Special Moments

Ok....I know it's been forever since I've added on and I don't even know who will read this, but I've found myself wanting to share some thoughts lately. As you know we've added onto our family and we have some big changes going on. It's been a bit crazy!!

I am the first to admit that I can be a grumpy mama sometimes! I often get caught up in tasks at hand and of course, with two little ones, they don't always go smoothly. The past couple of weeks, I've been following a family from the town that Jared and I used to live in. I didn't know the family. I met the mom in passing as she was a fellow educator. If you get a chance to read a little, do so. They will touch your hearts.
http://www.caringbridge.com/visit/shelbeeroberts

This family has really made me rethink how I spend my days. Why do I spend time being grumpy at my kids? Why has housework or getting to the post office become my priority? I really hope that I can remember what the real priority and joy in life should be. I know I can't let my house fall to pieces (which it pretty much stays in the state that occurs before "falling to pieces") but it can certainly wait so that my kids feel loved and important.

So, getting to my point, I wanted to share my special moment for the day. I want to make sure that I never forget these and how they make me feel. One of Lainey's favorite things lately has been laying on the couch with me, covered in our "blankies", reading books. We read one book, she scoots off, runs pitter pattering over to the book shelf, stands and looks for a book that's just right and brings a new one to read. We did that for about an hour today. I can't really explain the feeling of happiness that moment brought to me. The sound her feet make as she runs to the shelf, how smart she is to stand there and think about what book she wants to read and just snuggling together.

I'm terrible at making time to do things. I wish I had it in me to write down all these special times so I can remember how they make me feel. I know time will go way too fast and the kiddos will grow before I know it. I sure hope I have these memories to fall back on! I know every mama thinks their kids are the best and most special and that is definitely true here!!

I have a funny blog coming up later this week.....stay tuned:)

It's Been Awhile....Camping Trip

DISCLAIMER:  Sorry the picture layout is a mess!!! I can't get the pictures to cooperate on here! If anyone has any tips, please share!!


Well, since Lainey has gotten more mobile, I find it MUCH harder to keep up!! It's been quite awhile! First thing's first in catching up....





**Lainey brags: Lainey is now waving (at everyone, including the dogs). She has caught onto regular crawling (as opposed to her version, the froggy crawl, that she used for a few months) and is moving turbo speed! She is pulling up on EVERYTHING!! She is very happy and now loves the sound of Dada's keys turning in the door! She squeals when he gets home.

At the beginning of September, we went on a week-long, Texas-wide camping trip. Lainey did great! She's going to make a great camper. She loved seeing everything. Bathtime proved to be a bit tricky in the camper...so we improvised!! Look at all of the water all over the camper...and Jared!! We took the bath outside at our later camping spots. She LOVED it!!!

The first night, we made it to Junction, one of our favorite places to visit. They have a beautiful KOA and a great BBQ joint that we love (Lum's, if you ever get there). We only stayed the night there. It was sad to see that the river that normally runs through the campground was dried up this trip.

We stopped by the Kimble Kounty Kow Kickin' Festival for some food and a glimpse of the Llano River. The part of the river here looked great!

The second night, we went on to try out Garner State Park. We've heard lots about it. I thought this night was a bit bizarre. They put us out in a part of the campground with not another soul. They must have known what party animals we are! As we went and explored, I could see why people would want to be in other parts. The other locations were much prettier and closer to the water, gift store and swimming hole. It was also quiet because we were out and about after the Labor Day fun. Overall, it was a gorgeous park and we'd love to go again, but it would be more fun with other people. Again, the river was low in this park too, but it was still pretty.



The third day, we headed for Blanco State Park. We stayed 2 nights here. We took a shortcut that was about 80 miles, but took us about 3 hours. It was a gorgeous drive along the Guadalupe River, but the road was slow and very windy and we all know how patient the driver, Jared, can be. Haha! Blanco State Park had lots of water in the river. We had driven through once and decided to we wanted to camp here. I'm so glad we did!! It is our new favorite State Park. The campsites are beautiful and lush and there's lots to do and see. We went swimming in the Blanco River. We got in and thought it was way too cold, but Lainey certainly didn't seem to notice between her splashing. As we got out into the sun, it wasn't too bad and she was having so much fun, we didn't mind. We walked quite a bit, grilled out and napped in the camper (my favorite part).

