Trip home - Part 1

After a long day of flying, I was exhausted! We landed in Charlotte around 830pm and my parents were there to meet us. My mum couldn't get her hands on Andrew quick enough. We had to remind her to walk through the airport. If we weren't there to guide her, I think she would have stayed in that moment forever.

Hottest Grandmother on the block, no?



So, Friday was bachelorette weekend. Myself, Melissa (THA Bride), and 5 other girls headed down to Savannah, Georgia for a classic girls weekend. This is now my new favorite city. Not only is it just the most beautiful place I've been to in a very long time (put it into perspective.. I've been around nothing but Army bases for the past 2 years) but what sealed the deal was when I realized you can walk the streets with alcoholic drinks. You should have seen my reaction when the bartender asked if I wanted my Mich Ultra for here or to go at 11 in the morning.. don't judge.. remember.. we were celebrating!


Walking to brunch Sunday morning.. gorgeous trees!





Our first to-go beer!


Our hotel was gorgeous!! We stayed right on the Savannah River in the historic, downtown district. We didn't have to get in our cars at all over the weekend.



The inside of our hotel





View of the river from our balcony

 The first night there we stayed in and did a surprise lingerie shower for Mel. While meandering through the hotel, trying to find the patio bar on the roof, we instead found a women laying in the hallway of the hotel sans pants. Thong only. Imagine our surprise. After we got over our giggling, immature 13 year old selves, we realized we couldn't leave her like that and covered her up in a robe. Because we had one on hand. After getting nowhere with her incoherent self, we got some help and got her to her room. The story is much more detailed and hilarious, but we'd be here all day. I will say that the next morning we got in the elevator with her and she had no clue. I think we were all red from holding in our laughter.
Saturday we got up and started walking the streets in our adorable t-shirts and found this man with no t-shirt. Yum-O.

Sweet Irish abs.

By 3:00 some of us (those who can't hang quite as well) needed a nap. Took nap.. hours passed.. then we all got dolled up in our little black dresses to go out for the night. Fun. I won't be putting any pics up of that mess. I kid. We all looked amazing, but I don't have any decent pictures!

While I was away having a much needed weekend with the girls, Drew was having the time of his life with my family. I'm actually not sure who had more fun - him or them.

I was very excited to come home and see that precious face, but it was very anti-climatic. I called his name multiple times when I came through the door and got nothing. Not even a sideways glance. It's true. We have it on video.

More to come throughout the week!

Flying with a baby

Is not very fun. But it is doable.

We flew with Drew when he was 4 months. Key word..WE. I had help. It was chaotic enough with the two of us. To say I was a little nervous about flying with him this time.. alone.. is an understatement.

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be though. Turns out - people are very friendly and helpful. And encouraging. See.. most people have been there. They can empathize. Each and every time I had to drop my purse, unfold the stroller, lock it up and get all my crap back together all while holding a baby (4 times btw.. before getting onto each plane) I was offered help by someone as they passed by. For the record - I never needed their help. I am Mother, hear me ROAR :) When he would go through his fussy periods on the plane - one of the flights is almost 4 hours, fussiness happens - there was always someone willing to play peek-a-boo or make silly faces. And getting off the place, sometimes a kind soul would stop and tell me what a wonderful baby he was, which never fails to make my heart smile.

In Drew's *almost* 7 short months of life he has been on 8 planes, so I consider myself somewhat of an expert. Or at least getting there. Lucky you... now I will share my expert tips:

*If your baby is formula fed, they have little packs of formula that look like the Crystal Light packs you dump in your water. Buy them. If you breastfeed I am clearly no help. Just hope that you are not as modest as I am. Those planes don't have much space!
*If the babe is at the stage where they are eating solids - buy 1 or 2 of those food pouches. Squeeze it right into their mouth.. no spoons or mess necessary.
*Make sure you have all of the extra necessities handy. Poop doesn't wait for the plane to land and sometimes - ahem - it will be a horrendous one and it will seep through his clothes and onto yours just as the seat belt sign comes on and the plane is starting it's descent.
*Give him/her a bottle for take off and landing. They can't chew gum.. swallowing helps their cute little ears.
*And mostly - just go with the flow. There is only so much you can do to comfort your baby on a plane. Have toys, be willing to make silly sounds and faces, walk the aisle.. all of that helps. But sometimes they are just going to cry. What'r ya gonna do?

We made it through and ya know what? The look on my parents faces when we spotted each other through the crowd and they saw their precious grandson... I'll fly 100 days straight to see that sweet moment again.

In other, totally unrelated, but important still news:
We had his appointment with the Pediatric Ophthalmologist Friday morning. She is under the impression that everything is fine for now. She is very sure that the difference in the size of his pupils is physiological. She is not convinced that he is blind in his left eye, but probably just doesn't see as well. Nothing they can do at this point. She gave me trouble signs to watch out for and wants to see him again in a year.

He also rolled over from his back to belly for the first time. I was getting worried, not gonna lie. He's been rolling the opposite way from 4 months. Nonetheless.. We have ourselves a full blown roller! Let the fun begin :)

A quick hello!

I know that I have been MIA and this won't be a long post, but just wanted to say, "heyyyy y'all"! I've finally caught up on blogs in the little bit of spare time that I've had and feel good that I've kept up with you all.
I'm having a great time and plan to make the most out of the last day and 1/2 that I have with family.

While walking around in Savannah 2 weekends ago, we came across a store that has a lady that sits in the window and writes on a typewriter. She takes suggestions to "cure her writers block" and has a few samples of her writing below where she sits.

I fell in love with this short little blurb and have been sharing it with everyone I think of, so naturally I have to share it with you all! I wish I knew her name to give her credit, but she signs it all, " - the writer in the window". Here you go.. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did :)

Q: When will I find the man of my dreams?
A: When you become the woman of yours.

That made my heart smile to absolutely no end!
Thank you Writer in the Window.

~ 6 Months ~

Drew baby - how is it even remotely possible that we've had your sweet little self with us for a whole half of a year??? Time needs to just slow right down right this instant!

You had your 6-month appointment yesterday so let's get straight to your stats:

• You weigh 18.7 pounds and in the 66th percentile.
• You are 27.5 inches long in the 60th percentile. (so that would make you about half the length of my body ;)  )
• Your head is 45cm around and in the 77th percentile. (it did grow at a large rate from last time, so they are going to be keeping an eye on that. Nothing to worry about right now, especially since we just had a CT Scan done on you)
• The doctor said your skin looks great and you have a beautifully shaped head, which got mama lots of praise for doing a good job at playing with you.
• You are right on track developmentally! The doctor told on you buddy.. she said you are perfectly capable of rolling from your back to your belly since you do it the opposite way.. you just don't want to. Another hint that you are going to have my personality - you stubborn monkey!
• You are wearing 6-9 and some 9 month pj's. In shorts/pants you wear 6 or 6-9 month. Onesies 6 or 6-9 month and shortall/overalls 6-9 month. You'll be wearing a very handsome suit for your Mimi's wedding next weekend and I cannot wait to see you in it :)
• Still wearing size 3 diapers, but only in Pampers Cruisers. You've outgrown a 3 in Pampers Dry Baby. Didn't know they were a little different? It's true.
• You eat almost anything. The only thing you don't like is yogurt and turns out I wasn't supposed to give that to you anyways.. woops. You seem to love your veggies more so than fruits, so that is wonderful! I really need to give you meats, but to be honest.. the thought of mushing up some chicken or beef in the blender grosses me out more than a little bit. I'll get over it very soon and feed you the good stuff.. promise!
• You love your toys and have your favorites: your soft firetruck book, the little rattle/piano that plays different songs of which you know how to play, your trucks (already), a few different rattles, and you love love love to be in your exersaucer (I have to raise it up to the next level because you are too tall for the first one now).
• You sleep with a little blue elephant and it's precious to me to see you cuddle with it at night.
• You have no problem reaching and picking up for said toys... now if I can just get you to roll over to get them, I'd feel a lot better. But no.. you don't care THAT much.
• You are into everything! When you do become mobile.. I'm in trouble! I have to clear off the table when I put you in your bumbo to feed you. Even so.. I still have to let you look around and explore for about 5 minutes before you'll actually eat! Yess.. sometimes I get a little aggravated, but you really do make me laugh.
• You went through a little week or so long phase where you decided you didn't want to sleep through the night anymore, but you were sick I found out. You have your first cold/very minor ear infection (you can thank your daddy for bringing that home), but you're on meds now and seem to be feeling a lot better even if you do still have the congestion.

