Ironically, after a month we must add to confusion!

It has been a while! We are in the new house and have not yet gotten Internet. In fact, I am currently doing this from J's phone so bare with me!

Oh but where to start!

KL is doing wonderful here... I think... Everyone says she is but I see so little of her this summer I am not totally sure! There Are nights that I have to force her to come home because three nights in a row at Meme and Pap's house is just more than mommy can bare! She is having so much fun with all the family and church friends. We bought school supplies this week and she can't wait for school to start. I think part of it is being anxious about everything new and ready to get that first day out of the way. I know that is the way I would feel. We are both super excited about finding out who her tea her will be and who will be in her class. Meme talked to the principal a couple weeks ago and gave her the name of the teacher we preferred and the name of a friend or two KL would love to be with. Let's see how that works haha! I told KL we would go to the school next week and see what we could find out and maybe take a tour.

AC is so much like me it is unreal! She has a temper and for sure knows how to throw a fit. Mom and Dad find it quite amusing. I fail to see the humor. But some things she does is too funny! Ironically my last post was about her bathroom confusion. I think I have added to that unintentionally. She went thru the playing in the potty spell which led us to sayin no, no! when she headed that way. Now when she starts that way, she shakes her head no as she is going. We may never get that cleared up now. It is ok when u are going in for the right reasons but playing in the potty isn't the right reason! She does know right from wrong now and proved that again today. She went over to her daddy's bags and said "AC, AC, get away from there." it may have been her mocking us in her own smarty pants way, but it was so darn funny!

This typing on a phone is getting old really quick. I will try to post some stuff again another day. Maybe I can find some time soon to visit moms computer and get a real blog typed out for ya. It isn't from lack of thinking about what I would say if I had the time to do it. Maybe I can get fingers to real keyboard soon!

Potty Confusion

Potty training at our house may be a trying time.

Last night when James called I ran to the kitchen to put some eggs on to boil. While we were talking AC took her exit from the room. At first, I thought she went into KL's room. After approx 30 seconds when I didn't hear KL holler "Mom! She's in my room!" I figured I better see where she went.

She was standing at the toilet splashing her hand in the water.

Great!

I quickly told J I would have to call him back and decided it was close enough to bath time anyway. In the middle of the playtime part of her bath, I remembered the eggs. I asked KL to come watch her sister so I could grab the eggs off the stove.

I got the eggs off the stove, drained off the hot water, ran some cold water to stick the eggs in for cooling when I hear KL.

She was yelling "MOM! Gross! MOM! Gross!" As I was headed her way in a little panic I said "What's wrong???" KL informed me.... "She POOPED in the tub!"

Double Great!

Apparently, little AC has the whole potty/bathtub thing a little confused!

A $10 payoff? Really?

One thing I have taken pride in with my babies is the lack of a diaper rash. Yes, something most people (unless you currently have a baby) don't really think much about. With both my girls, neither have EVER had a diaper rash.

Without thinking of cost, I am one to pretty much immediately change them as soon as they wet or dirty. I wouldn't want to sit in that so why should they?

As soon as any little amount of redness appears, I smother them in Boudreaux's Butt Paste. It is the most amazing stuff EVER! By the next diaper change, they are free and clear of any mild redness and we don't see anymore signs of a "rash" for quite a while.

Along with the Butt Paste and frequent changing, I find diapers and wipes that I LOVE. Not just like, but LOVE. With KL, it was Huggie's Supreme. By the time AC came along, they had changed their product and I found I loved the Pampers Swaddlers more. So, this go round it has been Pampers Sensitive Skin Baby Wipes (always and only), the Pampers Swaddlers, then Cruisers, then (when I figured how much cheaper and still a good product) Pampers Baby Dry. With our last package of Baby Dry, they threw in 3 samples of the Cruisers with their new Max Dry formula.

Within 24 hours of using the "new and improved" Cruisers, she had the most TERRIBLE diaper rash I have ever seen! Red, blistered, and very painful! At first, I was horrified that I had let this happen. We were on our "yearly mini vacation" to the lake with family and friends and I guess I didn't pay enough attention, right? I felt like a terrible mother. After accusing myself, I thought of all the new foods she had tried over the weekend. We cut out all new foods. We lathered Boudreaux's on for days. After 3-4 days, she finally looks almost healed. The redness is gone and there are only 2-3 blister-bumps left.

Last night, I found this. Now, I feel better about my mothering skills, but am quite upset with the brand of diapers that I LOVE. I called today to file my own complaint, knowing her "rash" looked about as close to a chemical burn as you can get. The lady that answered my complaint was nice about it and in return I was nice. I know it isn't her fault. She sent my complaint on to the correct department and will send me a $10 off coupon for any Pampers product.

Now, don't get me wrong, a $10 coupon for diapers should be EXCITING! (When is the last time you priced those jokers!) But at the same time, I think trying to make a mother happy by throwing a coupon her way is wrong.

It's kinda like taking a cheap, unthoughtful "Sorry we made your baby hurt, broke your heart, and made both of you cry every time she screamed while changing her diaper for several days." Did this article not say they had already researched and tested the diapers and they are fine? I wonder how many babies will have to suffer before this is really looked into?

Yes, that's the ONLY reason I called in with my complaint. I didn't want anymore of their "free" (since the diapers that caused the problem were free samples) diapers or coupons or money or a lawsuit or anything at all other than for them to have one more parent on file with a complaint so that MAYBE they will be forced to look into the problem so no more babies have to suffer.

New/soon to be moms - be warned, the diapers causing this problem were the ones used in the hospital when I had AC. You may want to be prepared to take another brand with you so that this doesn't happen to your tiny newborn until they rechange their product back to the really good stuff!

I will never be THAT mother...

Ever said something similar to this?

1) I will never be a mother who would turn on a DVD for the kids JUST to take them to/pick them up from school. Long trips, yes, but NOT for short rides.

(AC ARRIVES)

She SCREAMS so much in the car, that I have discovered I have a "car videos" selection that can be played for her at a moments notice... and that moment is happening more and more lately!

In my defense... the ONLY time she really watches TV for more than 5 minutes is in the car. It isn't used as a babysitter at home, so for now I am ok with playing them in the car while we drive 1/2 mile down the road to Mamaw's house.



2) I will NEVER take my baby into a store with only a diaper and a t-shirt! What's so hard about putting CLOTHES on your child???

(AC ARRIVES)

The other day, we did just this! I couldn't believe myself that I did it... It was one of those days that we both changed clothes 100 times because she wasn't feeling well (teething is still my guess) and had snotted, thrown food, pooped, drooled, etc on what seemed like every article of clothes we owned. Then I find we were putting on our last diaper (teething DOES make for poopy diapers, I don't care what the experts say!) Off to the store we go. It was a couple days before J got home so I was totally EXHAUSTED and cared no more about appearances. So yeah, off to the store we went with her looking dirty and only wearing a shirt and diaper. Not to mention, when we returned I realized my shirt had a HUGE.... something (still don't know what mess it was from but luckily didn't smell like poop!) on the bottom of my shirt. This was the first time in my years as a mother this has happened and lets pray it was the last! I vow again to TRY to dress her before we leave :)

Ever do anything you swore you never would? I am sure there is more I have done I said at some point in time I wouldn't, but I have really been thinking about these 2 big no-no's I started/did lately. And it all started with this wild 2nd child I have, haha!

What are yours?

Catch-up Time!

It has been a while since I did a "what's going on" blog. Wow! So much has happened and when you are packing and moving (doing it alone with an 11 month old at that) there is no time for blogging.

I just realized when reading back on my old blogs today that I never blogged about one of the most amazing, wonderful, words can't explain day... December 30th, KL told me "Mom, it's time." I said "Time for what?" To which she replied "Time for me to ask Jesus to come into my heart." We talked about it a little (she had been asking questions for several months previously) and kneeled in our living room and she was saved. It was AMAZING! It was the best day of my life! It was more precious to me than my own salvation, than my wedding day, and than the earthly birth of either of my children. There is no peace like the peace of knowing your children are safe in the hands of my Heavenly Father!

KL made straight A's this past 9 weeks. Yes, I know we are almost half way thru the 4th 9 weeks, but I had to brag on her even if it is a little late. She is doing well in school. She is moving up the AR (reading program) ladder and is so excited about reading all these new books. She is doing so well in school and has grown up so much this school year! I don't know if it is moving into intermediate school or what, but I have seen such a change in her this year!

Within the last couple of weeks, AC has taken her first steps and gotten her first tooth. The tooth has been an issue of sorts. She thinks it is funny to bite Momma. Yes, we are still nursing and my mamaw laughed and said I would nurse until she got her first tooth and bit me then I would be ready to wean. Well, she bit me and yes it did hurt, but we still aren't ready to ween. Maybe we will do that before she starts Kindergarten, haha!

I say that jokingly, but in a way I am serious. Don't get me wrong, I love that quality time with her that no one else can provide for her, but she is falling back into old habits (that I must break immediately!) of not sleeping well unless she is with Momma. I can hold her and be the pacifier and she will sleep so well! Put her in her own bed and she is up every 30 minutes. This also means no naps. She goes thru these spells and we break it, then a few months later it starts over. One day, Momma will sleep again! I keep telling myself that!

