I can't tell you how much we needed a long weekend!!!! It really came at a good time, but as you know, they are never really long enough. I was definitely not looking forward to going back to the J-O-B today.
We did fit a ton into the three days we were off. Yara's first birthday party was Saturday. It was such a cute party!!! Roxanne is going to send me a few pictures, so I will share them when I get them. I just can't believe that Yara is one....that means Madison's birthday is just around the corner. WHEW - hard to believe.
After the party, we headed to Beaumont, where we were totally spoiled by both Devin, who grilled for us Saturday night, and my mom and Luke, who BBQ'd for us Sunday! Everything was SO delicious...and definitely a nice change from my regular diet of Kellogg's Red Berries.
When I have gone in to pick up Madison the past couple of days in the new classroom, I have felt a little overwhelmed and haven't been able to stay focused on just one thing because all of her new friends are much more active than her friends in the infant class!! :) Because of this, I hadn't had much time to talk to her new teachers. This morning I was able to talk more with the morning teacher, so I have a better feel now for what will change for Madison...and for us.
Though a little scary for me and Dylan at first, --- ok, probably more me than anyone else - Dylan is a little more realistic --- I think the new classroom is going to be really good for her. The Tod I class is much more structured - nap time, meal time, play time, story time, their little art session and other activies all happen pretty much at the same time each day and each baby is worked into the same schedule. Madison has already fit into the schedule. She is napping at the same time the other babies are and we have been told she is adjusting great and enjoys all of her new friends. Yara is in the Tod I class, so Madison has an old friend there to show her the way too. :)
Dylan got a new truck...a four door F-150 4x4 FX4 (or something like that...) . It is really nice and I think it is exactly what he has been wanting for a long time. His last truck was most of what he wanted...now he got it all! Leather interior, great sound system, four doors - so a full back seat, etc.
Madison graduated from the infant classroom and is transitioning into "Tod I" this week. Last Friday was a sad day for me (her last day in the infant room) - I don't know what was wrong with me, but I teared up in the car on the way to work!! We brought her teachers breakfast to thank them again for everything they have done for Madison and our family. I wish they could just follow Madison to the next classroom. The good thing is, the new classroom is just across the hall and Ms. Rosie checks on the babies every once in awhile and sometimes gets to fill in when a teacher is absent. They are also there to answer any questions the new teacher might have about Madison.
Yesterday when Dylan and I picked Madison up, she looked a bit confused. :( They said she did great in the new room and enjoyed playing with Yara though. We peeked in to say bye to Ms. Rosie and Madison reached out for her like she missed seeing her. I think she will adjust quickly and I'm sure we will like her new teachers too just as much. It is definitely going to take some time for me to adjust to the change.
We woke up early Saturday morning to a very unhappy little girl. She had a low grade fever and had the most pitiful cry ever. She was very sleepy Friday night and didn't want her bottle, nor did she want one when she woke up in the night (and she usually does), so I had the feeling something wasn't right. At about 6 a.m. on Saturday she again refused to take a bottle and was pretty much inconsolable. Thank goodness for Saturday clinic! We found out that her right ear is infected again so she's back on the yucky antibiotics that she hates and we dread giving her. She has her appetite back though and is feeling much better. I think we caught it fairly early.
A couple of days ago I had the biggest scare ever - I thought I lost my wedding ring!
While in the car, I took my ring off to put lotion on and apparently set it in my lap (which I did not remember doing when I got out of the car to pump gas). After I had dropped Madison off, I noticed that my rings weren't on my finger anymore and started wondering if I took them off at home or in the car or what?! That goes to show you how tired I was that morning. I first thought they may have fallen out of the car when I got out to take Madison into daycare, because at that moment, I remembered hearing something hit the ground when I opened the door, but didn't think much about it when it happened. (If you saw how dirty my car is right now, you would understand the lack of concern).
