New Adventures With The Packetts

Yeah, I'm still here

2011-08-26T01:27:00.000-04:00

I will blog a post as soon as I can. Lately, it's been busy, and honestly, I almost forgot I had a blog until someone asked me last week if I had updated it. OOPS!!

Why? Tough Questions.

2011-04-12T12:50:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, well, a lot of times, I wonder why things happen the way they do. I mean, the things we can't control. I understand God is in control, and the reasons things happen in certain ways is because He said so for a good, specific purpose, but when I hear about certain things, I have no words.

I mean, I've had junk happen to me in my life, especially teenage years and up, but, you can either dwell on the negativity or ask God, "What am I supposed to learn from this?" or "How should I grow in this?"

I've liked Romans 8:28 for a long time for this reason. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

God brings things to you for you to grow and learn, not to become bitter and angry, What's the cliche? (I hate cliches and "old sayings") "If God brings you to it, He'll bring you through it. Now, granted, we'll all "go through it" and respond differently. But I still think the lesson to be learned is.........God's in control. Trust him.

I've wanted to be "Mommy" for forever. I had been married 5 and a half years at a certain time in life. I was 28 years old. I had heard of and seen plenty of friends be "Mommy" for several years and some had 2 or 3 kids. I was super jealous. Now, Scott had told me about a high school basketball injury that possibly could have left him "sterile." I freaked out in my head. I never told him (until now, when he reads this). I never blamed of the "unknown." Hey, it could very well be ME to be a reason why there was no kid yet. Keep in mind, by this time in life, I was off birth control (the devil pill) and had been doing nothing to prevent a pregnancy for a year. I started to get a little depressed. I started having pregnancy symptoms, but had 2 negative tests. I had bought a box of 3 tests, said "screw it," and put the other test away. A friend of mine knew my pain and told me to "save it for a rainy day." Soon after, another good friend had told me she just found out SHE was pregnant (but she wasn't as happy at that point because this would be her 4th kid and she had a tubal scheduled soon...but that's all changed now :) ). I didn't get upset with her. She knew I wanted a kid badly and felt bad about telling me. Well, I thought about how I had kept having preggo symptoms. The next day, a rainy day, I took that 3rd test. Immediate positive. Wow. I was happy, but also a little scared of the "what if it's not real" thing. Doctor confirmed pregnancy by another pee test. I wanted to see VISUAL proof though. I had to wait until the next week. Well, Ayden's here. Wild as ever. It was real.

Flash forward to October 2010. I had some abdominal pain. Weird ones. It was a Wednesday. Every day added another symptom that was all too familiar until Sunday. I had heartburn. I NEVER have heartburn unless I'm preggo. Monday's pee test confirmed. BUT...why was I still in "what if" mode? I had to wait until December 2 to go to the Dr because of the insurance. Yay. BUT I got an ultrasound that day because I had no idea of due date. VISUAL proof. Unbelief? Not sure. Paranoid? Probably.

Enough about me...but all of that was to say, believe, and whatever God says is best for you is what will happen.

But......what about those who struggle and have struggled with infertility issues? They try and try and nothing. What about those who get pregnant, then to have a miscarriage, or maybe multiple miscarriages? What about those who go full term pregnancy and end up having a stillborn baby?

We aren't guaranteed anything. Not tomorrow. Not the next breath. Then, why do we act and behave in ways that we are invincible and in ways that are so negative, mean, and (I hate this word) hateful? I, MYSELF, am included in this.

If I rely on MY PLAN, then I will not respond appropriately to God's plan. If it were to be MY PLAN, would it really be as pleasant? No.

I read of a friend who found out today that her pregnancy ended. I know that she's been, like me in the past, wanting to be "Mama." But how did she respond? Not bitterly, not angry. Said that Jesus decided to take her baby and that her baby is living with Jesus. Now, isn't that how it should be? I can't say I would most definitely react that way right now.

And what we've all been waiting for!

2011-04-12T11:59:00.002-04:00

So, on January 27, I went to my "mid preggo" Dr appointment, hoping to find out the gender of this kid. Little Jelly Belly Bean was asleep. The Dr shook and pushed, but nothing could make this kid move. The BEST view of the kid's "stuff" was basically of spine and legs. Dr said it looked like a girl, "But I wouldn't put money on that." I guess the universal answer to determining gender is girl, if "the obvious" is not visible. I would now have to wait until week 37 to find out. Fabulous. Not that it was such a big deal, but I was getting tired of getting asked what it was and I had no answer, then follows the "WHAT?" response from other people, then their projections to what it is.

I was beginning to wonder what this kid was the farther along I got. This kid ACTS and SITS in the SAME places as Ayden did. At this point, 30 weeks tomorrow, I'm thinking this kid's going to be tall, too. Mama has run out of room in the belly for now. We're going to have to start growing outward instead of up toward the ribs and over toward the sides.

Mama had told me about the Baby Fair in Cleveland. I had planned on going, because I had gone with Elizabeth to the Bridal Fair a few months before. However, Mama, calls every phone we own and texts us both in excitement to tell me that at the fair, Ocoee OBGYN would be doing free ultrasounds. Yes,I said free. FREE??!!! WHAT??!!! I was hopping all over that one. So, April 10 finally rolled around. I got there early. There was already a short line outside. The thing started at 1 PM. By the time I figured out where they were doing the ultrasounds, I was next in line. WHAT?!?!?! So, the time stamp on the u/s pic says 1:16 PM. And................

We have a boy. Avery Teagyn to be exact. I have to admit, I was SUPER excited! 2 boys. That's what I've always wanted as long as I could remember.

Here's Little Mister's Profile. Ayden wasn't so kind to show us his.

Not long into the u/s, I saw something so weird but so neat. He YAWNED! It was obvious what happened. Mouth open wide for a few seconds, then shut. She rewound it a bit to "commemorate the moment." But his mouth opened a LOT wider than that.

So, there you have it. Boy Packett. I'll be crazy in a few months, but oh well. HAHA.

I'm such a slacker

2011-04-12T11:29:00.001-04:00

I blogged a lot while pregnant with Ayden. With this one, ummm, not so much. Hmm? Why? I WONDER! Could it be because there is a super wild monkey running around in the house "playing with" everything BUT his toys? I think so.

Little Monkey has learned how to unlock the doorknob lock and open the door to the outside. We now have to deadbolt the doors no matter what. I put eye hook thingy locks on some doors, especially the bathroom door, and Little Monkey has figured out how to SOMEHOW get it to come loose so he can open the door. Little Monkey can turn on the water in the bathroom sink. He flushes the toilet. He turns on the water to the tub. My day is NEVER QUIET! Even when he is asleep, he is talking or flipping and flopping like a fish, but, oh yeah, he only takes about 20 minute naps....ONCE a day!

His vocabulary has increased to about 40 or more words. The newest words are Bible, All Aboard, Choo Choo, Mouth, Nose, Ears. There's more, but I forgot. I don't consider him to have "added a new word" into his vocabulary unless he says it a few times and knows what it means. For instance, if he says "mouth" and points to his mouth, he's got it. Oh, "Mouse" is another, for Mickey Mouse, and 'Tigger." It took me a while to figure out that he was saying Tigger.

He gets the broom and wants to sweep. He got Dada's debit card out of his wallet and went to the door to "swipe it" between the door and the door frame. He gets his picture book and goes through "Role Call." Of course, he is always "Baby." I'm not sure if he realizes that is him or not.

He gets into the pots and pans. He has a pot lid right now. He always looks at me and swings his arms before he does something he knows he's not supposed to do. Apparently, he likes to bang the lid on everything. 4x each. Wall 4x. Floor 4x. Door 4x. Weird.

He knows some letters. His favorite seems to be "O." He knows O, H, E, S. He calls T "brush" for some reason. I guess it looks like a toothbrush???????? The fridge letter thingy from LeapFrog (but it's on the door instead) just sang the ABC song...and he was able to finish the song by saying Z. Funny.

About a month ago, we went to my Mama's and Daddy's house to pick up Ayden. Scott had the urge to play the Wii. We were playing baseball. Ayden was saying something, but I wasn't paying 100% attention. We found out he was saying "FOUL BALL!" There's not much this kid doesn't observe or say. GREAT!

Sometimes, I think he's too smart. Meaning.....there are things that I think he WOULDN'T do that he ALREADY HAS. I guess Mama took her vitamins and DHA supplements good. And now, I'll have 2 of them running around. Sanity...can you come in a pill?

Ayden's Secret is Revealed!

2011-02-27T15:05:00.000-05:00

Now, it looks like Mama needs to clean up his room. He was reported to have climbed out of his bed last Friday, February 18. Well, this afternoon, after Scott put Ayden in the bed for a short bit to help me with something, we look, and there's Ayden roaming around the house. We put him back in the bed to watch how this little escape artist master minds his tricks (with camera in hand). And...here it is!

Potty Training: Day 2

2011-01-25T21:32:00.001-05:00

FAIL!!

Mommy did not have a good day today. Mommy was starting to get sick (not baby sick). Mommy has not been happy in the past week. Mama put me in a diaper most of the day. Today, potty training was 1 for 3. I pottied in the frog once after a nap, but I wasn't all the way awake, so I pottied in the floor about 2 minutes later. I told Mama, though, by saying, "Uh Oh!" and pulling my pants away from me. I pottied one other time in the floor because Mama was trying to get me to come to the potty. She wasn't as quick this time. She has some big belly growing. But, the rest of the day, I was in a diaper. Dada even tried to get me to potty in the frog, but I didn't want to. I took off my diaper when I was in the high chair eating, so I pottied in the floor. But, don't count that against Mama or Dada.

Potty Training: Day 1

2011-01-24T22:21:00.000-05:00

Well. Well. WELL. It's been fun. The "training" started at 9:30 AM. Ayden took off his diaper, so I thought, "Alrighty then!" He hadn't peed or anything yet, since I had just changed his diaper. He woke up late since he had a combo of Benadryl (from being sick) and a late night of screaming his head off (from not wanting to sleep in his bed since he had been sleeping with Mama or Dada since being sick).

I started by having him sit on the potty with his clothes on so he wouldn't think it's some torture chamber. He did OK with that but got bored. Then, came the size 2T undies. He acted like he liked them, however, he tried to take those off, too, and had better access to his stuff (if you know what I mean).

Anyhow, by 11:30 AM, he STILL hadn't peed! We had tried twice already to sit on the potty...no action. It was nap time, and I dreaded letting him sleep without a diaper, but I decided to wing it. I put him on the couch with a waterproof pad thingy under him. He woke up at 12:30 PM. NO PEE!!! Amazing. SO, I got him up and went straight to the potty. After a few squeals, screams, and squirms, with sippy cup in hand and "Go Go" on TV, Ayden PEE PEE IN THE POTTY!!!

The rest of the day, we were 2 for 6. Let me explain. Some of these were kinda my fault. Accident #1: I was on the phone, but he looked at me after he peed on the floor and said, "Uh Oh!" Accident #2: I had gotten frustrated and put him in the playpen. (Been trying to avoid playpen to not have him feel "confined" a lot) He had been "playing with his stuff" if you know what I mean (again) and, well, peed on the floor. Surprisingly, he didn't pee on his undies nor his playpen. Hmm, I wonder why?? (sarcasm) Accident #3: He took another nap at 5:00 and woke up at 6:00 with no pee pee again. YAY! Well, I got him up to go to the potty, but he was halfway awake, drunkenly started to walk to the potty, and "Uh Oh!" But, he knew again that he was supposed to make it to the potty. And.......this brings me to Accident #4: NOT8 pee. I was cleaning up Accident #3, put Ayden in the playpen, and looked over at Ayden. I asked him if he had pooped. He nodded "yes." Fabulous. Now, I had to clean out some undies, run a bath, and get myself soaked from Ayden's splashes.

As of 7:30 PM, Ayden is in a diaper, not because I gave up, but because I think 10 hours of undies is OK for the first day. 2 potties are fine with me. And........he has just now sat down on his potty on his own, and not only that, has proceeded to put the insert of the potty on his head. Brilliant.

Ayden as a "Wee 3 King"

2010-12-20T13:50:00.000-05:00

Last night, Mr Ayden got all dressed up to be a "Wee 3 King" in the Christmas musical last night, Star of Wonder. At first, he wouldn't wear the hat, was playing with he beads, trying to tear off he beads, pulling the ribbon, and whining. We did our test run before most people got there for the play. Ayden does not like to hear other kids cry (he's in for a rude awakening in about 6 months), so he shuts down and cries, too. Another "Wee 3 King" wasn't so happy, so here they both are...crying. I knew that once the lights were down and some attention was on Ayden, he'd walk down that aisle no problemo.

I'd like for you to meet......

2010-12-16T23:02:00.000-05:00

GO GO! I call him Go Go because he sings "Here we go go go go on an adventure." So, he's really the Cat in the Hat, but to me, he's Go Go.

Fun Stuff

2010-12-04T14:34:00.002-05:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

I got a BIG Boo Boo!

2010-12-04T14:25:00.001-05:00

The day... December 2, 2010.

The Victim...

The Culprit...

The Outcome...

I got a Boo Boo Cut on my left eyelid and a Boo Boo Bruise Bump on the same side near the corner. Dada got ice, but I wouldn't let him or Mama put it on me. I didn't like it. Mama waited until I was asleep. I didn't get a black eye or a big bump. The scratch is almost gone now (after 40 hours).

I fall down a lot. Mama says she wonders if I fall down and bump my head just so I can get Tylenol. Mama doesn't give me Tylenol all the time, just when I bump my head really good. I see her coming with Tylenol and open my mouth wide. YUM!

Not So Much Like Elmo

2010-12-04T14:12:00.002-05:00

Thursday, December 2, 2010, Mama & I went to the girly doctor at 8:45 AM. Dada was still in school until 10 AM. He said he wanted to go. I sat still (kinda) when we waited in the lobby. I wanted to check things out, so I walked to the door and almost opened it. Mama caught me. She got me a book with a baby picture on it. I looked at it for a minute, then ALL DONE! I wanted my JUICE and BITES, so I looked for them.

We didn't wait too long. We were the only ones in the lobby. They gave Mama a cup, and we had to go to the potty. Mama had to chase me around the potty. She put her cup in a little door in the wall. Is that what you do? I thought you flushed. Then...we went to this room. This lady asked Mama a LOT of questions, and Mama had to stand on this thing like I do when I go to the doctor. Then, the lady put something on Mama's arm and asked me if I wanted to squeeze the little ball thing. I didn't want to. I wanted to before she told me I could, but then I didn't.

Then, the lady took us to another room. Mama sat down in a chair. I was still looking for JUICE and BITES but Mama also had to chase me around because I wanted to play with all the STUFF in there. This other lady came in and talked to Mama a bit. Then, another lady came in and talked to Mama a bit. I heard Mama talk about Dada. The first lady came in and put a big rubber band on Mama's arm and Mama got lots of shots, but red stuff came out of the shot. That doesn't happen to me. I get a boo boo holder when I get shots. Mama held me too tight when I was trying to get away. We had to wait in the room a little longer.

They made us go to ANOTHER room with this big TV sitting on something funny looking. Mama made sure I didn't touch that. Mama had to get under this sheet. I guess she wanted to go night night. DADA!! Dada came in! And then this man and another lady came in. They did something to Mama and this thing came on the TV. It didn't look like Elmo. I looked at it funny. I heard a weird noise like the dishwasher makes. And that thing MOVED!!! What is that? Then, the doctor gave Mama a picture of that thing and told Mama June 22, 2010 and 11 weeks 1 day. Mama and Dada seemed to understand what that meant, but I didn't. Here is the picture Mama got.

Ayden Is NOT So Nice in the End!!

