Sunday and Monday

Yesterday we went to the Aquarium and to eat at Maspero's then walked around the Quarter. It was B's first time to Maspero's, which is one of my favorite restaurants--yes, it's loud and scuzzy and touristy, but I love it. While we were in line for Maspero's Betsy waved at the people in front of us. She was in her stroller so we didn't see her do it, but they told us that she did. Then a minute later she did it again when they waved to her. She waved on Saturday, but at random times--yesterday she waved in response to a wave. Betsy officially has a new trick!!! After we got home from the Quarter Attie & Beau took B for a walk and Peter and I were able to take naps.

Today we hit the park then went to lunch at Lucy's with Jen C. and Sarah W. Betsy was very flirty with the other patrons in the restaurant. And she is more popular than ever thanks to the bright, pink cast!

Recovering

Betsy is recovering nicely from her surgery. She occasionally has pain in her leg when she bangs toys against it or turns it in a weird way. And she's been waking up at night because she's having trouble rolling from her tummy back to her back and she gets stuck. It's been a sleepless week for Peter and me. We started Busy Babies class and B loved being around all of the babies and playing with the cool toys. Yesterday we walked all around the neighborhood with Aunt Attie and Jodi. We went to St. James Cheese Company for lunch then Creole Creamery then we checked out the modular home near Julie's. Last night the Carvilles "grilled out" and we had a grand old time. We just got back from PJ's; it's beautiful outside. I'll post some pics later.

Hospital Pics

Surgery Day

Betsy had her surgery yesterday. She did very well.

We arrived at the hospital at 6 am then went to pre-op. I was so worried about having to transfer her to the anesthesiologist when it was time for her to go into surgery. I thought she was going to scream and reach for me. Luckily she fell asleep in my arms right before he came in and after he picked her up she remained asleep. It made it a lot easier on us. Surgery began at 820 and we were able to see her in the recovery room at around 930. When I saw my little baby all bundled up and being rocked by a nurse I had to cry. I was so relieved and so thankful that she was okay. Dr. Warren wanted Betsy to stay overnight so we're still here. Yesterday was a long day and Betsy was very sleepy and somewhat fussy. She did smile a couple of times yesterday afternoon so that was good to see. Last night Peter and I took turns sleeping (for an hour here and there) on a tiny sofa and a recliner. Betsy is up right now and kind of fussy. Once Dr. Warren sees her we'll be able to go home.

I've known about this surgery since I was 5 months pregnant and I am so happy that it has come and gone. Thanks to everyone for all of their love and support. I promise to post some precious pictures of Betsy in her tiny hospital gown.

Lil Sicky

Our week was pretty low key. Momma Lady came in town on Monday and watched B, which was wonderful because she was up all night last Sunday. I think all of the Easter excitement made our baby overstimulated. On Tuesday it rained and we stayed in. On Wednesday we went to the mall with Krista and Lauren. On Thursday we went to the zoo with playgroup. Thursday night little B woke up in the middle of the night coughing and congested and one of her eyes was really red. I brought her to Uncle Tommy on Friday because I wanted to make sure nothing serious was wrong--like an ear infection--with her surgery coming up soon. He said it was just a cold and an eye infection. So we hung around the house all weekend with our sick baby. She's feeling better now--just a little stuffy. I hope this week goes by quickly because I'm ready for her surgery to be over with.

Happy Easter!

I know that it seems like I'm full of excuses lately, but things have been hectic. I caught that terrible stomach bug that Peter had the week before and it was awful. Luckily I recovered in time for our weekend of festivities.

It has been FREEZING for the past few days so Betsy couldn't wear any of her precious new spring dresses. On Good Friday we went to Vacherie for a crawfish boil. Betsy tried to kiss Charlie and kept grabbing him. On Saturday we went to lunch with the sisters for Marme's birthday. Later in the afternoon we went to the family crawfish boil at Tommy's. Today we had breakfast at Tim's then Vacherie again. Betsy was sort of cranky with all of the activity, but tonight she has made up for it by being super cute and funny--she is talking up a storm! We had a wonderful Easter weekend!

The first pic is from before the Mt. Carmel Easter Egg Hunt on March 25--where she actually got to wear her Easter dress:

More pics

Betsy in a high chair at a restaurant for the first time:

Six Months Old

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted, but I've had computer probs and Peter has been sick and Betsy is on a napping strike.

Little Betsy turned six months old on March 21. It's hard to believe she's already half a year old. Wow.

Last weekend we fed the ducks with Papa Vic and Aunt Attie at the Park. On Sunday we went to my alma mater, Mt. Carmel, for an Easter egg hunt, Easter pics, and other Easter related activities. This week we've been mainly taking care of Daddy. On Tuesday we went to see Dr. Warren. Betsy's leg surgery is scheduled for April 20. Please keep B in your prayers.

Graduation Day

We just got home from our last Snuggles & Struggles class. I had to cry a little bit, because Debbie has been so helpful by answering my many, many questions. We'll get to hang out with the rest of the graduates at Busy Babies starting in April, but we'll miss our S&S days.

Yesterday we went to see Uncle Tommy for B's 6 month checkup. She is now 15 lbs, 6 oz. and is 25 1/2 inches long. She is in the 50th percentile for height and weight and head size (luckily she doesn't have a big head like I did when I was a baby). She had two shots and only cried briefly. We went to visit Krista and Lauren afterwards. Then we hit the mall. I want to take lil B to the Park today, but my allergies are a nightmare!

