Grandma and Grandpa...

Yesterday Chris and I brought the girls out to see their great grandparents. It was a nice visit as it usually is. They both seemed to be doing well, looking good, and hopefully enjoyed our company. We talked about the old family pictures hanging in the living room and asked who everyone was. I am always so fascinated with Chris' roots that I forget about my own. I found out that "Belle" is actually a family name, not just Grandma's middle name. We have a Dorothy Belle, Lydia Belle, and Georgia Belle. Go figure! We talked about Grandpa's uncles that came over from Germany. I would love to know more about them. Once I got home I realized I didn't know Grandma's roots. I know she is German too but I don't know if that is on both sides? I will have to ask her more about her family next visit. We talked about Great Grandma Hazel's grocery store and I showed Chris a picture. Why didn't anyone take the old "Townsend Grocery" sign? I kick myself now, but what kid thinks about that kinda stuff. I am pretty sure it is no longer standing but Chris and I might take a rode trip to go check out the area.
While we were out we went morel hunting. I strapped Phoebe to my chest and Lillie walked holding Chris hand as we walked up and down the creekside looking for mushrooms. Phoebe was well protected, but the rest of us ended up with ticks and scratches. I know, gross, right? We did end up with 8 morels. Not bad for the worst drought ever! We only went to a two of my shroom spots and headed back to G&G's.
Chris and I hope to make it back soon. Next time we visit we are bringing dinner. I was told that Grandma and Grandpa couldn't eat certain things but they told me that was not the case. We planned our menu and look forward to our next visit!

phoebe...

sick kids...

So on Thursday Lillie had a runny nose. I convinced myself it was allergies. I started her on Claratin and she started feeling better on Sunday. Of course in the back of my head I knew better.
Sunday night around 2 am Phoebe woke up with a runny nose.
And then coughing.
And sneezing.
Then trouble breathing.
Chris and I knew she would need to go to the doctor. When we got to her to the docs office she took a few looks at her and said

"Did the nurse test her for RSV?"
My heart sank. Of course, why didn't I even think of it? She sent the nurse in and had her swabbed. The doctor sent us on our way and we were to wait for a phone call from the nurse. Phoebe's doc was sure she would test positive. 15 minutes later my phone rang.
Yep, positive for RSV.
She is only 3 weeks old.
The doctor and nurse both made sure we knew how serious this was. I was positive she was going to have to be admitted in to the hospital.
She is ONLY 3 weeks old.
They told us what to do and what warning signs to look for if she got worse.
Tuesday night she got worse.
We took her to Children's hospital today and had them look at her. Her oxygen levels were fine so she was not admitted. She was worse but that is normal for the 3rd or 4th day of RSV. They said she was actually doing well for a 3 week old. Go figure. Once again they told us what warning signs to look for and what to do if she got worse. I think we know what to do. And if we don't, we will bring her back in. They also told us to set an appointment for Friday so we wouldn't worry about her so much over the weekend.

phoebe's first day on the nebulizer.
At Children's ER. They were all great there and we got in to see a doctor before I even filled out all the paperwork!
My girls... Lillie is feeling much better. Phoebe, not so much.
No sleep, sick baby, trip to the hospital... equals nap!

We were worn out!

We both sleep in the same position.

Maybe tonight will be better.

On the upside...

We got a call from one of our favorite church members and she is going to hook us up with some food. I don't think the boys understand how tired we are. Between two teenage boys, a sick toddler and a sick newborn we don't have time to cook much. We are used to having family dinners most nights but lately it has been a lot of "just eat what you can find." Lots of bologna sandwiches and cans of soup. We are so thankful for our church friends and their prayers.

Lake house...

This weekend we went to the lake house and used it as a home base since we had Aunt Bob's funeral to go to in Tulsa. It was wonderful to see Chris family and introduce Phoebe to everyone. But as always... We just love hanging out at the lake! I took a ton of pictures!

Lillie just had a bath and decided to fill her pockets with dirt.

Our bedroom is looking better...
We got this table for $26! It has 4 chairs too and the perfect size for our tiny kitchen.
Chris was power washing the spider nests away and Lillie was helping.
Roasting marshmallows over the bonfire.

