A whole new world!

On August 23rd, 2011, Gusley started Pre-School! We have been talking about this day all summer long. I think he was very well prepared. Mommy on the other hand, not so much. I did hold all my tears back, but it was not easy leaving my baby bear on that first day, or any day so far and he only goes 2 days a week and we just finished week 4!  He tells us he "can't want to go to school", but once he is there and I leave his teacher says he is great!  After the first day, he told Jake that he was "all done"!  Oh to be so naive!  The first 2 weeks he teared up when I would pick him up and he would tell me that he needed to hug me.  The last 2 weeks he tears up when I am leaving in the morning and still wells up a little when he sees me in the afternoon.  

Giving Paw some love before his first day of school!!

Eager to go to school!

Obligatory first day of school family picture!!

Scoping out the playground!

Mommy, are you leaving?

First project in school....name necklace!

Here's the story!!

9am - I woke up the morning of July 9th to mild contractions that progressively got stronger and closer together. Gus had spent the night with my parents and Gigi, Paw and Aunt Kari all slept in. Jake and I went downstairs to have breakfast and I thought I was hungry, but nothing really tempted me. I did manage to get a half of a bowl of grits down. By the time everyone was up and moving around we had decided to go to the hospital. Jake ate his omelet while I got the last minute bags packed.

11:30am - Off to Nashville we went. On our way there I called the midwife on call and she suggested I wait until they were 3 minutes apart and much stronger (at this time I was hoping they would not get any stronger!). I told her we were on our way and she said to come on and she would go ahead and check me. When we got to the hospital the parking situation was INSANE. Cars everywhere and no empty parking spaces. We parked and headed up to the 4th floor - OB/L & D! The nurse in triage was waiting for me. She got me all checked in and hooked up to the monitors. The midwife, Linda came in and checked me.

11:50am - 3cm and 80% effaced. She told me to walk the halls for 1 hour and then she would recheck me. If I progressed she would admit me, if not she would send me home with something for me take to get some rest.

12:50pm - still 3cm and 80% effaced. Sent me home with an Ambien to help me get some rest.


2pm - Take Ambien - contractions are still coming pretty regular and I fall asleep briefly on the sofa. I asked Jake to fix me a sandwich and I never ate it. No appetite!

3pm - Changed into my pajamas and got in the bed. Contractions were around 5-7 minutes apart. The most comforting thing for me was to have Jake right there and be able to grab his hand and squeeze during each contraction.

6:45pm - Jake calls the Midwife to see if we should head back to the hospital. This call was prompted by me getting up to go to the bathroom and not being able to move for a good 10 minutes because the contractions were so strong and so close together. Also, in our birthing class the husbands were told that when the wife could no longer smile or talk about anything other than pain.....IT WAS TIME TO GO! Midwife advises that we head back to the hospital.

7:05ish pm - I was able to walk down the stairs and out to the car. I remember wanting an orange tootsie pop and after the first lick I was over it! I don't remember much of the car ride to the hospital - thank you ambien! I do remember looking at the clock and it was 7:17pm - but I don't remember where we were at that time.

7:30-7:40pm - Arrive at the hospital - parking is a breeze. Stop at the car next to us to pass a contraction. Make it to the elevator - survive yet another contraction. Get to triage and they are waiting for us. They get me in a hospital gown and on the monitors - the contractions are not letting and up and coming pretty quick. Jake calls the momma's. The nurse starts an IV. I see the midwife coming in and at that moment I feel completely calm and confident. She is the one that I had wanted to deliver all along and there she was! Oh happy day!! She checks me and says I am 8cm 100% effaced and it is time for me to start pushing! All through the labor I had told Jake that I would love to get to the hospital and be ready to push and I was! It worked, laboring at home, taking 3 baths in 1 day and a massage from Jake worked - just as the birthing class told us it would!

The Midwife asked if I wanted something for pain - my reply, "something to take the edge off." She tells me that by the time the IV was started and they pushed something through, the baby would be here! Au Natural here we go! During the entire pregnancy I had prepared myself to go natural and at some point during this lengthy labor I had told myself that perhaps I should have the epidural. I think my body knew better than my brain all along - no epidural.

