Happy Birthday!

Bella wishes her aunt Shannon and very Happy Birthday and says thank you for the awesome shirt!

Clean Shaven...or not

Yesterday I dropped Elvira off at Petsmart to be groomed. It sounds a little scary, I know, but I took her there last time in a pinch and they actually did a really nice job on her. So, I decided to try again.

Close to noon I received a phone call from them. She had apparently freaked. Supposively she tried to lunge at the woman's face and bite her, and tried to tell me that a cage stresses her out. Little do they know that she is crate trained and sleeps in one every night. But, nonetheless, I went to pick her up and rescheduled for next Monday when there will no other dogs in the room at the time.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that they actully managed to get her half shaved. Yes...she looks like a lion.

Things don't always go our way

No worries - this isn't a lesson that I'm suddenly learning after 26 years. It's merely an observation at the end of a stressful several days. We were one of the unfortunate 205,000 people in Louisville who lost our power due to the ice storm. After 5 days of sleeping by a wood burning stove, allergies acting up from my parents cat, driving all over the city just to avoid cabin fever, emptying a refrigerator full of spoiled food for the second time in 4 months (extremely sickening), forgetting to put an extra sleeper in Bella's diaper bag only to have her pee all over herself while being changed and then having to sit through church naked and wrapped in a blanket (embarassing), etc. In short, it was wonderful to have family who would put us up in a warm place with warm food so that we didn't have to eat out constantly, but it definetely made for a stressful week having to run back and forth to our house daily to check on the power and get clothes for the next day.

Our power finally came back on last night. We were so glad just to be home and sleep in our on bed, even though most of our stuff was sitting in multiple grocery bags on the floor around us! I spent most of today grocery shopping, doing laundry and cleaning out the stinky refrigerator. I picked up Zeke and Yana at 7. When we got home, I got everything ready for dinner and threw some peanut butter cookies in the oven. My mom had made these really good peanut cookies and sent some home with us and before Jeff could eat any of them, I finished them off :) So I called her and got the recipe and made him some since I knew he was going to have a long day at work today. I missed him severely all day and was looking forward to him coming home.

Things don't always go our way.

I got a call at 7:45 from Jeff. He had a horrible migraine. He instructed me to open the toilet and put medicine and a glass of water on the sink. I heard him come in the door, go downstairs and proceed to barf his guts out. I hadn't eaten dinner, Bella was screaming to eat and Jeff was, well - sick.

So, I sit here, watching Jon & Kate Plus 8 (and glad I'm not them) and hating the fact that my on first night back in my own warm house with power, I am by myself. I have no point to any of this. I'm just having a pity party. And to top it off, I just remembered that there have been peanut butter cookies in the oven for 30 minutes :)

Photo Session

Yesterday, the most awesome photographer that I know (who did my engagement and wedding pictures), Renee Lewis, came over and did some pictures of Bella. After a few obstacles (we ran into feeding time, she wouldn't go to sleep, and she peed on nearly every blanket that we put underneath her) she ended up getting some really good shots. She's quite the little poser :) Here are just a couple of samples that she posted this evening.

Bella Mae McCarty

As I sit here and write, my 6-day old, perfect little daughter is sitting under Billi lights. If you are shocked by any statement in that sentence, don't worry - I'll backtrack for you!

A week ago, Jeff and I went to my OB/Gyn for a routine appointment. We were in the home stretch - 4 weeks to go with appointments coming weekly! I had spent the previous Thursday evening in the triage unit on the Labor and Delivery floor of Suburban due to high blood pressure and swelling. They sent me home with a large jug to do a 24 hour urine test in order to make I wasn't losing protein, which would indicate that my kidneys weren't properly doing their job and they would need to go ahead and induce. The next evening, we dropped the jug off at the lab. So, on Monday (one week ago...) we went to the appointment expecting find out the results of that test and what the plan of action would be over the next few weeks. The doctor came in and asked me how I was feeling, and told me what to expect when I started feeling contractions and when I should head to the hospital. None of these symptoms sounded familiar so she went on with her assessment. She and I were both surprised to discover that I was already 5 cm dilated! If you don't already know, 10 cm means baby is coming! She sat on her stool, put her head in her hands and basically said she didn't know what to do. If I hadn't felt any contractions so far, she was afraid that by the time I did, I would be very close to delivering little Bella Mae. To make a long story short, they did some tests to make sure her lungs were developed, put me on fetal monitor in triage and decided later that evening to admit me and induce in the morning. WOW.

