Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was nice. I got the whole week of plus today. I had vacation to use so I took off a lot of time! We went to my dad's house and spent Wed - Sun.

Gage is saying a lot of words now. He tries to say most words we ask him to say. It's cute. He has been really clingly lately. I just kind of deal with it as it goes.

Anyway, here are a few pictures from Thanksgiving:

Long time no blog...

Gage has a few more teeth. He is up to 5 with 2 more coming in. Speaking of teeth, I had my wisdom teeth taken out on Friday. I was out, but I am still in a lot of pain. I ended up getting dry socket. Pain killers are my friend right now.

Gage has a 103 almost 104 fever today. SCARY! I stayed home because of my swollen mouth so I could get him from daycare. He is better now. His fever broke after a some motrin.

He is starting to talk now. He says 5 - 6 words and learned how to blow kisses yesterday. He has also become very cuddly too. He sleeps all night in his own bed now. I guess he night weaned himself. Sad.

Well I have a horrible headache. I'm going to bed.

Working on a Saturday?

I'm at work today. It's the end of the quarter I am here to *assist* on anything that needs assistance. It sucks.

I think I'm going to go shopping or something after. I've been cooped up in the house everynight for the last 3 weeks.

In some good news, AJ was able to get payment for fixing a ladies computer in 2 Southwest Airlines tickets. So I think we are going to take the honeymoon we never got to and go take a long weekend in Vegas. I'm exciting about that!!!

Gage finally has his top two teeth, the left one is almost in, and the right is pushing through. He looks so different with teeth. LOL.

I'm on Vacation, Thank the Lord

I've been on vacation since 11 am yesterday! Woohoo!

What I did today:

-Wake up, but pretend to be asleep so Gage would stay asleep a little bit longer.

-Get up, look at laundry on the floor that's been there for 2 days. Tell AJ I'll do it later, like I've said the past 2 days.

-Send Gage to the sitters, I have to pay her anyways, might as well send him.

-Clean up living room, kitchen and Gage's room.

-Get a text from a friend and meet her for lunch.

-Go home, eat rest of meal.

-Laugh at 4 pm because I just got paid for doing nothing!

I did got to the square and look at some cute boutiques. I found a jacket, but my boobs, being large and still quite in charge, didn't like this adorable pea coat I found. Oh I wanted it so badly, and it was only $65 half of what I would pay at the gap. I was wearing a short sleeve and it fit okay with that, but what if I am wearing a long sleeve or a heavier shirt? It probably wouldn't fit. So I'm going to hold out and see if I cant find my dream Pea coat I've been craving for like 5 years on Monday.

I plan on taking Gage to see my mom's school on Tuesday. I know she'll like that.

I got him some new shoes, actually 2 pair. A pair of short converse in black, and a pair of Nike shox. They were both on sale and FAREAKINGGGG adorable!

I love having Monday's off. All my life Sunday meant going back to school and/or work. I think that is why I never wanted to go to church after I had to choice to choose. It made me think of returning to the week.

Anywho. I'm tired, and sick. I'm going to bed.

I beginning to wonder if this journal just another lost page on the interetz. Where I post and then it gets lost in the world wide web.

Happy Birthday Gage

Well today is Gage's birthday. One year since I gave birth to my baby boy.

It one hour he'll be one year old. OMGosh! Time sure flies.

His stats:

Height: 31 3/4 (95%)

Weight: 25.4 (90%)

Head: 49 cm (100%)

My kid has a big melon.

And a nice picture from today:

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the big day! I wasn't going to post today and wait for tomorrow, but I decided to anyways.

Gage will be one year old!

He has his one year check up is in the morning. I'm a mean mommy, right?

I guess I will post a picture of him tomorrow and give his stats. These are my guesses:

Height/Length: 32 inches
Weight: 27lbs (3x his birth weight)

So we'll see how close I am tomorrow.

Gage has another tooth that popped through. The tooth on the left side next to the front tooth. The actual front two teeth are swollen and white so they should pop through this week. So maybe by this weekend he'll have 5 teeth!

His last tooth came in a 10.5 months so it's about time he get another one!

I also want to saw how much I appreciate AJ and all he does for Gage. He is really a good dad. He is there for Gage and helps me out a lot. We both have our own duties but really most of them are equal. I couldn't imagine doing this alone. However, he does need to start playing ball with him, some boy stuff, Gage picked up my purse and carried it around on his arm like me. I got some vdieo of it and I need to post it too youtube. Quite funny. And he would walk up to the oven and laugh and look at himself.

He has also gotten a huge attachment to a blanket of his. I call himn Lioness now. LOL. He drags it all around just like Lioness.

My FIL said "So you made it to a year of BF." I said "Sure did, and have no plans on stoppipng."
He just smiled.

I wondered how his family was going to take it. He seemed to not care. I've been lucky so far that no one has given me crap for continueing to BF. I wonder what the dr is going to say at Gage's one year check up on Thursday.

I still can believe he is going to a year old! I just love him to peices. He has truly been a dream of a baby.

Car Wreck

AJ just bought a car in April. We got hit on Saturday. It was our date night, which we haven't been on since June, and we were turning left into the turn lane and a car came up from the middle and sideswiped us. The cops never came but they did have insurance and we exchanged.

