My Toy Company

So any of you that know Jared know that about every six months, he comes up with a "make millions fast" scheme. Let see if I can recall a few....there was the orchard he wanted to grow, a battle wagons business, flipping houses and don't even ask about the latest. Welp, I've finally come up with my own. I am going to start my own toy company. Now it is going to take some fantastic marketing for my idea, but I think I can do it.

We have invested a fair amount of money in pink vibrating doggies and squeaky monkeys or bumpy, shiny rattles. Why, I ask you, when this is what happens...

These things, along with burp rags and her own dress have proven to be her favorite toys. Now I'm gonna have to have a heck of a sale on these things, something along the line of  "buy one 6 pack of waterbottles, get one free" and they will probably have to be blinged out. Maybe flavored burp rags and edible magazine pages. I'll call it my "practical" toy line.

It's amazing how much they learn and observe. Lainey is just fascinated with the dogs and with us drinking water. She has learned that smashing things makes a very loud noise and it is no easy feat to change her now because she wants to touch everything on the changing table. Jared and I were talking today about how she has changed from this snuggly, sleepy slug to a squealing, squirming bundle of energy. Every stage has such fun parts.

So, who wants to invest in The Practical Toy Company? I'm open to ideas and cash start offs!

"That Mom"

I had a suggestion to write about Lainey's firsts. As I thought about this more, I discovered that I have become "that mom". Let me clarify....For a long time, Jared and I didn't even know if we wanted kids. I watched moms that posted lots of pictures of their kids, told stories all about the kids, thought everything their kids did was so special or based their schedule around their kids. At the time, I didn't understand. I said to myself, "If I ever have kids, I'm not going to be that mom". When and if we were ready to have kids I thought I'd be this laid back, fun loving, unchanged mom. When things didn't quite go as planned when we decided it was time to have a family, I think something changed in me. I appreciated everything about my pregnancy from the little movements to the aches and pains and relentless nausea. Needless to say, now that Lainey is here, I appreciate every moment and every little thing. (If you can't tell by my constant picture posting on Facebook). I have become "that mom" whose world revolves around their child-and I couldn't be happier. So, to get to my point, I can't possibly write one blog post about Lainey's firsts because everything she does is so cool and fun and new. I hope this wasn't too mushy or deep for you, as I'd like to keep these posts lighthearted and fun!!

A Few Fun Firsts

First Sunglasses-isn't she cool?

First roll onto her side (that I caught).

First taste of peaches-do you think she likes them?

You can't see it, but she has her first tooth. Found it poking out yesterday!

One Stinky Day

2 dogs sprayed by a skunk + 2 diaper blowouts + 1 raunchy cat butt = ONE STINKY DAY!!

We woke up at about 4:30 this morning and let the dogs outside. I heard Chopper barking and some knocking noises. I told Jared about it and he went to inspect. He came back in and said it smelled like a skunk and then let the dogs in the house. BIG MISTAKE! The smell of those dogs could make a morgue worker vomit. Out they went and we have shampooed them with "Skunk Off" and will repeat tomorrow.

Lainey is not a subtle pooper. She grunts, groans and gets the reddest face when she's doing a number in her diaper. Today, however, she managed to sneak not one, but two loads by me. We had to wash 2 bouncy chair covers and two outfits. They should warn you in books that once you start feeding your baby fruits and veggies, that you should also start clothing them in plastic garbage bags or rubber suits. Ugh. So we changed and bathed and we are all set for the night.

The cat....13 years old and foul. She is the anti-Christ of the animal world. She chews power cords, hisses and bites company and runs around the house roar/growling (that's the only way I know how to describe the noise coming out of her). Her butt and guts have gotten increasingly stale over the years. I'll spare you the details, but maintaining her litterbox added to the fun of the day.

The day all seems worth it, though, when I go to get my little Lainey out of her bassinett and she issues me the sweetest smile I have seen in my whole life. Here's hoping tomorrow is a little rosier.....

New Braunfels birthday trip

Last year for my birthday, Jared and I went to San Marcos and camped and shopped at the outlet malls. We decided to do the same for my birthday this year. Little did I know what he really had planned for me...

Jared booked a campground in New Braunfels. We left Thursday morning and the trip took us about 7 hours. When we arrived at the campground in New Braunfels, I offered to go check us in. Jared insisted that he do it so he could "visit with them" at the front desk. I knew something was up. We got to our site and started setting up. The door to the camper opened and there was Jared's mom. I was glad to see her and excited that we would have someone to spend the weekend with. As I started to visit with Joanne, the door opened again and there was Jeana, Jared's sister. Her fiance came next. I was very happy and knew we would all have a great time. About 10 minutes later, Jeremy, Carolyn and Bridget (my brother-in-law, sister-in-law and niece) pulled up. I thought, "Wow! This will be fun with everyone here!". Jared had rented cabins for the family. Later that evening, I was getting Lainey ready for her bath and Jared disappeared. I heard him call my name and my parents were walking through the door. This was the BIG surprise of the day. It has been a long time since my parents have taken a vacation!

Jared and the family had done so well keeping their little secret! They knew since April! My MIL allllmost spilled the beans, but Jeana quickly undid it. Jared almost made it, but slipped and mentioned that the upstairs of one of the cabins would be perfect for my sister and her husband. They arrived late that evening!

So imagine the poor people at the campground with the Booker/Buxkemper extended family outing!! Really, we were very well behaved!! For 3 days, we enjoyed lots of shopping, some time at the pool and the river and lots of time retelling hilarious stories on the porch. It took me a night or so to get Lainey and I into a routine, but I had such a blast!!

We found a little spot on the Comal that we could wade in. Our days of wild river float trips have been put on hold. Lainey LOVED the river! We tried her in her floaty, but she tried to drink the river, so we decided to hold her. She splased and giggled and as you can see in the pictures, tried to splash and suck her fingers simultaneously.

When it comes to birthdays, anniversaries and special days, Jared is so good to me. He treats me like a queen. He outdid himself this time!! I think he may have started a tradition too! We are now on a mission to scope out campgrounds and resorts for next year's gathering. We are going to do a nine day Texas tour later this summer, staying in one place a night. Stay tuned...

 

Welcome to our blog!!

Jared and I wanted to do a blog that we could share with our family and friends. We like to show off Lainey and I'm afraid we've been wearing out our Facebook friends. I'm going to try to keep up with this blog and the new schedule of housework and chores that I have lined out. It's no secret that I'm not the greatest housekeeper, so hopefully, I'll be a better blogger. As I'm sure most of you know, I recently quit teaching to stay at home with Lainey. We thought this would be the best choice for us and we are blessed to be able to do it. I hope to share some of our fun times and trips. Lainey is a very active and happy baby, so I'm sure we won't be short on pictures or memories!!