Happy Birthday Precious Little One...

Happy Birthday to the newest member of our family. Our sweet baby boy turns 1 year old today! I hope you are able to take the time to watch the video I put together in celebration of such a special first year.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy 1st Birthday

Wow...that is about all I can say right now. Where does the time go? This time last year, we were getting ready to welcome a precious bundle of joy. About to head to bed, not sure if we would even be able to sleep. Going over all of the details in our head. Are the bags packed, is the car seat in the car, do we have enough people scheduled to help with the other kids, how would Boog handle mommy and daddy both being gone overnight for several nights, how would he handle the transition from baby of the house to big brother...so many things were running through our minds. None of which could have prepared us for what we faced at 7:30am on Wednesday, August 27.

We knew that he was potentially up to 2 1/2ish weeks early, that part was planned. What we did not know is that he was actually a little more than 3 1/2 weeks early. That should not have been a big deal. At 7:30, on Wednesday, August 27th, our lives were forever changed again. This time we were put to the test. How would we handle this situation? I was scheduled to arrive a few hours early and we were to go into surgery for the planned c-section at 7am, my doctor along with a pediatrician and the neonatology team were present. All was going as planned, my biggest worry is that the doctor would forget that we had agreed he would drop the curtain so I could attempt to see what was going on, another doctor had agreed to video the birth for me, we were all set. After listening to the doctors chit chat, being blinded by the lights and nervous for the whole thing to be over, I began to feel what can only be described as someone mashing and jerking and pulling and maneuvering my abdomen...I mean seriously, am I supposed to be able to feel all of that? Finally, I hear them say he is out, I wait but do not immediately hear a cry. I do hear the doctor say it is a boy, I see my husband get up and move to the side table, I wonder why they did not let me take a look at him. I hear people talking, I see people rushing, I finally hear a cry after what seemed like forever. I started to feel a little bit relieved, I hoped that I could see him soon. The longer they worked on me, the more sure I was that something was not right, there was too much commotion on his side of the room. I finally got someone to tell me what was going on. It seems that being just the 3 1/2 weeks early was a big deal for him. Later I was told that there was fluid on his lungs. They scooped him up and ran away to the NICU, my husband in hot pursuit. I was now left alone, on the table, wondering how my sweet, precious new baby boy was holding up. I do not even remember getting to see him at all, maybe I did.

I was taken across the hall to recovery and a nurse and my husband began telling me what was going on. According to them, the baby had fluid on his lungs, he would get some oxygen and be back with us later that night, at the latest the next morning. I would be able to go see him and hold him once I was able to move a bit. A few hours after he was born, they wheeled my bed into the NICU so I could take a peek. He was so tiny, tubes all over him, stuff covering his face. I felt horrible for my precious angel. Later that day, I learned that he would be staying longer than they had originally thought, and that I would not be able to hold him. That broke my heart. I was also told that I could not even touch him. It could make him worse. No mother wants to hear that touching their baby could possibly make them worse. He was tiny and helpless and there was nothing I could do. He was over 2 days old before I could touch him, over 3 days old the first time I briefly held him and 4 days before I was able to nurse him. On day 5, he was well enough to spend the night with us in a parent care room and day 6 he was able to come home! Praise God! I have never had such a week and hope and pray that I never will again.

My baby is a fighter. He may be small, but he is a tough little guy. He had a hard start but I think that made us stronger as a family. We cannot imagine our lives without this little guy. It seems like only yesterday he was born but then again, it is hard for me to remember a day without him.
He is funny. A real trouble maker. He is fast. He loves both brothers and his sister. He is one lucky kid. They love him too! His face lights up when he sees them. I think Boog is his favorite.


We think he is beautiful. He makes our life complete. He knows what he wants. He loves his mommy and his daddy.
He can say quite a few words, if he wants to. He says Mamma, Da-Da, Dog (Dat, I think) but then pants like a dog after, he says bye, hi and a few more. He knows a few words in sign language too. He does drink, all done and play. He refuses to sign more or eat. Not really sure why, but he does know what they both mean.
He loves to play. He loves to make funny faces. He is a great baby. He likes to ride. He is laid back and easy going, most of the time. He has recently discovered his screaming voice and we are not excited about that! He knows what he wants, and most of the time he knows exactly how to get it.
Yes, our baby boy turns one today. We are happy and we are sad. So many things have happened this year in his short little life. He went to Disney World, he saw the beach, he ate sand, he goes to Kindermusik and he eats everything he can get his hands on and get to his mouth.

Our baby is growing up too fast. We are not ready, or at least I am not ready.

I know it will not be long before he is walking.

