11.13.10

Gobble, Gobble!!

I can't believe Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away!! I am really excited.

Haylie hasn't had a chance to make her Thanksgiving/Fall crafts yet, but hopefully today/tomorrow we get a chance to at least make a couple of things together. She is so much fun now that she actually understands holidays. It adds even more excitement for me, haha! Haylie is doing well and growing right before my eyes into a young lady.

Chase had his 9 month visit this past Tuesday and he weighed in at 20lbs 2oz and was 29 1/2 inches long. We didn't get any shots, but they did prick his finger to test his iron level. That little stink did not flinch, cry, whimper or even bat an eye for that matter. I was in shock. Haylie would of been hollering causing a huge scene and out of that office as fast as she could. I guess, he has to be manly and brave for his momma! I finally went out and bought new sippy cups!! Hooray!! They're insulated, hard plastic spout and have a leak proof valve. He has done great with them and I have no mess!! I gave him a cup full of cow's milk and he took it like it was no big deal. I did try giving him the sippy cup at bedtime and he did fall asleep, but woke up a few hours later, because it just wasn't the same as his bottle. Since he uses his sippy cup all day I figure a bottle for a 9 month old isn't going to hurt and formula in a sippy cup? Yack! He knows the word "no" and will shake his head no at you, haha.

Eric is supposed to be on days off, but he has been working on another rig for the past 3 days. Today is luckily the last day so I can still have Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with him. He is so amazing I just can't put it into words sometimes! It is really nice to have someone tell you how much they love you every single day and show it constantly. Yesterday, he brought me long stem white roses when he came home from work...just because. I'm glad I have such a loving husband who is an amazing father to the kiddos. He truly is my other half and I'd be lost without him....really, I would. Hell, I'd probably have no clean clothes, either. LOL. I hate doing laundry.

I'm still alive...barely. Haha. I started up taking the HCTZ again last night and 2 birth control pills and will do the same again tonight in hopes of having some control over my body. It'd be nice to look like I'm actually not a lazy bum who stuffs her face constantly. The HCTZ worked like crazy last night. I was getting out lots of water! Yesterday also marked 1 month being off of birth control....woohoo! I do not miss paying for that depo to make me miserable! I have been waking up extremely nauseated the past couple of mornings, but I'm not prego. I'm excited for Thanksgiving for so many reasons! I am buying a Honey-Baked Ham and I think from the sounds of it we're having 3 turkeys? I know I am not buying 3 hams though...at 50-60 bucks a ham I'm not that crazy. We normally set up the Christmas tree on Thanksgiving which Haylie liked helping last year so this year she will really dig it. I am not sure if we're still going to set it up on Thanksgiving Day or not, because family will be showing up around noon ready to eat. After they leave I get to clean up and nap a bit until I get up and get ready to be waiting at Target at 2AM. I want my tv, dammit. LOL. Then, we may set up the Christmas decorations/lights outside on Friday, but if not then DEF on Saturday. I am almost done completely as far as Christmas shopping goes. I have some minor things to get, but other than that I get to relax, enjoy the holidays, bake and be merry.

In case I do not post until after Thanksgiving I hope everyone has a great day!

11,04.10

Happy November!!

Halloween has come and gone..and the pumpkins didn't get stolen or smashed! LOL. It's sad that is a thing to be happy about now-a-days. We ended up taking the Kiddos to see My Mom for their goodies from her, having dinner with Eric's Family, going trick or treating where we did last year and then going out for ice cream. Haylie loves Halloween. She told Eric and I how much fun she had and how Chase is one cute monkey. Once we got home and I changed both kiddos Haylie took her costume to "put it up" for next weekend, because she is going trick or treating again this weekend, LOL! Chase had a nice time...he passed out as soon as we hit the car, but at least he was fully awake and functional for his 1st Halloween!

Haylie-Bug is doing great! She has asked every single day since Halloween has passed if it's Christmas yet, haha. I tell her no, but Thanksgiving is coming soon. I don't think Thanksgiving is that big of a deal for the little ones until they're older and see the huge array of food...with junk food included. SO, I am going to teach her about Thanksgiving and see what she comes up with that she is thankful for. Spongebob, it better not be you! LOL! I am going to do some arts/crafts with her Thanksgiving/Fall related so after Halloween we learn Thanksgiving comes next before that imaginary fat guy in the red suit gets to take all the credit for Momma and Daddy's empty bank accounts! She is so smart and witty...like her Momma, of course...However, we have our attitude-filled days and I wish I could lie and say she didn't get it from me, but we all know better than that, don't we?

