So Much To Do....

Mommy & Me Cowboy

2010-10-24T22:20:00.003-04:00

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

This was my little cowboy and I at the Super Auction in February 2010. He was 6 months old and I cannot remember why he was frowning but even so, look at those cheeks!!! I miss those HUGE cheeks! He still has chubby cheeks, but not like that!

Lovin' Fall

2010-09-19T17:37:00.005-04:00

Oooooohhhh I love this time of year, when the leaves make the air a little more crisp, when long sleeve shirts and sweatshirts come out of hiding, when sunny days are warmed only to about 60 degrees (in Michigan!), when I can break out my pumpkin spiced candles, and the list goes on and on. And having a walking one year old only makes it better! Back to school time is over (thank goodness) because that always causes so much anxiety and guilt for me now that I'm a mom. We've been back five weeks (only 2 with kids) and it's safe to say the school year is rolling along. And that's why I love the fall so much! The only downfall is that my hubs will be absent several times from our lives to go and get our "winter food" if you know what I mean LOL. But I have tons of things to do and many people and places on our list to visit so Carson and Momma will be busy in his absence. And of course, we will miss him!

I thought about and actually started a classroom blog this summer to keep parents communicating with me through the computer which seems to be easier. However, during PD in August, our principal decided all teachers should have a wiki page instead of a blog, which I think is a great idea!! If you've never seen or made a wiki page, it's like comparing myspace to facebook....myspace is like a blog where you can decorate and personalize. Facebook is plain without decoration and is just full of information. A wiki page is like facebook (in a school sense, that is!) where we just upload information and documents. There's no decoration or much personalization, which is awesome for teacher pages!! I created mine and it's as easy as using microsoft word, very user friendly and only takes a couple minutes, which is perfect because at school I have ZERO time for any extra anything.

Here are a couple pictures of my new classroom this year. It's TONS bigger than the rooms I've had in the past! Enjoy..................

Mommy & Me Shadows

2010-09-12T20:57:00.004-04:00

So behind on blogging! Shame on me! I have many things to share and just not very much spare time. But I have enough time to share this.....

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

2010-08-12T14:46:00.004-04:00

Ahhhh only a few precious days left of summer vacation left. So sad. It's been a pure joy to be at home with my little man (and hubs too) these 8 weeks. I absolutely HATE being away from him every day for work. If it wasn't for that health insurance....

I've been working on school work while he's napping the last few days because I won't have time once school begins. We get very little prep time and no free time during the school day and I'm not giving up any family time for school work at home in the evenings and weekends. I stuck to my guns about that last year and it worked, however we will have even less prep time this year so I'm not sure how I'm going to get that done. If I can't get it done at work, I guess it won't get done at all!! Life will go on....

Yesterday Carson and I accompanied Kenny on an appointment over an hour away and then stopped at Cabela's on the way home. He loves that store and it's fun for me too! We let Carson push the cart to keep him occupied...he loved it. The pic is blurry but that's because he was in motion!

I think I have some good ideas for Kenny's Christmas presents too....and yes, I am already thinking about Christmas. That's the planner in me!

Knocked Out

2010-08-02T08:42:00.003-04:00

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

Knocked out. That's exactly what we were! And daddy found it to be a photo op. So glad he did!

Slow Sunday

2010-08-01T08:40:00.003-04:00

It's a very quiet Sunday morning.....Kenny, Carson, and the dog are all still sleeping. I snuck out of bed, turned on the coffee, and grabbed the computer while I can. It's only a matter of time till I hear sounds including needs, wants and endless requests, so I'm taking full advantage of this time to blog and shop online for new shoes for school. And bras. And pants, and about every other part of my wardrobe for fall. I love these moments:)

Friday Kenny and I took Carson to the zoo. He's only 1, so while he had a good time and laughed and pointed at everything, he probably wasn't too sure where he was. The good thing about 1 year olds is that as long as they are smiling and looking around, all is well. We had a great time, didn't get too many pictures though. We were busy looking at things!! The exhibit that caught the baby's attention the most was in the aquarium building, the BIG fish that swim right by the windows. He screamed with delight and pointed the whole time, so cute! No pictures of that, but here are a couple of my boys....

Today the baby and are STAYING HOME. We have been on the go constantly lately and I need a break. I have very little vacation left so I made the executive decision to stay put today. Tomorrow we will be running all over the place!! Happy Sunday!

New Classroom

2010-07-29T01:04:00.003-04:00

I'm up way too late, and when that happens, I quite frequently find myself on the computer. Ugh. It's addicting!!

Today I went classroom shopping. I am moving into a bigger room and I need a theme, so away I went to the teacher store. With the help of Niki, I have a cowboy ranch theme going on, and I love it!! Last week I got a little red pup tent from Ikea and that's going to be in the reading corner as the "barn." Then today I found lots of fun cowboy/ranch/farming borders to go on the bulletin boards, there are about 6 of them in the classroom and 4 in the hallway outside my new room that I'm responsible for. There are tons more things for me to get still for this new room, I just had to make a dent in it today. This classroom move is a good thing for me. I've been stressed the last couple of years at work and a move to a new room, new neighbors, a clean, fresh start is making me about 5% excited to go back to work. That's a lot compared to last year!!

2010-07-26T17:49:00.002-04:00

I have three weeks of vacation left. Bummed:( I know, I know, teachers should just be lucky they get "summers" off, but in reality, it's not 3 months anymore, more like 8 weeks for teachers and 11 for kids. It gets less and less every year. And we work 10 months of the year, and get paid for that 10 months, most of us just choose to have it stretched out over the summer time, so we are not getting paid to not work. I am not going to make this a pity post for teachers, it just seems that we get less and less vacation time every summer and we still have no valid reason to go back to work if the kids don't start back until after Labor Day. Just stinks, that's all I'm saying. So, in these three weeks, I have lots to do. A few projects left to finish (start) around the house, a visit to the zoo, probably another weekend or two at the lake house (inlaws) and every single second I can spend with my little man I will. This summer has been so fun with Carson! Last summer he was a newby, and as much as I loved that, there was no playing. A completely different story now! We play constantly! Kenny even cuts his work short to hang out with us and play around outside. What joy! I can honestly say that this is the first summer since I've been teaching that we spent lots of time relaxing at home. What a treat!

My One Year Old Baby & Me

2010-07-26T00:25:00.003-04:00

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

I was sleepy, he was sleepy and irritable from teething, we snuggled, he cooed and ran his fingers in my hair, can you just see the sweetness in this moment? Hmmm...

The Poop Spot

2010-07-09T10:41:00.002-04:00

It's taken me a couple weeks to figure out Carson's fascination with the corner of the livingroom behind the rockers. He hangs out there every morning for about 10 minutes. At first I thought it was the socket and the plug covers that intruiged him, and then I thought it was the physical act of making the rocking chair rock that he liked. I even thought maybe it was the cold air that comes out of the vent. And then it hit me......he's pooping. Every day at that time, behind the rocking chair. And he does like his privacy too! Now that I know what he's doing, I giggle at him and talk to him while he's pooping, and he crabs at me. So I know my boy digs that privacy when he's in his poop spot!!

Happy Birthday Carson!!

2010-07-06T23:26:00.005-04:00

My baby is OOONNNNNEEEE!

Unbelieveable I tell ya! Carson had a great birthday, but when you are a baby, I think every day is probably a great day. Hehe. He got to see his Aunt Niki as well as 4 out of 5 of his grandparents and the best part of his big day was smashing his face with blue Cookie Monster cake. I only cried 3 times, not because I'm sad, okay maybe a little, but more because I kept remembering every single second of his birth. All 24 hours of it. I kept looking at the clock and thinking, "Okay, at this time last year I was...." I'm sure all you moms have done that same thing too. It was such an emotional arrival into this world, and every time I thought about it yesterday and today, oh the tears. So, maybe it was more than 3 cries that I had today, I honestly lost count. I am just so lucky to have been chosen to be his momma, to spend every moment I can with him and watch him grow and learn and laugh and play and love. He is truly a joy and a blessing to Kenny & I. I hope every single birthday that he has is as great of a day as today was. Happy Birthday Carson Riley Alan. Momma and Daddy love you to the moon!

I'm still here!

2010-06-29T13:10:00.003-04:00

I cannot believe I've been on vacation for 2 weeks and not posted yet! Such a bad blogger these days. But I've been busy, the GOOD fun kind, so that's my valid excuse!!

I have never loved summer vacation like I love it now!! With Carson almost one year (holy cow!) he's growing and changing constantly and I'm so lucky to have this time off work to spend with him. Next to having the privilege of not leaving to go to work every day, having all this time off is the next best thing, no question about it.

Here are his monthly updated pictures....

10 months:

11 months:

I still am in shock that he's going to be one year old in a week! Eeeek!

He is walking very well behind a push toy or pulling himself along the couch, coffee table, ect. I suspect he'll be walking on his own soon! He loves the bath, stroller walks, crawling, chasing the dog's tail, laughing, eating, playing, and he absolutely goes crazy to push baskets or boxes and throw objects in them at the same time. His laugh is precious, music to my ears and kind of sounds like Donald Duck, so cute! He attended his first wedding on Saturday and Kenny put him on his shoulders while he danced on the dance floor and LOVED it! Carson also saw his first fireworks show this weekend and clapped through them, what a trooper! That concludes the baby updates for now.

In husband news, Kenny's birthday is today. Happy HAPPY birthday to my man, BFF, partner in crime, sounding board and companion. I love you more that I can say! I know you are working all day honey, but just know that Carson and I are wishing you a very happy day!

Mommy & Me

2010-05-23T21:24:00.002-04:00

Hosted by Krystyn

This was us on Carson's baptism day, also my first Mother's Day. He was so entertained with looking at that cake!! Can't wait for his birthday!

My Dear John Letter

2010-05-10T22:34:00.003-04:00

Dear Favorite Black Pants,

We have been through a lot in the last 3 years. I have never worn pants as much as I have worn you. You first came into my life after losing 30 pounds and I found you on a clearance rack at Macy's. It was love at first sight. I wore you as often as I could, you always keeping your shape throughout every wear. When I got pregnant I continued to wear you as long as could, so sad to have to banish you to a hanger in the back of the closet until further notice as my body expanded. After having Carson and enjoying maternity leave, I winced at the thought of trying you on and not being able to button up, but I tried anyway. It was not a comfy fit, so I wiped the tears away and put you back on the hanger, you being my inspiration to lose the rest of the ugly weight that was keeping us apart. Finally, 7 months after giving birth you fit again! I was just as much in love with you then than I ever was! It's as if being neglected on the hanger for about a year was too much for you to bare because it seemed that you were much more fragile than I remember, and I'm so sad to say that you have your very first hole, and even though I am currently wearing you, I know our days are numbered. Even last weekend I knew this, and attempted shopping for your replacement, only to come up empty handed. No other pants know the curve (or lack there of) of my hips or the thickness of my waist as you do, and nothing is as comfortable or as stylish as you, my dearest very dressy wide leg black dress pants with a crease that never goes away. I feel that we are at the end of our relationship. I am truly heartbroken.....

2010-05-03T05:40:00.003-04:00

Hosted by Krystyn

Playing in the park....what a fun time!

Mommy & Me

2010-04-18T22:38:00.003-04:00

It was a busy weekend again around here. I shopped yesterday for what was supposed to be a wedding gift at kohl's. Now that turned in to shopping for me too, heh, and I spend way too many $$$ but it was on clothes for work so it's justified. Kind of. I did buy Kenny a new Tigers jersey on sale so it wasn't ALL for me. I don't even dare buy Carson anything because we have so much for him already!! I spent the rest of the day with my inlaws and then today I took the baby to my cousin's wedding shower. We took a long walk with the pup to the park and I slid down the slide with Carson in my lap. He squealed with delight!

Last Monday when i returned to work knowing there were 9 weeks before summer vacation, i was bummed. 9 weeks seems like such a long time. Now it's 8 weeks and I'm thinking the time is going to go faster than I expected. Woot!

Pancakes!

2010-04-14T21:07:00.003-04:00

More milestones!! Where is that baby book? I better get this all recorded pronto!

Carson ate "real" food tonight. I made buckwheat pancakes. (I LOVE breakfast for dinner!!). I made an extra one just tear up and see if he would eat it, or even if he could eat it. I put a piece in my mouth and then he mimicked me with nothing in his chubby fingers. Then he tried to get the piece of pancake on his finger, but he's not quite sure how to do that yet, so most of the pieces ended up in his lap or on the floor, leaving the dog VERY happy. Carson did end up getting some pieces in his mouth and he was so excited and I was so excited and it was just so cute!

Thanks to all those who comment on the Mommy & Me posts....I just haven't had time to respond or look at pics lately on their blogs, work is crazy and when I get home it's all baby time! But I promise to catch up soon!

Mommy & Me Monday

2010-04-11T21:23:00.001-04:00

Hosted by Krystyn

He looks disgusted....even when he's not smiling he's still a cutie! Happy Monday!

Week of Change

2010-04-09T10:24:00.003-04:00

This has been a week of many changes around here. And no, I don't mean the cleaning kind. Although, that would be nice!!

Carson is now 9 months old. I haven't taken his 9 month pics yet, but I will before the weekend is over. However, as he turned 9 months old, he now has 3 more teeth, a total of 4, 2 are almost completely through the gums. He is now sleeping on his mattress in his crib, free to roll and flail wherever he wants! Previously he was sleeping in his crib, in the bouncy seat to keep him elevated b/c he was constantly spitting up and we were worried about him choking...chalk that up to first time parent jitters. Anyway, he's all free is his crib now.

He also is drinking from a sippy cup sometimes. My mom has been working with him when she is here every week and he FINALLY did it yesterday. He did make a mess and a lot of his milk ended up on his bib, but he drank! This little man is growing up, and it's so amazing how much he can change in a week. Takes my breath away.

Georgia Trip

2010-04-08T12:48:00.005-04:00

(Bethy with the Build-A-Bear she made for us)

We are back from our trip all safe and sound. Flying with a 9 month old was......awesome! I was very picky about what I packed and planned out everything I could possibly need from point A to point B and it went beautifully! Our visit with Beth was so much fun, just too short. But I'm so glad we got a chance to see where she lives and her new house! Carson was SO GOOD the whole trip which made my anxiety of traveling alone with a baby almost non-existant.

It was HOT HOT HOT while we were there, unexpected but nice! Beth was the perfect tour guide for Atlanta! We ate out, shopped, walked through a gorgeous park right in Atlanta, played with the dogs, and relaxed. Can't wait to go and visit again when she is in HER HOUSE!!

First time in shorts this year!!

Walking in the park....

Eating lunch in a yummy mexican place....baby reaching for my corona!!

