Photo Shoot With Mommy

I love taking pictures of her...it's easy when you have such a beautiful baby!!

...the end of the shoot (can you tell?)

A Very Special Person and Prayer Request

Recently Troy, Camryn and I stopped in to visit my dear Uncle Jr. who is also my Godfather. It was a special visit as when I first learned of my pregnancy had no idea if Uncle Jr. would live to see this baby. Uncle Jr. is battling cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. There were times throughout the past year when the future looked bleak in terms of his diagnosis, but he, with God's grace, is pulling through..but not without challenges. He is currently on a cycle of chemo 5 days at a time with radiation every day as well. This will go on for 5 weeks. The doctors are hoping this radiation/chemo will have a significant effect on his tumors. We can only pray for it to be!!!! So far he has been in good spirits and still active and eating!
He has maintained his weight for at least 4-6 weeks now which is a good thing! He has full faith in his doctors and is taking it all day by day!
Please stand and pray with us that this treatment will continue to shrink and kill these cancer cells and that he may have life abundant. We are praying for a full and total recovery for him! Also, pray for my Aunt Brenda whom has been by his side throughout this process. Pray for strength for her as she loves and supports her husband through these times. Thanks prayer warriors!

My (Bethany) Uncle Jr. and Camryn meet for the first time!

Uncle Jr. telling Camryn how he used to hold me when I was as little as her!

Camryn and her "Hippo Lovey"

a gift from Grandma and Grandpa..she loves it already! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!! xoxo

In My Crib

Well, Camryn and I managed to make it through a week of Daddy being gone at soccer camp. We had a few more visitors this week which helped the days go a bit more smoothly:) Camryn is growing like a weed and slept in her crib for the first time last night. Up until then she had been sleeping in a bassinet in our room. After a night of her banging on the inside of the bassinet and making every known animal sound to keep herseld awake, we decided it was time! She did awesome! Went to bed around 10, slept until 2, back up again at 6 and then a morning nap with Mom...whew! I count it a blessing when she sleeps for those stretches!!! Hopefully tonight will be a good night too:)

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! With this being my first Father's Day as a dad, I can't help but think about how fortunate I am to have so many great men (dad, grandpa, uncles, brothers, etc) in my life. A special Happy Father's Day to all of you!

Sweet Sweet Camryn

Daddy and I are simply in love....

More visitors

Uncle Toe, Cole and Cali came to visit on Saturday morning. Cali loves Camryn and kept wanting to see her and smother her with kisses. I love cousins. I had a blast with my cousins growing up and I hope Camryn and her cousins have the same experiences! Cole held Cali too and was very careful and gave her a kiss on the head too. I asked Troy why he didn't get a picture--his response was, "I was just taking in the moment." I didn't ask any more questions:) We'll get a picture another time:)

Camryn keeps on growing as Mommy just keeps feeding and feeding and feeding, such is the life of Mommy and newborn I guess. I'm enjoying every moment!

Precious Camryn

Camryn is adjusting to life at home with Mommy and Daddy well. She is a true joy and a very good baby (when all her needs are met:) She sleeps 4 hour periods throughout the night peacefully in her bassinet by our bed. She is strictly on Mommy's breast milk now (thankfully!) and is doing very well! Wednesday, when we were at the doctors ,she weighed 8 lbs. She is slowly creeping back up to her birth weight, praise the Lord! Hopefully the humidity retreats soon so we can head outdoors, we've been cooped up in the house when it's this hot out!! Daddy is officially done with school and will be home with us all next week before camps start, praise the Lord for that too- family time!!

More special visitors

Grandpa Orendo

Nana (Great Grandmother)

Aunt Bebe

Aunt Jenny

Uncle Jakey

Aunt Joanna

Uncle "Cracker " Cole

Daddy is the Best!!

The theme of our blog is all about how the Lord has so graciously blessed our lives, I must add that one of the biggest blessings in my life is my husband! For those of you that know Troy you can attest to his character, dedication and integrity to all. When I see him with our daughter I can't imagine more love one human can have for another. He has been so supportive and loving and caring throughout our dating and now throughout our marriage and most recently my pregnancy. He has been patient and has rode the roller coaster of emotions with me. I love my husband more and more each day, he is simply the best.

At Home and Doing Well

Camryn has been eating again and has been consistently gaining weight. Today is the first time that during a feeding she only took milk that I had previously pumped and the breast! Hooray, I think we are making strides! My mom stayed here with us for the past 2 1/2 days...what a blessing! I couldn't have made the progress I did without her help! She literally did all my wash, cooked, cleaned up my messes and even helped with night feedings! I SOOOOOOOOO appreciate my Mom, (and my Dad for giving her up for a while...hope you survived, Dad.) I love to watch my Mom and her granddaughter, I know that she will love spending time with Grandma just as much as she grows up as she does now!! Camryn goes back to the dr tomorrow for a billirubin check and a weight check as well- I am believing for the best! Although I know they have to do it,,,I hate watching them draw blood from her little heel- I think this will be her 8th time giving blood...poor baby. All in all things are well and I am going to try and post some more pics soon--she is changing already!!

