RSV

Our house was hit with RSV right as we came back from our fun trip to Columbia.  Mary called me at work on Monday to tell me the boys both had it and I immediately knew the cough that had sprung up out of nowhere for Elle the night before was RSV.  Eric took her to the pediatrician on Tuesday to be checked and lo and behold the virus had indeed hit our house.

I cried a lot.  A lot a lot.  I immediately realized Elle wouldn't be able to come to the hospital when the baby was born, that we may have to keep them in separate houses if he came before his due date...basically every image I had of how things would go for the last 9 months was gone.  It was hard and I threw a big pity party. :)

More importantly than all of that, was how miserable Elle felt.  Her breathing never really sounded wheezy but she did have a night where she had a hard time taking a breath which sent me into a panic.  Thank God Eric was home and not at work that night.  He was most definitely the calm one in the situation.  I was convinced I should sit up and hold her while she slept the rest of the night and Eric was finally able to convince me to just prop her head up with a pillow and lay her down.  I was getting little to no sleep because 1. I'm 9 months pregnant and 2. I was checking her breathing constantly.  Eric said he was getting no sleep because every time I would move he thought I was in labor and he as well was constantly checking Elle's breathing.

Eric stayed home with Elle Monday-Wednesday and I worked from home Thursday and Friday with her.  I hated seeing her so sick but we passed the days with lunch picnics, coloring Valentines and watching movies.  Either Muppets Most Wanted, Stuart Little or Polar Express were pretty much playing at all times.

I found her sitting like this in her room one night and asked her what she was doing.  She said, "just hanging out with my dollhouse".

Eric and I have both caught a cold which resulted in me having to be tested for RSV before the baby is born.  Thankfully it's just a cold virus, although I hope Elle is able to dodge it!  Elle is feeling better, still has a runny nose and cough which means she most likely won't be able to come to the hospital to meet brother which makes me so sad.  Tomorrow is my induction so hopefully we will be home by Sunday and Elle will meet her new buddy then.  I'm beyond nervous and can't believe I will have 2 CHILDREN by the end of the weekend!!

Columbia

Eric had the great idea to take Elle to Columbia for the weekend so she could see her best buddy Truman (and so he could watch a basketball game) before the baby is born.

We left Friday night when I got off work in hopes of catching the gymnastics meet...we arrived as they were announcing the winners of the night.  But Elle got to see Truman so she was a happy girl.  When we loaded her back in the car she kept saying "no go home!" which was a running theme all weekend.

We got to the hotel that night and she was immediately smitten, they left this stuffed animal in our room (that could be purchased) and Elle immediately claimed him as her own.  I've never seen a hotel do this but it was a smart move...and an easy way to get an additional $20.  Elle had fun running around the room and hallway with Eric.  She loved going to the vending machines to get drinks.

Saturday morning we woke up and headed downstairs for some breakfast.  Elle loved people watching and would loudly ask questions about everyone she saw. "Why is that man coughing?" "Why did that lady sneeze?"

After breakfast Eric and Elle headed down to the pool to swim.  I was having contractions so I called my doctor.  She was shocked to hear we were in Columbia and told me to go home immediately...instead I went down to the pool to watch Elle Belle swim then we all came upstairs to take a nap in the hopes my contractions would stop.  Luckily they did but I spent the rest of the day paranoid that I was going to have this baby in Columbia.

We stopped for some lunch and shopped in a little boutique where Elle picked out a new Truman Tiger to take home, then we boarded the shuttle to the basketball stadium.

We had great seats and Elle was able to see her best buddy court-side before the game started.

It was a really fun quick trip, Elle had a blast and Eric is already asking if this is something we should do every year.  His Mizzou loving heart absolutely loves how much Elle loves going to this stuff...and since Elle loves it so much it makes me really enjoy going too.  Eric totally lucked out.  I joke with him that this little boy is going to have zero interest in Mizzou since he got so lucky with Elle.  We shall see!

Sprinkle!

One Saturday Mary and I were making plans to meet up for lunch then head out for some shopping.  This is nothing new, it is pretty much our routine every Saturday.  Elle was a bit of a grump and ended up falling asleep for a nap right before it was time to leave.  Knowing it could be dangerous to wake my sleeping bear I kept pushing our lunch time back.  Little did I know Mary, Henry and Mom were already out and about ready to sprinkle Elle and I with some baby love!  By the time I finally got to the restaurant for lunch and saw this set-up I was completely surprised...and felt horrible for being so late!