View of Atlanta from the park.

Easter and Mommy & Me

2010-04-04T22:16:00.009-04:00

What a wonderful Easter!! Carson got to see all his FIVE grandparents between yesterday and today. He is SO loved!! Here he is with my mom, almost asleep. I think they both needed a nap:)

We sat in church with him today for a record time of 45 minutes. Then he started squirming a little too much so we went to another place in church to finish listening to the service. Carson had NO NAP today so it was early to bed! Which is good because I have to pack for our trip to Atlanta tomorrow. He's been sleeping for hours and I still haven't packed a thing, but I'll get to it soon. I'm excited to go and see Bethany and nervous to fly with the baby. I know it will all work out, just a little nerve racking without Kenny!

Here is our family picture....Kenny was already in his "play clothes" and the flag was in the way. One of these days we will get a really nice one of us. I have been saying that since the baby was born!

Hosted by Krystyn

Momma & Carson in church on Easter

First Day of Vacation

2010-04-02T16:14:00.004-04:00

Ahhhh vacation at last. I kicked off my spring break by napping on the couch to get rid of a nasty headache. Then Kenny and I indulged in date night, thanks to my BFF Nik who watched the baby. Our date was going to the Maundy service at church and then Barnes & Noble for coffee and reading and relaxing. The church service was the first Maundy service I can even remember going to, and it was amazing. And then leaving the church in complete silence, even in the parkinglot too, made the mourning all that more powerful. I can't wait for Sunday's service. We chased each other around the bookstore and Kenny ate cheesecake while I had a coffee. I was good, didn't even take the one bite he offered!

Sleeping in this morning felt so good. Even when the baby woke up at 8 and wanted to get out of the crib to play, even when Kenny whined that I was leaving him "alone" in the bed, even when the dog begged to be let out, I still got about 4 more hours of sleep than normal. I think if I had to have gotten up for work today I would have cried. Mental and physical exhaustion has seemed to be the norm lately and I'm so thankful for this break.

We finally lowered Carson's crib from the highest setting to the lowest. Once we figured out how to do that, we had been in his room for about an hour (it's always the blind leading the blind with us) and the baby was tired of being in the laundry basket (he's all over the place now, can't leave him unattended!!) there was no chance of putting the crib on the middle setting and having to risk doing that all over again. No way!! So even though he doesn't need to be all the way down there at the bottom of the crib, he is, and we're all happy about it. Getting him out of the crib is harder now, but it'll do!

I also managed to clean out the spare bedroom today. Kenny & I have been talking about making it a play room, and when I got it all cleaned out and staghtened up, it dawned on us that Carson doesn't need a play room. He already has HIS OWN room plus the livingroom. What more does the kid need??? So it's going to stay just the way it is. Whew. Big project taken off the to-do list!

Tomorrow Kenny is going to hang out with buddies and do his fantasy baseball draft and I'm going to my parents' houses to hang out for a while. Carson will be spoiled rotten by the end of the day.

Cleaning Rampage

2010-03-30T22:55:00.002-04:00

It started yesterday when I got home from work. The refridgerator was on the fritz when I walked in the door. It's happened before because the door seals are very sensitive and we have to always make sure it's closed properly. So I thought the doors just weren't closed right. WRONG! I called a repairman to come out today. In the meantime, I cleaned out everything and put it in the freezer in the garage. It was cold enough to put the stuff that didn't need to be frozen on shelves in the garage, so nothing was wasted. I clean off the top of the fridge (nasty) and that was that. I called my house after the repairman left to find out the damage....it was minimal and was already fixed...wow! Kenny told me how he was cleaning out the fridge, as in washing the walls, taking out drawers and shelves and bleaching everything. I was in shock, in fact, I wasn't sure whether to believe him or not. He's not a "cleaner" like I am. When I got home, not only was it all clean, it was SPOTLESS and the food was all put back. Did you read that? I didn't have to do a thing. It was amazing. THAT never happens, not ever ever ever ever are things just done for me. What a difference in my mood!! So that's when our cleaning frenzy took a crazy spin. In one evening, I cleaned almost the entire house (again) along with a little laundry. Kenny cleaned out the box truck and his truck and we even weeded through some of that pesky paperwork that just piles up too. And it's not even the weekend. I'm still in shock from how much we accomplished today. Crazy! Next up tomorrow, de-hairing the dog. It's shedding season and is she ever! Two more days till spring break and 6 days till I fly to visit Bethany in ATL!!!!

Mommy & Me Monday

2010-03-28T21:44:00.003-04:00

Hosted by Krystyn

I promised two NEW pictures this week. Here they are. The first one is from Easter at my mom's house today. The second, which is blurry and not a great shot cause I took it myself, is us playing. Happy Monday!

Bunny Cake

2010-03-27T22:19:00.003-04:00

Today my dad visited! Carson was all over the place, showing off his rolling over skills! He is now from one side of the room to the other side in less than a minute. Fast little guy!

This afternoon I made a bunny cake. Tomorrow we are celebrating Easter with my mom's family at her house, and we are bringing dessert. It's the first time I ever tried to make a shaped cake. I liked my creation until I did the face. It's OK, it'll due this time, but next time I make it the face will look better. It was fun to make! Carson sat in his high chair the whole time and cooed and screamed and banged his toys watching me. I think he wanted a taste. Next year!

4 days of teaching this week and then spring break. I can't wait. I know I have to get 2 NEW pictures of the baby and I for the post on Monday, I better get busy on that one tomorrow!!

Babble

2010-03-24T21:18:00.002-04:00

This week is half over. Woo hoo. We are on the cusp of naughty behavior at work, I can feel it. The kids don't have to go to school on Friday this week or next week, and after next week, we are on spring break. So they have spring fever, as do the teachers, and this is the point in the school year where the same kids who irritate the heck out of you by noon now are trying my patience at 9am. I know they feel the same way about me too! I'm trying to not complain about work so I'll stop there:)

I recieved my gap.com order in the mail today and was pleasantly surprised that everything fit!! WW is paying off!!! In fact, the black spring jacket that I so badly wanted to wear NOW is too big, which is great, but also disappointing, because sending it back and getting a smaller size will take more than 3 weeks. And I want it NOW! But I'm not upset that it's too big. That's a bonus!! The jeans I ordered are absolutley the best, most comfortable, well fitting jeans ever. The fit is actually called long & lean, and believe me, I am neither of those things. Heh. But they are NOT the skinny jean fit (yuuuuuuuuuuck!) and they are still flared at the ankle and they are just great! Can't say enough good things about them. And I'll be wearing them tomorrow to work because we can dress down.

Kenny is currently manning a small bonfire in the backyard. It smells sooo good, like childhood summers. Ah the memories! We aren't really "supposed" to have bonfires in our neighborhood but we do and the neighbors don't care and YES we are totally safe about it. The hose is never far, I promise. It's hard being country folk in the city (suburbs). I love the convenience and the quickness, and even though I haven't lived in the country since I was 14, it's still when I belong. One day, we'll get back there.

Off to my end of the couch to sip some tea and snuggle with the man. And his remote (it's really mine, but I let him think it's his).

I just realized how jumbled this post is. No real point, just babble. I'm so good at that!

Baby & Momma

2010-03-22T05:53:00.003-04:00

Hosted by Krystyn

Carson and Momma, when he was about a day old. I get tears looking at this! I didn't get in front of the camera this weekend. Shame on me. I guess that means I challenge myself to TWO pictures of us for next Monday!

8 months (and a few days)

2010-03-21T20:25:00.003-04:00

Here's Carson's 8 month picture...not the most creative, I admit, but lately it's so hard to get him still for any posed pictures. This one sums up his 8th month: remote controls in his chubby little hands, handing things to mama, and no socks because he takes them off and eats them. Love this stage! He weighs 22 pounds, is wearing 6-12 month clothes, does the army crawl like a pro, scoots on his booty and rolls around to get places on the floor. He also got his first tooth last week and had his first cold!! Carson laughs at smiling faces, rarely is shy, and loves his dog. He still sleeps through the night without fail, from 8pm-8am, sometimes later. I know we are lucky for that, everyone has told us that is so great, so I am very blessed to get a good night sleep when I don't have to get up for work on the weekends.

Today was an awesome family day. We started out with church, the baby's first trip there. He clapped when the choir was through singing and it was dead silent....hilarious! Then we went to lunch with friends and their kiddos, followed by shopping and ice cream. Yum. I'm skipping the grocery shopping and saving it for tomorrow. It's one thing that can wait!!

A Quiet Saturday

2010-03-20T19:45:00.004-04:00

Lots to catch up on here! There is no word that describes how busy life is now. I'm sure all you mommas (not new ones) are shaking your head and laughing at me now. OF COURSE life is busier now with a kid, right? And I'm sure it's even crazier the more kids you add to the mix!

My Grandma's 90th birthday party was a couple weekends ago and we had two parties for her. One was just family and the other one was an open house for any family, friends, neighbors and church family members to visit her in her assisted living home. The place she lives in is really awesome about helping out with parties and providing beverages and food and extra help. Both parties were where my Grandma lives and both were really fun. Here are some pictures:

(top picture: my Grandma and cousin, bottom picture: Carson with his Grandpa and his Great-Grandma)

Work has been the same...draining. Still love teaching, just want to be home more than I want to teach. I'll leave that topic right there:(

I'm counting the days until spring break. Not too much longer!! I have 4 teaching days this week and then a PD day on Friday. And the following week there is 4 teaching days, and that's it! I have Good Friday off and then the week after Easter. Woot!! I'm flying to Atlanta the day after Easter to visit my BFF Bethy for 2 days. Can't wait!! And yes, the baby is coming with me. Just me and him. Kenny will probably be extatic to have the house to himself. He didn't put up much fuss about us leaving when I booked the flight. Knowing him, he'll wait till the night before we leave to whine about how much he's going to miss us. I'm already prepared.

If there's one thing I'm looking forward to this spring, it's yard work. It's time consuming, never ending, and expensive, but I was pretty much deprived of it last year because I was pregnant so I'm really looking forward to getting back into it this year. No promises on how great it will look, it's the thought that counts, right??? It may be too challenging with a baby!

The baby and I went shopping today and I got his baptism gear. It's so precious, I just can't wait. How awesome is it that Carson will be baptized on my very first Mother's Day? Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

I'm off to enjoy the rest of my Saturday with the baby before he goes to sleep. It was the first Saturday we've been able to be home in a month. Whew!

Mommy & Me #3

2010-03-07T22:46:00.003-05:00

Hosted by Krystyn

I can't believe I let a week go by without a post....does that tell you how busy we've been around here?? Work sure gets in the way of everything. We had a super busy week AND weekend. So much to say and many pics to share, but it will have to wait until tomorrow! Momma needs SLEEP. Carson was happy, I promise. He was sick of his picture being taken!! BTW his hand looks huge!!

Mommy & Me x2

2010-02-28T21:53:00.001-05:00

Hosted by Krystyn

Home Bound

2010-02-28T09:49:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was so busy!! I'm thankful to have today at home. Even though it's going to be spend cleaning and doing laundry, at 3pm we're doing NOTHING but watching USA vs Cananda olympic hockey. YAY!!!

The baby and I were with Kenny working all day yesterday. He was so good the whole day. Carson is very content in the stroller just hanging out with his toys. My inlaws were there to help watch him when Kenny needed me and they just adore him and love watching him. Carson was so into everything going on that he skipped both his naps and didn't fall asleep until I got in the car to go home around 4pm. And then he was KNOCKED out!!

Here are some pictures from the 100th day of school (Thursday) and the cakes I made. They were a hit, everyone commented on how good they tasted!! I almost caved and bought 3 cakes but changed my mind and I'm so glad I did! It would have actually saved $$$ buying them and having them decorated, but I enjoyed making and decorating them, so it was worth it. The group shot is of the elementary teachers I go into battle with every day. Talk about warriors! Love them!! We are all sporting our 100th day shirts, made by the teacher right in the middle. I have worked with one of them for 8 years, and the rest of them anywhere from 1 to 7 years. I am so blessed to have them by my side every day.

Mom

2010-02-24T20:35:00.002-05:00

My baby said "MOMMOMMOMMOMMOMMOMMOMMOMMOMMOMMOMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

He's been saying "DADADADADADADADADAD" for a couple weeks, and we weren't sure if he even knew what he was saying or maybe just babbling. So when he started in with mamamamamama I wasn't thinking he knew that was ME. We've been encouraging him by saying momma and dadda all the time, but then this afternoon we were playing and he reached for me with his little chubby arms and said "MAMMAMMAMMAMM" and my heart was melting into the carpet. Oh the ooozing sweetness!

Tomorrow is the 100th day of school. It was supposed to be earlier but the snow days pushed us back some. There are 3 teachers on my team and the teacher that always does all the extra cute things for the kids (cakes, cookies, hotdogs, gifts, extra awesome art projects, ect) is taking chemo treatments after having cancerous tumors (stage 1.5) removed. To say the least, she is tired all the time. My other teammate is pregnant, so I said that I would make the 100th day cakes. So that's what Carson and I have done tonight. CAKES. ALL CAKES. I hope Kenny makes it home with my camera before I go to bed so I can get good pictures. Otherwise you will have to settle for phone pics. Those are just not as good, but there's no way these cakes are going unpublished, not when there's THREE of them!! Happy 100th Day of School To ME! That means less than 80 to go. Whew.

2010-02-23T13:51:00.002-05:00

Tonight is going to be one of those busy gotta-get-diapers-wipes-formula-pick-up-taxes-and-sign-on-the-dotted-lines-finish-laundry-where-are-my-shoes kind of nights. I can already feel it. And it's going to start the second I walk in the door. I plan on making dinner, packing up the baby and getting the errands done. He doesn't mind, he just cooes in his carseat and smiles and laughs anywhere we go. I think he likes running errands with momma!

I am so proud of Kenny and all his hard work he has done lately. He is a normally VERY hard working business owner, however, lately, the phone has been ringing NON STOP (that means lots of $$$$) and he has been going nonstop. I don't normally talk about his work or his level of business on here, but I just have to throw out there how stinkin' proud I am of him. He started this business over 10 years ago from nothing, and has built it up to what it is today, and even though most days I don't think he sees the how far he has come, I do, and I just never get enough opportunities to tell him how proud I am of all that he does, for the business and for us. Love you K!

Off to finish up the last hour of the day and then I'm outta here!!!!!! Home to my boys!

One more thing....I will try to take pics of how much snow we have in our yard, it's so deep! I love it! I know you all think I'm crazy for loving it, but I do!!!

