Summer Vacay

We just got back from the BEST WEEK EVER!  Instead of Florida, we decided to go to Gatlinburg, TN.  We decided it would be easier and closer since we have a 3 month old.  We were nervous that it wasn't going to be as fun, but it ended up being a blast!
This is a view from our balcony - the left side and the right side

This is what Beckett did about a thousand times.  He jumped and jumped and jumped off the side of the pool.

He also loved being thrown in the pool

Hudson just swimming around

My niece Jasmine loved being thrown in the water

Hudson loved swimming around - he did not want to be thrown or jump in the pool

My family

There was a creek behind our condo, and Brian let Hudson play in it 

We had gorgeous sunsets nearly every night

We could sit on our balcony and watch the Dollywood fireworks every night.  They put on a great show EVERY NIGHT.  

We hiked a 1.2 mile round trip trail and it took about 2 hours.  It was really pokey, but fun.   Hudson had his map to help us

Hudson taking photos with his tablet

Not sure where the peace sign came from

Looking for bears or foxes or squirrels - Hudson loved that map

My boys!

That tiny waterfall in the background was the end of our hike.  

Creek time fun again on the way back

My niece Jasmine and Emmie Kate

Hudson and Jasmine became really good buddies on this trip

We went to the aquarium one afternoon and they gave the boys those silly hats - I'm not sure what they're supposed to be

Grandpa and Beckett

There was a cute mermaid show and all the kids were screaming "A real, live mermaid!!!" and were in heaven watching them.

There was a moving sidewalk to watch all the fish and after about 10 minutes, the kids just sat down.

Leaving the aquarium - it ended up being way cooler than I expected

The next day we drove through the park and had to stop and take pictures with the sign

We walked to the creek

We had to retake the picture since the first guy that took our picture cut out the left side of the sign

We drove up to Newfound Gap - it's so gorgeous

It was 75 degrees up there, way better than the 95 degrees 4000 feet lower

The boys were over pictures

Later that day we did pictures with a photographer.  It was about 95 degrees and 90% humidity.  My hair kept getting frizzier and frizzier

After pictures we let the kids throw rocks and wade in the water

Afterwards, we stopped for some ice cream

Grandpa and his little buddy Beckett

The next day we went to Ober-Gatlinburg - a fun little amusement park with a fun tram up the mountain.   Hudson and I did the Alpine sled together.  We had to take the ski lift further up the mountain

Here's a pic from the lift- we had a blast on the ride

Beckett and Brian rode the slide together and had fun

Shot from inside the tram 

The next day we started our day at The Pancake Pantry - a delicious breakfast place we've always gone to

The Village in Gatlinburg - fun little shops

Walking around

The next day Brian took Hudson to the go kart track

They had a lot of fun rides for kids - Hudson and Jasmine loved this ride, but their favorite was the roller coaster.  They became such great little buddies on this trip, they were so cute together

Such a fun vacation with lots and lots of things to do.  

Happy 3 months

~Emersyn Kate~

Happ 3 months!   Goodness!  Time is moving this summer!  You really are such a laid back, sweet baby.  Hudson loved (still loves) getting attention, Beckett smiled more than any baby I've ever been around, and you are probably the most content and laid back baby I've ever been around.   It's so fun to see the different personalities in you three.  You totally go with the flow, although, you're not the biggest fan of your car seat.  Thankfully, Hudson sits next to you in the van and will pop your paci back in your mouth to help out, and has even helped give you a bottle when we've been in the car for a long trip.  You're pretty serious in all these pictures, but definitely smile quite a bit.

You are a really good night sleeper.  You go to sleep about 7:30 pm, wake up about 7:45pm and fuss for a few minutes (we're not sure why you fall asleep so easily and then wake up a few minutes later and fuss and then go back to sleep), and go back to sleep until 6-6:30 am.  You still cat nap in the morning -little 15 minute naps and then usually do a nice big nap in the afternoon 2-3 hrs.

You still wear size 1 diapers.  You wear some 0-3 month clothes, some 3-6 month clothes, and some 6 month onesies.  You have long legs and a long torso (I think you're going to end up tall and skinny).  You weigh about 11 pounds (I just stepped on the scales with you)

You still have really pretty navy eyes with light icy blue in the middle. Your hair is still strawberry blonde/red.

You are eating 7-9 times/ day, still breast milk.  

The boys call you Katie.  I've been calling you Emmie Kate and Daddy calls you Emmie.  

You like people watching and enjoy walks.  You like to sit in the foyer at church with us and watch everyone as they walk by.  In the past month, we've both heard, "Oh, you finally got your girl!" about a thousand times, even though you're our little surprise baby.   You like to snuggle me and are content to just lay your head on my chest.   You love bath time!  You like your bouncer and play mat.  You love your paci and if it's not in your mouth, your fingers or clothes are in your mouth.

We love you and pray big things for you daily!   Happy 3 months my Little Love Bug!   Our lives are so much richer with you in it - such a sweet little blessing.

Love, Mommy & Daddy

Introducing: Emersyn Kate Part 2

Okay, part 2.  

Things were going pretty well until Thursday, May 5.  That evening, my heart was fluttering and acting weird and my feet and hands were a little swollen.  I didn't feel bad, but I also didn't feel good.  I texted Carol, the nurse from my office, and she had me check my BP and it was 160/110.  She texted my OB doctor and said I should probably go to the hospital to get checked out.  Well, it was 10 pm and we didn't want to take the boys with us and didn't want to wake any friends, so I texted back and said I'd go to hospital in am unless I got worse.  The next day, our dear friends, Nat and Laura, took the boys and we took Emersyn Kate with us to the hospital.  When I got there, my BP was 140something/90something, I had a terrible headache, and my pulse was 40.   I felt crummy.  (I was praying that I didn't have cardiomyopathy - there's a 50% chance of mortality)  They did a bunch of blood work, an EKG, an Echo, and the most thorough physical I've ever had.  Most of the tests were close to normal except my BNP (B type naturetic peptide -basically tells you if you have swelling around your heart and/or in heart failure).  My BNP was elevated, so they gave me Lasix to help and 6 hours later sent me home with a 4 day prescription of lasix.  The doctor was afraid I had postpartum pre-eclampsia or postpartum cardiomyopathy, but since my tests were mostly normal, he was  puzzled.  The EKG and Echo both picked up the flutter, but they didn't have a name for it and they were confused why my heart rate was so low.  They still sent me home, but said I needed to follow up with a cardiologist.   The lasix kicked in and helped with the swelling and the next day I was 7 pounds lighter.  A couple of weeks later, I saw the cardiologist and she ordered a bunch of tests again.  My stress test was normal and my Echo was normal.  So they think it was probably postpartum pre-eclampsia caused by sudden hormone changes.  My heart rate is back to normal, but my BP is still 130's/80's (which is high for me), but they don't want to do anything about it, and my hands are still slightly swollen (my wedding rings feel tight, so I'm not wearing them, yet).  My headache lasted about  6 weeks, thankfully it's better- excedrin was the only thing that kind of helped, it was pretty painful for a long time, I think getting more sleep also helped.  

I think that's just about everything.  I'm hoping my BP returns to normal in the next couple of months.  It was a scary few days, so I'm thankful to be feeling better.  

Emersyn Kate's 1st picture

1st Family Picture

Grandpa and Gigi and the kids

My wonderful mom - she stayed with us for 16 days and was amazing!!!

Grandpa and Nana

I wanted to get all of this written down before I forgot anything.