AJ is a lot more upset than I expected. He is pretty bummed about his car and having to possible pay the $500 deductable.

I rented Big Love this weekend. I watched Episodes 1 - 5. I started 6 but didn't finished. I like the show a lot. I will be anxious for the season running right now to come on DVD.

I've put 5lbs back on. I was eating like total crap. I've packed my lunches for the week so I hope to take this off by next weekend. Cross my fingers.

Gage's birthday is fast aproaching. I am excited for his party. I hope everything turns out okay. We also need to make plans for taking pictures. We'll probably do the family shots just like we did for his 1 months pictures.

That little terd didn't go to bed until 8:30 last night. I was so irritated. He usually goes to bed by 6 - 6:30. I had to have AJ put him in bed to cry it out some (he only cried for a minute) and fell to sleep. I do not believe in CIO, but I knew that if he did cry it wouldn't be long because I knew he was so tired. He slept in his crib until 1:30 am and then didn't wake up until 6:30am.

Guess that's all. Have a nice week blogger.

Monday Already

Suck suck suck.

I feel like shit today. Pardon my french, but in stomach hurts so bad. It's not even funny. I can deal with it. It feels like Gas is trapped and it's making noises and such.

I did training last week at our main facility. There was a lady that just got on my last nerve, and the test I took I lost points for stupid reasons. I do international and they domestic, so I lost points because I didn't put what SHE wanted. Whatever.

Gage is doing better at the sitters. AJ said he didn't cry when he dropped him off and he actually slept 1 hr and 15 mins on Friday! He still gets very upset when I leave for work. Eh, that suck big time.

We picked my mom up from the airport on Saturday night and thought he was hot stuff walking around with all the space to roam. It was adorable.

I've thought about if I am going to be able to stop pumping once Gage turns a year. I have NO intentions on him weaning before 2 but he has become very reliant on his nursings on the weekends. He wont eat food much for me, and only wants his *num nums*. I'm down to only pumping once a day, but I just don't know if I can cut this one out. I am almost engorged right now and it's only noon.

I really wish I could go home. I am really hurting. Eh, I can't though.

Work has been pretty slow...thankfully! I like when it's quiet and I don't have a million emails to answer.

My SIL did my hair this weekend. It looks great. I haven't had it foiled since I left Tulsa (5 years ago) because it is too expensive here. But I'm so excited she did it! She trimmed it for me too.

Gage is not liking being dropped off at the new sitters. He does good after a while though. I really like her. I feel really comfortable with him being there.

He has started pointing a lot. It's cute. He'll point at the ceiling and daddy. We went to Best Buy this weekend. I let him walk around and he thought he was the bees knees. He smilled and gigled and gasped with glee. He loves walking around and roaming free.

We had a good weekend. Though Gage nursed a lot. I don't mind, I still love the wonderful bond.

AJ burned some food last night. He thought our cat, Hailey, was in the bedroom with me. Well she wasn't. I woke up at 2am with the doors open and Hailey missing. We checked the garage and she wasn't there. I walked out the front door and at the bottom of the hill of our house she was sitting there. I could see her ears. Luckily, AJ called her and she came running in. This has happened 2ce before and each time we have been lucky enough to find her.

11 months old

Gagie is 11 months old today. Time is sure flying!

His bday party is one month and two days away. Most should be getting the invitations today.

We watched a lot of movies this weekend. Beerfest (funny but okay) The Devil Wears Prada (loved it) and Premanition (Loved it).

Everyone is out of town so we went and bugged BIL and his wife. They love Gage though. He did pretty good at their house. They have a cocker spaniel and they warmed up to each other.

I've been eating like a horse lately. I've been so hungry. Gage has been nursing a lot more at night so maybe that is why.

Gage is at the new sitter today. I felt better dropping him off, but still I am nervous. I hope he does okay. :D

Randomness of a Tuesday

I still can't believe I am planning Gagie's First Birthday Party! This is the stuff I bought for the party: http://www.birthdayinabox.com//lobby.asp-page-theme-dept_id-254-cat_id-7

I saw it online and almost bought it, but it was more than I wanted to pay. I went one of the local party supply stores and they had all of this in stock! I was was very excited. We rented a clubhouse in my mom's neighborhood and I am send the invitations out this week!

I finally found shoes that Gage will walk in. They were expensive, but I had him walk in them before we bought them. http://www.reef.com/productdetail/kids+boys/footwear/sandals/2313
I got the all black ones. They are so freakin' cute on him.

I saw my dad and uncle this last weekend too. They had a layover in Dallas and we met up with them.

I took yesterday off work. It was nice. My mom and I did the party planning and Gage was a real trooper.

He starts at the new sitter next week and I am really starting to freak out. I just want him to be good and that he wont be too much trouble. He's never been watched my anyone but family.

He has started pinching too. I don't think out of meaness or anything. I have little scratches on my boobs from his little fingers pinching while he nurses.

He got his second tooth last week too!!! He sorta bit me last night. Nothing really bad though.

Guess I should get back to work.

Been Away

Still here.

Gage is fully walking now. I knew he would walker sooner than later, mother's intuiation I guess. He hates shoes though. Will take them off before I can get him to walk in them.