He is so curious. He has a love for all things. He has not met a food he does not like. He has stranger anxiety. Mommy is his favorite, most of the time. He thinks his siblings are the funniest thing ever. He loves our dog. He sometimes uses him as a pillow. I think the dog might have even decided to love him back, maybe.


He is our beautiful baby boy. He may not technically be a baby after today, but he will always be my baby. We are so happy that he is a part of our family.

We are so proud of our little one. I just wish we could make time stand still. We love you sweet little man.

I also put together a video slide show of his first year. It is scheduled to post at 7:30am. I hope you enjoy seeing a little part of our life. Thank you all for being a part of our lives and helping us to celebrate our little man's very first birthday!

Weekly Wednesday

Wow! The final Weekly Wednesday of his first year! Where has the time gone? My precious little man will have his very 1st birthday tomorrow. This time last year, I was filled with anticipation, knowing that I would meet my precious little angel in less than 24 hours. This year, I am filled with anxiety and all sorts of emotions, knowing that my little man will no longer be "a baby." He will always be "my baby" though.

Make sure to stop back by tomorrow for his one year video and some one year pics.

The big birthday bash is this coming weekend so I will have pictures of that soon as well!

Not My Child! Monday

This week, we are doing a little something different again, remember Not my child! Monday? Did you almost die of embarrassment when your child yelled from across a friend's pool, "Can I just pee in the pool?" Want to pull your hair out when you found gum in your dog's hair? Well don't! Mothers aren't perfect and neither are children. Let's 'fess up today because it's Not my child! Monday!

A few weeks ago, it was not my child that declared, "That scared the crap out of me!" Nope, not my child, we do not use words like that!

It was not the same child that asked what was for lunch one day, I answered, "rice." To which he asked, "Pople (Chipotle) rice?" When I said no, it was rice from home, he declared, "You gotta be kiddin' me!"

It was also not my child (yep, the same one) that told me, "Mommy, I'm still not Sour Apple's brother!" I say, "Why not?" To which I hear, "Cuz he still beez mean da me!" Well, alrighty then!

A few months back when we discovered a cracked toilet lid, it was not my precious child that automatically began blaming daddy for the broken lid, wanting to know why daddy broke the toilet, and if daddy broke it with his butt and then said, "Dang, Daddy has a strong butt!" (sidenote...it was not then me who laughed hysterically!)

It was not that same child that said (out loud, I might add) that he wished daddy could have a baby in his tummy!

And finally, it is not all of my children who are tucked soundly in their beds AND sleeping tonight BEFORE 8:30pm! Nope, not my kids! I am not that lucky and they are certainly not that tired!

Hope you enjoyed the twist on the Monday confessions, if you did, head on over to MckMama's and see what everyone else's kids have not been doing! I am sure you will be glad you did!

Weekly Wednesday

My sweet baby boy will be one in one week and one day. I do not know how I am going to handle that actually. It makes me sad. It makes me happy. It confuses me.

I am not biased...he is the sweetest baby, ever.

He is pretty darn funny too!

He isn't very big. still.

He only has 2 teeth. still.

I love him.

He makes me laugh.

He makes me smile.

I think he is beautiful.

Don't you?

Next week, when my sweet, beautiful, funny baby turns one, I will cry.

Did I mention he loves his mommy too...

Tell me I didn't!

Oh my...what a night!

Sometimes I am glad the children do not hear exactly what we say.

Tonight while getting the kids ready for bed, Lemon Drop came to tell me good night. As she was leaning down, I see that she had not yet brushed her teeth.

I say, "You have not brushed your teeth."

Her: "Uh"

Me: "Well, I guess you are going to have pecker speckled teeth!" (In my head, "WHAT? Pecker speckled teeth! What did I just say to my child???")

That is what I said...

This is what she heard: "Well, I guess you are going to have paper teeth!"

This is what I meant to say: "Well, I guess you are going to have pepper speckled teeth!"

What Daddy heard: EXACTLY what I did say!

I thought I might have to go and pick him up from the floor in another room. He grinned and took off for another bedroom for what I can only imagine was stifling his laughter!

Boy I sure am glad my kids do not always hear exactly what we say! Wheew!

Not me! Monday

Happy Monday! Ever just had one of those days? Well, Not me! Monday was created by MckMama just for those kinds of days (sometimes weeks) where you can confess to all of your imperfections in a fun and entertaining way. So, when you finish up here, head on over there and check out what everyone else has not been doing!

First off, I am not typing this instead of getting busy doing things that need to be done! Nope, I am organized and responsible.

Last Thursday was not the first day of school and I am not still trying to recuperate and get back on some sort of schedule. Nope, I am always scheduled and prepared.