The last two days were spent at my best buddy Sarah's house. It was a long trip getting there, but worth it. We still stayed in the camper, since we had Lainey all set up in there. We visited and Sarah's husband, Josh, cooked a mean brisket for us. Lainey and Sarah's daughter, Amelia, had the BEST time playing together! It was so cute to watch!! I miss hanging out with Sarah and would love to live in her area! We would make a great stay-at-home-mom team! We would have craft projects galore going on!



I REALLY, REALLY enjoyed our week! It's so nice to relax and get away from reality for awhile. It's nice to take in the fresh air and get a glimpse of what's in your own backyard (the giant backyard we call Texas). We sure hope that Lainey loves camping as much as we do!!











Three Thoughts...

It's been awhile, so I'm trying to catch up all in one!

#1. Two weekends ago, we went to visit my brother-in-law, sister-in-law and neice for my neice's birthday. We had a fantastic time. We always have such a great time and it goes way too fast! We went to Keller Pointe, which was a really neat place. Bridget and Lainey had a great time splashing and playing and Bridget even went down the slide! We always tell funny stories and laugh alot. The guys beat each other with plastic golf clubs. Bridget got a fancy beachball birthday cake and lots of cute gifts. I think her favorite of the day was the new wagon that all of the party attendants pulled her around in.

 


Bridget and Lainey riding in style



Bridget and her b-day cake

 #2. I have a sick kiddo on my hands. This is Lainey's first illness. It breaks my heart! You wouldn't know that she was sick judging by her disposition, but she is stuffy and pulling at her ears. Her first round of antibiotics did nothing and now she has a double ear infection. We are trying a different medicine now and hoping that it clears her up. She is still eating and sleeping, but it is harder for her to eat with the congestion :(

Honestly, I believe this is harder on me than it is on her!! Well....it is also hard on her doctor. The poor, sweet lady gets an ear full every time we go in. Lainey hates everything about the doctor-from weighing to checking her ears. She screams bloody murder as soon as the stethoscope hits her chest. The doctor shook her head and said, "I guess that was traumatic???". The poor lady is pregnant and looks so tired.



Eating her puffs this week. She's trying out finger foods.



She eats with the middle two fingers-the ones she likes to suck.

        

 #3. Lainey is blowin' and goin' these days!! She is scooting everywhere in the house! She doesn't do a "normal kid crawl". She has adopted what I have deemed a "froggy crawl". It goes arms, then legs, arms, then legs. Hey, who cares as long as she's moving. It is so fun to watch her get to and explore everything! My main point here is that all of this crawling will make you reevaluate your cleaning skills!! YUCK!! Not that I had any cleaning skills to start off with. My idea of cleaning is shoving it into the closet, slamming the doors shut and dusting it off with a hand. Well, since I'm staying at home now, I guess I have to actually do a little better than that. I was crawling on the floor with Lainey today and it's GRODY!! Baseboards are filthy and our vacuum is definitely not an Animal (the brand) when it comes to sucking up the 5,000 pounds of pet hair left behind by our furry friends.

Also, things that you never would have thought of have now become hazards. Chairs that can fall over, cords that apparently make fun playthings, walls that are...well, too hard and a cat that threatens to eat any human that encroaches in her 50 foot radius personal space. Yikes!

Ok....solution? Pad the house and put plastic down. And misplace the cat permanently.



What??



Froggy Crawling

What is this critter?





 



 

 



Today's Top Ten

Top Ten Things I Love About Being the Mom

of a Seven Month Old

10. The baby smell - Kinda like the "new car smell". I'm not talking about the newly acquired solid food poop smell (here we are at poop again). I like the lavender bath, fresh laundry, baby hair smell.  

9. Buying baby food - I'm the crazy lady with 400 types of baby food in her basket. I love buying every single type of baby food out there. They have such cool flavors (peach cobbler smoothie, yes please!)! And not so cool....beef with gravy, blech! I try a little dab of what she's having, so I know what I'm feeding her. I get so excited for Lainey to try a new flavor. Today, she tried peach yogurt melt-in-your-mouth puffs. I can't believe the stuff they come up with. We haven't had any losers so far!! She likes everything (at least she eats it...you couldn't tell by the faces that she makes, but I think that's the texture)! I hope it sticks.

