Adam | Jessica

Blog trouble

2008-06-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

Our newer blog address is giving us a little trouble today.

Try going to this address for now:

http://web.mac.com/jessicaqwhite/Our_Website/The_Whites.html

In a few days when we get it worked out, you should be able to use:

www.whitefamilyblog.com

Thanks!

Announcing the new blog

2007-12-20T06:09:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone! We have a new website. It is still a work in progress, but the blogs (there are two) are up and running. I thought about waiting until I had all the content I wanted on there, but I am ready to blog some over Christmas so I am going ahead with it. I will not be posting on this blog after this post so go to our new site at:

www.whitefamilyblog.com

If you have a link on your blog to our site and want to link the new address, please use www.whitefamilyblog.com or the address from the main page of the site (it will be different because it is hosted by .mac and the other address directs you there) so you don't link people to specific posts from the blog. Do the same with bookmarking it on your computer. Thanks!

As I side note, never cancel a blog, because there are people out there that will pick up the address for their own use and put some really bad stuff on there. I guess they think it is a good way to get people to their sites, since people were going to the previous site anyway...this happened to my brother and it is NOT cool.

New Website

2007-12-17T06:59:00.001-08:00

I am getting really excited about our new site. I will be working on it over the next few days as I am receiving my ilife update with some new tools that will make it a lot easier for me to design everything the way I want it today! Hopefully, you will all like it. I will announce the new address (which is likely to be www.whitefamilyblog.com as I said before) as soon as it is ready.

Good Morning, Good Morning!

2007-12-14T07:23:00.000-08:00

The day has started off quite sufficient. There is a story to the word sufficient that I will tell one day when I am feeling creative enough to do it justice. Anyway, I have vacuumed and changed diapers and fed children. I think I hurt my back yesterday getting Sydney out of her high chair. Such a simple task, but I AM getting older. It is my birthday, by the way. I only tell that to explain why I am about to share a birthday memory I was reminded of this morning. On birthdays, my grandmother (Mawmaw. Thanks to Stewart who apparently much to her disappointment thought that "Grandmother" was to be pronounced as "Mawmaw") and my Aunt Ruth would call on three way and sing to you. Neither being prize vocalists, you found yourself embarrassed as you sat there though it wasn't as if it was in person. I miss that. Adam serenaded me this morning and I am not sure if he meant to do it, but he drew out the Ha in Happy just like they would and in a tone fit for a Muppet.

Sydney is busy being a little mom to a random white bear in a pink 80's t-shirt that says "Love" and has a heart on it. She has wrapped it, rocked it, and changed it's diaper. Too bad she isn't older, she would be a really big help with Morgan. Of course, she would also need to be a weight lifter to help with him. I think I need to start stretching and warming up before picking him up. He had his 4 month check up a week ago and he was 17 pounds and 13 ounces. He is also tall so the doctor said that he really isn't overweight. That is good to know. It doesn't matter to me though. I like chubby babies. He is so busy trying to roll over all the way. I cringe as I say that because it reminds me that I need to finish Sydney's baby book. I have all the information like milestones and such, but I haven't put it all together. Ok, I am going to stop talking about it so I won't pull it out in a panic and start on it. I will vow to plan a scrapbook night soon. There is something that I have been working on and I am really excited about it. I am putting my Mac to good use and designing a new website and blog. I think that a new format will organize my thoughts and information in a better way. Using iweb makes it so easy to update everything. I will be able to post pictures easier and put full photo albums up. Adam can get more involved with it too. I published the first draft last night and it is really cool. I won't give the address yet because it isn't ready and I need to decide if it is going to linked through a web address that Adam purchased for us a few months back. www.whitefamilyblog.com You can go there now, but nothing is there. I am not sure how all that works, but somehow Adam will magically direct that site to my .mac site, which is what I will be using. It will be easier to say whitefamilyblog.com than... my mac site. You thought I might slip and give the address, didn't you?

Oh, by the way, I am now a model for Maybelline. Their make-up really works wonders...Check out my article here. If you will remember Sydney got her big break this summer with a self titled movie. We are all really taking off professionally.

Music Lesson 1: Notes vs. Nose

2007-12-12T16:58:00.000-08:00

Cheesy Christmas Movies

2007-12-09T05:51:00.000-08:00

Hello, my name is Jessica and I am addicted to terribly cheesy Christmas movies. It all started the week after Thanksgiving. Hallmark channel and the Family channel are mostly to blame. I actually watched in full the following movies: A Grandpa for Christmas (a little girl gets to know her estranged grandfather after her mother is hospitalized, she finds talent and love for song and dance and ends up the star of the school Christmas play), Picking up and Dropping off (two single parents keep meeting at the airport as they drop off their children to visit their former spouses), Santa Baby...this is multi year favorite (Santa's high powered executive daughter comes home to the North Pole to help get Christmas underway and rekindles an old romance while saving Christmas). Oh, the shame! A whole month of this (don't even get Adam started, he is just thankful I can record them on DVR and he can still watch something else)!

Some of my favs

2007-12-05T08:34:00.000-08:00

If you have a little time and would like to laugh, here are a few of my favorite funny videos, etc. You may have seen some or even all of them, but if it has been a while you might get another laugh.

Little Boy

Brothers

Animator vs. Animation

Progress

2007-12-05T06:06:00.000-08:00

I have a HUGE list of things that I need to do and I think I am finally making some progress. It is so easy to procrastinate. It is even easier to give in when I should stand strong. Yesterday, Morgan waited 4 hours between his feedings (with the exception of the last before bedtime). Sydney went without her paci during the day. I have found that I have to be on my toes with some of these changes. The success really depends on me. If I can work these things into a routine I think they are more willingly received by the kids. If I forget to have Sydney throw the paci in the bed when I get her out (it is sort of a game to throw her bear and paci in there) then it is harder to get it away. I still take it away if this happens, but I would rather not provoke a fit if I can avoid it. With Morgan, I am trying to establish a routine with feeding, play and sleep. I think this helps him go longer between feedings. I am also trying harder with making him get a really good feeding in, even if it means trying for an hour. I am realizing that it isn't the kids that aren't cooperating. Its really us. I ultimately think they should adapt to our lives, but we are responsible for figuring out the best and easiest way to teach them how.

Here is the list of things we are going to be working on over the next few weeks/months:

Potty training
Getting Morgan to use a bottle for some feedings
Getting Morgan to use a paci
Getting Sydney to stop using a paci
Moving Sydney to a real bed
Moving Morgan to his crib
and eventually, Morgan sleeping through the night.

Now, I have no idea what order in which all this should be done. I think it all might be done in stages. For example, cut back on the paci, but keep it around until the bed transition is complete and comfortable.

Tree

2007-12-04T10:23:00.000-08:00

I wish you could all see this tree in person. Last night it was big. This morning, after it settled, it is even bigger! Adam took some pictures before he left (he is in NYC for a couple of nights). I am in the pictures to show the scale, so just ignore me and look at the tree. Now to decorate...

Hello, old friend

2007-12-03T07:32:00.001-08:00

Here are a few pictures to update anyone interested in what we have been doing lately

Our attempt at a family picture on Thanksgiving Day. I love the fact that I am grouped in with the kids in not paying attention to the camera.

Our heat went out last week and we ended up going to Yazoo City for the night after being told it could be a few days until the part came in. Before we left, I had the kids all bundled up in the house. We nicknamed him our little "Budge-cicle" because he was so cold, but still so yummy (and Budgey, of course). Thankfully, the part was in the next day (we are also thankful for home warranties).

We had been planning to go to Canton and ride the carousel, but I didn't think to check for time for the carousel. It closed at 7 and we were trapped by the parade (which was also a surprise). It was very interesting and though I have not actually seen the movie Drumline, I now feel as though I have been an extra in the sequel (since Canton is a movie town and all...).

Even though the carousel was closed, Sydney entertained herself (with my assistance) on the steps of the courthouse.

We did get a few smiles before....

Sydney had a meltdown when she couldn't play on the steps anymore. Adam has that "this is fun" look on his face. Can you say "time for bed"?

Morgan was content just to stroll.

This morning, I realized that all people are born loving M&M's. I am not sure that Sydney has actually had them before this weekend, but the colors instantly had her wanting them. She found them at the table and after taking a few pictures of her I realized that she was using the end of the tablecloth as a napkin.

This is so funny. I think we all know someone a little like this.

2007-11-24T05:17:00.000-08:00

SNL Skit

Hey Bobbye!

2007-11-22T07:46:00.001-08:00

I just remembered that I should have told you to click the link on the post below (just click the "click here"). I want you to see this because it will make you laugh. Hope you check this!

Love,

Jessica

I just couldn't resist!

2007-11-19T11:26:00.000-08:00

Thanks for sending the link, Christy...

Click Here

Break

2007-11-16T12:42:00.001-08:00

I am taking a break from my blog for a little while, but here are a few pictures to tide you over (for those who come here to see pictures of my babies). We will still be updating Adam's Photography Blog over the next few weeks. We will be weeding through some of his photography from the past few years as we are trying to pick stuff for our walls and hang some things!

Don't you just want to brush her hair out of her face? I do it all day!

I am looking in your window!

2007-11-16T06:56:00.000-08:00

Adam and I moved to Fondren just before Morgan was born. We knew we wanted this house since the beginning of the year and though it didn't seem as it would work out, we ended up with it anyway (sound familiar Maggie?). Adam needed a little convincing to look at it again this summer and I know he is glad that he did! I think we put it to rest in our minds once our original contract fell through. We have ended up with wonderful neighbors that are very involved in the community. So we get weekly updates on the local happenings, as we see each other in our yards. That is how it is around here. Everyone walks or runs and they work in their yard. You won't drive down the street without seeing someone out in the evening pulling a weed or sitting outside with their puppy. One thing that Adam and I have noticed is that you can see inside people's homes as you drive by. This satisfies a secret love of mine - seeing how other people live. I am not trying to sound like Oprah, I promise. I think that there is something inviting about a house that has its shades open. It looks like someone lives there and they are welcoming guests! This area seems to have a lot of that and I think that newer homes are forgetting about that. The houses are closed up tight so you can't even tell if someone is home. We didn't know any of our neighbors in our old neighborhood and now we have hopes of actually socializing with them. This inspired me to get out of my comfort zone and try to meet some new people in the area. I went to the Fondren Ladies Auxiliary meeting, which is a purely social event. I say that to show that I was not there to help plan anything (though they hold several events throughout the year), I was just there to introduce myself to people. It was so different from church events, which is where I usually would meet someone, if not through someone else. People aren't "church friendly", though they were friendly. Some people didn't introduce themselves at all. I had to make up little ways to remember all the names and I had to approach some and get a conversation going. What a great exercise for someone who stays home all day with kids. I forget how to socialize in the real world sometimes. It is easy with my friends, because we can always talk about something or nothing at all. I am glad I did it. They did have short update on neighborhood security, which made me feel better. I see the private security company that the area has hired drive down my street throughout the day, but I didn't know all the services that they offer. They will actually meet you at your house and walk you to your door if you call them and say you are coming home and they will even inspect the perimeter or inside of your home for you. And they can be at your house within minutes if there is an emergency. Not bad at all.

