Kamry {5 weeks old}

Warning: Only continue reading if you are ready to see LOTS of sweet baby pics! :O) :O)

Kamry turned 5 weeks old today!

 

 

We made another trip to Baltimore yesterday to see our sweet girl! She is now 4 lbs. 9 oz. and measures 16 inches long!!!!! Another milestone, she is not only drinking from a bottle, but she started breastfeeding while we were there. :O) The only thing left for Kamry to do before she can go home, is to take all feedings from either bottle or breast, no feeding line (which as of today she was using for only a couple of her feeds). We got these pics of her earlier this week, and couldn't believe how "chubby" she has gotten. It's like it happened overnight!!

<3 <3 <3

Bless her sweet heart!!!

 

 

We could hardly wait to get there, not only to see everyone again, but we knew today was the day.....we would finally get to hold her!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

There are no words!!!!!! <3 <3 <3

 

 

We stayed with them all day, taking only a few minutes for lunch on the patio while Lindsey got introduced to breastfeeding.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

This room.....Kamry's first "home".

Lindsey and Logan have spent hours here in this little room, waiting, watching, worrying, laughing, crying, but most of all loving their beautiful little girl. It's no wonder she is thriving!! <3

Am I cute or what???? This picture perfectly captures her sweet features: the wrinkled forehead, those pretty, bright eyes, that little nose, those lips, that chin....and now, those cute fat cheeks! Isn't she the sweetest??? :O)

 

 We finally left the hospital around 7:00. It was a gorgeous drive....we were sad to leave, but know it won't be long now until she comes HOME! :O)

 

 

 

{day 34}

 

life lately + photo dump

Life lately: my days pretty much consist of work (spotty so far, but will officially kick in this holiday weekend), daily life stuff at home, keeping track of everyone's schedules (we literally live by the calendar day by day), and all things Kamry!

Peter's new schedule started on May 4, so now Nathan gets home a week before him (and goes back a week before Peter has to go back - Nathan leaves on Tues.). This is really working out well for everyone! :O)

I love spending a little time with Nathan (and I mean a little) but I've found with young adults, you take any amount of quiet time with them that you can get!!!! <3



I got this awesome belated Mother's Day gift from him & Kayla....I love my Disney Alex & Ani, my MICKEY golf cart emblem, and those essential oils bath bombs are the BOMB! :O)



The weather.....it has rained pretty much EVERY day for the past month!!!!! There have also been mornings that have felt like early winter! Brrrr....





Lots of curling up with a throw and a mug of hot chocolate!! Seriously, where is SPRING??

Peter had crew change last Wednesday in Philly, so after picking me up, we headed straight to Baltimore.

I've lost count of how many times in the past month we've passed the stadiums! We had planned to take in an O's game this summer, but we wonder now if we ever want to go back to Baltimore again once Kamry comes home!!

side note: we stayed at Country Inn & Suites BWI area and absolutely LOVED it!! We will be staying there during any future visits. Bonus... there is a Chilis right next door (we had the absolute best ribs there - get Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce!)

We had an awesome visit with Logan and Lindsey. Kamry is doing so well and it's just a matter of time before she will be transferred (or maybe, better yet, come HOME!!!).

A few recent pictures....



Love this sweet little family so much!!


Dinner is provided every night at Children's House (which they are extremely thankful for and have enjoyed very much!!), but we asked them to go out to dinner with us instead. I suggested The Cheesecake Factory, which (a) is just minutes away from the hospital, (b) we had never eaten there before and had heard great reviews, and (c) who doesn't LOVE cheesecake???? :O)

The menu is HUGE.....we ordered the Nachos for the table for our app....GET.THE.NACHOS!!! OMG...they are the best!

My meal was good, but not the greatest thing I ever ate. I got the Half a Chicken-Almond Salad Sandwich (which turned into a whole sandwich), a Cup of Soup (Wild Mushroom) (which was actually a huge bowl) and a Small Caesar Salad (there was nothing small about it-it took up half a platter). I forgot to get a pic, but it was ALOT of food!! It was good, but not memorable. The cheesecake however, I'll never forget!!!! I got the White Chocolate Chunk Cheesecake Swirled with Macadamia Nuts and Caramel on a Blonde Brownie Crust. I was too full after dinner, but ate it on the car ride home the next day! I will return to The Cheesecake Factory if only for the Nachos & this....



We spent a few hours with Kamry on Thursday, before heading home. Each time, it gets harder to leave them. I pray that they will all three soon be home!!



The drive back was beautiful (major traffic jam, but beautiful!!). I am obsessed with clouds!