8. Nice comments in the store - Note that I said comments....this can be done from 5 feet away, in individual personal space without touching the baby. And, "Awww, look at the cute little boy" does not count as a nice comment when she's wearing PINK and flowers!! That comment is disqualified.

7. Funny new faces - Please see above pictures. For the one on the right, she likes to snort in and out through her nose (see #6, new noises) and for the one on the right, she likes to view the world sideways.

6. Cute new noises - Screams, coos, raspberries, etc. Her newest is bababa and mamama which has convinced me that she is the smartest baby in the world and should be considered for the Harvard Medical Program! I know that what she is saying is very profound!

5. Watching her get around - Lainey can get anything she wants. Remotes, phones, papers...anything she is not supposed to have. What I have figured out about Lainey, though, is that she has to really want something to go after it. She's very laid back and will crawl only when she feels it's necessary.

4. Baby clothes!!!! - Need I say more? I'm obsessed. The ones that look like little bitty grown-up outfits really get me. I love the frilly dresses, too. Who am I kidding? I love them all. My child makes them all look cute.

3. Excitement when I pick her up - I know she won't always love mom, so I'm embracing this one! When I get her out of her carseat or highchair, she kicks her legs and reaches out with the best look on her face. She hugs my neck when I hold her. It's gotta be the best feeling in the world. She doesn't care what my hair looks like or that my breath smells like a mule's butt. She just knows I'm mom.

2. Each new day - She's such a little sponge, absorbing and learning so much everyday! In Hobby Lobby yesterday, she figured out that the basket made a squeaky sound if she rocked back and forth quickly. She amused herself the whole time with that. She rocked and giggled. That small thing was one of the highlights of my day.

1. Getting her out of the crib in the morning - See #3. She has the most amazing smile when I go to get her when she first wakes up. This is the way everyone should start their day. I've gone to a real grouch (just ask poor Jared) to a fairly pleasant person in the mornings. This sweet smile and noise could warm the coldest of hearts. I am very blessed and hope that I am able to see all of the ways that I have been blessed.



Two Poops, A Pot of Soup and Some Lost Keys Later...

....and we were out the door. Kind of a gross title, I know, but it sums up my Tuesday. We were headed to a Mom's Club meeting at 10, but had a busy morning before that!!

I swear, something about pregnancy adds this extra wrinkle to your brain that makes a mom more clumsy and forgetful. Maybe not for some, but I know other moms have mentioned the forgetful part. More clumsy for me? Is that possible? Yes. I have been known to close my own arm in the car door. (Yes, that's possible.)

Warning: Long, somewhat boring story ahead. Some may think it's petty, but it was one of those pile-it-on days.



The grin I get when I turn to look at her:)

 Well, this particular morning, I got Lainey up and like I always do, put her in her highchair, fed her and did a few chores while she played with some toys in the highchair. When we have something to do in the morning, we are on a pretty tight schedule. After I fed Lainey, I worked on a pot of soup that Jared would take for lunch for the week. This particular soup should not have been hard. It is a yellow curry shrimp soup. Toss in some curry, saute some veggies, pour in broth, put in shrimp and more veggies and simmer. Well, my newly acquired brain wrinkle prevented this from being an easy task. In the middle of chopping the first batch of veggies, I heard the oh-so-familiar sound of grunting.
Lainey may kill me in a few years for telling you this, so don't tell her I mentioned it! It is not hard to tell when she is...ahem....doing her business. She grunts like a full grown man and her face turns very red. Jared and I find it hilarious and try not to laugh too hard at the risk of giving her a complex. Anyway, I heard the distinctive sound and decided to finish chopping my veggies then change her. Well, I made her wait too long. Just in case you aren't quite familiar with the laws of physics, poop has nowhere to go in a diaper that's being sat in except out the sides. You get the picture....moving on.
Luckily the disaster was contained in her pj's, so I got her cleaned up and went to finish the soup. It was time to add the shrimp and wouldn't you know it, I bought the shrimp that made my life very difficult. I bought the ones that still had the whole shell and the veins in them. Now if you've ever deveined a shrimp, you know that it makes you gag a little just thinking about it. Lucky me, I had to do a whole pound. Got that done and needed to add canned tomatoes. First tomato I pulled out exploded on my shirt (one of my faves). How that happens, I don't know, but it did. I took off the shirt and started a load of laundry. Back to the soup and I finally get that finished.
I was very behind, so I hurridly put an outfit on Lainey and began to pack us up. It took me a good 10 minutes to find my keys. Where were they? In my purse. Really? I had already looked in my purse, but apparently not in the right spot. Ok, soup-check, keys-check, kid-check....walking out the door with Lainey on my hip and what do I hear? Yep, the grunting. Now running five minutes late, I change Lainey again and away we go. We arrive at our destination 20 minutes late, but in one piece (physically).