My mom is watching him until next week. She loves it. They get along great. He eats all sorts of food. He loves cherries, bananas, cherrios, avacados, broccoli, carrots, peaches, prunes, corn, egg yoke, etc. He has learned to sign "More" and says mama, and no. LOL. He jibber jabbers all day long too.

It's been so nice not having to see my MIL every day.

AJ is working a lot. We have really great weekends and then he is gone until late at night. Kinda Sucks.

And he Walks!

He started getting his balance a few weeks ago, and how he walks a lot more and a lot longer!

Gage's Check Up

He weighs 24.4 lbs

He is 30 3/4 inches long (2.5 feed)

He head is 48 cm.

They had to measure his head 4 times. It was measuring 48 1/2 at first and that is off the charges. But it's okay.

The doctor was surprized Gage was wanting to walk. most babies his size don't try.

That was that.

I guess it has been a while.

It's been a couple weeks since I have updated. I still read all my fav blogs, I just haven't been in the blogging mood.

Gage is almost walking. He walks assisted with one hand. He still likes to crawl really fast. He got his first tooth yesterday. Very exciting! He goes for his 9 month check up (3 weeks late, he will be 10 months old on the 23rd) so I we'll see how much he weighs.

He still loves his *nummies* . Which when ever I ask if he wants some nummies he gets all excited.

AJ just got a listing for a $700,000 house. Which is very exciting for him. Hopefully they can sell it in the next couple months. That should lead to a lot more openings with larger homes. He does mostly leases still. But they are good quick money!

My job is getting busier but I still love it. They just changed us to Salaried Non-Expempt. Which means the STD is 100%, maybe I should have another baby? LOL.

My mom is going to start watching Gage June 25 and we go to the new sitter on July 23rd. I need to set up a few play dates for him to go over there. I have a good feeling about here.
I am so tired of my MIL. She just does what she pleases with out ever consulting me. UGH. Hopefully AJ can get the business rolling better and I can get my one CC paid off and I can stay home. :D

Okay, bye!

Blogging Funk

I haven't really been in the mood to blog lately.

I think only a few people read this anyways. So it's not like I'm letting down the masses if I don't post. :P

Everything is good with us though. Gage is *walking* with a push toy and he loves it. AJ's job is going really well, and so is mine.

Bye Bye

Gage now waves bye bye and says "ba ba" for bye bye.

It's very cute.

I tried to get him on video last night, but he was to busy playing.

Which is all he does now. Play play play. He wont even sleep. He just wants to play.

New Car for AJ

AJ got a new car! Finally. He loves it.

It is a '00 Accord EX. It's so nice and pretty. One owner too! We had to do haggling on the price and then the interest rate. Luckily I still have really good credit, but no car credit, so it ended up okay. Good starter price!

His mother of course doesn't understand the resale value of hondas and thought we paid too much. She is just not smart. I shouldn't have gone when we had his dad look at the car.

We found liked the sitter we met with a week ago. But being through the state she gets paid for holidays, HER WEEK vacation in July every year, and sick days. I guess I understand sick day's and MAYBE holidays, but for HER WEEK vacation and I STILL have to pay her, and I have to find another sitter and pay THEM? I don't like that.

Gage is everywhere, still. We got the new playpin and he can play there for about 30-45 mins and decide he wants mommy or daddy.

We went to eat at the place called BJ's for my sister bday on Saturday. It was pretty good. However, the funny part is the waiter thought my mom was deaf. She lost her voice because of the bad rain storm last week. The water got on the schools carpet and made her sick. So she's lost her voice. Well I sign with Gage and he may have seen us signing to my mom, teasing her b/c she lost her voice. Well when we left he signed "Thank you" to her. It was very sweet, but HILARIOUS, because he thought she was deaf. hahahaha.

Very eventful weekend. Car buying is stressful, but AJ has a fantastic car and can impress clients. :D

Aj's First House Closing

AJ closed his first house today. He should get the money next week! I am so exicted for him. Maybe he'll take me to dinner!??!?!? He does owe me from Sunday!

I bought Gage some Robeez knockoff from Walmart. They were pretty cute, cuter than actual robeez I think. I can't wait to put them on him.

I finally put my foot down and AJ is now taking Gagie to his parents in the morning. I was just tired of seeing her EVERY SINGLE DAY, TWICE A DAY! Think of your typical annoying, pestery, overbearing etc MIL!

We have a meeting with a new potential in home sitter tomorrow....and she lives...get this ACROSS THE STREET AND 4 HOUSES DOWN!!! I found her on the states website! She has no violations and she was just audited in March! So cool! We'll see how tomorrows meeting goes!!!!

Nothing to Report

Gage didn't poop for almost a week. That was not fun waiting for him to poop. And finally he did! I was so happy. He didn't act like he needed to, so Idon't know. He was just his happy self.

He was in a GREAT mood last night. Laughing and Smiling. He is so funny and cute. Boy does he loves his daddy. It's so cute how they interact.

He can pull up on his bed now too. He couldn't do that yesterday because is was too tall, now he can. I bought him a play pen type thing. http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_2/602-6801473-6173410?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B00021NX9C I found a link that got me 10% off. And he can use it as a fort later on if he wants too. It is just really difficult to keep my eyes peeled on him ALL the time! And this allows me to still be able to interact with him and know he is safe.