We leave tomorrow for SC and this coming up weekend you are staying with your Grandparents for the first time.. all by yourself. I know they will take such good care of you. They are REALLY looking forward to spending all of that time with you.. they love you so much Drew!

You continue to warm our hearts and make us love more than we knew we were capable of doing. You really are my pride and joy! We love you to infinity and beyond (sorry.. just watched Toy Story 3.. great movie btw).

*Pictures are uploading way too slow for my liking. I'll try again lata!

20 Questions

1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals or are they members of your family?

We don't have any pets right now, basically because I don't want the responsibility. We will get a dog or two in a few years though. Drew LOVES them.
2. If you could have a dream come true, what would it be?
I would never ever worry about money. We'd vacation as a family twice a year. Once to a tropical/foreign location and once to a part of the US that we haven't seen. Trey would continue to do what he loves and the Army would always give us whatever we wanted (ie duty stations, time off, etc). We'd have two more kids (I'm okay with whatever sex as long as we have at least one more boy.. I'd be totally okay with all boys) and their births would be easy and uneventful. We'd all be very very happy.
3. What would you do with a billion dollars?
We wouldn't buy a house yet, but put enough in an account to pay for our dream house to be built when we were done with the Army. Give our parents enough to build their dream homes. Give some to our siblings. Put away enough to pay for our children's education. Buy all the cute things I wanted to for Andrew. Go on those vacations I mentioned above. Donate some here and there. Pay off all debt. Write anonymous checks to people we care about. And just have some fun.
4. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
A good cry. A chat with friends, hubby, or mum. Music. Coffee. A hug and opened mouth slobbery kiss from Drew.. or hearing his laugh or seeing his smile.
5. What is your bedtime routine?
First and most importantly, take a Melatonin. Check on Drew. Make Trey look at Drew because obviously he is just so cute in whatever position he is in. Check all the locks even though I know Trey's already checked them. Brush teeth. Wash hair. Turn on fans. Either read or chat until I pass out. Sometimes I ask Trey to scratch my back. He usually complies.
6. What activities did you do in High School? If you could go back, would you do the same stuff or something different?
Echhh.. I would do everything differently. I didn't care one iota about my grades. I was more into the whole social aspect of it. I'll leave it at that..

7. What kind of books do you read?
Drama filled fiction books.
8. How do you see yourself in 10 years?
Still sickeningly happily married to the hubs. My oldest will be 10.5 years old. My youngest.. who knows..4 or 5?? I will be loving on my family and maybe working part time and working on finishing my degree or maybe even starting a completely new one.
9. What’s your fear?
Losing people that I love. Insects. Clowns. Bridges. Being lost.
10. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to see outer space?
Absolutely not. Junk food is way too important and I'm not really into all that space stuff.
11. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Make a bottle and start the Keurig
12. If you could change one thing about your significant other, what would it be?
He wouldn't worry so much of what other people think (myself included) and just do what he wants.
13. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
I wouldn't. I really like my name even though a million others share it with me. I think it's fun and girly.
14. If you had to choose between six months of sun or six months of rain, what would you choose?
Who in their right mind would choose 6 months of rain?!?! sun, sun, SUN! (totally agree Ashleigh.. I'll just stick with your answer!)

15. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?
pizza!!! (me too!)

16. What is the thing you enjoy about blogging the most?
Being part of such a great community of girls. People that don't blog think I'm crazy, but I love that you are all such a big part of my life!
17. Do you prefer salty or sweet foods?
Ughh.. both. One right after the other.

18. What items are in your purse right now?
Well, I have a purse that is big enough to be used as a diaper bag sooo..
wallet, keys, phone, chapstick, diapers, wipes, bib, extra outfit, toys, blah blah blah blah

19. If you had to choose between vacationing at the beach or in the mountains where would you go?
Beach beach beach! I haven't seen one in almost 3 years :( Unacceptable!

20. What do you watch on television that you know you shouldn’t?
It hasn't started yet, but I know it should be illegal for me to watch that new Coming Home show that is starting on Lifetime next Sunday. I'm going to be an obscene, blubbering mess.. but I know I'll still watch it!


I'm technically supposed to tag others to play along, but I'm not. I love to read these things though so answer away!!

A few things I'm diggin' at the moment

1. American Idol.
I swore this show off two years ago. I didn't miss watching it one single iota last year. Kara really got on my nerves and I can't even really place why. I had no intentions of watching it this year either, but turned it on just to see how the new judges were going to do. That was about 3 weeks ago and I'm a born again Idol addict. I've always been a closet J-Lo lover (not so much her music.. never got down with Jenny on the Block.. but I'm a sucker for her cliche romantic comedy movies) and her personality on the show is enough to make me come running out of that closet. She's so sweet, but not annoying like Paula (Have another sister). And Steven Tyler - how cool is he?? I about died the night they had to put up a warning on the screen for his language. Randy was always good in my book. He makes me laugh.
Early favorite (that I can think of off the top of my head..) I think her name is Lauren. Cute little blond girl who I believe is 15 or 16. I would have said the guy with the deep "Josh Turner" voice when I first saw him, but I'm sure that is going to get old. I know there are more... it's early in the game. I haven't quite remember who is who yet.

2. Sarah's Key.
I'm reading it for this months book club. (yes, I joined a book club). It's probably one of the best books I've ever read and I'm not even finished yet. You can read about it here, but basically it's about a particular little girl and her family who was part of a roundup of Jews in France, 1942. Some of it is told from her point of view, which is so well written that I feel like I'm there with her, and so heartbreaking that it leaves me up for well after I've finished reading with a very sad heart. I feel like it weighs on me. It also ties in with a modern day American journalist, living in France, researching an article on the roundup. They eventually link together.. which is where I'm at now so I have nothing else to add here other than... This is a must read!

3. Making Drew's food.
I've been a puree'ing machine over the last few days. It was time consuming and there is almost no room in our freezer, but there is enough food to last him over a month, I'm sure, and was a lot less expensive to make. Not only did I save us some mula, my baby is eating better goods. There is nothing wrong with eating the packaged stuff.. our parents all gave it to us... but I like this option better. I like that there isn't a shelf life of 2 years on his food. I also like that I can give him more options. I've made (and he loves) carrots, butternut squash, zucchini, broccoli, avocado, sweet potatoes, bananas, mango, apples with cinnamon, pears, and papaya. He loves it all. He does not enjoy yogurt so far.

4. Dresses.
Call it covering up my chubbier than used to be tummy, call it sick of "winter", call it what you will.. but I'm loving me some dresses and plan on wearing a lot more this summer. (or starting now.. because I live in the desert and I can do that). And not just for special occasions. Dress Barn is not your grandmothers go to clothing store anymore. I went in there today with a friend and helloooo cuteness! I shopped at the clearance rack and got three of them. Spent $56 and saved $77. I could have bought just about the whole store.

Those are a few of my favorite things at the moment! What are you loving??

