Cassidy's First Dance Class

Cassidy seems to be growing out of Gymboree, so we've been looking for a replacement activity for the fall. About a week ago, I signed her up for a short summer dance class to see how she liked it. I'd intended for her to start when the next session began at the end of July. However, Cassidy got so excited after seeing her pretty new dance outfit and trying on the super-cool tap and ballet shoes that she started asking about her dance class multiple times a day. Seeing a mental institution in my immediate future, I decided it would be best for my sanity to start her as soon as possible.

Tonight was her first class, and boy was I nervous! Cassidy can be a cling-on, so I wasn't sure a new class in a new place with all new people was going to fly... I figured she'd either do great or it would be a complete disaster. Much to my delight, she did GREAT. See the pictures below... some are rather dark, because I had to shoot them in the mirror's reflection while standing in the lobby looking through the office. It's hard to explain, but I was definitely the goofball Mommy doing everything I could to capture the moment on film without interrupting the class!

Waiting patiently for class to start...

Cassidy is the ballerina on the far left!

Taking her turn at tap dancing!

Lunch with the family

We had Sunday brunch at the Founder's Inn today - what a wonderful treat! Not only did Cassidy and Campbell's Godfather just have a birthday, but he's also about to leave for Iraq again. Gramma Kathy invited everyone to enjoy Sunday brunch together to celebrate and say "see ya soon".

It was WONDERFUL - the food was delicious, and it's always so nice to spend time with that arm of our family. I'm certain to be the focus of a few jokes for making Matt wear a tie... Nita didn't make Watson wear one. Oops.

Anyway, here are some pictures!

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Daddy, Cassidy, Campbell, and Watson (the girl's Godfather)

Daddy and his girls

Cassidy loves her Gramma Kathy!!

Painting the Sidewalk

Aunt Becky and Uncle Mike sent Cassidy a sidewalk painting kit, so we decorated the walkway in front of our house this past weekend. Cassidy thought it was the coolest thing EVER... way better than the boring old sidewalk chalk I get her. I knew she was going to make a huge mess, which was fine by me. I mostly watched and let her paint what she wanted. We ended up with paint all over Cassidy and the sidewalk, as expected. I thought I'd stayed out of the line of fire, so I still don't know how I ended up with paint all over me. Luckily, it's washable, and she had fun... and that's what matters!
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Painting the sidewalk ->

Cassidy's creation ->

Campbell's First Sunday at Church

We took Campbell to church this morning, and everyone was so excited to meet her! It was so nice to finally be able to introduce Campbell to her church family, and all the people who have been praying for her for so long. It was also a sad day, as today was our pastor's last Sunday. The whole purpose of making sure we made it to church today was to be sure we got a chance to say goodbye. It was a very bittersweet Sunday morning!

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Campbell and Grandpa Aleck ->

Campbell and Uncle Dwayne ->

The mole fell off?!?

The strangest thing happened at Gymboree this morning. We took Campbell with us to Cassidy's art class so everyone could meet her. Daddy stayed in the music room with Campbell while Mommy helped Cassidy with her art.

Cassidy has a good friend in class named Hailee, and her Mom is super-nice and very friendly. We've known them for a while, so they were excited to finally see Campbell. I was in the other room when this happened, but Matt said he pointed out the birthmark/blood blister/whatever-it-is on Campbell's right ring finger. Hailee's Mom picked up Campbell's tiny little hand and looked at the mark. As she was putting Campbell's hand back down, she said "You never know, one day you may look and it could be gone". A few minutes later, Matt looked back down at Campbell's hand and the mark was gone. When I came back into the music room, Matt said "Hailee's Mom fixed Campbell"... so I'm thinking, "Sweet! She's going to start sleeping through the night?!?" I couldn't have been any more shocked when he picked up Campbell's right hand and the mark was completely gone. Huh?!?

The strange thing is that it definitely wasn't a scab - it was fleshy and truly appeared to be a mole. I've given Campbell a sponge bath every night since she came home and those little hands were washed each time, so it definitely wasn't blood or dirt.

I'm not sure what happened this morning, but today is a day in Campbell's life I will never forget!


I took this picture a few days after Campbell came home ->

I took this one this afternoon ->

Campbell is Growing!

Campbell had her first check-up at the pediatrician today, and she got a great report. Her doctor said she is beautiful, which we already knew but it's nice to know that a medical professional agrees with us! Her doctor also said she looks perfect - she couldn't find anything wrong with her. What a relief!!

