Late Night...or Early Morning?

Miss Abbie woke up about 4 this morning crying. I thought it was just normal waking up but she was in pain. I could not figure out what it was. When she tried to potty though, she cried and I figured out she had some tummy issues. Her crying woke Brian up and he held her. As a mom, you feel (at least I do) like you should be able to do it all. Brian was able to calm her down and get her close to sleep. But not enough. She woke back up with a present of returning her milk to us and the crying continued. Finally, about 5 she went to sleep and we put her on her back. She woke an hour later so I rocked her back to sleep where she slept till 8.30.
Poor baby! She did finally use the restroom during this time. She has been a bit fussy all morning and threw up some more. How do you know when it's sickness or just reflux? I don't know the difference. She has been taking a long nap; going on 2 1/2 hours. I hope she feels better when she wakes up.
My poor little munchkin, please feel better soon!

Christmas

We made it! Christmas is over. We began the holidays with runny noses and ear infections. Mom and dad got the runny noses too. We are better and enjoyed the holiday. We had Christmas at Ginny's on Christmas Eve. I think it went well. We then went over to Brian's parents' house to open presents. Christmas morning my parents came over and we did Christmas and Abbie opened her presents. She got so much stuff from both sides! Let's just say her play room now has toys to play with. She did a great job!
To end this holiday, she now has little red bumps over her body and Brian got terribly sick (still is). This is a holiday we will remember. To top it off, it's 80 degrees outside! IT'S DECEMBER! I have actually enjoyed the warm weather.
I hope this "cold" front cools things off, Brian gets better (and Abbie and I don't get it!), Abbie's bumps go away, and we can all be well and enjoy a healthy new year! :)

Bouncy, Bouncy

My little one is feeling better and slept all night: from 7 -10. Yes, 10! I had to wake her up. I got out her jumper today just to see how she would do. I think she really enjoyed it. She played about 15 minutes until her nap began to call her. Take a peek at my little jumpin' munchkin! :)

Little Ears, Sneezes, and Snots

My little munchkin is sick. Her first time. We went almost 5 months! She woke up at 11 on Saturday night coughing and a super runny nose and continued to wake up every 3 hours to have me suck it out, feed her a bit, and put her back down. She was snotty yesterday but ok. During the night we woke up at 2 and sucked out the nose, fed her, threw up, cleaned up, tried to eat a bit more, threw up, cleaned up, and finally went down about 3:15. That was fun.
I decided to take her to the doctor to just make sure she was ok and it was just a runny nose. Come to find out she also has an ear infection in her right ear. I am glad I took her in! Dad even got to go with us. He has done a fabulous job helping me out last night and this morning (with a dog who also got sick twice in the house!).
Happy vacation huh? At least I didn't have to go in sleep deprived.

It's Official

I am now officially on break. I already enjoy it. I got to sleep in and wake up when there was light outside. Confusing at first. I got ready and some things done before little one woke up. Nice. I am going to like this break. It will be a nice time to spend with Abbie and just be home for a while. My goal is to be with her as much at home without feeling like I need to be out and about. My prayer over the break will be to cherish this first Christmas with her and to enjoy it with family.

It's Here

Yeah, it's here! Christmas vacation. Need I say more?
Oh, and to moms out there. My little one has decided that anywhere from 5-5:30 is a great time to wake up. That doesn't work for me since I get up about 5:45 to get ready. See the conflict? She goes to bed about 6:30 at night because I just can't keep her up. (Excpet tonight, it's 8:45 and she is just going down!)
So...with all that-do you keep them up later at night like to 7-7:30 and will that help? Also, is it wrong of me to feed her at 5 (am!) then put her back down even though I know she could stay up? Am I doing the right thing at that time of morning (you know, teaching her to SLEEP) or am I being selfish? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have gone to great lengths to do what I can to to help her sleep (fan, heater, humidipher).
Let me know...