2010-11-23T13:23:00.000-05:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Dada gave me a haircut

2010-11-19T15:50:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Hair Before

1: And...We're Off!

2: Ooo, This Tickles!


3: Umm, I'm not sure about this!

4: The Back is done. So far, so good.

5: I'm getting sleepy!

6: Ah, am I done yet?


7: Making sure the back is even

8: Clippage of the ear area

Hair After

Well, Blow Me Down!

2010-11-19T15:13:00.005-05:00

ALRIGHT...it was suggested to me to edit this..............

The Day...October 20, 2010. We are camping with MeMe & Papaw. Mama says she doesn't feel too good. Mommy sits on the couch and looks sad.

The Day...October 21, 2010. We are still camping. Mama tells Dada that she still doesn't feel good. Mama says her belly feels and looks huge.

The Day...October 22, 2010. We are still camping. Mama says she still doesn't feel good and is tired. I heard her tell Dada that she feels sick (like puke sick). Dada looks at Mama funny.

The Day...October 23, 2010. We are still camping but we leave later today. Mama still doesn't look like she feels good. She says she feels hot and pukey.

The Day...October 24, 2010. We are home and home from church. Mama takes a long nap and isn't as nice today.

The Day...October 25, 2010. Me & Mama go to the store. She looks around for something and gets something in a box. Then, we go get groceries. She takes a long nap and holds her belly.

The Day...October 26, 2010. Mama takes that box and takes some weird stick out and goes to the potty. She comes out and looks a little weird. Dada talks to her, and Mama says, "Uh Huh."

WHAT IS ALL OF THIS ABOUT?????

Fast Forward....

The Day...October 30, 2010. Family reunion for Papaw's Mama's side. Granny is her name. Mama made me wear this weird shirt.

WHAT???!!!???!!!

So, Mama found some things on the internet and said this...

Tired.....................................................Umm, YEAH!
Nausea................................................~~Double~~ Triple Yeah!
Backache............................................Yup
Headache...........................................Some
Food Cravings...................................More Aversions
Just "Feeling" Pregnant.....................Yup
Dizziness.............................................Some not a lot
Heightened Sense of Smell...............Check!
Heartburn.............................................Check!
Mood Swings & Irritability.........Check!
Higher Body Temp..............................I don't know! But I do feel hot sometimes
Bloating...............................................Like a Whale

OK, Mama, are you crazy? She says she is.

Is this fun or WHAT?!?!

2010-09-28T14:14:00.000-04:00

Seriously, this must be fun.

Birthday Loot

2010-09-17T11:34:00.001-04:00

I got all kinds of Birthday Loot!!

Barney V.Smile Game, Shoes, and a Card from Mama & Dada

Go & Grow Giraffe, Rocking Horse (It SINGS), and a Card from MeMe & Papaw

Fridge Phonics and Card from Tripp, Liana, Nathan, & Natalee Webb

Savings Bond and Card from Mamaw & PP

Doggie Outfit from Heather Conner

Cupcake Bib, #1 Onesie (I had it on in another post), and Card from Roxanne & Lady Dingess

$1 and Card from Frank & Betty Ellis

$1 Coin and card from Jim & Verdine Thompson

2 Sippy Cups from Ben, Joy, Brennan, and Knox Finch

Balloon, Froggie Potty, Sandals, Tennis Shoes, $25 for College Fund, and a Card from Whitney Packett

Sort & Stack Shape Sorter, Toy Story Jammies, and a card from Elizabeth Packett & William Donegan

$5 and a card from John, Kelley, Merrel, Hannah, & Drew Burroughs

Sort & Stack Shape Sorter from Brent, Amber, Ashlyn, Bailey, and Chelsee Jones

Bubble Machine, 2 Bubbles, McDonald's Gift Card, BIG Hershey Bar, and a BIG Card that sings from Jim & Joy Jones

Musical Train Set from Todd, Jackie, Bryson, & Halle Newman

A Tractor, Guitar, and Card from Mike & Sandee Jones

Zoom Zoom Racer from Chad, Shannon, Carlee, & Braden McLemore

Car Seat Sun Shade, TV Anti Tip Thingy, Furniture Anti Tip Thingys, $25 for College Fund, and a card from Nana & Papaw

Thank You, Everyone!!!

Digging for Gold

2010-09-03T00:06:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I gave Mama an eventful day. First, we had to get up and leave about 5:45 AM to have Dada at his Man meeting. He stayed until about 11 AM, and me and Mama went to get Dada. BEFORE this was when the events took place.

Mama said she was tired, and she wanted to snooze, so she loaded me up with cookie puff treats and juice, put me in my playpen, and she laid on the couch to relax. Mama says she didn't really want to fall asleep. I was watching Sesame Street. Mama went night night for a bit. I was wearing my diaper and a shirt. I like to take my diaper off. I'm a boy. I guess I have to check to see if things are still where they should be. I found a new discovery. I poo pooed. And I played with it. I stepped in it, got it between my toes. I had it on my elbows. I woke Mama up when I dropped 2 poo poo balls in the floor. I don't think Mama wanted to play ball with me because she got up real quick and took me out of the playpen. I had to take a bath. There was more bubbles in the water this time. Hmm. That was fun.

Holy Toledo!

2010-09-01T01:13:00.003-04:00

Mommy says, "Holy Toledo" a lot. I do not know why. I hear her tell me how big I've gotten, and she says, "Holy Toledo!" Now, I've heard people say, "Holy Cow!" before, so maybe "Toledo" is a cow Mommy knows.

I turned ONE YEAR OLD and got my 2nd haircut since Mommy last blogged. Mommy sure has been busy. We had VBS...my 1st VBS. I had LOTS of fun! I got to wear a hero cape, and Mommy wore a big girl hero cape and a hero mask. Daddy played with the sound booth at church. I got to play in the nursery with Ms Margie. I had a friend in there, but I don't remember his name. He was a little bit bigger than me. He was doing something that Mommy and Daddy and all the big kids do...something where they get on their feet and move. I'm not sure what that's all about yet.

Mommy and Daddy keep asking me when I'm going to walk. What is walking? I can stand up when I want to, but I just don't want to. Sometimes, when Mommy and Daddy are not looking, I'll stand up and clap my hands. I don't THINK they see me.

My birthday party was FUN! I think Mommy was a little bummed out because it started to rain, and we couldn't have it outside. I heard people complaining that it was hot, so, I guess it turned out OK. My party was about monkeys. Mommy and I sure like monkeys. I like to squeal when I see monkeys. Cheeky Charlie is my best pal, but I think Mama carried him off to that room where all the clothes are. I haven't seen him in a while. I hope he's OK. My party...yes...I ate CAKE! I didn't like it. Mama says that is a good thing, and that I'm like my Daddy. Daddy doesn't like cake, and Mama said she didn't want me to be eating a lot of sugar anyway. (Mama says she eats too much sugar and cake and chocolate and candy). I got a lot of loot for my birthday! I have played with all of my toys and stuff that I got.

Not long after my party, we went to vacation in the mountains. I didn't really know what the mountains were, but I do now! We had to drive up this BIG mountain and it had a rock road. It was dirty! We had to turn off the air conditioner in the car and roll down the windows just to get to our cabin!! We did that 7 times, Mama said. I liked that house we stayed in because I could crawl around and stuff. I liked to sit in my high chair, though, and watch Baby Einstein movies, because we didn't have TV. We were supposed to, but didn't. Oh, well. Sesame Street will have to wait.

The first night, I was supposed to sleep on the air mattress. I went TO sleep on the air mattress, but I woke up, and Mama had to come down there with me because I was scared. (I think Mama was afraid, too, that I'd not be able to breathe). So, the air mattress...I started there the second night, couldn't sleep, and ended up in the bed with Mama and Daddy. I think I got on Mama's nerves because she woke up grouchy the next morning. We went to a lot of WalMart's the next day. Daddy said we needed a playpen. So, Mama came back to the car with a playpen. Some WalMarts were out of the, as Mama says, "el cheapo ones." Mama wanted a good, sturdy one, though. I like my playpen. I slept really good in the the rest of our time there.

I went to Dollywood again, too. I rode the carousel, the elephants, the bees, the ducks, and the pigs, oh, and the cars! I rode the bees, the ducks, and the pigs ALL BY MYSELF! I really liked the cars. I was read to drive!!! I went after the wheel like a mad man!! WEEEEEeeeee!
(Mommy will have to put those pictures on here later)

So, then, before my vacation, I went to the doctor. I got more shots from those nurses. I'm not happy to see them because they either stick my with a needle, poke me to get some blood, or stick their finger up my rear because they say I am not pooping good and are looking to see if there's blood in my poo. Gross. Mommy will be glad to show you my poo in my diapee if you please. They said I was 20.5 pounds and 30 3/4 inches. The doctor said I could start drinking milk other than from Mommy. And Mommy took away my pacie. I drank some milk, and my mouth started to get little red dots on it. Then, Mommy gave me more to see what it was because she said something about me getting some shots from some chickens that day, too. She thought maybe the chickens gave me some red dots. I got MORE red dots ALL OVER this time. She called the overnight doctor on the phone. They told her to give me that yummy stuff I drink that takes the itchies and the red dots away. They went away! Mama called the doctor the next day and told them what happened. They said I was probably allergic to milk and that I should drink soy milk. What's that? So, Mama gave me this stuff that she said tastes like chalk. Hmm, I guess if that's what chalk tastes like, I'll be eating me some chalk when I find some! I likes me some chalk milk!

Dada had to have surgery. He had something weird in his belly and the doctor had to make it go away, so they cut on Dada's belly and fixed it. Dada doesn't look too good. He says he hurts. He can't hold me or pick me up. That makes me sad, but I can still laugh when he does silly stuff or spits little bitty ice cubes through a straw at me. Mama says she will never understand boys.

OK, I'm tired. Night night.

Mommy Talk

2010-07-11T16:58:00.008-04:00

It's been 2 months...I think...from the last blog post. Shame on Mommy. Mommy has a lot to talk

about and a lot to do. I sleep SOME but I like to play. Mommy will fold clothes, and I help her when I take the clothes and give them to her. Mommy seems like she gets upset and tells me "no." I do it anyway. I guess when she folds them, I'm supposed to leave them alone. :)

Mommy and Daddy have been letting me cry in my bed. They put me in the bed, tell me "night night," and I cry. I'm not used to falling asleep on my own without someone holding me. Mommy says I need to learn how to do this. I cried the first night, Mommy said, for 45 minutes, then the

next night, Mommy said, 25 minutes. Mommy said she doesn't remember me crying much after that. I have been doing this for 1 week. Friday night, I had a tough time. Me and Mommy went to Daddy's work to watch TV and play while Daddy made his sermon. I didn't go to sleep until 1 AM when we got in the car to leave. I guess I didn't know where I was. I tried to fall asleep, but I would wake up and look scared.

Last week, Mommy & Daddy took me to a baseball game. My first one. I liked it. I watched those loud lights in the sky, too. I liked those, too. Mommy took pictures and videoed me. Then, the

next day, Mommy & Daddy took me to Dollywood. It was hot, but I didn't care. I got to play for a little bit in this place that makes water go into the sky. I laughed. I got wet. Then, we watched a show that talked about Cherokees and trees and land. Then, we rode the train. I fell asleep during half of it, but I liked it. I was pooped. Mommy & Daddy said that we were going to ride the carousel and the Piggies and the Duckies and the Bees and the cars, but I was too pooped. I went to sleep until we got on the tram thingy that took us to the car. The car was HOT!

A few weeks ago, I went to Creative Discovery Museum and back to what Mommy calls The Land of Greedy Little Vultures, but I call it Chuck E Cheese. I didn't seem to have as much fun this time, but maybe it was because I was tired.

In 3 weeks from today, I will turn 1 year old. Don't look at Mommy, she will cry. Mommy has taken my picture every day since I was born. Do you want to see? Mommy says that will take a long time to show you. My birthday party is the day before, and it is...you can't guess....MONKEYS!! I like monkeys. Daddy says I'll be tired of monkeys, but I laugh when I see monkeys. I've never seen a real monkey, but I sure do have a lot of what Mommy says are fake ones. Whatever that is.

That same week is Vacation Bible School, or VBS, as most people call it. I don't know what that is. Mommy has been getting stuff ready for it. I guess it will be fun. Mommy has me a cape. I don't know why. But it's fun.

Oh, I can stand up for a little bit now, clap, took one step, and other stuff, but I can't remember now. It's time to take a nap.

But....here's some pictures.....

MAMA!!! It's my turn!!

2010-05-06T10:46:00.003-04:00

Yay!! Mama let me talk again! It's been almost 3 months. Mama has been busy. Daddy has been busy. I wanted to talk! I say 4 words now. 1: Uhoh, 2: Dada, 3: Bye, 4: Mama. I say Dada more than anything. I like to be in my walker and get into stuff. Mama and Daddy tell me no, but I don't listen most of the time. I like to talk to church, too. Mama keeps feeding me when I talk. YAY!! FOOD!!! Daddy talks, so why can't I?

Here are my highlights since February....... Ready? Set? GO!!

Rest of February:
I started to wave bye. I got another tooth on the bottom. I really tried to crawl. And I said Uhoh. I sat up for the first time on my first big trip when I stayed in a hotel for the first time. I met some cousins in North Carolina. I went to a food place that Mama said was like Kanpai Tokyo. It was called Kanki. And I ate real food out of a jar! YUM! YUM!

Winston Salem

So then, there's March. 7 months old. I learned how to "fake cough." I got 2 top teeth. I was very irritable most of the month because of the teeth. I got my 1st bruise on my leg after I had shots. I started reaching for stuff and people. I started feeding myself my Puffs. I had stranger anxiety for a little bit. I like to bounce and jump in my walker and when people hold me. I all the time am wanting Mama. I eat my Puffs by grabbing them with just 2 fingers. I went with Mama to a Women's conference in Gatlinburg. MeMe went, too. Mama and I got on WIC. I went to the Dr for my 6 month appt. It was late because we didn't have insurance for 1 month. Mama had to lower my bed because I like to chew on my rail and bounce. I pulled on in my bed but just to my knees, then 4 days later, I pulled all he way up. I said Dada. I got into size 2 diapers. I crawled later in the month. And...I stood myself up when I was hanging onto the couch. And Daddy had a birthday!

On to April...8 months old...

I had my first egg hunt, my first Easter, and my first trip to Tellico. I saw the river and went to the Beach. It's not the BEACH...it's a restaurant. I said bye. I had a my fever and was sick sick sick. I went to Chuck E Cheese for the first time with MeMe, Papaw, Aunt LeLe, Nathan, and Natalee. I throw raspberries now. Daddy says I'm just spitting. He says he doesn't know why Mama calls it a raspberry. I had to take amoxicillin. I had mangoes & later mixed veggies for the first time. I went to a concert (Phillips, Craig, & Dean). I now try to not smile. It's fun!!!

So far, May has been fun. I said Mama, went with Mama to another women's conference, and get into everything. 9 months is fun!

Mama is trying to add more pictures, but the computer is acting stupid.

My First Big Trip

2010-02-14T20:08:00.005-05:00

Last weekend, me, Mommy, and Daddy went on my first big trip to North Carolina. I have been in 4 states now! Mommy says I've really been to 5 because I went to Florida when I was in her tummy house. So, I live in Tennessee, went to Georgia for Christmas get together, and now to Virginia and North Carolina.

I met Mr Mat and Ms Beth Limon, Daddy's friends. He met them when he & Mommy lived in North Dakota, or what I heard Mommy call "The Frozen Tundra." What is that? Ms Beth liked me and said she wanted one. One what?? Me?? I also met my cousins who live in Durham, NC. We stayed in Raleigh, NC, but it is beside Durham. Daddy went to a conference in Wake Forest.