Last night, we went to Fondren Unwrapped. All the local businesses stay open and have food and wine. Unbelievable amounts of food and wine. I didn't get to eat as much as I would have liked because we decided to make it a family event and take the kids. Our hopes of staying together with our large group diminished within the first few minutes. Our friend, Will, ended up roaming the street alone for half the night and he still had a great time. That shows you how fun it is. People are all so friendly (it may be all the wine). Morgan even got a little kiss from one store owner and an offer for a trade from another. The weather was great. Not too cold. We went in a few of the stores that I normally wouldn't go in (like some of the interior design studios) because I hate to pop in look for two seconds and then leave during a normal day. There was no shame in doing it last night though! Most had music and tents outside. One place that I will forever remember as the "chocolate palace" had truffles and I am ashamed to say that I ate several in a row without hesitation. The eye glasses place had crab cakes (the best I have ever had) and my next door neighbor had tomato basil soup (which I think was from Basil's and is my fav.) among other things at his interior design place. Several of our friends had booths with their art and it was neat to see them out. Adam parents came with us and helped with the kids. You know how it is, you bring the stroller but it ends up just carrying the bags. This is just one example of some of the cool things that Fondren does. I am going to put a link to the website so you can find something fun to do in this area too.

JC Penny

2007-11-15T07:18:00.000-08:00

I don't know if any of you watch Oprah, but I at least record it in case it is a show that I am interested in watching. A few days ago, she had a show on the winners of her decorating contest. You had to have done it yourself (no decorators). The first house she showed was so unbelievable. Not all the houses were what I might want for my home, but I liked them all and appreciated the different styles. That is what I like about visiting other's homes. You get to enjoy a different style for a little while. If we all liked the same thing then it would be so boring. So back to JC Penny. I knew that they had good drapes and curtains (I love the ones that Adam's parents have and if I needed that color, I would sneak them in our diaper bag on our way out...they would be too entranced with the kids to notice me doing it), but I had no idea that they had so much else that I should see, like, and buy all before 8 AM this morning. It started with seeing the bed coverlet that I have been looking for on Oprah. Once I saw that it was on "closeout", I had to buy it. I should have waited and asked for it for my b day or something, but it was a DEAL. Sadly, so were the wall lamps that bought. They too were the perfect solution to a few problems we have in our room: No room for lamps and no lamps. Do any of you out there have any experience with faux finishing? We were considering painting our iron bed black, but now I am thinking that it may be too harsh. I wondered if I could pull off doing a bronze or copper look.

Christmas Card Pictures

2007-11-15T05:59:00.000-08:00

Adam is offering Christmas card pictures (or other kinds) this year. Check out the blog I set up for him here.

Vocabulary Lesson/Silly Moment

2007-11-08T08:08:00.000-08:00

This is the time of year when I often get the chiggles. Let me explain. My friend, Sarah, and I came up with this term to best describe getting the chills and the giggles at the same time. You will know them when you get them, but to help you out in identifying moments when they are most likely to appear I will give you some examples of situations when they would be appropriate.

A) Someone mentions Christmas and you imagine in your mind the cold air and all the merriment to come and it makes you draw up your shoulders, squinch your nose, close your eyes and grit your teeth in excitement as you let out little giggle.

B) You are out having a fun time shopping with your friends and it is cold so you jump in the car and huddle up as girls get to do with out it being strange.

I am trying to rack my brain and think of another situation that makes you act like a school girl and nothing but Christmas comes to mind. Oh, ok if you are in high school and you hear that a boy is asking about you and this is favorable to you might get the chiggles. Maybe if you are in Junior High and it is actually cold at the Fair and you are having fun with your friends and your Mom is hanging back a little so you "look" like you are there by yourself and you "think" you look old enough to be there by yourself. Obviously, there aren't many occasions when as an adult you get to have the chiggles. So, I ask that you embrace those moments and become a fellow chiggler.

Going, going, gone.

2007-11-07T06:34:00.000-08:00

Last night, I tumbled down our back steps into the carport. I guess technically I fell off the side of one of the lower steps because there was a chair in the way and ended up flat out on the floor and wearing only one shoe. Keeping the shoe on would have saved me from breaking (or at least severely injuring) my pinkie toe. I am not letting this get in the way of my trip to Mistletoe tomorrow. I have suffered many a year in uncomfortable shoes so I could feel Christmas-y while I shopped. Seriously, Mistletoe Market is one of the few things I look forward to every year. It sort of launches the season for me. This year, Adam is attending with me. I have talked about it so much that Adam wants to experience the madness first hand. My one goal this year is to get a stocking for Morgan that matches Sydney's at Orient Expressed. They have more of a selection than they do online. Mostly, I like to see how many times I can say "I could make that myself" and then never do it.

Speed of Light

2007-11-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

I have often wondered how days home with children can seem super long, yet it feels like time is passing by so quickly. I think that I have decided that I don't need Mother's Morning Out next fall. Please understand that I do need a morning or two out, I just don't think that it is long enough for me to actually get things done. I would do better with a babysitter one day a week. I just haven't found a consistent solution (or even a inconsistent one, which would help too). There are so many things that I need to do and it seems like I just can't get them done in the time that I have to myself. Naps never seem long enough to pull out the projects. Feedings are too unpredictable to count on any span of time. I only dare to take the kids to places that have shopping carts, though I don't try it often. When we moved into the house, I thought I would be able to just put our stuff in here and live. Now, I see that there are projects around every corner. Some are fun projects, like finding something to hang on the kids walls. Some are not fun, like installing a back door. The list is so long and when I try to prioritize it all, I realize how long it is going to take us to do things ourselves. For that very reason, I took the fabric I bought for our bedroom curtains to someone else to sew. The 4-6 week turn around was what was keeping me from doing it, but I realized that it would take me that long to finally complete it and there is no way it would look as nice. I do think that I will have a stab at the kids curtains. I will update you on my progress. For now, help me out by answering the survey above...

Big Sister

2007-11-04T20:07:00.000-08:00

Sydney keeping Morgan entertained during his floor time.

Halloween

2007-11-04T17:17:00.000-08:00

This was our attempt at Halloween. Morgan was a horse and Sydney was a Princess or a Medieval Lady - I am not sure.

Pumpkin Patch: A commentary.

2007-10-31T13:24:00.001-07:00

We went to the pumpkin patch and had the best day! Here are a few pictures of us enjoying the day! You believe me don't you? When I got home and looked at the pictures, I was almost convinced that we had fun too. The trip was to a great place, was well organized and I totally appreciate the work that went into planning it, but for me it was not what I was imagining. I can now find humor in it and since I love to laugh I can say it was worth it to me. It serves to remind me that as I flip through the pages of the recently received Pottery Barn Kids Christmas catalog I should understand that ordering the cute pink kitchen set doesn't guarantee that my child won't slam her finger in the refrigerator door or that ordering the perfect bedding doesn't make my child want to stay in the bed all night. I seem to forget that when I see pictures of cute kids named Taylor and Madison standing outside of their ski lodge with all their monogrammed luggage. In our world, we would lose a piece of the luggage or one the kids would plummet off of the lodge porch and break his arm. I, being a planner and a dreamer at the same time, usually set myself up for disappointment. You get my point I think. Well, here are the pictures.

PBK (Pottery Barn Kids) Version: Just a fun group on a farm having so much fun.
Reality: Standing in line in the blazing sun only to end up facing the sun (notice the squinting) while someone takes your picture with a fun saver camera.

PBK: Sydney frolicking amongst the pumpkins as she tries to pick the perfect one.
Reality: Sydney tripping over roots and uneven ground as she cries, not caring about the pumpkins.

PBK: The cool breeze was so nice, look at how my hair blows across my face! The perfect day for jeans and corduroy. I am glad I have Morgan close to me so I can keep him warm from the cool weather!
Reality: My hair wasn't blowing anywhere. It was actually stuck to my face due to the sweat from the heat of the blazing sun and carrying a 16 pound baby on the front of me. Glad I forgot my sunglasses!

Ok, I do love this picture because she loves animals and it just shows her excitement upon seeing a turkey. (Note that the sweater was on for the very beginning pictures) Sydney basically ran from us most of the time and as the guide lady said "some of you may not be accustomed to forming lines".

PBK: Pumpkins for sale!
Reality: Free kid with purchase of pumpkin.

PBK: I want this one!
Reality: I just fell for the 5th time.

PBK: Let's get a bunny for Easter!
Reality: First we should find the bunny from last year and then we will talk.

PBK: Having kids is so great!
Reality: Having kids is so great. Even when you have a rough day or two.

Reformation Party

2007-10-30T09:09:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures from our Party at church. Sydney and her cousin, Mara Brantley, wore Medieval gowns for the occasion.

Fun in the Barn

2007-10-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

Crafty Copy Cat

2007-10-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

Ragan and I have planned for some time now to make shadowbox art for our kids' rooms. I have to tell you that we got the idea (ok, ripped off the idea) from Maggie. Thankfully, I don't remember what hers exactly looked like so I had to come up with my own stuff. The one thing I do remember is that Maggie used cardboard for the letters (by peeling the top layer off a piece of a box), but it was too cute and perfect for a boy to not copy that part. So thanks Maggie for your inspiration. I wish you could have seen me and Ragan crafting away and making a huge mess. It was fun though and I think we are going to make craft night a regular occurrence. Anyhow, here are pictures of my shadow boxes.

As you can see, I opted for a transportation theme in anticipation of a quilt that Morgan is getting for Christmas. The train, car, and letters were all drawn and cut out by hand. It was not as hard as I thought it would be. You can't tell from this picture, but each one has a three dimensional element to it with either the cardboard and by using raised stickers on the back of the train, hence the need for the "shadow box". Ok, so you can tell I am excited about this. I just really needed something for his walls and I am so glad that this worked out!

Crazy is the new Black

2007-10-20T02:17:00.000-07:00

I think we can all agree that since it is 4 AM, I should be sleeping instead of obsessing over how I should spend my Saturday. My plan is to run a 5k this morning though the only reason to do it is that I have made plans to do it with myself. I don't have anyone else depending on me to be there. A friend is having a garage sale this morning. In fact, her whole street is. It is the perfect time for me to make some money and get rid of a huge box of things that we cleaned out last Monday. So make money or spend 18 dollars to get a t shirt that basically says that I followed through with plans. I feel like I will be disappointed either way. Miss out on a garage sale (I just can't have my own. Our street is so narrow and our driveway is too. My mom is too overloaded with stuff to even think about having one.) or back out on a goal. I guess not doing the 5k doesn't mean that I can't run 3 miles. This is crazy! I should have looked around my garage and noticed that getting stuff together for a garage sale was much more important to my well being than running yet again. I guess part of the problem is that the last garage sale I participate in on left me with $40. I left there and ate lunch and then spent the remainder getting things monogrammed down the street. I guess I didn't have good enough junk. I really feel like I have some good stuff this time and that I can make a little money. Maybe I could run after the garage sale and Adam could present me with a t shirt or something. I guess technically I would win first place in my own race. Ok, garage sale it is. Now, to price my stuff... or should I run...