Last night, knowing today was a school day, we did not stay up late and have an insanely late dinner. Nope, I am more respectful of my children's need for sleep.

On a quick trip to Walmart, where I was going to be the only one to get out and run in and get a few things, the whole family did not get out, wander around the store, fill a basket full of items, stop to visit with friends we have not seen in a very long time and take our sweet time getting home. Nope, we are quick and stick with the plan.

I did not just this morning get Tutti--Frutti's birthday invitations in the mail for the party that is in less than 2 weeks! Nope, I am organized, remember?

Speaking of Tutti-Frutti, he is not so mobile and into things now that nothing in the house is safe! Nope, he is still my little angel and never gets into anything...hang on, I'll be right back I think he is in the dog food!

He does not still have only 2 teeth! Nope, he is almost a year old, 1 year olds have way more than 2 teeth!

Boog does not absolutely LOVE doing his preschool work at home! He does not spend the majority of every day telling me that we have to get his work done. Nope, he hates school work, just like every other kid!

At this very moment, I am not listening to Tutti-Frutti cry and the dog howl because he does not like the sound. Nope, I am caring and compassionate and I would never allow my child to just cry, especially since it is hurting the dog's ears. As he is crying, he most certainly is not partially laughing because of the dog's crazy howling. Nope, he means business when he cries!

For the most part, I really do not care for pizza much. Don't get me wrong, it is not that I hate it, just would rather eat other things. I mean give me break, I worked at Pizza Hut in college and ate pizza every.single.day! So, it is understandable that it is not my favorite food. Well, a few years back, we did not discover the most awesome amazing pizza joint to ever exist! Nope, we are not that lucky. On with my story. Since not finding this place, we have also not discovered that the owner is from Italy. Nope, why would someone from Italy move to Texas of all places, not that I am complaining now because I lovingly call him my "other" man, it is a joke of course but I LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear him speak. Just something about that Italian accent. Anyway...back to the story once again. We always get pretty much the same thing every time, an 18 inch pepperoni with 1/2 jalepenos with a salad, extra ranch. (The ranch is home made!) The salad comes with what I used to think were banana peppers and anyone who knows me, knows I will only eat jalepenos, and only on my pizza or nachos (or when I was in high school with lays potato chips and sour cream, don't ask!) so needless to say, I never tried the "banana" peppers. Well a few months back, Lemon Drop kept insisting that I just try them, they are good. I held off as long as I could and finally one day I just could not take it anymore, I was like...if I try them will you please get off of me about it and she agreed. Well, oh my sweet heavenly goodness, boy was I surprised when not only they were not horrible but they were magnificant from then on, my order changed to salad with extra "banana" peppers! So, I became addicted...remember, I do not suffer from those types of problems! So last week on my weekly (yes I said weekly) pizza run, when I was inside picking it up, the guy (you know the one...my guy) asked if I wanted him to order me a jar of peppers (they are actually called pepperoncinis) and of course I jumped on it! This week, I did not go pick up the peppers and I have not tried to make myself sick eating them with absolutely everthing in the house. You will not find proof of said peppers anywhere so do not even bother looking below! And for the record, NO THAT DOES NOT SAY ONE GALLON! Geez, I am not a pig! I have self control (issues, maybe)!

Well, I am off...have to deal with the dog food eating, crying, getting into everything imaginable, crawling house terror of a precious baby!

Happy Monday everyone! Make sure you swing on by My Charming Kids to catch up with everyone else!

Nicknames...

Just asking...do any of you have crazy nicknames for your kids? I mean other than what you might call them on your blog?



I was wondering, because we do. Sometimes I wonder how the kids actually know what their name really is. Especially Tutti-Frutti. In real life, we do not call our kids Sour Apple, Lemon Drop, Boog and Tutti-Frutti. For the most part anyway. We have been known to actually call Tutt-Frutti just that but we were doing that before I actually used that name here. Nope, our kids (and dog) do not have normal everyday names like everyone else.



Let's see here if I can comprise a sample list for your enjoyment. Poor kids...



Sour Apple: Haydizzle (he came up with that one on his own), Dizz, Hay-deeni, Haynan, man (grandmother calls him that), gorgeous (another grandmother calls him that), when he was little I called him Boo or Boo Boo, Random Rick, Neal (by grandfather), and I am almost positive that I am forgetting some.



Lemon Drop: Klee Klee (started as koi koi by Boog when he was little and could not say her name), Kleek, Kleekster, Klee to tha Klee, Kait, KK, sister, gorgeous (by grandmother) and once again, I am pretty sure I am leaving some out!