Pictures

We went to Sears to get pictures taken. I actually like a picture of me for a change. Must be the baby in the picture with me. She is just too cute...Abbie that is! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

My first Christmas

Too Much

As most know, the holidays bring on too much. Too much ______. You fill in the blank.
Our past week has been very busy. Brian's grandmother, Nellie (Ginny) passed away a week ago and her funeral was on Wednesday. If you live around here you know that Wednesday consisted of sleet, snow, and ice. What a day for a funeral! We all bundled up though and battled the weather. I think Ginny would get a kick out of us at the grave site with blankets galore.
Ginny was a wonderful lady and such a giver. Her house had an open door policy. No need to knock, just come in. She had a servant's heart and generosity was her motto. I know where Brian gets his example from. She was a wonderful lady who battled liver cancer for 3 years and finally, the LORD took her home. She has no more pain, sorrow, sleepless nights, and treatments. She is perfect now.
The following day school was canceled and Brian's work worked from home. So we spent the day at home in front of the fire, Abbie and me that is and Brian did really work. All day.
Last night I did a biggie. Abbie spent the night with my parents. We went to Brian's company Christmas party (fun) and stayed out late (the latest I have been out since....forever!!!). I did ok though. I think it was because she was pretty much already asleep when I dropped her off and she was getting up and getting ready when I was, just not here.
This is the last week of school before the holidays. I fully expect hyper active kids, stressed out teachers counting the hours, minutes, and seconds. It will be nice to be home with Abbie for a bit then we are in the for the home stretch for next semester.
Until then...be careful with your too much's and remember the LORD our Savior and His saving grace and his gift to the world.

Half Day Free Day

I know there are a lot of complaints out there with teaching but here is one thing you won't hear me complaining about. A free half day. An E.P. Rayzor tradition for Christmas is to give the teachers' a half day off in the afternoon for "shopping" or whatever you want to do. I am very excited because I got a Friday this year. We sign up on a calendar on days we choose as long as we are the only ones from the grade gone. We just split up our kiddos among the teachers in our grade and leave at 11:30.
What's that? What I am I doing?
I am going to clean house since no one will be home and then go shopping for Brian's Christmas and run a few errands then go get Abbie. I am going to try to enjoy some time for myself. Selfish? I am trying not to think about it that way since I have not done anything by myself since she has been born. I think it's ok to be by myself for a couple of hours.

Here, Here, Absent

Brian and I just got done watching Wife Swap. I know, trash. This one was good. It was a Christian couple and an atheist couple. It was great to see a strong Christian couple, a preacher's wife at that, being examples for the others. Of course at this time, they are not converted, but I believe a seed has been planted.
I began to think about the man of the atheist couple. He has his own web radio show (focusing on atheism of course) and works 18 hours a day and not spending time with his family. I began to think, which is worse: to have a dad at home who is absent or just a plain old absent dad who is not there? Brian says the one that is just plain old absent because you don't expect anything and don't have to hope he will pay attention.
I don't know which one I would choose. Teaching, I have seen the plain old absent and I think it is pretty damaging and I have seen the work-aholic fathers too.

Too Long

It is amazing how time can slip through your fingers like a grain of sand. I can't believe how much I DON'T blog. Certainly not my intention. Since my last blog lots has happened.
Can you believe that Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey are getting divorced? I certainly thought they would make it. Seriously. Ask my husband.
Oh, and the more important. Abbie. She is now 4 months old and eating cereal and green beans. She is doing a fabulous job and certainly has not inherited my eating habits thus far. Tomorrow we try peas. Does it get any better than this? We also took her to get her Christmas pictures taken. They are too cute.
I return back to work tomorrow and have so enjoyed being home for the past 5 days with Abbie. I was beginning to think I would continue to work and not pursue being at home but I do miss being with her all day. She has grown so much and is getting to the fun stage where she can interact with you.
There are also some trying times in the family as well. Both our moms had found lumps. My mom's was an infection and his mom's was benign. Brian's grandma is very sick. She has been battling liver cancer for the past 3 years and now her body is just winding down. We are not sure how much longer she will be with us. We had Thanksgiving at her house and just hope she makes it to Christmas as well.
Life is short. You can see this by how quickly the weekend goes or how fast your baby grows. I have been asking God not to slow down time, but for me to slow down and to take the moments in. Not rushing to the next thing or even thinking about it. Just being in the moment. What else could you ask for?

