One Armed Spanish Rose...

Well, the title is a nod to my brother Clay's most recent play Bye Bye Birdie as well as Cam and Josh's new fave nick-name for me! Thanks for your tact in the matter, men.

So the last week of February held all kinds of excitement for our little family. From me breaking my arm and spraining my wrist to Patriot reaching milestones left and right--- we were quite busy. Now that I have pretty well regained my fine motor skils (pecking out keys w/ one hand is SO frustrating!), you can all share in the story:

2.27.08 It all started on a sunny Wednesday morning moments before we left our house for Toddler Time at Central Library. Shannon and Larka (my sis-in-law & mom-in-law) were in town to hang out with Patriot and I on their day off, and we are on our way out the door when it happened. I was standing on the side porch stoop holding the baby carrier over my left arm, keys poised to lock the door in my right hand. Glancing quickly over my shoulder, I stepped back to get out of the way so Larka could get out before I locked the door and BAM! Apparently I misjudged the step down and fell straight back, clinging to the carrier/Patriot with my left and bracing our fall with my right. In my mind I was falling in SLO MO, but somehow the rest of the details are still fuzzy. They helped me set Pate down (I was still hugging the carrier to my body--much to Patriot's confusion) and checked to see if I'd hit my head too hard. Only my arm and my bum hurt but decided all I needeed was a little ice, to pop a couple tylonnel and we would continue to the Library as planned.

Long story short, I ended up calling the doc, just to check in, and they decided I should come in for x-rays. AAAAhhhh! I knew I would be paying the $40 co-pay for nothing, but it was better than not knowing.

After two rounds of x-rays and my arm nearly doubling in size, they decide that I have 'evidence of break' but cannot exactly see where in my elbow I'm broken! Without much explanation, I'm put in a hard, mold to your body split, ace bandaged, put in a sling and sent on my way. I tried to protest, "I'm still nursing 4 times a day, my son isn't even 9 months old yet, who will pick him up?" Dr. Stern (that's really his name:) said he would redo the x-rays in about 2 weeks, and to not shower (WHAT?) or take it off before then to give it a chance to heal. Thankfully we were headed to my parent's house in Plano that weekend and mom had a few bath skills up her sleeve!

During the next two weeks Patriot learned to crawl at a pretty quick pace, pull himself up to standing inside his crib (we figured that out at 4am the Saturday after the big break!), causing Josh to have to lower his mattress, all the while bringing in his 4 top front teeth---WHEW!

Additionally we traveled back and forth (and mom made a couple trips our way) so that I would have someone w/ me 24/7 on baby duty! Not changing a diaper for 3 weeks, blissfull. Not being able to successfully hold, rock and cuddle your precious babe to sleep at night for 3 weeks, heartbreaking.

As of last week's x-ray, we are in the clear on the break (thank-you Jesus!), but I had to wear an ace bandage on my wrist when he discovered the sprain. Seriously? At the end of that week I hosted Easter for our Fam's at our house---we were just asking for trouble, right? More about that later though.

Thanks for all of the prayers you lifted on our behalf during this interesting chapter in our lives:0)

my 8 month old!

1~31~08 I cannot believe we have had Patriot out of the belle for EIGHT months! Everyday, it seems, he learns something new, which is amazing to watch as a parent. Indescribable is my love for our sweet Patriot Shane.

This past month he is loving:

• sitting up by himself and reeeeeeaching for his toys


• scooting and rocking when he works himself down from the prefered sitting position


• blowing razzberries (though not so much at meal time anymore, whew!),


• his teeth: which are his newest accessories and double as toy for his tongue


• flashing us with his dazzling smile that melts hearts all over Texas


• bathtime is FINALLY fun for all envolved


• stage TWO peaches, pineapples, oranges & green beans (all pureed of course!)


• saying HiiiiiDada or Da Dee (i promise it sounds just like that, and the child annunciates!) when he sees Josh or something exciting


• bouncing around in his exersaucer like popcorn


• making the big move into size 3 diapers (officially happened the end of our Mexico trip)

Thing he is hatin' on:

• going down for bedtime or naptime by himself (usually, i will add:)
• laying on his back while his diaper is being changed. why not on his tummy? he says!
• shoes; okay, he's not hating on these, he would just rather eat them then wear them
• 3-6 months clothes are on their last legs at our house.

I SOLD mine!