7:45ish pm - I am guided to a wheel chair and rolled to L & D. Once in the delivery room, I ask to go pee. I feel the urge to push and they escort me to the bed. Somewhere between the toilet and the bed my water broke. They begin the prepping and tell me that when I feel the need to push, PUSH! Here we go!

8:20pm - Mabel Lynne is born - 9lbs. 6 ounces - 20 3/4 inches long!!



First of many family photos!!

Say What???

The day after Gus' birthday party he woke up and came down for breakfast and went to his little kid table and looked up at Jake and I and said in his little raspy morning voice, "Where my Chuck E. Cheese money go?" We looked at each other, looked back at him and said, "what did you just say?" and he repeated himself just as clear as a bell!

Gusley's first complete sentence consisting of more than 2-4 words is WHERE MY CHUCK E. CHEESE MONEY GO?!!

The money hadn't gone anywhere, I just picked it up from the night before so that he would not lose any of it! I love you, buddy!! Not a minute goes by that you do not bring a smile to my face! Thank you for the unconditional love you have for Daddy and I and know that we share the same for you!!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Gusley!!

This picture was taken on his actual birthday exactly an hour before the time he was born! My how these past three years have flown by! I think it is safe to say that Gus had a wonderful 3rd birthday! It started on Saturday with his party here at the house and continued until Monday night at Chuck E. Cheese (his very first time) where he and his little gal pal Endi celebrated with rides and games!!

And a last minute visit from GiGi to boot!

From bad to GOOD!

I swear if we have another rainy day and/or snow day I think I may loose my shit. And that my friends is putting in nicely! This pregnant momma can only think of so much to do on these days. We did have a nice weekend and we were able to get out the house and in the yard and FINALLY take down our Christmas lights (yes, we were THOSE people)! Anyway, today was yet another rainy day here on the Hill. It rained from the moment we woke up until, well it is still raining as I type. Don't get me wrong, I love rain when I can sleep late and when Jake is home and we can all hang in our jammies together and just max and relax to the extreme.

Today was not one of those days. I woke up to Gus scratching the nape of his neck and behind his ears profusely. I immediately checked his head for lice...nothing, thank goodness. The itchy spots became very red and started to spread to his neck, chest, upper back, stomach and as the day wore on his little butt. I called mom and she said it sounded to her like it could be Fifth's Disease

I gave him some antihistamine and that calmed the itching for about 4 hours (which mind you was the last dose in that bottle). We have tubes of every cream, ointment, etc. known to man, but when I need hydrocortizone, there is none to be found. After the 4 hours the child was scratching like a monkey with fleas, so I gave in and gave him a dose of benadryl (SUGAR FREE, DYE FREE, ALCOHOL FREE) thinking this would help him to take a wonderful nap on this rainy day...NOT. Totally opposite affect. 5pm rolls around and he is begging for a nap, I divert his attention and we do some more activities that I know he is tired of, but he goes along with me.

Meanwhile the rash is still there, red as ever, he is so agitated and we are at the mercy of the traffic Jake is in to get home, because he is stopping at Walgreens for more Zyrtec and Hydrocortizone. Finally the garage door opens. DADDY!!!! Shortly after Pinki drives up to take a look at the rash, my two saving graces of the day! Pinki says yep, she is pretty sure it is in fact Fifth's Disease and that once the rash appears they are no longer contagious, but that the runny nose he had for the entire week leading up to today was certainly a symptom, but how were we to know.

Jake also picked up some oatmeal bath so I get Gus in the tub, he gets a nice bath and lets me rub the ointment all over him and takes his medicine like a charm. And this my friends is when my day starts to get good. The "holy trinity" for us to have a second child was that we would like for Gus to be sleeping in his own bed, to be potty trained and to be weened from nursing. He has met 2 of the 3. We have really been talking to him about weening and that that milk will be for the baby and I think it is all starting to come together.

