Goodbye Betty

Wednesday morning Betty suffered from a blood clot. She started shaking like she was having a seizure, she cried out then she was gone. It happened so fast I didn't understand what had happened. I didn't want to accept that my sweet kitty who would have been 4 in March was gone, but she was. I called Clarke and he came home from work, we buried her in the backyard.

It's still hard to believe that she is really gone. Just a couple weeks ago we were saying how she had finally adjusted to having Chloe here, she was using her litter box again, she seems like her old self. Now we have to adjust to her not being here anymore.

The last 2 days have been so hard for us. We took her things and put them in the attic because we just can't look at them anymore. But her favorite window looks so bare now, the place where her food and water bowl used to be is empty and the house is so quiet during the day. I really miss her so much.

We always said she was our first baby. She turned Clarke into a cat person. She really was a good cat. I'll always remember how she loved the Christmas tree. She loved watching the birds at the big bay window in the kitchen. She always sat on the same spot by me on the couch. She either slept right by my head at night or on her window perch in our bedroom. Recently she would follow me into Chloe's room when I nursed her at night. I have written 40 posts about her on this blog. I can't believe this will be the last. I thought Chloe would get to know her, but she never will.

Goodbye Betty, we loved you so much and I wish you didn't have to go so soon. I wasn't ready for you to leave us just yet, it's way too soon. I'll always love you and I'll never forget you. Rest in peace sweet baby. 

Sunday Update

Around here recently....

Chloe has been enjoying all her Christmas gifts, especially her new activity gym. She'll just stare and smile at all her "treetop friends" hanging above her. She'll kick her feet and sometimes grab for them too, it's so cute. Betty also likes to watch!

Friday night me and Clarke went on our first "date night" since Chloe was born. It was really nice to have time for just the two of us, but I kept saying how weird it was to not have her there. We saw Les Miserables, it was sooo good. We saw it on Broadway back in 2007 when we visited NYC and we have loved this musical ever since. 

Last night Chloe slept in her crib for the first time, well sorta. I decided it was time for her to start sleeping in her crib, in her own room. At first she loved it, although she wasn't asleep. In hopes of establishing a routine I put her in her crib around her normal bedtime. After an hour of crying we finally broke down and put her in her little napper, still in her room. She fell asleep and slept for almost 6 hours straight! This is the longest she has ever gone, so I called it a success. She also wore her sleep sack for the first time, and she really liked this. Tonight we'll try the crib again.

I've gotten back into running/working out again. It's been so great to be able to run again, even though it's hard. I keep telling myself the more I run the easier it will get. Although running has been so great for me I think it is causing problems with my milk supply. Yesterday I realized that on days I work out I seem to not make as much milk. I read to drink more water, I am really hoping this helps. Any other moms out there have this problem?

Highlights From 2012

I love looking back on the year and remembering all the good times and special moments. Here is 2012!!

In January we went on a ski trip to West Virginia with friends from church. It was a great way to start off the new year.

We took our moms to see the Broadway musical The Lion King. It was such a good show!

On February 27th we found out we were expecting! Not only the biggest news for 2012, but probably in my whole life!

For our 3rd anniversary we took an amazing trip to Seattle and the Oregon Coast. 

This was definitely one of my favorite trips we've ever taken together. 

I started to grow............

We took our annual trip to Baltimore to visit dad and enjoy the inner harbor.

In June we found out we were having a girl. I was so happy!

I also took a trip to Myrtle Beach with family. It was really nice to see extended family and catch up!

That summer I continued to grow..............

I spent a lot of time working on the nursery. 

In early September we went to Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks with Clarke's family. It was a very relaxing and fun trip to one of our favorite vacation spots. 

That fall we were extremely blessed with many baby showers. Seriously, we got so spoiled!

I got to spend lots of time with Betty.

After spending most of that year pregnant...........

On November 9th Chloe was born and we became a family! One of the best days ever. 

She has been such a joy, I'm so lucky to be her mom. 

As you can see I couldn't stop taking her picture!

To end it off we had such a fun holiday season with Chloe.  

2012 has been one of the best years ever. Seriously, I feel so blessed to be a mommy now. I can't wait to see what 2013 brings, hopes it's as good as 2012 was! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for this year!

Lately

Around here lately..................

I've been busy preparing for our new arrival! I finally washed all her clothes, blankets, sheets, everything she will be using. The swing is set up, car seat installed and pack n' play is ready to go. I am waiting for one more thing for the nursery then I will post pictures. 

Betty is loving the new changing pad and cover. When I put the changing pad up on the dresser she wasn't too interested in it. I finally got the cover for it, and this is def. her new favorite place. It's really funny how much time she spends up there, but I'm thinking when baby comes she won't be enjoying it as much. Ha!

I've been enjoying the leaves changing colors. I wish we could have made it up to Carter's Mountain to pick apples or go hiking around the blue ridge but I'm afraid to go too far now. It's still beautiful here in Richmond though. I love the fall. 

We've been going on lots of long walks. I am determined to stay active up until I go into labor. I know this will make it so much easier and quicker. I am slowing down, but we've still been going around 2.5 miles each time, so I'm happy with that. 

Waiting for signs of labor! Every cramp or braxton hick contraction I get I wonder if it's really time. So far it hasn't been labor, but I think I am finally ready for it soon. My mom went a week early with all 3 of us so I'm hoping she will come early too. 

Me and Clarke have enjoyed a lot of time together just the two of us. Dinner dates out and watching movies at home. I know when she comes this will be harder so we are trying to soak up as much of it now as we can.

I've been enjoying lunch dates with friends and my mom a lot these past few weeks. Once again, when she comes this won't be as easy so I'm all about enjoying it while I can!