Getting There

Today to school I wore some pre-pregnancy pants. I must say, it felt good. I began to think about what was making it work. Sure, I "do" Weight Watchers (kinda), but I think I have found what works best. I have cut out a lot of sweet tea from Chic-fil-A and regular Dr. Peppers. Now, I am one that hates diet drinks but Diet Dr. Peppers are good...for the most part. The more I drink the better they become. Plus, they are 0 points. I began with the little plastic bottles REALLY cold.
At recess I have also begun to walk the track. I do at least 2 laps (1/2 mile) and today I did a mile. Next week Brian begins a new schedule where he is home earlier so I will be able to walk at home too :) The results have been S-L-O-W to come but hey, better late than never.

Purely Tired

Wow, it is very tiring working, taking care of Abbie, getting up night with her, and all the other "duties" you hold. Balancing is getting harder. Could that be why I am revisiting high school days on my face??? I come home tired and focus on Abbie. I don't rest because there are things to do. I go to bed about 8:30 at night and start the day all over at 5:45. I can be found at 6:30 am doing laundry, cleaning, straightening up; all the things I didn't get to beforehand.
With that, is there an answer to all this? A way to feel rested, up to speed, and not like you have 50 different plates in the air you better not drop because they are priceless China passed down through generations and have stood the test of World Wars, fires, and small children?
One thing I have done: work stays at work. I bring stuff home and never get to it. I do my planning at school and anything else I need to do. Of course, I still have things running through my head about what needs to get done but it can wait. Family time is when I am home. It's not a time for work. And that has been nice.

Behavior

Wow, one of those things that teachers across America don't like to deal with. It is tough, hard, and never fair no matter how you play it. Parents don't always agree and all kids are different. I took the advice of one of my comments and today I began a new discipline system. Students have a card on their desk and earn stickers for doing what is asked...the FIRST time. They have to get 25 and then they get something. A drink of their choice for snack time or lunch (yes, snack time. Their favorite time next to lunch and recess), candy bar, extra computer time, no homework...and so forth.
It is already challenging. I can see why teachers all over focus on the "problems." It's easier! It is hard to focus on students doing good and rewarding them when you have the "bad" hanging in the blinds. It is all about getting them to do what you want, when you want. You have to maintain the trouble areas and keep them under your thumb while at the same time acknowledging those who do good. Wow. I am tired thinking about it. I think once the rewards start coming, I will have all angels :) With that, maybe I should give out stickers like crazy to hook them then make it more difficult.
At least I can say, they seem very interested.

Worth It?

Ok. So I can't blog at school. It's like Fort Knox on those computers. You can't do much of anything. Including looking, much less writing, on a blog.
A question came to mind today as Brian and I were hanging out with the baby. What is it worth? Staying home that is. When does it become: this isn't worth it? Or, is anything worth the price to be a stay at home mom?
Let me explain.
Brian works hard, long hours. He is gone at 7 and doesn't come home till 7. We eat dinner, Abbie goes down, I clean up and go to bed. End of night. He is has been given a promotion (yeah rah!) and that should (hopefully) mean more money and more responsibility. But is it worth the sacrifice of not seeing your husband often? Him seeing Abbie as I pretty much walk her to bed? He has call every other week and that is an extra 36 hours a week on top of his 40. That is a lot of work. I know he does it to get ahead and to do a good job and to try to make more money to get me home or part-time. But when do you say, we are o.k. where we are at? Slow down and just be?
I love my husband and I don't want him getting burnt out on work or to miss out and regret Abbie's growth and milestones. (like she is now finding her hands...well, more like her wrist but she's trying!)
With all this said, I appreciate the goal my husband has in mind and I support him. I also want him to enjoy fatherhood without the "feeling" that he has to get me to be home. I am o.k. where I am. God has given me peace about it. This is where He needs me right now. Working, being a mom, and a wife. And with that, I am good.