I liked staying in the hotel. I was scooting all over that big bed. Mommy said it was a king. I thought kings had crowns. This king didn't have a crown. I took a shower in the big water sprinkler.

Mommy and Daddy said I was a good traveler. I didn't cry until I sat in my chair for 5 and a half hours. I slept part of the way and sang the other.

I learned how to sit up during this trip, and I made when Mommy & Daddy call the "Stink Face." Mommy will have to put those pictures on here.

I also sat up in a high chair for the first time during the trip. I went to a restaurant where this man put food on this big stove you sit around and then he puts it on your plate. I watched a big fire. I watched him throw stuff. I thought you weren't supposed to throw stuff at the table. Oh,well.

I have 2 teeth now. I bite Mommy. She screams. I think it's funny.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2010-02-14T20:03:00.002-05:00

I don't know what all this red, pink, and purple heart stuff is, but Mommy was making some cookies for her "Goobers" in her Sunday School class last night. I wish I could have eaten one. I sat in my walker most of the time and watched. I really was just smelling. Those cookies she made was hearts with this white gooey stuff on it then she sprinkled some colored things on them. I wonder what that was. But...I got lots of stuff for today. I got 7 stuffed animals from people and I think 3 or 4 cards. I got Daddy a picture of me!!!

Mommy will put these pictures here when she can remember to put those pictures on the computer.

Happy Valentine's Day....whatever that is all about.

6 MONTHS OLD!!!! That's HALF A YEAR!!!!!!!!!

2010-02-02T22:13:00.003-05:00

I am 6 months old yesterday. What's the big deal? Mommy says I'm half a year old and that she needs to get hoppin' on getting my birthday party planned. She says if this first 6 months went by this fast...then the next 6 months will probably be faster! She took out a lot of toys today, cleaned them, and put them out for me to play with. Daddy helped clean, too. He likes to play with me and make me laugh.

My MeMe came today to play with me. Mommy said she needed to clean and MeMe came to help Mommy by playing with me while Mommy tried to clean (Mommy stopped to play a lot and to chit chat).

I like my barn with lego things and a dancing chicken. Mommy said she got it for cousin Nathan for Nathan's 2nd Christmas. I like to push the sheep and the chicken to make it dance. Uh-Oh, I guess I'm not supposed to grab the chicken when he's dancing.

I have 2 teeth now. My second one popped out yesterday. I can't crawl yet, but I sure do scoot around. I can get from one end of a blanket to the other in 3-5 minutes.

Mommy had to make my walker higher today. I could walk fine, but I had to bend my knees more than I used to have to. I guess I'm getting tall. That's what everyone tells me.

I must have a hard head, because I keep accidentally banging it on the floor. I don't cry, so I don't guess I'm supposed to, though. Mommy acts like it should have hurt me and then told me I must have a hard head.

Daddy is ironing his clothes right now. He does that a lot but not at night too much unless he's gotta get up super early.

I think I like to chew/suck on my pacie holder ribbon more than my pacie. I've been trying out my sippy cup for about a week, and I am finally getting out that water stuff by myself. I was sucking that stuff out wrong earlier, but I got the hang of it.

Oh, well, it's time to cry now. I'm tired. Night Night.

Mommy talks too much

2010-01-27T09:50:00.002-05:00

Mommy isn't letting me talk much!! Maybe it's because I've been doing more crying & whining instead of talking. My first tooth popped out yesterday. I think it feels weird because I keep playing with it with my tongue and lip. I've been sleeping in my bed most of the night...10 to 12 hours. I usually only wake up 1 or 2 times to eat or because I lost my pacie.

A Word From Mommy-It's Getting Better

2010-01-23T12:57:00.002-05:00

I had sent with Toby a 2 page typed out letter about him. I had added my email in hopes that the new owners (Mike & Carol) would email updates, pictures, etc. I opened my email, and here's what I found...

"HELLO ALLYSSA AND IT IS SO NICE TO BE ABLE TO CORRESPOND WITH YOU. I HAD UPPER NECK SURGERY AND MY RIGHT ARM AND HAND IS MOSTLY PARALYZED. WHEN I WAS IN THERAPY IN CHATTANOOGA PEOPLE WOULD BRING THEIR DOGS THROUGH TO MAKE US ALL FEEL BETTER.THAT

IS WHEN I KNEW I WANTED JUST A SMALL DOG TO BE MY BUDDY HERE WITH ME.

I COULDN'T HAVE GOT A BETTER ONE AND HE IS SO SWEET AND LOVING.

I THINK HE WONDERS ABOUT MY HANDICAP BUT WE'RE GETTING ALONG FINE,

I HAD HIM OUTSIDE ONCE TODAY AND CAROL TOOK HIM OUT TWICE.

HE JUST WANTS TO INVESTIGATE ALL THE NEW THINGS HERE. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT HE WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF WITH LOVE AND WILL ADAPT TO HIS NEW HOME. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE THINGS YOU SENT WITH TOBY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING MY DREAM COME TRUE.

OF COURSE MY E-MAIL IS (Left blank by me...)

E-MAIL US ANYTIME AND OUR PHONE NUMBER IS (left blank by me...) AND CALL ANYTIME TO AND IF WERE NOT HOME LEAVE A MESSAGE PLEASE.

YOU ARE ALSO WELCOME TO COME SEE TOBY AND MEET US ALSO.

BEST REGARDS,

MIKE"

A Word From Mommy

2010-01-23T01:21:00.007-05:00

A depressing word I might add. It is 1:22 AM, and I cannot sleep. I tried but I cried for 30 solid minutes. I can't say I've really stopped. Today, Toby went to live with another family. It was a hard decision, but I decided that he would be happier with someone else. He is going to live with an older couple who were looking for "the perfect dog" to be a lap dog. Apparently, the older man is almost crippled and I guess was getting down and depressed from this, but after hearing that a new dog friend would be coming, this gave him the energy and excitement to get up and move around to prepare for the beloved Toby.

Yes, Toby got on my nerves the past year due to pregnancy and having Ayden around. The poor thing got neglected I guess and ignored. I knew that I had pushed him away, but today made that even more real. He was so excited to be in the car for me to drop him off (for good) and he had no clue. He was excited is all I remember. I hadn't seen that excited Toby face in a while, which, of course, makes me upset and sad now. I just hope that he doesn't feel that I abandoned him or didn't want him. I mean, he was my "baby" pretty much until my real baby Ayden came. I mean, let's face it, Ayden, your own human child, will surely take more attention than a dog, right? I had Toby for 3 years, and my heart hurts. I literally feel sick to my stomach and weak.

I haven't cried this much nor this hard since Scott left for the military March 25, 2002. I cried all day...and about 2-3 days afterward. If he only knew how badly I cried, he'd know that this -crying over Toby is nothing. My world was rocked-but only temporarily-but Toby...I'll not see him again. I'm one of those that makes it worse. "This is the last time you'll be in this room. This is the last time you'll ride in this car.....etc etc." I drive myself nuts.

But...I have to keep remembering...Toby was my Elliott from "Pete's Dragon..." Here for a mission: to help me fill my "baby void," then, when I got my baby, it was time for him to go and help someone else. That's really all Toby was when I think about it...my "baby void." But he grew on me so much, and we had a lot of good times together.

Will I ever stop crying?????? Holy Cow!!!! 1:32 AM and still going strong. The first time I came into the house after the fact, I saw Toby's hook (there's a plaque thingy with hooks on it that we put our keys and Toby had his leash and junk), anyway, I saw Toby's hook...empty. (Here I go again, driving myself into insanity). I saw Toby's food/water bowls...gone. I no longer saw the 2 pillows that he slept on the past month or 2, well, they were there but no Toby. I'm sure I'll be sweeping and vacuuming up his hair for the next year, though. This (the hair issue with a crawling baby) and the extra cost to keep a dog were the 2 main reasons I initially thought Toby needed to go. Then, I started to see the boredom, sadness, and almost depression on his face, then I knew. I hated it, but I knew. It was time to go.

I'll eventually get over this. I will. I know I will.

I remember the first night he was here, November 25, 2006, Scott heard Toby's nails as they hit the floor while he walked across the house. Scott said, "I love that sound." I don't hear it now. (Here I go again, drive myself nuts). Also, what makes it worse for me is...Ayden was really starting to enjoy Toby. Scott even said, "maybe we shouldn't get rid of him." I just hope he's happy. That's all I hope for.

I have come to realize that I am not going to handle death very well. I have never really experienced the death of someone close to me, and after my reaction to this, I REALLY DON'T WANT TO. I tend to dwell too much on things like "I don't hear his toe nails." Blah blah. I miss my dog. My dog. No, someone else's dog now. My dog in my heart, but Toby is someone else's now.

Januarys are not a good month for me. The past 2 have been full of losses. Since January 2009, I have experienced several losses and several gains. Last January, we sold my car that I was one month shy of having for 10 years. In a weird way, that was hard for me to let go. I still saw it around town, though. It was a gradual letting go. This January has sucked. All in 11 days, I lost my job and my dog. The job thing was my choice, but I was let go a little prematurely and harshly, but oh, well. I'm over it. Now, Toby. Like I said, I'll be OK eventually. Eventually. But my gains are so much better. With the car, we got to have more of a financial cushion in order to pay for Ayden's birth. As for the job, I get to stay home with my baby and the church provided insurance (so 2 gains there). Toby...well, I gain more time with my child without worrying about Toby, more finances with not having to worry about getting Toby's food, shots, flea stuff, baths, and dog sitting when we go places. That all really adds up. $10 for a bag of food, $100 most of the time when he stayed at the Wagg N Purr. Man, I just thought of Pupperoni coupons I have...don't cry...please stop crying.

It's funny how when you have something, you overlook the things that are there all the time. For instance, when I wanted to be pregnant, all I saw on TV was pregnant people, pregnant things, pregnancy test commercials, saw pregnant people around town, etc. Now after Toby, I see people walking dogs, stupid coupons, dog stuff, dog scrapbooking paper, etc. Awful. Oh, well. A new chapter in my life. Live & Learn. 1:51 AM. Finally not crying.

I'm a Cool Dude!!

2010-01-17T21:12:00.003-05:00

Mommy made me have a fauxhawk!! I was like this at church!! Everyone seemed to like it!! I look like my Daddy now!!

I laughed a lot earlier this month. This was from New Year's Day (if it uploads!)

Shopping with Mommy

2010-01-15T19:30:00.003-05:00

Today Mommy and I went shopping. I've been shopping with Mommy at one store before, but not at 3 stores in one day. Mommy had some sales papers and LOTS of coupons, so we hit the road. We went to that big place WalMart first, then Ingles, then Walgreens.

(Mommy adds)...I have figured out that if something is on sale and you may not necessarily need it now but may in a few weeks when it won't be on sale...get it? Here's my example:

We buy groceries every 2 weeks now because most coupons say "get $## off if you buy 2" or "get $## off when you buy 4" etc etc. So, our *NEW* budget allows $80 every 2 weeks. We didn't really need anything for major food purchases this time around, and we have enough meals planned for the next 2 weeks. Anyhow, I discovered that Ingles doubles coupons. WOOHOO!

Walmart: Snack Pack pudding cups. Buy 4 get $0.55 off. But I also had a "Buy 3 get 1 free" coupon. Each was $1 a piece. What would have been $4 eventually turned into $2.45. Bananas. Usually $0.49/lb. Today $0.39/lb. 2.65 lb for $1.03. Puffs tissues $1 off coupon to total $1.12. Orajel baby tooth cleaner (no teeth yet by the way-coupon about to expire) $3.06 but $0.30 off coupon makes it $2.76. Toothpaste was $1.98 after $1 off coupon. Total saved: $4.12.

Ingles: (Ayden keeps pulling out my power cord-he wants to eat it). Ingles Advantage Card-Hunt's items 5/$5. I didn't NEED 3 Manwich cans or 2 Spaghetti Sauce Cans, but I'll use them eventually. I also had a "buy 3 Manwich get one free" coupon. Would have paid $6.40 (no sale, no coupon). I paid $4. Progresso Soups 3/$4. Coupon "buy 3 get $1.10 off." Would have paid $7.41. I paid $2.90. Rice A Roni boxes 10/$10. Saved $3.33 from store savings. Cap'n Crunch Buy 1 get 1 free. Yoplait yogurts 10/$5. Also "buy 6 get $0.50 off" coupon (doubled) for $1 off. Would have paid $7.75. Paid $4. Found kaiser buns (6 pack) buy one get one free. Use one and the other put in the freezer. Total saved: $18.75.

Walgreens: Found Sara Lee bread at the checkout $0.99 to go in the freezer. Saved $0.90. Walgreens insert coupon Kleenex $0.79 limit 3. Coupon $0.50 off 3 Kleenex. Would have paid $3.87. Paid $1.87. Campbell's cooking soups. Walgreen's coupon $0.89 limit 3. Coupon for $1 off 4. Would have paid $6.36. Paid $3.16. Swanson broth Walgreen's coupon $0.69 limit 3. Would have paid $3.50. Paid $2.07. Walgreen's Ad Aveeno buy 1 get 1 50% off and $2 off coupon. Would have paid $10.98. Paid $6.23. Total saved: $11.98.

So let's put it this way...would have spent $100.84 before tax, but I spent $71.18 after tax. Now, THAT'S why I posted all this. HAHAHA. Pure excitement!!

A Word From Mommy

2010-01-11T19:05:00.001-05:00

Make that zero more days to work. Some crappy things happened today, and I am at home for good now. No more details needed.

Update from Mommy

2010-01-08T19:16:00.001-05:00

I only have 15 more work days to go... Yay! The church came through with the insurance, and we are just waiting for the insurance to be accepted. Whoopie!

Hmmm...

2010-01-06T18:34:00.002-05:00

Either no one reads this anymore or no one posts comments...haha. So, I went back to the Dr yesterday. I got a pretty bear nebulizer, and I have to breathe in this stuff. I didn't like it very much, and I screamed the whole time doing it in the Dr office and the first time doing it at home. I've done it 5 times now, and the last 2 didn't cry much. My temp at the Dr was 97.3, I weighed 14 pounds 10 ounces (one ounce less than last week). I'm on Albuterol.

I'm Sick!!! - Day 5

2010-01-03T12:27:00.004-05:00

Mommy and I were going to go to church today but I can't stop coughing, and I feel bad. I still haven't had a temperature, but I'm super duper congested. Mommy is sitting here in my room in the rocking chair with a blanket and her feet propped up on a Newborn/0-3 month clothes storage tote. I outgrew some of my clothes fast (vertically, not horizontally Mommy might add). My music is going on "repeat all" and my elephant humidifier is running. I'm good as long as I have 4 things: my pacie, my music, my new seahorse (that Mommy catches me petting every once in a while), and someone in the room with me. I'll sleep in my bed, but sometimes, I just need someone to pick me up and love on me. See? I just now fell asleep on Mommy while she types this for me. ...zzzzzz......

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T22:22:00.009-05:00

(I'm not sure why this is blue now-like a link, oh, well.)

I have lived in 2 different years!! And wouldn't you know...I'm 5 months old today, and I'm sick. Mommy wasn't sure if I was having teething symptoms or having a cold. We went to the Dr yesterday anyway. I had a 97.4 temperature and was 14 pounds 11 ounces, and the nurse practitioner said that she didn't think I was teething but didn't think I had a cold, either. She said that everything sounded and looked good except for my nose having some snot in it. HAHA.

I chew my fingers a lot. Mommy don't like it because she says that she can take the pacie away but she can't chop my fingers off. I like my pacie, but my fingers feel better. Mommy says I gag

myself on my fingers, too. I take my pacie out of my mouth, thoroughly examine it, and put it

back in. Sometimes, it feels good to chew on the butt of it. I'm doing that right now. My favorite kind of pacie is the MAM brand.