The move into the new house is going well. James comes home tomorrow and he will get to stay with us for the first time in the new house this weekend. AWESOME! I can't wait! I also can't wait for him to get here and help me get some of this stuff moved! I have been telling him he will be busy trying to catch up with me :) So far, I have moved one couch, two beds, the china cabinet, the kitchen table, half of our clothes, half of our dishes, half of our glasses, the coffee table, end tables, and my bookshelf with all my books. The next two weekends, we get to take both vehicles over which means I get to carry 3 times as much household stuff! This is GREAT to me because on normal weekend trips half the car is loaded down with our suitcases and stuff we need for the weekend. Now I get to take more things that will stay! Maybe I can talk him into taking most of everything, haha!

Well, I gotta get off here and finish getting things ready for him to come home tomorrow. Can't tell ya how excited I am about that! LOVE it when my hubby is HOME!

Where are you going?

Ever had a time in your life where you wonder where you are going? Yeah, that's been me just a little.



I know I haven't posted much on the new house. So, I will tell ya that story today as well as today's inspiration.



One Sunday in January as I was headed to church I passed a house about 1 1/2 miles from my parents that had a for sale sign out front. As soon as I had the chance, I talked to the owners about the house. Perfect location and, for us, the perfect price! I immediately felt like things were falling into place. I made arrangements for us to look at the house the next weekend when James was home.

James, at first, said no. Not because of the move or location or anything that I loved about the house, but because it didn't have the land he wanted with it. We kept the appointment to "look" and as soon as we saw it, we were both in love with it. We went the next day to the bank and everything fell into place.

We were going the next Monday to sign all the loan papers and get the ball rolling. On the Saturday before, I got a phone call from my old boss about a possible job opportunity. I have made it clear that I am perfectly happy in my SAHM roll and really feel like I wouldn't change it for the world. I was immediately scared. Is God telling me that this move that I feel is perfect may not be right for us? I mean, with this economy, who really turns down the opportunity for a job? What's a mom to do, right?

Well, I will tell you what this girl immediately did. I prayed some more. My prayers so far had been "God, if this is the right move for us, let the price be right.", then "...let James like the house.", and finally "...let the loan go through." I mean, after praying for something to lead us right 3 times, I already felt that I was pushing my faith a little. Well, I still felt I needed to pray it out so that is what I did.

"God, where do you want us? Please show me in my heart and through your word exactly where you want us to be." My heart immediately felt the answer "I have already shown you the place."

Ok. Well, tell me more clearly.

I pulled out my regular Bible and a couple other versions that I don't reference much, but I really like the "topic" look-ups. I jotted down some scripture to read when you are facing change, financial matters, and staying in God's will.

The first scripture that I was referenced to was Exodus 32:34 and the first part of that verse states "But go now, lead the people where I told you Behold, My angel shall go before you;" Well now, that's pretty clear, God. Do I consider this my answer with just one verse?

The second scripture I referenced was Acts 1:12 which states "Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away." "mount of Olivet" is pretty close to the name of our current town and we do travel to the town we are thinking about moving to every Sabbath. Hmmm... "But God, what about the job? Is this a way for you to tell me I am wrong about what I feel and the interpretation of what I am reading?"

The third verse.... 2 Chronicles 25:9-10. To put it into context, Amaziah had hired some soldiers to help him fight a battle. He was warned by the prophet that God didn't like this and that he wouldn't win if he used these soldiers. Amaziah basically said what about all the money I have paid them? The answer he was given was "The Lord is able to give thee much more than this."

WOW! Can't get much clearer for me. Then I was ashamed that I wasn't going in faith where I knew the Lord wanted us. Since then, I have been looking so forward to the new house and our life there that I haven't looked back!

Every time we tell someone where we are moving, they look at us very funny and say "why there?" We explain all the reasons... where I am from so my family is there, J works off and we go there every weekend just about and still attend church there, so on and so on.

Lately, I have been questioning "what am I suppose to do once we get there?" I mean, if God wants us there, He has His reasons. So, come on God, let's hear what I am gonna do once I move? Why am I going?

But today, God spoke to me. The family was going to Walmart this afternoon. J went out to start the car, and I guess KL thought they were the only 2 going. When she walked outside, the neighbors kids were playing outside and asked "KL, where are you going?" Her response was so simple, so trusting, and going 100% by faith. She plainly stated "I don't know. I am just going with my dad." She didn't have to know where, why, or for how long. She just knew that she was happy being with her dad, going where ever he wanted her to go, and to do whatever he wanted to do.

It hit me immediately that I really don't have to know right now. I should just be happy being with in my Father's will, going where He wants me to go, and doing whatever He wants me to do. It isn't for me to know what lies over the hill for us, but when the time is right God will tell me. Right now, I am just suppose to go with my Dad.

Easing Into New Ideas and Routines

I can't think of a better reason (or easier way) to change up some of my current routines (and habits) than moving into a new house. One of biggest things I have been focusing on lately is cooking.

Now, don't laugh. I know I am moving within half a mile of my Mamaw who is well known in our family (extended family too) and community to be the best cook EVER, but I don't expect to be eating there every meal every day.

Mom and Dad go every day for lunch which started as a way for them to keep a check on her when some health problems came up a couple years ago. The health problems resolved, but their lunch routine stuck. How often I join them is something I haven't decided yet.

One of the most important reason I like going over for lunch is that I actually get to arrive early and join her in the kitchen to prepare the meal. This summer when I was staying with mom and dad basically all summer, I did this every day and LOVED it! One day we would cook something big, the next have left overs, and once or twice just did something simple as tuna fish sandwiches. Doesn't matter to me what we fix as long as I get to "learn" more cooking skills from my Mamaw. Not to mention just the conversations and the time spent together is greatly treasured!

My own cooking routine at home has left something to be desired for years. Why? It would take me a year to explain, but somehow we became an "eating out" family. Well, not just "eating out" but "quick" meal family. It got to where I realized the only things I cooked were "packaged foods". Now I am to the point of "gross!" Not to mention unhealthy!

I have been looking at some different blogs about cheap meals. With a bigger house payment and our new town having... well, not sure how many places to eat out but much less than our current town I know, we are looking at eating cheaply at home. This leads to finding more time in my daily routine to cook meals. Breakfast, lunch, and supper.

Now don't get me wrong, lunches are easy. Sandwiches, soup, or leftovers. Breakfast isn't much of a problem either... what kind of cereal/oatmeal/poptart do you want? Even tho most days I am up at an early hour and busy all morning, I don't like big projects (cooking a full meal, a large cleaning task, or a trip out of the house) before 1 PM. So supper is the biggest meal task of the day for us.

In my blog research, I have come across people talking about saving time and money on meals with preparing ahead and stocking your pantry well. I need lots of lessons on these! I plan on gradually starting some freezer meals and proper planning. Expect some blogs about this in the future, I hope!

I started with some freezer meals by accident a couple weeks ago. I bought some hamburger meat in bulk to break down and freeze in smaller size bags. I didn't, right then, have time to do it so into the fridge it went. A couple days later, I opened the fridge to see this big package of meat staring me in the face with that day's date as the sale by date. Don't smirk. You know you have done this too. With good intentions and all. So I thought quick. I fried it all up. Then I separated it and made a pan of Manwich, a pot of chili, some spaghetti sauce, and some taco meat. That all went into the freezer. Thaw, heat, and serve. It was the easiest thing ever! Later that week, when once again, I waited too late to think of what to have for supper, I realized I had some ready made meals.

It didn't take any longer to do those 4 meals than it took to cook 1 meal. Left me thinking what else can I do this with? I found the answer. Almost anything! Take chicken fajitas. Buy the ingredients, put the chicken in a sealed bag (cooked if you want, or uncooked with seasoning packet separate), onions and peppers in a sealed bag, then place them into a bigger bag together with tortillas and seasoning and seal it up to go into the freezer. Make sure to label your bag. When looking for supper, all the stuff is there and ready to go (minus the sour cream, lettuce, and salsa which I keep on hand anyway.)

I do have a FoodSaver that I love for this stuff bc it prevents freezer burn so well! Lots of people seem to do this once a month and have their meals planned out for the whole month, but I don't see that happening anytime soon for me. I may build up to that point, but for right now just having a couple weeks worth of meals ready (or just "put together") is great! What's worse than waiting until the last minute to decide what to cook and then not having all the things you need?

Anyone have some simplified and/or budget cooking ideas?

Food, Baths and Trash

Here we go. Another blog that one day I will re-read and truely miss these days (and consider this a note to myself to remember that I miss it when the future comes!) Would anyone really believe that this is a TYPICAL day with the kids? I truely mean that most days are just like this one...