Here is how my day got good: As we are going through our nightly routine of turning on his "ainbow cheen" (rainbow machine - humidifier), the battery operated tee candles and finding Goldbug in this book , putting his rocks under his pillow and getting his pillow pet, he decides that we should take the crib mattress from under his bed out and he will sleep "down der" and mommy will sleep "up der" (in his twin bed). So we agree and I tell him that I will sleep in his bed and I will hold his hand. He gives his good night kisses and we get in to our respective beds and hold hands and Jake turns out the light. Granted he had no nap today, so I know he was tired, he was out in 5 mins. Never asked to nurse!!! He just woke up about 30 mins ago and I went in his room and just held him and rocked him in my arms and he fell back asleep and again, did not ask to nurse! This is a bittersweet moment for me. I have loved the 3 years I have had nursing him and I am so glad that I have been able to do that for him as I strongly feel that it has been a positive in his life, but at the same time, Momma needs a break before the next one comes along (which, sorry baby #2, but I don't think you will be nursing this long, but then again, never say never, right?!) So that my friends is how my day went from bad to good and to top it off the baby is just a fluttering all over in my belly right now and the house is quiet so I am off to have some chocolate milk and enjoy the peace and quiet for a few minutes.

Good night!

Here we GROW again!

When I first found out I was pregnant, I started a second blog about the pregnancy and such. Here is the link. You will see that each week I post the baby compared to a piece of food (thanks to the bump). I saw this on a friend of mine's blog when she was pregnant and when I got pregnant I started getting their emails and found the comparison to be pretty realistic and figured I would do the same!

I hope you enjoy the new blog and come back for progress. I am going to try to write every few days as I am finally getting some energy back!

What a good day!

Today is our 5 year wedding anniversary! Seems like our anniversary is not only a special day for Jake and I, but for Gus too! On our 3 year anniversary (he was just shy of 10 months) he started walking and now this year, on our 5 year anniversary he starts going to the potty on his own!

We have been talking to him and telling him that if he starts pee-peeing and poo-pooing consistently on the potty then we will get him a bike or maybe Santa Claus will bring him a bike. We have gone to Target several times to let him look at the bikes and show us which one he has his heart set on...a mew (blue) one, of course!!

Today I was at my desk for work and he came running down the stairs and into the office saying, "Mommy, pee-pee potty!" We made a mad dash to the toilet and he did his business. This went on all day doing both #1 & #2! I called Jake to tell him! He could not believe it, but was just as proud as I was!

We are a little worried since we are leaving tomorrow for a weekend getaway that it may be a fluke, but if I know Pinki and Pops well enough, they are not going to let him forget what a big boy he is to go potty on his own!! Here's to hoping we can say goodbye to diapers before the new year and before he turns 3!!

Back to our anniversary....Happy 5th year of marriage, Jake! I am looking forward to our weekend getaway! Much needed and hard earned! These past 5 years of marriage have been great and the past 11 years of having you in my life have been wonderful. I can't even begin to imagine what the next 5-50+ years will be like! On top of being my husband and a superb father to Gusley, you are my best friend. I love you!

P.S. This year the "traditional" 5 year anniversary gift is wood. I think it is very fitting that we are headed to the woods to stay in a cabin built of nothing but wood!!

Gus, when did you get so big?

Today Gus walked passed me with no diaper on, wearing a sweatshirt and his Cat in the Hat backpack on his back with a new diaper in his hand. He went to the bathroom and I could hear him grunting so I gave him a minute and then I peeked in on him. To my surprise he was ON THE TOILET and he had peed and was in the process of pooping!! I was one happy, happy momma!! We had a big celebration and I praised him and told him how proud of him I was and he was all smiles. We washed his hands and then he got to put a star sticker (sticky as he calls them) on the mirror!! Don't worry they are re-stickable stickers so they leave no residue on the mirror. Anyway, this was a HUGE accomplishment and I am just a touch proud of my little big boy! He has been taking his diaper off after he pees and throwing it in the trash, but this my friends was a major milestone!

We have been telling him that he will get a bike if he consistently goes in the potty and I think it has finally set in because he wants to bring it to Pete (his cousin) and Gi-Gi's house to ride so we are aiming to have this milestone complete before we head down for the holidays! Here's to hoping we have a bike under the tree or soon after Christmas!!

The big boy room

Here is the bed that I purchased at a yard sale.....just a simple white wooden twin bed.