End of another 4-day

Another 4-day weekend comes to a close. Why do they always go by so fast??

We had a good one. Very low key. I was able to get some gym time in, although not as much as I planned and ate not so good for me food for the majority of the weekend. And I wonder why I'm stuck at 7 pounds lost! I do good all week and then blow it on the weekend.

We had a yard sale Saturday morning. That was an experience! Not as bad as I pictured it to be, but still...
We had to try and speak Spanish rather than people making an effort to speak English. Not the case with everyone, but the majority. I actually want to learn Spanish while we are here, but I don't feel like I should be at a disadvantage because I don't. Again.. America. Some people had mad bargaining skills and some just piled stuff up and said something about dinero in a questioning tone. Every single person that came lived in Juarez. Not that it makes one bit of difference to me.. I was just glad they were taking our junk.
None of my books were sold, however. I was pretty perplexed about that until Trey pointed out the obvious... the books are in English. Hello!!

We watched a few movies over the weekend.
1. How to train your dragon. I LOVED THIS MOVIE. So adorable and Trey now wants a pet dragon. This is one we will have to get for Drew (sure hope Mizzy read that ;) )
2. The social network. Very interesting. One of my favorite parts was when they showed when "facebook me" became a term that everyone knew. And how everyone started taking cameras to parties so they could tag their friends and relive the party the next morning.
3. A documentary called Babies. We have been very into the documentaries on Netflix lately. This one was alright. It showed the differences between 4 different babies lives from birth to a little over 1 it looked like. The four were from San Fransisco, Africa, Mongolia and Japan. One of the main points that stood out to me is I am EXTREMELY thankful to have the conveniences that we do! For instance, I thank God for diapers. Self explanatory, but those African moms....shooo... no thank you! The Mongolian baby was not watched over nearly as much as our babies are. It was no big deal for it to be alone in a field with cows charging all around it. I almost had a heart attack.

We grilled out with a few friends on Sunday. Of course on the one slightly chilly day of the weekend.

I'm thinking Trey has a greater understanding on what it's like to be a stay at home parent. It's been a little harder with Andrew (not impossible by any means), but with teething he is pretty irritable. He also knows we exist now even if we leave the room, so he does not like it very much if we leave his sight. That makes for one exhausted mama! On the other hand, the more frequent laughter out of him makes my heart smile. His sweet babbling is so much fun and I love to see him learn more and more every day. So it's give and take, but I know Trey appreciates me just a little more than he already did!

That's about it! I don't have much going on this week, which should make for a loong one I'm sure. I leave to go to SC next week for all of the wedding festivities. We are almost sure that Trey isn't going to be able to go (which I hope everyone understands). How sad is it that I'm so worried about him without me to take care of him?? I know he is a big boy and can take care of himself, but I know he won't eat as well. He considers Popeyes an acceptable thing to eat on a daily basis... what is he going to do without me??

Take the time to read this

I was so incredibly moved by this article that I had to share with everyone that may not have seen it.

You can click here to visit this wonderful woman's website, but here it is...


As many of you know, my husband came home from our third deployment not too long ago. During the deployment, a reporter asked me to share “What I Knew” about deployments and military life. This was my answer:

As I forced my hands to unfurl from his neck, feeling the familiar sting in my nose as tears pushed against my will, the words rattled and echoed in my brain. “Not again.”
I watched him walk away–that uniform, identifiable gait—and my heart bent and splintered as the reality of a third deployment began to shower over me.
I picked up the phone, dialing the numbers my numb fingers always meander toward, and sat in silence while she tried to ease my pain. “I can’t imagine…He will be home….I’m here.”
And then she said six words that shot through my ears, penetrated my brain, and stiffened my spine: “You know how to do this.”
She was right. I do know how to do this. I intimately know the all-too familiar lump in my throat. The year of being both father and mother, making the best of a situation. I know exactly how one year feels as I X each day off my calendar. And I know how to ensure that while our lives are on hold, we still live.


The truth is I know a lot:


» The thought of being alone for a year doesn’t bother me. The fear of being alone for a lifetime—does.


» Flat rate boxes can hold twenty whoopee cushions, four kindergarten projects, and five perfume-scented letters.


» Technology can be a double-edged sword—one side delivering his face; the other a brutal live-action feed of explosions and camouflaged body parts.


» Murphy’s Law is a constant companion. The moment he walks out the door, anything that can break, collapse, bleed, or explode–will .


» Five hours of uninterrupted sleep is a gift from the deployment gods


» Holidays are hard, but manageable.


» Deployments come and go, but sand from his boots never leaves.


» Nothing can replace a handwritten letter. Through those beautifully folded pages, he is holding my hand again.


» When the National Anthem is played, I know goosebumps will rise on my arms, and a lump will fill my throat.


» The silence in communication following a war zone attack is agonizing.


» Laughter is a powerful ally.


» Each deployment offers two options: grow or regress. This is a choice.


» Cereal is always a dinner option.


» Videos of lost teeth, ballerina recitals, and preschool graduations can be emailed to Iraq nearly instantly.


» Five powers of attorney and the intimate details of his will are needed to navigate a deployment.


» White out blizzards can actually bury a truck in five minutes.


» Rosie the Riveter was right: We can do it.


» Children cling to hope and the promise of tomorrow.


» Living in each moment together is possible when facing the fear that it could be your last.


» Welcome home kisses are sweeter than the finest chocolate.


» Anger will grip me and depression can hold me, but another military spouse will steady me.


» A six-year-old child can feel the absence of her father so deeply that she can suffer from clinical depression.


» A military spouse will often hold her/his tongue, silencing a story, for fear of sounding “unpatriotic.”


» The sound of a bugle can make my heart swell with pride or collapse in sorrow.


» Duct tape and a monkey wrench can fix nearly anything.


» Despite the protestors and those who tell me I “knew” what I was getting into, I know there are countless American citizens who will go above and beyond to show they support us.


There are many things I know.
I know how to change the brakes on my truck, rappel from the side of a cliff, shoot a double-barreled shotgun, balance a checkbook, earn my keep, and kiss a child enough to feel like two.


But there are still so many things I don’t know.


» I don’t know how to start my heart again when I see a death notification car on my street.


» When that knock echoes on the door of my neighbor, I don’t know how to forgive myself when I am relieved.


» I don’t know how to hug him enough to last a lifetime, or kiss him just so in order to feel satisfied—should our reunion be at the foot of a pine box.


» I’m not willing to learn how to pretend he doesn’t exist, to keep him out of our life while it goes on without him, or to build a wall so high he has no way to scale it.


» I don’t know how to stop his panic attacks, and I have no idea how to make my nightmares of rampant bombs and lifeless limbs disappear.


» I don’t know how to adjust to his presence in my house when our floor rarely feels the weight of his boots.


» I don’t know how to tell his small children that, yes, he leaves them all the time. But because he loves them so deeply, he is willing to die to keep them free.


» I can’t understand those who would question my desire to stay with him, or how I can peacefully sleep beside a “killer.”


» I am amazed and confounded that despite all he has seen, he still has the courage to laugh.


» I don’t’ know how to give up on my family.


But, most importantly:
I have no clue how to still my pounding heart when he finally walks through our door again, I don’t know how to pull my hands from his sand-stained neck and say goodbye, and I don’t know how to ever walk away from a man who stands while many choose to sit.

Be still my heart...

Let go and let God

That was one of my Grandmother's favorite sayings, I believe, and it's one that really stuck with me. Along with something about there only being one cook in the kitchen and "a watched pot never boils".

But, anywhooo...