SO, to make a long story short, I called the daycare and they couldn't find it in the parking lot, it wasn't in Madison's bag, her crib, etc. I went home over my lunch break - not there. Then I started really getting worried. I had a million thoughts running through my head (such as the only thing I had going for me at that point was the fact that it is insured, but we would have to make a new ring special somehow -- renew our vows??).
I decided I had better go to each place I went that morning and look myself, so I first went to the gas station and pulled up to the pump I was at (4 hour earlier). There was a lady pumping gas at the same pump, but I looked on the ground and there was my ring!!!!!!!!!!!! I jumped out of my car and picked up my ring and practically told everyone in the parking lot what just happened. The lady pumping gas at the pump was amazed that she hadn't seen it - it was right in front of her! I spotted my wedding band under the lady's car, a little ways away from my engagement ring.
I could not believe that I actually found my rings lying in a gas station parking lot 4 HOURS LATER!!!!!!!! They are a tiny bit scuffed up, but that is about it, and the scuffs can be buffed out. Can you imagine?!?!?! Unbelievable.
I know lots of you have wonderful husbands too, but to me, Dylan is the most wonderful husband. :)
I hurt may back somehow over the weekend so I have been pretty miserable in the evenings and throughout the night. I have hurt my back this bad before, in the same spot, and I had hoped it wouldn't happen again!
Anyway, I have been taking Ibuprofen around the clock and Dylan has been running out to get me icy-hot and heating pad thingys and the waiting-on-me-hand-and-foot has continued from Mother's Day.
THEN, last night I fell asleep on the couch at about 8:30 during Idol. Dylan was going to do the dishes because I did the nighttime routine with Madison, but when I woke up this morning, I found that Dylan went on a cleaning spree while I was asleep! It was so nice to leave a clean house this morning and not dread coming home to a mess. Not to mention that he has been doing laundry all week too and I despise laundry!!!!!
The Thursday before Mother's Day, I got a beautiful flower arrangement at work from Dylan's parents and Devin. I was really surprised - I didn't expect a thing! It was a very sweet and thoughtful gift.
I had told Dylan I didn't need a gift and that all I wanted was to spend the day with him and Madison and to take it easy. Ok, I did say a little pampering wouldn't hurt. ;)
As a side note, I do sometimes wonder if it is weird that I don't get excited about "holidays" like Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. I do enjoy giving gifts to others on these days, especially when I can make or do something creative or sentimental for someone else, but when it comes to me, I just don't feel like I want or need anything. On top of that, if someone does get me something or does a lot for me, I end up feeling guilty or regretting that they spent their money on me.
Dylan declared the day my day though and said we were going to spend the day doing whatever I wanted to do. Rather than going crazy on a shopping spree, or jumping on a plane to some exotic island, I opted for down time with the two of them. We woke up early and went out for breakfast and then browsed a couple of car lots just for fun on the way home. I got an hour massage, took a nap, and then finished up my art work. Finally, my mom and Luke stopped by our house for a bit Sunday evening after having brunch with Luke's mom in Houston. We went to bed early and that was that! It was the perfect day.
We spent this past weekend at home. Hard to believe, huh? It was a very nice weekend though. Dylan was back home after being out of state for work the whole week and we didn't have anything planned but to relax. That is just what we did. Yara got to come over and "swim" with Madison for an hour or so while Roxanne and Jason worked at their little boy's school carnival. Madison usually loves the pool, but I think she was getting sleepy and/or hungry, so didn't enjoy it as much as she usually does. Yara on the other hand, loved it and at one point, crawled back in herself after I had taken them out! :)
Dylan painted the last wall in the living room (for those of you who have seen our living room, now only the wall with the fireplace is burnt orange, the rest of the walls are the khaki color we have in other rooms throughout the house - the orange was beginning to overwhelm us). While Dylan painted, Madison and I did some art work. I have been meaning to paint something for our living room, but hadn't gotten around to it. I got on a roll this weekend though and ended up doing more than I had anticipated.