Mommyhood Things

I feel like I have so much on my to do list before our baby comes! Recently I have been doing lots of things around the house that need to get done before she comes. Cleaning out the refrigerator, cleaning lots of things actually. Some other things that need to get done are installing the car seat, packing the hospital bags, wash all her clothes, finish the nursery and setting up some things. Good thing I still have 6 weeks left!

I don't think I've mentioned it on here yet, but I am going to use cloth diapers with our baby. I'm actually really excited about it.

Aren't they so cute? Besides being adorable I am all about the huge amount of money we will be saving.

I got mostly neutral colors, but I had to get one pink one!

I must say this little one has gotten so spoiled since I've been at home more.

I am kinda worried about how she is going to react to the new addition to our family. Besides the crying, I hope she doesn't get jealous. Her whole world is going to be so different, I just hope she adjusts well.

We are almost done with our childbirth class. Overall it's been really great, but I must say the whole labor and delivery process does kinda scare me. I know it's what my body was designed to do and everything, but there are so many unknowns. I just pray that everything goes well and as routine as possible.

That's about all that is going on around here. I am so thankful for time to prepare for such a huge life change, and to enjoy quality time with Clarke before our baby comes. Life will never be the same again but I am really ready for it. So much has changed since I got pregnant, I really feel that God has changed my heart and has been preparing us for this baby. Some days it just seems surreal that we are actually starting a family. But either way I feel extremely blessed that I get to be a mommy!
      

Photo Dump

I am loving pumpkin muffins from Panera. I just had one this afternoon, oh my gosh it was so good! I am all about pumpkin in the fall and this did not disappoint. 

Look at the grass growing in our yard! Ha, I'm sure ya'll are tired of hearing about my grass, not so exciting but I am glad to see it growing!

I love changing wreaths on our front door, and this one makes me happy. So glad fall is almost really here. 

Our windows have been open the past few days, me and Betty both love it. She can't get enough of hearing the birds and everything out there, I love that it's saving us so much money on our power bill!

putting the crib together

We had a low key Labor Day weekend. One fun thing (well fun to us, maybe not to everyone) that we did was put our baby's crib together.

Of course Betty had to check everything out. She really loves the nursery!

We are almost done with the nursery, just a few more things left.

I will def. post pictures of everything soon!!

Getting Started

I wanted to post some pictures of what we've been doing around here today.

We've started painting nursery furniture! We are using my old dresser and nightstand that I got in middle school. I got it unfinished, and never did anything with the nightstand. The dresser is white, and I never sealed it, so there is no sanding involved which is nice.

I brought the drawers downstairs, and of course Betty had to check them out.

I told Clarke I might take pictures and post her reaction to everything we do to get ready for this baby. She always wants to know what's going on.

We still have quite a bit of painting left to do for her furniture, but I keep telling myself when summer school is done I'll have plenty of time. So for now I'll just enjoy the Olympics!

Currently Loving

I am currently loving.........

Breyers neapolitan ice cream with fresh strawberries. Yum. 

Netflix. Clarke and I might be on the verge of obsession with Lost. We both never saw it while it was on TV and we are hooked. (Don't tell me what happens, we are only on season 2!) 

My new iPhone. For the longest time I didn't want a smartphone, then I found all these cool baby apps. My favorite being the one that hooks up with a baby monitor and you can see your baby right there on the phone. Betty is a fan of the cat apps that  make noises specifically for cats......lol.

The last week of school. It's bittersweet, I can't believe the school year is almost over. I am so ready for summer, but will def. miss being at Echo Lake next year. 

betty, the bay window, and her birds

I thought I would write about something other than our Oregon trip (but I will finish my last post about that soon!) I wanted to update about Betty and her bay window.

When we bought our house 2 years ago (has it really been that long?) we loved the big bay window in our kitchen, and knew Betty would too. Now that it's spring and all the birds and squirrels are out she is glued to it.

I am trying to train her to jump up at the squirrels (like she does the birds) to scare them away. But she is just so interested in them that she just stares.

We love watching her, watch the window. It's such great entertainment!

Happy Birthday Betty!

So I've totally been slacking on the old bloggy. Truth is we haven't had much going on, then too much going on. I did want to catch up on a post about Betty's 3rd birthday though!

Happy Belated Birthday Baby Betty! (woah, lots of Bs!)

I can't believe yesterday you turned 3 years old.

I love you! Happy Birthday!!

Betty White and Betty White

So a reader/friend of mine recently told me that I should write a post about why I love Betty White, the actress, as well as more about Betty White, my cat. (She also gave me some other ideas but these two were my faves.) So here I go...........

My love for Betty White began when I started to love The Golden Girls. I was in college (I know, I was so cool right?) But it was when I was really struggling with anxiety, and the humor of this show somehow helped me through that tough time.

I have always loved how much advocacy work Betty White does for animals. So when we got married and knew we wanted to get a kitten we were thinking of names. Clarke jokingly said "if we named her Betty she would be Betty White!" Although it was kinda silly I liked this idea because of all the volunteer work Betty White has done for animals, it seemed fit to name ours after her.

I love my Betty! Since it has gotten colder at nights she has been sleeping with us. Not at our feet, but right by my head. I don't know why she loves that spot, but she does.

I don't really have anything new to write about her. In March she will be three years old! I can't believe we have had her that long! (It will be 3 years in July.) She has defenitley become apart of our little family, and I can't imagine not having her!

Betty and Christmas

I can't believe it's already December! We have been getting ready for Christmas around our house and Betty always enjoys this time of year so much.

She loves checking out all the stuff when we bring it down from the attic.

We both love watching Christmas movies. (Don't u love this picture? ha! This was while we were watching Elf after a long day at the Bizzare Bazzar with my mom.)

And of course the Christmas tree. Her favorite part, and def. one of mine.

Hope you are enjoying the season as well!!