Daddy wanted me and Mommy to go to the food store today. I'm usually good in there and look

around, but today I started to feel bad, so I let everyone know it. But I did fall asleep toward the soup section. Someone told Mommy to put Vics on my feet and cover them with socks, so now, my feet smell kinda pretty but weird. That's why I'm eating them right now. And I burp. Yum.

I have been sleeping in my bed by myself for about 2 weeks, well, except for the past few nights. Mommy and Daddy don't want me to sleep in there by myself since I cough and seem to have

trouble breathing sometimes. I don't mind. I just get hot. I turned over back to stomach and

then stomach to back the day after Christmas. And I like to talk. I like to try to eat the couch, too. Like now...

Mommy said she will add pictures later. She's not put them on the computer thing yet. OK, here they are. December 15, 2009, Mr. Ben Finch did my pictures! Mommy said she loves this one!

Mommy said she's making a stupid face in this one!! HAHA.

These are from when I was 3 months old.

Question.....Please help me

2009-12-26T11:17:00.002-05:00

If... say... I made a blog showing scrapbook pages... do you think I could use this as a way to make some money on the side??? COMMENT. Let me know. :)

A Word From Mommy

2009-12-26T09:36:00.005-05:00

"HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHE POSTED" Is what you may be thinking. Well........

So, a short update. I still have Thanksgiving decor on my blog, and Christmas was yesterday. How nice. It was the second week of December, and I still had Halloween decor in my yard and in my house. Nice. OH WELL!!!

Ayden is almost 5 months old, and is, ladies and gentlemen, cutting a tooth! I am T-I-R-E-D and so is Scott. Scott's been sick quite often, and we've been keeping our distance to not get the bug, but to do this is a little difficult in this house and plus, Daddy likes us to be close. So, teething sucks, yes, I said sucks. Same as "stinks" and it's "OK" to say you "suck through a straw," so why the fuss about saying something "sucks?" Anyway...soapbox for another day....

We went through Thanksgiving and Halloween and now Christmas without any pictures on here. My My. Camping was it...those were the last pictures...and he was almost 3 months old. Holy.

Ayden ended up being Mr Pumpkin for Halloween, even though we obviously didn't go trick or treating, he did go to Mamaw and Papaw's (my mama's mama/daddy) and to my Daddy's Mama's family reunion. (This extra generation stuff gets confusing when you try to type it out).

Ayden's first Turkey Day was fun. Day of, we went to my Mamaw's (as named above). That Saturday, we went to Scott's Cousin's house for Scott's Mama's family's Turkey Day thingy. Ayden was in a good mood on Turkey Day. He's usually in a good mood everyday all day, but here lately.........no, sir.

Ayden was Baby Jesus in our slideshow kiddie presentation while the kids sang on December 13. Quite the show. Of course, Ayden wasn't on stage, but I heard people say, "Awwwww......" when little man came on the screen.

Ayden's first Christmas was fun. Our plans got a little jacked up for a little bit, but it got fixed. Eve day/night we were at my Mama's and my Mamaw's then Day we stayed home until 5 PM, when we went to Scott's Parents' house. Ayden was not so nice at both places (got hot & teeth). I can see a little white dot on the lower left front tooth. I noticed that on Eve, then Day, those two front teeth places were puffy. I'm sure there will be a tooth sprout there in a few days.

Today...it is 9:49 AM. I've been up for about 1.5 hours. Sir Ayden, as I said earlier, has been a booger about his teeth, so therefore, no sleep. We finally let him sleep all night in his bed on December 17 for the first time. Well, you know, when they're little little little, you don't want them to sleep by themselves because of SIDS and just plain worry, but he still had a lot of fluid in his lungs and stuff from where he decided to take drink when he was wiggling himself out the day he was born. (And I do mean he was wiggling himself out. Seriously. Wiggling. While still kicking me in the ribs. Felt like a bull in a China shop. Weird stuff). Mental picture later.....we are back at talking about today. So, my Mama got Ayden a CD player to go in his room because the kid LOVES music. So, I hooked it up last night, put in a lullaby CD (on repeat ALL I might add). The CD has been going for 12 hours almost...and ladies and gentlemen...he is STILL IN THE BED!!! ASLEEP!!!! He went down about 10:30 PM or so. Got up at 5:30 AM to eat, then right back to sleep. It is now 9:55 AM STILL ASLEEP!!! He woke up about 20 minutes ago with a whimper or two, then a short cry, but again asleep. AWESOME!!! BUT....hold on.....NOT SO AWESOME for certain parts of the body for ME. Mommys know what I mean. I was ready to burst, man. I held on to it (the milk) thinking he was going to hear me wake up, smell me walk past, wake up to eat....SOMETHING....but nope. Feeding time came and went. No wakey. Pump, here you come!!! But...the funniest thing happened. Was pumping along...turned on laptop to start this blog, then..."sploosh, spitter, spritz" I heard and I felt a few spatters of liquid. What could it be? MILK coming out of the hole where the suction action happens...around the motor!! NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!!! It still works, by the way. (This is where I get a little detailed but funny...don't I always?) What happened...I was shooting out milk even when it wasn't pumping it!! The tunnel it goes through got full and therefore, it had nowhere to go but through a suction hole thingy. So, I turned it off. Drain. Pour. Yay. Mommy feels better. HAHAHAHAHAHA. And I just freaked out and looked to see if I had put that milk (aka GOLD) in the fridge.

A note about Mommy. Mommy has been stressed. Mommy dislikes her job. Mommy LOATHES for job. Mommy has had a hard time at her job. Mommy probably going to get fired (like everyone else). Almost everyone doing what I do has had to have a talk with the supervisors. (Hark! I hear a noise in the distance...a whimper...and not by me, but Ayden). Lots have cried. Lots have rebelled. I laugh. I laugh because it's retarded. I laugh because it's stupid. I laugh because I think they are trying to get me to quit. Oh, well. I come home feeling shocked, overwhelmed, numb...after I have my first talk. (10:15 AM, and the critter is awake and out of bed) Oh, well. The resignation is in. PENDING.......the church can help us out with insurance. Insurance got offered to us when we first came to the church, but we denied it because I had insurance. Oh well. We'll see how it goes. If we don't get insurance, then it's either I keep working miserably and get fired anyway or live without insurance. We decided I needed to stay home for Ayden's sake and MY sanity...so...so be it. We are taking a HUGE pay cut (not that my pay was huge, but still). I'll have to learn from my friend Joy on how to do certain things to save money. So, if all goes well, January 29 will be my last day. Praise Jesus. I've had enough. 4.5 years. Not a long time, but when you do what I do, (and other things factor in), you've had enough. OH...WELL.

But life in general has been stressful. Besides teething, things around here have been rough. I feel like I have transitioned into Mommyhood, but the sleep depravity is an issue (thus, February will be better. I can nap for once). I smell a diaper change soon. Scott has been having some trouble with the transition. I must say, being me, Mommy, Wife, full time employee, AND preacher's wife is busy. I have 2 full time jobs-at least my brain does. I think about work while at work and at home. I think about Ayden while at home and at work. How? I don't know. But it's not fun. Thus, February (sigh of relief). I can breathe. HOPEFULLY. Stupid insurance. Stupid NEEDED insurance. Oh well. <-- that seems to be my motto "Oh well."

But, still, Ayden has not rolled over yet. He's past due on that. But that's OK. He doesn't have to roll with all the other babies his age. But THEY may not be scooting around like Ayden does in the walker. This critter moves along while scooting his two feet together like rowing a boat. But he moves pretty quickly, though. He LOVES it. He's found his toes (and chews them), he's found his ear, his hands (and chews them-not his ear though, HAHA). He says "Mama" when he's upset. He says "uh oh" and doesn't know it-I mean he's not trying to. He "sings" in the car. He has quite the conversation with you. He's grown 5 inches since birth, making him a whopping 27 inches. He's only gained 6.5 pounds. He's still got white/blonde hair and lighter blue eyes. Right now he's trying to eat the couch, and now, my elbow. "Hi, you can't eat my elbow." He's starting to lean toward you when he wants you, OR, he'll cry a sad pitiful cry and stare right at you if he wants you. He sticks his bottom lip out and quivers it when he cries (done that since birth and inherited that from his mama). "Ayden, you can't eat my arm." Check gums...still no tooth, but holy crap I feel it. Diapee change and the playing of LeapFrog's Baby Tad's song "Happy Hands" about 15 times to distract from crying. He usually doesn't cry with diapee changes...teeth. "Let's clap! (clap clap) Happy hands, it's fun to play. Count to (insert 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), clap away! (Insert that number, for our enjoyment, I'll put 5) 1! (clap clap, clap) 2! (clap clap, clap) 3! (clap clap, clap) 4! (clap clap, clap) 5! (clap clap, clap) Happy hands, Hooray!"

This is a longgggggggggggggggggggggg post.

Coming Soon...

2009-11-15T18:53:00.002-05:00

There WILL be more posts coming soon. Mommy has just been busy. Stay tuned!!

Good Morning Campers!

2009-10-23T09:26:00.003-04:00

Ayden woke up in Meme's bus and to a nice Good Morning from Nathan. I heard Nathan ask Papaw, "When are we gonna go to the aquarium with Ayden, huh?"

My girlfriend

2009-10-20T15:54:00.004-04:00

Last Thursday, October, 15, I got to see my girlfriend, Lady, again. But...she was asleep the whole time. I got to see her, but she did not get to see me. Pooey. And I dressed up nice and pretty for her!

Halloweeny Options

2009-10-20T09:41:00.003-04:00

May be these will help or change your vote!

Happy Halloween Fun!!

2009-10-15T14:15:00.001-04:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

News from Mommy

2009-09-30T10:16:00.001-04:00

I promise I will post here soon. We haven't had internet for about 2 weeks (well, off and on) so, therefore, no posting updates...and when have I had time??

Friday, August 28

2009-08-28T23:30:00.002-04:00

I have been grouchy most of today. I have a belly ache, I guess Mommy ate onions. I fight sleep a lot, and Mommy did not get to take a shower today.

Thursday, August 27

2009-08-28T23:29:00.002-04:00

Mommy had to go to work for a few hours for some computer training. Meme kept me. Papaw came, too, and helped fix the house to get rid of those mice. Later, me, MeMe, Papaw, Mommy, & Daddy went to Applebee's. I found out that I do not like to sleep on my back.

Wednesday, August 26

2009-08-28T23:27:00.003-04:00

Me & Mommy hung out today. I still have the belly aches. Mommy says I got my Daddy's belly. I have discovered I like to fight sleep. And Walmart is a fun place. I get to ride in my seat and look at the lights. Those lights make me sleepy.

Tuesday, August 25

2009-08-28T23:26:00.003-04:00

Mommy finally got to take a shower at night. Today, My Aunt Liz and Nanny visited me. I had a belly ache all day, and I like to be naked!

Monday, August 24

2009-08-28T23:25:00.006-04:00

Me & Mommy stayed home today. Mommy did not get to take a shower because I was grouchy. Mommy decided I needed to watch Pinocchio, and I liked it! Did you know Jiminy Cricket says a wordy durd?!?!

Sunday, August 23

2009-08-28T23:24:00.002-04:00

Today, Mommy & Daddy said they told Jesus thank you for me. They said they want to be a good Mommy & Daddy and tell me about Jesus. My PePe (that's what Nathan calls him. Mommy said he is my Great Papaw) came and dedicated me. He put some oily stuff on my head. He said it cost him some money. I have money in my piggy bank. Later, Daddy made my hair look like his!

Saturday, August 22

2009-08-28T23:22:00.005-04:00

Today we didn't do much. Mommy & I went to Walgreens after we went to Daddy's thing for work. He said it was something nice for the volunteers. Mommy was supposed to have a girl makeup party, but she said Ms Shannon got sick. Ms Shannon didn't want to get me sick.

Friday, August 21

2009-08-26T17:14:00.004-04:00

I had to go to that woman Dr again because my belly button isn't healing like it should. I weighed 8 pounds and 2 ounces. Another woman Dr (Mommy said she was a nurse practitioner) stuck some silver stuff in my belly button. It looks funny. I got caught giving Mommy sugars, too. And we went to see Daddy at his work. I peed on myself and Mommy again. Oh, yeah, the highlight of my day was this...I got my first real bath...and...I...HATED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I screamed the whole time. Daddy also was playing with me. I got tired of it near the end. You have to turn your head funny to see it. Mommy taped it sideways.

Thursday, August 20

2009-08-26T17:02:00.002-04:00

Yay!!! My belly button raisin thingy came off today!! And...I still have man boobies. That man Dr said it was Mommy's hormones. AND...I like to have my hands near my face most of the time. I didn't go anywhere today with Mommy, either. I still have not been feeling too good with my tummy. I have been grouchy, and Mommy's tired.

Wednesday, August 19

2009-08-26T16:58:00.002-04:00

Me and Mommy didn't do anything today. I wore lots of outfits today because I peed and pooped and spit up on Mama a lot.

I wasn't in a good mood today. My belly hurt.

I still have my yucky belly button raisin thingy.

Tuesday August 18

2009-08-19T12:09:00.007-04:00

Mommy's friend Roxanne and my girlfriend Lady came by. I slept the whole time almost, but I knew who was there.

Later, Mommy had to take me back to the woman Dr because my left eye has been watering and

snot stuff has been coming out a lot. I had to get drops...my first prescription. I have blocked tear ducts. I weighed 8 pounds.

Monday August 17

2009-08-19T12:02:00.002-04:00

Monday was a lazy day. I didn't go anywhere, but Mommy went to a yard sale and got me a stuffed animal and some clothes for when I get older. She said none of it looked worn at all.

Whitney came by for a bit. I was crying because I was hungry. She put her finger in my mouth, but I didn't like it. I already know that milk doesn't come out of people's fingers. That just made me madder.

My umbilical cord is trying to come out. Mommy is happy!

Watch Me Grow

2009-08-16T20:25:00.021-04:00

Mommy takes pictures of me everyday. They are in order from August 1-16.

August 1, 2009

Happy Birthday to me!

Not a good day

2009-08-16T19:45:00.004-04:00

Mommy said that today was not a good day. I woke up in a good mood and was awake a lot in the morning. Mommy got ready and got me ready for church. She said she had to teach Sunday School. But...I kept peeing on myself and having to have my clothes changed. Mommy put me in 3 different outfits. I couldn't help it. I can't control my boy part. We went to church. but Mommy had to call Daddy who was at church already and tell him to have someone else teach her class. I was hungry, too, and Mommy didn't have much time to feed me. So I guess it's good we stayed home for a little bit more. Mommy said I was good in church again. I was awake during singing but I fell asleep during the last song and when Daddy was talking. Some people said that Daddy put me to sleep. He didn't...I was just tired. I made a little noise 2 times during church, but I stopped when Mommy shook my pacie and rocked me in my chair. I like that.

After church, people were talking to me. Then, me, Mommy, Daddy, and some other family with some kids went to Burger King. I think Mommy said their name was Burroughs. I don't remember because I slept the whole time.

Me and Mommy went home and took a nap on he couch. I was hungry and we both fell asleep when I was eating. We slept for a long time, then Mommy was talking to someone on the phone. I ate again, then Mommy changed my diaper. Mommy says that I have a routine. I eat, then she changes my pee diaper, then about 10 minutes later I poop. I get mad because Mommy and Daddy have to change my diaper all the time. But I still don't like pee diapers.

Yesterday, Daddy said we would go to the park, but we didn't get to. Someone at the church died, and Daddy went to go visit the family. He stayed out until close to 6:30 PM or 7:00 PM. He said it was too late and too hot to go. I guess I'll get to see what a park and a stroller is another day.