They went WAY overboard on spoiling this little boy and they didn't forget about big sissy Eleanor either!  They had a Frozen bowling set for her and pink balloon on her chair.

The ladies treated us to lunch then surprised us with pedicures!  Henry joined in on the pedicure fun, he of course picked out the color green and Elle decided to go with purple.

This was Elle's first time getting a pedi and it turns out the girl is a natural.

After our pedi's we did some shopping then stopped for some frozen yogurt with the kiddos.  It was such a fun day and I'm so thankful for everything.  I have the absolute best family, hands down!

January 2015

January is usually one of those months that seems to drag on slowly...but not this time!  With baby brother making his debut soon the month flew by.

Sleeping in her big girl room.  She is looking at the iPad in this picture, when did she become a little teenager?!

Mary, Henry and Charlie came over one Saturday night with tons of boy baby clothes to go through.  We ordered dinner and Elle showed off all her new toys from Santa.

Eric got a mini drone for Christmas and he has had fun flying it around the house.  Elle loves it but sometimes when he gets it out and starts flying it Elle will say, "Daddy, no!  Shhh, my baby's sleeping!"  She is referring to one of her 500 dolls or stuffed animals.

Giving brother one of his checkup's

My big girl trying pomegranate for the first time.  She liked them, but that could be because I told her they are fruit snacks. :)  Her legs look so long in these pictures!!

We have had some really nice weather this month which means weekends at the park!  Elle loves going to the park and normally cries when it's time to leave.  My germa-phobe nature is rubbing off on her though.  They were a few slides she wouldn't go down because they were dirty looking.

She loved climbing this little rock wall and sitting at the top.

My girl :)

One night we met Mary, Henry and Charlie at the Rec-Plex for some swimming.  I used to come here a lot to swim with friends in middle school so it felt so funny bringing the kiddos here.

Bear was a complete water baby!!  Mary would walk him under the little waterfalls and he would just smile has water was splashing in his face.  Elle tends to scream and run if she walks by the waterfall. :)  Henry was the first to proclaim he was done with swimming, since he hates his clothes being wet he striped naked in the pool area before Mary was able to get him back in the locker room to change.  We were dying laughing, this boy is so comfortable with no clothes on!

On Sunday's Elle and I usually head to the grocery store.  She wanted to bring her purse (the little Coach purse mom and dad gave her for her 1st Christmas) with her money (a quarter and a nickle) to pay for our groceries.  Anytime we would get near the checkout lanes she would immediately start asking for her purse.  She was so worried she would miss out on paying.  When we were checking out she got out her coins to pay, she was very shy but it was so adorable!!

Loves to tie her lovey around her neck like a scarf...

Eric, Elle and I went to see Paddington one night in the theater.  Eric picked her up at my mom's and got her set up with popcorn and pretzels at the theater and I met them there after work.  Elle really liked the movie and it managed to hold her attention the whole time.  Although now she asks to watch it at home, having a hard time explaining it's only at the theaters.

This big girl loves to brush her teeth.  In order for her to let me brush them first I pretend like I'm the dentist.  I come in the bathroom and say "Hi, I'm the dentist, what's your name?" then ask her to open her mouth, say cheese, etc.  She plays along every time.

We had a surprise baby sprinkle day thrown by Mary and Mom one Saturday, it was so much fun.  I want to write all about that in a separate post.

Elle loves going in my closet and trying on necklaces.  She wanted to wear this one to Target. :)  She still is so proud of the bracelets she picked out for me for Christmas.  She always says "Mama, I got you bracelets!" then gives me a big hug.  She then will say "Daddy said, no Eleanor!".  I guess when they were shopping she was touching everything and daddy telling her "no" really didn't sit well with her. :)

Sunday morning breakfast date with my little love bug.

Mary and Nick got Elle this Frozen karaoke machine for Christmas so we can have "Let It Go" concerts.

Popcorn and Curious George movie afternoon.

New slippers from MawMaw & PawPaw

Elle loves "swimming" in the bathtub in our room.  When it comes time to wet her hair I've finally taught her to throw her head back and close her eyes.  She make this expression every single time and holds it the entire time I'm pouring water on her head.

Last Saturday I had to work an expo for my work, Eric had to work as well so Elle went to MiMi's house for the day.  I was able to get off and meet them just in time for ice cream with Anna and Elsa from Frozen.  Elle and Henry were both pretty shy...but Hens fell in love with Elsa.  He now says she is his girlfriend. ;)

February should be a fun/crazy/exciting month.  Hard to believe this is my last monthly recap with Elle being an only child. :)