For the past few weeks, I've tried to put the weight of the world on my shoulders. That's who I am.. a worry wart! It's just what I do. I like to take the world and try to mold it in my hands just so. There are times when I fully believe that I can take any situation and make it go the exact way I want it to, even if the odds are stacked against me. I'll make it work. Sometimes with words and actions, and sometimes by sheer will. While oftentimes I am successful, I am sure that this is the main cause for the crick in my neck 99.9% of the time. It's hard to need all of that control!

Two situations that have been sitting right there on the tippy top of my shoulders: Andrew's medical issues and that ugly D word (deployment.. that will be the only time I say it!)

The whole thing with Andrew.. I HAVE to let go. I hate this saying, but "it is what it is". God made him a certain way. I'm not at all convinced that what the doctor said is the actual case, but if it is, what can I do about it? You were all right, there is plenty of technology out there and doctors know what they are doing (most of them). If it can't be fixed.. there is a reason for it. God doesn't screw up. Repeat over and over... and over. He doesn't make mistakes. We'll be fine!

D word.. ahh.. D word, D word, D word.
We all know it eventually comes up. We can't avoid it forever. Of course DH and I have to make it more difficult than necessary. I've already done a post on this before, but to refresh the memory, he is debating going over to another unit to go sooner. I'm all for it. In fact, I'm hoping for it. Of course, once we've discussed it to absolutely no end and have both come to the conclusion that we both want him to go ahead and go and my hopes are up.. it's starting to look like he'll have to wait.
Sound crazy, do I? Listen, he's going sooner or later. Either this year or next. Let's just get this show on the road and get it over with! Of course, I've had our family map planned out since we got married. I knew exactly when I wanted to have kids and how many and what sex I wanted them to be. (see my control issues here?? Hey.. I wanted a boy first and look what I got!) If he goes sooner.. he'll come home and will be exactly in the time line of when I wanted the second child. If he goes late.. shooo.. that throws me all of! So far, his BN doesn't sound like they will let him go. You mean his BC doesn't care that it doesn't coincide with my family plan??? I kid. I need to learn to be okay with this. The Army certainly isn't going to consult me every time they want to take my husband away, as much as I think they should :)
God has a better life plan than I do. As hard as that is for me to grasp and agree with.. I know it's true. If he doesn't go sooner, there is a darn good reason for it. And I'm pretty sure the Big Man will let me know when it's time to have another child.

I'm ridiculous. I'm letting go. I'm very positive that I'll have to re-read this post a million times and chant that phrase over and over again... maybe one day it will sink it.

In the blink of an eye... Part II

This morning was Andrew's Ophthalmology appointment. I felt good going in there, expecting the best. We got some good news and bad news..

The Good ~
Most likely, the difference in dialation is nothing. Apparently, 20% of our population has the same issue.. it's just a thing.

The Bad ~
It is also most likely that he can't see out of his left eye. As in, completely blind out of it or can see just very very little. He couldn't tell me this was 100% the case, but kept saying he is "pretty sure". Which, btw, has nothing to do with the dialation problem. When the doc covered up his left eye, Drew was able to follow the toy he had in front of his face fully. When his right eye was covered, he was clearly upset and wasn't tracking the toy at all. None of the three we tried.. not any of the multiple times we tried. If we hadn't gone in there, we probably wouldn't have found this out until his first eye exam.

We are being referred to a Pediatric Ophthalmologist off post to get more definitive answers.

A lot of things went through my mind.. was it because of his birth? Because they had to use the vacuum on him? Could it be my fault.. I already carry some guilt for everything that went wrong as it is. Did I help cause this too? If he is blind in his left eye, there is a chance he could develop a lazy eye. Kids are horribly mean. It will break my heart to know he is being picked on.

I know we can deal with this. It could be SO much worse! We will treat him no differently and he will know that he can still try and accomplish anything he would be able to with both eyes :) Trey is a little more angry and down about it all, but I'm trying to help him see that compared to what we've been through with him already, this is nothing.

Maybe this will end up being a non-issue, even. If the doc couldn't give me a 100%, this is the problem answer, I still don't fully believe it's true. If it is.. it's okay.. it changes nothing. He is still my happy, charming, adorable little boy :)

What's your song?

Y'all did great with the wedding shoe fiasco.. crisis is solved and our hot pink shoes are being ordered. Bonus - pink pashminas instead of cardigans!

Now on to the next wedding subject. SIL sent me a text this morning saying:
"pick a song to be introduced at the wedding to. I need it by next week. This song defines you :) have fun with it"

Yeahhhh... this is my dream assignment. I've literally had daydreams where someone has asked me to do this for one reason or another *don't judge.. I LOVE music.. of all kinds!* Now of course, when the pressure is on, I can't remember any of the songs I've picked in my make believe world.

My first instinct is Thunderstruck by AC/DC. Not that the song describes me, but come on... how do you beat that intro?? It's perfect for me!


I let the bride now that that was my pick so far but not my final answer.

What would be your bridal party entrance song??

Let's play catch up!

Seems that we have made it through "Winter Storm 2011". And I thought South Carolina was bad!! There was maybe a total of 1/2 inch of snow that ever accumulated and the city was shut down for almost a full week. Not just like a cutesy let's-all-stay-home-and-cuddle shut down, it was a dangerous people-living-without-water-and-electricity shut down. Pipes have burst all over the city and homes have been flooded. Schools couldn't open from Wednesday, I think, until today.. one day short of a week. I have to say, though, that the community seems to have gotten together really well and problems look like they are being solved quickly. We put our names down as volunteers to have people come and shower and have a warm place to sleep since we were one of the very few that kept these luxuries, but no one took us up on it. We tried! The high is 70 today. Tomorrow's high is 40. My sinuses already hurt.

Speaking of hurting.. my poor baby is cutting his first tooth! I can tell it is effecting him, but only minimally. He's just a little extra fussy and sometimes is having trouble falling asleep. I can't imagine what he will look like with a little tooth in there :)

I have been a busy little bee planning my SIL bachelorette activities. A group of 9 of us are staying a weekend in downtown historic Savannah, GA and I can't wait! I fly home in early March and will be staying about 2 weeks or so. Wish me luck.. flying solo with the babe!

I had an epic fail of a long weekend with the diet. Echh.. it all started when a friend came over Thursday night and forced me to drink a few glasses of chocolate wine. And went downhill from there to include chocolate covered strawberries, a mini brownie, chips and dip, chex mix... etc etc! I am back on track now though and thankfully only gained a pound.. it's amazing!

We have a busy week planned this week with appointments for me, getting together with friends, and getting ready and organized for a yard sale on Saturday morning! No rest for this girl!

*Thank you all so much for your thoughts of last weeks scare with Andrew! It means so much to me to read your kind words. I will keep you all updated!*

In the blink of an eye..

... your world can be threatened to crash down all around you.

Good thing today.. our world only toppled and did not totally crash.
Trey and I started noticing not too long ago that at times throughout the day, Andrew's left pupil was considerably larger than his right. I made an appointment at SFMC to get it checked out, but wasn't very concerned. I didn't think too much of it and was doing just that.. just getting it checked out.

And this conversation with the doc is where we can enter the teeter-tottling (real phrase? sure. ) of my world.
has he been throwing up? (no)
has he been through any kind of trauma? (yes.. enter birth story)
was he hooked up to oxygen? (yes)
he never had any bleeding in his brain though? (yes actually, he did have a hematoma)

This is when she tells me that she is not concerned in the least with getting him to see an Opthamologist at the moment and I needed to get him up to William Beaumont for a CT Scan to make sure there was not a brain tumor.

Just like that. My brain didn't even have time to be wrapped around the concept before I was out the door and on my way. I was going to the Radiology Dept. to make sure my baby didn't have a brain tumor.

