Sick sick baby

Hi everyone!
In case you were wondering... Yes, we are alive! Elliot did really well traveling and despite all the different people and places we visited, he was a perfect angel the whole weekend. Seriously! People on the plane commented on how good he was and several of my relatives even asked me if he ever cries!
We came home on Monday afternoon and that's when things started to go downhill. Elliot started screaming like crazy and stopped taking his bottles. After he went twelve hours without eating {he usually eats every 1-2 hours, mind you} I took him to the emergency room at 3am. I couldn't get ahold of our family doctor and our neighbors were probably about to call DHS because it sounded like we were torturing him so I didn't know what else to do. I was terrified that something had gone wrong in his belly or intestines.
Turns out, poor Elliot has a pretty nasty virus that has invaded most of his digestive tract and respiratory system. After four days of drinking nothing but pedialyte and MANY dirty diapers {our first experience with baby diarrhea... Yuck!} he is finally starting to eat formula again. He's still pretty out of it but at least he's actually sleeping and not crying as much now.
I caught a bit of the bug myself so after I hopefully get some rest tonight I will probably dump a bunch of St. Paddy's Day pictures on here tomorrow.
I'm pretty sure this was what we got in return for having such a perfect baby on vacation... lol.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

What a surprise!

Yesterday, we drove home from Cape Cod to my grandma's house, where my family (dad, stepmom, and three brothers) were waiting. We went over to my Aunt Nuala's house for dinner, and to my surprise, it was ACTUALLY a surprise baby shower! Unfortuantely, most of the people she invited couldn't come because they were on vacation, but it was still a wonderful surprise! I wasn't expecting to have any baby showers for a few more months, and definitely not out east!
I got a lot of things off my registry- my travel system, pack & play, infant bouncer/seat, tummy time mat, part of my bedding set, crib/floor mirror, onesies, books, toys, and more! I'm so glad that my family has been so supportive and optimistic. I honestly wasn't sure how my family would even feel about baby showers and gifts and things like that, because so much is unknown about this little one, other than, of course the omphalocele. But they have all adopted the same strong, positive attitude that I have, thank goodness! :)
Here's a sneak peak-

My cake- it was DELICIOUS.

My Aunt Nuala, who planned and hosted the surprise baby shower, and I.

My dad and I (and the cake!)

Presents!

My baby cousin Camdynn enjoyed helping me open my presents! She was a little confused, though, and wanted to see the baby NOW, hehe.

How I spent my week...

Staring out at the ocean. :)

Dear Ocean: I missed you.

I can't believe it had been almost three years since I'd been to the ocean! The moment I stepped into the water and felt the water lapping against my shins and the sand squishing beneath my toes, I was at peace with the world.
As I looked out onto endless miles of breaking green waves, nothing else mattered. I walked out into the water, letting the whitecaps break and froth onto my chest and shoulders, and closed my eyes. Hugging my belly, cradling the tiny, fragile baby inside, I knew this: my future is about to change in ways that I cannot possibly imagine. And it doesn't matter what happens- this baby will always be a huge part of my life.
I don't know if it was the tangy, salty sea air, the cool ocean breeze, the warmth of the sun, the carefree children splashing in the water, or some combination of it all, but here, in this place, in Cape Cod, I feel reassured. God has a plan. I haven't the slightest idea what it is right now- but that doesn't matter.
I honestly, truly think that everything's going to be all right- one way or another. I will come out of all of this a stronger person, and most importantly, a better mother.

A walk to the park.

I had the pleasure of babysitting my cousins Quinn and Camdynn today. We walked to the park. It was almost 100 degrees with extremely high humidity, but we had a great time (despite being DRENCHED in sweat).

Back east, day one.

Today we went to visit my aunt Meghan and cousin Harper at Rye Beach in the Hampshires. I'm so glad I got to meet Harper because she's in such a delightful, cheerful stage (at 5 months old) and who knows when I'll be able to see her again. She was a little sleepy, but Grandma Ellen still coaxed some giggles out of her.

It was an overcast day, but still warm and I somehow STILL managed to get a little pink on my face. Hopefully this baby doesn't inherit my ghostly paleness which seems to react horribly to the sun.

Sorry, no pictures of me. I desperately need a new beach cover up- I don't have anything comfortable (read: stretchy and breathable) to wear to the beach, and at this point, I wouldn't be caught dead in my bikini. I'll make sure I get something before we head out to Cape Cod (this week) and Maine (next week).

We're alive and well!

Hey everyone! Sorry for the lack of updates- my macbook decided to take a dive on me, and the problem with living so close to the border is that the closest Mac Store is over three hours away. We STILL haven't found the time to get it fixed, because I'm now on a cross country vacation with my father, step-mother, and three younger brothers. We went to the Grand Canyon yesterday and today we'll be at Bryce Canyon. Let me tell you- hiking while pregnant is an interesting experience.
The pregnancy is going well. I'm almost twelve weeks now, and I'm definitely starting to show. I'll have to take a new belly picture soon. I've been feeling great!
I hope everyone else is doing well!