S N O W D A Y !!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-02-22T06:52:00.003-05:00

Hosted by Krystyn

Today was another snow day!!! Talk about great luck!!! I was oh so happy to wake up this morning and find inches of snow and no school. Like a dream come true. Here's a picture of how we started my snow day. Bad quality, I know, but I just grabbed my phone and took a picture, nothing fancy!! I think Carson enjoys snow days as much as I do.

(Thanks Krystyn for starting this weekly thing!! I need that motivation!!

Backwards

2010-02-21T09:54:00.003-05:00

This baby boy won't crawl. I'm not rushing him, and I'm not really excited about him crawling anyway because that means life as we know it will be forever changed!! However, everyone seems to think he "should" be crawling and even though it doesn't bother me that he's not, he kind of is....backwards! It's more of a scoot, actually. He'll be laying on his tummy and want me or some toy that's not directly in front of his little face and then he just scoots back to get it. So cute!! I'm putting toys all around him to entice him to push off and start to crawl, and I know he will when he's ready. But for now, the backwards shuffle is pretty cute. I don't have a video of it, but you get the idea.

Yesterday we celebrated my mom's birthday and here is my baby with my momma...so sweet! Her first grandbaby!!

We also stopped in to see my grandma, however no pics because she was in her nightgown already!!! Carson sat right next to his great-grandma and just smiled and loved on her, so sweet!! We will be back visiting with her in a couple weeks and there will be lots of pictures then.

I'm sad that my week off ends today. I'm never really prepared for the feelings that come with having to leave Carson every day. I hate it. I truly hate leaving him. Any mom that works knows that feeling, and it'll never go away. But I know that by my going to work every day my family is taken care of medically. So I go. With kleenex:( And the up side of it is coming home to the best feeling in the world, my smiling happy-to-see-me baby who can't get his hands on my face fast enough. That makes it worth it!

Day Off

2010-02-18T13:08:00.003-05:00

I declared today a day of relaxation around here. The first day of my vacation that I get to do house stuff!!! Kenny is away and working, and Carson and I were slated to be out and about with some friends but that got canceled so we are STAYING HOME!! Woo-hoo!!! When he gets up from his nap we MIGHT go to Michaels, you know I just can't stay away from those craft stores too long. Other than that, we are homebound. I have been looking forward to a day like this for along time!

I booked tickets to visit my bf in Atlanta today. Yay!!!! That's not until spring break, but I'm already excited about it! Carson will be flying for the first time, oh what a little travelor he will be!!

Here's our morning:

Skiing!

2010-02-15T08:41:00.005-05:00

Our little ski getaway has been awesome!! Despite missing Carson all the time, Kenny & I have been able to relax, TRULY relax, for the first time in about a year. We arrived home safe and sound and so happy to get that baby back and covered with kisses!

Waking up this morning reminded both of us how important it is to STRETCH before you ski, especially if it's been a few years. And another thing I never envisioned was a creepy feeling on the ski lift. I've skiied PLENTY of times in my life, and never one time was the lift an issue. Not the case this time! I guess it's just because I haven't skiied in a few years, because by the end of the day I was fine. Guess I better do this more often!

A weekend away was the best thing we've done in a while. Very much needed!!!

7 Months!!!

2010-02-10T22:43:00.005-05:00

Ahhhh today was a snow day!! What a treat, rating right up there with opening presents on Christmas morning as a kid!! I didn't even have to get out of bed. Even better! Carson and I stayed in our PJs all day and snuggled a whole bunch. I think Kenny was jealous!

Today was my momma's bday and between Kenny & I and my brother, we pooled our $$ and gave her a gift card to Macy's so she could get her fiestaware flatware that she's been wanting for a while. Due to the snow, she didn't drive to my house today so I called her, told her what her gift was (a complete surprise), gave her the numbers on the gift card and WHAM a few hours later she had her flatware was ordered!! And she is one happy Momma!!! Yay!

Seven months old my baby is today....whew! Here he is hamming it up for the camera, which he immediatly tried to grab ahold of and put in his mouth!!! He's close to crawling I think, but I don't think he WANTS to crawl. He would just rather have momma carry him or hand his toys over. He is so much fun, always smiling and drooling and laughing and he's also very close to saying dada. I was hoping his first word would be momma, but he's saying dada, however he isn't meaning Kenny. He is just babbling, but sooner or later he will figure out WHO dada is!!

The next two days are going to be COMPLETE CRAZE at work. They are the last two days before we have a one week midwinter break. Even if today hadn't been a snow day, the week before vacation is rough. However, being that today the kids were at home, tomorrow is count day complete with an in-school dance, and Friday there will be school-wide Valentine's Day celebrations, and to top it all off, both days are free dress, which means students will be in their regular clothing, not uniforms, which always leads to "different" behavior. So I'm crossing my fingers, making sure my lessons are tight and I'm overly prepared with extra work and rewards!! The busier they are the better they are!!

Making raspberries at his puppy!

Helping mama with the laundry!

Trying to get dad's hat....

Got the hat and in the mouth it goes!!!

Cloudy Sunday

2010-01-31T11:13:00.002-05:00

Last night Kenny & I went to see Edge of Darkness. We were trying to figure out the last time we had been to see a movie.....we came up with A YEAR AGO. Holy crap!! Just to commemorate that LONG pause of movie going, we snuck in to see a few minutes of Avatar. The audience looked ridiculus with the glasses on!!!! Just like a picture taken in 1960!! We didn't stay more than a few minutes, just long enough to see the 3D effects, and wow was it cool!!

Carson has changed so much in the last few weeks. He's starting to show signs of crawling, but not quite there yet. I've been giving him some phase 2 of the baby food, mostly the mixed fruits which he LOVES!!! He's still not hip on the green veges yet, but we're getting there. He is still laughing and giggling and continuing to keep smiles on our faces every single day. Love that little guy!!!

He still LOVES his jumperoo, and spends lots of time in it every day, as well as the pack and play. He just wants to play all the time, and put anything and everything in his mouth. We have started making lists of what to do to babyproof the house....any advice would be appreciated!! We have inherited a baby gate, so we can check that off the list. But the rest of what we need to buy/do, let me know!

Today after I've cleaned and done some of the laundry, I plan on SITTING down and not doing anything else except enjoy my family. That's my perfect Sunday!!

Sleepy

2010-01-21T21:28:00.002-05:00

Oh this week has been a hard one. After a 3 day weekend my students seem to be so much more squirrelly than they were the first week back after the new year. Something about that extra day without school structure.....OMG it's been rough. And I didn't even go to work today! I heard my class was pretty good until dismissal and then they lost it. Sounds about right!

Haven't made it to the gym yet this week, not good for my weight loss goal, however I have still been doing southbeach pretty well (phase 1 and 2 combined) so it hasn't been a complete wash without working out. I will say sacrificing the exercise for extra hours of sleep has been much needed. So I'm not going to feel guilty. I PROMISE I'll make up for it this weekend:)

Carson has started to want to stay up later and later at night. Since he was about 6 weeks old, he has slept through the night, from 8pm to 8am, if not later. Lately, he has not wanted to go to bed on his own at 8pm. I do the bath, bottle, bed routine starting around 730 and by 8pm he's knocked out. But now he won't go to sleep when the bottle is gone and instead starts laughing and playing and not wanting to sleep. CRAZY BABY!!!!

TGIF!!!!

Happy Tuesday

2010-01-19T05:06:00.006-05:00

My baby is 6 months old!!! Holy smokes how did that happen! We had some professional pictures taken last week and here they are:

Ahhhh I'm so bad not posting for SO long! Back to work after vacation was rough and it still is, so I guess that's my excuse:)

Here are his stats for his check up last week:

Height: 27 inches (I think!!!)

Weight: 18 lbs (he gained 2 lbs since his 4 month checkup)

Percentiles: height & weight 75%, head 90%

He's all brains, just like momma!!!

Carson is doing awesome. He is completely sitting up on his own now and even though he won't crawl yet, he has the strength. I just think he likes it better when we move him. I give him tons of time on his stomach and he'll play and play and move on his tummy in different directions, he'll kick his legs and then when he gets tired of being on his tummy he starts to complain. One of these days he'll just crawl I hope!!! He is eating stage 1 foods and many different kinds of cereal, still drinking bottles also. I started giving him food when he reached for Kenny's burito about a month ago....I figured he was ready!!!

I'm also learning that so many people give me advice on what to feed him, how to feed him, how MUCH to feed him, and so on. We've learned to do what we think is best, which is how I decided to give him food in the first place. Our pediatrician told us at 4 months to give him food, but I just didn't feel like he was ready, so we waited. And then all of a sudden (the burrito incident!!!) I knew he was ready. That was a good lesson for us in doing what we think is best!!

I could yack all day long about how wonderful he is. He's truly a great baby. Carson will play and play for long periods of time with and without interaction from us. Of course I end up playing with him most of the time because he's so much fun!! It's such a joy to see him with Kenny and the two of them laughing and loving on each other. That's what it's all about!

Work is work. I am busy as always there but since conferences are over, I am NOT bringing anything home with me. I refuse!!! In fact, the only time this year I have brought things home to work on is for conferences or occasionally the ridiculus un-usable lesson plans I'm required to turn in. That's it!!! And even with that it's hard to bring things home to do. Kenny is super busy with work which is a blessing. His business is thriving right now, it has been for a few years so we are so grateful for that. He renewed his lease with new truck in December and we thought about getting a bigger car for me at the same time, however, I'm enjoying NO CAR PAYMENTS right now so why rock the boat and get greedy?? I love not writing a check every month for a car! My vehicle has been paid off for 5 months and we are lovin it. Plenty of other things to pay on!

I know one of my resolutions was to post more (3 times a week I think) and I've already failed that, but I'm still going to try. I love blogging, I just can't get to it as much as I want, but I'm making it a priority. Here's my 6 month pic of my little man. He's hilarious! Happy Tuesday!

The Wrap Up

2009-12-27T12:13:00.002-05:00

Carson's first Christmas was.........hectic. And fun, and snowy (then it rained) and all in all, the kid made out like a bandit. So did the dog!! She actually got just as much as Carson. Funny how that works. Kenny and I have both been blessed with wonderful families who give too much if that is possible. We are both VERY thankful.

Today we are going to our last Christmas party. This one is my mom's extended family, where we just buy for the kiddies and bring a white elephant gift and play a game with the presents. It's fun and low key, nothing formal. A very nice way to wrap up the season!

I have to be honest....I'm all Christmased out. I shopped early to avoid this feeling, and it still hit me. Is it bad to want all the Christmas stuff put away already? I love the lights and the tree and all the pretty stuff, but I'm over it already. Usually this feeling doesn't hit until New Years. Maybe I have it early this year because Christmas with a baby is more hectic, but in a good way. I don't know, but in any case, I'm ready for some REAL down time. In which I don't leave the house OR my PJs all day long and just play with my baby and bug Kenny while he's working in the basement. I have a few projects to accomplish on this week off, but all in all, I want to remain in those pajamas as long as I can and do as little as I can.

And next year on Christmas, I want to stay home. REALLY stay home. Carson will be 1 1/2 and he'll be able to open presents and get excited. I doubt he'll know what Santa is or the true meaning of Christmas yet, but I want that magical feeling that I had as a kid on Christmas Day, and I think that means staying home. Anyone can come and visit, all day long, but I do not want to get into a car AT ALL!!! We didn't travel too much this year, but it was hectic and we did leave on Christmas Day for 1/2 the day. Do you think I can make this wish come true next year?? Here's to hoping!

I promise we had a great Christmas.....we really truly did. I'm not complaining at all. I just am exhausted! I will post pictures later of the baby in all his Christmas glory. He was the star!!! Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-25T10:16:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas!!

Love,

Kenny, Lindsey, Carson & Bidder

XOXOXOXO

Doing NOTHING and Lovin' It!!

2009-12-23T16:13:00.001-05:00

Oh what an amazing day I've had so far. It's one of those days you always dream about before the holidays but never quite happens. Today, it happened. I have stayed home ALL day and the only time I'm going to leave the house is to deliver the neighborhood treats and cards on foot. I have been in my comfy sweats (yes, I DID indeed shower) and my hair is in a ponytail and I have been cleaning, doing laundry, and playing with the baby all day. I made some yummy xmas treats too, but nothing strenuous. I have also had the heating pad on my shoulder several times throughout the day which gives me an excuse to SIT DOWN which I often need! Anyway, my point through all this rambling is that I have accomplished the day I have been looking forward to for several weeks. To just be home and relaxing. Kenny is out still shopping....hehehe procrastinator!!!

5 Months & My Resolution

2009-12-21T20:42:00.002-05:00

Five Months!!

A little late, but nonetheless, Carson is five months old!

We are getting ready for Christmas. The house is decorated, and has been for weeks. I skipped cookie making and did chocolate covered sprinkles instead. SO MUCH easier!! Nothing to decorate either. I'm done shopping, Kenny, on the other hand, not so much. He's out and about as week speak and I'm sure he won't be finished when he gets home. Our first Christmas celebration is on the 24th, so he can't actually shop on that day, which has thrown a wrench in his shopping habits. Hehehee....I did mostly online shopping so I've been done except for some gift cards.

I have stuggled with posting on this blog since Carson was born and I'm going to make a New Years resolution early. My resolution is to post 3 times a week. I've barely been posting once a week lately, since October actually, and that's not OK with me! I really miss posting and catching up on others' blogs and I really honestly do think about my blogging buddies and miss you! So I promise to go for that 3 times a week goal.

It is absolute heaven for me to wake up to my little man's coos every morning now that I'm on vacation. Music to my ears. I heart vacation!!

I am looking forward to spending our first Christmas with the baby. What joy!!!!

My Letter To Santa

2009-12-17T09:51:00.003-05:00

Dear Santa,

I am not asking for presents this year. Instead, I just want to keep the things I already have. And with that, please include my sanity. You see, I still have the rest of today (it's not even 10am yet) and tomorrow to get through with my students. And they are not acting very nicely. They are off the hook, actually. Please deliver large amounts of coal to their stockings on Christmas Eve because they are not so deserving of presents this year. In the last month, I have had to make 15 phone calls because of negative behavior. I have had to constantly remind them to BE NICE TO EACH OTHER. It goes WAY beyond not talking and folding their arms in the hallway. They are just plain mean to each other. I'm not sure if they don't care or if it's because they are the "smart" class and think they can get away with it. But I really want them to know that they can't. My head is pounding, allergies are in full swing, temper is SHORT, and I am just running out of niceness. Could you PLEASE wrap up a bottle of sanity (or maybe just a mudslide) and put it under my tree a little early? Like maybe TODAY? That's all I'm asking for.

Thanks and Merry Christmas.

Love,
Lindsey

5 Months Old

2009-12-13T09:23:00.004-05:00

First time eating cereal.............what a face I know!!

