
• Water - Little Tummies Brand.
  
• Swaddling tightly in the swing and bouncy seat.


• Put her in the car seat to snuggle her up, and head out for a short drive. When we get home she will sleep and be content in the car seat.


• Laying her on my legs and rubbing her back. Little baby massage, my girl is already spoiled.


• Background noise. She immediately quiets when I vacuum. I also put music on in the house when she's fussy and she stops and listens. Her favorite is my New Kids on the Block - The Block CD. My guilty childish pleasure. I played and sang this in the car when I was pregnant.

The Result.....Ahhh peace and quiet Most of all a happy baby and mommy.

I am hoping to get back to frugal posting this week at least twice a week. Monday I will be back to Menu Monday.

Colic... Please Help Me!

As a mother of 4 I've been extremely lucky to have limited experience with colic.... baby tummy pain and excessive crying.

Kate who is now 12 had this. That was so long ago I forgot what to do. I've looked online. Everyone seems to push a supplement or product. I don't trust ad's I want to hear from real moms.

So tell me... what works.

She's already on sensitive formula. Yes, now I am really regretting not breastfeeding. I can hear some big fat I told you so's. Oh well, moving on....

The good news, she slept for 6 hours the other night. Mommy got a good nights sleep.

Life with 4 kids

I just had to show you all my sweet Caroline. My good friend Adrien, came over and shot her newborn photos. Check out her website, she's wonderful photographer in the DFW area.

I'm so in love with this tiny little girl...

Caroline is such a great baby. She must sleep at least 20 hours a day. We are getting acclimated to life with 4 children.

I even ventured out to Hobby Lobby with the circus (that's what I call my 4 kids). I was in desperate need of some craft supplies. Being cooped up on bed rest for almost 3 months I am ready to go!

However, it wore me out. We plan on resting and hanging out at home for another week. I've got some projects to work on so I am content at home.

Her room is coming along great. My next post show my projects.

I had a couple questions asking if we knew the sex of the baby. No, we didn't find out. I just went on my mommy instinct it was a boy and decorated and shopped for a boy. Boy, was I wrong!

Sweet Caroline

Introducing Caroline Joy!
What a whirlwind of excitement and emotions for our family.



Thursday morning I woke up with the distinct thought of cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning. I cleaned my house top to bottom. 3 hours later I sat down and started having contractions about the same I've had over the last 10 weeks. I didn't think much of it.

We had a play date at a neighbors house, the contractions came every 10 minutes.

One of my church moms group had an evening get together. I went my contractions were every 5 minutes not painful just lots of pressure. I left the group at 9:00 I told them I think I need to go to the hospital.

We got to the hospital at 10:00 I was 4 cm dilated and they admitted me. Yes, were having a baby! Got my epidural by Dr. Feel Good (Really that's what he called himself) at mid-night and they wanted to see how I progressed and didn't break my water.

8:30 am: The Dr came in and broke my water I was dilated to a 6. About 30 minutes later I was in extreme pain and felt off the chart pressure. Dr. Feel Good came back in to up my epidural. By the time he came in I could feel everything. I was moaning and in so much pain. The worst pain of my life. He took at look at my epidural and I was only numb in my legs.... not where it mattered. So he redid the epidural and I still am feeling off the chart pain.

9:30 am: The nurse checks me to see how far I am. She says with big eyes... "The baby is right here don't move. Don't push keep your legs together. Call the dr and tell her NOW".

Ummm yeah, we are having a baby and I can feel it. The dr came in and 4 pushes later Caroline is up on my tummy. Oh, it's a girl not a boy like we thought. Shock, excitement and some pain.

The NICU staff was present and ready to wheel her off except little girl showed us her stuff and screamed and kicked. She acted like a 40 week full term baby. What a joy! Yes her middle name is also Joy.

We had an uneventfuly hospital stay. I opted not to breastfeed and went for the bottle. I've been unsuccessful 3 times and decided I had too much on my plate at home to stress about breast feeding. So we ordered the formula and I haven't looked back.

We got home Sunday. Monday morning we had our first dr's appt. She was looking orange so they did a blood test. Monday afternoon I got a phone call from the Dr saying take her to the NICU immediately. I cried and cried and cried.

Caroline was admitted to the NICU. We were told 4 days. They had a room available so I could stay at the hopstial so I did. I was able to feed her change her and most of all be there for her. Miraculously the girl only needed 24 hours of light thearaphy and IV fluids. Her numbers dropped so fast plus she gained 6 oz. Thank you God!