New Beginning

Tomorrow I begin Weight Watchers. I would today except I had Whataburger for breakfast and that was almost all my points except for 6 or so. No need to get off on the wrong foot. I have my menu all laid out of what to eat and what I think each meal is worth. I have my lunches and breakfasts done too. Hopefully by this time next week I will have dropped at least 2 pounds.
At the same time, I have completed the first full week of school and it was ok. It is just so tiring with a class that won't listen. They like to listen when they feel like it and that doesn't work for me. So, what do you do with students who don't do what you ask, talk CONSTANTLY no matter where you are, and look at you like, "Who me?" YES YOU! These are fourth graders that should know better and they do. They are choosing not to do whatever. Maybe it reflects on me not being strict enough. Any suggestions out there of "creative" disciplines? (that won't get me fired!)

New Principal

I have a new principal. Actually she has been there all year. I haven't. She is wonderful. She is personal, friendly, and doesn't scare me (like Mr. Key did). I feel comfortable around her but not so much to just let it all loose. I am glad with the change. I know that she moved me and I think I finally understand why. She knows that 4th did not plan together like "cookie cutters" (as 4th calls it) and 3rd does. I like that. I can go to my team any time I need help but am not told what to do, when to do it. Of course, I can sit and wonder why the "other" person wasn't moved so that 3rd grade could have a good shake up with all new blood. I can't focus on that. I can just look at where I am at and know, it's all good.

A New Body

So, it has been almost three months after the birth of my precious Abbie and the weight....is lingering. I was excercising when I was at home and not eating all that great. Now, I eat better and don't exercise. I get stressed nightly when the question comes, "What am I going to wear?" It is horrible. Nothing fits...still. I went shopping and had tons of clothes and nothing. I am getting a bit frustrated about this. I think that is one reason why I don't want to work. How selfish. I don't like how I look now and I don't like how I look in clothes. I want my old self back. I keep hearing 9 months on, 9 months off. I am on a mission now. I think I shall try Slim Fast with Weight Watchers. My goal is 10 pounds off by Thanksgiving. That is around 2 pounds a week off.
My prayer now is to feel confident in who I am (not what I am) and just get my mind off me and onto Him. It's a daily struggle when I have it so engraved in my mind. He has provided me with all I need and He can provide me with self-discipline too!

So you can tell...

that I have returned to work and am not blogging much. I am sitting here with Abbie while poker night is happening in the living room. We got the boot!
I can't believe how easy the transition has been. I do miss her during the day but I don't ache for her. I do leave as soon as I can to come home and spend the rest of the afternoon with her.
I am finding it difficult to balance her, work, Brian, house work, and life. I come home and she's awake so we play and I don't get to laundry, cleaning, etc. Much less dinner. Then it's getting her fed, ready for bed, and when she goes to bed, I am ready too. I was doing laundry at 6:30 this morning because I had time to squeeze it in.
I am finding working challenging but it is ok.
Oh yeah, and on top of these blessings, Brian got a promotion...and maybe another raise to go with it. One step closer...

God's Blessings

Wow, I can't believe there are people out there who don't believe in God. He is absolutely amazing. First off, Brian gets a big raise! :) This helps compensate for the money taken out of my check from maternity leave. (You have to use your days then any after that is deducted from your check.) I have also been worried about returning to work and leaving Abbie (and Young and the Restless) and have been praying for peace. God has again answered. I don't feel as worried as I thought and not as consumed with her as I thought I would be. He is has just given me no worries about it. I have my room all cleaned up, organized, and have lesson plans for this week and next with copies. On top of that, I have three moms that come in weekly to do anything I need in the classroom. Can you say bulletin board? They have been up since the beginning of school. With that said, God is amazing and I am blessed to teach and have good hours and weekends and holidays. Thank you God for your gift and for opening my eyes to see it.

Tick Tock

Tick tock, tick tock...
That is the sound of maternity leave leaving...
I will be back in grind soon. I am enjoying a beautiful day with my baby girl and feeling ok right now. I have staff development on Monday and Tuesday so those are half days but I have to go work in my room and do lesson plans. I can work as much...or little as I want. Wednesday will be the big day though.
I continue to ask God to cover me with peace and for me to embrace it. He has been faithful and will continue to be. I will continue to ask for a way to stay home but until he answers that prayer, may I be a diligent worker for him.