Kamry had a banner day on Thursday!! When we got home that night, they reported that she was up to 4 lbs. 1 oz., had been moved to a crib, and had taken two bottles that day!!! She also had her first eye exam and had made out well with that. Lindsey is doing very well these days and I am so thankful that she is feeling better. She has been able to help with most of Kamry's cares (changing diapers, taking temps, helping with baths, etc.). They love that she is now in a crib and they can hold her whenever they want to. She swaddles her up and tucks her in tight! :O) Between their love and care and mommy's milk, Kamry is thriving and growing quickly! "O)


doesn't she look content?

And these two pictures from last night....

Logan's "thing" with Kamry started from the beginning, reading to her!! :O) Of course, I was happy to finally pull out all of the boy's books that I had saved all these years! I had a good cry as I sorted through the bins. It is a bittersweet feeling when you look through the pages of the books you read thousands of times to your precious little boy, and now he will read those same books to his little girl! :O) Priceless!!



(notice the name sticker on the book...I love that their books are labeled, some dated and who from. I want to get book plates and stickers for Kamry's books too!) :O)


Our precious girl! I can hardly wait to see them all again!! :O)

Kamry {one month old}

 

Our beautiful, precious Kamry turns one month old.....

 

 

She is hovering around 4 lbs.

(although she has lost a few ounces since they introduced the bottle this week).

 

 

She is on a waiting list to be transported to PRMC....any day now!! :O)

 

I got a few good pictures during our visit last Thursday,

even though she was still in the incubator.

She was moved to a crib that night!! :O)

 

I could stand over her and just stare for hours. From the minute I saw her, my favorite feature of hers is her mouth and chin. :O) I can hardly wait to hold her for the first time and get a "smell"!

 

 

When you tell her she's cute....

 

she peeps at you and flashes the most beautiful smile

(even when you think she's sleeping)! ;o)

 

<3 <3 <3

 

source: facebook

Saturday 9: What Hurts the Most

 

Saturday 9: What Hurts the Most - Rascal Flatts (2006)

 

 

1) What hurts Sam the most is her sole, since she just found that earring she thought was lost by stepping on it with her bare foot. How about you? Any aches and pains to report?
Actually, no aches or pains at the moment. :O)

2) What's the last thing you misplaced? Did you find it?
Probably my keys.

3) Lead singer Gary LeVox sings that he's not afraid to cry. When is the last time you shed a tear?
On Thursday, when we had to say goodbye to Logan, Lindsey, and Kamry. I miss them before we even leave!!! :O(

4) Gary auditioned for another country group, Little Big Town, but didn't get in. Considering how successful Rascal Flatts has been, he's probably not sorry. Tell us about something you thought you wanted, but later weren't so sure.

One advantage of being the indecisive person that I am, I rarely regret getting something because by the time I actually get it, it has been well thought out!! :O)

5) The country group has their roots in Columbus, Ohio. What else is Ohio known for?

The first thing that popped into my mind was Longaberger Baskets - from the corporate headquarters in Dresden, Ohio.

6) Lead guitarist Joe Don Rooney married model and former Miss Georgia, Tiffany Fallon. Many major pageants give prizes in the talent, congeniality and swimsuit competitions. Would you prefer to have exceptional skills, a great personality, or a terrific body?

At first thought, I chose great personality, then I thought, exceptional skills might be a better choice. :O)

7) 2006, the year this song was popular, was a very good one for tennis pro Roger Federer. He reached the finals in all four Grand Slam tournaments, and won three. What's the last game you won? (Yes, Words with Friends counts.)

We played games while Derek was here and I won at least one game. :O)

8) Actor Tony Shalhoub won an Emmy in 2006 for his portrayal of detective Adrian Monk on Monk. Who's your favorite TV detective?

Don't really have a favorite.

9) Random question ... You've just won an all-expenses-paid trip but now you have to choose: Carnivale in Brazil, the Bordeaux Wine Festival in France, or the Running of the Bulls in Spain?

Definitely France, although not for the wine!



Ipsy Bags

I love getting my IPSY package every month, but those cute, little bags start to pile up! I've been putting them to good use though, here are a few uses other than just a make-up bag......

 

1. Receipts: perfect for all those receipts in your purse or use one to hold monthly receipts until ready to file.

2. Coupons & Gift Cards: again, works great in your purse to hold coupons and/or gift cards.
 

3. Chargers: while traveling, keep all of your chargers together in one place.
 

4. Memory Cards or flash drives

 

5. iPod, buds, and wireless speaker

 

6. Office Supplies: keep a few office supplies handy in your work bag.

7.Cell Phone and Charger: great for storing your phone and charger in your purse or travel bag.

