Ellie May Clampett

June 11. Our first visit to the pediatric dentist. And then there were 17.While we were visiting in Salt Lake during May, my brother Kevin was playing with Ellie. We were all joking around about how she is a bit of a hill-billy. You know, with the mullet, never keeping her clothes on, and a dead tooth in the front that I had no clue how it ever got that way. So, while Kevin was tickling Ellie and playing with her, he happened to notice a huge abscess on her gums above the dead tooth. (Kevin is a dentist so I am sure he was enjoying the find). Kevin said I would have to get the tooth pulled. Can you imagine what I felt?!!!! My little girl without a front tooth?!!!! And to be honest, if it had happened to one of the boys, I think I would have been much more relaxed about the whole thing. But no, their teeth are fine. Except Jackson has a dead tooth too. And Noah is begging for one. He thinks they are the "coolest".

I had a couple different dentists look at her and tell me what they thought and it had to be done. The tooth came out.
So, while we were visiting in Pittsburgh for Jason's graduation, I made an appointment to get it out. Ellie was SUPER brave and so sweet. The dentist was pretty awesome too. She was so good with her and so patient. I went back with Ellie for the procedure and Ellie was talking up a storm to the dentist. She let her count her teeth and then it was time for the shot. Ellie felt it, and cried. And shortly thereafter, she gave the tooth a little tug and it was out. I will say Ellie was amazing even though she did cry her little heart out. She is only 2, and barely that.
For the first week or two it was all I noticed when I would look at her. But like all the moms told me, you won't even notice it. I don't know about not noticing it, but I actually don't mind it. Having a missing tooth suits Ellie. :) She is beautiful no matter how many teeth she has.

The tooth fairy came with some pretty fun things. Ellie loves Ariel and got a new Ariel beach towel, Ariel sunglasses, and Ariel flip flops. The tooth fairy is pretty awesome when you have to have a tooth pulled. I had to make that very clear to the boys. :)

Better late than never.

(The whole lot of us)

I actually have thought about updating my blog SEVERAL times now. But am constantly thinking where to begin. Should I start where I left off? No. Too many things have happened. Should I start where I am now? No. Too many things have changed. So, here it is. Mainly for my own O.C.D and peace of mind.

April 28th. We closed on our home. Sad. But a good thing. (Although the new owners took our playground down and I could kill them for that. They specifically asked me if we were leaving it because they wanted it. They are going to get what's coming to them soon!!!)

(Can you even take it?!!!)

April 29th: We made the big move to Ann Arbor. Libby Miracle came with me since Jason had to stay in Pittsburgh and work. We had a great time together. Love you Libby!! And we had a last lunch with all the girls from Pitt. I miss you all TERRIBLY!!!!

May 6th: Jocelyn and her twin boys come to visit. She gets sick and so we can't do much. But with 6 kids, that's to be expected. . . healthy or not.

May 10th: We all fly home to Salt Lake City. Flying with 4 kids and only one of their parents is not something I recommend. But highly worth it to see family. The trip was so fun. I loved it all. One day I will live closer to them and see them much more frequently. Can't wait!!

June 5th: Flew home (Ann Arbor for those of you wondering where my home actually is) by myself with the kids. It was a nightmare. My kids were great, but there was confusion with the flight taking off in SLC being delayed and my connection not waiting so I would miss my flight to Detroit. I went back to the check in and got all my bags. My mom and dad came to get me and the kids in the cars. And now, the connection was going to wait and I got the pleasure of going through security all by myself again. Lucky lucky me. We made the flight, the kids were wonderful and I was so glad to see my long last husband.

(My brother Kevin, his wife Kellie and their two boys Nathan and Mitchell)

While in Utah, I got to go see my nephews big red carpet event in Boise, Idaho for the Make a Wish Foundation. It was SPECTACULAR!!!! Mitch, my 12 year old nephew has Spinal Muscular Atrophy and is such an amazing guy. He asked to make a movie and did a spoof on Star Wars. It was hilarious. All he cousins got to ride in a Limo and the whole night was just so memorable. And I am sure extremely magical for Mitch and his family. I wouldn't have missed that night for the world. I love you Mitch!!! You really are one of the greatest examples for my boys.