James made the comment that I was "complaining" about things at home too much. I kindly (well, kinda kindly) informed him that I am NOT complaining. I am just telling him the truth about his kids while he isn't home. I do not mean to sound like I am complaining. When he calls in the middle of me trying to clean up a mess, I am honest and tell him what I am doing. I know while I clean up this one, another is being made somewhere. Doesn't mean I don't enjoy being at home with the kids. It also doesn't mean that I am going to lie to him and tell him that the children are playing quietly in their rooms while I sit on the couch enjoying a cup of coffee and my favorite tv show. That just doesn't happen around here.

Take today for example...

Well, we will start last night and before. I am sick. I went to the doctor on Monday and I have bronchitis, a sinus infection, and fluid built up in my ears. This means I can't breath and I can't hear. Last night, as a last resort, I took my cough medicine at 1 AM so I could actually go to sleep. It knocks me on my butt so I hate taking it unless it is a have to situation.

KL woke me up at 3:45 AM and said "Mom, I am up for the day. I have already tried to go back to sleep and can't. I am going to lay on the couch and watch tv." In my drugged state, as long as she was laying down, being still, and quiet that was fine. She will wake me again if she needs anything, even as simple as a drink of water. Bet she falls asleep because she usually does if she sits still watching tv at night.

6 AM I get up and she is for real still awake. Oh my! I get her off to school just as AC wakes for the day. No laying back down for 30 minutes or so for me which doesn't exactly make me happy, but she woke up in such a good mood, I couldn't be upset with her.

Now, AC has learned to "escape" out of whatever barrier we try to use to keep her in the living room. I guess she has fully explored that room and knows there is a whole house out there with lots of stuff just waiting for her to get into. In fact, the only reason I keep the short barrier in the path is so that it slows her down.... well, did slow her down until today. I went into the kitchen to get her breakfast ready and as soon as I pulled her food out of the pantry (5 seconds? maybe?) she was pulling up on my legs. Tomorrow I bet she beats me to the kitchen, haha!

Breakfast is eaten and we return to the living room for some play time. I play with her and she slaps my face and claws my eyes numerous times. I repeatedly tell her NO! but she laughs and thinks this is a pretty funny new game. I finally give up and turn to the clothes I got out of the dryer earlier. I get them all folded and stacked nicely on the couch (out of her reach I think) and run to get a drink before I put them away. I return to the living room to find all the clothes in piles on the floor. AC is laughing and having a lot of fun playing with them. I redirect her attention, quickly refold and put them away this time.

The rest of the morning goes pretty smooth. She seems happy unless I stop her from getting into something she shouldn't and then she.... well, I guess she has learned to throw a fit. When I pick her up and she is mad I interrupted her, she will basically throw her body backwards and scream. Not cry, just scream like she is frustrated.

Lunch time is my favorite part of the day. It means that she is going to eat, get cleaned up, play briefly and then have her one and only nap for the day. Luckily, we have this down pretty well now and it will last almost 2 hours. Amazing! This child has not napped her whole life and has finally learned that she has to sleep sometime! So, I get out her lunch and put her in the highchair. I feed her 2 bites and the 3rd lands on my shirt. The fourth (different food) bite lands down the front of hers. This means a bath for sure (for both of us) before nap time. She woke up early this morning, so she did sleep for 2 hours this afternoon. I was VERY thankful!

KL came home from school and it was time to deliver some Girl Scout cookies. Being sick, I could only do about half the deliveries today. We will get the other half done tomorrow. Looks like an early supper and early bedtime tonight since KL woke so early and AC had her bath early (and is growing quite cranky I might add.)

After supper, KL decides it is a good time to make AC jealous. She thinks it is really funny to come sit by me and love on me while AC is in the floor playing. AC will come over and "fuss" at her. It really is funny and one day we are going to know what she is REALLY saying. I can tell ya, from the look on her face it isn't nice! At the same time, I so enjoy being able to cuddle a little with only KL too. So tonight, I am not feeling well anyway, so I lay down on the couch and KL lays beside me. We being talking about her day some more and all of a sudden AC appears out of no where. She had spotted us while playing with her blocks. She proceeds to crawl over and hit KL on her nose with a block. Looks like she may have a black eye. I felt horrible!

After this, I decide it really is time to get ready for bed so I put KL into the bath tub. AC keeps going in there wanting another bath, but I have no energy (again only because I am sick... any other day I would let her) to do that again when she isn't dirty. I finally realize she is perfectly happy outside the tub reaching in to play with KL. KL is old enough to watch her (even in that situation) for a few minutes. I remind KL that I don't think she will reach over enough to fall in (because she is still too short), but just in case she does immediately pick her up, make sure her head is above water, and hold her. The bath water isn't that deep and KL holding her in her lap until I got in there would keep her head above the water. So I walk out of the bathroom and into AC's bedroom (right around the corner) and start taking out her trash for trash day. I hear KL scream. I immediately run into the bathroom and see KL jumping out of the tub and AC still on the outside of the tub laughing. Apparently I should have started with the bathroom trash because AC was steadily throwing toilet paper from the trashcan into the bathtub.

All I could do was pick her up and sit down in the hallway and laugh... and laugh... which led to coughing... and laugh... and cough. I haven't laughed that much in sooooo long! I put AC in her crib (where, yes, she screamed the whole time!) and cleaned up the bathtub so that KL could take a CLEAN bath. This part of the situation wasn't funny for me at all.

Finally at 9:30 they are in the bed and the house is quiet again. I only say finally because that is late for us. When I type this, am I complaining? Absolutely, positively not! I love it. I love every second of being home with my kiddos. Who else would put up with their food fights, dirty baths, and fits? Generally, my kids are good kids. They are half of their father, so what else can I expect but to have some rough patches with them? LOL. And again tonight, I will call my hubby and say "you will never guess what your children did today!"

$5 Dinners

I will post more on the reason for my "research" later, but as most of you regular readers have heard, we are in the process of buying a house. What does this mean for us? Tighter reigns on spending around here!

I found a pretty interesting website tonight (thanks to a magazine article) that seems pretty interesting. It is http://www.5dollardinners.com I haven't done a lot of checking, but what I have looked at looks pretty good!

Who can't use some good, cheap dinner ideas?

Merry (or sad?) Christmas is Around the Corner!

What in the world has me being such a cry baby? All the Christmas movies (kids shows included!) seem to be bringing a tear to my eyes this year. I know that part of it is James being away from home this Christmas, but on the other hand it is AC's first Christmas and should be extra joyful for me. Don't get me wrong, so far I am really enjoying this "Holiday" season since James was home for Thanksgiving (which was great!) and got to do most of the Christmas shopping with me. But this last week has been kinda bitter sweet for me. When one thing makes me happy, another is right there to make me sad.

The kiddos have caught some cold something they are having a time shaking. AC has pretty much been sick since November 12th. Up until that point, she really hadn't had any contagious bugs that she couldn't shake. I hate her being sick! She was well for about a week and then her head cold seemed to start back up again, although now I am not totally convinced it isn't from her teething. KL now is all stoppy which may mean that AC's first cold has caught up to her. Maybe they won't pass this back and forth amongst themselves and let's also hope Mommy doesn't get it.

James headed out last night. Usually I handle him leaving pretty well. On a normal day for goodbyes, KL is in school and we are super busy running around, but that has changed. Company rules now say that he has to have his own transportation to the office which means no more rental cars. No more headache of trying to get to an airport somewhere, get the car, and make it back home all during the hours KL is in school. Guess it also means no more semi-private goodbyes at the airport for me and James. Also, no more 2 hour drive home alone to psych myself up for the 4 weeks alone without him telling myself I can do it and immediately having to rush back alone before school is out.

Last night, James was packing up his truck and I went outside to meet him. He just held me for several minutes and I cried. I have never before let him see me cry when he is leaving because I feel it makes it harder on him and there is always strangers about in the airport. In fact, even once I am back in the car, I will only allow myself to shed a couple tears while telling myself that its just life so deal. Last night was totally different. When we came back inside, it was time for him to tell the kids bye. I had a very hard time not crying again. I knew if I cried and they saw me, James would be leaving with all three of us crying and that would make it almost impossible for him to walk out the door. KL is very emotional upon his leaving herself and most times after he is gone, or when I get her from school and she realizes he was for real when he told her goodbye that morning, she cries just a little. Luckily last night she held it together since I didn't.

So, is it all just knowing the stress of Christmas is upon me? That I still have some shopping to do and not sure when and how that is going to happen? That James isn't going to be here? Or are my hormones really still that off balance? Probably a good mixture of all the above, but starting today I am determined to pull it all together!

My newest most used word...

Well, looks like I have a new word that I say no less than 50 billion times a day.... NO, NO!





And it is always for the SAME thing....











See the toys? She acts like she is just moving over to play. Then the toys are dropped and she heads for the tree fast as lightening.



Then Mommy says "No, No!"



And we give Mommy a special gift to make it all better...

Who can get mad at that face?

By the way... notice I learned how to add pics :) Wasn't hard at all!

Sweetheart Bat, Flower, Ears, Teeth and Foot

What a weekend! Well, let's back up... what a week!

James packed up and left last Tuesday. Lucky for me, he hung around long enough to put the kiddos to bed. Usually he leaves mid afternoon and the rest of the night is chaos. It was so much easier on me and the kids to have him here until bedtime.