He is EVERYWHERE

Gage is crawling and that boy is EVERYWHERE! I have to keep my eye on him or he'll be in something he shouldn't be. No matter how much I try to make everything safe.

We lowered the bed even more, to its lowest level because I am sure Gage would find a way out of it. He already has been pulling up too. He started pulling up on EVERYTHING this weekend. I can't believe how fast that was!

Boy is that baby happy. He is just always happy. He loves to play and he loves to be held. He is just happy!

In other news it's NASCAR this weekend at Texas Motorspeed Way. I work not far from there and there are already tons of traffic, tents with NASCAR things, lights on all the intersections from here to Denton. I hear it's craziness the Friday before. I will have to decide which way is best for me to get home!

AJ is doing really good with his job. I really hope things go well this summer as we have great plans if they do!!!

I made some avacados for Gage 2 nights ago but he has gone to bed at 7 so I haven't been able to give them to him yet. Hmm, maybe tonight.

Nice Long Weekend and Gage is crawling

We had a nice long weekend. Well IIII had a nice long weekend. AJ had to work Friday and Saturday. I got to spend all weekend with Gage. He was in a fabulous mood all weekend. I just can't believe how blessed I am with such a good baby boy!

He started crawling too!! I am so excited, but nervous. He has been army crawling, but now he is up on all fours and into everything FASTER! I got video of him crawling too. So cute!

Nothing much happened. Except me reazlizing how much my sister is so completely unreliable. I am starting to wonder if this is her husband or what. The past two things she has backed out on is because of him. I told her too. I was pretty upset with her.

I finally finished my birth story. It took me 7 1/2 months, but I think it was worth it. :D

Well back to work I go.

Picture Post

I look stupid, but this is Gage's first shopping cart ride!

My little Gagie sat in a restaurant High Chair for the first time yesterday at Chili's! He loved loved loved it. He was excited and *yelling* at the top of his longs. It was kinda cute, but sort of annoying. No one but a lady who had 4 kids was around us. I said I was sorry for him being so loud and she said "Oh Honey I have four kids, that is not loud to me."
I used the new cover I bought. He sucked on the pillow and the tag thing attached to it. And he also tried sucking on the table a few times. Gross.

think he felt a part of us instead of stuck in a carrier. :D

The waiter said "Does he need anything to drink?" "No he is okay. Thx" "Okay.". Next time around, "I have some crackers or something for him." "No he isn't eating solids yet really. He is only 7 months old." ::shocked face waiter:: "OMG are you serious? He looks at least 11 months!" "Haha, no. He is juts a big baby!".

I took pictures, of coarse. I haven't had time to upload, but I will soon!

Oh and Gage is now the same size as Abby. She is 14 months. She is finally crawling! And pulling up on things. That is how she has lost some weight. She still isn't that cute. I know, I am mean.
AND OMG, smart mouth A* (10 yo neice) decided she was going to tell me how to use a breast pump. SIL said "I think she knows how to use one." I said "I've been pumping for 6 months, 3 times a day, 10 minutes each time, I know how to pump. Last time she told me how to open a child proof meds bottle. I want to wring that little girls neck.

Gage has been rocking back and forth up on all fours this whole weekend. He looks like he is reving his engine. It's cute. I am anticipating him to crawl, but I am not sure what I will do what him once he does start crawling. AHH!

We went to SIL house yesterday for AJ bday. It was nice. No real happenings. I like K* (another SIL, remember husband is #5 of 10), I am not sure I like her kids much. They are way too rough. Eva is pretty aggressive and BIL takes her to see scary movies at the theatre...did I tell you she isn't even 3 yet? Kim gave Will (18 months) root beer. To me that seems kind of young. I really don't want to give Gage anything like that until at least two. And I honestly think that it's not out of the question to want that. I am already going slow with the solids and being strict with that. I don't want to give up because it's easier. I just want Gage to have the best.
I gave Gage some more sweet potatoes. I am going to do it again tonight. I think I'll do that every other night this week. I took some video of it. It was funny. He likes them...doesn't really beg for them...but eats it when I give it to him.

What's been goin' on?

Not much, as usual. My mom has been watching Gagie the past 2 days. He loves her. I can call her during to day and see how he is, which I really can't do with my MIL. She is so awkward to talk to on the phone.

My SIL from Utah is in town. We haven't seen them in a year. I only saw her and not the kids. The kids were at my other SIL's in bed. She is a nice girl though I like her.

Work has been really busy. I am doing someone job who is gone this week. It's really annoying. I cried yesterday because of the women she deals with. They aren't paticularlly mean, they just bug the stinkin' crap about of you. Most the stuff I don't even know what I am doing and put it aside. I've been blessed with an AWESOME boss so that really really helps. She knows what she is doing.

Gagie is starting to rock on all fours. He'll soon be crawling I know it. Abby my SIL 14 month old is not even trying to crawl. I think she scoots like Gage does right now.

I love technology. I bought a shirt last night and wasn't sure how it looked. My friend Michelle was online and I took my picture sent it to her over the IM and had her tell me if it was cute! In a matter of minutes! GREAT! It also helps that I have a husband who loves gagdets.... :D

I guess I should work!