(Jackson and Noah getting out of the limo)

June 8th: I drove back to Pittsburgh for Jason's graduation/awards ceremony. I loved going back to the 'burgh. It feels like home to me. Plus I went to see friends. :) (Finally going on the incline and getting to see the gorgeous view of Pittsburgh)

I miss it more than I can express. I miss my friends, the ward, the hills, the 3 bedroom/1 bathroom homes, the cobblestone streets, the FOOD!!!, the beauty,the culture (Pittsburgers are a class all their own), and I miss being in a place that felt perfect for me. Don't get me wrong, there were days I hated it there, but the good outweighs the bad by far. Thanks Libby M. and Debi for allowing me and my zoo to stay in your homes. What would I do without such wonderful friends to house me? :) It was two weeks of pure fun.June 11: Eliie had her front tooth pulled. This deserves it's very one post so I am saving details for that. :)
June 12: Jason's graduation/ awards ceremony. It was actually a really fun night. Jason was an awesome resident and I am so proud of everything he has accomplished. I don't think anyone will ever know all that he has done because I sincerely don't know too many other people as humble as him. He is a HUGE example of humility for me and everyone he is around. The program director talked about each resident for a few minutes before they were given their gift and certificate. Each resident during their 4 years at Pitt did several different rotations. Practically each month was a new one. And after each rotation, the resident was evaluated by the attending. And out of all the residents, only 2 never had a negative remark made about them in all the 4 years. Jason happened to be one. I think that says it all. Jason really is so remarkable!!! I love you!

(A few of the residents Jason worked with the last 4 years)

Jason was able to live in Pittsburgh with a fellow residents mother. Her home is huge and she was so kind and generous to share it with Jason and our family while we were there. The kids had the best time having sleepovers with Daddy and getting to go swimming every day. I liked letting the kids go have sleepovers too. Three less kidos to take care of felt pretty great. :)June 29: Sunday night. The kids are all in bed and I am ready to do the same. Being back in Ann Arbor has been so awesome. There is something about this place that I have always loved. It's so nice to still have some of our best friends still living here and including us back into their lives. You know who you are. :) Then again, it is the summer and the weather is great. Come February, I will despise Ann Arbor. :)

And during these last few months of craziness for us, Ellie lost all her sleep habits. Starting back when she stayed with her grandparents in Oregon and was allowed to sleep in a bed every night up until yesterday when we regressed BACK to the crib. I have never had a child with poor sleep habits. Never. I have just been lucky. So dealing with Ellie was making me insane. She was getting out of her bed every night and coming into ours. And I HATE having children in the bed with me. Not only does it interrupt my sleep, but theirs as well and that isn't how we are made to get our rest. (I am getting off my soap box now). So, we ordered a crib tent and let the fun begin yesterday. And let me just say. . . Ellie is BACK!!!! She took her normal 3 hours nap yesterday, and slept over 12 hours last night. I should say, she has yet to be happy about getting in a crib, but that's just tough!!! See, now I can update my blog because I am not dealing with a 2 year old thinking she can be her own boss and never go to bed. Really, it was getting out of control with her sleeping. How do some moms live like that? I am guessing they barely are. That pic of Ellie sleeping is because she refused to take nap and ended up falling asleep in the kitchen floor for over an hour. Nice.So, I know that seemed pretty boring, but I had to get it off my chest. And let me tell you, I left PLENTY out. I know how you all love to read every last detail of my super exciting life. My new goal is to get back into updating my blog. Whether I have anything to say or not. Because let's face it, when don't I have anything to say? :)
This post was meant to be short. :)

"Just a smidgin!!!!"

Bring on the red carpet!!!

http://kdka.com/consumer/Pancake.Puffs.infomercial.2.995611.html

click on the video link for my big debut. Ellie is quite the star herself. I guess like mother like daughter. And don't you love all my amazing one-liners? (You know I am joking right?) Although Ellie really is pretty cute in this.

I was asked to do this little segment for one of the news stations here i Pittsburgh 2 weeks after Carson was born and although it took awhile to do, on my birthday, and I was sick, it was actually pretty fun. And hearing my say, "Just a smidgin' " made it all worth it. :)

Enjoy!!

Carson's Blessing & Easter

Ellie is screaming, "Cheese!!!"

Yesterday we blessed Carson. It was great, but weird not having much family there. Jason's mom came to see the baby on Saturday and so we were happy to have at least one person from our family here. The blessing went well, as in Carson slept the whole time. And Jason did a wonderful job. I feel so thankful to have little Carson in our family. He is such a sweet little baby. Already I feel sad to see him grow. But I will love it when he is grown enough to sleep through the night. :) It was also our last week in this ward. I am so sad to go. I have LOVED LOVED LOVED it here in Pittsburgh. There were times I thought 4 years couldn't pass fast enough, and now I would give almost anything to start all over just to do it all again.

And it was Easter!!!! All three of the older kids had a great time hunting for eggs and stuffing their mouths full of candy. It was so fun watching them search and find. They were hilarious. And Ellie was following her brother's lead. She didn't miss a thing. We hid eggs outside and inside and they each had to find their baskets. It was the best watching and listening to Noah find his. He was so enthusiastic. (anyone that knows Noah can imagine just what I am talking about).

