Miles' First Graduation!

His cousin, the lovely Kaile, graduated from Hernando High yesterday and we all attended a celebratory dinner Friday night as well as the ceremony on Saturday. Congrats to Kaile! You looked amazing and did a great job. We're all proud of you!!

In other news Miles is teething AND has a cold. Talk about being hit with a double whammy.

Aww...Miles' first fever :(

Pic of the day: How Miles usually looks when awakening from a nap.

Our lil bit slept a LOT last night. From 5:30pm til 7:30am precisely! When he woke up he didn't appear to be sick but he certainly was not his happy, fun little self. He loves to play, smile and laugh at us and he didn't do any of those all morning long. He napped from 10 til 3 and when he woke up Matt noticed how warm he felt. Sure enough - he was running a small fever.

I called the nurse and she said Tylenol every 4 hours and to bring him in tomorrow morning if he wasn't better. My poor, sweet little boy. It just breaks our hearts to hear him whimpering pitifully while we're rocking him, snuggling him close and trying to calm him.

I know this happens to all babies eventually and that we're lucky it's taken almost 4 months before it's happened to us but it doesn't make it any easier once lightning strikes.

Naturally, we don't ask for prayer but we'd like our friends to keep us in their thoughts over the next couple of days.

Edited to add: As of the next morning my lil bit has awoken from a 12 hour sleep fresh, happy and fever-free. Hooray for Tylenol!!

First "Real" Mother's Day

Pic of the day: My beautiful mama's day roses!

Friday afternoon the doorbell rings so Matt goes to answer, thinking it was a tenant. No, it was UPS! And he walks in the door with a box from ProFlowers.com!! It was roses from my mom and dad. I told them not to make a big deal but they kept saying, "But this is your FIRST Mother's day and besides we think you're such a wonderful mom." Aww.
Then my great hubby brings me a basket of beautiful purple flowers and a balloon, knowing purple is my favorite color. If you have any doubts just look at my wedding photos. I also got this lovely mother-baby figurine from the Willow Tree line (I collect those.) I'm incredibly lucky to have such a great baby who is so easy and low maintenance. It is these days I will remember once he's a teenager.
Anyway, happy mama's day to all my mama friends out there, which pretty much includes each and every one of you these days!!

Great Movie!

I stayed up late after little bit went to sleep last night and watched all 3 hours of the movie, Magnolia. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. If you have, rent it and watch it again. I sure plan to, mainly so I can share it with Matt but also to pick up on some of the smaller details I missed the first time. It's a long time to commit to for just a movie but well worth it, in my opinion.
Any praise? Disagreements? Post in my comments section and let's chat, shall we?

A Cinco De Mayo Update

Miles just wrapped up his 3 month birthday last week and is changing by leaps and bounds on an almost daily basis. He's been smiling for quite a while but uttered his first genuine laugh a couple of weeks ago as my dad lifted him up in the air. He also enjoys, after a nice big bottle, laying on his back with a paci in his mouth and talking. People always tell you babies say their first word when they're about a year old but I think a 3 month old repeating the word "goya" over and over is quite a feat in itself. I have decreed that the Spanish drink name brand is his first REAL word. I have to admit it was almost creepy to hear a true human-sounding voice coming from that little being who, up until now, has mostly exercised his lungs to scream.
He's also presumably going through a growth spurt since he sleeps not only throughout the entire night but takes several naps during the day as well. This makes it easier on the parents and frees us up to relax and kick back a little bit. His food intake has drastically increased too. He can suck down 8 ounces in a matter of minutes and sometimes takes in a few more ounces right before a nap, just to "top him off" as Matt says.

I'm reading the Girlfriend's Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood, compliments of my girlfriend Cat, and LOVING it. I find myself nodding in agreement to a lot of the material she covers and trying my best to memorize the advice for baby events to come. I highly recommend the Girlfriend's Guide series to anyone who has recently conceived or given birth to their own little one. It's the most honest book I've come across without all that scary medical mumbo jumbo that can give a poor pregnant woman a stroke. You know the ones - chapters on what WILL happen to you and how there is NOTHING you can do about it. My experience as a formerly prego woman is that 90% of what people told me would happen never did and the other 10% consisted of things no one told me about that happened to me!

On another note, I have come to the conclusion that I am the incredible shrinking woman. In my 9th month I was topping out the 190's on the scale and, according to my doctor's appointment this morning, I'm currently at a svelte 134. That's even less than I weighed pre-pregnancy! The kicker is that I don't diet and I don't exercise. I call it "the newborn diet". When your primary concern is feeding an infant and keeping him happy you can maybe work in some sort of meal every 12 hours and abracadabra - you lose weight! I would be ecstatic if only I could lose that pesky lose skin around my tummy that has been a constant reminder of how BIG I was at the end of my 3rd trimester. Anyone know a good, cheap plastic surgeon?

Miles' First Festival!

Pic of the day: Matt snapped this pic of me & Sugarpop right after I woke up one weekday to take over "the morning shift". Forgive me for looking like absolute crap but I think this looks as if I just told Miles the punchline to a great joke that he found absolutely hilarious.

Yesterday we made our second annual trek down to the river for the Crawfish Festival. Neither of us really eat crawfish but we have a friend who is a through and through Cajun woman who loves all things N'Awlins so she, her husband and three girls rent a VIP tent space each year. It's a bit of time for us to hook up with dear friends in wonderful, warm spring weather.