Dear Carson,

You are now 5 months old. I blinked and I was pregnant, I blinked and I was in the hospital with my newborn, and I blinked again you are almost half a year old. Daddy and I cannot even imagine our lives without you. Every smile, drool, spit, giggle, laugh, cry, whine, jump, kick, roll, coo, every EVERYTHING you do we love. Even the poopy diapers. Well, OK Daddy doesn't love them, and I don't love them either, but I love taking care of you. You have given us glasses to see the world in a different way. Even though you are too young to know what Christmas is all about, this holiday season has renewed the giddy feeling we once had as kids. I look back to last Christmas and I was so sick with morning sickness (all day) and super tired and even though we were already thankful for our little blessing from GOD, we had no idea how much we would love being parents. We love you more than it's possible to put into words.

Love,

Momma

Back to Reality

2009-11-29T22:13:00.004-05:00

Not that a 4 day vacation is long or anything, but these last 4 days have been non-working bliss. I have been busy busy busy as usual with Kenny and Carson and the dog and family and driving and visiting plus normal things like cleaning, laundry (neverending) and Christmas decorating. But it's been a fairly peaceful 4 days, unlike the next 4. Nothing at work is peaceful. Ever. No moments to compose my thinking or to process anything, no time to "take 5" or even eat lunch without getting up from my desk. That's what I have such a hard time with when I'm at work. I need a break, just 10 minutes here and there, and when I don't get that little mental break, I become system overload, which is how I am living Monday through Fridays now. It's been like this for a while, it's just that this year, it's worse. Amidst all my students who are vibrant and smart, I just need to come up for air sometimes. 4 days off helped me refocus what's important (go to work, earn a paycheck, spend every spare moment making my boys smile) and think about things in better light, however, I would still like a mental break every day. Do you think Santa will bring me that all wrapped up in a nice little package under the tree this year?? I would also be satisfied with a winning lottery ticket.

On to cuter subjects....the baby. Oh yes, I can't write an entire blog post without mentioning him!! He is just the light of our lives. Carson's first Christmas pictures ever:

Black Friday

2009-11-27T08:59:00.003-05:00

Carson's first Thanksgiving was fun. We arrived at my inlaws 20 minutes before eating and I didn't have to bring a thing. Don't think I didn't ask, because I did several times, and I was told to just bring the baby. So we did. Today we are going to my mom's for dinner and then to my dad's to visit. Enough eating already!! Put that food away!!

While we had dinner yesterday Carson hung out in the exersaucer right at the table with us. It was adorable! Kenny and I had a nice relaxing night last night putting up the tree and watching TV and just being us. What a great day. And so MUCH to be thankful for.

I'm listening to the sounds of Kenny faintly snoring, Carson talking and cooing to himself, BabyEinstein on the TV and the dryer. I smell coffee and the dog is sleeping at my feet. Ah to be at home in the mornings. My favorite part of the day!! When I leave for work every morning my heart is heavy and I have to fight the urge to call in sick and stay home with my boys, EVERY SINGLE DAY. I would give anything to be here with them. And then I have to remember that I'm providing my family with things even though I am not home, and I also have to remember to be thankful that I have a job with good health benefits and a retirement plan and Aflac and all that stuff. That's what keeps me from turning around every morning, and believe me, I'm SO thankful for all that. But nothing beats the sounds and smells of my house in the morning. That is heaven!

Oh yeah, and you won't find me anywhere near a shopping plaza today!!!!! NOOOOO WAY!!!

Short Week:)

2009-11-24T06:23:00.002-05:00

Can you tell he's the happiest baby ever?? I just eat those smiles and giggles and laugh attacks up!! He is so precious!!

He WAS 4 months, now it's more like 4 3/4 I think. I'm slacking on this blog, I know it, but I have full intentions of getting back to a more regular posting schedule. And I have SO MUCH blog reading to catch up on too. Over this short vacation I will be doing just that!

The last couple of weeks have been difficult at work. I can't remember if I mentioned it before or not that 15 teachers were let go due to budget problems. It stinks for those teachers and it stinks for the teachers who are left to clean up the mess, as in expand class sizes to large numbers. Not fun. And those poor kids who come to school one day and find out their teacher is gone. It was hard to explain to my new students where their old teachers were and of course there were many tears and I just wanted to join in. All in all it was a crappy time, probably the worst I've even been through in my almost-8 years of teaching. If you are thinking about going into teaching, THINK AGAIN. Not a good time for it. I'll leave it at that!

Kenny has talked me into putting up the tree today, when I get home from work. How I'm going to do that with Mr. Carson?? Not sure yet, we'll figure it out. Usually I make Kenny wait until after Thanksgiving to put up and decorate the tree. He claims that since he is going hunting Friday, he wants to do it now. Whatever. Gets it out of the way for me!! Our biggest challenge is figuring out what to do with all the baby contraptions in the livingroom with the tree in here too. It's going to be tight.

Kenny has been hunting a lot in the last few weeks. He's actually already got 2 deer and we are going to have summer sausage and beef jerky very soon!! He wants to go for one more (sorry to all the non-hunters) so our freezer will be stocked all winter. He always says as he's leaving for huntin' camp, "I'm off to get our winter food!" What a crack up he is!

I'm off to work now. It's my last day with students this week and then a PD day tomorrow. I'm so happy and THANKFUL this is a short week!

2009-11-15T23:26:00.003-05:00

Oh I'm so behind in blogging. I have so much to write too. Good stuff. Fun stuff. Maybe tomorrow. Until then.................

H1N1 Vaccine Update

2009-11-10T07:37:00.002-05:00

If you read my post yesterday, you know I went in to get the nasal mist....ended up getting the actual shot and the only side effect was extreme fatigue. I usually react badly to flu shots, I get a slight fever and body aches, head aches, that kind of thing. This shot hurt worse to get it than the regular flu shot, however, my arm never once was sore and still isn't 24 hours later. There was nothing to it. I hope this helps someone in their decision making as to get the shot or not if you have it available. I feel relief. I am a carrier of sicknesses to my house because I'm a teacher. I'm constantly washing hands and when I get home I actually strip my clothes and shoes (kids' bathrooms....nasty!!!) and wash my hands before I even enter the room where Kenny or Carson is. I just can't take those risks with either of my boys, Carson being 4 months old and Kenny a severe asthmatic. I'm sure it's new mommy syndrome being so worried, but I'd rather be safe than sorry!!

Busy

2009-11-09T05:20:00.004-05:00

Oh the business around here. I haven't been able to sit down and do my normal weekly post with pics until now because Kenny didn't go hunting this weekend. I know it sounds crazy, but I actually can get MORE on weekends when it's just Carson and I. When Kenny's here, he pulls me in every direction possible and we end up being gone all day or something...I think he's more high maintenance than the baby!! But I love it, I admit!

Since next weekend is opening gun season, Kenny will be gone, so we took advantage of him being here yesterday and went shopping together. We left Carson with Grandma and spent 3 hours together, just us. I'm still so torn about doing that because I'm at work every day and when I come home, it's all Carson time. The weekends are the same way. I SOO look forward to and enjoy every single uninterrupted moment with him on the weekends, so getting me to leave without him was hard. But we needed it for ourselves, so we went. We had a blast and Kenny bought all his new essential hunting gear!! Of course we bought Carson some baby camo stuff. As if he doesn't have enough already, but it's just so cute we couldn't resist!

I'm going to get the H1N1 vaccination today, the mist. I'm not elligible ANYWHERE at the locations in my county to get the shot, so this is what I've decided to do. Believe me, I've researched and read and talked to dozens of people about this. Because the baby is so young, it would be so dangerous if he got the flu, and since I work with kids and will most likely come into contact with it there, I'm the most likely person to pass it to the baby or Kenny. So after researching all my options, I decided to get it today. I'm curious what other people are doing, so could you leave a comment and let me know?

I have completed about half my Christmas shopping....I'm so PROUD of myself for that!! I have done lots of online shopping, and I think a couple more shopping sprees and I'll be finished. That makes me feel like I'm ahead of the game, but I'm sure many of you are already FINISHED at this point! We decided not to buy Carson much because we know everyone else will be buying him things and it's not like he knows what Christmas is this year. But of course, I've snuck in some toys here and there....how can I not?? It's so much fun to shop for him!!

I just realized that Carson is NOT smiling in any of these pictures....I promise he smiles all the time!! He was just being a serious baby!!

Happy Halloween!!!

2009-10-31T23:53:00.004-04:00

I am a hunter's widow this weekend again. Soooooo I got to hog Carson and love and kiss on him without interruptions all day today!! I decided not to pass out candy at our house because I was by myself, so I suited up my little tiger, put the dog in the backseat next to the carseat and drove to my inlaws. Carson was the cutest tiger I've ever seen!!! We had a good time over there and I got to see some of the neighbors and their kiddos too. It was a great first Halloween for Carson!!! If Halloween was this fun the first time around as a momma, I can only imagine what's in store for the next one!! Happy Halloween!

Best Weekend

2009-10-25T11:01:00.007-04:00

Oh what a weekend it's been!!! One of my BFFs flew in from Altanta on Friday and stayed with us. She hadn't met Carson as an outside baby yet (although she was here on my due date but Carson refused to be born on time!!!) so it was exciting!

Here is Bethy spoiling my baby.....

And here are the four of us plus our offspring so far.....

I am so THANKFUL and blessed that I have great friends both close and far. It's true what they say about high school friends: your first friends are your best friends!

Here is Niki playing with the peanut.....

Carson has changed so much in the last week. He is now rolling over and smiling and laughing all the time. He reaches out for his bottle and my hair ALL the time. He is kind of holding his bottle by himself, only when it's almost empty though. He is just growing so quickly!

Here he is rolling over!

No sleep for me!

2009-10-23T00:35:00.004-04:00

I should be sleeping but if I don't post now I won't for a few days! I survived parent teacher conferences. Now I have a field trip to the orchard tomorrow and then a fun weekend with one of my BFFs visiting from Georgia. I'm so excited thinking about 33opm tomorrow. No more responsibilities other than my own.....Carson!!!

He started playing in the exersaucer this week. He loves it!!!

This is how he sleeps. He has done this since he was just weeks old. Those hands behind his head....so silly! He reminds me of an old man when I peek in on him sleeping and see this. It still makes me smile every single time!

And this picture is just here because his expression is adorable. And the rattle he's wearing...

Now off to sleep, what few hours I'll be getting!

Pooped

2009-10-21T22:52:00.002-04:00

Diaper bag to pack, guest room to clean out, laundry to do, papers to grade (smilies & stickers) conferences tomorrow (longest days of the year), dog to wash, bottles to fill, the list is endless, and I've only just begun. Oh yeah, trash to take out including stinky diapers. Oh my I need a nap. One of my BFFs is coming flying in for the weekend to meet Carson and I can't wait! More updates and pictures tomorrow!

Time with baby

2009-10-17T13:16:00.003-04:00

This is one of those BEAUTIFUL Michigan days in the fall that just makes you so thankful for everything. Not that we shouldn't be thankful all the time, but it's days like this that just take your breath away at how beautiful things are. Ahhh.....

See what quality time with my baby does to me?? I'm a super sap!

Kenny is up north hunting again this weekend, so it's just babay & me!!! He went with me to the dentist this morning and what soooo good!

We have lots to do today and I am so happy to be doing them with Carson. I even let the dog sleep with me last night, which is rare. Kenny wants her to sleep on our bed every night, but I veto that quickly....but last night, pup lucked out. She stayed on the bed the WHOLE night. I know shs grateful.

I just talked to Kenny while he was getting ready to go back to the woods and he told me he has a surprise for me for Sweetest Day.....what a hallmark holiday, but hey, I'll take the present! He bought me a card yesterday but forgot to leave it here for me...it's in his truck. What a guy. Sweetest Day, what an excuse to buy something!

I have started making my lists for Christmas presents...it's never too early and as one of my friends reminded me, there's only about 5 paydays left until Christmas. No time like the present. I think I'll be buying things online this year, at least the majority of stuff. Anyway I can minimize bringing home the flu germs, I'm going to try. I'm so worried that Carson will get sick.

Off to do some cleaning and organizing with the baby in tow....when the hubby's away, the wife will clean!!!

Vegas

2009-10-13T13:48:00.007-04:00

Our weekend in Las Vegas was good. The first 24 hours I missed Carson, but not the kind of missing that leaves you crippled. The second day, however, I missed him so badly. Our plane ride home was delayed so it made it even worse. We went to Vegas for my hub's BFF's wedding. We bought tickets before the baby was born thinking it would be a nice time to take a "break" and we'd enjoy the time away from the baby. Stupid new parent thinking!! I SOOOO didn't want to leave him. And neither did Kenny, although he didn't whine about it like I did. But our friends flew to MI for our wedding and again this summer around the time Carson was born, so we just had to be there when they got married. It wasn't a Vegas strip wedding, it was at a beauitful country club, outside, perfect weather, gorgeous mountains in the background. It was truly breathtaking! We did have a good time dancing and drinking, and yes I even took part in the drinking!! That felt GREEAAAAAAAAT! Anyway, here are a couple pictures:

And on to the really fun stuff....Carson is three months old! Time is flying and he is growing! What a stud!

(Kenny was playing his hunting game while holding the baby....now that's talent!!)

Work? I'm still adjusting. I am not excited about going to work every day, but once I get there, it's not horrible. I feel like I've been teaching for 20 years already and it's only my 8th year. I don't see myself teaching for a whole career, at least not the way I feel about it now. I still love teaching, but I can feel burnout coming on soon, maybe another year or so. I don't have any other options right now, so I'll just keep on. I am thankful to have a job and health insurance and retirement, so really, no complaints here.

Things with our nanny seem to be working out well. She is flexible and so are we, so far so good! Carson is usually smiling when I get home on her two days a week, which is all I'm concerned with! If he's happy, then I'm happy!

I "think" Kenny is going hunting this weekend which means Carson and I will have lots of relaxation time together. I love that!! I'd rather Kenny be home with us, but I can get lots of stuff done and lots of relaxing in too when he's gone. Maybe this time he'll bring home the winter supply of food!!!

Leaving on a jet plane

2009-10-07T22:24:00.001-04:00

Holy cow. BUSY has just been taken to a new level. How do working moms get things done? Whew. Anyway, we are going to Vegas this weekend for a wedding. I was hoping to do a real post before we left, but that's not going to happen. I'm at work sneaking this is and I don't have any pictures or anything here....

Have a great weekend and I'm sure I'll be back on Monday with some stories!

Relaxing...

2009-10-03T19:29:00.003-04:00

My first week back in the classroom is over. That, I am thankful for. I survived! So did Kenny. So did Carson, and even the dog did too. It wasn't easy, and I'm not looking forward to next week, however, I have never taken so much pleasure in a weekend as I am right now.