Before I tell you all about my beautiful new baby, I have to tell you about my wonderful husband. When we went to the hospital last Monday, we had no idea that I wouldn't be leaving for four days. We had NOTHING. I had no bags packed, I had a few items in Bella's diaper bag, but other than that, we were not prepared to leave the hospital with a baby. Nor was I prepared to birth one! Jeff spent the next four days running around like a mad person, making sure that Bella and I had everything that we needed. I can only image how stressed out he must have been. He never once complained. He slept on some of the most uncomfortable (and dirty) couches, spent countless hours driving to get me whatever I wanted or needed, went to Wal-Mart to buy Bella some clothes that we could take her home in (since she arrived MUCH smaller than we would have EVER expected), and put up with quite a bit of drama from me. I don't think he actually slept until Thursday night when we got home from the hospital. He put up with A LOT last week. Okay, he's put up with a lot for the last 9 months! Mood swings, weird cravings at odd hours, my scatterbrainedness (if that's even a word!), my messiness, etc. He continues to put up with my forgetfulness, my crumbs on the couch, my sloppiness and many, many other things. I love him very much and I don't know what I would have done without him this last week, or for the last 2 years. I am very thankful to have such a wonderful father for my daughter. I couldn't have done any of this without his support and encouragement.

Now.... meet Ms. Bella Mae McCarty

Bella arrived on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 3:26 p.m. She was 6lbs. (5 lbs. 15.6 oz. to be exact) and 19.5 inches long. Other than being a little jaundice (which is the reason for the Billi lights) she is perfect and quite possibly the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! She is already a a daddy's girl, and she loves her big brother and sister.

Baby Noah

This is me and Jeff's newest nephew, Noah Franklin.

Merry Christmas!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

It's a Girl!

I had my second trimester ultrasound yesterday and found that we're having a girl - Bella Mae. Here are a few of baby's first photos. These are the best ones. She apparently is laying on her stomach, with her face buried in her arms. Figures she'd be stubborn!
This is her face. From what I can tell, you can see eyes and a nose, even her spine and heart there to the left.

Don't even ask how they know it's a girl.

I'll be back soon with more updates - promise!!

Gone but Not Forgotten

I often wonder how many readers I have out there. I'm sure it isn't many, but it's nice to know that however few there may be, they do keep up with me. I can't tell you how many times Katrina has asked me if I'm ever going to blog again. Just recently she asked if I was just going to delete my blog altogether. Ha ha....

Jeff has asked me several times recently when I was going to blog again, also. I think he wants me to update it with some pictures of our recent outings with the kiddos. As soon as I upload the pictures on the computer, I will do that.

So...to the two or three of you out there still reading...I'm not gone. Just keep checking back :)

Bath Time

This afternoon when we got back, I gave Elvira a much-needed bath. After our lunch and candy shopping spree, we went to Wal-Mart to pick up a few items we needed for the week. We also picked up some dog treats (for the encouragement of potty-training), a collar and leash, a puppy tote, and some dog shampoo.

The bath did not go as well here as it did previously at home. At home, our older bathtub provides higher tub walls that make it more difficult for Elvira to jump out while bathing her. Here - not the case. As soon as I poured water on her she was halfway out of the tub. Jeff had to come hold her down while I finished shampooing her, otherwise me and the entire bathroom were going to get a bath as well.

Respite

Jeff, Elvira and I are on the first day of a much-needed vacation. I was trying to think of a word to describe exactly what this is that we needed: respite.

res·pite

a delay or cessation for a time, esp. of anything distressing or trying; an interval of relief

Over the past few months, our life has become increasingly busy, stressful and busy. (Did I mention busy?) There isn't a day that goes by that we don't have something to do, or somewhere to be. Even though most everything we do is positive in nature, it can become very tiring. So, when Jeff's spring break came around and my parents condo in the Smoky's was open, we hit the streets and got out of town for a few days.