I didn't cry until I was alone with him in the room, seeing him basically in a straight jacket and having to grab a hold of his little 5 month old chin to make sure he didn't move a spec while he bawled his eyes out. This couldn't be happening. His life couldn't be threatened for the second time in less than a half of a year. But it very well could be happening, the other half of my brain was screaming ( I have two sides I guess.. one that loves to stay in denial and one that needs to prepare for the absolute worst.). It happens to people all of the time.. you are no different.

It is not, after all, happening to us - thank God. His pediatrician is a saint. She was very concerned and even though she was off, arranged to have the results called in to her so she could be sure we got the news ASAP. As I was pulling in my driveway she called with the wonderful news! I feel the need to send her flowers.. or at least a card.

So now we move on to the next step. We'll be getting referred to see an Opthalmologist at the end of next week and will go from there. Whatever it is, it's not a brain tumor, we can deal with it.

We are an extremely thankful family tonight. Andrew.. we love you to pieces, but please stop scaring us like that.

Stacy and Clinton - we need your help!

What not to wear: Military Style?

I have a poll for you girls.. answer honestly!

Do you think dark pink heels would compliment your man in his dress blues. Not for him of course, but on you with a navy dress?

Here's the story..

I have a very indecisive SIL that is getting married next month. Yes, NEXT MONTH, so we she needs to make this decision like... yesterday. Us bridesmaids are wearing navy blue dresses.. on the short side.. and SIL had originally said she'd like us in nude shoes. Yesterday she called asking how I thought dark/hot pink shoes would look with it along with the same color cardigan. Too cute says I! Not so much says her stepmom and photographer. They say it won't look good with the guys' blues.

I said I would take it to the experts soooo here you go!

We need help!



Not our dress or shoes, but to give you a nice mental image (boards.weddingbee.com)



Operation: Hot Mom

I don't think I've mentioned this over the past week, but on Monday, I started the South Beach diet. I didn't have enough time to make ONLY working out work for me. I was getting into Curves three times a week and still eating whatever the heck I wanted. Not very effective! I'm able to work out more now that I switched gyms and it helps that I'm getting more cardio, but the diet has been amazing.

I've never been a diet person. I don't think I've ever been successful with one, besides that one time out of like 50 that I did Weight Watchers. But this one? This has been great so far.

I'm sure everyone is familiar with South Beach, but just in case you're not, basically you are cutting out carbs and sugar. It's broken down into different phases (phase 1 being the more strict of the two where you can have NO carbs or sugar. Phase 2 is where you start gradually adding GOOD carbs back in).
I was terrified to start this! I live for bread, pastas, potatoes... all that good stuff! But I knew I had to do something, so I just made up my mind. I was doing it. I literally had to mentally prep myself. Tell myself over and over that food is for nourishment, not fun.
The first day was super easy. The second day was the worst. I was starving and grouchy. Every day since has been great.

If you put a bowl of mashed potatoes in my face right now, I could easily turn it down. I'm never, ever starving. I feel healthier. Annddd....
I've lost somewhere between 5-7 pounds. In a week. (scale fluctuates.)

I'm being realistic about this. I know that it's impossible to say that I will never have a potato or a slice of pizza again. Ha! My goal is to make this a lifestyle change. Once I get to my goal weight, I plan to keep this up for the most part, but if I really want a good bad carb, I'll eat it and not beat myself up over it. It just won't be an every day thing. If I slip up, I'll jump right back on.
Of course, I want to feel good about myself and how I look, but mainly, I want to be healthy for my family. I want to run around with my son. I want to go on hikes with my husband and not have to quit halfway through. I want to live a long, healthy life and not worry about any preventable, weight related diseases.

Soooo.. wish me luck on this journey! I plan to do regular posts about this. I'll update with my progress and list some ideas for different foods to eat and ways to eat them.. ahem.. in the first two weeks eating eggs everyday gets old. You have to get creative! Stay tuned...

~ 5 Months ~

Happy 5 months buddy!

I can't believe that you have been with us for 5 months. 5 months. I don't know how, but it seems like time has flown by and has taken it's sweet time all at once. Either way, I do know that they have been the best 5 months of my life.

I sit here typing this as you are entertaining yourself on the floor. You are having such a great time on your playmat. I don't think you have stop squealing and talking to your toys for the past 1/2 hour. You are so full of joy and I love seeing life through your eyes! You smile all of the time! At all of your toys. At every single person you meet. Especially at other babies and kids. I think you are going to be Mr. Social Butterfly as soon as you are able!

You are growing like a weed and I just want to slow. down. time. Slow it wayyyy down. I am so thankful that I am able to spend every day with you so I don't have to miss one little thing. I love your daddy even more so for allowing us this time together!

Your stats:
~ At 5 months old, you are wearing 6 month clothing and they are getting a little snug on you. If feels like I am always rearranging your clothes because you grow out of everything so quickly. You are still in size 3 diapers though.
~ You still take a 6 oz bottle every three hours during the day. Plus, you have rice cereal late morning or for lunch and a veggie around your last bottle for the day. So far all you have had is green beans and peas. You will eat both of them, but I wouldn't go as far as to say that you love them! We are going to try feeding you a mashed up guacamole this weekend!
~ You sleep through the night for 12 to 13 hours at a time. 6pm to anywhere from 6-7 the next morning. I would like to change your bedtime, however, to a little later. Your daddy would like to see you for more than just an hour a day and you also put a bit of a damper on our social life ;)
~ You had two over night stays with a babysitter this month!! You slept over at Mrs. Sue and Mr. Chris's house twice while we went to two different Military balls! We had a lot of fun, but I sure did miss you!
~ You are a pro at rolling over from your tummy to your back. We can't seem to keep you on your tummy at all now, but when you do, you are getting much stronger and can hold your head up so high to look at things!
~ You also sat up without my help for the first time. You don't last very long, but you're learning and you can't wait to be able to do it on your own. When you are laying down, I can see your little stomach muscles trying so hard to get you back up.. especially in the bathtub!
~ You are so curious about everything around you. So much so that it's getting hard to give you your bottle because it seems like you just cannot miss anything that may happen! You look around everywhere and drool all of your milk out.
~ You are taking three naps a day. The first one is about an hour and 1/2 after you wake up. Then another one in the morning and afternoon. I can very easily tell when you are tired now and you are usually able to put yourself to sleep within 10 minutes!
~You love your exersaucer and have figured out how to work almost all of the toys on there. We love to see you figure things out every day and we are both convinced that you are the smartest baby ever. It's so much fun to see you learn.
~ You have finally started to enjoy it when we read to you, so I've made that part of our daily routine. We lay on your bedroom floor together and read. You coo a lot while I'm reading to you and try to eat the book.
~ Speaking of eating... you've also discovered your feet. You love to grab onto them and try to eat your cute little toes :)
~ Your giggle is contagious and I could sit and listen to you laugh all day. You do laugh a lot, but you have started this screeching thing. You do this high pitched screech throughout a lot of the day. It's not an unhappy thing though, I guess you just can't contain your excitement!!
~ You do still like your TV and though I won't allow you to watch too much.. you do enjoy Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go, and The Backyardigans (really you would watch anything I'd put you in front of.. those are just my favorites actually)

We love you more and more each and every day. I think you are just perfect the way you are.. every one of your little features... your sweet, happy, outgoing little personality.. everything! God truly blessed us when he gave you to us!

Starting to take more than one take! Little wiggle worm

4 months

The Night I Lost a Few Hours of Sleep

I know that my son has completely spoiled me, so I have no real right to complain here, but I'm going to! Like I said.. I've been spoiled.

I was blessed with a very good sleeper (please don't hate me!!) From when he was born up until about 3 months of age, he was falling asleep at 6pm, waking up once during the night around 3am to eat, then back asleep until about 6-6:30am. Starting around 3 months, he started sleeping through the night. Like 12 to 13 hours through the night. Still falling asleep around 6 and not waking up until anywhere from 6 to 7 the next morning.