Boog: Inan, Inan Macaroni, Inan Marconi, Fluffy, Fluffybaby, Fluffy Plumpkins, Dude, Ebert (by grandfather), wee man, gorgeous, Bud, Buddy, Punkin, Punkin Pop, once again...sure I am forgetting something.

Tutti-Frutti: Tutti-Frutti, Boog (I know...funny, right?), Booga, Booga Boo, Mister, Trouble Maker, Tinky Dink, Tinka Dinka Roo, Tinka Dink Roo Roo (no, we do not drink!), E-Diddy, gorgeous (are you noticing a pattern?) E-Diggity (has been used most lately...I PROMISE we do not drink!), E-Dude (that is what Boog calls him), Sneaky Pete, Mr. Velcro, Biggun' and Baby E (Baby E (insert first name here) he will think that is his name when he is 18, that is what everyone calls him), Dude, Bud and most likely...there are more.

Link (the dog, who probably has identity issues because we never call him by his real name): Dog (our loving term for him, mostly what everyone calls him, always), Linky Dog (what Boog prefers to call him), Kink, Kinka Dink.

Yes, I know...we are weird. But you gotta love us.

One more disclaimer...WE DO NOT DRINK! lol. Promise. And that my friends, is the Bomb-Diggity!

Now, just one little favor please...will you leave a comment and tell me what crazy things you call your kids. Or, if it is just us, tell me that too!

Weekly Wednesday, sneak peak at the new playroom.

Playing in the new playroom. He is a busy body for sure!

Boog is not going to be happy about this!

I know that you all remember Boog's undying love for Minnie Mouse, right? This is his girlfriend. We talk about this at home. Back in June when we were at Disney World, he told her of his love and that she was his girlfriend. See, she agreed.


They had their photo made together...

and kissed to seal the deal.

Well, this morning I got on the computer to find this story of a man groping...yes, groping my future daughter in law. You have to check out the story...what is the world coming to? He actually was convicted of Battery. Sicko. Guess we will keep this news from my precious Boog, he does not need to worry about his precious Minnie. Poor Minnie.

Christmas in August...could it be ANY hotter?

I am probably going to go with no...it couldn't have been.

Today...we headed down to the Amtrak Station in Houston to see the Disney's A Christmas Carol Train Tour.

My husband is wonderful, he really is. A few weeks ago my wonderful husband text messaged me from work with a web address to check out. He read that the Christmas Carol movie was being re-done and that the train was going to be on tour and it would be coming through Houston. Sure enough, today was the day. We decided weeks ago that it would be something fun we could do with the kids before they went back to school. The website said there would be a preview of the movie in a state of the art theater, snow for the kids, the costumes used in the movie and other neat stuff. Great, it was a done deal, sounds like fun.

My wonderful husband also said that he did not think there would be many people there; after all, it was a Tuesday. When we decided we would be going, I emailed all some friends, passed the info along and invited them to join us. Last night, we decided that since it was open today from 9am through 7pm, we would leave the house around 8:30am. Good...we had a plan.

I should have taken heed to the warnings of last night and this morning...you know, subtle hints that today would have been a good day to stay home. Uh...NO! We were going to spend a marvelous day with our kids before school started.

We stayed up kind of late trying to finish up So You Think You Can Dance, you know, since it had ended already and we were afraid we would end up hearing something that we did not want to hear without seeing for ourselves. We got the kids to bed and I could not go to sleep for anything, I tossed and turned and flipped and flopped and nothing. UGGG! I hate it when this happens. So, 1am rolls around, if not later, and I am still awake. This sucks! I finally get to the point I might be able to doze off and guess what? Yep, Tutti-Frutti wakes up, great...just great. I finally get him back to sleep after about an hour and a half. What is up with this kid not sleeping? I get back in bed and doze off...finally, sleep. Uh, no. He is up again in less than an hour. Good grief. I put him in the bed with us this time, thinking he might snuggle up and go to sleep. Not so much, thankyouverymuch. He tosses and turns and moans and groans and tries sitting up, he wants to nurse, are you kidding me? I just fed him less than an hour ago but he finally won. At some point, I finally dozed off, only to be jolted awake at 6:45 by Boog, ready to get up. Ugg. Daddy gets up with him, good. I can doze back off, oh crap...we are going to see the Christmas Carol train. Might as well get up but guess who is sleeping like a dream? Yep, Tutti-Frutti. Should have just stayed home but we had promised the kids we would go. We load up in the car, I try to check my voicemail and my cell phone is not working. It is telling me that my service is disconnected, WHAT? I just paid the bill last week! By this time, the kids are loaded up in the car and we are about to back out. We cannot leave with no phone, spoiled, I know. I come back in the house and call. They are now telling me that they never received my payment, no...wait, they are now telling me that it was returned! WHAT? Are you kidding me? We finally get it worked out. My debit card had expired in the time between when I made the payment and when the payment posted...oh great. We get that worked out finally, the phone is back on and off we go...kind of. We need gas! We get gas and off we go, one more time. Did you not hear me say we should have just stayed home?We finally get to the Amtrak Station and there are people everywhere! There is no parking...the policeman directing traffic is telling us to go back up the road a few blocks and park there. We find parking and hike back to the station, through a homeless person's living room I might add. I was going to get a few pictures of that, but decided it might be rude so I decided against it. We (read: Daddy) decided that we did not need to take the stroller, it would be too much of a pain to keep up with. OK. I had already packed a backpack for diapers and such so that part was no big deal, easy to carry. I grabbed the ring sling (remember, the one from the Chick-Fil-A story? You know, the one that makes lifting my arm virtually impossible?) and popped Tutti-Frutti in and off we went. Keep in mind that my wonderful husband said there would hardly be anyone there. Did I mention I did not eat breakfast?