Kenny is up north hunting (he says, "Going to get us some winter food!") Hahaha. I spent the morning helping him pack and then I took the baby to get his 3 month professional pics taken. I even got a shot or two with his Halloween costume on....pricesless!

After the photo shoot session my BFF and I went shopping and had dinner with her hubs. Now I'm home chillaxin with Carson and catching up on the shows I've missed on our DVR. This has been a WONDERFUL Saturday. The only thing missing is Kenny! But I know he is doing what he loves...sitting in a tree listening to nature and breathing fresh air!!!

First Autumn Walk

2009-09-30T17:31:00.002-04:00

It's been a rough few days to say the least. I dreaded going back to work every day that it drew closer, but I never imagined how hard it would be when it really happened. I'll spare you the teary details, but I'll just say that it's not fair. And yes, I know life isn't fair. But I can still feel this way. And that's that.

Yesterday was a GORGEOUS autumn day in Michigan, the kind that makes you think about the furnace but you're not quite ready for it. A nice fleece blanket will make it all better. The sun was shining, the air was chilly but smelled so good, like fall!! Ooooh! My favorite time of year. I bundled up the baby and we went for a 2 mile stroll. It was awesome, and here he is all warm and toasty in his stroller as I walked.

The Other Side

2009-09-25T16:55:00.004-04:00

I'm going back to work on Monday. Not prepared mentally or physically (LONG days with 1st/2nd graders!!!) to work again not to mention facing the fact of not being with Carson all day. But the fact that I have to face is that I AM going to work and that's just all there is to it. So, who is going to be with my baby?? Grandma O, Grandma L, and we hired a nanny. She will be here 2 days a week for 6 hours.

I used to BE the nanny. When I was in high school I babysat for extra money and in college I did too. Then after I graduated I was a substitute teacher and a nanny for a while. I loved it. The baby I took care of was Carson's age right now, and it was the perfect job for me. Well now I'm on the other side of things, I'm HIRING the nanny. It's such a strange feeling, telling someone how to prepare bottles (she actually already knows because she is extremely experienced with kids/babies) but I told her anyway because it made me feel better! I'm super grateful that my mom and my MIL are also going to be watching Carson on other days when I'm at work and Kenny is downstairs in his office working. That's another thing that I'm thankful for...the fact that Kenny is going to be working at home while our moms and the nanny are here....We really have so much to be thankful for here, and I don't mean to sound whiney or bratty about going back to work. I don't mind working, I would just rather do it from home like my hubby or get to see my baby throughout the day. I would GLADLY trade places with Kenny if I could.

The whole time our nanny was here today listening to me ramble on and on about Carson's day and what his needs are, I know what she was thinking...she was silently rolling her eyes and not really listening to me, just pretending to. She already knows how to take care of babies (as I did at her age) and she could probably figure out where the extra diapers were (as I could have when I was a nanny) and so on. But now, I know why the mom I used to work for spent so much time telling me where things were and explaining baby-related things to me: because she didn't want to leave her baby and go to work and it was her way of keeping one foot in the door when she wasn't there with her baby. It's like this...if I give her instructions, then things will probably get done the way I do them with Carson (and if they don't, no bog deal, but at least let me think they are so I don't feel left out of his happenings every day) and I'll still feel like I'm part of his life when I'm not there.

I know that I'm his momma and that no one can take that away from me. I know that I'm one of millions of moms that has to work outside the house. All this I know. It doesn't change the fact that come Monday morning, when I kiss his cheeks goodbye as he sleeps in his crib, it might just be the hardest thing I've ever had to do. And there is nothing in any baby book that prepares me for being on the other side.

11 Weeks

2009-09-21T08:56:00.003-04:00

We've been busy. I have probably said it before, but I think I have tendencies to be more busy when I'm not going to work every day versus when I am working. And speaking of work, I go back in a week. Not happy about it. Not sleeping over it. Just not taking it well in general, and that's all I say about it.

Carson is 11 weeks old today! Happy 11 weeks baby! What a joy these 11 weeks have been. Crazy to think how something so little brings so much happiness to your life. Not that we had a shortage before he was born, but he just makes everything that much sweeter.

I spent about 8 hours away from Carson on Saturday working with Kenny and that was the longest I've been away from him. It was hard to concentrate at times, and the 50 minute drive how was excruciating. Then I scooped him from my mom's arms and just loved on him. Working is going to suck:(

Kenny has been super busy with work lately, which is good because it will be an awesome winter because of it! Can you believe I started Christmas shopping? Nutty, eh? I guess it's not so crazy, it's almost October. Kenny and I said we wouldn't buy Carson toys for birthdays and Christmas because we're sure people will be buying those items all the time for him. So far, that's worked. I've bought tons of books, but no toys. Until last week. I was grocery shopping at wallyworld and just happened to "accidentally" stumble upon the Christmas toyland they have going there already. Ooops. I bought some bath toys and a leapfrog brand toy that teaches letter sounds. It's not "really" a toy because there's learning involved. Would you expect less than that from a teacher? Heh. I'll get him books too. And yes, I know he won't know what Christmas is and that he wouldn't even be able to open presents (probably, not really sure though!) so it's a waste, but these are things I would buy for him anyway, I'll just wrap them up and put them under the tree. I'm sure all you moms out there did the same thing on your baby's first Christmas!

Our dog has taken to the baby so well! She loves him, looks for him in the house, and then usually snipes a lick on his face before I can intercept her tongue. That's the only thing that I don't like about her with the baby, the licking! Ew! But guess if Carson doesn't cry, it's okay. I usually take a baby wipe to his face when the dog licks her, but in all honesty, those germs are just going to be there, so oh well. The dog is permanent fixture in this family! She's our "first" baby! I feel like I haven't given her enough attention on the blog lately, so here's some cute pics of her on the boat a couple weekends ago, with her favorite uncle, Al.

I'm off to pick up some things for my grandma, take a walk with the neighbor and our babies in strollers, and then tonight a family dinner to see my cousin who is here visiting. Fun! Have a great week! Here are a few more boat pics.....

S L E E P

2009-09-14T18:40:00.002-04:00

I'm getting it. A lot of it. Not bragging, just saying, I'm sleeping over 8 hours a night. I don't know how long this phase will last but I'm not questioning it, just enjoying! Carson started sleeping through the night almost 2 weeks ago. I moved him from the bassinett to the crib and he stopped waking up for a nighttime bottle. Just like that. So he usually falls asleep between 730 and 9pm every night, and wakes up between 7 and 8am. I'm SO loving that!! He's 10 weeks old today (not even a newborn anymore.....OMG!!!) and I have no idea if sleeping through the night is normal for that age or not, but it's happening and I love it! When I start back to work, I hope the phase isn't really a phase, that it's the real thing. I'm assuming my sleep bubble will burst here at some point, but it's nice while it lasts!

Shots & Planners

2009-09-10T17:52:00.003-04:00

We survived the two month shots! Carson is in the 70th percentile for height and weight, and he weighs 12 pounds and is 23 1/2 inches long. The pediatrician says he's the strongest baby she's ever seen and is very impressed that he's holding his head up and so active already. Yay! Here he is napping in the boppy, sleeping FINALLY after crying and crying until his tears ran dry after the shots....I gave him a little baby tylenol and it seemed to make him feel better. See his battle wounds?? The yellow bandaids....

I bought a planner today. A PLANNER. I have never really needed one, but seeing as though I am going back to work at the end of the month and Kenny is SUPER busy every single day and even on the weekends, plus appointments and everything else, I broke down and bought a planner. I work with Kenny on the weekends (along with my BFF) so keeping everything straight in my head hasn't been working lately. I forget so much. And Kenny took over my calendar....that's why I forgot to give the dog her heart worm pill....bad mommy! I just can't remember everything!

Here are a couple shots I took recently. I was playing around with the windows vista editing tools and here's what I came up with!

Bye Bye Summer

2009-09-08T17:58:00.005-04:00

Summer is always over for teachers when we go back to work a week or so before the students. In my case this year, I'm not going back to work until the end of the month (maternity leave) so summer should technically still be happening for me. Even though I'm still home, it's over. Gone. Done. When we came back from the lake house last night, I felt it. I'm sad because it was a great summer, not in the "went on lots of vacations and relaxed" sense, but the fact that we had Carson and all this time with him has made it one of the best summers ever. He is just the best gift we could have ever received from God! Anyway, I'm thankful for the summer but sad that it's over. I'm sadly counting down the days until I'll have to go back to work. But I'm sure every working momma goes through that. If only it weren't needing that health insurance...but it's the way it has to be!

Carson is 2 months old! Here he is in all his baby glory. Just so cute!

We had our garage sale on Friday and Saturday and moved a TON of Kenny's stuff out. I mean A TON. I'm so proud of him for deciding to get rid of stuff. Even though I hate clutter and don't keep many things that I don't need, I NEVER harp on him or complain about his "stuff." It comes with the territory if you know what I mean and I knew what I was getting into when we bought our house. I had years to adjust to it before we got married, therefore, I never complain about his stuff, I just move it around or try to work around it when I need to. It's part of his job and that's just the way it is. One day, in the future, when we find our dream house, he will have a separate pole barn or garage or just an "out" building to call his own, and that will house all his stuff. But for now, I am just very proud of his attempt and uncluttering and throwing out. He feels like he didn't move much stuff out, but looking at it from my point of view with no attatchment to the stuff, he did an OUTSTANDING job! There is room to breath in the garage now! He kept saying that we needed to make room for the baby's toys for next summer, music to my ears! I am enjoying every single minute of this baby's babiness, but I am also excited thinking about Carson running around the backyard and playing next year. Oh the goosebumps! Love it! Back to the garage sale.....we made a good $750 and we're putting that towards a new digital camcorder. We have been using our digital cameras to take videos of Carson so far, and they have worked just fine, but we're on to bigger and better things now! If any of you have a digital camcorder or any advice about which ones to get or not get, pass it on!

Happy "Back to School" to any of you who are now back to teaching or learning this week!

Getting ready for a garage sale

2009-09-02T14:05:00.004-04:00

SCARY is how my backyard is to be described right now. Kenny decided to "clean out the garage" on Sunday and he's still not done. Funny thing is, he started Sunday midday (I was against this from the start because he RARELY FINISHES ANYTHING) and when he "took a break" Sunday evening, he never finished. And yes, most of the crap in the backyard and driveway is going to be in the garage sale we're having this weekend, and if it doesn't sell, it's going to the curb, but I have had to look at this INSANE mess all week and it's anxiety causing, let me tell you. Our sale is starting Friday and I can't wait to get it all set up tomorrow and have it GONE! AHHHHHHHHHHHH! Keep your fingers crossed for me that Kenny will really allow things to be thrown out afterwards. I need this!

Today is day 4 on Phase 2 of Southbeach. I skipped Phase 1. It's just too hard to go from normal eating to Phase 1. So I am on Phase 2 which is basically carb free except for some crackers and fruit, which are good carbs. I need to jump start this weight loss or I'll get frustrated!!! I've also been walking with my neighbor who had a c-section 7 weeks before I did. She also had a boy, so we stroll with our babes feel the burn! I think we're up to over 2 miles, and it feels so great to be back to exercising. Today I went to the gym and did a modified version of my old routine. Treadmill for 30 minutes (used to be about 45) and several weight training machines, a couple on upper body and a couple on lower. I didn't do many reps on each, and I won't until I work up my endurance again. Although when I jogged today I lasted more than I thought possible. The true test will be how I feel tonight and in the morning. I decided to blog about getting back into shape and use it as motivation to keep going....if I don't write about it for a while, ask me about it so I have to answer to someone! I WANT and NEED to be held accountable. I lost 30 pounds doing Southbeach in 2006 and I've kept it off with exercise, and my goal is to lose another 30 pounds once I'm back to pre-baby weight. So that's the deal on eating/working out, I can't believe I wrote so much about it, now I HAVE to make it happen else!!

For two days now Carson has taken a nap in the morning, a longer nap in the afternoon, and fell asleep at 830pm on his own. He has always taken naps, but yesterday and today they were the same times each day, and that has never happened! So maybe he's starting to put himself on a schedule? He's 8 weeks old, and I've heard that by three months lots of babies are on some kind of self-made schedule. Maybe this is the beginning of that???

Some unrelated pictures....

About to cry in the bumbo......

Enjoying a bath!

Hangin' in the bumbo NOT crying....he looks sad but he really was happy, I promise!

Rainy Day

2009-08-31T00:06:00.002-04:00

Saturday morning brought rain, and this is what was going on in our house....

Because it was rainy, we weighed our options and thought about where we would rather spend a rainy day....at home, or the lake house....so we went to the lake. Why stay home when the view at the lake is better, even with the rain?? So we went. And it was chilly, but a few hours there is always good to recharge. Here is one of the ONLY pictures of all three of us. I'm going to change that soon, and get some more pics of all of us....especially since Carson is smiling so often now!

While Kenny dinked around outside preparing to go fishing, Carson and I snuggled inside and he cooed away and I got some cute pictures of course! He's so animated and happy all the time so his personality is easy to capture. He's so loveable!

Work

2009-08-28T00:31:00.003-04:00

My classroom is finally put together. I threw away SO MUCH stuff away and I had the mind set that less was better, and I think it's the best classroom setup I've ever done. This will be my 8th year of teaching and every year I don't change my room around too much, however this year, I just minimized. And it looks and feels great! I took Carson with me on Tuesday and struggled with accomplishing the setup, so Wednesday I left him with my MIL and went in for a full day and got it all done. I HATED leaving the baby in the morning but I know he was in good hands and I thought about him continuously for about 3 hours. And then I focused on work and all was good. His cute little face kept popping up in my head and I would count down the hours to go home and kiss his face. Before I knew it I was home and holding him! So I guess I survived a work day away from him, so when I do go back to work, I should be able to handle it. Boohoo:(

I have a DVR confession....the latest obsession I have and MUST watch on a daily basis.....

Little House on the Prairie!

This has been going on for about a month now. I get 2 new episodes a day to watch and I can't wait to sink into my chair every night and enjoy!

My new favorite picture:

Chili Recipe

2009-08-23T11:07:00.003-04:00

The chili I made the other day R O C K E D !!!!!!!! I've never made chili before and Kenny said I hit a homerun the first time! Yay! The recipe I followed comes from The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook....