Wednesday was a great day. We went to our Wednesday night church only to find out they were doing a community wide Halloween festival. I guess my kiddos were the only one's not in costume, but we were going for church and not a party. Either way, KL had a blast! We got home later than normal, but that was fine too.

Thursday was a busy day for KL. She had her honor's assembly at school. Meme and Pap showed up and we all surprised her by being there. She was so proud of getting an award. We were very proud of her for doing so well! At noon, they had the SAR (conduct) field trip. Only the students who have very good conduct for the 9 weeks were able to attend. They went bowling at the local bowling alley. Me and AC met KL there to watch the fun. All the kiddos had a great time.


I met her back at the school and signed her out early for the day. I figured that after the assembly and then a bowling trip, they really wouldn't be doing anything productive for the last hour of the day. We headed to Meme and Pap's house. They were planning on being out of town for the weekend and wanted the girls to come Trick or Treating because Meme didn't think she would live if she didn't see them in their costumes. It was a fun night with me, Mom, and Dad all cooking supper together and spending time with the girls.

As many of you know, storms passed close to their house that night. Luckily, the bad storms were about 10-30 miles away, but we still had the lightening and heavy rains. I was packing up our stuff in the car when I was blinded by a VERY bright light. All I had time to think was "What?" when the BOOM sounded in my ear. I realized very quickly that lightening had struck and way too close for comfort for me! KL came out on the porch saying "Momma, are you ok?" My knees were still weak and I just said "I think so." as I hurried back inside. Dad asked me where it struck because in the house, they saw the flash and heard the boom at the same time. I told him that I wasn't sure because it was too close to me and I didn't hang around long enough to look for the striking point. Come to find out, it had struck my aunt's house or right outside her house which I would guess to be about 100 yards from where I was. It knocked out her phones and stove. I was scared to death while I was loading the girls up in the car!

Friday was KL's Halloween party at school. AC and I were back up there for like the 4th time this week. I hate exposing her again to all those germs, but I didn't want to miss out on KL's fun either. She had a blast at the party. We were able to leave as soon as the party was over for another short day. They dismissed school at 1:30 due to all the rains. This was their 2nd day this year to close early just because of rain. When I was growing up, we were never that lucky! There had to be LOTS of snow and ice for us to miss a day and now they miss for rain??? We have gotten a whole lot lately, so I do understand the need to get the kids home safely with flood waters brewing up. I was happy to have my girl home with me early again that day.

Friday night, KL started running a little fever. At first, I was concerned because I wasn't thinking about what the cause could be. I was just thinking GREAT! Here we go. She is sick and I had AC at the school all week and now we are all going to be sick! Duh... she had gotten her flu shot so of course she was running a mild fever. Yes, Mommy over-reacted this time! It was Saturday evening before my mom reminded me that it was normal for a small fever after the shot.

Saturday, we headed to Mom and Dad's while they were out of town. We changed into their costumes and did some Trick or Treating with family and then headed to our church for the Halloween carnival. They had so much fun again! I have to say, I sure had the sweetest little Sweetheart Bat and Flower that I know. Not that I am partial or anything...

Sunday was church day. Just after morning services, KL told me that the back of her earring was INSIDE her ear. Impossible, I tell her and look at her ear. I explained that she has lost the back. She said look again. It's inside, Mom! I looked again, and sure enough. The back to her earring had gone inside her earring hole in the back of her ear. We had a quick lunch with some family at Mazzio's and then headed to the ER where the super nice Dr. removed it from her ear.

We got out of the ER just in time to head to the church for choir practice. Not long into the practice, KL comes and tells me that some of the boys were throwing darts and said they were going to throw them at the girls. They ran, KL tripped and skinned her foot (right foot). As we were finishing choir practice, KL returns again and says that her left foot was hurting. She is my little drama queen and if there are no tears and blood, I just give her a hug, tell her she will be ok, and she will hobble off only to forget about it as she continues her playing. After church, she was still hobbling and said her foot still hurt. I continued to tell her that she had a long day and was tired. She would be fine. We left church and both her and AC were grouchy! It had been a very long weekend. I decided that it was time to just load up and go home.

As we were coming thru town, KL started crying hard. She said that her foot hurt and she was starving. So, I told her that we were headed to Sonic on our way out and I was going to get her some supper to eat on the way home. I called my Dad (this was like the millionth phone call to Meme and Pap on their Anniversary weekend trip saying that something was wrong with KL). Dad said it may be a cramp and to pull over and try to massage her foot. This gave her a little extra attention and she stopped crying hysterically. We ate and continued home.

She fell asleep on the way and when we got home and she got out of the car, she was crying hysterically again. It hurt! So I carried her in, massaged again, and gave her some ibuprofen. I just wasn't into going back to the ER again the same day (even tho a different ER) for a different problem. I mean come on... can we say DHS? LOL! I also really didn't want to have to call James and tell him that his child had hurt herself and we were going to the ER... again! But, most importantly, after she had a foot massage, an ice pack, and some pain meds, she was fine. She was even able to walk to her room on her own and climb up on her bunk bed alone. If she would have continued in pain, we would have gone. I don't want to make it sound like I was being neglectful (another reason to call DHS LOL!), but my child is a drama queen! If she was fine to play hard at church and not able to tell me what she was doing when her foot started hurting ,she must not have hurt it bad right? I mean if you are doing nothing at all and all of a sudden your foot hurts, it can't be hurt bad since you were doing nothing at all...

Monday morning... school day... tired girl. Her foot was still hurting and she didn't think she could make it to school. Fine, we will go to the doctor. We were waiting in the doctor's office and she needed to switch chairs. She started hopping to the next chair... on her hurt foot. I gave her the stern mommy face and said KL you just jumped up and down on the foot you couldn't even walk on 5 minutes ago! She gave me the "I just got caught with my hand in the cookie jar" face... you mom's know the look! Then she says "I was wondering why it was hurting." Then I pop off... "If your foot isn't broke, I am gonna break it for you." Whew, DHS's phone must really be ringing now!

We do x-rays, talk to the dr and I hear the dreaded words... That is a common place for people to hurt their foots and the xrays show a small fracture in that bone. Mommy eats crow for lunch and KL gets whatever she wants.

We proceed to the dentist office for her scheduled appointment with Mommy looking and feeling like crap. She went in ahead of me while I unloaded AC. When I went in, she is telling the dentist's wife all about her weekend. She looked at me all sympathetic and said "you actually came here? If it was me, I would have called and said we aren't coming! And Dr. and I both would have understood." I just laughed and said what's one more bill? We were already out. Praise the Lord, she got a very good checkup at the dentist and had no cavities :)

Then on to get the "boot". As the physical therapist is placing this walking boot on her foot, she asks him "Can I ride my bike when I get home?" That is her only problem now. She is very unhappy she can't ride her bike and jump on the trampoline.

After all this within 5 days, I can't see why everyone isn't jealous of my life!

Big Kid Brag Time!

I feel that most of my postings are just bragging on my baby and that I don't talk about KL enough. Please don't misinterpret this! KL keeps me very busy and has loads of accomplishments of her own. It is just with the pregnancy and then a new baby (that seems to grow so fast too quick), I find myself talking about her more because I missed so much of this with KL (due to having a full time job outside the house) and I don't want the same thing to happen with AC.

KL is doing so well in school this year and I give all props to her teacher! She is awesome! KL had 3 A's and 1 B for this 9 weeks (and that was an 89... so close!). The B was in one of her weakest areas but hopefully we will have it turned around by the end of this next 9 weeks high enough for her to have an A average for the semester. KL has always has problems with her grades and it has been something that I never understood. I naturally had good grades so I just don't understand her grades being lower in the past. This year, we are making a harder effort to study extra hard at night when she gets home. I really don't like this and have not done it as much in the past because I feel they are in school for over 1/2 their day. Our time at home should be for fun and just being a kid. Studying at such a young age is just for the birds. This year, I was really concerned that she may start to fall behind in some areas if we didn't devote a little bit more time in the evenings for studying. So far, so good. The little bit of extra help is going a long way.

Since school started, she has learned to ride her bike. I just can't remember if I have posted on this yet or not, but she is doing great! She is riding like a pro! We had the hardest time building her confidence and telling her over and over that she COULD do it. James tried to "teach" her a little too young to do it alone. She wasn't just wasn't ready. Without the horrible details, that lesson ended in her running into a tree. This left her spirit broken as far as the bike was concerned. We couldn't even make her try again for several years. At the beginning of school, they asked if we would allow our kids to learn "bicycle safety" during PE. I said YES! I told her several times those first couple of weeks that she COULD do it and needed to try really hard to learn to ride her bike so that she wasn't embarrassed at school if she couldn't ride it. Finally one day, a couple of her friends rode over on their bikes and she felt left out a little. They told her she could do it too and before you know it as I was quietly standing in the shadows watching her try, she allowed them to "coach" her through it. They would tell her the same things me and James told her like "go faster", "lean if you think you are about to fall", and stuff like that. All of a sudden, she just took off like a flash! Now she just loves it so much that I have to make her get off and come inside. She concentrates more on her homework so that she can get done faster because her bike is waiting! I love it!