Yesterday was busy for me. Mommy got me ready and we saw some people from church. They were selling jewelry and makeup. That's girl stuff. I'm sure Daddy wouldn't like me playing with that stuff. I slept the whole time. I just know that someone besides Mommy held me. I think Mommy said her name was Shannon. I liked that. I think she's a Mommy, too, because she knew how to hold me.

After this, me and Mommy went to WalMart. That's a big place. It's loud. I slept there, too, but I peeked a few times. Then, we went to Ingles. It had mostly food. I peeked a few times there, too. Mommy said I was good even though it was past my feeding time. I came home and ate and was happy as a lark. I didn't pee on myself yesterday, Mommy was happy!!

Here's a picture of me and the Dr who helped Mommy when I was born. I'm naked!

And here's evidence I peed on Mommy!

Weekly happenings

2009-08-14T23:22:00.004-04:00

From now on, this will be in first person Ayden...since this is really all about him anyway....

Let me tell you about the day I was born. My mama worked really hard for me to come out. I was fighting to get out, but someone was holding my head. I didn't like that very much. My mama just got me out. Then, I saw other people. I opened one eye and then opened the other eye. I don't remember crying. Mama said I didn't cry much. Was I supposed to? I don't remember much about that day except for that bath. I didn't like it. I don't like water. I don't like when I pee on myself, either. I got told I was 8 pounds and 22 inches. I guess that's good.

August 2: my Meme's birthday. I don't remember too much about this day, either. A lot of people came to see me, but I was asleep most of the day. That wiggling all day yesterday pooped me out! I just know that I tried to eat but couldn't get the hang of it. I spent a long time inside Mommy, and I didn't have to eat like that. This dr woman squished my boy parts. I didn't like that. I think her name was Dr Snider. She was loud.

August 3: Some people came to visit me, but I was still tired. I got a shot that day. My foot hurt. That nurse told Mama that I didn't cry. Was I supposed to? Another dr woman came and told Mommy and Daddy that I had some Billy Rubins. I wonder if he is a nice boy. And she said I lost some weight. She said I was 7 pounds and 13 ounces. I guess that's OK.

August 4: I got a big boo boo this day. That one dr that helped Mama after I was born put this thing on me. He told Mama it is supposed to come off in 3 to 8 days. That other nurse said I barely whimpered when he did it. Was I supposed to? These nurses are wanting me to eat. But I still can't figure out how to eat yet. What do I do? It's hard to eat with all these people watching you. They said that I was jaundiced. What does that mean? I thought I just had a tan. I guess that tan isn't good. That dr said I weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces today. But...I got to go home today. I like my seat. I like to grab my little monkey friends riding with me. They are soft.

August 5: I sleep all day. I like my house. Mommy and Daddy hold me and talk to me. I like that. Mommy is getting better at feeding me. Maybe she was shy at the hospital. She told Daddy that she was frustrated, whatever that means. I went to see that dr woman today. Mommy told her that I haven't been pooping, and that dr woman stuck her finger up my rear. I didn't like that, so I peed on her. I didn't mean to...it just came out! She said I weighed 7 pounds 5 ounces.

August 6: My Meme, Aunt LeeLee, Cousins Nathan and Natalee. and Mamaw and P.P. came to see me at my house. I like my new friends. I'm eating better, and Mommy says that I have been eating better and pooping more. She put this thing up my rear to help me poop, and it worked! I didn't cry, but was I supposed to? I met my friend Toby today. He looks different from me, Mommy, and Daddy. Why? And why does he potty outside? Mommy and especially Daddy said they were worried Toby would be mean to me. He has been nice to me. He just sniffs me and looks sad when I cry. Mommy says he is protective. I guess that's good.

August 7: Mommy took me to Daddy's work for a little bit. I guess Mommy needed to get out. I liked my time with Daddy, but I got hungry. I cried. I guess I'm supposed to cry when I'm hungry.

August 8: I stayed at home most of the day. I like to sleep. Mommy said she can't remember what else we did this day. Oh, yeah. We went to Daddy's Mama and Daddy's house.

August 9: I went to church. I don't remember, but Mommy said I slept the whole time. Mommy said I was good. Me and Mommy stayed home at night, though. Daddy went back to church. I guess he does something important there. He talks about it a lot.

August 10: Me and Mommy went back to that dr woman's place again. I didn't get to see her this time, so I guess she thinks I'm doing better at pooping since she didn't come stick her finger up my rear again. That lady nurse put me on that big shiny thing again and said I weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces. She said the Dr was pleased. I was a little grouchy because I didn't feel good. I had the poops and my ring thingy on my boy part hurts.

August 11: Me and Mommy and Daddy went to Cracker Barrel. They said I was good. I looked around and then fell asleep. My boy part still hurts. I guess I'm supposed to cry because I have been crying a lot.

August 12: My Meme and Papaw came to see me. I was still grouchy because of my boy part. That ring thing is still there, but it came off later.

August 13: Mommy took me to her work for some other baby's Mama's party. First, I had to see that man dr who helped Mama. He checked my boy part. Mama said she thought it looked infected, but that man dr said it wasn't. I guess that's good. Mama looked happy. At Mama's work, a lot of people held me and took me places. They all said I was pretty and beautiful and such a good baby. I hope so. I don't know what that means, but they all looked happy.

August 14: I went to lunch with Mommy and Daddy to some place where they were talking weird. I have never heard people talk like that before. I heard Mama say to Daddy that she wanted to teach me Spanish sometime. What is that? I slept most of the day. My Nanny and Aunt Lizzie came to see me. I feel better after that ring thingy fell off, but I still have the poop bubbles. Mama seemed upset when I peed, pooped, and spit up on her. I don't mean to, but I did pee on her 4 times today. My diaper won't hold my pee. Since that ring thingy came off, I pee everywhere. I got another bath, too, because I peed on myself. I don't like baths. Mommy took me to Daddy's work again. I watched some TV then fell asleep for a little bit. But...I peed again on Mommy, and she didn't have anymore clothes for me. She put me in 2 other things of clothes already. She took me to Daddy and told him that we needed to go home. Oh, well. I ate and fell asleep again.

Talk to you tomorrow. Daddy said we will go to the park and ride in the stroller. What is that?

Videos!

2009-08-10T20:17:00.004-04:00

I really need to not talk when I take a video. Tired+me talking=sounding stupid. HA.

Upload was taking a while...will load later. I'm tired.

Second try...

Almost a week of fun

2009-08-07T20:12:00.002-04:00

Mr Ayden has been fun. He has been sleeping better and eating better. He still doesn't cry much, but today he has been and it was been getting LOUDER...I think because he gassy. Man...this little boy farts out man farts and they stink like grandpa farts. He burps man burps, too. You can feel his tummy rolling. He squirms. He fights. He got some Mylicon.

Tuesday, we came home. Wednesday, we went to first dr appointment. He's lost 11 ounces so far. We go back Monday to recheck that weight. Looks like his jaundice is going down some. He wasn't pooping. He hadn't since Monday, and it was a forced poop by means of the nurse sticking that rectal thermometer up his rear and triggering something to make him shoot out some poo. After a suppository on Wednesday, he pooped something violent within 5 minutes. Then, again, in another 30 minutes or so. He is pooping GREEN. You just had to know that, right? Thursday, we stayed home and slept all day...well, he did. Another suppository, but it got shot out by more violent poo. Friday, today, he went to Daddy's work while Mommy went to WalMart of all places to get some things and to get out for a bit. I ended up staying 2 and a half hours...not by choice. There were a lot of people there, as you can imagine, for tax free weekend. He has peed 4 times already today and pooped 3 times. You always wanted to know the bathroom habits of my child, did you know that?

Stay tuned for more in the Life and Times of Ayden's Poopy Problems.

Introducing Baby Ayden

2009-08-02T21:27:00.003-04:00

Mr Ayden Tayte Packett came into the world August 1, 2009 (the stinking due date) at 11:30 PM, weighing 8 pounds and is 22 inches long. Here's the story. I'm sure you'll love this...

Saturday, 12:17 AM. I had fallen asleep on the couch and woke up to go to bed. The sheet had come off the corner of the mattress, so as I went to fix it, I had a sudden pop of water. Weird. Then, I started hurting. I wasn't sure if my water had broken and it was slowly coming out...but apparently not. Call the hospital to see what I was to do since I was hurting and starting contractions. Call...told to come in. Went...checked, no dilation, cervix soft (as I have heard in the past 3 weeks), and water not broken. Sent home by 2:00 AM. Was told to take Tylenol and try to sleep. Sleep, but not for long. Contractions getting stronger. By 5 AM I was awake and hurting more. I would doze off a little but by 7 AM I was awake for good.

9:00 AM. HURTING!!!!!! Call hospital again about 10:00 AM or so. Was told to come in. About 10:30 AM we got there. Was DILATED 2 cm. ABOUT FREAKIN' TIME!!! Was put on monitor again and Dr called. The nurse thought I would progress by the end of the day. So, she had me walk the halls for an hour. I was in pain pain pain with being just 2 cms. That stunk. After another hour. Dilated 3 cms. WOOHOO! Got admitted.

I finally got to 4 cms about 5 PM. HURTING BAD!!!!!!! Point of tears. I did NOT want an epidural, but Scott could not stand to see me in more pain and honestly, if I was just 4 cm at this time, ha, well, do ya really think I wanted to go another possible 5 hours with the pain? Not really. Got epidural. IN HEAVEN. OH MY! Scott was laughing because I was having monster contractions according to the monitor but I was chilling out watching TV. How funny is that?

Dr came in about 7:30 PM or so. He checked me, and I was still 4 cm but noticed that I had a weird shaped pelvis (called it something) and might not be able to push him through from being small. He said that I may have to have csection, but this was last resort.

10:45 PM dilated fully. Started pushing. Was told that we would keep doing this until 11:30 PM then dr would be called about possible csection if he could not come through. I pushed like a mad woman until, guess when, 11:20 something when his head came out partially and I had to push more. BUT the dr wasn't there yet and the nurse held him in and told me to not push but to bare down. Umm, well, little monkey, being so long and head partially out was still kicking me in my ribs. He was fighting to get out and I couldn't hold him in while he was doing this. I was begging to push pretty much (and later apologized for it, and the nurses thought I was crazy because I was "not bad at all") and did push and POOF there was Ayden. He didn't even cry but a few whimpers when he came out. He had one eye open after being born 2-5 minutes and then opened both. He was alert from that point on. He was born at 11:30 PM on the dot (ha ha csection) and was 8 pounds, 22 inches long. His head 14 inches, chest 13 inches. 22 inches...no wonder. No wonder I had monster heartburn. He hardly EVER was in fetal position, and I have YET (23 hours later) to see him in fetal position. Like I said during the 2nd ultrasound, he did not get into fetal position EVER.

He was still born with the fluidy ball sac thingy. But a lot of people have said that they know someone who had it and did not have to have surgery when it had been discussed. He has been having some trouble with spitting up mucus and blood from in utero. He was born too fast they say and had swallowed some fluid and blood. He had to have his stomach cleaned out/flushed out (whatever) to get all that stuff out. He is still having some problems but will be OK. He hardly ever cries but he is also not eating much because of the fluid.

Apparently I tore quite a bit from pushing (couldn't help it) and have had a lot of bleeding. Ah, well. I'll be OK.

Scott is in Heaven. He was nervous about how he would act and be as a parent, but this guy, he can't wait to hold this kid and talk to this kid. He talks about his skin a lot and how soft it is, how awesome he is, how much he just wants to hold him all day, and talking to him. I'm just letting him do it. He keeps asking me if I want him, but I'm letting him do his thing with him since I'll be home with him for 6 weeks and he won't. Plus, I am not the only parent. I've been around babies, Scott has but not as much as me, so I'm letting him get familiar with this with his own kid. I'll have to put more pictures of the dynamic duo later. But here's little Mr.

2009-07-29T10:55:00.003-04:00

I have been watching that spinning baby count down the days since day 200 something. Now...it's on 3 days to go. Now, I understand why my Dr didn't want me (and everyone else) to focus so much and rely so much on due dates. That has been one big annoyance to me... "when are you due?" "What's your due date?" I used to say "July but they say Aug 1." Then it turned into "July" with no further explanation unless I got asked (which annoyed me). HAHA. Then it turned into "never." Then it turned into "I'll birth a 5 yr old the rate I'm going." Now, it's "ask Jesus." Funny, I just remembered when people were constantly asking after Natalee was born "when are you gonna have a little one?" I finally got frustrated over time and said, "I don't know...ask Jesus." Little did I know I had just gotten pregnant when I said that. HAHAHAHA.

Dr Appt today

2009-07-28T19:01:00.001-04:00

39 weeks and 3 days preggo. The ticker says the date for July 10. Anyway, 39 weeks and 3 days and no dilation. Isn't this fun? They told me that they wouldn't induce because it would do more harm than good. Hmm....

Ok...ok...

2009-07-26T19:20:00.002-04:00

I understand my hormones are out of whack, and I am saying things out of frustration. I understand that when he gets here I won't be as "boisterous" as I am now...but...like I said, hormones are out of whack. I re-read the things I have blogged and laugh...so, if anything, I get a good laugh out of it all when I've had a poopy day. I understand that after he's born I'll be "out of whack" in other areas, and right now, the weird pains and wondering "when" is what is getting to me. I get daily phone calls checking up on me...by 5 different people...asking if anything's happening. And I am getting tired of the same line, "nothing's going on." So, when he comes, the phone calls of "anything happening" will stop, but I will get phone calls of what he is doing. No big deal...at least I'll have something more to talk about other than "nothing going on, no pain, nothing." I'll relish in my self pity for hopefully another few days and then be over it. Maybe one day he'll read this and see how crazy his mama is. That'd be funny.

People are funny

2009-07-23T18:29:00.004-04:00

Went to the grand ole Walmart today and sat in the parking lot for a few to watch people...or stupid people I should say. I like to watch people, but I end up getting mad here lately because of dumb, ignorant people. So, I sit in the parking lot...a lady who can walk just fine had parked no more than 20 feet from the buggy holder thingyjigger. She only had like 2 small things in her cart...BUT...proceeds to leave her stupid cart between 4 cars instead of putting the dumb thing up. Then, she sits there for about 5 minutes (I was eating my lunch in the car in the air conditioning, that's why I sat there so long) doing nothing...but I found out why. She was waiting for the person who parked in front of her to leave so she did not have to back up her car and could just pull straight through. Why do that? Why waste time waiting for someone to move their car when you could have done it 5 minutes ago? Sheesh. Then, when she pulls through, she has to dodge her own stupid cart she left. 3-5 seconds later another car comes and pulls in ever so slowly to dodge the cart but end up hitting it anyway and it sails into the Explorer in front of me and was heading toward my front bumper. Luckily, it stopped before it hit. These 2 older ladies in the car, now I don't give a crap how old you are, if you can walk and KNOW you hit someone else's car, you best be checking the car, leave a note if damage, and at least take the dumb cart to the thing or with you. Holy crap. Well, the look on their faces while still in the car after hitting the cart was priceless. It was like, "OH NO!! But it's OK because my car is old and banged up anyway." Did they check the other car? NO. (I saw them later in the store WITH A CART and they acted like everyone else was inconveniencing them). SO, leave it to preggo to take the dumb cart. I saw no damage to other car, so if I had, I would have left a note with the car tag number HAHA. Not sure that would do much good, but oh well. So I go into the grand Walls of Marts and see people I don't want to see, mostly people I work with (clients, not co-workers, but I might dodge them too if I felt like it HAHA). I hear this mom yelling at her kid so loudly you can hear her across the blooming store. There are kids running around everywhere, no parent in sight, and these kids are wild. Several of them about ran into me, and if they had, the preggo monster would have told them what I thought. I probably would have drug them with me until they found their parent or whoever was responsible for them. Now, I'm not just talking teens or preteens, I'm talking 6-10 year old looking kids. I watched kids be so super whiny that I wanted to look at them and tell them it could be a WHOLE lot worse. But anyhow...I only needed like 8 things, but it took me a little over an hour to get it all because of stupid people getting in the way. Then, I got home and realized I forgot about 2-3 things. Oh well. We'll go to the Lose My Sanity Hut sometimes this week again I'm sure. (And i made this PINK for Shannon)

2009-07-23T18:28:00.001-04:00

Found this on a couple of Facebook friends' pages...I should have done it...I should have I should have!!