Chilly Day

It is a wonderful chilly day in Texas. I absolutely love it and crave Starbucks on these days. That will be the downfall of returning to work--no quick Starbucks runs. :(
I feel a bit worried about going back. I have to (or feel like I have to) clean and reorganize my room. Throw it all away and start over. Create lesson plans. Figure out where in the world we are in the learning process, what has been covered, what hasn't and so forth. You can be so overwhelmed by it all. On top of it, I have to leave my precious baby at home. The day I have been dreading is just around the corner and there is no stopping it. With that said, I will stop talking about the dread of it and find the blessing. I know it's there somewhere!

Computer

Today Abbie and I went to get flowers and hot chocolate from Starbucks for my sub at school. She almost cried which made me almost cry. I think she was very grateful. I picked up my laptop to put pictures of Abs on it. I now have several folders of pics and created a slideshow as my screensaver. I have a little photo album to take along with frames and magnetic frames...eww magnetic. At Target I found the cutest dragonfly picture clip frame and put a picture of her in her dragonfly clothes in it. So cute! Needless to say, there will be no room for kids work. It will be all about Abigail.

Last Days

I am sitting and playing with Abbie and thinking about our last days. Today we went to eat lunch with Brian for the last time, we are playing on a Wednesday afternoon for the last time. I will be returning to work next week and am dreading it. Don't get me wrong, the grandparents will do a great job. It is just that I won't be there to see her cute smiles and cooing. I won't get to calm her when she is fussy. I won't get to rock her or feed her. It will be a huge change for me. I have been praying double time for God to just fill me with peace about leaving her and working. She is just the cutest thing ever and it makes it harder to leave. Until Monday, I am savoring my final days with her at home and praying for God to open doors at Brian's work for him to make more (and a bit more) money to allow me stay home. Until then, I pray to embrace that God's grace is sufficient for me.

Wal-Mart vs. Target

After writing about Target and the comment I got to thinking: I believe there are two kinds of people of in the world. Those who like Wal-Mart and those who like Target. I think it says a lot (well, not a lot) about what kind of person you are based on your preference. The only thing I like about Wal-Mart is the photo center because I download pictures then can pick them up in an hour. For all other shopping needs, it's Target. Which do you prefer?

Deep in the Heart of Texas

I was outside the other day and noticed our yard was looking a wee bit rough. Like something had kind of torn up the grass. I didn't give it much thought. Brian and I were talking with our neighbor and said it was an armadillo. He said around the neighborhood you could see where they are digging up yards. The armadillo at his house dug a big hole to get under his fence. I asked why you never see an armadillo alive. Sure, I see them all the time on the side of the road with their tails in the air but never alive. Our neighbor said you have to catch them in the middle of the night. That works well with me up with Abbie.
Brian was getting ready to go to Uptown to volunteer and I was feeding Abbie. He had apparently decided to go out armadillo hunting and found it. I put Abbie down and went out to look. We thought it had left and looked around in the yards and then went between our house and our neighbors and sure enough, there it was. THE armadillo. Brian took a picture of the monster and tried to get closer but it took off into our neighbors bushes. I stood out by the mailbox. We have captured the critter just in case you too have never seen one alive.

Pumpkins and Smiles

We went to the pumpkin patch to take pics of Abbie. I had a blast. First, you get to ride a train around the property through trees, by a house, over a pond. Sounds like going to grandma's house. Then you get off by the pumpkins. Of course she slept through it all. Soundly. It was fun though to get new pictures of her and of us with her.
When we got home, we downloaded the pictures and then found out that we are beginning to make Abbie smile! To prove it, we have pictures of the smiley girl for your viewing pleasure as well as pics at the pumpkin patch.

Target

Here's something: I love Target. Brian doesn't.
Now, this means I have run out of things to write about.

Shopping

Every girl likes to shop I think. I heard that when you have a kid, you no longer want to shop for yourself and my thought was, whatever. It is true. Yesterday Abbie got lots of new fall clothes (compliments of Nana and Pops). We went to Divine Consign that happens twice a year. Great stuff from furniture, clothings, toys, and if you desire training toilets (ugh). Then we went to the Carter's outlet in Allen. They are having a huge sale up to 50% off their stuff. They have cute things too. Abbie is all set and that is a good thing since it's going to be cooler today.