So we are back home today. My husbands birthday. What a joyous day I've got my new little girl at home with me.

Thank you cannot express my appreciation for the prayers over the last 10 weeks. God is good. He showed me many times that he is the one in control. I feel very blessed to have 4 healthy children and a wonderful husband. Now remind me of this feeling when I am having a stressed day and the kids are making me crazy.

Next week I plan to turn a baby boys room into a baby girls room without changing the bedding. Defineately will be painting over my Row, Row, Row Your Boat.
Not really wanting to grow a fishergirl, I'm thinking beachy and flip flops. Any ideas?

It's a ........

GIRL!

Caroline Joy arrived Friday morning at 9:37 am. She weighed 5 lbs 10 oz an was 19 1/4 inches long. She immediately cried and showed us how great her lungs were. Our answered prayer of 36 weeks and no NICU was answered. Little Caroline is completely healthy and beautiful.

We got home from the hospital today. Once I have time tomorrow I will upload some photos and tell more of the details of my NATURAL delivery. Yes, I said natural but not on purpose.

Off to hold my new little sweetie.

Thank you all for your prayers. God is good, and he carried me through the last 10 weeks culminating with a healthy baby girl.

Dr's Appt and a Shopping Trip

It's official no more bed rest!!! My drs' appt went great today. I am still 3cm like I was at the hospital a week ago. The medication has been successful in stopping my progression. However, we hope that comes to a stop on Saturday when I am drug free.

My next post should be about the arrival of baby #4. This pregnancy has been a difficult one. I thank you all for the well wishes and prayers. They've sustained me the last 10 weeks.

A little frugal talk:
With my release we headed out to my favorite fatty restaurant... Snuffers for some cheese fries then to the town center for some back to school shopping. I've gained 21 pounds with the pregnancy so I thought I could indulge a bit. I also thought it would be easier to get some shopping done before baby arrives.

Gap: Has a ton of clearance items. They just started their additional 40% off clearance. This is also the best place for little boys jeans. All the other brands of jeans last 2 months then get holes in the knees with an active boy but Gap jeans last us around 6 months. Good enough for me!

Dehlia's: Is my teens favorite store at the moment. According to her they have the best jeans. They are very cute boot cut one's with stretchy material (Stella Cut) l. They are on sale, buy one get one 1/2. Plus if you try on a pair of jeans you get a $10 off coupon. They had a ton of shirts and clearance items in the $10 and under range.

Gymboree: They have most of their back to school items 40% off. Plus if you are a rewards member you get an additional 20% off. I bought Will a couple shirts for $10 each. I did online shopping the other day.

Serious Nesting

You hear or might recall the distinct nesting instinct before you have a baby. Let me share my past activities right before my kids were born:

Katelyn: I was in college and pulled an all nighter writing the best paper in my college career. It was due in a week but I had this strange instinct I had to finish it.

William: I was working full time. I took the afternoon off and did some final shopping for baby and finished my monthly reports... early.

Madeline: I obsessively painted the dining room at the new house. We were remodeling before we moved in. I finished the crown molding and headed to the hospital. My husband thought I was crazy.

Baby #4: Not sure this is it but this morning I woke up full of energy and organization on the brain. I reorganized my son's toy bins (sitting down), hung up pictures that have been waiting for months. Helped Madeline pick up her room. Ordered the kids to do their laundry and separated mine out. Last night I had my husband hang up the blinds in the baby's room. It's only 9 o'clock but fore some reason I have so much energy and I'm on fire. I've only had a few normal contractions. Although last night I tossed and turned and moaned with contractions.

So this could be it.... I've had 2 out of 3 children on the 27th. Today is the
27th.... I'm 35 weeks and 4 days. I'm ready, really ready. The last 10 weeks on some sort of bed rest and in and out of the hospital has taken a toll on me. I'm ready to just be Jen again and have the baby in my arms. Do you ladies remember that "OK, I'm tired of being pregnant moment?"

I know I should be resting I am off to take a shower then spend the rest of the day on the couch. It was just weird I had to share. Still hoping I hold off until Friday since that is my 36 week mark.

Still Cookin & Baby Projects

All the drama and hospital stays started one week ago. Thank you God a week later baby is still baking in my tummy. As I type baby has the hiccups.

I haven't posted many pregnant photos. This was taken at my cousins on the 4th of July. Kind of a blurry pic but it's me... belly and all. I think I've gained a ton more belly since this was taken.

Me and the little ones at the hospital last week. Yes I was all smiles with morphine.
Now on to some fun crafty frugal projects. I'm Frugal Jen right?