I know it doesn't sound so bad. Looking back, it's pretty funny. That day, I was flustered, though. It is just a small example of what a mess I have become (a bigger mess anyway).

Yesterday, I forgot to take a shower. WHO FORGETS TO SHOWER??? I do. We swam and then we went grocery shopping and came home. I usually shower after swimming. Nope. Forgot until I woke up this morning. You would think the aroma of chlorine would remind me. I have bumps, bruises and scrapes. I even pinched poor Lainey's leg in the car seat. Maybe it's not a new brain wrinkle, maybe it's a brain function inhibitor.

I think scientists or the medical field should seriously look into this pregnancy/mom condition. I believe that I would be a fine test subject. Anyone else out there need to be considered for the study???

The Schedule Monster

So, Thursday night I went out and had more than one or two beers! I had 3. Yes, people, I'm a VERY cheap date now! My party trick used to be chugging beers faster than a burly man, but now my party trick is not falling asleep before my first beer is gone.



My friend and former coworker, Emily, and me
Thursday night. Miss her!!



Back to the story...I had 3 beers. I am able to do that now because Lainey sleeps through the night and it takes about 2 hours per beer to metabolize out of the system. And, no, contrary to popular belief, I do not serve up my breastmilk 5% alcohol per volume.

I found myself telling everyone at this birthday party that it has been more than a year since I have had more than 1 or 2 beers. I had a FABULOUS time!! I had gone to the party from 5pm to 7pm and then returned about 9:15 to join the party crowd. Jared had gotten home late and I was able to go back to the party. 

Why did I leave the party? Well, I have created a schedule monster. Our night time routine is very stringent and regimented!!
6:30 - feed Lainey veggies
7:30 - bathtime
8:00 - read a story
8:15 - feed Lainey a big bottle
8:40 - Lainey is out for the night (usually until 7ish)

This schedule works for us. She sleeps through the night and knows what comes when. We (meaning us parents) become very antsy and uncomfortable if we get off of our schedule, like our child might morph into a man-eating troll if we deviate by 30 minutes. Understandably, I have also struggled with having a social life. In 2010 BB (before baby), we were very social people!! Jared and I like to go out and sit on a patio, listen to music and have some beers. We haven't done that together since 2010BB. Don't get me wrong....I am not in ANY WAY complaining about how life has changed. My life is so very blessed and I wouldn't change a thing. I would like to find a happy medium so that Jared and I can go out every now and again and enjoy "Grownupland".

I have to find a way to conquer the schedule monster. Am I calling Lainey a schedule monster? Unfortunately, I believe that I am the schedule monster!! So, I am open to ideas on how to conquer my fear of getting off schedule and leaving the house. Do you think they list babysitters under A in the yellow pages, for Anal Retentive Babysitters? That's the kind I would need.

Six Month Doctor Appointment

Well....it's official....Lainey's growing like a weed!!! We went today for her six month checkup. She weighed right at 20 pounds, which is in the 95th percentile of her age group and she measured 27 1/2 inches, which is in the 98th percentile. Are you shocked? No? The doctor asked if she will be tall, like her dad. Looks like it! They're just numbers, but they make me so proud! She's growing and thriving and amazing!! She had to get shots, which always breaks my heart. She has developed quite a set of lungs! We don't have to have shots next time, so at least we are done for a few months.

As I write this, she is log rolling and talking to the dogs.:) Jared and I decided we don't care if she log rolls and squeals for the rest of her life, as long as she stays this happy (because we sure are)!

Can you see her two new teeth? Too cute!!