Well, now that we are already about 2 weeks away from the 10 month mark, I've got some time to post about Madison's 9 month well exam and all the new things she is doing!
She is doing great. Nothing major to report from her 9 month appt. except that she was slightly anemic due to the fact that breast milk doesn't provide enough iron, so she now gets vitamins once a day and is also drinking mostly formula these days, so should be where she needs to be in no time.
She weighed 18 lbs exactly, was 27 1/2 inches long, and her head circumference is 17". She is in the 50th percentile for height, 46th for weight and 25th for head circumference. I was a little worried about the head circumference at first, but found that it is growing (was 16" at 6 months) so that is all that matters. She's just a little bit with a little head. I have a small head too. :)
According to her height and weight figures, she didn't grow much in the last 3 months, but I think we just missed the growth spurt by a week or so because we're pretty sure she is going through one right now!
She has begun pointing her finger at everything. It is so cute! She also tries to stick her finger in mine or Dylan's mouth. I think this is because I will do the same to her to see if she has gotten any teeth yet. That kind of got her into some trouble last week though. :( She apparently tried it out on another baby and that baby decided to bite that finger. :( When I found out what happened, I felt so bad for her and then started feeling very protective of Madison. I had to reason with myself because it was just a baby that did it!!! I called Dylan in AL to tell him all about it and he helped bring me back to reality. :)
Anyway, you couldn't even tell she got bit. It didn't break the skin, it wasn't red or anything. I wouldn't have known if they hadn't told me.
I expect that we may be on the other side of this type of thing one day...if Madison bites another kid. I sure hope not though!
On a lighter note, Madison can stand alone!!! For a few seconds... She also tries to take a step while standing and that is usually when she topples over. She has been practicing with a walker at school and now at home too and loves it! She thinks it is funny when we stand her up and then let her go. It is like she is surprised every time that she is able to balance herself.
The weekend after our Nebraska trip, Dylan, Madison and I headed to Fredericksburg, Texas to Krissy and Stewart's wedding. We had never been to Fredericksburg, but I have always wanted to go. I had heard nothing but great things about Fredericksburg, and it met every expectation I had.
Dylan was in the wedding, so we left around 11 a.m. on Friday, to make it there for rehearsal and rehearsal dinner that evening. Rehearsal dinner was wonderful - it was at the nicest restaurant in Fredericksburg, the food was wonderful, and we had such a great time catching up with friends.
On Saturday, we had the first part of the day to wander around Fredericksburg, so we were up and out of the room early. Our hotel was right on the main street, so we put Madison in the stroller and headed down towards the shops, without having to even get in the car. As I said, we were up early! Many of the stores weren't open yet and our summer clothes were not warm enough either - the wind was vicious!! Luckily, we had Madison's blanket with us, so she was nice and cozy in the stroller. I, on the other hand, had on a tank top, a skirt, and goosebumps.
I warmed up with some coffee and it wasn't long before it started warming up outside. By the end of our walk, we were toasty.
Anyway, we had lunch in one of the little cafe's and found a light fixture for our house that we had been looking all over Houston for, so were super excited!
The wedding was absolutely beautiful. Everything about it. The location...the decor... And Krissy looked gorgeous!!! We really had such a great weekend. Madison was such a trooper. She loved all the excitement and I'm pretty sure she captured a couple of hearts. One of our friends, whose name I won't say (goes by Koshkin ;o)) and then a little blonde cutie who just walked right over to her while she was laying in her carseat and started petting her head and face!! It was adorable!
Here are some pictures from the weekend. I wish we had more from the wedding, as these really don't do it justice.
My mom has been saying for weeks that we needed to cut Madison's hair, but Dylan was adamant about not touching it. Part of me was a little hesitant to cut off her baby hair too, but at the same time, it was beginning to look pretty funny!