Now, I bet I could make money on the fact that you will return to this site to see which one I did.

Budgy's Campaign

2007-10-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

Does that title grab your interest? Let me tell the story of how "Budgy" came to be his nickname around town and why you may hear the phrase "Budgy McBudgerson for Governor". Budgy comes from Budgy Pudgy, because that is just what he is. Naturally, Budgy needs a last name so McBudgerson made sense since Sydney was Lovey McLoverson (I say "was" because we eventually start calling them by their intended names. Ok, sometimes we still use her cute names.). Adam and I are pretty silly when it comes to the kids. We make up songs, names, and sometimes even commercials. Very early one morning I, in a delirious state, remembered all the campaign commercials I had been watching during the late night feedings and holdings and came up with a commercial for Budgy. It went something like this..."Hi, I am Budgy. Budgy McBudgerson - for Governor. I care about Mississippi. It seems like yesterday I was just born here. Vote for me Budgy McBudgerson." (then in a quick voice overhead) "Paid for by the friends of Budgy McBudgerson for Governor." Ok, so just to amuse my family, who have found the thought of him running for Governor pretty entertaining, we took a few campaign shots of him wearing what is absolutely the cutest hat I have ever seen (given by Morgan's Great Aunt Tracy. There is actually an entire outfit, but he doesn't fit in it yet...give him a few days). I can promise that there will be many more pictures to come in the hat, because Adam has a hat just like it (though plaid) that I bought him last year from Banana Republic and I want Morgan to wear the entire outfit for those pictures. Sigh. It is just all too adorable for me to handle. Anyway, here he is in a onesie that I just had to buy for him a few weeks back. Ok, enough silliness. Enjoy.

Hallelujah...Paci!

2007-10-09T10:15:00.001-07:00

We are making strides, I repeat, we are making strides. Morgan has been harassing me daily around noon to eat again...or so I thought. He just ate two hours ago and you can see that this is frustrating to me. I just tried the paci and he has had it in his mouth for at least ten minutes. It just fell out and he accepted it again. This really means something to me. It is like he is saying "Hey, I get it. It isn't ALL about me. I CAN meet you half way. You and Sydney have lunch and then I will have mine. " Amazing that just taking a paci can say all that, isn't it. He even took 2 ounces of formula for me last night too - from a bottle! I need a night out without him and without Adam at home having to hold him all night or call me 7 times. Maybe we will get there. Yes, I believe we just might.

She plays

2007-10-08T05:43:00.001-07:00

Sydney and I built a tent using Morgan's play mat and her chair. Why is this so fun? Speaking of playing...On a side note, I of course stepped on the scale this morning as I always do (at least 3 times a week). I try not to let it discourage me earlier in the week, but as Tuesday approaches (that is my official weigh day) I start to worry. This morning I was down 3 pounds from yesterday morning. Either I have not hit a plateau (which Adam says can only be considered when one has not been able to lose for at least a month and they are doing all they should/can - again, a skinny person's definition) or Sydney has been playing on my digital scale again and has essentially broken it to my favor. I considered the latter at first so I tested it with a five pound weight added to mine and it seems to be ok. Is that an accurate way to test it? Not sure, but I choose to believe that it is real. So maybe no plateau for now, but I still need to be good today. Good thing we have nothing that I would want to eat in the house.

Roll over

2007-10-05T12:13:00.000-07:00

I think Morgan has set a record. He just rolled over from his stomach to his back. I knew he wasn't advanced (code for chubby) for nothing! What does even mean? For nothing? Guess it is just something people say. Anyway, here is a picture because a friend told me once that people only read the posts that have pictures. Just in case...

Couch!

2007-10-05T07:45:00.000-07:00

We have been searching and searching for a couch and I just called The Vineyard in Clinton and they are offering 15% off of their special order furniture. We have been looking at Rowe couches and I think we have come to a compromise on what we are getting. Adam wants a modern look and I want a comfortable feel. Some modernish (I guess I really mean non-classic) or straight line sofas look uncomfortable to me, but I am happy with our decision. We looked at all the local furniture stores and thankfully sought the advice of a decorator friend who suggested Rowe brand to us. We are going to go this afternoon and pick out a RED fabric. That is scary to me. A red couch. It will take 6 weeks to get here. We may have sold our chenille club chairs (or at least someone is interested) so we won't have anything to sit on for a while! Ok, so we do have other furniture to put in here temporarily, but I miss my sofa (it got moved to the living room). Here is our decision, only picture it in red.

Furniture for sale

2007-10-04T11:45:00.001-07:00

We are going to list the following in the paper, but I wanted to list it here and on the online thing at my mom's work first. In case you are looking for something...prices are negotiable. I hope this isn't tacky, but how else can I get the word out?

Mahogany 4 poster bed (double)- $50
Mahogany bedroom suite (chest of drawers, dresser with mirror, 4 poster bed) - $200
Art Deco double bed with dresser and mirror - $200
Desk with hutch and printer table/filing cabinet (from Target, very study, dark wood) - $100
3 small wooden kitchen chairs with carving (oak) - $30
White (porcelain or metal top, not sure) kitchen table. Small table with blue and white stripes around the side of the top. Needs some love (or glue) and a little cleaning. $25
Platform Rocker with carved wooden arms. Fabric (currently red gingham) seat and back. Unfortunately, the fabric is not on the back but it needs to be. Sort of an unfinished project.$25
Antique Occasional Chair (needs to be recovered as it currently has no seat or back. Wood arms. $10
Green arm chair (great for reading). $20

Chenille Club Chairs (Camel Color). Perfect condition. $200 for pair

I may add some stuff to this as Adam and I purge our home. Yea! A clean garage is on its way!

The Gym

2007-10-03T08:24:00.001-07:00

So Adam and I joined a gym. We needed to do it by Tuesday to get the reimbursement from his work for this quarter. It is awesome that they are doing this for their employees. We decided to go with the St. Dominic's version of the Baptist Healthplex. It is called Healthline. It is considerably smaller, but much nicer in the convenience and equipment departments. It has a pool, which I may never use, but one thing that I am really excited about is the weight machine system they have there. Your information is programmed into the machines so you can enter your pin number and it will adjust to your settings, your reps, sets, and range of motion. It keeps track of your workouts and you can print them and your progress whenever you want. After 12 workouts on a machine it will prompt you to do a strength test and up your weight. It also sports mostly older ladies and gentlemen so I don't have that intimidation factor when I am trying to do my weights in the mornings. I go on Friday morning to get set up with that. Last night, I did my fitness assessment. Basically, a guy named Jason weighed me, pinched me, and timed me all to tell me at the end that I am basically obese (according to my body fat percentage), in "fair" shape (this based on me doing as many sit ups as I can in one minute with my post c-section abs), and that I am average in flexibility (no argument there, I feel as stiff as is humanly possible). Well, that was all great to hear coming on the heels of a zero pound weight loss this week. I guess I have hit a plateau. Good thing I am gym bound now. I plan to run outside as I have been doing and use the gym for weights, the occasional class, and doing my running on days when I can't get out during the daylight hours (I don't run by myself at night or early morning). I am charting my progress and dieting woes during all this so I can look back and laugh at it once I am a size 2. Maybe I will share it later to inspire someone else.

This just sums up my life.

2007-10-01T12:13:00.000-07:00

I have had a tiny bit of glue on the side of one tooth (from my braces) for nearly 15 years and I have never mentioned it to my dentist (who happens to be my cousin). How is that for procrastination?

New Products I like

2007-10-01T11:22:00.000-07:00

Thomas Brand Mini Bagel Bread. That is for you Laura and Amy. For the love of our bagel sandwiches.

Great Value (Walmart) Cranberry flavored sugar-free drink mix. All the flavor of a cranberry juice cocktail we love with non of the calories or sugar we hate.

Starbucks Frozen Light Frappe Bars. Enough said. Grocery store product.

Special K Protein Water. Single serving mixes have 5 grams of protein to keep you feel longer. It works.

Adam Learns to Share

2007-09-30T09:50:00.000-07:00

Sounds like a perfect children's book title doesn't it? There are many things that Adam does that I have always said could be a children's book. Adam and the Missing Shoe, Adam Gets a Hair Cut, Adam and the Horrific Roller Blading Accident, Adam Nearly Freezes, and Adam and the Tequila Bottle (ok, the last two wouldn't be so great). Anyway, I realized something cute/sweet about Adam the other day. I made Adam some sausage biscuits the other morning and wrapped them to go so he could take them to work. He said, "do you think you could make two more for Nate and Phil?". Of course I gladly did. It made me think back though. Anytime I send something to work with Adam he always asks for some extra for his friends. Brownies, cake, banana bread...Isn't he so sweet?

Great Post

2007-09-30T08:43:00.001-07:00

Visit my friend Maggie's blog and see this post.

Things

2007-09-29T12:24:00.000-07:00

We have had a very social week. We went to the Symphony at Sunset (I think that is what it is called) in Fondren with some friends. I have been doing my running and I am dreading next week! Last night we celebrated Chandler's birthday with Will and Calen (and Ragan and Chan, of course). We went to Julep and then ate cake at our house. I made a Bailey's Irish Cream cake. I tried to buy one from That Special Touch in Pearl, but they were too backed up. I will post the recipe. It was really good. I think my oven is a little off though. We came home from Julep and my mom said that Morgan would not take a bottle for her. This is a recent problem. He is very particular. I have no idea what to do about that. It may be easier on my once he spaces the feedings out, but at this point I wonder if there is hope of that without a bottle to gage how much he is eating. I don't know any other way. Later in the evening, Calen and I were playing on the computer and testing the video application in Facebook and though it said there were errors and didn't work, somehow the video was on there this morning for all to see. Just us making stupid faces. Stupid being the operative word. Sydney is going through something. I am not sure what. She wakes up scared or crying at least twice during the night. Sometimes three times. She doesn't want to sleep in the bed with us, just cuddle a bit and then she will back to bed. We are unpacking our dining room today and tonight. I have done a little bit of container gardening (yesterday) and we are thinking about running out to look at a few couches. This evening we are going to a Bomgar function with the kids. I have decided to run a 5k (3.2 miles) in October as a mini goal. A couple of friends are going to do it with me. Well, I think that is it!

The Cart

2007-09-26T10:20:00.001-07:00

I don't think that I have mentioned our cart. The cart system is something that I developed to address the issues we were having with things from each room being scattered around the house and ending up in rooms that are not their own. I had this cart from something (I wish I knew what I bought this for) and it is so great for our new house. This house is a lot longer than our old house, making it tiresome to walk back and forth to each room, so I put things on the cart that belong in other rooms and then I deliver them to the correct room and pick up things from that room that belong somewhere else. It is a quick way to clean up a room. My dad always used this method with a box when we were little. I have been using the box method for years now, but I tend to stick the box somewhere and forget about it. Then I can't find my stuff!