Serves: 6 to 8
Advance Prep Time: 30 minutes
Slow Cooker Time: 6-7 hours on low, 4-5 hours on high

2 tablespoons
vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped medium
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped medium
1/4 cup chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt
6 garlic cloves (I used garlic powder instead)
2 pounds ground beef (85% lean) (I used 93% and it worked just fine)
1 can tomato puree (28 ounces)
1 can diced tomatoes (28 ounces)
2 cans red kidney beans (15.5 ounces)
Pepper

1. Heat oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add onions, bell pepper, chili powder, cumin, cayenne and salt. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are soft. Stir in garlic and cook for about 15 seconds.

2. Add the beef and increase the heat to medium high. Cook while breaking up the beef until no longer pink for about 10 minutes.

3. Stir in the tomato puree and diced tomatoes with their juice, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer, then pour into the slow cooker.

4. Cover and cook, on either low or high, until the meat is tender, 6 to 7 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high. Stir in the beans during the last hour of cooking. Before serving, season with salt and pepper to taste.

My tips.....we always use the 93/7 lean meat, and it worked just fine. I HATE garlic, which is why I refused to put chopped garlic in it and used a TEENY bit of garlic powder. I used the crock pot on high and it was ready in about 3 hours, obviously that will depend on your crock pot! One more thing, we didn't use cayenne pepper because I couldn't find it in the store, so we used regular pepper instead. I know cayenne is hotter than regular, and neither of us like hot stuff, but if you do, use the cayenne! It was seriously the BEST chili ever!!! Oh yeah, I took american cheese slices and layed on the top of the bowl of chili was it was still piping hot before we ate it and YUM YUM YUM!!!! Next time I will double the recipe so it lasts longer:)

Grrrr

2009-08-21T12:42:00.004-04:00

Lori was right, I didn't get much done in my classroom yesterday. I had Carson with me and even though there were other people around occupying him, I still didn't get half of what I had expected to finish done. The other reason was because everything in my cupboards and shelves was pulled out and stacked all over the furniture in attempt to "clean" the shelves. Who does that???? I don't need my storage shelves cleaned!! They are completely covered so there's no place for dust or anything! That basically set me back a good 8 hours on top of the baby being with me. So next week instead of taking him with me both days, I'm leaving him with Grandma for one day so I can get that room back in shape. I purposely didn't take much down in June so I wouldn't have so much to do now and then my room gets ripped apart.....grrrrrr. Not happy!

I tried a new recipe for chili today in the crock pot. Let me correct myself, I TRIED A RECIPE. I can't say I tried a new one when I've never tried one before...ever! It's cooking as we speak, so we'll see how it turns out in about 4-6 hours. It was super easy except for the fact that as soon as I slice open the onion my eyes poured out tears and burned so badly I had to continue chopping onions on the patio, no joke, it was that bad. Other than that, we'll see how it turns out. If it's good, I'll post the recipe. That will make me feel like I've contributed to womanhood!

Now for the the important stuff, baby pictures:

6 Week Pictures

2009-08-19T23:37:00.007-04:00

Oooooooohhhh I swear I'm more busy being home on maternity leave/summer vacation than I am during the school year. Sheesh. But I'm not complaining, busy is good!

Yesterday I took Carson for his 6 week pictures....our first professional pics other than our friend who took his newbie pics in the hospital. When I called to schedule his appointment, they told me to choose a time when he was sleeping so we could "mold" him for the pictures. So I chose 1pm since he usually sleeps all afternoon. Was he sleeping at that time when the camera started to roll? OF COURSE NOT! And he wasn't just happy baby boy like he usually is, he was pissy, like GIVE ME THAT BOTTLE NOW pissy. Ugh. The upside was that we got a couple shots of him smiling, okay, really only one good smiling shot, but still, it was worth it. Anyway, the here are some of my favorites. I'm already excited about the next photo shoot!

He was NOT having any of the naked shots.....guess he's a little self conscious!!

I'm actually going to work tomorrow. With Carson! Our professional development has already started, and tomorrow teachers get the whole day in their rooms. So I'm going to work in my room and hopefully get it all set up for the sub when the kids come back in September. Not sure how taking the baby with me to work is going to be, hopefully I will be able to get some things done while I'm there!!! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Sunday is not a day of rest

2009-08-16T23:24:00.003-04:00

Before I talk about my day, jump on over to Lori's blog and send her hugs and prayers for her fur baby....her dog is sick and elderly, and she's facing a tough choice and can use all the prayers she can get!!

Sundays are supposed to be a day of rest, right? Not so much around here. Kenny planned on working all day (yes, even in this blessed heat & humidity) and I was going to go through paperwork looking for a trailer title that Kenny misplaced OVER A YEAR AGO so we can sell it and get a new one, that was my motivation for finding it! Anyhoo, I ended up going over to one of my bestie's places to see her new house, and ended up taking a carload of stuff to her new home. All of a sudden it was 7pm! Ah! Time flies! Carson was a dream baby all day long as usual, and cooperated through the packing and visiting!

Tomorrow is the start of professional development at my school, this year there is THREE WEEKS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Why, you ask? I'm still wondering, I'm so irritated that it's three weeks long, as is all my coworkers. Anyway, I'm not going back to work until September 28th because I just had Carson, so on one hand I'm excited that I still have 6 weeks at home with my baby. On the other hand, beginning a school year and not being there leads to issues....I'm not even sure how many issues, but they will be there. I am going in for a few days next week for some new training so I won't be completely in the dark when I go back. It feels so strange knowing that for teachers, school starts tomorrow, and I won't be there. This is my 8th year of teaching, and I'm so programmed to that lifestyle....it just feels crazy. I am blessed and thankful for my job, and I LOVE teaching, however sometimes I wish I could stay home with my little man. I'm sure I'll be a mess when I have to go back in 6 weeks. Don't even want to think about that yet!

I've babbled on long enough tonight! Off to bed, temporarily....still getting up every 3 hours to feed the kid! I have to admit though, I love that time with him when the house is quiet and I hear Kenny and the dog softly snoring. There's something very sweet and rewarding about that. I'm sure I won't be so fond of it when I go back to work, but right now, any time spending holding my cute little chipmunk is awesome!

Smiley Sounds

2009-08-15T09:39:00.003-04:00

These are some pretty cute sounds.....

My Baby Smiles!

2009-08-12T10:25:00.005-04:00

He's been smiling for a while now, I just haven't caught it on film. Here he is!! He smiles a lot, especially if you talk in that high pitched voice. His mouth goes crazy smilin' so much!

Sunday we celebrated my dad and my cousin's birthday....Happy Birthday boys!! Here's another 4 generation shot and another pic of my grandma holding her great-grandson. We take these pictures every single chance we can get, they are precious!

Carson kept me up all night last night. He would eat, burp, sleep for an hour (not a full hour) and then be up again. Holy crap am I tired. Kenny had to get up to work this morning so I finally gave up trying to get the baby to sleep in the basinet and moved him to the swing in a move of desperation. It didn't work. I swaddled him, found the 40th binky that hadn't been shot out of his mouth, and laid him on the couch next to me. Just about the time the sun came up, he fell asleep. Me? Up for the day at that point. And let me tell you, I've done pretty good in the last 5 weeks on little sleep, but this morning? Not so good. I have the sleep deprived headache going on. Ugh. And my little guy is just bouncin' and cooin' away in his bouncy seat, oblivious to how sleepy I am!!! Any advice from you mommas about how to keep him sleeping longer? He eats 4 ounces during a feeding, and usually during the night it's every 2 hours, maybe once in a while I'll get 3 hours, but not lately. I'm sure it's par for the course, but if you have any thoughts, throw them my way!

Yesterday I spent some time with Tasha and her crew. They got to meet Carson and Alanna loved on him! Her baby, Ben, is now 1 and he is a cutie! I was impressed how happy he woke up from his nap. Tasha made BLT pizza for lunch, YUM! I know she put the recipe on her blog a while back, check it out if you have time cause it was scrumptious!

Off to try to catch some more sleep if it's possible while my cute little baldy baby isn't looking!

Check out Tasha's giveaway!

Time Flies!

2009-08-07T21:59:00.001-04:00

Carson turned 1 month yesterday. Holy crap!

FINALLY

2009-08-04T08:47:00.003-04:00

We finally made it to 8am. As is, having a bottle at 11am, 1am, 4am, 6am, and then not again until 8am. And there was sleep in between 6 and 8am, on BOTH our parts (me and Carson). I have been struggling with the lack of sleep (duh, baby=no sleep), however, what was driving me nuts the most was that this little dude likes his bottle at 6am, and then he's up for the day. Me? I'm on summer vacation/maternity leave here! I want to NOT start my day that early because that's the time I leave for work 10 months of the year. I realize the baby doesn't care, but I'm new to this mommy world and I'm still believing that I can train him for those extra couple of hours...is that true experienced mommies? Anyway, we finally got to 8am. Don't let me fool you, I'm still pooped and groggy, but the accomplishment of getting to that 8am hour is overwhelming! Like I crossed the finish line and won a medal. Will it last? Who knows. But it feels good this morning! I actually did something once we got up that I fantasized about doing before Carson was born. I made his bottle, made my coffee, and took the dog and we all went outside and sat on the patio to enjoy the morning. It's going to be humid today, I can already tell, but right now our backyard is shady, cool and there are plenty of pretty flowers to look at. I have wanted to do this every morning since he was born (except on the rainy days) and just didn't have the energy or didn't have coffee (that's another story). And today, we did it! And it's so enjoyable! Carson is in his bouncy seat on the patio, I'm sitting at the table blogging and drinking coffee (he already had his bottle!!) and the dog is happily chewing on my watering can. Things are good!

I thought I would address the bottle feeding thing, Lori asked me about it through email and I wanted to write about it anyway. We are exclusively bottle feeding because I didn't produce much breast milk. About 10 years ago I had a breast reduction due to back problems and I knew that it would be challenging at best to breast feed. While I was pregnant I leaked a little, so there was hope, but when I had Carson I pumped and pumped in the hospital and got a teeny tiny drop or two of colostrum (sp?) and then when I got home I pumped several times a day and MAYBE produced 1/8 of an ounce ina day. That, to me, was no where near enough milk to spend that much time pumping. So we continued on with formula and that's my bottle story. I really gave breast feeding a try, but I have known for a while that I probably wouldn't produce the milk, so it wasn't devastating, I just accepted it and he is doing fine on formula!

Here's a picture of the roses Kenny suprised me with on Sunday. They really are the most beautiful red roses I've ever seen. They are different, a deeper red and velvety, unlike any red roses I've ever seen before. The picture doesn't capture the beauty, but it just makes my heart sing when Kenny does cute stuff like this. He is such a good husband!

Visitors

2009-08-03T09:16:00.004-04:00

We had a busy day yesterday with family. So may visitors to see Carson! Most everyone has already met him but they can't stay away for long! My grandma is 88 and is now a great-grandma, and very proud of that! She held Carson several times yesterday, a perfect picture opportunity. The second picture is a 4 generation shot, priceless!

Kenny surprised me with 2 dozen roses yesterday in honor of the baby being exactly 4 weeks old already. I can't believe he's already that old, not that it's old, but it seems like just yesterday my water broke. Time is flying by! Everyone said it would and it is.

This is a typical scene in our house now....Kenny working and Carson napping next to him. Oh the joys of self employment....there are some perks in it like this!

A few more pics....

Lovin' Mommahood

2009-07-31T22:29:00.002-04:00

I am so lovin' this motherhood gig. Seriously, I can't think of anything other than marrying my hubs and spending my life with him better than being Carson's momma. Tasha once told me while I was prego that the worries you have while carrying the baby in your tummy don't even compare to the worries that you have as soon as the belly becomes a baby. And she is right. There are constant worries, however, I look at his happy chubby cheeks and know that if he's not crying, he must be happy. I must be doing things right so far....we still have a long way to go and lots to learn, but right now, he's happy and we just love him to pieces. What an incredible gift he is! I know any minute he's going to wake up and cry for a bottle, and I will get the pleasure of snuggling with him in the rocking chair that Kenny bought us and feed him, listening to his sweet squeaks and teeny noises while he eats, and then rocking him back to sleep. I look forward to that, even if I'm not done posting on my blog or doing whatever it is that I do when he sleeps. Even if I'm sleeping, I love feeding him and cuddling him and rocking him. I know that he won't be small for long, and I'm taking every opportunity to drink in his newborn babiness because it won't last forever.

Carson went shopping today and out to lunch...a busy day for a 3 1/2 week old baby, but I am a momma on the move! The shopping was just to JoAnn Fabrics to get some fabric for a baby ring sling. My aunt is making us one! I can't wait to use it! I helped Kenny work in his office today and I put Carson in the baby wearing contraption that I bought at Target and he LOVED it. I tried it out when he was a week old but he was still too little, but now it works perfectly! I see why so many mommas love to baby wear!

I promise to come and visit and COMMENT blogs more often, just had to get adjusted to this new lifestyle, but I'm feeling like normal Lindsey again, so I will be dropping by more often!

More new pics to come tomorrow!

TGIF!

A Post Where I Don't Talk About The Baby

2009-07-28T12:10:00.002-04:00

We have had a special treatment done to our dog BB twice now. It's called the Furminator, and it's a special sharp comb/brush thing that she is brushed with at the dog grooming place. It pulls out oodles and oodles of hair, more than any average brush or comb could. It's amazing! At least the first time it was. The second time we had it done in April, it didn't work as well. I'm not sure if it was the timing with her shedding or what, but I wasn't happy with the results. So the other day I was talking to a neighbor who had their lab at Petsmart and got the same treatment, but it was much more expensive than the dog grooming place we took BB to. I went into Petsmart and talked to the groomers there about it, and ended up buying the actual Furminator comb. It comes in 3 sizes, I got the medium size for $33, and yesterday I tried it out. The picture on the package shows a dog laying on the floor surrounded by its hair after being combed, and I'm telling you THAT REALLY HAPPENS!! Our entire front yard was coated with BB's hair. I combed her for about 30 minutes and she looks about 10 pounds thinner! I can't even believe how much hair this thing pulls off her! If you have a shedding dog, this is the best thing ever! After I was done combing her, she got a bath (in Kenny's shower of course, NOT mine!) and looks like a new dog, and smells like one too! It's been way to long that BB hasn't been cleaned, plus a few lake days in there made for one smelly dog!! Here's the website, check it out! I'm not selling this or anything, just a big fan!

20 Days and Counting!

2009-07-26T22:08:00.004-04:00

(Yes, the onezie says "Dad Won Me On Ebay"....we couldn't resist!!)

I have started an entry SEVERAL times in the last week but a certain little someone (itty bitty little guy who demands food every couple of hours) has seen to it that I do not get computer time in! But he's so worth it. Anyway, I can't believe he'll be 3 weeks old already tomorrow. I feel like I was just wheeled in for that c-section. Ugh.