I did do something that James didn't agree with since school started. I noticed the same lack of attention and horrible hand writing continuing this year. I knew that I didn't want to have a repeat of her MES years at MIS so against my hubby's wishes, I set an appointment to have her checked for ADD. The results... they say she has ADHD. Apparently, children can still have ADHD without the behavior problems that most children see. I, personally, think now that we don't have those behavior problems because we have been so strict with her for all these years about behaving correctly. They pointed out that during the "interview" with me, she moved around in her chair some and got up "several" times to look at things on the bookshelf, desk, etc. Without realizing it, I would subtly redirect her attention back to where she needed to be. I guess I have done things like that for so long, I don't even realize it. When she "wanders", I start talking in her direction and asking her simple questions etc to kinda bring her back to the conversation at hand. Anyway, long story short we now have another appointment next week for her to see a different doctor that specializes more with ADHD children. Again, against James's wishes, we will start medication at that time. I have been praying a lot that we get the right medicine and dosage quickly so that this will be an easy thing for her. I also pray that this will help with her school work also. I know she is a very smart little cookie even though her grades sometimes don't reflect what she is capable of.

She is still in Girl Scouts and since she only had one meeting with the previous troop, we are going to change to another. One of her friend's Mom is starting a new troop which will have more kids that she knows and I have signed up to help. I think it will be good :) I am excited about it! Our first meeting, I believe, will be next week.

Cheer leading has gone good this "season". Their last game will be this Saturday. She has done so well. They are starting a new "Upward" basketball/cheer leading program here for this winter, and I am going to give her the option to continue.

We have been attending church here locally in Monticello again since school started back. She is always so happy to be involved in church both at "our" church where we are on Sunday's and also here on Wednesday nights. The drive is just too much for us to go "home" on Wednesday's with it being a school night. She has only missed one Wednesday night service since they started back up after the summer and she was totally upset that we couldn't make it. I can't say enough how thankful I am that she loves church so much!

We did miss Sunday morning services this week and it was so NOT intentional! This really should be a post of it's own, but I will add it here since it highly involved KL, her Daddy, and me. KL has been wanting to go hunting with her dad while he has been home. With all that has been going on, they decided that Sunday morning would be the best time to go. They left early and as planned were out of the deer woods in plenty of time to get ready for Sunday School and church. On the way out, Dad's Mule (that they borrowed) broke down on them. No problem, leave it and walk out, I would pick them up and still have plenty of time. I could just picture my baby girl cold, wet, and hungry walking out of the woods so I wanted to get my car as close as possible to get her. I drove a little too far "off the beaten path" and ended up stuck behind my grandmother's house. No problem. My uncle was just going to pull us out and we would be on our way to church. Then he got stuck right behind us. Great! 3 "rides" stuck all before 9 AM. Mom and Dad were at this point about to run late because they had little AC unexpectedly for about an hour. They had enough time to leave her with us and head on to church themselves. Everyone was ready except us at this point, so we were left behind with 3 vehicles broke or stuck in the mud. By 9:30 when Dad finally was ready and had AC to us and the original situation had turned from bad to really worse, I gave up on us 4 trying to make it and we spend the morning with my Mamaw. Of course, Mom wasn't happy at all with the whole situation and informed me that things like this is why Dad quit hunting on Sunday mornings a long time ago. I just hung my head and said we really had the best of intentions and will just consider this several lesson learned!

Lesson 1: Don't try to hunt before church even tho so many other people are perfectly capable of this feat. Lesson 2: Don't drive thru a field (even in a Z71) when the total rainfall for the year is at +20 inches. Lesson 3: Even if you aren't driving the vehicle when it gets stuck, if you drove it to the place it got stuck - it is your fault. Lesson 4: No matter if company is expected or not on a Sunday morning before church, Mamaw WILL have coffee, breakfast, and warm socks :)

Today is the Big 6 Month Mark!

Today is AC's 6 month birthday! She amazes me more and more every day. She has reached all of her milestones right on time (if not a little bit early). She is sitting up now and she is eating baby cereal with baby food once a day for supper as well as one jar of baby food for lunch. Her eating amazes me. KL was a good eater, but AC seems to be developing quite the appetite for food, haha! She just loves to eat!

But, as happy as I am with my growing baby girl, this past week has been a little bit emotional for me too. I realized about a week ago that she was really almost 6 months old! It hit me like a ton of bricks. Yes, I am with her everyday all day and can count on one hand (with fingers left over I think) how many days in her short life she has not been with me, but I feel it went entirely too fast! As of today, I would like to hit that instant slow motion replay button that ESPN has so that I can start over from her Day 1 and relive it all in slow motion.

Of course we are alone together most days... all day... with KL (age 8) being the closest thing to having a grown up to talk to around the house, and by bedtime I am about ready to pull my hair out and so ready for them to go to bed so that I can have a little bit of "me" time. It makes me feel a little guilty that time seems to go fast enough every day without me wishing bedtime to come a little faster. So, with this new realization, I am turning a new leaf tomorrow morning. I am going to get up a little bit earlier than the girls. I am going to have some quiet me time in the mornings and not stay up so late at night. This way, my "me" time is out of the way and I can concentrate on the girls and hopefully won't wish away part of the day with them.

James is packing his rental car up right now. Sad day again. He hates having to leave the girls and we hate having him leave. It is hard on KL when he leaves. I thank my lucky stars that he has a great job and one that provides well enough for me to stay home with the girls, but it is getting hard on all of us with him not being around. I so wish he could find a really good paying job here at home!

Days he comes and goes are really just hard days without the goodbyes. It is always during the week which means that KL has school and James and I are running around trying to get him taken care of (packed, shopping, rental car pick up, etc.) while she is at school and for us to be completely finished by the time she gets out. Today, God provided us with a small miracle! He was actually able to get a rental car from HERE... in our town! Amazing! Usually, we have to drive 2 hours one way to get the car. This is 4 hours in the car not including time spent at the rental car place. Knowing school hours, this means that we have to time it right so that we aren't late. We just hate having to ask someone else to pick KL up for us and keep her after school. It is usually his dad, who for sure doesn't mind, but still.

Baby is up crying again.... hope she realizes it was bedtime and not wee nap time and we aren't up all night!

Can we say "Momma"?

James is home for another 4 days or so and we have sure enjoyed our time with him! I am not looking forward to him leaving, but as usual I am looking forward to our normal routine, getting back on track along with the laundry being done, and the house back into shape.


AC is sleeping better than the last time I blogged. I swore when she was born that I really wouldn't complain too much about her sleep habits because she would only be a baby once and wouldn't stay that way long enough for me to fully enjoy her. I am back to that way of thinking. She quickly got out of her not wanting to sleep alone when James comes home. She doesn't like sharing "our" bed with him, haha. In fact, during the night if I wake up to move her between us for nursing, I have noticed that she will wake up and nurse some then roll over and try to "push" him kinda like she wants to push him out of the bed and will then turn back to me. I think it is funny, but luckily he is sleeping because I am sure he wouldn't like it at all.

We made a visit to the doctor last week. It was past time for her normal check-up, but I just couldn't see taking my perfectly healthy child to the doctor's office with all the sickness going around. No telling what we would walk back out with! She has been increasingly fussy lately, but the dr said she is totally healthy. Nothing at all wrong with her, so she is probably teething. She weighs 16 pounds and 5 ounces now and is about 28 inches long. KL didn't get her first tooth until almost the 1 year mark. I really don't look for AC to be popping any out soon, but that doesn't mean they aren't already bothering her.

I started her on baby food/cereal a little earlier than I wanted. Ended up increasing it before I wanted too. She seems to love food and whenever anyone is eating anything she thinks she needs to eat too. I am sticking (so far and plan on continuing) to the same thing I did with KL. If it isn't baby food, she doesn't need even a bite! No reason to give her anything at all unhealthy. If she doesn't eat any type of table food before she is 2, she won't know what she is missing. Just throwing that age out there. I am not saying I stick to baby food that long, but I know with KL I kept her on a very healthy diet until she was about 3 or so and realized that "junk" food was good too. The good thing is that she still likes the healthy stuff. I just don't see the point in feeding them mashed potatoes with all that butter and stuff just because they can eat it when there is healthy baby food out there that they can eat which is good for them without all the extra fat and stuff.

New milestones for AC - she is starting to sit up pretty good. She is rolling around and scooting herself to get to anything and everything that catches her eye. The newest trick... she is saying "Momma". Well, kinda saying it. Really, she only makes a sound that just kinda sounds like it when she is fussy. If she is ready for a change of scenery or getting hungry. I love it. James, however, told her the first time he heard it that she better not say Momma first. Now he denies that she is saying it. I promised him that we practice saying Dada at least once a day! We really do. I am just overly happy that "momma" or anything close to that is coming out of her mouth!