Sydney likes to catch rides on the cart as I deliver things as you can see below.

Future Woggers of America

2007-09-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

I just learned a new term. Wogging. Walking + Jogging. I was using the term Wunning. Running + Walking. Anyway, we go for a daily walk in addition to my training for the 5 miles I have to run soon. This is our double stroller. The one I worked so hard to find and then found it at Target. Right under my nose! Morgan is actually reclining pretty far back, but you can't tell from the picture. He looks like he is sitting up. He is big, but not that big!

PJ Time

2007-09-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

The other day Adam asked me why I was so into matching outfits for the kids. Does he even have to ask? Because it is sooo cute. Besides, isn't that one of the main benefits/reasons to have kids? So you can dress them up for your own delight?

Notice Anything New?

2007-09-24T15:08:00.001-07:00

I have added a poll (above) and...because I love facebook so much and I think this is a cool feature of face book, I have added my "status". You will notice the Jessica is... in the sidebar. It is just something fun that let's people know what is going on when a post doesn't really convey that message.

Celebrate the Late (Nights)

2007-09-23T07:42:00.001-07:00

A long day paired with a night out doesn't produce the best pictures, but we decided to celebrate the late nights with some anyway. It's our life right now!

Daddy has style...Tim Gunn watch out!

2007-09-23T07:24:00.000-07:00

Sydney's personal stylist (Daddy) has paired khaki cords with a heather gray polo. To finish the look he brings color to the outfit with hot pink cowboy boots and matching hair bow. The perfect outfit for a rainy afternoon with Daddy.

Announcement Photo

2007-09-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

This is the photo we used for Stew Mo's announcement.

Sweet Baby

2007-09-20T09:29:00.001-07:00

We haven't edited these yet so the color is a little off. I thought I would put it up anyway since I haven't in a while.

First Smiles!

2007-09-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

I wish I had pictures, but it is hard to make him smile and take a picture. Yesterday I tried to video him and that was hard too. Adam will have to snap some tonight. Yesterday, Morgan smiled when I was talking to him. He gives this big grin that is so cute. Today he is doing Adam's half smile with one side of his mouth. When he smiles really big he closes his eyes. What a cutie.

Word Your Commands Wisely

2007-09-19T09:28:00.000-07:00

Sydney has found a straw and is now roaming the house with it. Naturally, I need to retrieve this from her. I made the mistake of asking "Sydney, may I have the straw?". She responded with a smile and a sweet "no" and a shake of the head. Well, I asked instead of told. I guess I got my answer. I will now either have to distract or tell her to give it to me. I thought last night's dinner companions would find this funny since we were talking about kids, discipline, and setting them up for fits. I guess I need to remember how I should word things...

Sleep is the word of the day.

2007-09-19T06:35:00.000-07:00

Sydney was up crying again last night. I think she is teething (along with finishing off a cold) and she will not take her tylenol. We have the kind that melt in your mouth (tablets, I wish they had the strips), but she wasn't interest last night. We thought about forcing the liquid down her mouth, but she was so upset anyway we thought it might not work and then she would be even more awake. I think Adam finally let her cry it out sometime after midnight. Morgan gave Adam a fun time while I went out to eat with friends last night. When I got home I fed him and he was acting "colicky" so I decided to try some Gripe Water. He gagged and spit up all over me, himself, and the kitchen floor twice. Then he fell asleep. Not sure what to think about that.

I did get to go to Target after dinner and I bought something interesting. I was looking for bed rails for the twin bed in Sydney's room. We are just using the mattress on her Jenny Lind bed (actually the box is under it on the floor and the mattress is just sitting on top of that). I new I might have a dilemma with traditional rails because of the mattress set up. The answer to the problem may be BedBugz inflatable bed bolsters. The ones I bought are a dark denimish chambray. The cool thing is that the are slip covers for the inflatable parts so I can make them cute by adding fabric or a monogram (I might not do the monogram since Morgan will use them one day, but that would be really cute). We are trying to get Sydney used to the bed by having it in her room and letting her get on it. Right now she has a sheer bed tent on it and she loves that. That may help or it may make her thing that the bed is for playing. She is still such a baby that I don't think we will make the move until Christmas or her birthday in January. I wish she could go ahead because I am really trying to get rid of some of the extra furniture in her room. I have decide to not have a changing table in her room anymore. I can use Morgan's for the rest of the time. I am not brave enough to try potty training yet.

As an update to Morgan's feeding. I fed him at 7:30 instead of 7:15 this morning and I am hoping that riding in the car to take Adam to the airport will help him wait until 11.

Sleep Training

2007-09-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

I am going to attempt to follow the same method that I did with Sydney in getting Morgan to sleep through the night. I used a book called 12 Hours by 12 Weeks. It is really a good book that I order through Amazon (the link is to her sight). I think I started at 10 weeks with Sydney instead of 6 or 8 weeks like the book recommends, but it sure did work. In fact, she (the author) says that you can use if for any age past 4 weeks and a certain weight. I thought I would document my efforts with Morgan by giving a few updates along the way.

For weeks 6-8 you are supposed to make sure that the baby is eating every 3 hours and not less (such as every 2.5 hours). Morgan is already doing that so we can really move on.

The first step is to stretch feedings to every four hours during the day. You start by focusing on the first feeding of the day, which will be or 7 or 7:15 for him. I can't decide. This will also be his bed time in the evenings. Sydney wakes at 7 so it might not be the best time for him to be after her so I am not trying to do two things at once. So tomorrow morning if he wants to eat at 6:45 then I will try to hold him off as long as I can every morning until he reaches 7:15. He next eating time will be 11:15 and you do the same as the in morning. I think you can go for 4 on all the hours that day if you want or you can focus on each feeding separately until it is set and then move to the next. The thought is that he will be hungry from waiting long and will eventually start eating more at feedings. He will be consuming the same amount of food during the day, just by fewer feedings.

Step two is to start helping him drop off night feedings tracking how much he eats at each feeding and...well, we are a bit away from that so I will explain it when we get there.

Sleepy time/Mother's Morning Out

2007-09-18T11:51:00.000-07:00

I said I wasn't going to complain about being tired anymore, but this is more of a story or illustration of my current state. Just now I dozed on the couch while Morgan was in his swing. I jumped up in a panic thinking that I had slept right through Sydney's pick up time for Mother's Morning Out. It took me a few seconds to see that it was 1:45 and remember that I had picked her up at 12. She is currently napping.

One of the reason's I love MMO (Mother's Morning Out) is that it gets me out of bed and showered, I have the morning to do things around town or the house, and I have a couple of hours in the afternoon while she naps. It is like having a day off and I can tell that she has a great time there. Yea!

Hello, Monday!

2007-09-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

Another week. I have decided to stop complaining about being tired. Life goes on and I must get back into my normal life. We had friends over for a casual supper last night. Pesto Crusted Grilled Cheese and Tomato Basil Soup. This was after my last run for the week. I have now completed week one of the Couch to 10k program. It was the easiest week and I have to say I don't feel prepared to start the next week. There is quite a difference in the distance and the amount of running. I am making plans to paint Sydney's room. There are a million other things we need to do, but I need to get the blankets off her blinds (to block he light for naps) and make some curtains. The windows and ceilings are so tall that I think I need to go with gingham because it is so cheap. I may make a valance out of something else that costs more. I love the Dick and Jane fabric by Michael Miller. Ok, I just noticed when I was creating that link that it is cheaper than it used to be. I should go look at it now (and do some laundry). Later!

Dear makers of hyoscyamine sulfate,

2007-09-13T23:10:00.000-07:00

Do you have a fan club I could join? I am liking you so much right now, though I am wondering why I am awake at 1 am instead of sleeping and enjoying the fact that my son is not using his toots as my personal all night alarm clock. Now, I read about your side effects and I am fully prepared to be annoyed with you at a later date, but for now I would like to thank you for what seems to be some relief if only for a night. Do you make sleeping pills for mommies?

Our night

2007-09-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

I was so tired last night, but I cleaned anyway. My mom came over and held Morgan (he wants to be held at night) so I could get some things done. It was so great. I see now why I don't get anything done. I thought that it was because I was tired at night, but I think it is because I am tending to kids all night. Morgan did ok with his sleep and feedings last night. I have just resigned myself to the fact that I have to hold him until he is good and sleepy after each feeding. I did call the doctor's office this morning and told them that we need medicine for his gas problem. We have tried everything we can at this point and nothing helps. Now I am trying to figure out getting the prescription. I couldn't remember where Adam had our stuff from Kroger sent and I told the office the wrong pharmacy. I hope I can get it worked out soon. I am ready to try it on him and I am praying that it will be the answer to his problems and that he can get some relief.

Sydney was up at 4 AM crying. I let her get in the bed with me, but she wasn't happy until I cut on the tv. Once Morgan was ready to eat, she was unhappy again. I finally had to just put her to bed. I hate to let her cry for even a few minutes because she is so stuffy already, but she cries all day long at various things so there is no way to avoid it anyway. She only cried for a few minutes and then slept until 7:30.

He looks so cute in his new outfit. I didn't have much in 0-3 and for good reason since he is already in 3-6 month stuff. My mom bought him some Trumpette Johnny socks and they look so cute. I am going to take a picture tonight after his bath.

Yesterday evening (have you ever noticed that people never say last evening or yesterday night?), Shelley and I went for our third run. We are only run/walking a mile so we aren't anything spectacular yet, but we sure did get a good workout. We decided to take the babies so I wouldn't have to wait until my Mom left work. Not having a jogging stroller may have been part of the problem, but I am more likely to believe that it was us being out of shape. You should have heard the noise we were making on the last leg down my street. It was embarrassing.

kisses

2007-09-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

Video taken with the laptop.

There she is.

2007-09-12T13:11:00.000-07:00

Sydney said her first real sentence today. It would make sense that it was "there she is". We have only said it a thousand times. "Where's Sydney? There she is!" She started by making a noise that sounded like "there she is" and then as I rounded the corner she just said it as plain as day. I didn't expect it to affect me the way it did, but I actually teared up a little bit. We have been waiting on her to start talking more and "there she is" finally starting to really tell us something!

Funny Girl

2007-09-11T18:47:00.000-07:00

Sydney has an unusual sense of humor.

Hot Food

2007-09-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

I have noticed over the past few weeks that I have not been able to eat a without Morgan interrupting it. It is like he has a radar for things like that. With two kids you barely have time to eat. If Sydney is in her highchair eating in the kitchen then I really need to take that time to clean the kitchen or do other things that require her to be confined. This is part of the reason that I have been able to lose weight consistently since Morgan's birth. I guess this is a good thing. Last night I started to feel that cold coming on feeling in the back of my throat. I also noticed Morgan making rattling noise when he breathes. I think we have caught a cold along with Sydney. Perfect timing since Adam will be gone Tuesday -Friday. I guess Mother's Morning Out will not be an option tomorrow unless Sydney miraculously gets better today. I am now wondering if we are going to have a bad day because I just noticed that the batteries on his swing are out of juice. I don't think that the others are in the charger. Yikes! It is the only thing that keeps him happy.