8. Medicines: while traveling, keeps your mess together in one of these bags.

Side note: a contact lens case works great for keeping individual or daily doses of your meds.

Kamry {Day 21}

Kamry is 3 weeks old!!!

As of tonight, Kamry is 3 -1/2 lbs (oh my goodness) and as of this past Tuesday, no more oxygen!!! :0) More big news, the doctor has put her on a waiting list for transfer to PRMC in the upcoming weeks. :0) They started dressing her (she is so cute in those preemie outfits!), and her belly button thingie came off. She is up to 29 cc of milk (all mommy's milk).

On Wednesday, Kamry's first picture was posted!

And here she is.........<3 <3 <3 .....our beautiful, precious Kamry Lynn!

(Picture taken at 12 days old)

Logan and Lindsey got a spot at Children's Center and moved in on Wednesday. They love being closer and able to walk over for their visits with Kamry. They can't say enough about how they have been taken care of, both at the Ronald McDonald House and now at Children's Center. Dinner is brought in every night for those staying at CC, donated by local restaurants and organizations. This is certainly all new to them and they have had a little adjustment, but appreciate everything so much. We all definitely have a new perspective on life with a preemie, NICU nurses, Johns Hopkins, Ronald McDonald House, Children's Center, and all the wonderful, helpful people during this emotional time. Yesterday, JH hosted NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, who pledged to donate $100,000 to JH which he will raise to a million dollars if he wins on Sunday. WOW!

I could hardly wait to make a copy to fill my frame.....the first of many sweet Kamry pictures!

Hopefully, Kamry will continue to progress and grow as quickly as she has during her first three weeks and soon be able to come home!! We can hardly wait!! :O)

life lately & May Day Book

I REALLY miss blogging! I plan each day to find the time to sit down to the computer and work on a few posts, but the day gets away from me or I just don't seem to have the motivation. I think about it all the time, it is something I love and enjoy. It's my favorite way to spend any down time I can find. Lately though, even when I get a few quiet minutes, it is usually spent on messenger with Peter, Nathan, or most likely, Logan or Lindsey. I look forward to getting my daily Kamry fix from the pictures (and videos!) they send. Again, I warn you, when the pictures start....beware! :O) :O)

Kamry is still doing great! Lindsey enjoyed her first Mother's Day by holding her for 2 straight hours. Can you imagine the smells and kisses!!?? After two weeks of being at the hospital every minute, they went out to dinner to celebrate Kamry's progress and to do something special for Mother's Day. I think it did them a world of good to feel "normal" again, after the whirlwind of events. Lindsey is one happy, proud momma!! :O)

I spent Mother's Day at work, then home alone. Peter and Nathan are both at work, and of course, Logan and Lindsey are away. They sent me the prettiest flower bouquet though, which I totally didn't expect due to their circumstances. I LOVE it, and it really brightened things up after such a rainy, gloomy week! I haven't gotten Nathan's gift yet, but he will be home today.

I stopped by my MIL's for a visit, then spent some time with Mom. I ordered take out and brought home for my dinner (delicious hot crab dip bread bowl and my new favorite salad from from Lorraine's). :O)

I washed up and sent Lindsey and Logan a huge box of preemie clothes that a friend brought over! (Thanks again Nicole!!) I am amazed at the smallness of those tiny little outfits. Lindsey sent a video of Kamry getting her bath last night (which again, she still hates!). Afterwards, they put on the outfit we bought her. She is adorable!! :O) It is a little big on her, so I'm excited to see her in some of the smaller outfits from the box of clothes. Back to her bath- she has quite a loud cry for such a small little girl...her lungs seem to be developing nicely!! "O)

The Simple Woman's Day Book: MAY 2016

For Today: 5/11/16

Outside my window:

sun....rain....clouds....peak of sun...clouds....rain....you get the picture! :O(

We have had wayyyy too many days of rain this spring!

I am wearing:

jeans and a turquoise Chincoteague tee

A favorite quote:

in honor of Mother's Day...

 

In the kitchen....

Mon (me) - Salad
Tues (me) -  baked pork chop and roasted asparagus
Weds (me, Nathan, & Kayla) - baked chicken, scalloped potaoes, & cauliflower

From the board room (Pinterest)....

posting LOTS of cute baby stuff!!




One of my favorite things....

This week is the finale of Amazing Race!! I haven't kept up with posting on this, but of the three teams left, Matt & Dana are my pick (even though they bicker wayyy too much!). I won't mind if Korey and Tyler win, but will be super irritated if Cole and mom, Sheri win (especially after they lucked out a few times by not getting eliminated and somehow beat Burnie and Ashley last week!!!!). And Cole's crying....annoying!!!