KL is still cheering and luckily we only have 2 more weeks. It is getting too cold to be out there that early on Saturday mornings! Last week, we were all tucked into blankets in the stands. This week looks like it will be the same way again. She is doing so good in school this year and I have been so very proud of her! She still loves it and loves her teacher. She wants to ride the bus to and from school which is a change for me and James. We never wanted her to ride the bus, but she gets upset if she can't. James has been doing the "Watch D.O.G.S." thing again this week. He was at school with her Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. She thinks that is really awesome.

That is about all that is going on here. We are getting ready for Halloween and I need to learn quickly how to add pics here so that I can post them. Probably isn't that hard to do, but I just haven't found the time to pay it any attention. When I find that feature and if it is simple, look out! LOL!

Everyone seems to be blogging....

Why not me too?

James comes home tomorrow. Yay!

Today is Day 28 of his being gone. The laundry isn't done, the house is not yet as clean as I like it to be before he gets home and we let the cleaning slide for a week or so, AC is fussing, and KL says she feels sick to her tummy (of course I did just tell her to pick up her room so is this the normal "sick because I have to clean" or the stomach virus or even flu that is going around?).

So, with all that, this little blog is all you get. Oh, and did I mention that AC not only is crying every time I leave her sight by walking out of the room, she isn't sleeping alone... not at ALL! She only takes a 30 minute nap in the morning until she wakes realizing I am not there. The same in the afternoon but then for our sanity I have to move her to my bed and lay down with her. This has led to the horrible situation of me taking a nap in the afternoon so I can't sleep at night.

SO READY TO PULL MY HAIR OUT!

Just Couldn't Do It!

Well, I posted yesterday (or the day before?) that I had decided to switch AC to formula and today I changed my mind. I just couldn't do it! I called my lactation consultant (the first time I called her since the hospital) and talked (and cried) to her for a long time. She gave me some suggestions that I had not read or heard yet and really gave me a lot of encouragement.

My milk supply has decreased over this weekend even with the pumping so I will be working hard this week to get it back up to par and supplementing with formula when needed. I just hate that right now I can't support her without the formula, but I know it won't be long before we are going strong again! I just didn't realize until we started the formula that sometimes when she is fussy she may still be hungry (not that her thighs show hunger at all LOL!). I don't feel bad right now with supplementing because I am not sure I was producing enough before this little "vacation" for her anyway. I am determined to get it flowing freely again tho and I know we can do it. Keep praying for us (especially all of you nursing/past nursing moms who really understand how it is!)

Yesterday held so many milestones! AC slept thru the night for 2 nights in a row on formula! Amazing and much needed sleep for me, but still not worth switching to formula in my book. Emotionally I can handle lack of sleep and sharing an indescribable bond with my baby than a good nights sleep and a bottle any day!

Later in the day we were at one of my BFF's (as KL calls them) houses. AC was on the floor on a blanket with her toys for some "tummy time". AK laughed because she didn't stay on her tummy. The next minute I looked over and she was back on her tummy. KL said "Mom, she must have rolled over by herself!" AK informed me that she watched her roll over and just assumed she had been doing it a while and I forgot to tell her. My eyes wide open I said "NO! I missed it too!!!" Of course, she thought it was funny that she saw it the first time it happened. Here I am staying at home with the kiddos so I don't miss anything and here she goes and rolls over while I am not looking, haha! I called James inside from the grill and we put her back on her back and sure nuff she just rolled back over to her tummy and her toy. I was so glad that James was home to see it with me the first time :) Today, we have just called her Rollie Pollie Ollie (a Disney baby show from KL's baby years for those of you who don't remember... and I miss that show! I like it!) She is just rolling around everywhere and no blanket today has held her in place for long at all!

4 1/2 Months - I have to tell myself it was a good run!

For the next week or so, me and my family (mainly me and the baby, but James and KL because they may have to deal with some baby fits and mom crying) are in need of prayers. I have finally come to terms that no matter what I do or eat, AC is going to throw up my breast milk. She has been exclusively breastfed for 4 1/2 months. I don't want to stop and she doesn't want to stop, but after every meal she throws up. We got some formula and she spits up just a tiny bit like any normal child. No more major throwing up.

Other than the throwing up, she has done well with breastfeeding. She has gained weight at a normal (maybe even above normal) rate and always happy with it. No problem other than she just throws some of it up. So, even tho I wanted her to be a breastfed only baby until she was old enough to eat and drink "cow" milk (1 year) and maybe even a little longer than a year depending on her and how well the switch went, I have to come to terms with her being bottle fed. I have to keep telling myself that I didn't fail. I have to remember that I am doing what is now best for her. We are at 4 1/2 months. She needs more calories and if she is throwing up 1/4 of what she drinks I have to make the change for her.

Luckily James is home to help with the "fits" when she throws them (so far none!) and to lend me a shoulder for when I cry (not yet, but really close!). Amazingly, she slept thru the night last night which reaffirms to me that she wasn't getting the calories she needed during the day which led to being up 4 times (an average... sometimes more and some nights less) and had to nurse most of the night. She is sleeping and is even a happier baby now than she was. She has always been a VERY pleasant baby! I didn't know it could get even better!!

The only thing I am still holding my breathe on.... the first formula only dirty diaper! For those of you who never exclusively breastfed, you have no clue how EASY diaper duty is can be! Now we have to start dealing with stinky diapers and stained clothes :(

Yes, I am still finding more negatives than positives about this switch, but the only positive (no more throwing up) weighs more than all the negatives!

Who says Friday nights are boring at home alone with the kids?

Whoever thinks that, come to my house!

AC has something going on that is causing vomiting. She has reflux and is on meds, but she was vomiting worse than she ever has before and hasn't missed a dose of her meds. I pray it isn't the stomach virus! She is just too little. :(

As if this wasn't enough for one night, I am sitting at the computer to do a little research on the meds she is taking and I hear a scratching sound in the hallway.

Oh no! We must have a mouse... GROSS!

Bubba, our dog, must have heard it the same time I did because he ran over to the return air box for the central heat and air. He sniffed around and then laid down right in front of it.

Great. Something else to deal with tonight.

I got the flashlight and headed over to the vent. I lowered the vent and my first thought was "I didn't change the filter on the 1st as I normally do." I pulled the corner down to peek inside the box with the flashlight. I was thinking... "If there is a mouse in there, I am going to leave him in there and put a trap in there too and take care of it that way hopefully."

Nothing.

Pull the corner down a little farther.

I can't see any mouse in there so it must have found a way out when it heard me opening the door. If there are any "signs" I will put a trap in there anyway. So, I lower the filter down all the way to the floor on top of the metal vent thingy. I take the flashlight and get all up in the little "box" area to look for whatever could be in there. Nothing at all. This is good news. It hasn't been there long.

I sat back up from leaning over the vent thingy and the filter and reach down to pick up the filter when something on the filter (the interior side that would have been facing into "box" area and the side, when laid down on top of the metal vent thingy, was face up while I was leaning all over it) catches my eye.

I was too scared to scream! On the filter, that I was all but laying on, was a BAT!!!! A BIG, BLACK, SCARY BAT!

I shut that filter and metal vent thingy back up and locked it in place so fast! Of course, I immediately can't breathe right, my heart is going crazy, and all of a sudden I can't see straight.... full blown panic attack!

After a minute, I calmed down enough to call my dad. Daddy is an hour away. He can't help me. He asked me what I did with it.

What I did with it??? I shut it back up in there. What do you think I would do with it? Keep it as a pet?

Then he said the dreaded words... "Stacie, you have to get it out of there before it finds a way out into your house."

My first thought.... my girls!

He then told me to open up the back door and the screen. Turn on all the lights in the house since bats like the dark. Open the vent back up and take the filter outside and it will fly away.

Then I think to myself... Me???? Oh yeah, it could get out and get to my girls. Just put on your big girl panties (that I all but had to change by this point!) and handle business.

I told dad I would just call him back when I got the nerve to do it. He said "don't wait or it may move off the filter."

That got me moving because I sure didn't want to have to touch it!

I put on some latex gloves (these are a staple in my house as something kinda like my security blanket... to be used for any dirty job, cooking and/or handling raw meat or just the unimaginable like I was about to do even tho my hands are scrubbed well after the job is done) and a colander with a handle. I turned on every light we have plus the flashlight for extra measure. I shut all the doors in the house. I didn't want it going into the bedrooms or the bathroom. Keep it headed in the right direction if it gets loose.

As I continued to tell myself over and over that I HAD to do this for my girls. I lowered the gate. I slowly lowered the filter expecting this bat to come flying out at my head like you see in the movies but it didn't. Praise the Lord it was still on the filter! But it was crawling towards me!! I dropped the colander on top of it trapping it on top of the filter.

Now, you know that bats use sound to "see" and they make a clicking noise. But, did you know that when you have one trapped between a filter and a colander and you are running like a mad woman out the back door that you can actually feel those clicks in your bones? I swear! Fear may have been a factor too tho :)

Needless to say, when I got to the backdoor, I just threw it all and shut the door. I have never been so proud when I called my dad back saying "I did it!"

James, on the other hand, wouldn't stop laughing long enough to hear the story when I called him. I will have to make him pay when he gets home!