Running

2007-09-09T11:14:00.000-07:00

I am officially crazy. I have agreed to run part of a marathon relay in the MS Blue Marathon. I only have to run part of the marathon, but for someone who just had a baby and hasn't been able to call herself a runner since The Cranberries were the thing to have playing in your car as you left the school parking lot. I should be able to sufficiently run 5 miles by January. I know it can be done. The problem is that with it being so far away it is hard to get focused and actually do the work it takes to run 5 miles, but do need that much time to get in shape. I found a couch to 10k program online and I think I am going to try to follow it. The only problem is how to measure the distances. The schedule changes each day and week. I think it will be good to run in the neighborhood since it is actually held in Fondren. Talk about cold though. I remember doing a 5k in February (years back) with a friend and we were freezing! Technically, I should be out today running/walking a mile. I am not though. It is going to be a challenge in more ways than one. It will be hard to find the time to run with two kids. I don't have a jogging stroller (yet) and even if I did, there are so many hills around here, I would promptly need medical assistance. If I wait until Adam gets home I will be taking up what little time I have at night with him and once the time changes it will be too dark for me to be out running by myself. My solution is to find someone to run with two evenings a week and to make Saturday and Sunday my other days (I need to run at least 4 or 5 days a week according to the plan). My brother expressed an interest in running during the week so maybe that would work out. I am so slow though, I could probably find a walking buddy and they could walk as I run.

Announcements

2007-09-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

I am finally getting Stewart Morgan's announcements in the mail. We have had a long search for our printer power cord and still have not found it. Thankfully, Amanda came to my rescue and printed them for me. I have been working on assembling them this morning and I am going to have Adam read me addresses aloud as I address the envelopes tonight. Now, the only thing to do is figure out if I need to take them to the post office and have them hand meter them since they have bulky ribbon at the top. I am not sure if it will mess them up to send them through the machine.

Sydney is sick with a cold and I am sure that Morgan is getting it or going to get it. He is sneezing like has been this week. Her cold has been coming on since last weekend so I think it is safe to say that we are the ones spreading the cold at Mother's Morning Out.

Morgan's Homecoming

2007-09-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of Sydney greeting Morgan as he came home from the hospital.

Pictures

2007-09-07T11:37:00.001-07:00

I tried

2007-09-07T07:27:00.001-07:00

I just spent most of Sydney's nap trying to find a USB cable to get the pictures off of Adam camera. According to him, they are all over the house. This describes most things in my house - all over the place. Which is one reason that I haven't posted pictures. I have no time of my own. It is just typical that the day that I decide to take technology into my own hands and stop waiting on Adam, I end up not being able to find what I need. So, just close your eyes and imagine the following. Adam, as a tiny baby, but with my fat cheeks. There. Just as good as a picture right?

Sleep is so last season.

2007-08-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

So is fixing your hair, putting on make up, having a clean house, or even leaving the house. I think that today is my last attempt to try to "sleep when the baby sleeps". I can't stand those stupid books and magazines that tell you to do that. They must know that only mothers of one baby have time to read (and do) stuff like that. They leave out the suggestions for 2/+ parents because they figure that they aren't reading the magazine. Or maybe they leave us out because writing "too bad, so sad" would be just too mean.

Sydney is making too much noise on the monitor and Morgan of course wants to eat and be burped for an hour. Not much time for a nap with all that. I think that there is a purpose in the fact that babies don't do anything interesting during the first few months. We would all miss out on account of being complete zombies.

Doctor's Visit

2007-08-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

Adam and I took Sydney and Morgan to their check ups today. For Sydney, it was her 18 month check up (a month late) and for Morgan, his two week. They had us arrive 30 minutes early to fill out 2 seconds of paperwork. So we were there for an hour and a half. If Adam hadn't been there I would have gone crazy. Sydney did not appreciate being weighed or measured for height. We forgot Morgan's paci so he was wanting that or to eat for half of the appointment. That's right! He is using a paci now to hold him off for feedings. I had suspected that he was using me a a pacifier and in turn overeating (which made him spit up). The doctor confirmed this and assured me that every three hours is an ok time between feedings for his age and size. He weighed in a 9 lbs 12 oz. Sydney was 20 lbs 8 oz. His due date passed this weekend and I wonder if he would have been this big if we had he not been born two weeks early. We rushed home for Adam to do a conference call and then I discovered that he had the plug adapter for the microwave in our room for his computer. Note to self: buy more of them. So poor tired Sydney had to eat all cold stuff for lunch and now she is in her bed - not napping. She unfortunately fell asleep for a short time on the ride home and that is just enough to make her feel like she is rested. I will make a mental note to not do double appointments next time.

Baby Doll

2007-08-18T18:22:00.000-07:00

We bought Sydney this baby doll so she could hold and feed a baby. She is so cute with it. I think that she understands how tiring it can be to care for babies. See below.

Hey

2007-08-18T18:05:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. I know I promised pictures, but...I guess you can see that I haven't done it yet. Things are crazy around here. I am so tired. I remember being this way with Sydney now, but you forget that stuff. If we didn't, we wouldn't willing have more children. Sydney is hitting that hard stage. 18 months. Teething. Not to mention that we have moved and there is a new baby in the house and I am less active that she would like. The weather is sooo hot so we aren't going outside. Not that I would be up for it right now anyway. I am feeling better, but I keep crying for no reason. Ok, that isn't true. I have reasons. Most are irrational, but I never said that I was rational. I have left the house a few times. I had a panic attack before each outings. I worried that Sydney would be cranky or that Morgan would get hungry. Nursing is going ok. It is convenient, yet somehow inconvenient. I think it will get better. He is eating every 2 -3 hours right now and he isn't easy to burp so I am up for a while after each feeding. The process seems to be to feed him, hold him and try to burp him. Next, I lay him down and he starts squirming, so I pick him up and he burps. I lay him down, squirms, pick up, burps. This happens for a while. Finally, he will sleep. Then so will I. I have been watching a lot of movies during the night. I usually pick something that I have seen so I can watch part and just leave it. Conveniently, we are getting a free trial of the movie channel package with Direct TV so I have a good selection at least until I get him sleeping longer during the night.

Another emotional fear or "breakdown" that I am having is guilt/fear that the kids aren't getting the attention they need or want. I feel like Morgan just lays in his cradle all day (though he sleeps constantly anyway) and Sydney is just getting in trouble for things or playing on the floor while I sit on the couch. I am so tired that I just don't have the energy to be fun. I feel like I will never feel normal again. I have been assured that I will and that kids are very forgiving and will not remember a few hard weeks or months. I hope so.

Udpate

2007-08-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

I promise I will post pictures tonight. Adam has them ready. He is just catching up with work right now. Last night was ok as far as sleep. He seems to want to eat all the time right now. This morning he start coughing up something funny. So I had to call the hospital nursery (you call them until your first ped's appointment) and they didn't have an answer. He has stopped now so I guess he is ok. I never experienced that with Sydney so I am left in the dark. I had hoped that we had pretty much everything figured out with already having a baby. I guess not! He is sleeping now and I think we will make it to the 3 hour mark for feeding. That is what I am shooting for right now. He may have other plans.

C-Section

2007-08-10T14:19:00.000-07:00

I have to say that C-Sections are an easy way to have a baby. They just aren't the easiest way to do anything after that point! I had imagined that I would have the normal type delivery with the fun of anticipation of going into labor. I had all sorts of do's and don't's mentally and literally listed out for Adam and my mom to remember. When the talk of a c section started, most of that went by the way side and I started thinking and worrying about what surgery would be like. When would I see the baby? When would our family see the baby? Would I be wheeled around the hospital halls for all to see drugged up and wearing a funny hat. In the end, I decided that I couldn't control those things. They would happen how they would happen. My mom set me up with a nurse that we have known since I was a little girl (and she worked with) so I had someone that could answer all that. Yes, you can wear your contacts. Yes, you can wear socks. Sure, your family can come in the L/D room you are in after you leave and Adam can bring the baby to the room on the way to the nursery.

I made the decision that I didn't want to see anyone before the surgery. I was trying to have a good experience and avoid panicking. I knew that if someone came in to say hello or give a "you'll be fine" I would start crying and believe that I would never make it out to see my family again. I think I made the right decision. The morning was relaxing and I was excited to get started. I had to actually walk across the hall to the OR in my gown and funny hat and though I didn't see anyone I know, there were construction workers at the end of the hall on the outside that could see in through a window! Oh well!

I have to say that the recovery from the surgery has been what I expected. People said that it wouldn't be that bad and others said that it would be. I think it hits somewhere in between with a little more on the bad side during the night. Maneuvering in and out of bed is the hardest part. We are still recovering from the move so Adam is a little out of it during the night, but he willingly gets up to hand me the baby after a few nudges and repeating his name about 3 times.

Recovery

2007-08-10T13:37:00.000-07:00

We are home. We actually came home on Wednesday. The doctor let us come home a day early. I was trying very hard to do everything I was supposed to do to have an optimum recovery and to get home early. We succeeded and I have to say that I was glad to leave that hospital bed. The only good purpose it served was to act as a crane for me as I lifted and lowered myself while sitting on the side of the bed. The nurses were great. They didn't come in an bother us during the night. Adam stayed with me the two night I was there. We did send the baby to the nursery at night and they would bring him to me when we appeared hungry. I say appeared because he really would sleep all the time and never eat. This was discouraging to me (to say the least) as I am trying to nurse him.

As an update to the coming home outfit, I am pleased to announce that it was found in the garage in a plastic bin on top of an extra refrigerator. The entire family was looking for it on Tuesday night and it was finally found by Adam's father who probably has the best few of tops of refrigerators of anybody being as tall as he is (and he was also the last to see the outfit during the move so he was able to sense where it was). So Morgan wore the outfit home and pooped in it on the way home so no pictures were taken. We did get video of Sydney greeting her brother. She leaned down to him while he was in his carrier and told him all sorts of things. Probably things about how the house is run and which are the best toys and what he can and can't touch of hers. She seemed to want to share with him right away so I think we are off to a good start. He was wide awake during that time and has pretty much slept constantly since then. Sydney has been super sweet and cute, but I am sorry to say that she seems more grown up since we left for the hospital.

I think I can say that we are having a good experience, but I do think that the move (only one week prior to the birth) has presented most of the challenges. The house is pretty together, but I am not used to where things are and there are a few things that still need to be unpacked and organized. Sydney doesn't seem to play in her room as much as she did in Clinton. I think it is a proximity thing. We have a wonderful den or family room (whatever you call it) and we spend most of our time in there. Sydney has been greeting visitors for the past few days and nights. It has been fun having people drop in. I think that living "in town" has brought more of that and we love it.