2 Months

Today we took Abbie to her two month check up. It was hard because at two months-they get 5 shots. Count them...5! No one ever told me that. So new moms, be aware of that. She screamed her head off then daddy picked her up and she settled down. I was quite impressed with how well she handeled it. She is now up to 11 pounds!! She has hit the 50th percentile for weight and height. Her head is still little. Only 10th percentile. All in all, Abbie is doing great and we praise Jesus for a healthy little girl!

To Do List

I seem to always have a to-do list. Being Type A personality, I live by them. When it comes to Saturday though, I do a lot but get nothing done. We go a lot of places but really don't go anywhere. What is it about Saturdays that just suck the time away leaving you thinking, "What did I do today?"

ps. you can view Abbie's website at www.abigailvinson.com. She is too cute!

Pass the Paxil Please

As most know (if not, you do now), I take Paxil for anxiety related issues. If you have experienced a panic attack, you know what I am talking about. If not, they are not recommended. Basically you just have a break down and breathing becomes erratic and you just panic. I also take it to just chill out. Not to the point of drooling, but to not worry so much about everything.
While pregnant, I did not take it and felt great and acted fine (you may need to ask Brian). I guess it was the hormones. Recently though, the plaguing thoughts of things that need to be done, how are they going to be done, I want to get them done NOW, are flooding back. My mind is busier than the hurricane season and can be more detrimental than the aftermath.
My thoughts now are on how I am going to sleep at night, how much, will Abbie cooperate, will I get ready on time to get to school, will my class adjust, can I ever get it organized (it is a wreck!) and how to do I juggle being a mom and wife in it all?
So with that, I say, "Pass the Paxil please."

Post Baby Body

Ugh. That is what I say most days I look in the mirror after having Abbie. I look at all my cute clothes that I can't wear so I turn to my maternity that won't stay up. I know after having a baby that it takes time for weight to come off, but I didn't think it would bother me as much as it does. I knew it would take time but it's that vicious cycle you get in. I have not broke down yet to buy my "fat" clothes because I just refuse to spend money on a size I don't want to be in. I know, I know. I am just being silly and need to just do it. My thought process is if I don't buy clothes then I have to fit in what I have so that must mean motivation. Being a mom is hard because you have to take your eyes off yourself--you have a little one that needs you for everything. At this stage in my life, it is not about me (and it never should be). It's about Abbie. Why is it hard, for those who struggle with weight, to know it in our head but can't get it to our heart?

Scheduling Savvy

One thing about being the mom of a newborn are the schedules. Crazy as they may be. Abbie is learning her nights and days (thank goodness!). I am trying to get her to eat at 10 at night then 2 and then 6. This will work well if Brian feeds her at 10, I can go to bed early and get some rest before the 2 feeding. It has been hard to get her to do this but I have found that for the past 3-4 days we have both been consistant with the 10. Last night she went from 10 till 3!
Also with schedules is the sacrifice of being home when you need to be. I am trying to be home when Abbie has her awake time to make sure she gets her engergy out to help with sleeping at night. I think it is important to put that over what I feel needs to be done. When she goes to sleep, then we can go out.
Schedules are hard to do and stay with on a consistant basis. I am trying to work at it so that when I return to work, all will be well. Speaking of the little bundle of joy, she is awake. With that, we play!

Sensorship

There are many great things about a blog. You can rant and rave about anything you want. It gets if off your chest in hope that others will read about it and if not, oh well. You can just write about your ho-hum life and all the things that don't happen but you sit around dreaming about. You can write about profound things that you find complicated or theories you would like to test. There is pretty much nothing off limits. Except one I can think of (and a few others). Family. When you want to vent or rant about the family, a blog is not the place. In no way am I saying that I have something to rant about, but if I did, the blog could get you in big trouble. There are some things going on within the family that I don't get but better not write about them. I have opinions about them but the blog is not the place. So to all the bloggers, be careful what you write about and who you write about. You never know who is reading...

ps. this is NOT about Brian

Intro

I would like to introduce you to some new sites you might want to check out.
First out of the gate is Holly. She is a dear sweet friends who entertains ALL my questions with a smile. She has the cutest boy, Holden, who has a head full of hair. Seriously, baby hair model. Her husband is a rootin' tootin' cop in the metroplex. His name is Branden. Finally, we have Robin, the stay at home mom. Her two daughters are too cute and Robin is a wonderful friend as well. Check out their blogs. You might learn something.