A Rough Spell

As I am sure many of you did not know, yesterday (Sat) we returned to the hospital at the request of our pediatrician. Camryn had a high billirubin count when we left the hospital and we were told to watch her color and head to the pediatrician on Sat for more bloodwork. For those of you that are as clueless about it as I was, high billirubin can bring on jaundice. Because of Camryn's birth experience and the fact that my milk hasn't come in yet and yet a few other reasons, hers increased. Here we were just getting home and now a new hiccup to overcome. Needless to say we are home again with a healthy baby but not after a long night of watchfulness, light therapy, pumping and waiting for a milk supply and supplementing with formula....ugh. I think we now have it under control and are starting anew! Phew! Here are some pictures of Camryn's second hospital stay. In some of the pictures note her "raccoon eyes" from the light therapy. It broke our hearts to see our little one having to be "treated" but praise God she is home again and healthy! Now all we need is this little thing called a milk supply to come in...

There's no place like home..

We arrived home this morning around 1130. Camryn did awesome in her car seat..fussed a little then went right to sleep, and slept the entire way home! I stared at her the whole trip, she is just so perfect. Troy drove extra cautiously and I could tell he was trying to avoid the bumps-what a good dad! We arrived home, unloaded the car, the wash and all the hospital freebies and she kept right on sleeping!!! I fed her and once again she seemed to get a good latch and feed well. Troy and I took turns holding her and she slept the afternoon away..even when Uncle Cole and Aunt Joanna came to visit us. Jake and Jen made a drop in visit too- so nice to see everyone!

So far tonight Camryn has been really fussy..it's the first time we looked at each other and didn't know what to do! Tomorrow we head to the pediatrician for them to check out possible jauntis..(spelled correctly?)...I'm kind of glad we are going as I have some questions to ask already!!!! Well, here goes night #3...let's see what it brings!


To echo what Troy said, thanks for all the cards/calls/emails/messages,/food/etc...we can't return responses to them all but please know that we are thankful for each one! God has blessed us with wonderful family and friends!!! Thanks for tuning in and once again keeping us in your prayers!!!!

Some pictures..update to follow..

Here are some special visitors so far....this isn't everyone, so dont worry...more to come
Pap..Great Grandfather Knepp




Great Grandma Knepp

Auntie Erin

Grandma Orendo

Pop

Here are some pictures of our new little bundle ......

....loves her Daddy already

"wild arms" needs to be swaddled

....still a peanut in my car seat

Thursday

Camryn slept most of the day yesterday...apparently, being vacuumed down the birth canal really takes it out of you! She is beginning to nurse, but often falls asleep or can't latch on for an extended period. She made her daddy proud by filling not one, but two diapers w/ some serious poop. Today, she was taken for a hearing test...which she passes w/ flying colors. She'll be taking her SAT's tomorrow.

Bethany is doing very well. Her bleeding has slowed and her level of pain is minimal....mainly discomfort. A big thanks to all of you sending well wishes via text, voice messages, email, etc... we feel as though we've been blanketed in prayer this whole time.

Please continue to pray for Bethany's recovery and Camryn's first few days! She's been brilliant thus far.

More pictures to come....probably tomorrow!!

TROY

Forgot

I'm a moron....didn't even tell you how big she was!! 8lbs 2 oz and 21 in long.

She's Here!

At 8:33 am...Camryn May Sauer was born! Bethany was an absolute warrior the past two days. She pushed from about 4:30 am until 8:30. Camryn's head was sideways, so little progress was being made. Dr. Carp, our wonderful doctor, used the suction cup technique to help get her out. We had several fantastic nurses and received the BEST care from everyone at Harrisburg. Right now, 2:02, Bethany is feeding Camryn and I'm on my way to get sub plans prepared for the next two days...Bethany and baby will be discharged Friday.

Tuesday

We got to the hospital today around 7:45am. Upon entering the labor and delivery floor, we immediately heard a women screaming bloody murder! I told Bethany not to be scared…that woman can’t deal w/ pain like you can! After Bethany got the gel, she was put on a monitor for a little over an hour. The baby’s heart rate and movement were great, but her blood pressure was elevated again. We were sent home around 9:30.

Around 12:30, we went to see the doctor to check her progress. She was 2cm dilated and he said the head had dropped a bit. He also hooked her up to a monitor and once again, the baby’s heart rate and movement were great. Bethany began to have minor contractions at the office, so the doctor was pleased.

We are now at home resting…and probably going to take a walk soon. There is a possibility of going back into the hospital tonight….or we may have to wait until tomorrow, boo!

We’ll keep you posted! Thank you all for your prayers and encouraging words...they mean so much!

TROY

A baby in the works...

Well, here we go.

My doctors apt this morning went well. I lost 2 pounds in a few days from swelling that is going down, blood pressure was elevated, but not off the charts, and the results from my 24 hour urine test were fine (long story)....so to make a long story short.. my doctor is choosing to induce me tomm morning. I would have rathered things to happen naturally, and who knows maybe they will within the course of today and tonight, but I am completely trusting that he knows best. I didn't just smile and nod and I asked some questions before I consented to this induction thing...... Troy and I are completely at peace with whatever should happen between today and tomm, induction or not. The most important thing is that the baby is great, she is still moving and kicking away and showing a strong heartbeat. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors/nurses, health for the baby and myself and strength for my husband:) In all seriousness, continue to lift us up as we start this journey!
We can't wait to have this little one in our arms and to be able to share with all our family and friends this perfect gift from God! Stay tuned...