We walk up and there are people everywhere. There is a line that kind of u's around under the freeway and back around to the train, oh...that is not too bad. This should not take long, the end the line is right there by the train. No biggie, we will be out of here in no time.

We stand in line for a bit and I head to a shaded area with Tutti-Frutti, there is a nice little breeze blowing. Everyone is in good spirits, no whining, we are good as gold. Line is moving...there are 2 highly annoying women with a little girl in front of us, talking my ear off. No problem, I am social. If you can think of a question, these women asked me. I usually am not easily annoyed...for the most part. The lady is a bit redundant, it is ok, nice to have someone to chat with.My sweet baby blowing me kisses.

Ok! We have made it to the train! Hot dog! Here we go...WHAT? What did that man just say? There is another what? Another line? Oh my, uh-uh. No he did not say that! He did? Another hour from here? We have been in line for about an hour already! Well, might as well stick it out. Daddy goes to get some drinks, they are out of water now, great just what we need...coke in this heat. I wanted water. Oh well, coke will work. Thanks Daddy.

We are still hanging in there, my back is kind of hurting. Holding the kiddo in the sling and NOT moving is not that easy to do. Daddy was nice enough to hold him for awhile.

Uh-oh. Houston, we have a problem. Tutti-Frutti has had enough.

This is not really fun anymore. We have been in line for over an hour. We are still in line, I still see lots of people.Guess I will take random pictures to occupy my time. I am still answering all kinds of crazy questions from the ladies in front of us. I know their life stories (is it written on my forehead that I enjoy knowing everything about every stranger I meet? It must be because it happens all of the time!) where they live, what they do, that they (the daughter, the grand-daughter and son in law) live with her mother. The mother has a dominant personality and tries to raise the grand-daughter...you get the picture.

You know it is getting ugly when the baby starts pulling hair.

Or one of the big brothers is trying to pull the baby's legs off.

Great Googley Moogley! I know these people are not dressed like that in August, in Houston! I hope they are paying them well. They are soooo not singing Christmas Carols in August, in Houston. Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh, o're the fields we go, laughing all the way! Oh yea, I guess they are.

Snow? They promised snow! This is what they are calling snow?

The baby finally gave up. Honestly, I do not blame him.

Boog's legs were about to fall off! I know because he told me so. I am done, I want to go home. I am hot. I am tired. I am hungry. My head hurts. I probably have to go to the bathroom. I am thirsty. My back is killing me! I need to sit down. That is me talking! You know it has to be bad now that I am whining!

Oh yea, we are in! Finally...after only 3 hours! Yep, that is what I said...3 hours. We stood still, in a line, for 3 hours. To walk through a train, see a few flat screen tv's showing interviews with a few of the cast members. No preview in a state of the art facility. We did get to morph our faces into characters from the movie. That was funny. This is some of what we saw. No flash allowed. Of course.


Did I mention that on the way down, the dj on the radio said the high would be somewhere around 108? Yep, I believe every bit of it.

On the walk (dare I even call it that) back to the car, Boog was about to fall apart. Daddy had taken Tutti-Frutti and headed for the hills. I guess he knew Boog would not be able to walk and he wanted the good end of the deal. Guess who carried the 40 pound 4 year old? Yep, dear old mom.

Moral of the story...when your dear wonderful husband proclaims that there is a train coming and that no one will be there...STAY HOME!

We finally got to eat! We found a new place, Cheddar's, and it was really good. We had a late lunch and headed home to relax! NOT! We had Back to School night. Wheew...glad today is over!