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Anniversery to me

I saw Shady for the fist time since all of her crap went down. I tried everything to avoid talking to her. I was pretty successful. I am just still upset she didn't pay for childcare and I did. I think I should pay it, and am very willing to (I only pay $100/week), but it's not fair that she doesn't.

She still has not given P* his money. She really burned her bridge with him.

AJ's bday is a week from today. I got him a few nice things that should arive in the mail today.
He is being inducted into the Texas Realtors something or the other that day too. I am so excited because my boss said I could go to the luncheon with him.

I think I am going to be anemic the whole time I am breastfeeding. I have to make sure and take my iron everyday. It also doesn't help that I stare at a computer screen everyday.

I have reconnected with an old friend from High School. I love her to death. We have so much in common, and I forgot about that, that it is scary. Her name is Michelle too! However it's spelled different because her father is from Iran. I wont put that spelling, just like AJ's, so it can't be googled.

She has a lot of the same ideals as me. Too bad she is still in Tulsa. bleh.

I almost went to the local LLL meeting, but didn't because Gagie fell asleep to early. I need to find a place that I can donate some of my milk. I have a lot of extra in my freezor since I pump so much more a day than he eats.

I am reading a new book, Nineteen Minutes. I like it so far, though I am only 30 pages in. I just got done reading Sisters. It was good in the middle but ended really stupid and nonclimatic. Hopefully this one will end better.

So irritated

Why would a SAHM not breastfeed, why? why? give me one VALID reason?

I will kill to be a SAHM mom and feed Gage everyday from my breast.

Why would someone want to waste thousands of dollars on crappy in can instead of BFing?

end rant.

Gagie is sitting up and pic of wreck

Gage is sitting up on his own now.



He also loves my sweet potatoes. He wasn't sure about them at first but enjoyed them after a few bites! Yay me!



And picture of the wreck I was almost a part of:

Picky of Gagie

I took this last night. I absolutely adore it...and him too. LOL.

AJ, Gage and I went to the grocery store last night. AJ is so funny cause he will talk baby talk to Gage right there in the store and not care that anyone can hear.

It's cute, because AJ is 6'1", 200lbs bearded, and looks very non-emotional. But in reality is very cuddly and emotional. He is a big teddy bear.

I love my boys!

OMGOMGOMG

I am tooting along on my way to work. I see a truck in the east side (im going south) trying to either go left or across. Then out of nowhere I see the truck HITS a suburban like slow motion on a movie. The suburban goes out of control and coming into my lane. I am quick and swerve around as it passes me on the right.

I am shaking. My first instinct is to make sure the girls in the truck are okay. I then get my phone and call 911. Most of my stuff had shifted, and I find it. OMG OMG OMG. I am shaking horribly. I was almost was car#3 in this.

I gave my name to 911 and the police and my account of what happened. I took a picture of the BRAND NEW F150 all smooshed.

The cars looke like they hit head on. That is where all the damage is.

The truck was a girl who JUST got her license a MONTH ago.

Everyone was okay, just really shaken.

So...nice start to a Friday Morning right? However, it's mexican food day and there are lots of goodies to eat!

Gagie Sounds and other

Sometimes when Gage nurses he makes the cute little signing sounds. It's so sweet. And it's funny when he knows it's bed time and we cuddle up...he dives into my boob and I'm not sure he comes up for air for a good minute or so. LOL.

He also makes these high pitched squeels (sp?), as if to tell you something important.
He chats to himself a lot, or to AJ while I am getting ready.

He also get upset if I don't hold him when I pick him up from Gma's house each day. He will fuss until I hold him, then open his mouth wide and suck on my face in glee to see me, I assume those are his kisses.

He hates getting out of the bath. He LOVES LOVES LOVES the bath. He splashes a lot.
I am very lucky to have a good natured baby. :D

Our Anniversery is coming up on the 17th. I just saw on Blogger header thing about SXSW (south by southwest) in Austin. It's a music thing. We were there in Austin last year when they had. And it was funny because my step-sister Ma, was there for her 21st bday, March 16th.

AJ's 27th bday is on the 22nd. Not sure what I am going to get him. He is so hard to buy for. OMG wait I know. A business card hold with his name on it! Sweet. Now for an anniversery present.

Comparison of Me and Gage

Gage at 5.5 months old

Me at 3-4 months old.

Trip to Tulsa

thiWe went to Tulsa this weekend. It was a good trip. I got to see many people I haven't seen in 4year, 7 years and a 1.5 years! It was GREAT.

I had my bestfriend mad because I couldn't see her. The problem is I ALWAYS see her. I miss seeing these other people because of her! I wasn't going to tell her I was going but my sister told her we were coming. Then J* and her husband don't even end up going. THANKS J*!

We are for sure going to fly next time. That 4 hour trip is NOT fun. We did enjoy it some because AJ got a GPS and it was fun using that. We took 2 different way going up and coming back. Gage was great on the way up, but fussed the way back because he was so tired.

My Step-Sister was in the her school play Oklahoma! too. She did GREAT! She was up for Ado Annie, but they gave to this crappy girl that didn't deserve it. C* is a great singer, she's even been on the local TV station a few times for it. She did have a couple lines though. AJ hated it but he doesn't like plays.