Last week before this all started I did some sewing. Yes, I was seriously nesting. I made a small blanket with scrap fabric and ribbon. I pulled out 3 old burp rags gender neutral and sewed on ribbon and trim.

I didn't want to go too girly in case it's a boy. Not really wanting to have a frilly little boy.


This was my big project... big brother and sister shirts. I've been searching etsy and ebay for weeks debating buying shirts. At about $30 each I decided I could try it myself.

The result $15 later this is what I got. They are very cute! My friend Jenny at BellaBowz made the bows for us. See we have 2 little onezies one for girl and one for boy. If it's a girl she's even got her first little bow.... so cute!!

So as of today, Sunday we've got a countdown until Friday 36 weeks! I go off my contraction stopping meds Saturday morning.

We've got a poll going at our house. My husband's birthday is Wednesday, August 3rd. He thinks the baby will be born on his birthday. I think baby will come next Sunday the 1st.

So what do you think? When do you think baby will arrive? Just a clue
(I've NEVER gone past 36 weeks and 1 day)

Another Update

We want to thank you all for the emails, comments and phone calls. After a very eventful few days I am resting back at home. Let me tell you what's going on.

Sunday afternoon: when the nurse came for my 2nd steroid shot she thought I might be in labor. I had many signs. I got to the hospital and I was having contractions. They kept me for 24 hours then released me. I got home on Monday afternoon and during the night I developed a fever in addition to strong very painful contractions.

Tuesday Morning: I woke up with chills and a fever. I also did not feel the baby move after many trys to get the baby to wake up. Panic is an understatement. I was terrified something was very wrong. I called the dr and they immediately told me to head to L&D. I got there and my fever was 101.5 and my heart and the baby's was racing dangerously high. I was also contracting. They tested me for EVERYTHING I had an amino (which I don't ever want to relive) X-rays, tons of blood taken and fever reducers. Long story short they still do not know what caused the infection and fever. Thank you Lord it was NOT in my amniotic fluid and the baby is perfectly healthy and fine.

Thursday: I was released from the hospital and put back on bed rest. I resumed my terbutaline meds until next Friday. The amino showed the baby's lungs are NOT developed enough to breathe on it's own so we are holding off delivery until at least next Friday when I will be 36 weeks.

The Dr decided it was safe for me to be at home and not stay in the hospital because the contractions have not caused me to dialte beyond 3cm in the last 4 days. I was scared to come home to a stressful house with 3 kids but my family is wonderful and doing everything to eliminate stress.

So the plan is resting at home. I've got my mom staying here with us and helping. The might also head over to my parents house if things get too crazy. I would like to be around the kids if possible. My husband is also able to work from home.

So in a nutshell baby is still healthy in my tummy and we hope to gain another week.

This has been a crazy ride and I look forward to meeting my healthy baby in the next couple weeks. My biggest prayer is no NICU for us this time around. Our chances are great if we make it to next Friday.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers!

Jen

Trip to The Hospital

Yesterday afternoon the nurse came to give me my 2nd steroid shot. When she arrived she immediately thought I was in labor. After she gave me the shot we headed to the hospital. When I got there I was 2-3 cm dilated and 60% effaced. Talk about scared... we were terrified since I'm only 34 weeks.

They admitted me gave me more terbutaline by injection. That didn't stop the contractions they were very strong. I forgot that intense pain. I even signed the paperwork to get an epidural.

Then the contractions let up for a few hours. They moved me another room out of L&D. What finally stopped the contractions was lots of fluids and my oral dose of the terb. I was also having a reaction to the steroid shot. My face has swollen a ton. My skin is actually touching the sides of my glasses. To top it off my whole body is bright red and flushed like I have a sunburn. Gotta love the side effects of steroids. Thankful they are helping my little one's lungs develop. Makes it all worth it.

So they released me today and I got to go home around lunch time. I have not dilated or effaced since they first checked me. We got there just in time.

I'm not on strict bed rest surprisingly but on restricted activity which is very similar. However, I am putting my self on home lock down this next week. Praying little baby will hold off at least another week but our goal is 36 weeks the date is July 31st.

Thank you for your kind words and prayers!

Contractions Please Go Away...

Until at least next week. I'm now 34 weeks and 2 days. I'm 1/2 cm dilated... not much. The contractions have ramped up in intensity and frequency. Right when I'm ready to head to the hospital they stop. Yesterday I had the worst one I thought my water was going to break and the baby would be minutes away. Man it hurt bad. Funny how your body forgets about that pain after the baby arrives. Then you remember again when your pregnant.