KL's Summer Job

KL is at Meme and Pap's for the night. She just called me to check on me because of the storm. Her and Pap are watching Ch 16 news at 9 before they go to bed. She told me that a bad storm was headed my way and she was worried. Awe! But the storm had hit and was gone about an hour before she called me, haha. Still, I have such a sweet little girl!

The next segment on the news was summer jobs. Now, she is only 8 and said "Summer jobs huh? I need to check into that!" Just as serious as can be. "How about I just set up a lemonade stand outside our house. It could be a drive through. I need to earn some money for a manicure and pedicure. I need one bad! I mean, have you seen me?"

Oh my! I am not going to be able to afford this girl by the time she is a teenager!

Good Intentions

I am a person with good intentions lots of times. I don't really consider this a good thing because of my lack of follow through. My mom is the type with good intentions and always follows through. Me... I don't always follow through. I am a procrastinator. I admit it. I need help! But NOT today, haha. Today, I decided first thing this morning, would be a day of nothing but kid-mommy time. No cleaning, no working on anything, no mom's tv time (which I usually don't get a chance to do anyway). Just play/game time all day long!

Let me start with yesterday. Nana called KL yesterday morning to see if she wanted to go eat lunch. As many of you know, me and my MIL don't always get along. In fact, lately we seldom get along. We just have different ideas and beliefs. I will not get into any details of this in this blog because my blood pressure doesn't need to go up. I will say that I do not keep my kids away from her (or my husband but that is another blog for another day!). Yesterday, KL wanted to go and I said yes she could. So, Nana arrives at the house and gives hugs and kisses to the girls and her and KL leave. AC decided to take a nap. What's a mom to do?

I had been trying to find time to scrub my bedroom floor. My bedroom is the hardest floor to scrub. AC's room has small furniture and a large open space in the middle. Easy to move things to the center, scrub the outside and then move things back. KL's bed is a bunk that has no bottom bed. It is a desk. This leaves almost all of her floor open for the same routine as AC's room. My bedroom, however, is the smallest room with the biggest furniture. It is harder to move things around. I decided with the girls both settled in other activities it was a good time to scrub the floor.

Fast forward to today...

We all woke up in an extra good mood. AC was even giving KL sweet baby kisses and I am usually the only one who gets those. *SMILES* I had AC on my shoulder and KL leaned in close to tell her good morning. AC was quick and leaned right over and gave her a big open mouth sweet baby kiss right on her cheek. I decided right then and there that today was going to be an extra good day and I was spending time with my girls only and any cleaning could wait.

I stepped out of the bed and saw the mess. The dog. At this moment, my first thought was "the stupid dog!" Can't blame him though. Apparently in the middle of the night, Bubba (our Yorkie) had a little bit of tummy trouble. There was a mess in the middle of my floor! The freshly scrubbed floor!!!

Oh my! I settled the girls in the living room with breakfast and headed back to the bedroom to clean up the mess. Wasn't too hard to clean it up but I wasn't thinking and put the paper towels in the bathroom trash can. About 30 minutes later, I went into the bathroom and WHEW! This lead to me taking out the trash and then scrubbing down the entire bathroom to rid of the smell.

So much for my non-cleaning day. At least all this was done in the morning hours and I have this afternoon to do nothing but play!

1 AM and I Still Can't Sleep!

First of all, I would like to say that I have been thanking God everyday that my hubby has a job and is bringing home a paycheck! I know so many people out of work with this economy and I am so very thankful that James' job seems secure for now. I have, however, been stressed about money lately. That is why, again tonight, I can't seem to sleep.

Budget... looks good on paper, but things just keep coming up! I am working hard (VERY HARD) to cut down on some of the expenses around here. I am going over everything with a fine tooth comb. Of course, the weather isn't being my friend right now. My AC is running non-stop to keep the house at 80 degrees. Here again, I don't know why and calling someone in to look at it tomorrow is going to be another unexpected expense that I just don't have.

I am not sure right now where I am going to cut back, but I am sure Wal-Mart will be getting much less of my money in the future! James swears that the only cleaning supplies you need are Windex and Lysol spray. Not sure I agree, but I am sure I purchase a lot of stuff for the house that isn't exactly needed.

I don't really have a whole lot to say about all of this except that I am trying my best to follow the Lord's will about money and finance. We don't have a lot of debt. We have my car payment and that is about it. The rest is just everyday stuff that we have to pay. I am so thankful that we aren't forking out money to credit cards and bank loans which would make all this budget stuff impossible. We do, however, now have medical bills from AC's birth to find the money for.

I guess I am just venting a little tonight. Please say some prayers for us about making good decisions when it comes to money.

Relaxing day or sad day?

KL decided to spend the night with my parents last night. She hasn't been around today. I thought this would be a really good thing and I could catch up on sleep. Normally, even when AC sleeps I can't because KL is up and likes to play outside a lot. I don't trust her not to go outside without me knowing about it.

Catch up on sleep? YES!!! I have slept just about every time AC has slept today. Now I am worried I won't sleep a wink tonight, haha!

I have done well all day, but now the sun is going down again. I am starting to feel a little blueish. One thing for sure about having both of my girls here is that they keep me and my mind so busy that baby blues hasn't had a chance to show it's ugly face.

My neighbors officially moved out today. We lived in this house for 8 years now. We have never had neighbors on either side. Both houses have been empty until about 11 months ago. Best I can remember, it was just before we found out about AC coming along a family moved in the house right next door while their house was being built. We knew it would only be for about 9 months. I remember thinking "Great! Here we go... I don't really want neighbors. I like the feeling we are kinda here alone." Now that they moved out today, I am sad that I don't have neighbors. We didn't really get close over the last year, but I was finally use to walking out the backdoor and having someone to say hello to. Today, I think I am crazy for the sudden change of emotions, haha! That is another reason I am blaming it on a little bit of baby blues today.

I read yesterday about "nursing vacations" and decided that is what me and AC needed while KL is at Meme and Pap's house. Maybe it wasn't what we needed. Basically, you just go to bed with the baby and sleep lots and nurse often. Helps with bonding, milk supply, and just basically well being by catching up on sleep. I can't stay in the bed that much when not a have to, so we camped out on the couch with the bassinet right next to it. There has been lots of holding and talking and bonding that's for sure. Guess it is a good thing except for those ugly baby blues showing their face!

I have rented a movie to watch tonight. James comes home Wednesday!!! Tomorrow, I will clean like the devil has been in the house even tho it really doesn't need it. It will keep me busy and cleaning always boosts my spirits :) Just gotta make it through this crazy, hormonal day!

Is everyone in a funk?

Two friends of mine posted blogs today about their blogging. These two friends do not know each other and as far as I know, do not read each other's blogs. So I find it ironic that they posted them within the hour of each other and both kinda had the same things to say. As for both of them referring to my blog... I think not since it has been weeks since I posted one, haha!

The first post that showed up talked about whether to continue blogging or not because she feels blogging is on the downhill slide and that when she started blogging and still now doesn't think people are all that interested in her life. The second friend blogged about her life being simple and not having as many "adventures" as others. To both of you, I will repeat... KEEP IT UP!

I know I haven't blogged much at all lately, but I have been a little tied up with our newest addition (who I haven't blogged about in quite a while, but she is doing wonderful!) Reading both the other blogs just got me thinking today about my life and blogging in general.

Is my life interesting enough to blog about? I agree with the first friend in that when I started this, and still now, I really wonder if anyone really cares to read about my life. When put into a blog, most of the time it just sounds boring to me so I can only imagine what it seems like for everyone else. Along the same lines as my 2nd friend... too simple? Yes. Very. Thanks. I like it that way! You should appreciate your simple life too and not worry about what everyone else is doing. Do what works for you :)

Thinking back over the years since I got married, I have had 4 jobs. I have had more than this, but I am just talking about my adult/married life.

The first job was the job I was holding when I got married. It was at a local business here (leaving out the details to protect the not-so-innocent people I am about to discuss). The owner was going through a rough patch in her life. She was getting a divorce, had three children, and 5 (that I knew of) men she was dating. WOW! That is more than a handful of drama that for sure isn't simple and would fill many blogs with interesting info! Would I want that? Not in a million years! She was getting back out there after years being a wife and mother and really letting her hair down and having what the world looks at as "fun". Was it? I wouldn't think so. I saw her cry lots. The "fun" is just a front. You really wouldn't want that at all!

The second job, I took shortly after our wedding. It was at a local doctor's office. The people were super nice! I loved my boss, his wife (who many people didn't care for), and my co-workers. Why did I leave? The pay wasn't the best and by this time we had KL and I needed more money. Everyone here was settled and married and loved their own spouse (and no one else's, haha!) and loved their kids. The wife worked at the office from about 9-10 until about 2 every day. She made it clear that she helped there but her main job was her family and her focus was on the children. Having just had KL, I wished desperately that my family and children could be my main focus and not have to hold down a stinking job. This is what fueled my post-pardum (sp?) depression after KL. My life just wasn't simple enough.