I'm scary

2009-07-21T16:33:00.003-04:00

Yes, I have been told that I am scaring some people with my last few posts. Sorry. I've already cried twice today, and I'm trying to not do it right now. Hormones are a poopy little crap, and I don't like them right now. Dr appt today, and I got told AGAIN...no dilation and "nothing is happening, so come back next week." Like a big ole preggo wants to hear that. And I have been thinking about birth control options after he FINALLY gets here. Pill or not to pill? The Birth Control Pill in my book is equivalent to the "Devil Pill," so I do not want this as an option. I am "the monster" 24/7 on the pill. So what you see now is how I am all the time on the pill but add on depression. So, the stupid insertion has been talked about to me before...but what's the point? It's the stupid hormones in the pill that make me this way, so what's the difference between hormones in a pill and an insertion? And I refuse to go another route...I break out with Aloe Vera, so I can only imagine what "those things" will do. So, I need to become a nun. HAHA. Anywho, enough talk about that.

So, yes, I went to the Dr and after he and the nurse left, I started crying. I had to sit there for a few minutes until I could pull myself together. Then, as I was leaving, the nurses must have known I was upset and tried to give me "things I could do" to try to self induce labor, but then I started to get all emotional again. I walk out of the building and here starts my water works again. If I had gotten pulled over, the cop would have thought I was insane. Ah, well. I feel like it.

Seriously getting MAD

2009-07-17T20:43:00.002-04:00

Before you read this...IF you are PREGNANT the same time I am, please read and DO NOT Be offended. You'll see why. Bitter...GREEN with envy? Maybe so. OK...so...I start this trend. Pregnancy. At work. At church. In families. EVERYWHERE. Original due date...July 10. What is today? JULY 17. SO......back to the trend. at work: 3 others preggo. My due date July 10 remember, girl 2 July 20, girl 3 July 28, girl 4 Sept 9. Girl 4 got preg right after all the other 3 announced. ANYWAY... so, me, I get changed to Aug 1 after 1 week after 1st ultrasound. Girl 2 gets changed to July 30 after 1 week and 1st ultrasound (makes me feel better, sure), girl 3 stayed same. HOWEVER...girl 3 I heard will get induced this Tuesday if she doesn't have him by then. Great. WHAT ABOUT ME??? I'm having a selfish time over here, but I'm OVER IT. O-V-E-R I-T. Trend at church...I announce preggo. Someone else announce preggo. I think my due date was before hers, but she had a scheduled CSection. Envious? Maybe. Jealous? YES. I told someone, "Must be nice to know when you're gonna have your kid." Seriously...I'm so tired of waiting. I keep wondering why that dumb due date got changed to 3 weeks and 1 day later. Now, when there's only (gonna get personal here) 2 DAYS anything happened in OCTOBER and it sure as crap wasn't in the LAST WEEK OF IT...then I think my date is more accurate.PLUS...I was taking my stupid temperature every day and I had my first symptoms the week of Halloween...then YEAH. If you go back 40 weeks from Aug 1, you get to week of Halloween for having your stinking period. Umm, no. That was Oct 2. I don't care to tell...I don't give a crap about much right now. Grr... Oooo, pain and pressure right now. Ayden, can you sense Mommy is O-V-E-R I-T? Not you, Buddy, but you being IN THERE????? Anyhow, trend. Family. Not long after I announce, someone in Scott's family announces. Scott goes to a man group on Wednesday mornings...guess how many people's wives are preggo? About, what, 4? Who started it? Me. ANYWAY........................what I'm MAD about today......................IS.........................the people who are "supposed" to be about 2 weeks behind me are 1: already had their kid, 2: getting induced soon, or 3: having the same symptoms as me. I'm going to be selfish again, but maybe and hopefully next time I'm preggo, everyone else around me won't be....so I won't have anything to compare it to (such as due dates and "who's gonna pop first?") and get all mad. I know, I know...selfish. But holy crap, Batman....have you SEEN how many people are preggo at the same time and due within 2 months of each other? It's INSANE! Now, I'm not saying I want to be in the spotlight....no......not saying I don't want others to steal my thunder. Take my thunder, I really don't care. All I'm saying is I see and hear about others' progression toward birth and I'm still sitting here like a bump on a log waiting...like I said...ALL THE LABOR SYMPTOMS but not the LABOR. Tomorrow will be 1 month since he first dropped. Most people say kid comes after 2-3 weeks of first drop. Well, not this one. Lost plug July 6. Most people say kid comes anywhere from 4 hours after to 2 weeks after. So far, not this kid. Yeah, I was 12 days past my due date when I was born...payback? But that's not fair!! I didn't know any better!!! It would be funny after all of my ranting and raving to myself that he were to come tonight or tomorrow. HAHA. I'm not too optimistic right now. People say things to try to make me feel better. Thanks, but it doesn't work that well. I'm not trying to compete with others, either, about him being born. That'd be just stupid and idiotic. I just DON'T feel good, I'm TIRED of being TIRED (I know this will get worse later, but at least I can sleep in more than just one position), and I'm TIRED of getting these pains and pressure and NO PRODUCTION. It's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO misleading. People at work look at me everyday and say, "why are you still here?" I DON'T KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe because he's not emerged yet? Yeah, I hear you, "he's not ready yet. He'll come when he's ready." Read my post from yesterday, please. RIGHT NOW. I'm feisty today. I admit it. I couldn't do my job. That would require me to drive to Englewood or Etowah and talk to families. You think it's not that bad? Try driving when you have a lot of pressure and not knowing of you are going to make it to their home without springing a leak or having pain. Try having to listen to people from a Mental Health Center and try to rack your brain to "solve" the problem. Try having to be out in the heat. Try having to come back to the office to type out everything they told you and what you did to try to help. It's not fun. SO....My option for myself. I did paperwork. I'm supposed to make no less than 82 visits in a month and have 4200 minutes of contact time with clients. Do the math, each person averages around 52 minutes a visit to even get my goal minimum. This doesn't include drive time or paperwork. And during the summer, no one is home...or they don't have air conditioning...or they smoke like chimneys and you HAVE to breathe it because it's their home and you can't ask them to not smoke. So...last month and this month don't count against us for productivity. Last month I tried, and I did good considering I was training someone for 2 weeks. I am at 1/3 my usual pace but training someone zaps about 50% of the remaining 2/3. SO...my supervisor calls today and is talking to me about taking maternity leave early. I wanted to use my 8 weeks I built up for AFTER he was born...but...after much deliberation today...I'm TIRED of work and went ahead and started my leave after today. This will put me coming back Sept 14. I was told that I would have like 54 hours left over and could take another week, but I chose to not do that just in case he gets sick or I get sick or something. Plus, I want some cushion for vacation time if I get sick of the office. I get 6.67 hours of vacation time a month and 8 hours of sick leave a month. I would have to work there another year I think to get either 8 or 10 hours vacation leave a month. Do I want to stay there? Not really. Right now I have to. Am I TIRED of working? YES. I mean, seriously, Eve's punishment was to have bad pains and crap during pregnancy/labor and take care of the kids,right? Adam's punishment was hard working labor. So why is it that I am playing Eve AND Adam's punishment role? Scott wants me to stay home. Problem is...I bring the insurance and umm, we need to eat. Right now, we honestly couldn't do it with just his income for us, our expenses, and for a new baby. I get SOOOOOO mad when I hear people talking about getting to stay home with their kids because they don't "really have to" work or maybe that they have the option to stay at home and be able to survive. I mean, it's when people brag about it. That's what gets me angry. "Oh, I don't HAVE to work, I just do it because I'm bored." Umm, ok. I applaud people who make an effort to stay home with the kids and they struggle. I would rather not struggle because with our stress levels, life would be SO MUCH BETTER having a cushion. Bitter? Maybe. Something will happen...maybe, just maybe. Can I just be Eve? please? I just got a good idea for a scrapbook page. Hmm......

Getting Frustrated and Depressed

2009-07-16T17:52:00.003-04:00

Dr appt was Tuesday. No dilation but cervix soft he said. Woopie...but why won't this monkey come out??????? I'm getting depressed from waiting and looking at all of his junk. I'm getting frustrated because I have had every dad burn labor symptom but the labor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have the pain and pressure but no production. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. I cry...then I laugh....feel bipolar HAHA. I know these things take time and happen when they are supposed to, but at this stage, if one more person tells me, "He'll be here when he's ready" or "He'll be here when it's time" I will throw a brick at them. I know this...yes...I do...really...I do...but...don't be messin' with a 9+ month preggo. He dropped the first time June 18 (almost a month). Lost that gross plug July 6 (almost 2 weeks ago). Had Braxton Hicks all day June 26 (tomorrow 3 weeks). Have had weird laborish fake pains 3x now other than the 26th. Dropped another time, and another time. Don't know exact dates. I only know June 18 because I woke up that morning and could breathe. I can't sleep. Heartburn has reemerged full force. I am HORRIBLY indecisive. Hormones are WACKO. I'm not so called "witchy" or grouchy, I'm not a pit bull, I don't get mean to others...but I DO give you a nasty look if you say stupid stuff or if you are a guy and comment on the big ole Budda Belly. A guy at work did this today, and I must have given him an evil look. Well, his first words to me were, "WOAH! Allyssa!! Your belly has gotten HUGE!" Dude, it was just a week ago you saw me. Well, I guess a week is a pretty big deal in THE END...and again...I said THE END. WHEN WILL THAT BE???????????????????????????? I've walked, I've stood up for a long time, I've eaten spicy food (twice), I've done several things...NOTHING. And please, don't tell me, "He's not ready yet" BECAUSE I AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Remember the monster from a few months ago? If not, read older posts. The MONSTER has reemerged, too.

Due Date

2009-07-10T09:14:00.002-04:00

Today is the original due date...I'm really getting frustrated and thinking this kid doesn't want to come out.

Last Ultrasound

2009-07-07T20:18:00.003-04:00

Had the last ultrasound today. Got 4 pictures , but they're all kinda weird. One was of his thigh bone, one of his boy parts (aka "the balls"), one of stomach, and one of top of head. Most pictures measuring him as 38 weeks. The Dr has me at 36w 3d. My calculations...39w 4d. So...we'll see. I was hoping to have this kid today...day still isn't over, but still. It's 8:20 PM. Why today? I thought the date 7/7/09 was neat. Plus, I'm just done. I'm over it. I'm done. Not been miserable since Saturday. Starting to get more miserable sitting here, though. Back pain. Stomach pain. Just can't sit in same position very long. Oh, and he's 7 pounds.

A kinda sad part of visit. We got told little Mr has something wrong with his, ahem, balls. I just don't want to type "testicles." That word sounds stupid for a little baby. Balls. That's just funny. Something about he has too much fluid in there or something. It got explained, and Scott explained what the Dr said again, but all I heard was too much fluid. Dr said that it could correct itself before he's born, but if he's born with it still being that way (I mean really, how do you know it's like that after birth?) then he would have to have surgery around 6 months to 1 year old or he could risk infertility later. That's not nice. I forget what he called it. It seems like he said hydro sac. ?? No idea. My mind was spinning by then. They (Dr and nurse) said it wasn't anything to worry about and it would be OK. I just don't know how much a surgery like that would cost. I'm thinking surgery because I'm not so sure that he's gonna stay in here that much longer. Just pray little Mr is OK.

I take weekly belly pictures. Here's this week's. Compare to last week's.

Hmmm...Baby Things Everywhere

2009-07-06T21:11:00.006-04:00

Yesterday we had Ayden's 5th, yes, 5th baby shower at church. It was splendid!! Yummy!! Stuff!! YAY!! I was feeling pretty good yesterday...the best I've felt in a LONG time. Today is the same. Well, about 12 PM I started having some dull laborish pains, and it stayed until about 2:30. Front to back, and again and again. Shooting pain in areas, then it goes to my back. Blah blah. Now, nothing really, just feeling tight. We just got back from the 2nd of 3 birthing classes, and out of a group of 6 couples, guess what, I am the ONLY one who is planning on no epidural. GO ME! They probably think I'm crazy and probably so do you, but STUFF A SOCK IN IT. :) I want to know what I'm doing oddly enough. Control freak maybe? I don't think so, but whatever. I don't like to take control of everything, but in this case, umm, sure. I go through the pain...so shut it. Today we learned all about prenatal and postnatal exercises!! I was not so enthused, but I guess I should have been. Scott's all like "you need to be doing these things." I carry the laundry around and get pooped and break a sweat...that's MY exercise. HAHA. Speaking of laundry, I am washing a comforter right now and will do one (or two) more tonight. ENERGY!!!!!!!!!! Don't break my ENERGY!!!!!!! I have Dr appointment tomorrow for my last ultrasound. The last time I'll get to see little boogerhead in there. I HOPE HOPE HOPE his head is DOWN and about to go down the hole. That reminds me of a cartoon I loved to watch. Ayden go down the hole...Ayden go down the hole... Mama, I thought you'd like that. Google "Plucky Duck Potty Years" and watch the video. You'll get it. Let me try that first to see what comes up. Well, blow me down, guess what...it's the FIRST ONE YOU SEE. I'll embed...or try. That thing cracks me up. Toilet pater go down the hoooollle. Anyway...what was I rambling about? Oh, I was done. Picture time!!! Looks like paint letters blue is winning. We'll seeeeeeee. Pictures of his room and shower yesterday. And yes, I look like a whale.

4th of July!

2009-07-04T11:10:00.005-04:00

Happy July 4th! No clue what I'm going to do today...besides put together the LAST piece of furniture! YAY!!

There is a "Baby Birthday Projection" list at work. Some people picked July 1, 3, and 5. Some picked August 1, 3. Ha. Anxious to see who gets the closest. Dude feels like he's dropped again. First drop was June 18. Possibly another one last week. Definitely feels like he did last night or overnight. I can't quite sit with my knees as close as they used to in the past few days.

Toby has been good the past few weeks, but today, we discovered more poop on the floor. Why does he do this...at random times...and mostly when I've been working in Ayden's room? Hmmm.... So right now he is in "time out" in his locked box. He's whining. Oh, well. Have to suffer little turkey butt. He knows what "NO potty in the house" means. And he KNEW what he did when I walked over and said his name. He put on the brakes. Smart dog, but stubborn.

New poll. I put Ayden's name on the wall yesterday. The original plan was to have blue wall on top, then dark brown stripe, then tan bottom of wall. I must have confused Scott because this got switched. The main reason I wanted blue up top was because Ayden's letters are white. I didn't feel like painting them nor putting something decorative on them like ribbon or something. However, when I put them up yesterday, it just doesn't look ABSOLUTELY spectacular to me. But would Ayden really give a crap? Not really. :) POLL TIME. Keep it the way it is, paint letters blue, paint circles on letters, or put ribbons on letters?