Woodland fairy...
Checking out the lake...
Yard cleanup is fun! Where's Lillie?
There she is!

The girls...
I finally got my redhead. Had to take pics in the sun to show it off!

Kitchen...
Papa!
Jorge and Lil!
Bubba, Lillie, and Rat!

Wish you were here...

We miss you everyday...



Who would of thunk it? 15 years and we are still the bestest friends!

We all have a story... (March for Babies)

My story: Lillie Marie Henry born 1-20-08, 36 weeks gestation, 2 pounds 15 ounces 16 inches, small for gestational age due to undiagnosed preeclampsia.
Phoebe Belle Henry born 38 weeks gestation. Healthy pregnancy and short stay in special care nursery because of amniotic fluid in lungs. On CPAP for 3 days. 6 lbs 15 ounces 19 1/2 in long!
Phoebe today!
Lillie at her first March for Babies. She was a Miracle of Mercy with some of her NICU friends.
Lillie loves to fundraise!
Lillie Marie today! Our healthy happy funny independent 3 year old!

So it is our favorite time of the year...
March for Babies!!!!

This year I planned on hosting what would of been our annual (but now will become semi-annual) chili cookoff. Of course with the new baby I have realized that this is just not going to happen. I can barely handle cooking dinner lately.

But, I have come up with a new idea. And it involves you. Yes, YOU!

So here it goes...

During my pregnancy with Phoebe I have come to realize that everyone has a story. And.. They are all different but all equally important.

I have spoke to many friends that have had babies born too early because of

PROM, HELLP, Preeclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension, preterm labor...

and on and on and on...

No matter what the story we all have one thing in common, our little miracles.

So here is what I am asking..

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Maybe you don't even have kids...

Maybe you share my story or a family member's story.

Maybe you know the importance of March of Dimes and healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.

So if you want to be a member (one of our peeps) send me an email.

SHENRY9976@gmail.com and I will tell you how to join (here's the link if you want to figure it out on your own.)

I am looking for at least 10 friends to commit to raising $100 each by May 1st.

Are you in?

Please let me know soon so we can get together and talk. I would like to plan a little get together for team members next week.

Feel free to share your story here in the comments or post it on the team page.

Our goal is to raise $1000 by May 1st!

Here's some info about March for Babies and the March of Dimes.

This could be a great way to reunite with old and keep up with new ones.

Hope to hear from you soon.

The first week home...

Today Phoebe is 10 days old!
So far all she does is sleep, eat, poop.
She sleeps 23 out of 24 hours in a day. I try to wake her up and she goes back to sleep. At night she wakes up every 1 or 2 hours to eat small meals. I am trying to get her to eat more in one setting then to just "snack".
She had her first bath. She didn't like it so much.

I think she is getting bigger. She has an appointment on Friday so we will see. She had her first check up last Friday and she weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces. That is lower than her birth weight (6 pounds 15 ounces) but higher than her weight the last day at the hospital (6 pounds 5 ounces). Weight is something I obsess over with my kids after having scrawny Lillie.
Even though we have only been home for a week, Phoebe has been out and about.
Her first outing was last wednesday. We took her to Church for dinner and so Lillie could see her friends. Thursday we took the girls to the park. Our new double stroller is awesome!
This picture isn't from the park but Phoebe's first trip to Bricktown.

She went bowling for Jorge's birthday.

We are trying to get used to having a newborn. Of course I had Draven as a newborn but that was FOREVER ago. And then when we had Lillie she was in the hospital the first month. We would see her during the day and then go home and sleep 8 hours straight. So having a real newborn home for us is a change. Something we are still trying to figure out even though we have 3 kids. I have just figured out that I don't have to hold her all the time. She actually is perfectly content in her swing.

I never thought that I could be so in love with someone that pees, poops, throws up, and screams at me all night...
But I do!
I love this Lil' Dude.
Yes, we still call her Lil' Dude.
That's all for now. Good night for the Henry's! Or should I say "Night". I don't know how good it will be. But we are just glad to have her home.