Yesterday, I got my 1st of 2 shots of steroids for the baby's lung development. I get the 2nd one today. From what I've read for maximum effectiveness you need at least 48 hours prior to delivery. Any nurses out there know more?

This is all really wearing on me. It's been weeks since I've slept at night for more than a few hours. (My body will really be well adjusted for a new baby) That's the positive. The negative is my body is so worn down physically and emotionally. After I got the shot yesterday I started getting paranoid it was hurting the baby. You see I am the type that doesn't take very many meds when I'm pregnant. I feel the less you introduce into the body the better.

If you don't mind will you say a little prayer. Thank you my blog buddies! Thanks for listening (reading) to be vent a bit.

It's Almost Time.. Baby Room Is Ready

I am proud of say the baby's room is finally done! Let me share. Remember we don't know if it's a boy or girl. Can you tell what we think we are having?

My good friend Misti made this amazing and beautiful wreath. It will adorn the hospital door when we have baby.

Announcing our official baby names: We have an initial for "C" for Caroline

and an "A" for Alexander.

I was able to paint a special mural for baby. We're going with a nautical theme. The bedding I found at a garage sale for $20. It's pottery barn! This was the starting point for the room.

Yes, mom I still need someone to iron the bed skirt.

This bed was my crib as a child, all 3 of my children have slept peacefully on it. A few of my cousins and family friends have also used it. Don't worry it was never recalled and it's safe. I'm paranoid like that... I even remove the decorative end knobs once baby stands up.

I had a mismatched set of shelves so I painted them all red to match. This changing table has seen 3 coats of paint and 3 baby bottoms.

Love my glider... I've been known to sit in this spot and daydream about baby.

I painted a whimsical ocean scene to match the bedding.

The red stars are just waiting cute little outfits.

Baby's already got a ton of toys thanks to hand me downs.

I redid the mobile by adding satin trim, adding some nautical accessories and ribbon.

This is the way the mobile used to look.

A new car seat was in order. I did my research and chose the Graco that holds baby's up to 32 pounds in this wonderful paisley pattern.

Now for a pregnancy update:

I am 33 weeks and 5 days.

Still having contractions.. last night we almost made another trip to L&D but my meds finally did their job.

Still on modified bedrest. I go back to the Dr tomorrow.

I had Madeline at 35 weeks and the other two at 36 weeks. We think baby will arrive on or around July 27th.

That is only a couple weeks away!!!

View From the Couch

Today my friend Adrien came to visit and brought us some yummy meals. She also made the BEST guacamole for us to snack on while we chatted. The kids had a fun time playing.

She's very familiar with bed rest. When she was pregnant with her youngest son she was on bed rest for 3 months. We spent a lot of time together during that time.

She's also a talented photographer and brought her camera along. I love these photos because it shows us just the way we are at home. No makeup no fancy clothes just us hanging out on the couch.

Love these little sweeties!

Thank you Adrien for taking these impromptu photos today. These are memories I want to remember.

Appt

My appointment yesterday went well. I have not dilated so that was great news. The bad news I am still on strict bed rest and most likely will be until around 34 weeks which is 6 more weeks. Looks like my weekly appointments will be the only time I get out of the house.

It's very, very difficult to not get up. I've gotten up to try to do things on my own and then the contractions start up again even through my meds. So my body definitely needs me to rest so this baby will stay put a bit longer.

Tomorrow we have a cleaning service starting, that is a huge relief! The meals people have brought have been wonderful and such a blessing. It saves me from eating frozen pizza 7 nights a week :)

Thank you for all your prayers and sweet comments. I wish I had something better to blog about but it seems this is all that's on my my mind right now.

Day 5 Bedrest

I've got to say I've got an amazing husband. Really, I do! He's cleaning the house up at the end of the day the way I do.... actually better. He's very detail oriented and I'm a big picture kinda cleaner (Don't look to close). We are able to start the day with a picked up downstairs area for me to rest. I've got to take some before and after pictures. Its gets quite messy with 3 kids around me.

I'm still having some contractions break through the meds. No more than 3 an hour so I don't have to head to the hospital. I go back on Monday. Hopefully I haven't dilated and all is well.

One more important thing, I have some great friends! The last couple nights we've had some fantastic meals brought over. My family is in heaven with some good home cookin. I've also got all week scheduled out with meals and play date for the kids. Thank you all so much for your kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness. I feel very blessed during this difficult time. XOXO My Friends!