We had a little week long spell a few weeks ago where he was waking up around 2am and having a little party in his crib.. talking to himself for about a 1/2 hour until he fell back asleep on his own. Then.. back to normal. Until last night..

Gahhhh... I don't know what got into him, but I was up with him off and on from 2-4! Everything I've read about sleep training.. which btw has clearly worked wonderfully for us.. told me NOT to pick him up and feed him during the night. He's 5 months old and should be able to sleep though the night without eating. So I didn't. Until about 3:45 when I couldn't take it anymore and it's started to be very clear to me that he was starving I believe. I thought maybe his gums were bothering him (how the heck am I supposed to know what's bothering this kid anyways???) but maybe all along he really was... just a little hungry. Growth spurt?

I fed him. I wanted to cuddle him back to sleep since we haven't done that in so long. He had other things in mind.. like playing. So I put him down and he fell back asleep within 5 minutes.

Here is the real question though ~ when we have nights like these... how is it that I wake up feeling like a zombie and he wakes up in the greatest mood ever and ready to seize the day?? Good thing he's adorable... how can I be frustrated when he flashes me that huge smile of his??

Surprise!

I'm back!

I know.. I'm extremely fickle. I hated being private again. I missed feeling like a part of the community that I was involved in. Yes, the main reason I blog is for myself, but I also love being a part of your lives.. and that's hard to do when the blog is private.

I'll be making some changes I guess to make myself feel better, like taking Drew's pics down maybe and not be such an open book about where we live. One step at a time.

For now though.. it's good to be back!

Grab a Tissue!!

My brother surprised me with this video a few weeks ago. He had to do a slide show for a midterms for one of his classes. He was even working on it while we were home for Christmas and I had no idea. He sent me a text one day asking me to get on Skype and then watched my reaction as I watched the video. Needless to say.. there were ugly tears involved!! Hope you enjoy :)

A New Journey

I'm completely fed up with this baby weight. But I can't complain too much if I'm not doing anything about it.

Something clicked in me about two weeks ago. I'd had enough. I drove my chubster self to Curves and signed up on the spot. Not for the year commitment though.. I know myself better than that! *SN: I'm already coming into conflict with this. Trey is part of a new BN now and they are much more strict with his hours. He actually has to be present during formations now (gasp) which means they only time I had to go to the gym (6:30 am when they open) won't work anymore. I can't go after he gets off work or else we won't eat until 8pm and we all know that isn't good. Time to reassess I guess! Anywho.. where was I... After two and some odd weeks of working out and not really changing my eating habits (re: eating whatever the hell I want), I've finally come to terms with the fact that I needed to change said eating habits.

I've started South Beach. I was going to do one of those detox things for 17 days. .you know.. because everyone is doing it. But I had no clue as to what I was supposed to do after those 17 days. I mean.. once those days are over there are no guidelines. I need guidelines or I'll consume 5 pounds of potatoes in a day and top it off with a gallon of ice cream.

When we picked Andrew up from our friends house Sunday morning, I noticed her South Beach book on the table, started asking questions, read a few pages in the book, and made up my mind.

I went to the grocery store and had a mini panic attack as I saw the cashier load up all of those veggies. No bread. No crackers. No noodles or potatoes. I just knew I was going to starve!!

But day one is gone and over with and I have to say... I did pretty well. I never really went hungry.

I'm pretty excited about this.. especially since Trey is doing it with me. I plan to be very strict with the first two phases. After that.. I know I'll have some of those delicious carbs.. just once and a while. Not every night.

Sadly, you know what the hardest part of this all is? No No.. silly.. not the part about going without wine for 2 weeks.. too easy. It's trying to get all of my water in!

Wish me luck.. I'm very motivated today, but it's just day one.

Winter Ball

Last night was the winter ball for the Brigade that Trey is in. I was so nervous about leaving Andrew for the entire night, but ended up doing very well. We had such a great time.. I have no pictures yet as I forgot my camera, but I will soon!

I've only been to one of these Army functions before, but I forgot how much fun they are! Last night totally renewed my love for the Army. How could it not?

Not many girls have an excuse to dress up all Cinderella-like at least once a year and be on the arm of your very own Prince Charming hero.
The camaraderie among all of the soldiers there is infectious.
You get to hear about all of the strong and brave things your husbands do from day to day. Seriously... I was in a room full of about 400 of the bravest people in our country.. humbling!
The speeches that are made throughout the night are incredibly motivating.. and to hear those 400 some odd soldiers yelling out a big HOOAH at the same time after a few particularly inspiring words.. kinda cool.
The delicious food (and wine).
Seeing Trey drink out of the Grog for the first time. Grog Ceremony = a long standing tradition within the military, going back to the Calvary days of westward expansion. They would share their "spirits" with one another.. whatever they happened to have on hand... ensuring that all soldiers had something to drink. So now, some of the big wigs will get up in front of everyone and start pouring every liquor under the sun into this huge bowl.. each one representing a different time period in the unit's history. For example.. they start with a base of sand and blood ( sugar and grenadine). Then to represent something I can't remember, they pour vodka in (after said big wig gulps some straight from the bottle). And so on and so on until rum, brandy, tequila (that was poured in to represent our units move to El Paso I think.. that I kind of remember), beer, wine.. blah blah blah was added in. Some people choose to drink it and some people are forced to  as Trey was.. kind of a hazing if you will. Slightly.. I'm sure he somewhat enjoyed it no matter how disgusting he said it was.
I'll never tire of the colors being presented and retired. How quiet that room full of people get and how still those soldiers stand.

I know I mentioned this after our last ball, but that was over a year and 1/2 ago and is definitely worth talking about again. Right before dinner we do a few toasts. The last toast was a toast to our fallen comrades. During their last tour in Iraq, three soldiers were lost. There was a table set up for them last night and the last toast was made for them. I can't remember everything that is said, so to get the full effect I googled the exact-ish words.

"You may have noticed the small table set for three that is off on its own - it is reserved to honour our fallen comrades in arms. This symbolizes that they are with us, here in spirit. We should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation's call [to serve] and served the cause of freedom in a special way. We are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured the agonies of pain, deprivation and death.

I would like to explain the meaning of the items on this special table.
•The table is round - to show our everlasting concern for our fallen comrades.
•The tablecloth is white - symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.
•The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of our fallen comrades, and the loved ones and friends of these comrades who keep the faith.
•The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to remember our fallen comrades.
•A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those who will never return.
•A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by the families of those who have sacrificed all.
•The Holy Book represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country.
•The glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us at this time.
•The chair is empty because they are no longer with us.

Let us remember - and never forget their sacrifice.
May they and their families ever be watched over and protected."

It's impossible for me to put into words what the room felt like at that moment.

Last week I would have told you that I am counting down the days until Trey gets out of this crap. Today - I am proud all over again. I'm a part of something magnificently bigger than me.

First Night Alone

We should be excited right? Not.At.All.

Trey and I have his unit's ball tonight and we are leaving Andrew with a very trusted older couple that we are friends with. He's spending the night with them :(

They have two grown kids, so they are very capable, that's not what I'm worried about. I'm going to miss him so much and I have very irrational thoughts... like.. what if he misses us just as much? What if he thinks we left him?

Most of all - I'm terrified of coming home without him. I'm so afraid that it's going to take me back to those very first few days when he was in the NICU and we were in an empty house. An empty crib. I'm so very scared of that feeling.

I'm going to try and concentrate on having a wonderful night out with my husband.. both of us all dolled up. I know that is important. We need nights like this. If only these knots in my stomach would go away...