Okay, the title's a bit of a misnomer, but I've been waiting for nearly a year to say that about the condo! Technically the Tetens sold the condo today thru our awesome realtor Ginny Davis:)

Thanks to all of you who have lifted up the sale of the condo this week. It took a few extra days to finalize everything, but we were notified by the title company around lunch-time today that the new owners came in and signed the paperwork (my in-laws signed in advance and overnighted their paperwork). After it being 'officially' on the market 8 months (Patriot was born 8 months ago today , crazy huh:) God finally brought the buyer in His time, and with His sense of humor the guy that bought it is starting BU Law on Monday! I can still hardly believe it. After months of prayer that the Lord so clearly answered this one. May you be encouraged:)

BTW--one of my big blogging hang-ups has been wanting a pic with every post, BUT my friend angela reminded me tonight that while pix are fun, they are keeping me from posting on a more regular basis. so above is my first picture-less post; enjoy!

First Tooth...or should I say teeth?

For MONTHS I have been writing off any fussiness with Patriot or hiccup in schedule to 'teething'. Seriously, since he was about 3 1/2 or 4 months old he exhibited all of the classic teething signs from crazy drooling and rubbing everything on his gums for days at a time. Some say Patriot has a little flair for the dramatic (like his mom?) so my guess is he has been setting the stage for this momentous event for quite a while.

It all went down 3 weeks ago tonight (1/7/08). That Monday night Patriot had a weird crying fit that ended in bleeding gums. All we can figure is that he bumped his sore gums with a toy or had a little blood blister that popped as his teeth were on their way up to break the gum line. I checked for a tooth at that point, but nothing yet. So, the next morning I dropped him off for his weekly visit to Mother's Day Out. He smiled and blew me a razzberry as I left, seemingly well adjusted. About an hour later I realized I missed a call on my cell, but before I can check the message, the same # calls again. Suddenly I'm speaking directly with the Mother's Day Out Coordinator, who says they have been trying to calm Patriot down for the entire time I've been gone and nothing is working. Thoughts flood my mind as I rush (safely drive, I mean, mom:) to the church. Is he sick? Is he hurt? I wish he could talk! Did I eat something that didn't agree with him? AHHHHH!!!

By the time I arrived Patriot was at the point of just shuddering and looking bleary eyed, but was no longer crying. As soon as his teacher handed him over, he immediately looked relieved and began trying to use my hand as a teething toy (better than anything we can buy in stores and sometimes just as sanitary!). Ouch! I looked down to see what had so sharply poked me and realized that Patriot bit me with his first tooth!!! After a more thorough inspection I confirmed to his much relieved teachers that his bottom middle tooth on the right side had popped thru. Moments later he was once again blowing razzberries, but I decided we had enough excitement for one day and we headed home.

That afternoon he took a three hour nap, whew! Then the process started over again as the second bottom tooth (left side) began it's accent and popped thru the gum line on Wednesday morning. It was very difficult to get a picture of these two gems at first, but now he proudly shows them off:)

PS. i normally don't post pix of my kid in freshly spit-up upon clothes, but the teeth shot outweighed cleanliness this time! this was the best out of the shoot!

New Year, New Post--shocking, i know:)

okay my friends,

it has been quite some time since you have seen or heard from us on the web, but now i'm back! i won't promise to blog daily or anything but at least more often than the last gap. our life has been crazy lately (as have most of your lives, i'm sure:)

somehow the computer and patriot are on opposite schedules. our son loves to sleep-in (after his first morning feed), therefore he up late into the evening. the computer goes to work with josh and returns at various times in the evening. as sidenote, patriot has made a rare appearance in his bed before 10:30, thus leaving me with a few minutes for blogging.

i have all kinds of adventures to share, and the longer i wait to blog, the more adventures we have. i think this might be part of the problem. when i do have a moment on the computer, i think i have to fill everyone in on everything! so, unfortunately you will not be caught up on the last 3+ months play by play, but i will put up some fun pix for you to see what we have been up to in the next post.

see you soon!

*the above pic is an example of what happens when your parents get ahold of your camera and your son. napkin wearing (or in this case cute burpcloth wearing) runs in our family.

Fun Firsts...

PLAYGROUP:
Our first official playgroup was at the Wilson's house down the street. As you can see, Patriot and Tristan dressed up for the occasion! Who doesn's love jammies?
Eventhough our babies are young, playgroup offers some much needed mommy interaction. The tips, advice, and support I've gotten from the other gals has been wonderful.






HIGHCHAIR:
On Labor Day we had a little cookout (even in the rain:) with the Wheeler kids. Patriot joined us at the table for the feast in his brand-new high chair that adapts for infants (thanks Lita and Pop:) We feasted on some YUM italian style pesto burgers, grilled corn on the cobb and josh's famous guacamole. Pate was asleep before the meal ended, but Uncle Sam on his onesie said it all "I want YOU to change my diaper!"