As of yet we have no plans for the week. I can't think of the last time we woke up and didn't have a clue what the day had in store. Even the days that started out with a clean slate didn't end up that way - something always comes up. We're enjoying doing absolutely nothing. Jeff is winding down quite well, and it makes me happy to see him relax. I think it's taking me longer to unwind - but I'm trying :)

Today we decided to get in the car and just see where it took us. We ate lunch at a restaurant called the "Sagebrush." It's sort of like a Texas Roadhouse. Jeff ejoyed a giant serving of banana pudding for dessert. After that, we headed into the small town of Valle Crucis, which is home to the original "Mast General Store" and a wonderful store called the "Candy Barrel." The "Mast General Store" is your typical small town, original general store. The "Candy Barrel" however, is what I think heaven will be like ;) It's a room full of old-fashioned candy, the stuff I remember from when I was a kid.

We filled up a bag - everything from candy cigarettes, Cow Tales, and Cry Babies to Pop Rocks.

And we, of course, had a sampling of our purchases in the car! Don't worry...there is plenty left for Zeke and Yana.

Photobucket

I hate it.

I uploaded photos to it that I want as my blog header and it says they aren't there. Whatever.

Potty Training and Stomach Flu

So...here is an update on the past two days.

Wednesday morning I woke up nauseous. I wasn't sure why (and no it's not what the general public out there is thinking...) so I got in the shower, brushed my teeth and then puked. Good times.

I went back upstairs and sat for about 15 minutes trying to decided if I really should go to work or not. I decided that I would not, called my boss and laid back down. Jeff laughed about the fact that I sounded not sick at all. Whatever.

He left for school at 10 and that began the madness. I was sick at my stomach all day. Nothing stayed down and what did came out in not so fun ways. The few oyster crackers and ginger ale that I ate for lunch came up all over the bathroom. I finally decided to call the doctor who told me to take Imodium and sent me phenegren. I was knocked out for the next hours or so, and today I'm feeling better. Although, I feel like I've run a marathon every time I climb a flight of stairs.

On top of it all, Elvira does not want to be potty trained. She pees everywhere BUT the potty pad, and when you put her on it she lays down for a nap. If anyone had any suggestions on how this could work better, please let me know!

That's all I have for today - check back later!

Elvira

On Monday night, the McCarty household gained a new family member - Elvira.

Elvira is an Imperial Shih Tzu (tiny toy). She is from Campbellsville, KY, and has 3 siblings. Jeff attends nursing school with a girl who knew someone (who knows someone, who knows someone - you get the point) that had a litter and she was trying to get rid of the last one. She mentioned something to him, and after looking at pictures of them online I was sold.

Elvira was originally supposed to be "Violet." But, when I saw her she just didn't look like a "Violet." She is mostly black with some brindle running through her fur. Brindle a bronze-brown color. She has a white stripe running from her chest all the way down her stomach. On the way home, Jeff suggested Elvira and I knew that was the right name for her. She is definetely a daddy's girl.

No, she doesn't drink Diet Coke.

Humor

Man gets probation for threatening to blow up city with TV controller

CANBERRA, Australia - A drunken man's threat to blow up half a city with his television remote control forced Australian police to declare a state of emergency at a luxury golf resort, a local court heard Thursday.

"One push of the button will blow up half of Brisbane," Fryatt shouted in the standoff last May before police in the Queensland state capital opened fire with rubber bullets.

Stay Tuned...

For the past two or three days, I've been sorting through my digital picture catalog.

Here is your warning: if you are currently friends with me, have ever been friends with me, or have even on some occasion hung out with me sometime since December 2004 - you're about to become a victim.

Over the next few weeks I'll be posting various pcitures from the past 3 1/2 years or so. I realized that I've got some good stuff, and it's time to share it with the world...

It's okay. Don't be skeered :)

Humor

GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING

Don't swallow gum.

Humor

Artist plans to unveil controversial Barbaro statue near Central Park

January 24, 2008

NEW YORK (AP) -- An art gallery wants to unveil a memorial depicting fallen Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro near Central Park this spring, close to where a carriage horse died after it was spooked by a street musician's drum and ran into a tree.

Humor

Arachibutyrophobia, is a fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth.

Meet Baby Harrison

After four boys, Heather has FINALLY had a girl. Check her out on my AWESOME wedding photographer's blog here.