Back to Normal

How is it even possible that the holidays are over along with the trip back to SC that I was so much looking forward to?? On one hand it feels like it was a huge whirlwind that never really even happened it went by so quickly, on the other hand it feels like we left to start the whole trip ages ago. We had a great time, but there is a lot to catch up with so you know what that means... another post brought to you by bullet points.

• I ADORED seeing Andrew meet all of the most important people in our lives! He did so well on this trip. He handled flying like a champ, the time change didn't phase him a bit, and charmed every single person he came in contact with with his beautiful smile. Seeing my parents as grandparents is something that warmed my heart more than I knew it would.
• We spent the first 6 days staying at Trey's family and the rest of the trip with mine. There was drama involved with that, but it's just how it worked out.
• Christmas was wonderful. Andrew was pretty much not impressed at all, but if he understood all the cool presents he got from everyone, he'd be pleased. Lesson learned though? We can't do it like that ever again. It cost Trey and I an ungodly amount (more than a round trip plane ticket) to ship everything back. I can't think of a fun solution yet, but we'll have to work on that!
• I went dress shopping with my SIL for her wedding. She found a dress and looks breathtaking in it. She is going to make a beautiful bride.
• Andrew rolled over for the first time while we were home! He did it once and that was it for a few days. I thought he would never do it again but then decided it was pretty fun I guess and I now officially have a tummy to back roller. Let the fun begin! He's also eating rice cereal mixed with fruit every night :)
• I got a Flip from my mum for Christmas. Couldn't be any more ecstatic about that than I am. Now if only I could figure out how to upload videos here and why FB takes FOREVER to upload them!
• I had multiple play dates with my friends' babies. It was amazing. I can't believe we are all mummies. Next year, Ashleigh's little one will be able to join!
• New Years Eve was spent at my parents house with some of our closest friends. The Blairs came into town. We had lots of delicious food, little bit of vino, and some fireworks at the end of the night. I couldn't have planned a better way to ring in the new year if I tried!

I'm sure there is lots more that I didn't mention. I think the biggest and most important thing I realized over the past two weeks is that no matter how much I love going back and seeing everyone, Trey and Andrew are my home. Yes, it is true that we may not have a stable place to live while he is serving in the Army, but I have FINALLY gotten to the point that I am okay with that. I'm sure I will still get homesick and of course I would pack up and move back in a nano second if that were possible, but I'm finally at peace with my little family. Doesn't that sound horrible? That I wasn't before all of this? But it's true. I was so stuck on missing the people I wasn't around on a daily basis that I was missing out of making the most of the time I have here with my family. It's taking me a while to "grow up", but I am getting there.
Yes, I shed a few tears leaving my parents, even though I know I'm coming back in 2 short months, but I would be lying if I said it wasn't a relief to walk into our own home and get back to just the three of us. Back into our little routine.
Speaking of routine... off to wash some bottle, do laundry and get some groceries in this house!!

~ 4 Months ~

Drew Baby ~

You are 4 months old now and such a big boy! It makes me sad, but excited at the same time that you are technically no longer an infant. You had so many firsts this month that I don't even know where to start:

First Christmas!! You weren't really in to opening presents what-so-ever, but mama had fun doing it for you! You did like to chew on the wrapping paper though. You got lots of clothes that you have time to grow into. Some books that I can't wait to read to you! And lots and lots of toys that you will have so much fun with in just a few months. Especially Chuck the Truck that your Uncle Charlie gave to you.. you are already enthralled with that one, you just need to figure it all out :) You'll get there soon.. I have no doubts.

First snow!! My life long dream has been to have a white Christmas and we got pretty close this year. We got about 2 or 3 inches the day after Christmas and took you out to play in your new snow suit that Auntie Nanny (Kathy) got you. I don't think you cared less about it, but I'm glad I got some good pics!

First bowl of Rice Cereal!! Umm you kind of loved it. We didn't really have to teach you how to use the spoon.. it's like you've been eating your whole long life. We couldn't get it down your throat fast enough and had to stop and give you the bottle. Lesson learned Mister.. next time we'll give you the bottle first.

First time meeting lots and lots of people. You met your Uncle Steve, Auntie Mimi, Cousin Addy, and tons of friends. At first you didn't really know how to handle it. You weren't too sure of the chaos of everything. You cried a lot the first day... especially around Addyson because she is such a loud little monkey. You warmed up to her real quickly though and you were both very sweet to each other.

You do not know a stranger.. if this keeps up you are going to be quite the social butterfly. You smile at every single person that you see. Such the flirt! I love it! You seem to have a preference for blonds.. you stare very lovingly at your Uncle Charlie's girlfriend Vickie.. he better be careful!

You are wearing all size 3-6 month clothing and size 3 diapers.

You have a very strong grip... everybody comments on how strong you are.

You can hold your head up very well.
You'll stand up with us helping you and hold yourself up very well.

You are so close to rolling over!! You can get your little legs up and over and just need figure out the top half of your body.. so close buddy!

You love TV. It's not something that we've purposely got you doing, but you are obsessed with it. I take comfort in the fact that for now.. I'm pretty sure you are just interested in the bright colors and movement.

You rode on your first plane!! You were very well behaved and only cried one time and that was when another baby cried. You are very much a sympathy crier.. sweet boy.

We are not home to do your comparison picture, but when we get back home we will take that and go to your 4 month appointment!


We are more and more infatuated with you by the day. I can't ever stop cuddling and snuggling you and you like it more and more. You are the best thing that ever has happened to us and I thank God all the time for your existence. We love you!

Blogger's Block

I have severe, severe bloggers block. Partly I guess because I kept myself insanely busy this week and I also just don't have much to talk about.. shocker!

But I figured I'd spit a little something out while Trey is SUPER cleaning the entire house. I tried to help, I really did. But he's doing such a deep cleaning.. everything from the kitchen is in the living room right now and it's like my mind spiraled out of control and I start panicking. I don't do well with chaos and that's what this seems to be right now. My kitchen is well on it's way to being cleaning enough to eat off of every single surface though! Good job Trey. Sorry I am a spaz and can't handle it. ADD kicks in big time. It got bad enough that he told me to just sit down and chill.. sooo.. here I am. Good husband!

I'm getting less stressed about our trip home and more excited. I've made mine and Andrew's packing list (Good God.. Trey is now dusting the kitchen chairs!!!) and that helps a lot.

I can't friggen wait to show him off to everyone! In just one weeeekk... ahhhhh! He's so much fun right now, which I know I've said 100000 times, but I just can't get enough of him. His laugh is so contagious and I kiss his cheeks enough that they should be chapped! I can't help it. If those chubby cheeks are within 3 inches of me, I will be loving all over them.

Let's randomly switch subjects, shall we? I had a much needed night out with a new girlfriend Wednesday night. Why Wednesday night you ask? 1/2 off bottles of wine at Carino's. Good reason for me! Some other girls from Centering were supposed to go, but I think everyone is really busy because of the holidays. The two of us had such a good time.. chatting, laughing, and even crying! It is SO nice to have finally met someone that I really click with! Fun Fact: our babies were born on the same day, in the same hospital. We were laboring at the same time. If I've already mentioned that then forgive me, it's so cool to me.

That's all for now. Maybe I'll go play with Andrew some more while Trey finishes scouring the house. We're going to see some Christmas lights tonight that are supposed to be pretty amazing :)

Week in Review

I'm sitting here with a bit of free time since Andrew is sleeping on Trey's chest (which never fails to make my heart patter) and my camera battery died on me. I was attempting to erase all the pics from the past year that I don't plan to print out.. the memory card is almost full. I don't think I've ever done that before. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the 1 thousand million pictures I've taken over the past three months. I felt the deep need to blog, but after about a half hour went by without a decent subject popping in to my head, I figured I'd just come on here and ramble. That seems to be the norm lately.