Adam and I are already exhausted, but we have had both of our moms helping us at home the past few days and it makes it easier. We have been waking Morgan to eat because he lost weight before leaving the hospital. We had our 2 day check up and found that he is back up in weight so we don't have to wake him at night anymore (just wait for him to wake and want to nurse). That is a relief, though you know he will demand it every two house now just for the fun of it.

More later.

Pictures

2007-08-08T05:30:00.000-07:00

We will get more pictures on the blog as soon as we can. Here are a few.

This is Adam right before he came into the operating room. I think when this was being taken, I was saying "where is Adam" (they were beginning the surgery.) The nurse looked in the hall and said "hang on he is having his picture taken". Um, I can't breathe in here and I am panicking! And don't forget, there's a baby in here waiting to get his picture taken!!!!!
I don't know why Sydney looks so grown up in this picture, but doesn't she? She is such a baby in person. This was taken Monday night. She was very excited to see the baby. She still has no idea what is going on, but she has been having fun with family staying with her (and I am sure all the attention). She is holding the baby's hand. She likes holding hands.

Introducing...

2007-08-08T05:28:00.001-07:00

Stewart Morgan White
August 6, 2007
9:20 AM
8 lbs 1 oz
20 3/4 inches

Anticipation

2007-08-05T20:21:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wonder if I compartmentalize my feelings before big events. I wonder if I miss out on savoring the moment by turning off my emotions so I am prepared for things to go wrong. Sometimes it is a survival mechanism. Like with Sydney, we had a 24 hour period to get through until we could breathe so we just zoned out. At least that is the best way to describe it. What can you do about things going wrong (even the small stuff, like being delayed or something like that)? I think I have learned that it is best to just go with the flow and take some chances. For instance, I wish I could go back and tell myself that Syd would be ours so the first time I held her I could have really felt what I wanted to feel. What would that have been like? To fully enjoy a moment. We had our moment, but just not that one.

I am going to try to go into this tomorrow without any fear and completely trusting in God and his will. How can I lose? At best, I will fully enjoy the moment and remember it the way I would want to. Millions get a spinal. Millions have c sections. I am not unique in that. Only how I view or handle my experience is unique. There. I am in control of something.

Ok, so I am sure I won't sleep tonight. I can't imagine just putting the computer away and turning over and going to sleep. I first must drink all of my water before midnight. I did just have a light snack. I think I will be ok as long as I can live with having one of Sydney's cheese sticks as the last food for the next 36 hours (I am guessing). Adam says he will not have any trouble sleeping. I will focus on pointless things like the fact that I can find my ipod. This is what ipod are made for and now I can't find it. He just looked in the car, but it isn't his ipod that is missing so I don't believe he REALLY looked. I want to go myself now. I will see if he will let me. Ok, we are both going. I will be back. Ok, found it. Not in the car, but on a book shelf. Now I can't find the his coming home outfit. I had it at my mom's with my hospital bag when we stayed there. I bet I left it, but she won't get out of bed and look. It is only 11 PM! I am sure it is in her room. She could at least cut on a light and look around from the bed. Am I being insensitive?

That settles it, I am going to get up early and repack the baby's bag. I don't feel that I have the cutest stuff going to the hospital. I just realized that I plan to nurse and I haven't read a thing on it. Not a thing. Oh well. You always forget something.

I guess I will just lay in bed, watch TV and try to feel him kicking for one of the last times (inside my stomach at least).

Until tomorrow....

Closer and closer

2007-08-02T15:28:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned how many babies are going to be born to people we know in the next month? There are quite a few 5 or so. One friend was going to be induced the day after my c section, but she went into labor this morning and had the baby on its due date. I think only about three percent of babies are born on their due date. Sydney was born on hers too. Today, I tried to stay off my feet and this afternoon Calen ran errands with me and Sydney. Sydney needed to get out and I needed help lifting heavy stuff at Walmart. That's right, it was my first Walmart trip since moving. You all know how much I just love Walmart. We chose the Madison Walmart today. I liked it, but I will have to learn the new set up. It didn't feel as crowded as some, which I appreciated. I had my last experience with the Countyline Walmart this past weekend.

We have been busy trying to get things marked off our list. It feels like every time we work in a room we basically just end up junking up another room. The kitchen I can no longer ignore. It is the biggest problem. There are boxes and piles of trash and the floor is sticky from something. Every time I turn around there is the dog and Sydney and then I keep bumping into stuff sticking out from the counters. Ahhh! It is driving me crazy. You would think that I would know by now that my stomach is sticking out and I can't squeeze through the same spaces I could before. Last night at dinner I kept assalting my poor brother every time I got out of my chair to hit the sushi buffet. I just need to be locked up for the next 3 days.

We have a date!

2007-08-01T05:51:00.000-07:00

Monday, August 6th will be the day! I am sure most people know this by now, but I had to post it. I will be having a c-section that morning. Hopefully on time, but you know how that goes. I am trying to come up with a nice meal to have on Sunday night that will keep me full through Monday morning. I am a breakfast eater so it will be hard to not wake up to something. Even water! I think that is crazy. My mouth is always so dry in the morning, so I am hoping that everything will be on time so I can have something drink asap or that I won't care that I haven't had anything after it is over.

What is really funny about desperation is that you will agree to or except just about anything. A month ago I had all kinds of questions about the c section and what would happen and how it would go. Can I have visitors in the recovery room? What kind of pain medicine will I get? Will I know what I am being given before it is given? Will I care? Yesterday, I was in so much pain (I am guessing from the pressure of a big baby and me standing too much during the move) that I had to hold back tears before the doctor came in because I was afraid that she was going to say that she wanted to wait another week. I also know that all pregnant women have some kind of pain(s) so I felt stupid complaining or acting like I have the worse ever. To my surprise they did another ultrasound to check the baby's "practice breathing" and other stuff. They did give us a weight estimate (though not as accurate at the end we have a good track record of weights so it is pretty trustworthy). 8.8 No, that isn't a score. It is the weight at 37 weeks and 3 days. So, I told the doctor of my issues and after leaving the room a minute while the nurse rechecked my blod pressure, she returned with a c section date. Just what I wanted. A decision. A date. Something to tell me when this will end and whole new phase of pain and tiredness will begin. I am just looking for something new I guess. Of course, she gently said that a c section was what she felt was the way to go and I readily agreed and didn't bother with any of my questions. What does it matter anyway? I didn't have to beg that it be earlier. She picked a day that gave me time to get the house in order and run errands (or have someone do them). I didn't cry (though I think I was teary) in front of her. I felt relief knowing when. She already had a time worked out. No food after midnight and we don't have to be there until 7 AM. She wants me to stay off my feet until then to control the pain I am having. I am really trying.

We are really excited, but there is tons to do. Last night, a group of friends and family (well, I should just say family, because that is what they are when they are willing to root through your junk and make sense of it...among other things). We now have den unpacked and put away and the pantry items are within reach. This makes things a lot easier. I have a list of things to do today though I don't know how that falls in with the stay off your feet plan. I am going to go get a microwave for sure and the rest (drop off modem to comcast, return babies r us stuff, have extra keys made, buy a crib mattress and find cradle sheets, stop by Baptist to check out the hospital rooms in case I get a choice of the double room which is good for closing off visitors while you are doing baby and hospital stuff or the executive room which has a nicer look and feel to it). I am sure the list goes on but that is the list for today.

We are here

2007-07-31T07:23:00.000-07:00

Well, we are moved into our new house. Things are crazy, of course. Boxes everywhere, I can't find my laundry detergent or actually get to my laundry room. We definitely need to do something about that. I have a doctor's appointment today. Actually, I should leave for it in about 10 minutes. It is nice to be close to everything now, though I haven't felt like exploring. It is blazing hot to me inside and outside the house and I haven't been able to do anything due to the constant pain I am in. I really feel like I will never be the same. It is like I will never feel good again. I have no idea what the doctor will say today. I can't say that my house is ready for me to have the baby this week though that does sound good to me. We don't have a microwave (and you can't survive without one, unless you don't mind being hot as the oven constantly heats). I have been avoiding the kitchen like an old friend you see in the mall, but you can't remember their name. I called about having the house sprayed for bugs and they didn't recommend spraying inside in you have children under 3 months old. they are going to spray the outside and they say that it will help. I was worried that it might force them inside. I don't think I can take seeing bugs along with boxes and the dirt we have produced (it seems to have traveled across town with us).

Adam and I are pretty tired. I think everyone we know is tired. It was really hard to see everyone working so hard on the move for us and I couldn't do even half of what they were doing. On top of the manual labor, they had to put up with me not being able to answer basic questions or make simple decisions. I will think of a way to thank them someday soon.

All is well...

2007-07-25T20:34:00.000-07:00

I am totally calm and cool. We have worked like tomorrow is the move day, but it isn't! Finally, for once in my life we are somewhat ahead of schedule. I am delirious, but those who know me know that I am fun when delirious. There is a chocolate chip floating in my diet peach tea and I don't care. I am actually looking forward to drinking down the tea enough to corner it for a last taste of the random cookie I found in the mostly empty pantry. I can't say how much I owe my friend, Shelley, for the help she has given and the help she keeps offering in the future. I am sure I will have a few more IOUs by the end of this weekend. I have finally given in to feeling bad for excepting help so I pretty much give in at the slightest pressure. Shelley just started packing all the random stuff that was laying around and we gathered toys and took pictures off the walls and wrapped them in blankets. You know you have a true friend when they are cleaning out under your bed where all the dog hair hides. At 9 pm we were in the garage and she became the voice of encouragement when Adam started pointing to attic things that he felt could be thrown away. I kept thinking garage sale (let's make money!!) and she was saying it isn't worth it just throw it out. I think she had more perspective because she had just packed about 20 miscellaneous boxes full of stuff that we don't really need. We are getting a little excited about moving to the new house though. Now that this house is somewhat under control we can start thinking some about it. I think some of the excitement was squashed due to dealing with the seller/realtor, but that is in the past now and hopefully tomorrow won't bring any problems. Well, I am going to leave this house for now and go down to my mom's where she and Sydney are hopefully sleeping soundly. It is nearly 11 and I have done more manual labor than any pregnant person should (though I am not lifting heavy things per the doctor's request, but she said I could do moving stuff) so I am deserving of bed and that is where I am headed!

Wednesday Frustrations

2007-07-25T09:36:00.000-07:00

I can't handle all this stress! We are still working on closing stuff for the house we are buying (the people are impossible). I am supposed to be packing, but my friend had car trouble so she is delayed. That is just as well because we have been busy funding the college tuition of the electrician's unborn children, dealing with a Direct TV order for Saturday that appears to have been canceled (the important stuff, you know), discussing options for repairs at the new home, worrying about the closing working out for Friday because of sellers dragging their &^$%#* (you pick the word), a garage door still upset by the sun at odd hours (we can fix that, but our list is long), and so much more.