The sereal part was being in the PAC again. I hadn't been there since my freshman year. It was exciting showing AJ the auditoriam I sang at when I was a teeny tiny 6th grader. He was quite impressed!

Anyways...better get to work.

Sister and SIL's

My sister J* and her husband backed out on us for this weekend. Whatever.

I knew she would. She is so flaky sometimes.

AJ's sister has been making some pretty back choices lately. She is kinda shady so well call her that. Where to start.

1. She left her husband for the 3rd time last summer. She moved to a mobile home (huge mistake and is going to cost her $30,000) that they bought in BFE when they first got married. Her never-will-be-ex is an alcoholic, full time student at 37, and already lives with his g/f who Shady sends her kids too and have never met. He was bad desision number one.

2. AJ's family is Mormon. They believe in family and no divorce. However...with him...divorce is eminate. She has yet to file, not because of money but because she is scared she is going to have to pay Loser spousel support....but that doesn't exsist in Texas. He told her since he was on disability (a fake back injury for the past 15 years) she would have to give him like $2000 a month. And SHE BELEIVES HIM!!!!!

3. She is a nurse at night. Her parents (my inlaws) watch her kids for FREE! They take one to school, feed them and the other they watch all day. Even on the weekends. I pay my inlaws $400 a month to watch Gagie for only 8 hours..and she doesn't pay didly squat. How stinking fair is that?

4. She was seeing this guy she met at work...who promted the leaving of Loser. They dated for like 2 months and he asked my FIL for her hand in marriage....mind you SHE IS STILL MARRIED..and they aren't the mormons who believe in being married to more than one person. LOL. She wanted to get an apartment, she didn't have the money and borrowed it from FIL, only thing he said was you can't date G* anymore. She said okay....we found out yesterday she still talks to him and sees him.

5. She said she can't send her 4 year old to day care because she can't afford it, and she can't pay the inlaws because she can't afford it....but she just bought a car with a payment of $380 a month. Her other car was rear ended, but still drivable. Mainly just cosmetic damage...but I might be partial to driving cars like that because I didn't get my A/C fixed in Texas because it cost too much and I called it cosmetic. .

I earned the car I drive now.....I went 4 summers with out A/C in over 100 degree weather in Texas and Oklahoma. She doesn't deserve the car she bought.

She bought a $300 entertainment center, but has no bed for herself. Wanted to buy $200 couch in FAR SOUTH DALLAS COUNTY (2 hours away) but AJ raised hell becuase she could be spending that money on getting a divorce.

Her kids are B-R-A-T-S with a huge capital B. They wine cry and wont eat anything but junk food. I am not kidding. I am not exaggerating in the least. They made her come get Brat#2 because they aren't going to watch him for free. So he was playing alone (4yo), put too much toilet paper in the toiler and clogged it up so bad it was flodding the house. He took towels to get it dry. That didn't do it so he got blanket and comforters to help...all the while she is sleeping in the other room.

Her kids are rude, obnoxious and take toys from Gage because they don't want to share. GAGE is 6 months old....give him a break. Let him play with your toy. GEEEZZZZ.

I could go on an on. I left InLaws this morning and the last thing FIL said was "We aren't too happy with Shady and her choises right now." I said "No one is."

Weights and Dims

Well stinky is still very high on the growth chart.

He is:
20lbs (90%)
28 3/4 in (97%)
45.5cm (90%)

He is down 3 percent from his 4.5 month visit, but still very high on the charts.

The doctor was mad I hadn't started him on the iron drops or rice ceral. Whatever. He checked his hemogloban levels, and it was 10.5. Which apparently is normal, but low on the normal scale. I will do the vitiman drops, but no rice cereal. I will try solids again in a few weeks.

Speaking of solids. I made a batch of sweet potateos and a batch of bananas! Yeah me!

K, gotta work.

I guess for now I am going to leave my journal open.

I don't really put anything on here that might be incriminating. LOL.

So it's a free for all!

6 Months

Gage turned 6 months on Friday.

He loves baths.
He scoots around.
He rolls EVERYWHERE.
He blows rasberries. It makes his face all wet.
He smiles in the mornings when we wake up.
He loves the sling.
He knows his name.
He still loves nursing.
He is not eating solids, and is not intersted. (We tried some a couple nights ago.)
He loves his daddy, and of coarse me.
He *kinda* sits up, but only with help.
He loves his new cell phone.

That is all for now.

Thursday

Not much is really going on. My friend is coming over tonight. I am excited because I haven't seen her in MONTHS and she has only seen pictures of Gage since I saw her last.

AJ and I were talking about another baby. I don't really know if I want another. I'd like Gage to have a sibling, but I don't know. I am part of a journal and there was a community with women who were all due in Aug 06. Well would believe there are some who are pregnant AGAIN! One is due in Aug 07! Irish Twins! Holy crap.

I always told him I would only have another baby if I didn't have to go back to work. It was really hard going back to work after Gage, and I refuse to do it again. He said I could get pregnant work through it and just not return. I thought that might be a good idea. But that would have to be soon as once I stop working, we wont have cheap insurance. So I don't know. We'll see.