I'm not amused

2009-07-03T07:24:00.002-04:00

It's Friday, and by George, I'm OFF WORK...but why did I get up at 6:27 AM? Oh, yeah, I forgot...I had a few more progress notes from work to do that needed to be done YESTERDAY. I just can't focus when at work. It's either too hot or too cold or too loud or it stinks in there. I come home to do notes. Yeah, I can bust them out quicker at home, but well, you have phones, you have dog, you have the temptations of Ayden's room and Ayden's junk. Now, being 7:26 AM, I am finished with the twerp notes and am ready to go back to sleep...but...I...can't. Now, I'm hungry. And I'm not amused because I'm getting that end of preggo puffiness I've heard and read about. My fingers are poochy, my face is DEFINITELY poochy, my belly is poochy. HAHA. Did you catch that one? I made a funny! But I haven't gained anymore weight than normal. Been gaining about 2 pounds every 2 weeks, so duh, a pound a week, well, since April or May I have been doing that. I think I'm up to 23 pounds now total. 17 or so is baby and fluid and all that other gross stuff in there. That will be the quickest weight loss I've ever had. What do I want to eat? IHOP!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, sadly, Athens has no IHOP. We have Cracker Smarrel and Schmoney's. I'm tired of that. Pancakes...yum. Chocolate milk, triple yum. OH...and I don't like it when you go to a drive thru fast food place wanting chocolate milk SO BAD and they give you your yummy chocolate milk, but it is about...oh...2 SIPS WORTH! Yeah, I got a kid in there but HOLY CRAP you gotta feed ME TOO. I can drink a giant cup full of chocolate milk in no time. And I used to hate milk. Well, I didn't like plain white milk. Chocolate, yeah, but it would take me forever to drink it. Not now!!! Maybe that's why Mr Ayden is pretending to be a gymnast all the time in there. Tuesday, we'll get to see what that little monkey is doing in there. Should be interesting. 7:33 AM. Now what do I do? LAUNDRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Week 35 or 38

2009-06-30T19:44:00.007-04:00

These past 2 weeks...have been...fun. Not really. Friday, I'm pretty sure I was having those nasty Braxton Hicks contractions. All day, and I mean ALL DAY...about 7 AM to midnight...about 3-5 times an hour...I would have these pains from my belly button and below. I felt like had to, well, poop, and it was not going to be a nice one...more like the green apple splatters, as Scott calls it. HAHA. Sorry, Scott. Little Mr didn't move an awful lot Friday, but when he did...BRING ON THE PAINS! My fingernails are growing so fast, I can't hardly type. Random thoughts...again.

We got Ayden's dresser drawer Saturday. We put it together, and I got frustrated. I wanted to put it together SO BADLY, and I couldn't stand to watch Scott do it. I put together the drawers, though. YAY!! One piece got a "little" broken, but it's OK, it's do-able. I'll get over it.

Sunday was miserable. I stayed home Sunday night.

Monday we had the first of three birthing classes. I sat for an hour and a half, then we took a tour of the hospital. It's not as big as I would have thought it would be. I felt like those other pregnant girls were running off and leaving me because they can still getty up and go. I CAN'T. Here comes Slow Turtle! Ah, well. Next week is "exercising" and stuff. MMHMM. I'm sure I will just ENJOY that.

Today was Dr appointment. I had that Group B Strep test thingy. Got violated. Next week is last ultrasound, then the next week I guess he'll start checking for dilation. I really think this kid will be out by then. Don't ask why...I just feel like it. I've been slowly trying to pack these bags for the grand ole trip to the Athens Regional. I have mine half done. Ayden's is done pretty much. I just have to decide on 2 more outfit thingys. I have his going home outfit. We still need to put in that car seat, dang it. I have all of his clothes and junk washed except for what he got today.

Tomorrow is church, and well, work. Thursday is work and then we get preggo pictures made. Friday is OFF FROM WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank You Jesus!!!!! Saturday is...hopefully nothing. Sunday is my last of 5 showers. Then...after that...who knows!!!!

I was playing with my camera today while Scott is gone to a revival. I didn't think I'd be up to sitting on hard bleachers in a hot gym for at least an hour. Scott agreed, and I stayed home. But my laundry doin', getting baby stuff togetherness is kicking in again. Anyway, here's what I did. I think it's funny. I take my own pictures every week. HAHA.

DUDE!!!

2009-06-25T20:45:00.005-04:00

So today has been interesting...go to work, the usual, blah blah.

Go to Cleveland to go to Kohl's then go to Shane's Rib Shack to eat...THEN...find out Michael Jackson DIED!!! He was my hero when I was like 5 or earlier. Weird...why am I glued to the TV? Ed McMahon died earlier this week, Farrah Fawcett today, and then I hear about Michael...sheesh.

In other words...we went to Kohl's, and Scott must not have been having a good day. Some of his clothes that were supposed to be on sale weren't on sale as much as thought, we go to eat and he gets too much food, we go to Bruster's to get ice cream and he gets too much ice cream because he didn't know you got that much ice cream. It was dripping and too full, so while driving he was having a hard time. He handed it to me, or so I thought, for me to try to level it out and I dropped it on my pants, breaking some of the waffle cone. After that, Scott was done and we threw it out on the interstate. That was sad...lost ice cream. Ah, well.

Showers and Showers

2009-06-22T21:51:00.006-04:00

Shower number 1: Mantooth Family and friends had a shower at Waterville Church June 13, 2009 2:00-4:00. Like I said before, we got lots of stuff. Here are some pictures from that.

Shower number 2: Hiwassee Mental Health had a shower at work June 18, 2009 11:00-1:00.

Shower number 3: CONTACT, Inc, Scott's work, had a shower there June 18, 2009 2:00-3:30.

Shower number 4: Packett family and friends had a shower at Scott's mom's house June 20, 2009 1:00-3:00.

Shower number 5: Will be Idlewild Church July 5, 2009 2:00-4:00. I hope I can make it until then.

We have most of the stuff we need...except for a bigger stroller. We like the jogger ones, but this shall come later, I suppose. Gift cards are awesome. We have LOTS of clothes...and LOTS of bibs. Now, maybe I won't freak out so much. We just ordered the rest of the furniture. We are broke now. HA. Seriously. I'm not joking. We still need to pay off this delivery, meaning AYDEN delivery. And there's other things we need to pay for and pay people back for...sheesh. Why do we make no money?????? Oh, well, it'll happen.

Another Dr Appointment

2009-06-16T22:24:00.002-04:00

The next to last 2 week appointment...YAY!!! I go again June 30 and then weekly. If I understood him correctly, I will get to have the third and last ultrasound in 3 weeks. He did tell me that I could have him in 2 weeks and he wouldn't freak out or try to stop it. Anyway, what happened today is quite funny. The usual...pee in cup, weight, blood pressure, yada yada. TODAY, however, I have this big belly and can't see what I'm doing, and as I try to pee in the cup, I fill it too fast (lots o' water) and as I tried to maneuver to dump it, I spilled it on my pants a little. Nice...I didn't think I spilled a whole lot...but oh yes I did. I spilled it on the floor. I spilled it down the toilet. It was spectacular. I look in the mirror and see HUGE wet spot. Oh well. I told the nurse while I was laughing that I "kinda got some on myself." She didn't act like it was a huge deal. I'm sure she sees that a lot. I want chocolate milk. Now I want water. So Scott asked the Dr about the mad dash to the washer and the increased energy then crashing in no time. He asked about the weird dreams. Well, he actually didn't ask, the Dr mentioned it and Scott agreed and said I was already doing that. I woke myself up Sunday night crying from a weird dream. I feel like crying now, because Ayden has been all up in my ribs today and all smashing my bladder. My back hurts so bad...
I had my first shower Saturday. We got lots of stuff, some from the registry...yay. I have 2 more on Thursday and another on Saturday the 20th. Then, I'll have one more (of 5) July 5 at church. Scott went to the shower on Saturday and said he will not go to another one. HAHA. I did NOT force him to go, just for the record. I will add pictures later as I feel like loading them on here.

Baby Ticker Countdown

2009-06-08T23:45:00.001-04:00

54 days to go...my rear end...we'll see.

I'm still here...

2009-06-08T23:18:00.008-04:00

I have been asked when I am going to make another post. Well, have I got one for ya! June 3, went to Dr. Same ol' same ol'. Nothing spectacular. I go again June 16 then start going weekly. June 5 was Natalee's 1st birthday party. June 6, Mama & Daddy came up and helped put down the floors. Bye bye nasty carpet. Mama pretended to be asleep. Haha.
June 7-12 is Vacation Bible School. I'm pooped already. Yesterday, I put together the crib.

Today, Mama & Daddy came up again to finish the floor molding. I washed bedding and stuff.

That's all for now! Oh, I have my first shower Saturday in Cleveland. YAY!! I found out I have stuff bought from my registries...well, Target so far. HAHA. I'm a little obsessed with checking the registries. Excited I guess.

Dr Appointment today

2009-05-19T18:45:00.003-04:00

Since I am on the grand 2 week schedule, I went to the Dr today. Same weight, did same pee drill and I guess it was OK, didn't measure belly, didn't tell me heart rate (he only had it on him for seriously 2 seconds...I guess to check for, ahem, what they always check for), blood pressure was higher at 128/80...which, yes, I know is normal, but MY normal is usually 120/60 or so. ANYwho...things were fine. I got to see the Dr I had been asking for since February for the first time. I like him. Blunt...straight to the point (which I guess is blunt, duh), thorough, and doesn't leave you until all of your questions are asked and answered. I like that. AND he told me what to expect from visits and delivery from here until the birth itself. So...they still have me at August 1, which is (make a buzzer noise) wrong by my standards...but am I a Dr? No. Am I God? Heck no. Could Ayden be stubborn and want to stay in his dark, cozy, warm cave? Possibly. But do I still think he'll be out by July 20? YES! Plus, Dr told me that if I started to go into labor on or near July 4, then he wouldn't worry and he would carry on with delivery. YAHOO!!!! What worried me, that if July 10 was the REAL due date that if I started around, say, July 4, that they would stop delivery. BUT...if Mr new Dr is the one on call when Ayden decides to come (please God?) that it will be o......k.........Oh, and next ultrasound should be week 36, which is about 6 weeks.

Paint Job Part 2

2009-05-19T18:39:00.003-04:00

This time I shall type in brown...since BROWN is the latest color. Scotty Pants painted the brown stripe today. Yesterday, I drew in the lines and taped it off. More WOOHOOS to come.

Rain rain is like my yard is on steroids

2009-05-16T12:36:00.007-04:00

Yesterday, it came a storm. Our neighbor's yard flood in one part. I have seen the road flood but not like this and not so quickly. It was rather funny. ...well... except for the lightning. Ish......

More Woohoos!!

2009-05-16T12:25:00.004-04:00

Scott painted the first part of Ayden's room yesterday. We will have to wait another few days to a week to paint the stripe in the center. You can't really tell the difference in the top color and the original color, but it will work.

One Word...WOOHOO!!!!

2009-05-14T22:19:00.001-04:00

Here's why...

"Womb" is a funny word

2009-05-13T22:58:00.002-04:00

Yes, I think "womb" is a funny word. I'm not sure where that thought came from, but it came when we were sitting in Buddy's BBQ drive through tonight. Don't ask why that came up...because I cannot give you an answer.

Adventures for this week....well, then. Ayden is moving like a little wild monkey. All the time, bouncy bouncy, jumpy jumpy, rolly rolly. Which is good, but still...oh so tiring and can be oh, so painful. He doesn't let me sleep very well, either.

I am in the process of cleaning up several rooms so we, ahem, I mean SCOTT can paint. I'm kinda mad and upset I can't paint. Can I at least put up the paint tape?? Does it have a funky smell??? NO!! This house is a disaster area, and when it might take me 2 days (maybe) to clean it up, it takes me double or triple that now. We have a lack of storage space and a lack of space period in this house, so it is kinda hard to clean up my never ending piles of mess. Scott says I have organized clutter. Yeah...so?

Sunday, something happened Sunday...(besides anniversary and Mother's Day, duh)...oh yeah. I got asked by a teenage male "does that feel weird to have another life inside you. What's it feel like to feel it move?" My answer..........are you ready for this?? "Have you ever had a big, giant gas bubble move from one side of your stomach to the other? It feels like that." Mommys....do you agree? Know what I mean? So....imagine with me......BIG, GIANT GAS BUBBLES moving around most of the day...in every direction, and imagine some push up against you like it wants to COME OUT of your stomach instead of......well you know. That's it. :)

And I'm about to squash me a dog right now. Whine whine whine, cry cry cry, jump jump jump. I think he's WORSE than a kid sometimes. TOBY!! GET IN YOUR BOX!!!! He's tired...that's the problem. But he sleeps ALL DAY. I ask, "what do you want?" Whine whine, nudge my hand, loud sigh, give up, stare at Scott, look pitiful, lay head down on me, slide down my leg, try to not fall asleep, eyes are heavy, stare at Scott, growl at dogs outside, stare at door, whine whine. Scott says, "shut up, Toby." Lay head down, Scott's blackberry buzzing as usual, check message, put down phone, nope, pick it back up,oh ok put it down now, Toby stare at Scott, lay head down, look even more pitiful. I say, "go bed?" I get stared at like "DUH, MOMMY," look around, lick lips, lay head back down and stare at Scott.

I'm done with play by play. But that's what we do. Occasionally, he will sniff a certain part of the wall, where there is now a dirty brown mark on the wall from his nose. Not sure why he does that. He's weird. So am I...but that's O...K.....

Tuesday Stuff I Forgot

2009-05-09T10:21:00.003-04:00

So Tuesday we put headphones on my belly to see if Mr Ayden responds to music. Usually, on the first song during church he moves around a lot. I was going to test this theory. He kicked the snot out of the headphones. You could see headphone moving up and down. He was listening to some lullaby sounding music, and I guess he liked it. That or he didn't like the headphones on him.

And he moves and plays with you if you poke the belly a little bit. If you poke in a certain spot, he will kick you. He might follow you around.........

AND............drum roll please....................I got my first pre-Mommy's day gift from my secret pal at church, along with bday and anniversary. BUT.......Scott asked me what I wanted for my bday/anniversary/Mommy, and I said "car seat." He asked again, and AGAIN, I said, "car seat." He says," no, something for you." And I said," car seat." Am I stubborn? Just a little. BUT I GOT ME A CAR SEAT!!! :) That's all. Thank you, Bubby Chubs.

Rough Week

2009-05-08T08:51:00.005-04:00

Sunday, I started getting some back pain. I had not had back pain throughout pregnancy so far. No big deal, I went with it. Monday, I still had back pain, and I went to my sister's for a party. Mama told me that she thought Ayden was settling in my back. No big deal, I went with it. Tuesday, still had back pain. Went to Dr. I've gained 17 pounds since December (no big deal), Ayden heartbeat 140 bpm, my BP 120/60, sugar test came back good, everything good. I asked about the back pain...if it could be Ayden moving to the back to hibernate. The answer I got..."Back pain is normal at this stage of pregnancy." Well, DUH!!! But all day every day? I get so frustrated sometimes when I go to the Dr. Scott asked Dr about pregnancy massage: if it was OK to do and where one was recommended. Answer he got..."there used to be one downtown, but isn't that your job?" GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Wednesday, still had back pain, I sit still for a while until Ayden decides to move again and play with my ribs or my intestines. No big deal, I went with it. Thursday, another story. ALL DAY I hurt, my back, my legs, but the bottom of my stomach hurt. I felt like bricks were in there weighing down. I couldn't stay still. I wanted to either rock or walk. I talked to several Mommys. I got told from one that it happened to her, another said Ayden could be turning, and another said to call Dr. I asked nurse at work. She said call Dr. Well, crap! I WAS JUST THERE AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS "NORMAL." I called. Nurse at Dr office. She told me to come in. I did. I got the routine thing done, weight, blood pressure, pee in cup, yada yada yada. THEN, Dr dude came in and checked for dilation. I was freaked out. HE CAN'T COME OUT YET!!! I'M NOT READY!! WE HAVE NOTHING DONE!!! Anyway, freak out aside, no dilation. WOOHOO! That didn't feel too spectacular, though. I got hooked up to a monitor for Ayden's heartbeat and to find any contractions for about 20 minutes. And by the way, that room was hot. Grr. Nothing found. WOOHOO!! But why was this happening? I was not told, no one knew. Remedy?? "There's nothing we can do. Take Tylenol." DUH!! I was also told about not taking anything else because it's the same as taking narcotics. Umm, HELLO?!?!?! Am I stupid??!!?? No!!!! I understand why that was said, but COME ON!!!!!!!! I go every 2 weeks now. I go back May 19. Now, Friday, so far it is storming outside. We'll see how it goes. I feel better, but I still feel pressure, but not too bad. No big deal, I'll go with it.