We had a yummy dinner for Easter. . . roast and mashed potatoes. Thanks Pioneer Woman. Who doesn't just LOVE her?!!!! (I am checking her blog next). And we got to enjoy it with the Miracles. That always makes for lots of fun, mixed with drama with all our kids. I am REALLY going to miss our Sunday dinners. Especially the ones where I don't have to cook. :)

Jack, Jackson, Ellie, Noah, and Wellesley. (and Libby) :)

And then it was time for bed. Thankfully. I was tired. Why is it that Sunday's are my most exhausting day? I feel like I am standing on my feet all day and cooking. But I guess my family deserves at least one meal a week. :)

So, it was a perfect weekend. And on Wednesday my mother in law is taking Jackson, Noah and Ellie all back to Oregon for 1 1/2 weeks. Ahhhh, I am going to be so well rested. I do have to pack our entire house during that time and move to Ann Arbor, but with only one child, it will feel like I am playing house. It feels like I am playing house when I am only dealing with 2 kids. Each time I have a baby I say, "Oh, it was so easy when there was just one. . . .Or just two. . . " And I am totally saying it again. "It was so easy when there were only three." :)
Thanks to Judy for helping so much this weekend. Having an extra pair of hands is seriously the only way to do it!!!! :)

Can you stand it?!!

I can't take it!! Is he not just too cute?!!

Two of my good friends here in Pittsburgh take fabulous pictures. And since I just had a baby, I thought I would take them up on getting some shots of little Carson. And I am so glad I did. I absolutely love them!!

Libby took these pics and did a great job. I love all of them and am having a very hard time deciding which ones to frame. It was hard enough picking out only 5 to post on my blog. Is framing all of them a bit much? :)

Thanks Libby for taking the time and having the patience!!

Pleased to announce. . .

CARSON BRADLEY SMYTHE

Carson was born last Wednesday, March 18th at 9:01pm. He weighed 8lbs 4oz. My smallest BY FAR!! And was 20 inches long. I finally went to the hospital that afternoon around 1pm, thinking I wasn't actually going to get induced. But everything worked out great. Getting the IV was of course a total mess. You all know me and my pathetic attempt at not passing out. It did not work. As I knew it wouldn't. I warned the nurses, told them to wait and let me take the anti anxiety pill I had prescribed for me, but they are all the same. "Oh, trust me. You will be fine. I have been doing this for 30 years." Blah Blah Blah. I wanted to say, "Yeah, so have I." So, I passed out, one of the nurses almost called a "code" (how's that for special treatment?) and then I woke up.

Then the pitocin kicked in and I asked for the epidural. Mmmmm, who doesn't love modern medicine?!!!

After a couple of hours, my water broke, and I went from a 4 to a full blown 10 in an hour. Then it was time to get little Carson here. My mom arrived just in time. Literally, right for the moment. Everything went perfectly. I couldn't be happier.
For those that don't know, I use midwives. And I really do love it. I love all the meds, mixed with a really great midwife that is so helpful and understanding. This delivery was with Tanya and she was awesome. She was there for all of it. Just talking and helping.

Carson came fast. And he is perfect. I love every last inch of him. He has already added something to our family that I never knew we needed so bad. He helps make us feel complete. I say "helps" because you never know if I might just have more. Carson spent much of his first night in the NICU because of some blue coloring on his lips and had to have a blood work up done, but everything is fine. Thankfully. Poor little guy.

So, I am good. Just the normal recovery. We came home from the hospital yesterday and as I knew it would happen, last night was hard. He was up until 5am and nursing around the clock. Jason took him for me and I got to sleep from 5-7:30 this morning. Not like that is enough, but it felt good after holding him and nursing him from 11pm-4am. I knew it would happen, but I always hope it won't. :) Now I have to get adjusted to all sorts of new things. There are so many kids around now. :) Thank goodness my mom is here for another week and Jason doesn't have to go back to work until Thursday. Ahhhhh. . . . Plus, my dad came and helped with the kids while I was in labor and in the hospital. I don't know how I would have done it if my mom and dad didn't come before the birth. My poor friends would have had to take 3 extra kids and that is never ideal. :) Now that it is almost 2pm, I need to go take a shower. And then put my pj's right back on. Cute. The fair compensation for having babies would be to get super skinny right away. I mean, we had to get all huge over the course of a year and then we get to stay all juicy for practically another year. Where's the justice!?

Still waiting.

This is a quick little update. I keep getting calls and emails asking about the baby so this will be my way of letting everyone know that I think I might have imagined this pregnancy.

I am still pregnant. I am "supposed" to be induced today, but the hospital still hasn't called me to tell me what time to come in. They said it would be between 8-12, but no word yet. So things are not looking too promising for today.

I was due last Tuesday so needless to say, I am more than ready to have this baby and NOT be pregnant. I guess we will see what happens.