The third job I took just after KL's first birthday. It paid more, and the hours were better than a doctor's office. There was a lot more employees (all female at the time) at this job which means lots more hormones! I just tried to sit at my desk and do my job without drawing attention to myself. I didn't want a lot of interaction. I just wanted to do my job and leave ASAP to rush to my baby. The depression was easing, but I still just felt work was not where I should be. At the same time, the bills showed I had to be there. After being there 6 months, my supervisor quit, I applied for her job (even with only 6 months experience in this line of work), and somehow was offered the position. What I didn't realize was how much more I would have to deal with! The hours got longer, the hormones were unavoidable, and the work much harder! My life went from just not simple enough to mega stress!

The last job (hopefully the last forever!) is strictly a stay at home mother and wife. I don't see my life getting any more simple or drama free! More hormonal? Yes as we have two daughters and I will eventually go through menopause, so I am sure the hormones are yet to come, haha! But, I love it.

The reason I went the "job" route is... I may not have much of anything interesting to blog about and my readers may not care to even read it, but I will continue on if only because years from now I will read back at this simple, drama free life and remember the wonderful times I have had with my family and friends. I type faster than I write, so consider this my way of a journal. Don't like the simple, drama free life? Find another blog to read :) I personally love my daily routine and seldom except change well. With the new baby, I am having to redevelop my daily routine, but this is a very acceptable change for me! If daily I just blog about my daily routine and other boring stuff, remember those blogs are more for me than my readers.

Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Mother's Day!

It was my first Mother's Day with both KL and AC. I had an excellent day! James was home and we spent the weekend with my family. Everything was great!

Friday KL brought home a poem that she wrote herself. I was very impressed and felt very much loved! I will include it here for the world to read as she wrote it :)

My Mother Is...

as sweet as a flower
as lovly as a new born pupy
as specl as a baby
as smart as a sintest

Love your
doter, Kathryn

New Arrival!

Well, it has been a while since I blogged, but I have been busy!!!

Last Friday, April 24th, I went into labor with Miss AC! I toddled around the house all day long while having contractions, waiting for them to get closer and stronger, and doing the last minute stuff I had to do before going to the hospital. I decided I could wait until KL got home from school to head that way. I went and had lunch with a good friend and called James. I told him that I wasn't positive, but thought that it was time. He started the process of coming home and planned on getting off the boat at 5 PM.

KL got home from school and about 5 PM we headed to the hospital. They doubted that I was in labor, but I explained that I progressed quickly with KL and the contractions (even tho they didn't sound typical to them) felt the exact same as with KL. They decided to keep me over night for observation. James made it in about 12:30 AM. Saturday morning they told me I had not progressed any and to go home until the contractions were closer together and stronger. The contractions continued and slowly got closer together and stronger. My dr was out for the weekend and she had another dr taking her calls. My dr called Sunday morning to check on me when she returned to town. I told her that I was still having steady contractions that were progressively getting stronger and closer together. She told me that we would induce on Monday morning but if I couldn't take the pain anymore to come back and they would admit me and give me something for pain. Sunday night at 9:30 I had had enough and went in. They gave me a shot first, which helped for a couple hours and then they started my epidural.

I wasn't pleased at all with the nursing staff that night. I will not get into any details here, but will be talking to my dr about it when I go for my follow up and possibly filing a complaint. Shifts changed at 7:00 AM and I loved the nurse I had for the delivery! She was awesome! Dr B arrived at the hospital that morning and came to check on me. She broke my water at 8:13 and AC was born at exactly 8:15 AM Monday April 27th. We stayed at the hospital until Tuesday evening (due to the dr not able to come discharge me any sooner) and headed home.

AC has been such a blessing! I never realized how much my life would change with the arrival of another baby. Well, I was in denial about how my life would change with another, haha! She is different than KL. AC is a little fussier and there are some nights we don't sleep well, but at the same time I am older (by 7 years and 10 months) and more mature. I feel that I am handling this new baby much better than I did KL and all the post-pardum (sp?) hormones that go along with new babies.

The hardest part this week has been finding time to devote just to KL. I am exclusively breast feeding and AC didn't sleep at all for 2 nights in a row. James is here and is taking up lots of time with KL, but today being Saturday and her not in school, I noticed that she noticed the lack of attention from me. She decided to act out (not too bad) and pick fights with her dad because she knows that I step in when they get too loud and rough. Tomorrow, I will have to devote time just to her and make her feel extra special. I know, but she doesn't understand, that after this first week and we start getting into a routine things will be better. For now, I just feel that I spend my day breastfeeding, diapering, and washing (baby's clothes, baby's butt, breast pump supplies, and hopefully myself at some point during the day). What little time is left is devoted to my eating and sleeping... and believe me there isn't much time left for my eating and sleeping! My parents were also here all day today and she notices anytime she is not the center of her Pap's attention!

I have learned this week that I can function on 2 hours of sleep a day. I have learned that I can breastfeed for another 30 minutes if the last hour wasn't enough for her and everything else can wait and still be there when we are done. I have learned that both my children are extra special to me and my love for each grows every day. I have learned that with more children you produce more love for each and never have to take love away from one to give to another. Even though it isn't a new lesson, it was reinforced to me that when you are at your wits end never to forget to PRAY!

Family Reunion, Baby Shower, Softball, and so much more!

Friday my dad called and talked me into coming a day early for the family reunion. KL and I decided, last minute, to head that way together instead of her going Friday and me coming Saturday. Made for a long night, but I was really glad that I got the extra time to visit.

Saturday we spent the day at the family reunion and had a lot of fun. There were several people there and, despite the rain, enjoyed ourselves crammed into my Mamaw's house. The oldest relative in attendance was my Aunt Sue. Her real name is Audrey (how she got the nickname Sue I am still not sure), and several weeks ago was the first time I heard her real name was Audrey. When my Mamaw mentioned her real name, I perked up and said "I love the name Audrey! That is what I am naming my baby girl!" So, I guess you could say that Miss AC, who we are still waiting on to make an appearance, was named after my great-grandmother's sister. I got to my grandmother's house about 9:30 Saturday morning to help her with cooking (and I also wanted some of her good breakfast!) and left headed back to mom and dad's after midnight. It was a forever long day!

Sunday was my baby shower for the church/family. It was held at my Aunt Sheila's house and we got lots of nice stuff. I wasn't sure until about a week ago if I would have one or not being this is my second child, but it is sooooo nice since there are eight years (minus 2 months) between my girls. When we got home Sunday night, I had to dive back into all the gifts and make sure everything was put away. I am such a procrastinator and just can't take the chance putting things off with the due date so close now. Of course, I had just as much fun going through everything again :)

Monday KL had a check up with the dentist and I was so glad everything was fine. The area around the tooth that caused so many problems a couple weeks ago and we removed is fine. We are going to have to do a spacer to hold that spot for her permanent tooth, but all else is fine :) Of course, she didn't understand why she had to go to school after her appointment since it was already "sooooo late in the day, mom!" at 10 AM, haha. I tried to tell her she didn't need to miss anymore school with the new baby coming. I keep telling her that if she wants to miss days with the baby she can't miss them now. I don't think she understands, haha.

She had her first softball game tonight. It was my night to bring snacks. That was a nightmare! I don't even want to get into it right now, but Fred's isn't always quicker than Wal-Mart! If it could go wrong, it did. It all ended with the tape running out on the register and them telling me I couldn't leave because they didn't have proof my debit card processed. After 30 minutes dealing with the checker they seemed to remember there is a backup tape stored in the register that did in fact have my confirmation number on it and I was free to go with my paid for snacks. We made it to the game JUST IN TIME and maybe would have been a little late if they weren't having issues with the pitching machine. Luckily, we won the first game of the season. I was very proud of all the girls. They made several really good plays. Mom and Dad made it to the game and we all went out for supper after. Late night for my baby!

I feel totally drained after this weekend! On "paper" here, it doesn't seem like I physically did much to be so tired, but in all reality I don't feel like I sat down all weekend. I kept thinking "I hope I don't go into labor before I get some stuff at home done!" I was really hoping I wasn't using my "nesting" energy, haha. I guess not though because still no signs of labor. I just have problems going to sleep at night when things aren't done. Mom and Dad brought my baby swing from storage to me tonight. After we got home and I got KL to sleep I did manage to disinfect it properly and wash the seat cover. While I was at it, I did the high chair tray again and honestly now that I am sitting here thinking about it, I am not sure why as I just did that a couple weeks ago when it came out of storage and it will be MONTHS before the baby uses a high chair.... I will just have to do it over again when that time comes, haha. Oh well, I guess I felt like I was getting something done at the time.

I had planned on doing nothing Tuesday but laying around and maybe catch up on some TV watching, but I ran out of time today getting things done. Tuesday I need to wash the baby clothes received at the shower and repack the "baby bag" as I have new outfits I want to take with me. Scott and Andrea gave AC the most beautiful dress to come home in and I can't wait to get it washed and packed up! Then of course, there is the normal household stuff like floors, bathroom, and sheets that must be done again. Hopefully, I can rest on Wednesday! I will be refusing to do much of anything on Thursday through Sunday as my doctor is out of town and those are the days I really do not want labor to start. Knowing my luck.... I won't even say it!