Houston...we have a problem

2009-05-01T16:20:00.005-04:00

Toby has been sleeping in his crate thingy (Toby knows it as his box) since last Wednesday night. I wasn't getting much sleep with him seriously being up my butt in the bed. He has to dig his way under the covers then later gets out to first...shake and make noise, second...proceed to stomp all over me and get back into the covers. Then, if that's not the problem, he sheds like crazy!! I didn't want to sleep with enough hair to make another dog. So...to also make it fair, I don't want to get into the habit of having a baby in the bed (because why do you buy a crib if you don't use it, right?) and Toby in there too. Not having that. SO...we put Toby in his box. He did good with no crying, no whining, nothing...that is...until 2 nights ago. The past 2 nights, one night being at 3 something AM and the other being 5 something AM, I have heard Toby making noise and then he suddenly appears on the bed with a seemingly satisifed smile on his face. That little turkey had ESCAPED HIS BOX. It was LOCKED!! Well, we had been locking just the top lock, and that little fart Toby figured out how to UNlock it. Monkey. I marched his little rear end BACK to his box both nights and put him back in, this time locking both locks. He stayed, but I wonder when Mr Toby Houdini will get his way out of the box next.
Locked Box...
How'd he do that?
And 2 nights in a row???

Orange Juice?

2009-04-30T21:25:00.002-04:00

Tuesday morning, I had my glucose test thingy. People had been telling me that the drink was horrible, but I didn't think it was. The orange juice tasted like Tang with a cup of sugar. Yeah, it was sugary and could make you feel sick if you didn't eat some bread or something before you went, but it was fine. Plus...the NURSE said that she thought I was farther along than the ultrasound said. HA HA. What have I said since the beginning? She said that the ultrasounds were wrong a lot. We'll see when he wants to come out. I just get all weird when people ask me when I'm due. I have to go into this long speech explaining the whole deal...and a simple due date would be nice. BUT...I can't get myself to just say August 1...because I'm sure that it is earlier. Ah, well. There was something else I was going to blog, but I forgot.

Pros & Cons of Pregnancy

2009-04-26T13:57:00.003-04:00

I want to begin with a quote from the great Scott Packett. But first, I want to create the scenario...imagine a preacher is walking up to the stage - preparing to preach. Kids are running and walking to Kids' Club (kiddie church). Scott is watching them go their merry little way. Scott says, very calmly and oh so seriously..."Aren't they awesome? I use to be scared of 'em until my wife got pregnant." I just thought that was HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

OK now on to the pros and cons.......

Pros
Actually being pregnant?
Feeling him move around
Looking at all his stuff he has already
Scott wanting to feel him move
Seeing him move
Getting unexpected help all the time (haha)
Getting to wear cute stuff
Hand me downs!!
Consignment stores!!!
Feeling pretty good for the most part-better than I was before oddly enough
Hair and nail growth
My pregnancy hormones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hearing that heartbeat :)

Cons
Feeling every body part imaginable poking you in the stomach, side, and ribs
Him moving so hard it makes you jump
Having to adjust how you sit
Your left side falling asleep when you are trying to sleep
Leg cramps
Toes drawing up
The initial nauseous feeling
HEARTBURN
Not being able to sleep longer than 2 hours at a time
Pregnancy skin-itchy, scaly, zits (boo)
When I do get extra sensitive and cry nonstop (Marley & Me)
When I smell flavored coffee and really want one but can't have it
Peeing on yourself ( I KNOW MAMA, I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING!! DON'T SAY IT)

I'm sure there's more to add, but I can't think of them right now. HA!!

We Watched a Movie

2009-04-25T21:01:00.001-04:00

People....DO NOT EVER let me watch Marley & Me EVER EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Natalie Grant

2009-04-18T22:00:00.008-04:00

Yep, so Scott (well, CONTACT really) helped sponsor the Natalie Grant concert last night. We got to meet her and get a picture taken, then sit near the front during the concert. Scott, Me, Whitney, Sissy, and Cendy went. :) FUN FUN...YAY YAY.

Check out this picture....

2009-04-18T09:29:00.002-04:00

I think she's been hanging around her aunt too much!!! HAHAHA!!!!

Fun times

2009-04-11T22:18:00.007-04:00

I shall type in pink today. I hate pink, but whatever. I'll type in pink. And I'm WEARING PINK to church tomorrow. What is WRONG with me??? It is 10:19 PM, and I just got done making (or baking actually) 24 cupcakes and ready to ice them in a bit. What's the use of icing cupcakes anyhow?? All the kids are gonna do is lick the icing off like puppies and throw away the cupcake that I slaved over. OH, THE AGONY!!!
Random thought 526 of the day: Why are people SO TOUCHY???? I'm over that. I think Toby wants to type,because he keeps staring me in he face like "when can I type?" I'm SOOOO sure that's what he was thinking, but in my world at 10:22 PM, that's what he was thinking. Oh, and that, my friends, was random thought 527 of the day. Ah, well.
When I'm tired and have a bazillion things to do, this is what you get. I should write a book of my random thoughts.
So today, we got to church about 9:20 AM or so to hide eggs for the Easter egg hunt at 10:00. Well, you know, the hunt didn't really get started until 10:15 or 10:20 because it's SATURDAY for crying out loud and we all know that everyone is gonna be late for something on SATURDAY. Oh, wait...I think everyday around here is SATURDAY. Not sure why I keep putting SATURDAY in all caps. OH WELL. SATURDAY. Anywho...Scott wasn't sure why he was telling the Easter story related to a butterfly, but we ALL KNOW, ahem, that the kids WERE NOT listening anyway and could not POSSIBLY take anything from that....I am being passive aggressive right now. Inside joke/story, if you want to know, ask. Anyhow, there was 225 eggs to be found, and WOOHOO, 221 were found. Chad will have to find the other 4 with the lawn mower. Scott is heating up breakfast potatoes (for tomorrow morning) in the oven right now, and they are burning my nose hairs and my throat and my eyes and everything else I have. Random thought 528, by the way.
I need to go to bed. But it's SATURDAY. I just had to do that. Again, it's 10:30 PM, and I get stupid when I'm tired. I guess I'll be stupid A LOT when July comes around. That gives new meaning to the "I'm with Stupid" thing.
So SATURDAY...egg hunt over, went home, not sure I remember what I did, and then went to 2 parties...1 for Easter and other for birthday. Birthday parties for teenagers are very "fun." When you're 6 months pregnant and people are gawking over the belly and then you get people acting wild and about run into the belly...that's LOADS of "fun." It got loud. I guess anything involving Rock Band with 2 guitars, a drum set, and a mic will get loud. THAT'S why I went into the back bedroom and shut the door to lay down. PLUS...my excuse was I got hot...well...because I did. I need to check my typos. Random thought 529. I only had one typo...several words the spell checker didn't recognize...OF COURSE, because it's Allyssa language. DUH!!
10:35 PM. Toby is running around sneezing...I guess the potato smell is getting to him, too. I guess I could talk about MY KID since this is why I started this blog anyhow. Ayden was flopping around like a fish today...more so earlier about noon. He flops around more when it's time to eat and , of course, when it's time to go to bed. He's not doing it right now, surprisingly, but I guess all the egg and party festivities today pooped him out. I'm sure he'll start flopping around right when I'm about to go to sleep. He's good about that. HA HA HA. 10:38 PM time to go to BED.

Heartburn, Belly Hair, and Jumping Jacks

2009-04-08T23:54:00.002-04:00

Heartburn...is....the....pits! I HATE IT! When I went to the Dr Monday, I did not get to see the OB, right? So, I saw my regular nurse practitioner who is also pregnant but with her second. She told me that with her first she "could look at something and get heartburn." THAT'S what I do. Ish!!!! She told me to use Pepsid. It...so far...hasn't worked. :(
Belly Hair...well, the old wives' tale of heartburn means a lot of hair. I read in a baby magazine that Drs have thought there to be some truth to this one. WELL...all I have to say is he BETTER HAVE SOME HAIR STICKING UP ON THAT HEAD WHEN HE COMES OUT. DUDE!! This heartburn is killing me. I can't sleep...eat...TALK sometimes. ISH!!!!!! Oh, but I'm suppose to be talking about belly hair. Yes, I have sprouted some weird belly hair in the past few months, but this week, it's been weirdER. And something smells weird in this room. Random thoughts, yes, but it does. Smells like dead animal outside or something. Oh, and here goes Toby to sniff the baseboards. I wonder if some animal died under the house. ANYWAY....belly hair...it is getting LONG and did I say weird? Dr office nurse told me it's the extra testosterone in me from little dude. Ayden, you better be nice to your mama for sprouting some weird belly fur for you, you goober.
Jumping Jacks...well, just a few minutes ago, he was flopping around in there....I thought he was doing jumping jacks or something. THEN...he was moving HARD....and I lifted up my shirt and watched...IT MOVED. IT JUMPED. IT SHOOK. It was WEIRD. And of course, stubborn little Mr stopped after I got Scott to come in there. And he has yet to flop around since then. Ah, well. Maybe next time. Scott gets so disappointed. He didn't get to feel him moving around yesterday. :(
Ah, and on another note...Scott has been getting discouraged about this house not selling or getting many bites. It's getting closer to time to either start fixing up this room or getting the heck outta dodge to another place. Someone called Monday or Tuesday but hasn't since. Scott said that we would give this another 2 weeks, and if nothing came about, we would yank the sign out of the yard. So....today while driving to a school, I asked God if we are suppose to stay here or go. I got home, and there was a message from a girl asking about the house...BUT...when I called her back, there was no answer. THEN....some guy was out walking with his wife and dog and came to the house giving out info on a church around here and inviting us there for Easter. ANYWAY...he told me he wanted to pray right there for our house to be sold. I went back in the house and giggled. BUT...we need something SUPER SUPER SUPER CHEAP but bigger for us. Where that is...who knows. And preferably outside of Athens or at least outside city limits. I'm tired of constant door slams and sirens...and the bi-monthly blue lights at night around the house for burglary attempts, domestic violence, or drunk drivers. It's GREAT!!! In the words of Mr Rogers, "won't you be my neighbor?"
Oh, and the word of the day is......WEIRD!!!! Followed by the number 3!

Dr Appointment today

2009-04-06T20:36:00.002-04:00

Went to the Dr again today. I have gained 11 pounds since December. HA! They said that was good. Blood pressure was 124/64, Ayden's heart rate was 150, and they FINALLY measured my belly!!! It was 23 inches. In 3 weeks, I have to get that glucose monitoring thing done, which I have been told that drink stuff tastes gross. Then I have to go the next week for the same thing I had today...you know the drill: sit and wait for 15 minutes past your appointment time, pee in a cup, get weighed, have blood pressure taken, sit and wait for about 20-30 minutes for Dr to either get to your room or get back from hospital, hear heartbeat, hopefully get measured, and leave to get next appointment. I'm getting use to this drill.

Week of March 29-April 4

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

I already wrote about Sunday, but the rest of the week...WHEW!! Monday and Tuesday were pains in the rear for me because I had to make productivity for my job and was non-stop on the go. Those 2 days are a blur because of that. Wednesday...well, it was OK. Same as usual, get up, go to work, come home, go to church, go to bed. Same drill. Every Wednesday. Scott and I kept the nursery instead of him preaching because the choir desperately needed time to practice because they haven't had much time due to illnesses and things like that. Scott still wouldn't change a diaper, but he learned that a 1 year old shouldn't have a whole animal cracker than can and will be shoved into the mouth. That was funny. Kids usually get scared of Scott, but this 1 year old little girl was attached at the hip to him. Kids are usually attached to me, but she would NOT come near me. If I walked by, she'd cling on to him for dear life. I didn't care. Didn't bother me. He needed the practice. HA! Thursday...I don't remember much about it. Same thing, get up, go to work, come home, oh....I crashed on the couch. Friday I had a dentist appointment and had lunch with Mama, Daddy, Sissy, Nathan, and Natalee. I hadn't had my teeth cleaned in about 2 years. I've never been a fan of dentists. The last time I went to the dentist, I ended up losing my baby tooth that never grew a permanent...therefore, I have a hole in my mouth. It's lovely. I came home and...organized Ayden's stuff that we have gotten already. A girl from work has a new "grandson" (I say "grandson" because it's not biological but she kept the mother as her own child), and she gives me boy clothes as he grows out of them. That's nice. He already has 39 different things to wear which is fine with me!! Less washing!! HA...well, unless it gets saturated with puke, milk spit, or poop, right? Saturday we watched "Fireproof" at church. Other than that, I've done NOTHING! Monday and Tuesday pooped me out for the week. Now, I have dishes that need to be put up, dishes that need to be put in the dishwasher, about 3-4 loads of laundry to do, and a LOT of junk to clean up. I want to have a yard sale before June gets here. I need to get Ayden's room cleaned out PRONTO!! Anyone want to do it for me? :)

Sunday

2009-03-29T22:36:00.002-04:00

Sunday was kind of a worried day. I don't know why. I think I'm tired. I was worrying all day if Ayden was OK. I cried a lot today for some reason. I haven't done that in months. I got scared, I think, because I had nursery tonight and the kids were getting on my nerves. I don't know why they got on my nerves...they just did. The kids weren't really doing anything other than throwing beach balls (in a small room I might add). I was holding a 1 yr old and shielding her and myself...other than that it was OK. No one got hurt. No big deal. I got some animal crackers in their tummies and all was well. BUT...my left side/stomach area started hurting when I was in there, and it freaked me out. To top it off...I got use to feeling Ayden moving a lot and more often, but today he didn't. That scared me. I guess I should read my mommy books more often. Ah, well. So, he ended up moving about an hour after I started getting worried. The pain...must have just been gas. HAHAHA.

Monday...

2009-03-26T22:33:00.004-04:00

Yeah, yeah, it's Thursday, and I'm talking about Monday...so SUE ME!! HA. Bubby Chubs got to feel Ayden kick for the first time Monday. His face lit up. He said, "Woah!" Then, today, he got to feel him again but felt him moving around. He usually kicks or moves down low, but today...it's been UP HIGH! I'd say he's up at the top near the stomach now or whatever is near there...since things have probably been shifted around. Well, there he goes again. Pressure. I can feel something rolling around in there. Nice fun weird. Sometimes when he's rolling around and I had eaten in the past 1-2 hours...I feel like I want to puke. That's a nice thought. Oh, well. Part of it, I guess.

Women's Weekend

2009-03-23T16:33:00.004-04:00

Friday and Saturday was the Women's Conference in Gatlinburg for the church. There were 10 of us that went, and Mama/Meme went in place of Kelley who couldn't go. So, we had fun and laughed a lot. Mr Ayden liked to eat, and I think he liked to hear people laugh if he can hear that already. He would move more when people laughed.

Ayden went, too!!