The weather has been sooo soo nice here. I dressed Gage in shorts and a long sleeve. The long sleeve is actually too small, it's 6-9 months, but I am not buying any new long sleeves because spring will be here next month and it will get warmer and I will just get some more onsies. I love babies in onsies. They are so cute!

Today it is supposed to be 65-70 today, I think!

I love this time. I should get my jogging stroller out now,and go for a run. I still have about 5lbs to loose...well were I would like to be.

I am scared when I stop breastfeeding I will have to eat less and gain weight if I don't. But I will cross that bridge when I get there!

One other Picture...

Here is a semi-decent picture of me...and my sisters from the wedding.

Baby Food

I totally just tried out my food processor and steamer.
It was so cool. I steamed apples. Put them in the food processor with a bit of breastmilk.

It stunk, but it was actually decent tasting. We made AJ taste it first. We all tried it, J*, my mom, M*, and myself.

LOL, they all had my milk. hehehehe.

OMG that was so easy though!

However, when I start actually making food for him, I will have to use milk I haven't frozen to make food, so I can freeze it.

I wont be starting Gage on food soon though. Not till he is ready. There are a few thing I want him to do before.

Breasfreeding: One of my passions

I don't understand why mothers don't BF if they can.

Which studies show only 5% can't. It's Mother Nature...simple as that.

A note from Dr. Sears:
To be fair, formula companies have produced milk for babies which, at least on paper, seems to resemble the real thing. Formula is definitely better than it used to be. But on close inspection, what the factories make doesn't quite measure up to what mom makes.

It is nearly impossible for artificial baby milk manufacturers to make a milk with nutrients even close to what mothers' bodies can make. And these companies' primary goal is to make a profit, so marketing and manufacturing issues influence what finally gets into the can.

The good news is that formula companies are constantly updating their recipe in order to keep up with new research into infant nutrition. The bad news is that each change in formula is really just a new experiment.

In America, the average BF mother is over 30, white, and college educated. The least likely to BF is under 30, African American, and only a HS diploma.

I read a quote the other day that said "Breastfeeding should not be considered a benefit, but a risk if you don't."

In Sweeden, 99% of mother BF.

The stats for mothers who actually BF till 6 months is very low, and of that percentage, only 17% make it to a year.

I just don't understand.

I am no where near a boob nazi as I am just here to encourage it. If I can do it.....seriously...anyone can. It's a matter of dedication.

I would be rude in America to call Formula "Crap in a Can". In most other countries...I would be praised to say that.

But I will not apologize for calling it that.

Picture Post

Here are a few pictures of my family. I am not in but a few. The pictures of me from my sisters wedding,well I look horrible. So those wont be posted. Enjoy! Click on them to enlarge.


R*, my sister, and T*, my nephew

T*, my newphew, and M*

J* and M*

Can we say Sugar high?

C*, Ma, J*, and M* (J*'s husband)...And TEXAS SUCKS!!

Disneyland, Christmas '06

V-Day

We went to dinner last night, On the Border actually.

We had planned on going there when his sister called to ask us to dinner with them to OTB. We said sure. J* had a gift certificate to anything with Brinker, so OTB it was. They called back and changed their mind and said they wanted Macaronni Grill. We showed up and the wait was 2 1/2 freakin' hours. Um, no.

So on to OTB. We spent all the $75 he had!!! I really didn't think it would cost that much.

I gave Adrean a card. It sang "Wild Thing". He liked it. He didn't actually get me anything, and I am still working on that. He did however LOOK for flowers, but didn't want to spend $40 or more on flowers. I know this because I sent him and email and telling him to send flowers to my work address should he feel like doing so. He did send me flower...via email. A for effort and creativity.

AJ's gifts are interesting gifts. They are practical and gifts that he can use as well. I've been given a digital camera, a palm pilot, TiVo, etc. Gadgets. Don't get me wrong...I love these gifts...but romantic? No. He does make up for the romantic factor because he is a cuddler. He loves to hug, kiss, and cuddle. He is very affectionate in that aspect. The great thing is I am too!!

Well I best get back to work.

A little about me and my family

I am the middle of 2 sisters. R* is 27 and J* is 23. My dad is remarried to MA and she has 2 daughters, Ma who is almost 22 and C* who is 18.

My mom lives here in DFW and my dad and MA live in Oklahoma.

My mom is an art teacher, and my sister J* graduates in May with the same degree.

My dad is in politics, and has been since I was small. He has his theology degree in baptist ministry, but got into politics somehow through church.

R* is not married (and has never been) and has a 6 1/2 yo son, T*. His dad has custody of him in Oklahoma, she lives here in Dallas. She is a mess but somehow keeps her head above water.

J* is 23 and just married in December. It was beautiful and I was the matron of honor.

Ma is in college in OK, and C* is a high school senior.

Now about me.

I have had a hand full of jobs since graduating HS. Some have been good...others I hated. So far, my job right now is the best I have had, and I make more money than I ever have. Which helps because AJ just quit his job to be a Real Estate Agent. I am the International Coordinator for a Welding Parts company. I hope some day to be a SAHM, but who knows. For now I am content.

BTW AJ and I met at the job he is quitting at. I was laid off April 1,2005. Yes, april fools day! Mean right?