Uptown

Today I went to our Fellowship campus at Uptown in Dallas. Very nice area. It made me think, how nice to live here...probably way too expensive. Our friends, the Storch's, now attend regularly. Terry is the campus pastor there and it was kind of weird to see him on stage. Completely different from what I've seen him do before. The Storch's have become great friends of ours and I am glad that things are going great for them, especially Terry in this new area of ministry. Brian goes in at 3 am. Yes, AM. He rides in with a friend to go set up everything. Volunteers help set up the stage, signs, childrens area, hospitality...and on and on. They even tear it down when the day is done. They do this week after week. Why? To reach the people in this area to bring them to God. It's all for his glory. God bless these volunteers and their talents. After all, God's word does NOT come back to him empty.

Oktoberfest...in September?

Today the fam piled into the Escape and headed to Addison for Oktoberfest. We made a pit stop for lunch at Freebirds (corner of Beltline and Dallas Tollway)..Chipotle on steroids. It was very yummy. The queso is highly recommended. You should go.
I was, however, disappointed in Oktoberfest. First off, it's September. Secondly, a k in October? There was not that much to do and it was very hot. I think that $5 a person to get in is not a deal. I suppose though if you are into carnival type rides and enjoy midway games, you might like it better. As for us, we won't be going back. Denton Jazz and Arts Festival is much better!

Going Back

I go to my school on Thursdays to read to my kiddos to help them transition a bit better. Plus it lets me see what I am in store for! I am torn about going back. Part of me wants to and part of me doesn't. If I could take Abbie with me it would make things much easier. It will be a new world where laundry, cleaning, and dinners may not be done on time any more. Where sleep will be harder to come by seeing I can't sleep in till 8 any more. It will be a balancing act of wife, mother, and teacher. In these last few days of being home, I hope for Abbie to sleep longer periods at night and for me to be OK with working again. God has always been faithful to my prayers and I know he will be faithful in preparing me for the "big day."

Fired Up

I am so fired up right now. After reading a comment from a reader it makes me say this: People need to mind their own business and if they don't have something nice to say, then they don't need to say it. I know it's been said before but it rings so true. I would not dog someone elses husband and call them a jerk unless I knew them personally and have seen it happen first hand. With that said, to my anonymous writer who is hiding behind question marks: it is obvious you don't know Brian and have never met him. If you had, you would know you are completely wrong!!

To tell or not to tell..that is the real question

As you saw, Brian worked from home yesterday. He made fun of me that I had it so "rough." I think he is just jealous! Well, I told him I have become addicted to a piece of trash: The Young and the Restless. Yes, I admit it, I am captivated by all the people being rich, successful, skinny, good-looking...please. Like the world is really that way.
Any way, I had to play catch-up on TIVO before I could watch my next show. Brian even asked me some questions about it. Now, should I mention that or not? Should I mention that he was trying to figure who was who and who was doing what? Should I mention that his new favorite character on the show is Sharon? Should I also mention that he would guess who was who? Probably not.
Oh well, that can be our little secret. Who knows, I might get him addicted too!

Work From Home

I am quite jealous and excited that Brian is working from home today. Nice, he works from home and gets paid and jealous he works from home and gets paid. I understand I am getting paid right now, but not working and my days are fleeing quickly.
I think since there is satellite capabilities that I should have a camera set up at home and a TV in the class and teach from home. I know for sure that teachers wouldn't be quitting as quickly then! Afterall, you would only have to have the top half ready. :)

Weary Walkers

We tried out our new Angelcare Movement Sensor. I enjoyed it, Brian is on the line. We put her down on her tummy in hopes of a peaceful night sleep until Brian comes in at 11 with Abbie not wanting to go to bed. So I rocked her till 11:30 and off we went to dreamland. That is until almost 3 and the alarm went off. Talk about us moving quickly in a dead sleep in hopes that all is well. Our little tot was sleeping peacefully and had just inched her way off the pad. Then she woke up when we tried to move her.
The alarm went off again during the night, again to her moving. Seriously, how does she do it?
It was great, other than our inchworm. She now thinks 6am is wake up time. Oy!
So, with that, I went ahead and got up and painted our bedroom....all day! I am afraid she slept too long today but hope to recover nicely with a night's rest...I need it after today!

