Not just a cold

The little cough I talked about in my last post was not just a little cold. On Sunday Bethany was dedicated at our church and we were happy family and friends could join us for that special event. However, when we got home Bethany's cough sounded deeper than it had before. My sister is a RN and thought we should bring her in. Well, after a brief visit to Urgent Care, we were on our way to Children's Hospital ER to see what was wrong with Bethany. Emergency Rooms are not known for being quick, but we did get a room rather quickly where Bethany and I hung out to be seen. They had a small tv in there so at least I could catch parts of the Vikings game I was sad to miss. It turned out she had RSV and with her low oxygen levels they admitted her to Childrens so she could be put on oxygen overnight to see if she improved. On Monday they took her off oxygen during the day and had us stay another night to see if she could make it without oxygen as nights are usually the hardest. She did fine, but on Tuesday when they removed the IV she decided to stop eating and sleeping so we had to stay another night. Tuesday night was VERY long... she slept maybe a 1/2 hour twice, otherwise just wanted to be held. Finally mid-Wednesday she decided sleep was her friend and took a nap and started eating again and we took her home that afternoon. At home she has been back to her normal sleeping and eating, and last night she slept through the night! She fell asleep around 10:30 and at 7 a.m. I woke Dan up telling him she wasn't awake yet - it was a great nights sleep.

I will post pictures soon from the dedication and her 3 month picture by her monkey. I can't believe she is 3 months already! She has really grown up the last few weeks talking ALL the time, blowing bubbles, smiling at everyone, and of course sleeping so well. They weighed her at the hospital and she is nearing 12 lbs too so is eating well too. All the nurses at the hospital loved her and said she must get a lot of attention and talking to at home because she loves to talk to all of them. I think it partially being a first born, and she might take a little bit after me :) They also commented on her big eyes - one nurse said Bethany reminded him of a little Dr. Seuss "who".

We are so glad to have her home!

Bethany's Dedication at church on 1/24

Me with Bethany right before heading to Urgent Care... she didn't feel good but looked cute from her dedication

Hanging out with Dad in her diaper after her bath
3 months old and sitting by her monkey!

Coughing baby :(

Bethany seems to have a little cold. I hope she isn't getting sick! We are trying to keep her well rested and away from as many germs as possible. Maybe by Sunday for her dedication she will feel better, fingers crossed. She doesn't look too sick in this cute picture I took of her today to show on Sunday.Feel better soon sweetie!

Yea Vikings! and more pics

11 weeks old

Taggies outfit from Grandma's friend AnneMarie

Love my baths

Bethany flipped over!

Last Tuesday, January 12th, Bethany flipped over from her tummy to her back at a day shy of 11 weeks old! First it happened when she was doing tummy time on her activity mat and then I put her on the bed with me while I was folding laundry and she did it again! On Friday the 15th I caught it on video camera too but since she usually does it when she is mad and wants to flip onto her back I will spare you from posting it on here :) But, I am going to learn how to post videos so anyone can see what she is up to.. hopefully it isn't hard to learn. I haven't even figured out how to get the videos from our camera to our computer yet though.

Bethany is also really getting good at standing on our laps while we hold only her hands. She stands whenever she can and still loves to smile and take her baths. She has had a few more nights where she slept for 5 hrs at a time, but then sometimes reverts back to waking up every two hours :( It will be nice when she is a little more consistent with sleeping at night, but it is much better than it used to be! I keep putting her in her crib for all her naps and she usually sleeps pretty well in there for all of them. She takes one in the morning about an hour after waking up, then a 1-2 hr one over lunch and a 1.5-2.5 hr one in the afternoon before staying up until we go to bed. We think she is done being swaddled so we've tried the last few nights without the swaddle me sleep sacks and she seems to like that better.

Last Saturday the 9th we had my sisters baby shower at my cousin Lindsay's house. It was a lot of fun and Amber got some nice things to prepare for Baby Gilchrist. Afterwards Amber and Brent babysat Bethany so Dan and I could go on a date! We went to Avatar in 3D and then went to the gym to work out and ate at Outback. It was nice to get away and Amber and Brent said they enjoyed watching their niece. She got to try out some of her cousins things before he arrives.

We took some fun pictures over the last few weeks. Her facial expressions are so funny. Sometimes when we make new sounds like whistling she stops and looks around trying to figure out what is going on or listens intently like below.

Mommy and Bethany snuggling in our pjs.

For Christina:

This is her Popeye impression

10 weeks old

Yesterday Bethany turned 10 weeks old! She is changing so much every week and is holding her head up on her own and wants to stand on your lap or bounce her on the couch all the time. She likes to look over my shoulder during the day still but is getting more and more interested in pushing her legs out to try and practice standing. We are very happy to announce that for the last two nights she slept for 5 hours - the longest ever at a time! She sleeps from 11-4 and then I still struggle to get her back to sleep after she eats but instead of being up at that time for 1.5 hours, now she usually goes to bed after just an hour. During the day she is also getting more consistent with an hour nap in the morning, 1.5 hours over lunch and then 2-2.5 hours in the afternoon. She is sleeping in her crib for the afternoon nap vs. the swing, sling or bouncy seat so we are happy she is doing so well.

It is also fun to hear her practice her coo's. Ah-goo, gaa, and coo-ah are her favorite sounds right now. She still loves her baths and actually likes getting her diaper changed now. I think she realized that she is more comfortable after she gets changed :)

Here are a couple fun pictures over the last few weeks including some from our postponed Christmas that we had on New Years Day.

Having fun with daddy Stretching and smiling after waking up

Trying on Great-Grandma's old jewlery that she gave us at Christmas - Bethany is looking a little chubby - packing on the pounds over the holidays!

Great Grandma and Grandpa

Smiling at Nordstrom Cafe on New Years Eve with her yellow bow

Bethany Claire - we are so proud of how you are growing! In a few weeks we are excited to have your dedication at church surrounded by family and friends. Even though you have only been in our lives for 10 short weeks so far, we love you beyond words! Thank you for being our sweet daughter and we pray that you grow to be a loving daughter of the Lord like your name means.