Betsy is scooting all over the place. I can't turn my back for a second. Today while I prepared her cereal she scooted up to the sofa and was trying to get under it! She really loves her cereal, but she always makes a bad face after the first bite. After that she has her mouth wide open and fusses if I don't give it to her fast enough.

Busy Bees

On Saturday we went to visit Jama, Pa, and Taddy. Betsy performed all of her latest tricks for them. Later Attie and I brought B to NOMA to see the femme, femme, femme exhibit. Betsy got excited looking at all of the paintings of mothers and babies. P, B, Attie, and Beau and I went to Fete Francaise at Ecole Bilingue. On Sunday we went to Algiers Point to a party at Geoffrey and Barbara's house for Friendship Day. Afterwards we hit Target then B and I went to see Tim's new house. We upped B's cereal intake to twice daily. She's starting to really enjoy it.

On Monday Betsy and I hung out at home to rest after our busy weekend. Yesterday B and I went to our second to last S&S. It was Aidan's last day. The babies are growing up so fast. In the afternoon B, Marme, and I went to Whole Foods. Today we went to Gym Rompers then to Krista's then to lunch and Babies R Us. I bought B a couple of presents for her 6 month birthday next week!!! Tonight we gave Betsy a sippy cup with a little bit of water in it; she mainly chewed on it, but she seemed to like it.

Happy Anniversary!

Monday was Aunt Attie and Uncle Beau's second anniversary and I didn't say so in my post so happy anniversary, guys!

This week was slower than normal because of little B's cold. We stayed in all day Monday and most of Tuesday. We even missed S&S. Late Tuesday afternoon we walked in the park with Marme. On Wednesday we left the house for most of the day and did errands. On Thursday we walked in the park with Jessica and then we went to playgroup where we made clay imprints of the babies' hands and feet. We had a blast! The little babies in our playgroup are growing up so fast. Little Aidan turned 6 months on Thursday! Yesterday we went to the park again and lil B fussed a lot--I think my walking is interfering with her napping so I need to rearrange my schedule a bit. Last night Aunt Katie and Uncle Peter babysat Betsy while we went to a party. Thanks, guys!

Betsy has discovered that she can now put her feet in her mouth. She rocks around on her back, holding her feet and taking turns putting each one in her mouth. She also has been rolling from her back to her tummy constantly.

Weekend Roundup

Here's a weekend roundup. On Friday B and I met Lisa F. for lunch at Juan's--B loves restaurants, especially ones with multiple ceiling fans. Papa Vic stopped by after work for his weekly visit. Friday night Betsy made her first visit to Bucktown to R&O's with Katie and Peter. That was my first post-Kat visit and it was just as I had remembered it--loud and delicious. B loved the Mardi Gras decorations that hung from everywhere and again the multiple ceiling fans. When we got home Peter and I put Betsy on a big blanket on the floor and she rolled from end to end and we had to rescue her a few times.

On Saturday we woke up and went to the Farmer's Market with Attie and Beau and ran into the Vaicius clan. Then P,B, and I went to Lauren's first birthday party at the Children's Museum. There were lots of cool things for B to look at. Then we decided to walk to the Riverwalk and the Aquarium. Betsy really loved the huge tanks with really big fish because she could follow them with her eyes. She also loved the jellyfish. After our day downtown we went to Attie & Beau's for wine and cheese--we are fancy folk. Saturday night we were wiped out after our day o' fun.

Yesterday we fed Betsy in her highchair for the first time. She spit out most of the cereal, but she liked being in the highchair! Later on Larry and Carroll came over to visit and brought us some yummy treats. Betsy blew bubbles the whole time and screeched. Later Attie, B, and I did some shopping and went to lunch at Siamese. Betsy has this fake cough thing that she does and I read that when babies are learning to make noises they often fake cough because it gets them lots of attention. She coughs all the time. Well, yesterday she did it a bunch and last night Peter and I noticed she had a runny nose. So the fake cough was a real cough! Oops--I felt so bad. This is her first cold. She fell asleep at 7 (very rare for her) and slept pretty soundly until about 5 when she started coughing more and I went to check on her. I changed her and rocked her and she fell back to sleep eventually. She's in a good mood today--playing with her toys and rolling all around. Looks like we're staying in today so my little boo gets better--it's sooo cold outside!

Betsy News

Being Betsy's Mom keeps me very busy since she has a very active social life. On Tuesday we went to S&S. On Wednesday we went to the Zoo with Lauren and Reed. Ellen brought us to see the elephants and we all got to feed them and pet them. It was awesome! Then I went to get my haircut and B hung out on my lap and was so good. I know this whole sitting on my lap thing won't work once she starts crawling so I'm enjoying it while it lasts. Yesterday we went to Music Class at the Parenting Center. It was a lot like Gym Rompers (which we missed on Wednesday because B woke up Tuesday night and I couldn't fall back asleep for a couple of hours afterwards) and B loved it. We hurried home because the weather was supposed to be awful, but it ended up not being too bad. Little B would not nap yesterday afternoon; I think she was protesting since we spent most of the day in the house. Last night I went to Pilates and when I got home P had made me a delicious dinner. He's such a wonderful husband and father. Betsy and I are so lucky.

Yesterday she kind of reached her arms up for me to pick her up and I was delighted. Last night right after we put her to bed I heard Betsy kind of whimpering and went in and she had rolled from her back to her tummy and was stuck! We flipped her back over. She did it again this morning when she woke up. She officially has 2 new tricks!