And here it is in Gus' room all set up and made!! Every morning when he wakes up he helps me make his bed and he takes great pride in his little job! I love that he is such a helper. He always has been and I am hoping that he always will be!! So far we are approaching then end of week 2 and he is still sleeping in his "mew" bed every night and for naptime!! Way to go big boy!! You make mommy and daddy so proud!

It is becoming a routine

Tonight is night #3 of Gus sleeping in his big boy bed! He has not slept in our bed since Friday night (Saturday night he slept with Pinki and Pops) and he started sleeping in his own bed Sunday night!! He has been taking his naps in his bed as well! Another milestone to mark in the baby book!

Not much else to report on over here today. Gus and I both have allergy issues at the moment....my nose and he has a cough, but other than that we are keeping warm and cleaning out unnecessary items. We are planning to have a huge yard sale in March...I know it is far off, but that will give us time to really do some deep cleaning!

Happy Tuesday!

New bed update

HE STAYED IN HIS BED ALL NIGHT LONG!!!!

I went in to check on him before I went to bed and he was fast asleep. I had the monitor right next to me and I kept waking up just before I would fall asleep because I just knew that as soon as I drifted into a deep sleep he would wake up. I think it was somewhere around 2am or so that I hear him call for me. I went in his room and laid down in the bed with him and ended up falling asleep cuddling with my sweet baby bear. Around 5:30am I went back in our bed and he woke up around 6:30am. I went to get him and I asked him if he wanted to come in mommy and daddy's bed and he told me "Gus in "mew" bed", so that is where we stayed until my alarm went off.

I have been nervous about him sleeping in his room and what would happen in the morning when Jake left for work and opened the garage door (which is right under his room). To my surprise NOTHING happened. He never moved a muscle!

Today for nap time he wanted me to lay with him in his new bed so I did and he napped in his bed for almost 2 hours.

Tonight Jake read to him and then I laid with him for about 20 minutes and as I type he is still in his new bed like a big boy! What is the cutest thing is that he sleeps in just his diaper with his shirt off just like Daddy! I have to say that I am one proud Mommy right now! I hope that this transition stays simple and that he continues to like it!!

Big boy in his "mew" bed

Sometime last year I picked up a twin bed frame at a yard sale. Nothing fancy, just white wood, but was perfect for a boy. I think I paid $10 for it. Last weekend I painted it dark brown and this weekend Jake cut the slats and set it up. Tonight was Gus' first night in his new ("mew" as he calls it) bed.

I ran to the grocery store while Jake bathed him and read books with him. Jake tucked him in and I laid with him in his new bed. By 9:20pm this is what we saw.............


I will write tomorrow to let you know how he fared the first night in his new bed! I am hoping to get a few hours of sleep before we have company in our bed!

Today Gus made 33 months! I can't believe he has been sleeping with us for the past 33 months! I would not change a thing! Jake and I both love to reach over and put our hand on his chest or back to make sure he is breathing and the baby morning breath is just adorable. I know, I know in a few short years I won't be saying that (about the morning breath) but until then I will keep trying to smell it every chance I get!! Sweet, sweet Gusley Mommy and Daddy love you so much and are so proud of you for WANTING to sleep in your big boy bed. There was no forcing you or fighting with you. You wanted to do this all on your own! Way to go big boy!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I like to ride my TRICYCLE!!

30 months = 2.5 Years old!!

Where do I even start? Two and a half! WOW!! This is a very fun age to say the least! Gus is a little chatterbox these days. He is now making sentences and we can understand a good bit of what he tells us! I can understand most because I am home with him everyday so I am catching on to his lingo! It seems like yesterday he was a wee little munchkin. Here are his achievements thus far, likes, dislikes and so on!

He is a walking, running, jumping, climbing, chattering, snack lovin', nose pickin', dirt diggin', swinging, sliding, giddy, giggly, music lovin' little boy who loves a good book and lots of kisses and hugs! He is a typical little boy made of snakes and snails and puppy dog tails, but I would not have it any other way!

He knows every letter of the alphabet (upper and lower case). He knows his numbers 1-10 and will often recite them while playing with his toys. He has better rhythm and knack for music than his momma will ever have! I am so glad he was blessed with that trait! He loves to dance (sway his hips in a funky little motion).