So let's see..

This week flew by in my eyes. I did good keeping us busy.. mostly just with errands spread out over the week with bits of fun here and there.

Monday we went grocery shopping at Target and ran into my friend Sheila. I got to meet her little Andrew for the first time! He is 6 weeks old. Nothing too exciting there.. just a fun day at Target.. Andrew's favorite place. Promise.

One of my favorite pics to date ~ starting to look more like mama ~

We had our first play date with Andrew's friend Zoey on Tuesday. I met her mommy, Michelle, at the mall but I promise it was a play date for them, not us :) Zoey and Andrew were born within a few hours of each other at the same hospital. We went through Centering together and then ended up being in labor together as well. I'd say there is a bit of a bond there, don't you? We have another play date lined up for next week... Zoey wants Andrew to come over and play in her princess room. We won't tell daddy.

Thursday, we went to the Commissary and dropped by to see the Stitchers girls while we were on post. Andrew was a doll and sat and smiled at all the ladies. Flirt. That night we went to the HHB Christmas party and Andrew got to meet Santa for the first time. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves :) One thing I can say is that he is such an easy little boy. He's so compliant and I hope that lasts. It was past his bedtime and he wasn't mad at us at all for keeping him out. Didn't fuss at all and was just taking everything in.

Friday, for the most part, I went on strike from any cleaning or errands. I wanted to soak up as much time getting all of those giggles and smiles in. I have to remember to take days like that. Andrew is not going to remember how clean his house was growing up. I know that is not what is important in the long run. I mean, I'm not going to let the roaches and flies come in, but it's okay to let the dirty dishes sit for a bit. I want my son to remember his mama taking the time to get on the floor and play and laugh with him!
He went to bed around 6:45 that night. Just in time for Trey and I to watch the Friday night movie on NBC together. I guess Family Movie Night is coming back (remember that growing up?) and they showed A Walk in My Shoes. Such a great feel good, remember what life is all about movie. I loved it! Hopefully, they keep up the good movies.

This has been a lazy morning so far, enjoying our coffee and some College Gameday! Carolina is playing in the SEC Championship game today, and I can't speak for Trey, but I sure am excited! I'd love to win the game and be champions of the SEC, but if we win there won't be an SEC team in the National Title game, which there should always be in my opinion! We shall seeee. I know if we win, it's going to be a crazy night in Columbia!

Tomorrow we are heading up towards Las Crueces, New Mexico to head to a Pistachio and Wine Farm. More on that later. Off to enjoy the weekend! Sorry for the semi-boring post... that's all I have in me :)

~ 3 Months ~

Happy 3 months my  little lovebug!!

You continue to light up our lives day by day sweet boy. I can't imagine what our lives would be without you now that we have you. You make me laugh and laugh, like genuinely laugh out loud. Most of the time (if you're fed and not sleepy) we can just look at you and you'll give us a huge grin in return or you'll laugh at us! You are SO MUCH fun and provide constant entertainment to us!

Here's what you've been up to:

You are wearing size 3 diapers and 3 month clothing. I've already put away all of your newborn and 0-3 month clothing!
You are also growing out of your swaddle blankets, but you don't sleep very well if your arms aren't locked down so we're trying to find some kind of resolution!
You have more control over your neck and will hold your head up on your own now. It's still a little wobbly, but you are doing great and we can sit you in your Bumbo seat for little bits at a time.
You still hate tummy time and will not pick your head up if I lay you down for it. You do a great job at it though if it's on your own time! I think you'll be stubborn like your mama!
I'm guessing you have discovered your hands, although I never did catch you staring at them for long periods of times like other parents say. You have them in your mouth constantly! You would put both of them in there at the same time if you could! You put your pointer finger in a little hook and suck on it vigorously. We can hear you making sucking noises from another room away!
You drool like there is no tomorrow!
You love for us to clap your hands together and stomp your feet around and laugh incessantly when we do.
You also laugh when we tickle your neck and tummy. I LOVE that you are ticklish. It's the cutest thing!
You talk up a storm now. No more just the little coo here and there.. you are cooing and blowing raspberries and OOOOing nonstop!
Just today actually, you held your bottle on your own for ohhh... about 3 seconds. Just a little bit of time, but you are trying!
You love when I stick my tongue out at you and I can tell that you are trying to do it back.
You LOVE watching the TV already! I think you just like the bright colors, but it is funny to see you and your dad on the couch together "watching" football!
Sometimes when you smile, you tilt your head to the side and put your hands up to your face like you are bashful... adorable!
You sleep like a champ! You like to go to bed a little earlier now (between 6:30 and 7:00) and sleep until between 4 and 5, then go back down until about 8. Last night you slept for 12 hours straight.. 6:30 to 6:30. Thank you!!
You are eating between 30 and 36 ounces a day. You go all night without eating so you'll do 6 ounces every 2 and 1/2 to 3 hours during the day.
You fit in your big boy stroller much better and love a walk!



I can't believe I have a 3 month old!



Think... Thank.. Thunk

Random thoughts for the night:

I have not been as relaxed as I am right now IN A VERY LONG TIME. The lights are out and the room is lit dimly with Christmas lights. Trey is playing NCAA football on his PS3 and I am free to roam Internet land for as long as I want, sprawled out on the couch under a Christmas blanket. Andrew has been sleeping soundly for 2 hours now.

It's Trey's night to get up with Andrew.. if he wakes up. Sweet!

We put a different blanket on our bed and it's heavenly. (Mum and Ashleigh, it's the one that was on your bed when you stayed) It's so warm and comfy. It makes it hard to get out of bed in the morning. If there wasn't a promise of a laughing, talkative baby and yummy coffee, I probably wouldn't. I look at our bed longingly when I pass by during the day now.

I really would like to get an advent calendar this year.
I like Skype because it allows us to see family and them to see Andrew as he is growing, but at the same time, it really annoys me. I feel like there is always a quality issue. I had to hang up with my family on Thanksgiving because I was so aggravated. Everything was so muffled.


I don't know that I will even attempt to breastfeed with the next baby. People can throw their stones at me now, I don't care. I love the simplicity of formula.. I don't however love it's cost.

Trey and I have been so obsessed with watching Dexter. I love it so much that I want everyone I know to watch it.

I love football more than is normal I think. All of the rivalry games are on tomorrow and I am incredibly excited.

I really think my son (that's still sounds strange coming out of my mouth) is the cutest little boy I've ever laid my eyes on. I know all parents feel like that, but come on.. he's the most handsome thing ever. And his little laughter and squeals.. ahhhh... I love it. I can't wait to take him home for Christmas. I love to show him off. Trey and I did good work.

I feel beyond blessed that I get to stay home with that little bugger and don't have to put him in daycare. I know I am lucky and I thank God for that opportunity every day.

I am very unhappy with the way I look right now. I had this vision of myself getting right back into shape after I had Andrew. Honestly though, I have no place to complain about it because I'm not really doing anything about it other than the *maybe* two or three times a week I walk with him and the occasional set of crunches. I wish I had time to go to the gym, but I don't. I could technically enroll him in CYS and pay for hourly daycare on post, but I'm a little nervous to do that. Plus I haven't changed my eating habits. For instance, I enjoyed a nice big milkshake tonight.

Charla, if you're reading this, will you do a bra fitting for me? I keep forgetting to ask you, but it just crossed my mind. I got fitted at Soma a few weekends ago and didn't believe the sweet lady so bought whatever size I thought I needed. But now I don't feel like they fit right and think maybe she could have been right. I just don't see how it's possible. Please help!

Fun fact for you Ashleigh? I misspelled your name above by accident and spell checker knew how to correct it :)