Anyway, he's still doing wonderfully! He's up every 2-3 hours at night for food and usually goes right back to sleep. He's still sleeping tons during the day but today he was awake and playing for more hours than normal. I'm hoping that means more sleeping hours at night? I'm not counting on it but here's to hoping.

Kenny has been graciously giving me outs every day on my own, and I don't go far, just to Starbucks or Michaels or somewhere to get away for a half hour. Believe me, it's making a WORLD of difference in how I'm handling this new life. I battled depression years ago over a certain incident and they say if you have ever dealt with depression in your life, when you have a baby you are much more prone to post partum depression, more than just the normal baby blues. So Kenny and I have been on the same program to keep me from having that, and I must say we are doing a great job! He has never once mentioned needing a break from either me or Carson, but tonight I have him one and made him go play golf for a little while. When he was pulling out of the driveway I had Carson in his stroller and the dog on her leash and we were just beginning a walk. Kenny drove along side of us for a block and yelled through the window of the truck that everything important in his life was right there on that sidewalk....what a guy! Don't worry, he's not always that sappy, but it's cute when he is!

This week Carson recognized many things....my face, Kenny's voice and I think his face too, he's been smiling a little, not sure if it's gas or what, but I'll take those toothless grins anytime! He's cooing and making lots of movements with his arms and legs and loves to flail around when he's laying on the floor or in his swing. He's an active little dude as he was in my tummy!

I could go on and on about the cuteness, but I'll leave you with pictures....that's all anyone really wants to see anyway, right??

Kisses from Dad

Kisses from Mom

Love from Grandma O

Sounds in my house

2009-07-18T10:14:00.006-04:00

I woke up from a nap yesterday to discover Kenny working with Carson in his carseat next to him. It was adorable! Carson is usually awake for a little while each morning and quite active and alert (he was very overdue!!) and this is the show we get every day. Then he goes right back to napping, so far, his favorite pasttime. I love watching his teeny arms and hands wave around. When I look over in the bassinet at night, if I catch him just before he cries to be fed, I'll see an arm or two waving around. What an amazingly sweet picture!

This was this morning, while Kenny was out and about working, Carson and I chilled out on the couch (I was on the couch, not him). He is so content in that bouncy seat and looks all around. It's crazy to think that everything he sees is new to him.

Last night Kenny and I went on a date. My inlaws watched Carson for a couple hours. We went to applebees for dinner and it was so much fun, of course we talked about the baby the whole time, but also how our lives have changed and how we are so happy to be parents and loving this little guy. And get this....I missed Carson a lot, and I asked Kenny if he did, and he said not that much, but guess who called his mom to check on the baby during dinner?? Yup, you guessed right, it wasn't me!

More pics to drool over....

He has discovered his fingers already!!

New Mommyville 101

2009-07-15T22:22:00.004-04:00

Am I ever learning! And crying! And laughing! And loving! And thankful every single day for this new little person in our lives. I am exhausted, but not because I don't have the opportunity to sleep, I have it, right after Carson eats he goes back to sleep at night, but I can't sleep. I'm so tired and I lay in bed and only half sleep. Not the restful kind, the worrisome kind that makes me constantly check on the baby. Then I nestle back into the crook of Kenny's arm and pray to sleep, and it just doesn't happen. Speaking of the crook of Kenny's arm, I haven't been in it for almost 9 months because I was pregnant and had to sleep with a body pillow, which eliminated any change of making it into that crook. But I'm back. And loving it!

I've had some funny funny moments lately. Yesterday I spent the day with Kenny (and I had the baby with me of course). I needed to be out of the house (going STIR CRAZY) working....I basically just put the baby in the stroller and was with him, sitting most of the time while people cooed over how cute the baby is. Then we went out to lunch with one of his coworkers, then to the baby's check-up, and then to Costco. This is when I lost it. I was feeding Carson his bottle in the back of the truck while Kenny went to get a cart. When he came back, Carson had projectile vomitted all over me and I was balling. He momentarily cried, but I wailed. Kenny thought something was wrong with the baby, but it was me that needed comforting. I lost it for a couple of minutes. I just needed a break for a minute. So after Costco, Kenny insisted that I go to the bookstore and get a coffee and read People cover to cover. And I did. I cried the whole way there and after 50 minutes, I felt guilty for being away from my boys and made a mad dash home and cried when I got home because I missed them so much. Then I felt like normal again. FINALLY. Kenny and I got a little bit of alone time then, which I'm really missing right now, and things were better. Whew! I'm starting to get the hang of this! Go to flickr on the sidebar for some new pictures. He is adorable!!

Labor Story

2009-07-08T20:20:00.006-04:00

I'm still in the hospital, we are getting discharged tomorrow. And I'm so ready to go home. I haven't been in my own house since we got home from the fireworks on the 4th, slept for 2 hours, and my water broke. Which reminds me to tell you the labor story. My water broke at 330am on Sunday morning. I called the doctor, she said since I was dialated at a 1 a few days prior, take my time, shower, eat breakfast, and then come in. We were there in an hour and we truly did take our time. I had contractions right away, they hurt a lot, but I was breathing through them and focusing and I knew I was going to have this baby the natural way, no epidural! By the time we got through triage and into our labor and delivery room, the contractions were 2 mintues apart and had me almost on my knees in tears and screaming with pain. That was about 630am. So I asked for an epidural, and I got one within the hour. That meant that I had to labor in bed though, no hottub or showers. I was bummed, but at the same time RELIEVED that the worst pain I had ever felt in my life wasn't happening. So I labored through the "easy" contractions and as the day progressed, I labored through the painful ones, ones that felt nearly as bad as the contractions I had before the epidural. I was continously dialating, but very slowly. By 2pm, my OB mentioned the word c-section and I very promptly told her that wasn't an option, that I was going to vaginally deliver this baby, I could be patient and take the contractions as they came, I was prepared to be in labor for as long as it took. By 10pm, after major pain even with the epidural, I was dialated between an 8 and 9 and I was feeling the pressure "in your bottom" that I had been told was the pressure that meant pushing was close! The nurse told me it would be about an hour before I could start pushing. I knew I could hang in there, especially with the end in sight! I got that extra burst of energy despite being completely exhausted and I felt like I was rejuvinated with the nurse's comments of pushing soon. Then the doctor came in and changed all my positive thinking. I admit that I was super tired and worn, I admit that I was in pain even with the epi, but I was not going to give up or give in, and when the doctor said I had been in labor too long and that she strongly recommends a c-section, I completely lost it. I have never been so upset in my whole life, and even thinking about it now, I get upset all over again. She said it was my choice, but I truly felt like I didn't have one. I swore up and down and screamed that I hadn't gone almost 2 weeks past my due date and labored for 20 hours to get this close and then be told that a c-section was needed. The baby was not in distress and neither was I. Both of us were continually monitored on the screens all day, so they knew we were both fine. I threw a fit and was left alone with my mom and Kenny to cry it out. Kenny was sick of seeing me in pain and wanted me to have the c-section, he couldn't take it anymore and wanted it to be over. I was crushed. I didn't want to have a major surgery, especially in that situation, and that's what I got. I have never cried harder in my life as they prepped me for surgery. I was shaking and couldn't stop the weeping. I was resentful towards the doctor and scared shitless of being sliced open after having seen c-sections and hearing my friends talk about the healing process and how painful it was. I have to honestly say that that was the lowest feeling I have ever experienced in my life during those moments. Kenny kept reminding me that we would have our baby in a few minutes and it would all be over, all the stresses of being overdue on my body would be gone, the pain of labor and contractions would be gone. I knew that was true, but I was still not thinking clearly......pain killers and major surgery will do that to you! So I kissed my mom and they wheeled my balling body into the OR, a place I NEVER want to see again. I cried through the whole surgery, even with Kenny right there by my side. Then came the baby, what the goal was all day, to have our son in our arms. I heard his teeny little cry before they lifted him out of my stomach at 12:35am. Then all of a sudden the doctor was holding his little body up so we could see the first glimpse of our baby, at last. Kenny was in shock and awe, he was SO HAPPY. I was happy that the baby was out, but still focused on the fact that I was cut open and 45 minutes from being put back together. Kenny took pictures of the baby and I cried, from happiness of the baby, exhaustion, anxiety, and still anger of the surgery. I remember every single second of the c-section, even when I try not to remember. In recovery I saw Kenny and my mom and the baby, who was wide awake, in his bassinet next to me. I just kept looking at him and crying and I was still shaking from the drugs from surgery. I got to feed Carson right away, which felt strange and wonderful all at the same time. It hadn't set in yet that he was really our baby. After a long time in recovery, my mom went home and it was just Kenny and I. I remember getting sick a few times, and then they wheeled us to the mother/baby unit. We had barely slept in 2 days, plus I wasn't able to breastfeed yet, so the baby went to the nursery and I think we fell asleep from exhaustion around 6am Monday morning. I woke up first around 8am, still groggy and very swollen and just feeling wierd. Kenny woke up a little while later and I have never seen him so happy. He started talking about what an awesome experience it was to see Carson for the first time and how he never could have imagined how it would feel, but it was the best feeling in the world. It was amazing to hear him babble on about watching his son being born, and then he told me how worried and scared he was watching me in labor and surgery, and how proud he was of me for going through it all and how THANKFUL he was that I did it for our baby. What a moment that was. And then he told me that before our parents arrived he wanted to get me into a wheel chair and outside into the sunshine because I needed to get out of the hospital setting for a moment, which of course he was right! So he took me (after the nurses put me in the chair and got me the IV pole and all that stuff) and we went outside to the courtyard in the sun. I will never forget that as long as I live. We just kept saying over and over again how awesome it was that Carson was here and even though he didn't get here the way we had hoped, it didn't matter because he was healthy and I was too. It was one of those moments in life that make you forget about all the bad stuff and really just take it all in. Then our parents started to arrive to meet the baby (my mom had already met him when he was born) and I got some more doses of pain killers so I was blurry the rest of the day. Kenny stayed in the hospital with me until yesterday and he went home to get the house ready and grocery shop and get some work done before we come home Thursday. Carson is perfect. He is cute and sweet and smells good and I absolutly get it when people say you fall in love instantly. You really do! I still have lots of bad feelings about having the c-section, and even though it was probably the right decision, it was not an easy moment to get through and thinking about it, I get upset all over again. But it brought Carson into this world safely and he wasn't in distress and just needed to get here, so it was the right thing to do, and for that, I would do it all over again! My mom emailed me my baby picture.....now compare it to Carson's baby picture....see any resemblance??? Look at the chins!

Here's the Baby

2009-07-07T19:43:00.003-04:00

Carson Riley Alan

Born 7/6/09

8 lbs 1 oz

20 inches

iiiiiiiin labor

2009-07-05T22:15:00.006-04:00

My water broke at330am this morning! I took a shower and Kenny put our stuff in the truck and we were off, VERY excited and thankful that this was going to be over and we would have our baby soon! It's now 1030pm, I've been in labor for almost 20 hours. It has been a long day to say the least, and we dialated to an 8. This baby is so stubborn but I'm just not giving up on vaginal delivery. I WILL push this baby out!

Kenny and myparents and his have been here to support me through this. Hopefully there will be baby news!

41 Weeks and Holding

2009-07-01T10:06:00.003-04:00

I never thought I would make it this far. But I have. Doctor's appointment today to check fluids and more gel. Yipeee!

Kenny's Birthday

2009-06-29T22:28:00.003-04:00

Dear Kenny,

Happy Happy Happy Birthday to my sweet, cute, adorably (sp?), attentive and very hyper husband. I love you beyond the limit, even (and especially) when you are absolutely crazy. I'm so sorry that we spent 3 hours in the doctor's office today, on your birthday, and then were sent to the hospital for unnecessary testing only to find out that the baby is completely fine, just 5 days overdue. I know you were holding out for our son to be born today, on your birthday, because it would mean that the waiting was over, but alas, he has your dramatic streak, and has decided to stay put until the last possible moment, 42 weeks gestation, which is NEXT Monday (and we are scheduled to be induced Monday evening). I know you are hoping for Tuesday (7-7-09) because that is the dog's birthday, and you will only have to remember one date for the both of them. I know you loved your presents and your chocolatey chocolate cake, and you especially loved the fact that we were together all day driving around just being us. You are my rock, especially lately when I fall apart every day because I'm so swollen and uncomfortable. You have been wonderful to both me and the baby for the last 41 weeks, and I know it's only going to get more exciting. Thank you for coming into my life, brightening it even when I didn't know it could get better, asking me to marry you and making me appreciate life with you every single day. I love you. Happy Birthday.

Love,
Lindsey

I Even Tried Dancing

2009-06-28T07:50:00.002-04:00

My friend Niki got married yesterday and had I not been pregnant, I would have been in her wedding. I wasn't sure I would make it to the wedding because you just never know about the timing of baby, so she knew it was possible I wouldn't make it there. Plus with the contractions I've been having, we didn't want to go too far away from the hospital. But Kenny and I ended up making the reception, which then Niki cried when we walked in because she was so happy we were there. I was SO HAPPY we were there. I actually had a hard time yesterday morning not knowing if I was going to get to see one of my BFFs get married....I just had to be there! So we went and had a great time, and, oh yeah, I DANCED. I danced to Thriller (Kenny moonwalked, oh yes, he did, and there was a cowboy hat involved too) and then the hokie pokie, the train, and a few others. I really wanted to dance to Baby Got Back and change the words to Baby Got Out, but you know how it is. Baby is still in tact and happy in my womb. It was fun feeling human again and skaking my bootie last night. It wasn't as fast as I would normally go, but it was still good and made me feel like I ran a marathon anyway. I worked off the wedding cake in no time! I've resigned to begging my baby to make his appearance. If he's happy in there, I'm happy to keep him in there a little longer. I know allowing my body to do its own thing on its own time is the best, so we're still just waiting for junior (we're not naming him Kenny, jr) to be good and ready. Poor Kenny is soooooo frustrated trying to make appointments and work around the fact that he might have to be pulled away any minute. That's one of the many drawbacks for people who run their own business alone. There's no one to pick up the slack or answer the phone when you are away! Not like he can call his boss and say he needs a few days when I have this baby! Thanks for all the well wishes and speedy labor....keep them coming! I'm actually going to work WITH Kenny today, but nothing crazy, I'll be sitting or walking slowly the whole time, it's better than wandering around the yard looking for things to water or allowing the dog to "walk me" around the block!!