Books of the moment: Skuffy the Tugoat, Pigeon has Feelings Too!, Richard Scary - Cars and Trucks and things that Go, Little People at the Barn Yard, Sergio the Penguin, Timothy Tiger's Terrible Toothache (at Nice and Pop's house), Cat in the Hat, Bears Vacation and One Fish, Two Fish! There are plenty more!

Shows of interest: Cat in the Hat Knows a Thing About That, Thomas the Train, Yo Gabba Gabba, Toot & Puddle, Olivia, Super Why, Franklin, The Wiggles, Play with Me Sesame & Moose and Zee (though they are not a show, he loves their little shows between shows!)

Toys he can't live without: PLAY-DOH, colors, markers, stickers, glue, glitter, chalk, trains and trucks and sometimes Roo (his little kangaroo)! He is very much into the arts these days, which I so love to do with him. He has re-discovered his rocking giraffe and kitchen and has been having a grand ole time with his wooden blocks.

Books and Puzzles are not really a toy so they get their own little blurb: He LOVES them both. I got out my 10-25 piece puzzles from when I was younger and he will build them over and over again....all with out any help from us! It is amazing to watch him work these puzzles. Some of them are a little difficult, but he doesn't give up and when it is complete he is so proud to show us his work!

He is talking more and more each day. Currently Gus is obsessed with gas tanks on cars or as he calls it "ass anks"! Combining lots of word to make sentences and is telling us what he wants and if we do not understand him he promptly tells us NO!

I find the following very funny:

Nice House, Pop House, Mom House, Dad House....that could be a Dr. Suess book!
Ass car go....Gas in the car so it can go!
Tat Hat....Cat in the Hat!

He spells any and everything he sees. The other day we were at a red light and he started spelling P-U-B-L-I-X. It took me a few seconds to realize what he was spelling because the sign was a good 50-75 yards away. He can spell Nice, Pop, Mom, Dad, Stop, Gus, Gas, Cat all by himself!

Pottytraining, oh pottytraining.....let's just say it is just that, POTTYTRAINING!! It is a work in progress, but hopefully we are getting closer to being diaper free! Suggestions and tips are welcomed!

I am sure I am forgetting a few milestones, but pictures post are sure to come!!

Chitter Chatter

Seems as though our sweet baby boy is really making the jump into full on toddlerhood and the baby days are coming to an end all to soon. He is talking up a storm and repeating everything we tell him to say!

As of today he can tell us where just about all his body parts are and he is obsessed with "bows" (elbows). He points out everyones bows! He recognizes almost all of his letters and can now say Q and U (shuuu)! We are currently working on X, Y and Z. He notices when there is a pair of something and points it out as soon as he notices it.

I am having such a wonderful time teaching him all of this. It is such a great example of practice makes progress! Kee up the good work big boy!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Grayton Beach ~ day 4...part 1

What do you do when it rains at the beach? Take your child to the movies for the first time and see Toy Story 3!! We had no idea how Gus would like this, but he handled it like a pro! Had they not showed 15 minutes of previews he would have made the entire movie, but he got a little squirmy during the last 15 minutes! I think it is safe to say that Jake and Gus can start going to the movies more often! What a cute little movie!

Daddy and Gus watching the credits role.....such film lovers, which is why I love them!

A little Chick-fil-a does a movie goer good!!

Taking roadtrips to a whole new level

Currently we are embarking on our second roadtrip in 2 weeks. I am still in the process of completing the post from the first one. It will come in due time!! Anyway, thought I would document a few moments of this trip thus far.

First things first, Gusley is OBSESSED with Bob Marley, well just one of his cd's. More particularly, Three Little Birds and Buffalo Soldier. He carried the cd to the car and gave it to Jake as soon as we were ready to leave. We listened to it in it's entirety about 5 times. Possibly more. It does soothe him and it did put him to sleep so kudos to Bob for that!

Secondly, we are very proud of Gus and that he can recognize and tell us the sound that all but about 5 letters make. He also knows #'s 1-9. Each and every truck we pass he is calling out all the letters and numbers in the order they appear and waits for us to repeat it back to make sure he has it right! It is rather entertaining because we have to figure out what he is looking at and spelling! It certainly helps the time pass! Sometimes he will get us and call out the numbers on the radio and clock. He is keeping us on our toes!