Thankfully, Adam is the calm one (though this move is bringing out his Jessica side somewhat) and he reminded me that there are lots of things about the situation for which we can be thankful. At least we are able to afford the repairs and we have the help we need to get things done. We know we have a healthy baby and a house to move to (well, we hope we have a house). Well, Sydney and I are off to run errands now.

Can we talk?

2007-07-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

Listen, its not you. It's me. I just need more. I feel like I give and give and receive nothing. Ok, so maybe it IS you. Readers, seriously you have to give me something. Who are you? I realize that I may not have posts that are comment friendly so I won't blame you for the past. I am going to work on some interactive topics in hopes that you will respond. Let's all get something from this experience. I will start.

What books are on your nightstand and why should they be on mine?

No News

2007-07-24T09:11:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, there is no news on when the baby will be here. My doctor wants me to think over some things and then we will talk again next week. They could tell from the ultrasound that the baby has hair. Imagine that. Where would he get a full head of hair? They can tell you all sorts of things except what you really want to know! I was hoping to come away with more information, but I am trying not to be disappointed that I didn't.

PBK

2007-07-23T20:35:00.000-07:00

I received the newest Pottery Barn Kids catalog today. They must know that I am looking for ideas, but they don't get that I need Target to make more PBK knock offs. I entered the PBK $10,000 gift card sweepstakes. I could buy at least a couple of things with that! Unfortunately, they aren't selling the toddler quilt that we liked, but it wasn't anything special. They seem to change things a lot. It did get me thinking that I probably shouldn't worry too much with a toddler quilt. I have a blue and green one. I am going to have a twin bed in his room so I think I may get a twin quilt. That would make more of an impact anyway and before long he can use it. I love the Cars quilt in the new catalog. It made me sad to think that if I don't hang Sydney's curtain and crib dust ruffle in his room then it may never be used again! If I can find the fabric I might make another curtain for her room so she can still use them. She has two windows. I am getting really excited about boy stuff. Thankfully, Sydney seems to be very girly (with purses and shoes and baby dolls) so I can have the best of both worlds.

New Movies

2007-07-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

My Mom offered to buy Sydney one of the Little Einstein movies and she came by with three movies. One was Elmo's Potty Time, which she watched without moving a muscle until I brought out her potty and let her sit on it while she watched, another was a Baby Einstein DVD that talks about your eyes, ears, hands, etc., and lastly the promised Little Einstein movie. This was fun for Sydney because she only watches one show in the morning. I have let her watch two lately because I move slower getting breakfast ready for everyone. My mom's thinking was that I will need the distractions for her if I am going to survive the next few weeks. The Disney Channel never seems to have cartoons on in the afternoon so this will be great. She is in a trance when she watches them. She was already responding to the Baby Einstein by pointing to her nose, ears and mouth when they talked about them. Sydney also received her first pair of tacky play shoes. She looks so funny clopping around in them. They are ultra tacky and I promise a picture as soon as possible.

Packing is coming along. I am slowing down and I don't mean just for the day. We are taking a break now. We actually just cleaned out my car and trunk. That is a great feeling. Pretty soon the entire back seat will be devoted to car seats. A little earlier I thought I just might panic at the thought of getting everything done. I feel so bad that it all falls on Adam's shoulders. Moving in is exciting, but moving out is not. We have made a few decisions about the move that will hopefully take some extra pressure off, such as lowering our expectations of new house preparations, Adam taking an extra day off from work, and having the Pod delivered after the move, even though Adam will be the only one unloading it. He actually loaded it by himself so it shouldn't be a problem. One big decision was to go ahead and start sleeping at my mom's house in Clinton on Wednesday night. This will allow us to break down beds, pack bedding, gather Sydney's toys (since my mom has plenty for her), clear showers, dishes and stop the laundry madness at our house and bug my mom with it for a few days. We can start organizing the boxes in an efficient manner instead of worrying about safety for Sydney and space to walk. Doing this will give us Wednesday night, Thursday and night to work in the house without worrying about waking the baby.

Packing

2007-07-22T07:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we packed and worked on the house all day. After supper, we packed more. We worked on our bedroom. That was hard work. It is hard to know what to do with clothes. Bag or boxes? We are trying to figure out how to organize the move. I am going to call out Good Will to pick up an extra refrigerator next week and I plan to get the ladies from Attic Treasures (a junk store in Clinton) to come look at three beds and two dressers. If I can get those out of the way then we will have less to deal with during the move. We will only be taking them to store them in our new garage so they really must go.

It has been hard having to depend on other people to do things that under normal circumstances I would be able to handle on my own. There are just some things that other people can't do. We are now eating out for most meals. We did make a frozen pizza and I do have food for tonight here. It actually helps to have to pick up food. I don't have much time to cook when there is so much packing to do. We finally made a decision about our phone, cable, and internet. We are going to use ATT for all but the cable and we were conveniently able to order Direct TV through them for a discount. I think it saves a little money. We had considered using just cell phones, but they I would have to up my plan and I am not sure if there would be any savings. I like having several phones throughout the house because I am not fast enough to get to the cell unless it is right there with me. Apparently, pregnant people don't deserve pockets (they must add more bulk) so very few of my clothes offer them. I have officially worn out my favorite pair of pants. They have a hole in them. I hate it because I was planning to wear them for a little while after the baby since they have a normal waist. It is probably for the best anyway.

I can't believe how fast time has passed. Just two days until we most likely get a date for the baby. I am anxious to see the u/s. My mom is convinced I am going to go into labor early (she was thinking this while she was covered in oil based paint yesterday as she worked on her new house). I hope it isn't this week! I can't imagine anyone else being able to make sense of this house and the packing. We would have to delay our move if that happened.

Morning Cereal

2007-07-20T05:20:00.001-07:00

Sydney has expressed interest in my cereal so I have been giving her some of it in the mornings. Frosted Mini-wheats. I soak them in a little milk and then put them on her tray. I just noticed what she is doing with them. She is picking them up one by one, licking the frosting and putting them in a pile on the other side of her tray. Ok, so we need to try something else. This reminds me of my brother only eating everything but the outer edges of pop tarts and brownies when we were younger (and I mean high school). I don't get it. Those are the best parts to me!

What Happens When You Pack the Bathroom

2007-07-19T17:42:00.000-07:00

I am trying to get some things done, but once Adam discovered the ponytail hair piece (that must have been purchased for some sort of costume party) in our bathroom...well, you see the result. It is a good thing we are having a boy. This would be scary! This may top the 70's snow suit he insisted on trying on when we were packing the guest room closet.

Canvas

2007-07-19T09:15:00.001-07:00

The other night, while Adam was on a trip, I decided to paint a canvas for the baby's door at home. It was the only thing I could think to do that wouldn't require much energy after a day of packing. I copied some thank you notes that I bought for him so this was not all my idea. I did blue on blue stripes, but you can't tell from the picture (only because I did not have white paint). The stripes are supposed to be the way they are (how convenient, because I couldn't do it any other way). The colors are more vibrant in person. The picture sort of washes them out. I still can't decide what to do for Sydney's door. I am thinking something ballet themed and maybe using some tulle on the canvas. Any suggestions?

How many days?

2007-07-19T05:31:00.000-07:00

It is starting to hit me that I have a lot to do and not much time to do it. We are very excited about the baby and the move to a new house. I wish that my body would keep up with my mental excitement. If I weren't pregnant, I wouldn't have time to even type this because I would be busy doing all the stuff I need to do. I have to rest so I don't force myself into labor and subsequently surgery before we move. Once this house is empty I will be fine with whatever happens. Sydney is being counter helpful today. She has just unfold the clothes that I folded while I wasn't looking. I should have suspected it when she kept bringing me single pieces of clothing. Tomorrow is kitchen packing day. I may have a friend helping so it could go faster than expected. I am guessing it will take a while. I remember staying in my mom's kitchen all day packing one time. She did have more than me so hopefully it will be done in a couple of hours. I have decided to leave part of a set of dishes and some glasses so we don't have to buy paper stuff. We will be eating out or eating frozen lasagna type stuff after tomorrow. It is just as well, because I don't have time to cook anymore!

I just had a garage door company come look at our garage door problem. He doesn't carry parts for our brand and apparently it can be fixed by just ordering a new part and installing it. It is a simple thing. He told me where to get the part online. So I have ordered the part now and I am hoping it will get here next week. This is interesting. If your sender and receiver beams are too close to the door and can be touched by the sun they will get burned out (or one might) and then they don't work. All we have to do it replace them (they come in a set) and he suggested putting them further back from the door towards the wall to prevent further burnouts. All this for free (except for the part). Now, in my opinion, that is better than a big service bill.

Sydney "Cougar" White

2007-07-19T05:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Sydney and I were on the way home from the grocery store and I had the radio going. I didn't really notice what was on, but when I heard a noise in the back I took note. Sydney was clapping and trying her best to dance, while confined to a car seat, to Wild Night by John Mellancamp. She had the biggest smile on her face and it was too cute. Last night, I got some video of Sydney dancing while Adam played the guitar. Once she saw the camera, she seemed more interested in helping him play. Adam will make the cords while she strums. I am glad Adam can teach her something musical. All I play is the kazoo.

Fall Catalogs

2007-07-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

I am so in love with this dress for Sydney! I just get so excited when the fall catalogs come out. I get so many ideas from them and never do them! Ok, this time I must. Surely I will have the time!? Right? Ok, you may be laughing, but I am thinking that I will have two mornings a week while Sydney is at Mother's Morning Out and I can use one for the grocery and errands and one for sewing! Now to find this fabric (they also have this dress in brown. I like that one too.)

What is the theme?

2007-07-17T19:45:00.000-07:00

I find myself torn between posting fun stuff or the reality of life, which can be fun. Maybe people come here to see cute pictures and hear funny stories. I am assuming that they want to hear about us and that is why they come. Maybe some identify with being parents or pregnant or whatever is going on in our life and they get something from hearing that they aren't the only ones with challenges.

Tonight, I took Sydney to Chic-fil-a to play with friends (of all ages) that are in town this week. She was so excited to be with other kids that she barely ate! She wasn't interested in playing with them really. Just along side them, which is typical for this age, I think. One thing that was glaringly obvious to me was that she has a problem with small fits when she doesn't get her way and she doesn't always come to me when I call her name. Why is it so embarrassing and a big deal when it is in front of other people, but at home it doesn't seem "so bad". I guess it goes back to being less convicted of our sin when it is hidden.