Back Home

2009-06-26T22:36:00.002-04:00

We went to the doctor's office only to come back home, completely packed for the hospital! Ugh! I am still only 1 cm dialated, however, 50% effaced (sp?) which means the cervix is soft which is GOOD. They did the gel and monitored the baby while I layed there and waited.....I have nothing NICE to say about paper sheets both on top of me and below me. Ew, yuck, gross, hate them OH SO MUCH. Anyway, that monitor on my stomach for 40 minutes made me feel like I have a phobia for enclosed spaces and the room was way too hot, even the doc said it was. I kinda went a little nutty in there, like I was strapped down and couldn't move (I wasn't really strapped to anything, it was strapped to me) but all those things combined make me anxious. Kenny calmed me down by saying hilariously innappropriate things about the G I A N T cotton swabs. You can just imagine. Anyway, we left, and stuck around town for a while because I started having what I am assuming are BH contractions, I have been having them off and on for about 2 weeks, however, now they feel like strong menstrual cramps, but they are not evenly spaced out. There will be a couple, and then nothing for a couple hours. So we waited a couple hours, walked around and came home. Now that I'm home I feel the contractions again, but I am not thinking it's real labor because I can still walk and talk through them. My doctor scheduled me for 1030am Monday morning to get the gel again because she thinks it will take 2 times, plus I'm only 2 days overdue. This might be too much info for my blog, but oh well, it's out there now plus most of you have already been through this!!! So that's the daily update. No baby, he's not quite ready yet, so he's going to cook some more!

Overdue Day 1

2009-06-25T16:41:00.005-04:00

Still hanging in here. Funny how the baby tracker in the sidebar begins counting backward now....I guess it keeps track of how many days past my due date I will bake this baby!! I am still scheduled for the NST gel tomorrow afternoon and now I'm getting REALLY nervous. Oh well, nothing I can do but sit and wait. My mom came out today to hang out with me while Kenny and everyone else was busy working out of town for the day. All my BFFs are busy getting ready for Niki's wedding on Saturday, so we called in my mom to babysit me!! She arrived early (I was already napping on the couch though) and then we went to the mall to walk and eat something spicey. I took another nap when we got home because I'm hardly sleeping at all during the night, so day naps are it! Great preparation for being a momma, right?? Now I'm anxiously awaiting Kenny to come home and tell me all about his busy day. Oh yeah, and to bring home MY camera (even though he HAS HIS OWN) so I can take a picture of the beautiful new bookcase my mom just made and delivered into the baby's room this morning. She even inscribed the bottom to the baby....so cute! When I get my hands on my camera, there will be pictures of the new bookcase!!!!

Still no more dialating!!

2009-06-23T17:38:00.002-04:00

Last doctor's appointment was today. And after all the false contractions I've had I'm still only dialated 1/2 cm. Can you believe it??? My doc scheduled me for Friday to have a gel put on my cervix to help me dialate more. I have heard this is something that generally works, and in the favor of labor and not leading to C-sections, so I'm good with it. I've also heard a couple of my friends tell me it won't do anything, but it's what my doctor wants to do next, and I trust her, so on with the show! I am still feeling lots of pressure down there and the contractions, although they are hit and miss, no routine to them at all. Today I can add a little cramping to the list. This may be TMI, and maybe you're sick of hearing about baby talk, but it's literally all I can think about!! I'm sure all you mommas know what that's like, right? I'll keep updating every day and hopefully Kenny will be updating from the hospital soon with good baby news! Now I'm going to actually SIT DOWN and not move for once during this pregnancy. I can honestly say that I am going to do that now!!

2 Days Till Due Date!

2009-06-22T21:11:00.004-04:00

Still here, still prego. I'm having TONS of braxton hicks contractions, lots of major pressure down there, hoping this means soon I'll have an outside baby!!

I've been waiting to get these pictures taken until my belly was as big as Kenny's belly.....I think I waited too long, however, he IS sucking it in, so don't let him fool you!! This MIGHT be the last prego picture of me...here's to hoping!

New Favorite Thing

2009-06-20T13:45:00.002-04:00

This is my absolute FAVORITE wedding picture. We had over 380 pictures taken by the professional photographer, and dozens of pictures taken by family and friends. This one was actually done by the photographer, but it was not a staged picture. He wasn't even able to use his fancy shmancy flashes (our church was really strict with that stuff) so my dress is fuzzy white. But it perfectly captures the moment, an awesome moment in the ceremony that I will never forget. I do remember the whole ceremony, but this moment is the most precious. I'm laughing, Kenny is smiling and the reverand is smiling at both of us. It has that glow. So that's why I love it so much. I had it printed as a 16 X 20, and Kenny had it framed for me and picked it up yesterday. He already put it on the wall in our livingroom, right between two framed hockey pictures. Hehehee....those will be replaced ASAP with newborn pics I'm sure. Our wedding picture did replace the framed picture of Gordie Howe that Kenny had hanging, I feel very privileged! I was so excited when he brought this home yesterday and hung it up....my goal was for it to be on the wall before the arrival of the baby and it is! Yay!

GOOD News

2009-06-18T10:31:00.007-04:00

My Wednesday doctor's appointment was the best yet. There is progress, but it hurt like crazy to find out just how LITTLE progress there was. Let's just say that to find out I was 1/2 cm dialated, I had to grasp the edge of the table and scream in pain. That stinker is still all the way up in my ribcage, not really wanting to make an appearance yet. Anyway, the good news is those little twinges I felt last week were contractions, not much to speak of, but hey, there's progress being made. I'm due the 24th, and my next appointment (and last for my regular OBs office) is Tuesday. If they find no more substantial progression by Tuesday, I'm going to the hospital on Friday the 26th to get the gel put on my cervix. I'm sure plans change and it's all on baby time, but for the moment, I'm not feeling any closer to labor physically or mentally and so I'm counting on some kind of action maybe by NEXT weekend. That's the deal for now! Everything is good, my bp, my heart beat, his heart beat, his movements, it's all good!

Here are some pictures of how I decorated his room this week. I really didn't want to spend a bundle of dollars on stuff he won't even enjoy right now, so I used fabric (blue stars) and stretched it across 4 canvases. I found some cute (but not too baby-ish) appliques and sewed them onto the fabric (before I stretched it on the canvas) and here ya go!

I think they turned out so cute! And they aren't too baby-ish or nursery-ish. I have some really nice black picture frames with white mattes already in place to hang on the blue wall on either side of the window after we take some newborn pictures. I couldn't think of anything else to hang up there, so photographs win! That will just have to wait till he arrives. The rest of the room is put together, the swing and bassinett won't be in here for long I bet.

My mom is finishing a tall bookcase she made that will go next to the green dresser, complete with baskets and goodies to fill the shelves. We are getting an antique rocking chair reupholstered to put in front of the window, that will be here in July. Nothing like procrastinating on that, right? We have another rocking chair and my rocking leather recliner in the livingroom to keep me happy until the antique one is done. And that's about it! His room isn't themed out, it's just bits and pieces of cute things. Easily changeable when I get bored!

I also wanted to share pictures of some gifts I have gotten that are just awesome.

This rocking chair was Kenny's when he was a kid, his mom saved it and gave it to us a couple months ago. See the blue blanket on the left? That's a Detroit Tigers blanket from Tasha! So is the baby cap on the bear in the middle, it has Detroit Tigers all over it. She sure knows my taste!

This ADORABLE little man outfit was a gift from fellow blogger Tana. My son will FOR SURE be getting professional pictures taken in this. Look at that hat!!

And the ABC lamp and picture frame was a gift from Kenny. He bought it somewhere during the winter and I think it was the first thing he ever bought his son.....true love! We have received so many wonderful, thoughtful gifts for this baby. We are blessed!

Now I'm off to have dinner with one of my BFFs for her birthday! Max & Erma's....yummy! And probably heartburn city, but it's worth it:)

Chillin' at home

2009-06-16T22:14:00.002-04:00

Our neighbor gave Kenny these gorgeous roses from her front yard yesterday to give to me....she felt bad that I hadn't "dropped down" yet and thought I needed some cheering up. She must have caught a glimpse of me waddling around.

Wasn't that sweet? And these flowers are beautiful and the smell, OMG our whole house smells so good! Nothing like hand-picked, home grown roses! Complete with thorns and all!

I spent the day at home and it rocked. I cleaned out 3 closets, and I mean CLEANED THEM OUT. I also took a couple naps in between and sat down for an hour or two with my feet up.

Kenny was gone all day and is coming home to a surprise....he finally has half the closet in our bedroom! I have deprived him of that for the 2 1/2 years we've lived in this house. He always used the closet in the spare bedroom. I evicted him from that closet (and the room too) when we found out we were pregnant. So all his clothes have been in the basement hanging and folded on a table. I gave him space in the closet in our bedroom (it's huge) for his dress clothes, hats, shoes and misc junk that will inevitably end up in there. He is very happy with the rest of his clothes downstairs, and so am I because when they come out of the dryer I don't have to carry them upstairs!

Tomorrow morning I'm back to the OB for my weekly check-in and maybe there will be some dialating! Here's to hoping!

Calm before the storm (the good storm)

2009-06-15T20:51:00.004-04:00

Done. Officially. We had to report to work today for four hours and the school year is finally over. Thank goodness! I came home and Kenny and I went to my fetal maternal ultrasound appointment, the one I was talking about the other day. I know the u/s technicians can't tell you much, but she said he was for sure head down and even facing the correct way, which meant no cute pictures because he was facing away, but I'm cool with no pics if it means he is in position for labor. Anyway, more importantly, his weight is approximately 8 pounds, absolutely perfect, my amniotic fluid is fine, and all the measurements she took and announced to us were fine. So far so good. I have my regular weekly appointment Wednesday morning and if there's anything else they will tell me then. I'm hoping it all comes back normal, I think it will. Kenny is still convinced it was a money thing to send me for one last big ultrasound before I deliver, just to hit that insurance another time. Maybe he's right?

Here's the latest prego pic.....taken this morning.

38 weeks and 4 days. My symptoms at this point are VERY swollen feet and ankles, possibly swollen calves all the way up to my knees, swollen hands and the lower parts of my arms. Thankfully, nothing else is swollen except my belly. This "water weight" stuff ain't fun, but I know it will lead to good things.....baby!! Add to the list severe heartburn, and yes I know that means lots of hair but I was bald until I was 1, so who knows? Kenny is sick of me talking about pregnancy and all the ooohhhs and ahhhs, but he is dealing with it. I have exactly one outfit that is still comfortable to wear and fits.....it's the all black one in the outfit pictured above, so that's probably all I will wear outside of the house till this boy arrives!

Yesterday some of my family came to visit. They brought my Grandma and I made strawberry shortcake and suntea, my cousins played with the dog, the weather was beautiful and warm and it was a fun time. My grandma is excited about becoming a great-grandmother and my aunts and uncles are excited about being "great" aunts and uncles, although one particular uncle said that the baby doesn't have to call him "great uncle J." Just "Uncle J" will work, he says. Cute? Yes. Yesterday was an awesome day.

I'm looking forward to my last big cleanout obsession this week, including but not limited to closets, my area in the basement, and sorting through clothing. It's how I handle everything, it's my way of having control over something when I'm in a situation I have no control over (giving birth) and just makes me feel better, plus the added bonus is things get thrown out (YAY!!) and are generally cleaner for a while. Kenny can't stand these cleanouts, but I think he secretly gets motivated to do the same thing, but he would never admit to it. If you are looking for me tomorrow, I hope to be closet cleaning!!!!

My post title is how I really feel right now. I'm calm, the house is calm, Kenny is busy but calm, even the dog is calm, and I know REAL soon there will be this amazing new addition to our tiny family that will throw us all into a marvelous new chaotic loving craze. Bring it on! In the meantime, I'll enjoy the calm while I can.

Another School Year Over

2009-06-13T15:19:00.005-04:00

(This picture has nothing to do with this entry, I just wanted to include it because it's one of my favorite pictures of us....we were up north about 4 years ago staying on our friend's sailboat for the 4th of July, and I just love it!)

All I can say is I made it through the year still pregnant and thank goodness it's over. Yesterday was the LONGEST last day of school ever. I didn't get a break for lunch or when the kids when to their elective....another multi-age teacher wanted to include my class with his pizza party and ice cream party, which happened to be during our lunch time, but meant we had to have the party in our classrooms, which meant no break. The party lasted a long time, erasing any time the kids would have spent in their elective and giving me a break. So I went from 755am to 330pm with the kids without a break. It was so crazy. I even had to take them to the bathroom with me about 6 times and make them wait out in the hallway while I used the bathroom because my parapro was subbing and I literally had NO ONE to relieve me. And the kids continued to tattle on each other and call my name and ask questions WHILE I WAS PEEING. OMG was I tired. When I got home I literally crashed on the couch until 7pm. The Wings game was on at 8pm and Kenny's buddy was coming over, so I woke up at 7pm, dragged myself off the couch and tidied up a little. Then I sat back down on the couch and realized how messy the livingroom was. I said something about it (usually I just pick it up because if I don't it doesn't get done) and Kenny cleaned the whole livingroom, vacuuming included. I mean he dusted, vacuumed, AND put stuff away. I was floored! And thankful! I think he's finally taking pity on my low energy level and tiredness! It was great! It did feel wierd to be sitting on my ass while someone else cleaned up, I'm not used to that at all! Not complaining though!

I'm now 38 weeks 2 days, and feeling especially huge. Every time I eat anything, I feel like a tubbo and icky, but Tasha has reassured me that that's normal and others have too, so I am just giving in to feeling like that. Ugh. My doctor's appointment this week left me feeling anxious. The doctor (not one of my normal docs) told me she wasn't sure the baby was of a good size (not big enough) and is sending me for another fetal ultrasound on Monday. Then my regular doctors appointment is Wednesday so that's when I'll know how big or small this baby is. I can't imagine producing anything small, especially given Kenny's family history of huge babies. My brother and I were small and average sizes, but even though I haven't gained a ton of weight for this pregnancy, I'm not small by any means. So I've had several days to think about this and the anxiety has settled for the most part. But I'm still somewhat worried. I'm sure it will all be okay, I do hear about women being alarmed in late stages of pregnancy and all ends up being fine with a nice healthy baby, so that's what I'm hoping for.

Off to a bachelorette party tonight, or just the dinner for me, I'll be skipping the bar outting afterwards. I'm excited to go out with the ladies!! I know it will be one of my last for a little while.

I am typing on my new computer! Our internet service people came this morning and put in the wireless router and I'm online on my new laptop! Yay!!! I have some work to do figuring out how to use Windows Vista and how to find different things on this computer that aren't in the same place as my old one. I will be calling Niki constantly to ask her where things are...she won't care though. I feel so spoiled sitting at my coffee table with my laptop!

I did get some down time today, time to just relax and chill and think about the fact that I'm not going to teach on Monday. I still have to go to work on Monday for four hours, just for meetings (probably goofy ones), but I don't have to be "on" or responsible or anything. Woo-hoo! Just in time for this baby!