Campbell weighed 7 pounds even when we brought her home from the hospital on June 9, and she now weighs 7 pounds 9 ounces... so she's pretty much back at her birth weight. Her height and weight are just under the 25th percentile, and her head is in the 75th percentile. Although she started out a bit chunkier than Cassidy, they seem to be built the somewhat same - gorgeous and petite with big heads. I love it!!

So far, so good!

It's been one week, and life is going well! Campbell eats every 3 hours, so we spent most of the week with Daddy on day shift and Mommy on night shift. Campbell is growing more alert every day, and is still far more easy-going than Cassidy. Cassidy was a very tough baby, so I'm sure glad we had her first! Because of her issues and colicky temperament, we couldn't take Cassidy out in public for weeks. On the other hand, Campbell has already been to Wal-Mart, Cassidy's Thursday night Gymboree play class, and out to lunch yesterday with Mama and Papa.

Cassidy is also doing well. She's been a great helper, and especially likes to get fresh diapers for Campbell. She's also quickly becoming an expert at mixing formula.

All in all, it's been a good first week. We have a long way to go, so it's very reassuring to have a good start!

Playing in her pool yesterday... she's still smiling! -->

Daddy and Campbell watching the race -->

And then there were two...

We now officially have 2 princesses in our house - Baby Campbell is here!

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Campbell Elisabeth arrived at 9:34AM on Friday, June 6th weighing 7 pounds and 8 ounces. She was 20 inches long at birth, and her big noggin was a whopping 14.25 inches around!! Mom and Dad took me to the hospital at 6:30AM Friday morning so Matt could take Cassidy to school. The surgery got started a bit late, as we had to wait on the Anesthesiologist to finish with another patient. Matt got to see Campbell's entry into the world (he didn't get to see Cassidy's), and Campbell did well right from the start. Her Apgar scores were 9 at 1 minute and 9 at 5 minutes. There was a complication with my bleeding during the surgery that made it run long, but I was back together and in the recovery room by 11AM. Campbell had an issue with her breathing during the first few hours, but it seems to have worked itself out. I'm still in a good amount of pain, but am so very thankful to have a healthy baby!


To me, Campbell looks alot like Cassidy did as a newborn - only chunkier. Campbell has gorgeous full cheeks and deep blue eyes. She has a mole or blood blister on her right ring finger, and likes to check out the action around her by opening only her left eye. They may look alike, but it's clear already that Campbell has more patience and tolerance in her big toe than Cassidy has in her whole body!

Cassidy seems to be handling this transition well so far, and we appreciate prayers for her as we move into this new chapter in our lives. Cassidy spent a great weekend drinking up Mama and Papa's love and undivided attention, and came to the hospital Sunday afternoon to see her new sister. Baby Campbell had a gift for Cassidy - a new Gymboree pullman bag with a Dora mermaid doll and a kid-friendly digital camera inside!! The camera was a big hit, and Cassidy has enjoyed taking pictures of everything and everyone she can find. We have a long way to go, but I'm thankful Cassidy and Campbell have had such a positive start!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers over the last 8 months, for the calls over the last few days, and for the visits at the hospital! We are blessed to have such a wonderful circle of family and friends!

Baby Campbell with Mommy and Daddy in the OR ->


Mommy and Campbell ->

Cassidy and Campbell ->

Daddy and Campbell this morning ->

Baby Campbell Has Plans of Her Own

At my doctor's appointment today, the fluid level was worse than it was last week. The doctor was also less-than-thrilled with Campbell's lack of enthusiasum. We have a new plan... C-Section tomorrow morning at 8:50AM.

Friends and family know where to look for us!

Backyardigans Live!

I decided it would be fun to have one last hurrah with Cassidy before Campbell gets here, so I bought tickets to the Backyardigans Live! show at Chrysler Hall. Cassidy was so excited to see her friends on stage - especially Tyrone. We had a great time!!!

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The Backyardigans Show!! ->

Cassidy drinking juice and waiting for the show to start ->

The Backyardigans singing and dancing on stage ->

Baby Campbell Update

I'm still pregnant, and intend to have this baby as scheduled on June 16th. However, she may have other plans... here's an update:

1. At last Thursday's ultrasound, she weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces. She wasn't as responsive as she has been, and the amniotic fluid is getting very low. I was put on bed rest before I left the doctor's office.

2. I'm extremely uncomfortable, but it's going to have to get much worse for me to even consider asking to go early.

3. I have starting dilating.

I'll keep everyone updated as we progress. Again, the plan is for the eviction to occur as scheduled... assuming someone else cooperates!!