I am aware that the other kids are older than her (well some were, some not) and that most kids hit a stage where this becomes a problem (some never grow out of it-ever. And then we end up working with them!) I am not so worried about her, it is just me that I worried about. I worry that I might be in denial a little bit or becoming desensitized or just tired and distracted (but no excuse!) and I am not addressing it the way that should. Maybe I find ways to excuse the behavior. Maybe I am one of those parents along with my child that people really don't like to be around because of how I respond to her in situations. It is hard because in the middle of the store is not the place to try to tackle a bigger issue. You can correct, but I think at home is the place where the real training happens. The training at home is what will get the desired result after the correction in public. It is hard to know if your expectations are too high or if you are possibly setting them up for failure or "fits". I guess if you don't teach them to obey at home, then you are setting them up for bad behavior. Adam and I both wonder sometimes if she "gets it". The other day I explained it to my friend that Syd wasn't getting in trouble for touching things (we were measuring the new house and she kept picking up our somewhat unsafe tools), but rather the fussing the ensued after she was told not to touch the item. So was she being set up by being around interesting things that she shouldn't touch or should she be expected to obey when asked. Some would say the former and though I can at times almost convince myself of that, I really believe the latter. Now, here is where expectations come into play. Is she old enough to understand what I want her to do? Yes. Is she capable of not fussing about it? Yes. At times she just stops and moves on obediently. Another time she will cry and possible act out against a toy or other unsuspecting object. Am I doing this right? I guess there is always tomorrow. I just can't stop, I have to do better. Being a parent is like being on a diet. Too many "I'll start again on Monday" promises don't produce the best results.

Oh, I forgot to update on our word of the week attempt. Sydney learned to say Shoe and Socks last week. We are working on Please this week. I think it won't be long before our communication barriers will be a thing of the past.

Motorcycle

2007-07-16T13:09:00.000-07:00

Sydney and I just got out to drop off Good Will stuff and we stopped to get Sonic drinks for half price during happy hour. On the way home we saw a line of motorcycles and a funny thought occurred to me. Do pregnant women drive motorcycles? How weird would that be (and very unsafe) to have a huge stomach and be driving down the interstate on a motorcycle.

Packing, packing, and more packing

2007-07-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

I have decided to tackle most of the packing of inside things myself. This is so Adam will be able to do the fixit stuff and get the garage move ready without worrying about the inside. Adam is in Florida right now for a work thing and Sydney and I have been packing all morning. I have set a goal of really making a dent in the house so Adam is surprised when he gets back. We have had a good time and she has been a big help with carrying things to the boxes. Since I can't move them after they are filled I have to put them where they can stay and actually bring the stuff to them. Good exercise! Sydney is eating her snack right now and I discovered something interesting. If I present the food she has tired of in a different way she will eat it! I cut her banana into sticks and she went for it! She is talking up a storm in her high chair right now. What is she saying? It sounds very important. Well back to packing (and playing) we go!

Family get together

2007-07-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

Tonight Adam, Sydney and I had supper with family in celebration of a great uncle's 75th birthday. I don't see my cousins often and I wasn't jazzed about being huge and pregnant when I did get to see them. I had to endure a couple of hours of jokes and comments about me possibly having the baby right then, or on the way home, or during the family picture, or tomorrow, or after dessert... You can always depend on family!

Hahaha. Grin. Yeah, he is a big baby. August 18th. Oh, his name will be Stewart... (the family name. There were at least 4 Stewarts, by first name, there tonight). Cheers from a table. No, again, he will not be born tonight. Yes, August 18th. No, 18th, of August yeah, not July 18th. Maybe so, but I am sure I will make it.

So later, my mom and I went to Walmart to get some things for me to wear in the hospital after the baby is born and at home for the first few recovery weeks. Stuff like lounge pants and t shirts that look somewhat cute for people to see, but can still can function as sleepwear. Don't worry. I won't stay in that stuff long if I can help it. I plan to have them drop me off at a Weight Watchers meeting on the way home from the hospital. Talk about a long year. I haven't had anything to wear for most of the spring and summer and will not go through the winter the same. So, the Walmart trip turned out longer than expected because my mom needed "a few groceries" and then for some reason she expected to find a good book to read on the book aisle. No luck there. Surprise, surprise. By the end of the trip I was shuffling like most pregnant people you see (and I never felt sorry for before now) with a box of pop tarts under my arm. As we were exiting the door the elderly reciept checking lady said to my mom, " is she ok? She isn't going to have the baby in the store is she?" Surely she is a long lost relative.

Dress Up

2007-07-14T12:22:00.001-07:00

Sydney and Adam were playing dress up and he fashioned some gloves out of baby brother's helicopter socks. She loved them and I think she may need some white gloves for Easter next year.

Crib

2007-07-14T12:05:00.000-07:00

We have been holding off buying another baby bed until we knew what we wanted. Sydney is just too small for even a toddler bed so we plan to try to switch her at Christmas. My friend, Shelley, called me the other day from Big Lots and said that they had a Jenny Lind crib (Evenflo brand) there for $80. This one was already assembled. I checked our Big Lots last night and they had them in the boxes for $80. I bought one that matches Sydney's. I would have loved a white one for her room but I guess that most of her furniture will remain stained wood until we can paint them some time this fall. It may be Christmas by the time we finish all that. I am very excited that the crib is in the box and we can just move it and then assemble it when the time comes. I still need to get a mattress. I might upgrade from the mattress that is in Sydney's crib now in case we do a toddler bed for a few years. She might like a "better" mattress though I read that it doesn't really matter. Whatever helps you sleep at night I guess!

I have been piddling around today. We are trying to clean the house so we feel like we can actually start packing more boxes. It is hard to decide when you aren't going to use something for the next few weeks. I am still doing some cooking so I am waiting on the kitchen. I don't need my clothes (other than maternity and they would fit in a handbag) so I may stick them in a big box along with my winter boots and shoes. We have packed our movies and we have been watching the ones that didn't make it into the box. The Incredibles, Little Mermaid, Father of the Bride 2, and a season of Arrested Development.

Taking care of business

2007-07-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

I have been working all morning on "errands". Thankfully, most were able to be completed by phone. We did have to be in Byram by 8 this morning to sign something. I have also tackled a few other things. I wrote thank you notes, rented a Uhaul truck and all the extras you need like moving pads and a dolly for the piano, scheduled Bailey appointments at the groomers to be washed and nails cut and smoothed (to protect our new wood floors), an appointment at the vet for her annual vaccines and heart worm stuff. I figured that now is the time to get that stuff done since we are still in Clinton. I really like our vet so I think we will still bring her here, but I wouldn't mind finding a different groomer since we might go there more often. I may get Adam to start bathing Bailey during the spring, summer, and fall. That will save a few buckeroos that can be allotted to plants or home furnishings. One thing I wish I could do myself is recover furniture. Talk about costing an arm and a leg. I can do simple things like cover dining chair seats or maybe cover a headboard with fabric using a staple gun or something. A wingback chair is another story.

Yesterday, we had the home inspection done on the new house. Talk about hot. I was only planning to be there long enough to take note of storage possibilities and measure some rooms and windows (for blinds). My friend Shelley helped me (ok, she did all of it) and she drew out a floor plan for us to use to play with arranging furniture. I never thought about window blind to house scale, but she was telling me that her dad (who is an architect) says that the 2 inch wood or faux wood blinds really aren't the best size for most houses. They are really more appropriate to a larger home with really tall ceilings. Shelley and I like the 2 inch and think they look nice, but if I can find a 1 1/2 inch blind (which I think is what he recommended) then I will see how they look. Her mom found the faux wood 1.5 inch blinds at Walmart (they are upping the merchandise to compete with Target I think) and they come in all kinds of sizes which is good because not all our windows are the same in each room. One window is an inch smaller in width in the Master bedroom. That seemed weird to me, but apparently some window are custom made to fit a space and I guess in building a home things are a little off sometimes. I have the blinds on my Walmart list and I am going to see what sizes I can find to fit our windows. We need 7 because we are only going to put them in the bedrooms.

Calm down

2007-07-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

I know that I am way over thinking everything. I think with the house(s) and Adam traveling next week and not knowing if I will have a c section over the past few weeks has made me feel a little out of control. I think I am obsessing over details as a way to gain some control of the situation. It never seems to work so I a have decided to just go with the flow. If I start itching because of a drug then so be it. And if I am drowsy, I will sleep. I just can't worry about things anymore. I have too many other things to do. Like pack and nap and eat. I feel like I just worry and talk and ask questions and answer questions and worry some more. I just want to be completely silent for a while. Maybe take some Benadryl and wake up in a few days or something. Ok, that is just the sinus headache talking.

Sleepy Time

2007-07-10T03:00:00.000-07:00

I wish I were asleep right now. 5 AM. I have been trying for a while. Bailey sighs and slaps her tail on the floor as I ask for the millionth time why I can't just doze off. The alarm is set for an hour from now so I can actually get a shower before Sydney wakes. Last night, we signed off on a counter for the new house we are buying. Looks like we got it so now I can find something else to panic about. Not everything went as I had hoped, but we got the house and that is the most important thing. We will be moving in 2 1/2 weeks.

Last night was also our last childbirth class. There is one more next week, but Adam will be gone so I don't plan to go. We can take a tour sometime this week and the other stuff they cover can be figured out as I go along (post partum care is the topic). Last night they covered anesthesia and c sections. Since I am pretty sure that is what I will be having, I was glad to hear about it. What I didn't expect was to feel confused about what I want for pain medication and whether to have a private transition for the baby in my room instead of the nursery. It has been a goal/concern of mine to, as much as possible, avoid being nauseated or drowsy due to drugs or pain medication. I would like to remember the experience as much as possible and though it may not be as ideal as some deliveries, it will still be my experience so I might as well get the most out of it as possible. I don't know a lot about this stuff, but from what I can tell, a drug called duramorph is usually given/offered to control pain for 24 hours after the surgery. It is actually given with the spinal block for the surgery. One of the side effects is crazy itching all over. Then you might get Benadryl and that will make you sleepy. If you feel nauseated, they might give you something for that and that can make you sleepy. Apparently, they don't give phenergan anymore, they have a different drug of choice that doesn't make you drowsy. That sounds great because I typically feel sick with anesthesia. So do I want the Duramorph? The anesthesiologist last night made it sounds great. "Some" people experience itching, but most say it isn't that bad...that is what he said. After the class our teacher said that most people are miserable and that most the L/D nurses say they wouldn't get it. That to me says something. I have yet to find someone that hasn't had it with a c section. I think most people don't know that they are getting it or at least that there is a choice not to. I need to make a decision about it though.

As for the private transition, in some ways that seems great. Not having so have the baby away for hours after the birth while everyone else abandons you in the room so they can go stare and take pictures and report back to you how cute he is and what he is doing. Doesn't seem fair does it? Not to mention that the few hours after the birth I will still have the effects of the block so I might be feeling just fine and then when that wears off they will bring him to me and I will be in pain. Pain or itching? I don't know. With him in the room during transition you have a nurse right there to help you feed him and you can even hold him and do skin to skin contact as an alternative to the warmer for some of the time. This costs extra and would take some scheduling so I do need to make a decision. I just don't know how I will feel. I could just go with the flow and be drugged up with all kinds of things to help with pain and itching and just see him in a couple of hours. Any opinions?

I thought this was a neat quote

2007-07-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

"My mother said to me, 'If you become a soldier, you'll be a general; if you become a monk you'll end up as the pope.' Instead I became a painter and wound up as Picasso."

- Pablo Picasso