Laura's Hosptial Visit

Well, we are having yet another adventure. This time it was not such a fun one. I noticed I had 5 red bug bite looking things on my leg Tuesday. I showed them to Ryan but we thought I must have gotten bit by something, espicially since bugs love to bite me. On Thursday I noticed I had 4 bruises on one arm and a few on my legs but really didn't think much about it until a few more popped up. I decided I needed a platelet count done. When I woke up Friday morning I had petechaie all over my legs, from my feet to my thighs. These are small little red dots. The bug bite looking things were just a bigger version. I knew immediatly this was not a good sign. I was able to have a blood count done at my aunt's clinic and found out my platlets were 4,000! YIKES! The normal range is from 150,000-400,000. Most people's run at least in the 200 thousands. You can refer to my pre-delivery post about what all of this means. Anyway, the GI doctor called his hemotology friend and got me in to see her immediatly. I knew exactly what she was going to say and dreaded having to hear it. "I really need to admit you to the hospital"! Not the words you want to hear on the Friday of Labor Day weekend.

We have been house/dog sitting for my aunt and uncle all week. They live right on the reservoir and have a pontoon boat that I have been staring at all week. We were going to have a great weekend on the water in this beautiful weather. HA HA not now! We are stuck in Baptist Hospital in Jackson and I am hooked up to IV's.

Poor Audrey Grace has been lugged around thru all of this. She had to come with me to the doctor because of course I didn't think it would take long. Ryan was on the road and an hour away. Annie was still in school but was able to get to me pretty quick to help. Audrey Grace did really well as we went from each doctor to different labs and waiting rooms. I really hated having her in all of these places. Then we have to drag her into the hospital. Annie did not want to leave me so she was there to help me with AG. Ryan got to us soon after I got admitted.

I had my first night away from Audrey Grace. I wasn't too upset or nervous because she was going to be with her daddy and I know he knows just how to take care of her. They left the hosptial about 5:30 and I prayed she would be sweet for him. You know, nobody can take of your baby like you can!! They did great. He fed her, bathed her and put her to bed with no problems. When I called at 7:15 this morning he had already showered and was giving her her first bottle. Wow! I am not that good! They were back up here to see me by 8:30 am.

I am sure some of you are thinking, I can't believe she is letting her baby hang out at the hospital. I am saying that to myself too. I keep asking the nurses, do you think I am a bad mom? Really though I am on a oncology floor so there really isn't a lot of sickness. Plus how am I supposed to stay away from my 3 1/2 month old. I have been by her side since May 24th.

About to take a nap

She was watching the nurses closely as they gave me medicine in my IV. Maybe we have another medical professional in the making

Tupelo Trip

We made a trip to Tupelo to meet Anne Bailey Thomas and for Sadie Ethridge's first birthday party! Of course I did not get my camera out at the birthday party until after it was over and the birthday girl had gone to bed. Sadie had cupcakes at her party! Yummmm. There were all different kinds of flavors like french toast, banana pudding, chocolate with expresso and strawberry. They were all wonderful and yes, I tasted them all!! Sadie has a swing on her patio and since Audrey Grace is really holding her head up well, we decided to see what she thought about it. She loved it! After the party we went to the Thomas's to hang out. Anne Bailey is so precious. I think she is a good mix of Ruff and Angelia. She has more hair than I have ever seen a baby have. It is beautiful!

Ready for the birthday party

Just a swinging

Thinking about going to sleep

Anne Bailey Thomas

Audrey Grace and Anne Bailey

(it is really hard to get a good picuture of infants)

First Cold

When we got home from the beach Audrey Grace came down with her first cold. It was pitiful. She had a hacking cough and a stuffy nose. She never acted like she felt bad though. She continued to smile and talk. We used babies vicks vapor rub and a humidifer for several days. Then we found out she could have a breathing treatment using a nebulizer with xopenex. Thank goodness Aunt Dru came to the rescue and had everything we needed. I was able to capture a few pictures of her first one. Needless to say she was not happy about it. She learned to tolerate them after a few times.

Here is a video of Audrey Grace talking. She found her voice and loves to use it! This video was when she was 9 weeks old. She is now 14 weeks old and still going strong.

Beach Bound

She loved the ocean in Cape San Blas

Grandpa cleaning the scallops

Napping on the beach

I could eat her up!

Family Photo (Audrey Grace was not happy)

Grandma and Grandpa with their 4 great grand-daughtersAmy, Laura Lea, me and Audrey Grace

Sweet Grandma and Grandpa with Audrey Grace

She was not impressed with the pool

Hanging out with the Carr's

Such a sweet picture of Jack and MH

Our first family vacation was to the beach. We spent 10 days at the beach. Ryan, Audrey Grace and I went to Sandestin for a few days and then we met up with some of my family in Cape San Blas, FL. It was a different type of beach vacation than I have ever experienced. Having a 10 week old definitely changes things.

Ryan and I were excited to have our first getaway with just the three of us. We were also excited to go back to the Hilton where we got married! Audrey Grace was not as impressed as we were. She did not like the pool or the ocean very much. She did take a few naps under the umbrella at the pool and the ocean so we were able to relax and enjoy. We think it will be more enjoyable next year when she will have fun too.

We were able to hang out with our friends Matthew, MH and Jack Carr. They live in Sandestin. Matthew has a beach permit so he can drive his truck on the beach. How cool is that? We ate dinner and watched the sun set on the beach.

We drove on the Cape San Blas, FL to spend the week with my sister and her family, my aunt and uncle and my grandparents. We had such a great week together. We enjoyed the beach for the most part. Louis brought his boat and we were able to go into the bay and go scalloping.
My grandparents really enjoyed being with their 4 great grand-daughters!

Smith Lake

Our first family adventure was to Smith Lake in Alabama. We went with my friend Emily and her husband and son, Charlie. Charlie was born 7 weeks before Audrey Grace. Emily and I grew up together in Columbus and have been best friends since fifth grade, so it is really neat that we have children that are the same age. Emily brought along her parents and Annie came with us so we could have sometime on the lake with our children left in good hands. It was wonderful to float in the water, ride the boat and be in the sun for the first time this summer! I did not take the first picture! What is wrong with me and remembering to get the camera out? I am trying to get better. Emily's mom, Mrs. Carol, sent me some pics of the babies so I will share a few of those.

Audrey Grace in her watermelon bathing suit
Audrey Grace smiling at Annie

Charlie and Audrey Grace

Wonder what they are thinking?

New Job

Wow, I am behind on bloging but we have been busy busy. We have exciting news that Ryan took a new job in Jackson, MS with Puckett Rents, a division of CAT. We are so excited! We will be moving closer to family and friends. We have enjoyed our time in Memphis/Southaven, but now with Audrey Grace, we are happy to be closer to "home".
Ryan started his new job on August 9th and he is loving it. We are living at the lake right now until we can sell our house. We might be waiting a while, but we are just taking it day by day. My maternity leave is up on September 13th. I am still not sure if Audrey Grace and I will live in Southaven during the week or if we will join Ryan at the Lake. It makes me crazy to think about being away from Ryan all week, but to live 40 miles from town, not have a job, and live just not in "MY" house makes me crazy too. I will say that since we have been here Annie has been a big help to me. She is home on M,W,F by 1 PM, so it is nice to have someone else here to talk to and to help with AG.
Anyway, like I said before, we are taking this one day at a time. We are prepared that our house is probably not going to sell quickly, especially since 2 houses down the street went up for sale 2 weeks later! I am very positive that this is the right move for us so that makes all of this worth while. I will keep you posted on our transition...