Chase is NINE months now! My Sweet "Baby" is soon enough going to be a toddler. Yes, I want to cry! On Halloween he woke up chipper and playful as usual and got in his sister's firetruck that for some reason didn't get put up the night before. Well, he had an accident and bumped his big ol' noggin on the floor. We don't have carpet. OUCH! He cried for a whole second..I'd say 2 seconds, but it was merely a second. His 1st Halloween pictures all have him with a big ugly bruise on his head..I was sure his costume was going to cover it, but of course not. He has his 4 top teeth coming through to go with those 4 cute little chompers he has on bottom. I think the little piggy is gearing up for turkey and ham!! I'm sad to say we are also standing for decent periods of time without pulling up on anything or holding onto anything. He tries to take steps, but LUCKILY, isn't successful, YET. Haylie started walking at 11-11 1/2 months and she was talking by 6 months. Chase on the other hand will only say BA BA BA BA and occasionally a Ma Ma. I guess his strong point is going to be being mobile. Darn! He LOVES his sippy cup. I've had him taking one since 5-6 months, but just a couple times a week. He really loves the ones I bought and does pretty good, but they have no leak valve...just that they won't bust open when thrown, squeezed, etc. Hopefully, I can find one he likes with valves, because he isn't getting one in the car..especially when we switch to milk next month!

Eric got sick yesterday and I'm not sure if he got a 24 hour bug, is coming down with a different bug or what. He was sick all day at work yesterday and came home even worse. Although, he is stubborn and work is something he takes seriously and will not call in sick. Plus, he knew his butt was going to be at the doctor...and he is so anti-doctor. He got sick last year with a bronchitis type bug so that means he can't be sick this year, haha...he typically only gets sick once every other year. I typically will get sick once...and since having kids maybe twice a year tops. I love not being sickly and thank heavens everyday that the kids are not snot nosed frequently, but sometimes I think if I did get sick I'd get a vacation to lay in bed and do nothing, LOL...cough on me, please?

Stress has been in full force here lately with me. I have SO much on my plate with My Family, TTC, etc. As some of you know My Mom had an MRI last week which was supposed to just be looking at her gallbladder, but they went ahead and took a look at her liver, too. Well, we got the results back that afternoon and we're facing cancer. The Doctor was VERY unclear and really pissed me off to the point I wanted to say something very ugly. However, I had to shut up, because even though My Mom fakes it as no big deal...I knew better looking at her face. Plus, just knowing My Mom. We have an appointment a week before Thanksgiving with the BEST oncologist at Eric's Mom's work. Since, the specialist...special ed in my book doctor we saw didn't give me anything clearly I used the powers of having connections and had the results read out in plain english. She has 5 lesions (spots) that have been there for a bit, but not long. They're still relatively small and we are hoping will be gone with the route we discussed taking. If not, "Infusion" (a fancy new name for Chemo pretty much) is the next step. I don't think she will be too thrilled with it and will probably decline treatment knowing her. However, she is so crazy about the Grandbabies, My Brother and I she just might do it.

I was taking a big break from sodas in hopes of knocking down my caffeine dependency, losing weight, etc. I did well. 1 1/2 weeks and I had 1 soda. 2 weeks passed and no soda. I can't say I didn't feel like hell, but I did relatively okay considering all else. Finally, the stresses of life took over and My Mom could see it....she went to Wal-Mart and bought me a 24 pack! LOL. I've had more than I should and wanted to over the past couple of days, but I do feel better. I'm still playing the weight game with the effects of Depo-Provera and Enjuvia. I haven't taken my HCTZ since my last oopsie with it, but I should start again. The Depo is still in my system and of course the Enjuvia is, too. Hopefully, by the end of December it is gone so I can start a new year. If I'm not announcing I'm pregnant by next October..I won't be announcing it all and some days I am perfectly okay with that and other days not-so-much. I was successful at sticking to my guns about the pantry and both freezers being pretty bare before I would go buy groceries. Out of both freezers we had some frozen veggies, a P.F Changs meal for 2 and 3 paninis left! SUCCESS! I now have shelves in the garage for overflow from the pantry...just in time for holiday cooking, too! My cart was full to the top and I had to put some frozen pizzas on the bottom plus use My Mom's cart for just TWO cases of sodas which better last all month...I may buy just 1 more for Thanksgiving depending on who comes. However, both freezers are full, but not as full as normal and I still forgot a couple of things I'll need to go after in a couple days. I just hope I see success and savings.

It's almost 6AM so I better head back to bed so I can nap before Haylie-Bug or Chase wake up ready to rock.

10.22.10

Can you believe it is almost Halloween!? Then, shortly after it will be Thanksgiving! Haylie is super excited for Halloween this year and Chase doesn't even know what Halloween is. I am not exactly sure what the agenda is for Halloween, but I wanted to make sure for someone to be home to hand out candy. I am thinking we will just go visit My Mom, My Brother/Sister In-Law and maybe My Dad/Dana earlier in the evening and then chill at home to hand out candy this year! Haylie is going to be a TCU Cheerleader and Chase is going to be a monkey!