SIDS??

There is a lot of talk about SIDS so the campaign, "Back to Sleep" was put into motion to keep babies on their backs when they sleep. If you don't do the back then you need to do their side. With all the discussion of SIDS and having a baby, it will scare you to death so you fear letting your little one sleep on their tummy till they can roll over.
Abbie sleeps great on her tummy. We do it during the day in her pack and play and keep a close eye on her. Last night she ate at 11, 12:30 and didn't go back to bed till 2, up at 3 for a bit and fell back to sleep, up at 3:30, back down at 4 then up at 6:30. I don't know about most of you, but that schedule does NOT work for me.
So, I head to the store today to buy a gadget. You put them to sleep on their tummy and if they stop breathing, an alarm sounds. (Now, if the alarm sounds, I am not sure what to do then...). It is called Angelcare Movement Sensor. Tonight, Abbie will sleep...on her tummy! I will let you know how that one works for us.

Why

Today we went with our hometeam to church..well, same time. It was quite nice to have everyone together. Most have kids and the thought came up...how come when a mom holds a baby and it cries it's ok. But when a dad holds the baby and it cries they get asked, "What did you do to it?" Just a thought.

Saturday Fun

Today we spent the day enjoying whatever. We began with breakfast at La Madeline to fun joy rides on the new George Bush Turnpike followed by a spending spree at Costco. Now that place can get you in trouble. If it looks good, we put it in the basket.
On our way home, Brian commented how tired he was carrying Abbie with us. Yes dear, it is tiring.

Bind and Conquer

For mom’s who are out there that might find their way to this site, here is some info you mind find useful. (Guys, not so much)

I have decided to let the nursing thing go. If you are from Le Leche, let your comments move along because I have made my choice and stand by it. In books you read they say don’t feel guilty about this and I always thought, what is there to feel guilty about? Well, once I made my choice, the guilt did come. I can’t explain it. You feel like you’ve given up, don’t care, didn’t do it long enough...etc. The thoughts can be overbearing. I have prayed for God’s peace to cover me and he has granted that peace to lay upon me. I went for 6 weeks and have a freezer full so she will continue to get some breast milk for the next couple of weeks mixed with formula.

If you are thinking about quitting, my doctor said at this point, they no longer receive anything that will help them combat illnesses etc. That made me feel better. In the beginning (first few days of life) is where they get their antibodies.

So, how to do it? Some wean themselves. Me? Bind and conquer. Put some cabbage on (change when wilted), wrap yourself in an ace bandage tightly (but still breathing), pop a couple of Tylenol and hold on! It really hasn’t been too bad. Discomfort? Yes. Give it 24-48 hours (so they say) and you should be a new woman…hopefully!

You Know You're a Mom When...

I spent my day with various forms of foreign objects on me. It began when the dog got sick in the house and I found it and then turned my head to find my daughter in her swing had gone to the bathroom...up the front of her diaper and out...and I do mean out!
I didn't really know how to clean her up other than use 50 wipes halfway for fear of touching "it." What an effort to get her clothes off without it getting smeared across her face followed by holding her out away from me naked walking to the kitchen (praying she won't pee) and being bathed. I then proceeded to clean up the dog mess.
One thing that is most helpful...the steamcleaner. I have the Little Green made by Bissell and it helps tons!
The day continued with spit up on the clothes and the no-need-to-change-it-it'll-happen-later mindset.
And you know when you're a mom and none of this bothers you.

Sleep Tight

Sleep tight no longer exists for me with a newborn at home. How precious sleep was. I begin to wonder if it will ever come back to me. I get jealous and sometimes even frustrated when I go take care of our little girl and he is snoring away. He has even turned off the monitor before while I was making a bottle because he could still hear her crying.
Gone are the days of 8 hours in a row and late Saturday mornings. Gone are the naps at any time you please.
I hear it does come back...but when?