NIGHT IN HIS CRIB:
Many of you know Patriot has been sleeping on my nightstand in his Moses basket for the past 3 months. I started letting him nap in his crib last Wednesday (inside of his moses:) Last Thursday we put him down for his evening "nap" after his 9:00 feeding and he slept til the morning! I was SURE he would wake up in the middle of the night and need me, so I slept on a mattress in the middle of his bedroom floor. Boy was I surprised when the boy woke me at 8:15 am the next day! He hearts his new room. Now, if I can just be brave enough to take him out of Moses!

our little tiger

Here is a sweet pix of Patriot in Josh's "coming home" outfit. The Tetens got a kick out of seeing their grandson in this very special outfit.
One day i will upload the pic of Josh in it 28 years ago:) If anyone has ideas on restoring a faded photo, let me know!

Elvis and giggles!

Hilarious!

A couple of weeks ago my brother Clay donned some Elvis gear for a little gig at the Elite Cafe. I finally snagged the pix from my mom's cam when she was in town this week. Pate liked the King's sparkly apparel and wasn't fooled by his uncle's disguise!

Bumbo Bumbo!

We LOVE our Bumbo Seat! This was Patriot's first day to try out his new perch and Noni captured this cutie pose:) Mom (aka Noni) has been such a help these past few months. Pate loves to cuddle and sleep on his Noni so I can get some things done around the house and run some much needed errands. Hurray for grand- moms!

This pic is becoming a favorite on computer wallpapers across the state:) We've finally started capturing the dimple--isn't he handsome?

my two month old!

Patriot officially became 2 months old on Tuesday July 31st, however life has been a little crazy lately so this post is a bit of a catch up!

Road Trip

Patriot and I took our first solo (duo?) road trip to Plano on the 24th to see some MK and college friends. It was quite an adventure as we attended an fun fiesta dinner at MaryKay corporate, lunched with my college roomie Haley, attended a bit of MK seminar in downtown, and hung out with the fam.

Everything takes longer and seems to pose new challanges with a baby. Whether that is getting ready for an event or trying to stay sane at one! By the time P and I arrived for the tour of MK corporate offices, he decided he was starving again. The sweet mk staff showed us a private tour of the offices as they led us to the specially designed "Mother's Room" for nursing. I was able to snap a pic of the happy camper before we attended the dinner. My sweet dad occupied him while I enjoyed fellowshipping with my sister consultants at the yummy fiesta dinner.

The Blow-out--The next day we met Hales for lunch at the fabulous lucheon spot Breadwinners. Pate woke up fussy right after our lunch arrived, so we decided to take turns holding him. Unfortunately, my adorable son decided to have a HUGE diaper blow-out in Haley's arms :( I mean a costume change worthy event with screams to boot! She was definately a good sport, but Pate and I had to make a quick exit to the bathroom. I walk in the ladies room and it doesn't take long to figure out there is no where to change my child, not even a countertop or chair! By the time i finish my 360, a mom and her two daughters enter the bathroon, blocking my exit. She instantly sizes up the situation and says, "Here's what we are going to do: I will hold him in my arms while you clean him up and change him. Does he take a pacifier?" (Oh yeah, did i forget to mention that i cannot find either of the two pacifiers i know we left plano with? I've already been out to the car and torn apart my diaper bag--more on that later...) I sheepishly admit that I don't have one with me, as my child's screams get louder. She says, "Well, that would have been helpful about now, but let's get started!" So, picture me, changing my child in mid-air on a stranger while her two adorable children pepper us with questions and Pate loudly protests. I'm tired remembering it all! Since I don't have paci, she suggests that I nurse him when i return to the table, well really it was more expectation than a suggestion! I hadn't planned on nursing him, since it's still quite a 30 minute an ordeal, but I decide to do an abrivated version instead. Our table was somewhat secluded, but it was still bit odd to be breastfeeding in public among the business men and women having lunch meetings! Funny, if I had whipped out a bottle to feed him no one would have batted an eyelash. Why is breastfeeding so strange in our culture these days?

Two Month Check Up:

Monday the 30th was shot day and new reflux meds day. He weighted in at almost 9 lbs and 21 inches, so thankfully he is growing, slowly but surely. We asked Dr. B about switching to Previcid he agreed that we should try it for the next month to see if we notice a difference. So far I've noticed a lot less choking and gagging, but some of the tummy troubles are still evident.

Thanks to all of our friends and family who have checked in on us, provided meals, and cuddled with our son for the first 2 crazy months of his life:)