I finally went to the doctor and got some answers! My labs came back to show all my cells are going back to normal and I'm 100% now in that area. I started taking a medication for the swelling/water retention/etc. and I have noticed some results, but not a major change. I decided to be oh so bright and take an extra dose the other night and that was a huge mistake! I had the results I wanted, but I also could not see 4-5 feet past my nose for 48 hours!! Yikes! I depleted all of my potassium and hurt my iron levels, too. I am back to normal again and am taking a couple of days off from the meds! Once the Enjuvia and Depo-Provera fully leave my system I should be in good shape. Apparently, once you stop taking the hormone pills (Enjuvia) your body goes insane and you will have weight issues for a while and lots of water retention so that is why I started the medication I am now taking! It is nice not spending $200 a month on meds, plus a depo shot every 3 months and being completely miserable. I spend $4 and am good to go!

Eric and I...and partially Haylie decided we are going to have another baby! As of Oct. 12th I am off of birth control and ready to start the motions. I am scared that it will take a long time or I may of become infertile thanks to the Depo-Provera, but I was given some hope from ladies taking it for many years and being pregnant within 1-3 months. If I cannot conceive I won't seek an infertility doctor. I believe if it is meant to happen, it will. If God decides that Haylie and Chase are enough for us I am perfectly content with that decision. I have 2 very amazing and in my eyes perfect children! I could not have asked for better than I have! They're simply amazing! I decided I wanted to start doing more crafty things and even more cooking at home. The week Eric is off we have been crazy slacking and eating out...which adds up! I want to spend as much time doing family activities and devoting myself to My Husband and Our Family. The holidays are near and 3 in a row will be Chase's 1st's with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I want them to be special for both kids. I guess I go all out with cooking, decorating, etc. because it is something I didn't really have. We always had a tree, lots of presents (given a few hundred bucks as My Brother and I got older) the same food every other family had, but nothing over the top with a ton of food (There was only 4 of us) and eventually lights weren't put up outside, because at the age of 8-9 My Dad didn't feel the need, because there were no "little" kids around the house, but it was something I still enjoyed and I want My Kids and their kids to always enjoy at Our House. I guess I want to be "that" Mom, but at the same time I don't want to be the type of mom who presents themselves that way, but are total wackjobs! I let the kids celebrate Halloween, I let them eat junk food (within reason), I let them have sugar, I let them explore, I let them get dirty, I'm not going green, I don't think High-Fructose Corn Syrup causes cancer and I let my kids have it, I don't force religion down their throats, I don't make them eat super healthy diet-like food...THEY'RE KIDS! They can only be a kid for a short time in their life before the stresses of adulthood take over!

I have also started to deeply think about ways to cut down on some of the wasteful spending we do. What do you do to save money? We will be eating at home and having dessert at home except maybe a couple of times a month. Eric gets 7 days off and during those 7 days we typically spend $25-ish for lunch and $50-$70 bucks on dinner. That is well over $500 at times close to $600 on JUST freakin' food!! I also cut down the random trips to the donut place..10 bucks a day adds up, too. I will also be finding crafty activities for us to do with Haylie and outdoor games for here at home. For Christmas we discussed buying the kids a swingset/playground type deal and a trampoline so we can cut down on some of the trips to the park. However, I am not opening a duckpond or inviting a ton of kids over so the park will still be necessary at times. The Kids will get clothes with each season, but not constantly every time I am out, because I've learned after cleaning closets to add in Fall/Winter clothes that BOTH kids had clothes/shoes never worn with tags or worn once and it was a big waste! I'll admit I've always been spoiled by my parents and now Eric the past few years and I need to get a grip on myself, too. I have been good about buying clothes, purses, shoes, jewelry, etc. I only have 1 unused purse w/tags and 2 pairs of shoes unused with tags at the moment. I will not buy unless I absolutely love it...no "I kinda like it, I can make it work" thinking anymore, because it gets me in big trouble! Hopefully, I can stick with it and see some positive change...and extra change for savings, hehe. SO, tell me...what useless spending have you or are you trying to stop?

FACEBOOKERS!!! I know you cannot comment on blogger unless you have one so please do comment on My Facebook with your thoughts!! Pwease?

10.07.10

We survived My Grandparents visiting without a single glitch! Haylie didn't runaway screaming like a crazy person was after her and actually enjoyed them...However, they were traded in for "Stinky Wayne" rather quickly. Haha. Haylie is doing well and as much as she loves Summer I think she is ready for the change of pace with the weather, too. She likes that we can go outside, feed the ducks, go to the park, etc without having to wait until the evening....plus, she likes helping Momma bake! Eric's next week off we're supposed to go ride the little train in Forest Park and we're thinking about the zoo if we don't wait and go for "Boo at the Zoo." We want to go back out to Fossil Rim since neither of the kids have been and check out the Fort Worth Nature Center, too. It is so neat she is finally at the age where she thoroughly enjoys things and can let you know how much they meant.