And finally, I will have to being you up to speed from the trip 2 weeks ago.....Gus got carsick so bad that we had to purchase a new carseat the next morning. Once we got home we were able to really put some elbow grease into it and get it clean and it is now like new. Since this incident he has been in the new not so fancy seat. Here is the reason for the intro:
He refers to his butt as "boo, boo" (sounds like a cross between boo and poop) so tonight he began squirming and saying "boo,boo" and pulling at his backside. He did not have a dirty diaper he just had an uncomfortable bum. Pulled over put him in the fancy seat (yep, I packed BOTH carseats....hell after what happened last time I will always be prepared!) hebis sleeping so sound and looks oh so comfy.

I am enjoying my chocolate milk and powdered donuts while Jake sips coffee and we listen to Ben Folds Five and enjoy each others company!

Not sure if this will post on the 12th, but if so, Jake, through the past 11 years I would like to thank you for being my friend, boyfriend, fiancé, husband and baby daddy.....in that order!! I love you and am looking forward to many, many more years with you!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Trac-tor

Today we were looking out the window and a tractor was driving down our street, I said to Gus, "look at the tractor" and he looked at me and said, "trac-tor"! This made me smile! I told him how proud I was of him and he said it again with the biggest, proudest smile.

A little later today we were having crackers and he looked at me as said, "crack-er" with his precious smile! I think there is a pattern....words ending in "ER" or "OR" seem to be the words of the week. Keep up the good work Gusley. Mommy and Daddy just love to hear your little voice!

Last night Jake was going over the alphabet with Gus and he wasn't sure of "B" and "C", but after Jake sounded it out to him several times he got it so that makes 15 out of 26!

We went to the grocery store last night and stopped at my parents' house to drop some pictures off and on our way home he pointed out every zero on every speed limit sign and every "O" on every stop sign. We told him it says "two zero, twenty" and he would repeat, "ooo, oohhh"!

Alphabet Soup

Two weekends ago I picked up an alphabet puzzle for Gusley for a buck at a yard sale. It is in perfect condition and under each letter is picture of something that starts with that letter. To say that he LOVES the puzzle is an understatement! He is obsessed with the puzzle. Each night he has to complete the puzzle before bed and the other night we could not find "D" and "L". I guess they were on the DownLow!!! Anyway, we searched and we searched, upstairs, downstairs, under the furniture, EVERYWHERE. As Jake and I combed the house Gus walked around carrying the puzzle with a perplexed look on his face saying, "hummm, hummm" over and over and over until we finally located "D" and "L"! This was very cute and it has since become a game...Alphabet Soup!

He has gotten really good with his letters and it may take him a few tries but he manages to get all the pieces in the correct spot with a little help from Jake and I. So far he for sure recognizes and says the following letters: A, E, G, M, O, S, T, W, Y.

The other night when we were putting him to bed he looked at the clock and said "E" and I looked over at it and the time was 8:30. He can recognize a backwards "E"!!!! We went to Target the other night and he pointed out and said "O' for the o on the stop sign and while we were in the store he pointed out and said "E" for the emergency exit sign! We are having so much fun with Gus at this age! He is such a little sponge and is always eager to learn and sometimes try something new!

He has added a few more words to his vocabulary such as shoes, boots, keys, oh no, my momma, uice = juice, Maw, Gee, Paw, bu-boo = bubbles, goos = glasses/goggles!!!

Update...

We are still pee-peeing in the potty 3-5 times a day and sometimes on the floor just after he gets off the potty!!! That is a-okay with me. It is all progress! Not much to report just keeping a log for myself!

The weather is beautiful. Every window in the house is open. The wind is blowing. Not one light is on in the house and it is very bright! Gus is napping. I am having to stop myself from eating an entire bag of animal crackers! Buttercup is laid out in the sun. Looking forward to a nice walk, workout and a big tall glass of wine!!

I just came across the above pictures and am daydreaming of life living in one of them!!!! It would be so serene and peaceful in the PINK one and very fun and bright in the ORANGE one! On my bucket list is to live in a thatch roof and a vibrant colored house! For now...back to day dreaming!