I grew up in the Baptist church, but if I went to church now I would probably go to Methodist. My husbands family is Mormon. I will never be a Mormon. He is the middle of 10!!!!!

I don't really know what else to say about myself. If anyone is reading...haha...you can ask me questions. I love questions!!!

Here is a picture from this weekend. I liked this one, and I loath having my picture taken.

Gage is half smiling and it's cute.

I am feeling better since today. One of my favorite shows is coming on in about 15 mins. :D

Gage went to sleep about 45 mins ago. It took me about 20-30 mins to get him to sleep. It wasn't that hard tonight. However, I need sleep myself.

Anywho..

Oh, and I keep forgetting to say this, but Amy thanks for the compliment about Gage. :D

Monday, Monday

Gage slept for the first part of last night in his own bed. This isn't really something I want, but my lovely husband likes his way. He doesn't want Gage in the bed when he is 20.

I am supposed to look at the "big picture". Whatever.

I have barely any sleep under me. On top of that I just got yelled someone WE pay to do a job for us. I, of coarse, cried afterards because of the adrenaline rush. My supervisor is working in our room right now and heard me having to tell him to not yell at me. She said she was seconds away from hanging the phone up on him. UH!

My boobs suffered from having Gage not in bed. He slept from 10:30 - 3 in his crib, and both my boobs were engorged. My bra was soaked.

Speaking of boobs, I need to go and pump...then it will be time to go...yeah!

AJ, my husband

For starters AJ is only his nickname. I call him by his given name, but I choose to keep that a secret. It is a semi common name but spelled unique. I don't want to risk his name being "googled" and this blog coming up.

He will be 27 on March 22nd.

We met June of 2004. He had just bought a home, which now I own too, and invited me to a house warming party. We were both in long term relationships at the time, so basicly didn't think much of anything.....well I didn't. I would later find out he had a crush on me. I didn't go to his party which ended up being good because his ex girlfriend and him had a HUGE fight and I would have witnessed it.

Anyways, I saw him at school. We both had a night class the same night at the same CC. I didn't actually talk to him till September, when I asked for him to take me for a ride on his sport bike. And right then and there our relationship started...and so did the trouble. We both had ended our relationships a bit before so we were actually rebounding on each other. Not Good. We dated till the end of January 05. In a sense, that relationship was not going anywhere. He moved on to a girl we'll call DW. They dated till the end of August. I didn't do anything during that spring and summer but be single and have the time of my life.

I went on a family vacation to Mexico the end of August. (I had not spoken to AJ since April. I still cared deeply for him, but pushed all my feeling for him deep down because I just knew we could never be together again.) I came back to Texas with an email from him. He expressed to me how much he loved me and needed me. How he wanted to have our babybirds in our mouse on the praire. My nickname is BabyBird and we called his house the "mouse on the praire" since it was small.

I didn't think much of it because I took it as him rebounding from DW.

A couple weeks later I realized I was still very angry at him and wanted to forgive him. I called him up and said just that. We chatted for a bit and it was SO good to talk to him. He used to be my best friend.

Most of my feelings for him came rushing back. I knew I was in trouble.

I finally got the courage to see him again. But this was not till the end of September 05. OMG when I saw him....I wanted to hug him, hold him, be held by him...all of that. But I was very cautious.

We stayed in touch. Then the end of October, I came over for a small party his roomates and him were having....and well, I haven't left since.

We found out we were having a baby December 27,2005. We married March 17,2006 in Hill Country.

Now, there was a lot more drama and trust issues and all that good stuff...which we worked out with counseling (his idea I might add) but that could be a novel.

So here we are......married, a baby, and the dawn of a wonderful life together.

Okay, my hands hurt....I need to go...bye.

La ti da

I guess I could write more about Gage, myself and my husband. We are kinda boring homebodies though.

Gage is a really good baby. He has only cried unconsolably once. And it was because he had an ear infection. He wakes up about 2 times a night, and usually nurses right back to sleep. I usually get enough sleep unless I am awake on my own. I slept like crap when I was pregnant though. He smiles and talks all the time. We are trying him on a sippy cup. He likes to hold on to it, but I don't think he understands how to suck.

We are working on sign language, sitting up and crawling. He loves the sign for milk.

Well I'll write more about me later...I have to go and tend to Gage.

Very First Post

Hi, I am Michelle. I am 25 and live in North Texas. I have been here 4.5 years. I moved from O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A, Oklahoma, OK.

I am married to AJ, who is almost 27. He is a Real Estate Agent. We have a son named Gage, he is 5.5 months old. Born August 23, 2006.

He weighed 9lbs 7oz and was 21 inches at birth. As of his appt on January 11th, he weighed 18lbs and was 27 3/4 inches. He is in the 100% for height, and 93% for weight. He is a big boy!

He is exclusively breastfed. We wont start solids until he is ready.. And we are skipping rice cereal, it's only carbs. It has no nutritional value.

I work full time and pump while at work. I pump anywhere from 25-29 oz of milk in a 10 hour period.

He is uncircumsized. We have co-slept since day one. I also sling him.

I sould like a very crunchy liberal mom. However, I am just very pationate about these things. I would consider myself old fashioned and a conservative republican who is pro-life.

That is me, well, some of me. :D