Chase is still getting his chompers in. We have FOUR now!! Yay!! He has 4 all on bottom so hopefully the 4 on top come pretty soon. He goes back to the pediatrician in November and I am scared to even think about how tall he is and how much he weighs. He was already in the 90th percentile on height at 6 months and now no one believes he just turned 8 months old. Haha. He definitely grew fast. Sissy Bear (My Niece Alyssa) turns 1 this weekend so before I know it Chase will be turning 1, too.

Eric's 25th Birthday was really nice with a ton of food...and a ton left, lol. However, next time we do fajitas with THAT many people I will be buying them and not busting my butt in the kitchen making them. He had 3 cakes and all 3 were pretty much gone by that night. Apparently, I need to open a bakery and a restaurant according to some people. I don't think I'd ever do it though. It would ruin the fun in it for me and I'd go from loving it to hating it really quick! I want to learn to get better at decorating cakes, cupcakes, cookies, etc. I made a UT cake one time that turned really well....until it was picked up the wrong way and cracked!

I am doing great...although not looking forward to going to the doctor next week..Hopefully, we figure out something though. The swelling has started to act a fool, lol. Some days I look normal..I'd say thin, but we all know there is nothing thin about me! Other days I look about 7 months pregnant and absolutely nothing fits and what does I don't wanna wear. I'd like to go run/walk now that it is cool outside, but I can't until I get cleared from the doc.....he better give me lasik's, find a problem and clear me on the 12th or he is going to get an earful! He's delivered both kiddos, always treated me, etc and this past month I have gotten the WORST service from his nurses, EVER. I've always bragged on his office and him and now I am thinking about changing doctors, but I still really like him as a doctor.

Well......until next time!

9.24.10

My how time flies.....Haylie-Bug is growing so fast and such a smart and witty little girl. She is finally starting to open up to other kiddos and actually likes them. She does tumbling classes and absolutely LOVES it! This Saturday is the last class for the session we were in, but I may sign her up for the 8 week course. The instructor said after the 8 week course she could move onto gymnastics, because she is so into it and the best in her class, but she would be the youngest in the class if I moved her to gymnastics and I just do not think that would go over too terribly well. She has a girl in her tumbling class that is in Kindergarten and they hold hands and run around playing at the end of class, but I don't think she would like much older than that. I have pondered ballet/tap, but I know for a fact she is not dainty and self-disciplined enough for the ballet part. She would be in there shaking her butt and wiggling her hips in a matter of seconds, lol. We are going to try this coming spring to get her involved with different types of sports to see which she likes best so she can join a league in the Fall.

Chase is almost EIGHT months old!! Yikes!! He's so active now and I know I couldn't wait for him to start playing and moving around, but he is too mobile! I have to Chase him around just to get him dressed after bath time. He is eating EVERYTHING! LOL. He eats 2 stage 2 jars at once and can eat stage 3 without any problems. He is eating a lot of table food, also. I have all the Gerber Graduates stuff he can have for now...the wagon wheels, lil' crunchies, yogurt melts, cereal puffs, etc. The only thing I have found him not to be too crazy about is mashed potatoes (must not be related to Haylie, lol) and refried beans, but he will eat whole soft pinto beans like they're candy. We are crawling, standing, growling (haha) and we have caught the occasional "Mama," but I am not ready to say that is his 1st words, because it isn't a constant. Haylie was already talking by now so anytime now we should have another blabbermouth to drive Momma nutty!

Eric and I are doing wonderfully and enjoying each other and Our Family we made together. He is truly amazing and I have never felt the way I do about anyone the way I do him. We have done quite a bit more work to the house here recently, but are kind of at a stand still with all of the birthdays, holidays, events coming up....I get really crabby when the house is not clean or things are out of place and when we work on the house and I see things laying around I get really pissy, lol. My Grandparent's (Dad's side) actually the only Grandparents I have left are coming to visit Oct. 1st-4th and I am not really that excited. I like My "Grandpa" even though he isn't my real grandpa. However, I don't see them often, but this year they are coming down this trip and supposedly Christmas...I have to host dinner Friday night and I get to host Christmas, also....ugh. It'll be a busy weekend coming up for sure. Friday the Grandparents will be here and SATURDAY--------My Sweetheart turns 25!!! After the adventures we had for My Brother's party he is lucky we aren't going to Chuck E Cheese, lol. I'm not sure if we're doing a dinner/party at the house or going out, yet.

All in all everyone is doing great and happy so until next time...........