While in Nebraska, Madison's Nana suggested that we get it cut. Though I was pretty sure Dylan was just playing devil's advocate, I was still concerned about his feelings and didn't want to go behind his back and do something he didn't agree to. Sherry didn't think he would really mind and promised to protect me if he did ;o), so we did it!!!
Dylan went hunting with his grandpa and dad, and Sherry, Karen and I took Madison to Lollipops Cuts for her first haircut.
Afterwards, Sherry and I bet on whether or not Dylan would notice. I said he would notice right away and Sherry thought he wouldn't at all.
When they got home, Dylan walked in, looked at Madison, and said (in a playful tone), "Did you get a haircut???" I couldn't keep a straight face, so I didn't look in his direction!
Dylan didn't mind a bit. He was just fine with it. He agreed it was becoming more of a playful battle between the two of us than anything else and he thought she looked cute. I think she looks so much more grown up! I have a picture at home of us at Lollipops that I will scan and post later, but until then, here are a couple of pictures I took of her with her new haircut, in a new outfit ready for her first day back at school after our trip.
I forgot to mention another great thing about our trip to Nebraska.
I'm sure you know how it is to have a favorite restaurant (or several, in my case) that you have to move away from and how deeply saddened you are by that. So, I made a list of the restaurants we had to eat at while in Lincoln.
Old Chicago - where I waited tables in college - YUM!
Famous Dave's - the BEST cajun chicken sandwich you will ever eat!!! Why they don't have a Famous Dave's in Houston, I'll never know.
Valentino's Pizza - super YUM! You have never had pizza like Valentino's, I promise.
I am happy to announce that we were successful at visiting each place ...and probably at gaining a few pounds too.
Two weekends ago, Madison, Dylan, Sherry and I flew to Nebraska to see Grandpa and Grandma Hogue, Aunt Karen, Uncle Kurt, Ethan and Logan, and Mindy. Ron had flown in a couple of days before us, so was already there. It had been over 2 years since we saw some of them and longer for others and was the first time they all got to meet Madison, so we were really excited! She had a ball with everyone. She was thoroughly entertained the entire time, as were the rest of us - she was often playing in the middle of the floor while everyone sat around her and just watched to see what she would do next. :)
The guys did a lot of hunting, so Sherry, Madison and I got to do a lot of relaxing! It was a very laid back trip, which I really needed.
I absolutely loved having several days in a row home with Madison without a ton of things to do. I got to just sit around and play with her and not feel like the house needed to be cleaned or errands needed to be run, etc. A wonderful but almost sad thing to think about is that I almost felt like I got to know Madison even more than I did before the trip. I hate to think that is even possible, but it seemed like she just did so many things over the weekend that I had not seen her do before. I want to say that it is probably because she is doing something new every single day and in fact, that what I was seeing for the first time really was new...I hope that is the case.
Anyway, I went through Madi withdrawals when I had to go back to work after our trip. It took me a bit to get back into the swing of things. I was definitely getting used to that time with her.
We can't thank Grandpa and Grandma enough for having us. It was so great to spend that time with you all.
Madison and I went swimming with Melissa and her kiddos the last weekend Dylan was out of town. (That last part was a bummer). She really enjoyed being in the water and I was SO happy to get some sun. Overall, it was a success though I may have gotten a little carried away with the sunscreen. I put sunscreen on Madison 30 minutes before we left and then at least 4 times while we were out there (about an hour total time, I think). I'm pretty sure Melissa was ready to call the looney bin on me when I put a big glob of sunscreen in my hands and rubbed it in Madison's hair, trying to get it on her scalp. She wouldn't wear her hat though and I didn't want her scalp to burn!!! Her hair was a little greasy the next day even after washing it good. oops. ;o)
She fell asleep on the way to the pool and she really needed a nap, so we attempted to create an umbrella with a float.
Just woke up and not sure what she thinks about all the roucus in the pool.
Right before Madison pulled off her hat (again) and I decided to fix the problem with sunscreen.