We packed the diaper bag TIGHT full of virtually everything a baby could possibly need without bathroom access...except a hat. Right after we popped him into the Hotsling and started walking from the car I looked down and saw that bald, little head totally and completely exposed to the hot sun and suddenly remembered I had the perfect wide-brimmed hat at home someone had given us at our shower last year. Curses!! So we kept him either in the shade or in his car seat for most of the day.

I loved watching his reaction to all these things he was experiencing for the very first time: a large crowd, Zydeco bands, other kids and babies. Then there were smells from the corn dog stand, funnel cakes, grilled burgers and corn on the cob. He silently watched with huge, interested eyes while sucking on his fist and cuddling up against me in his sling. Speaking of the sling, I made a bet with Matt that we would be the only people in that entire crowd wearing one and I was right. In a wide open park a stroller is ideal but in tight, crowed quarters around drunk people a Hotsling was the best $30 we ever spent. And we got so many smiles, comments and questions while we were wearing it! I love being in "the parent club" and striking up conversations with strangers on the phases of infanthood. Being a mom rocks so much more than I ever expected.

Also, last night my best girlfriends K and Cheri (names slightly changed to protect the guilty) and I carpooled over to our newly prego girlfriend Cat's place to dump some loot on her. I had no idea before I became pregnant that something snaps in a new mom's head making her want to give away lots of the stuff she used when she was formerly pregnant that came in handy along with some things she knows the preggers girlfriend will need. During the move I sorted through every scrap of my clothing and came up with 2 boxes worth of maternity clothes, a bottle brush (whoever invented those gets a hug from me) and a whole bag of newborn diapers we never even used since our lil one grew so fast. The three of us talked, laughed and drank wine for hours as Cat sat quietly, sipping her water and listening to our stories. It must have been a lot for the poor girl to take in but Cheri and I have been "on the front lines" with one child each and have a lot to share as far as safe remedies for all ailments of pregnancy as well as birthing advice. Cheri had a VERY fast natural childbirth with no time for an epidural while I, of course, had a c-section with lots and lots of great medication. Depending on Cat's progression there's no telling what path she will end up taking. Hopefully, having good girlfriends around to impart their sageness helped her feel a bit more at ease. After all, it's a scary process and a first-timer has no idea what to expect. Cat, any time you have a question no matter how trivial or "gross" you might think it, please do NOT hesitate to call or email your "fairy godmothers" and we will be happy to oblige.

Having a baby? BUY THIS!!

The Summer Infant 900 MHz 2.5" color LCD screen baby monitor. Yes, it's very pricey. But it is by far the coolest thing I have ever purchased for my child. It shows color during the day and black and white at night. Matt and I put the handheld piece on the coffee table while we were eating supper and watched "the Miles show". Then, while he was at work, I would roll over in bed several times during the night and flip on the screen so I could see what my sugarpop (as I call him) was up to. It picks up the slightest sounds and movement so us paranoid new moms can always make sure our lil ones haven't caught the SIDS. (Yeah, we call it that on purpose as if it's a contagious disease.)

I paid big bucks for mine because I had a JCPenney gift card but you can get it for much cheaper at Walmart. Cat, if you're reading this - it is WELL worth the investment. Put it on your baby registry!!

Life Changes Quickly

Between moving from our tiny shoebox one bedroom apartment to a huge ample two bedroom, facing the death of my last remaining grandmother and taking care of an infant you could say I've had a very busy last couple of weeks. And, since I wasn't feeling especially positive, I opted to refrain from blogging until today.

To recap the funeral was lovely. My dad found a company who sends out a lady with a giant basket of white doves to be released at the gravesite and it was one of the most impressive things I think I've ever seen. My brother and I released them and, to be honest, I think we were a bit scared of them. After all, we grew up around dozens of dogs and cats (even the occassional goldfish - Figaro, I believe it was named) but never a bird. However, the "bird lady" assured us that these doves are well trained and will simply fly back to their corporate headquarters...or wherever it is they call home.

Both of my aunts came which always greatly surprises me as well as my Papaw which filled dad's wish of wanting a picture of him with his greatgrandson. I read the eulogy and screwed up several times, embarassing myself. Nevertheless my husband assured me no one noticed except for the hard time he gave me for replacing the word "retired" with "retarded". Guh. Sue, I apologize for looking like such a schmuck.

Our new place is awesome. Matt and I have been living happily in an ultra tiny cubbyhole for the last 2 years and never would have moved at all if it hadn't of been for the little one. When one person is trying to sleep with only a thin wall between them and a screaming newborn being comforted by another it becomes quite clear that more square footage is needed. Who knew something so small could command so much room?! We chose our own colors for all the rooms (I'm especially proud of the bathroom) and now have a patio so large that we can fit all our outdoor furniture along with the grill and baby swing together. It's a LOT closer to the street whereas before we were in the center of the courtyard so traffic is a lot noisier but the sacrifice is well worth it. Plus, I had a great excuse to go out and buy this ultra pimp baby monitor with a color video screen because hey, you never know when we'll be hanging on the clamorous porch while Miles awakens from a nap. Desperate times call for desperate measures, right? Yeah, yeah, I know the cheapy $15 one from Target would suffice but I think I will really like my new toy.

Ok, time to get cracking on some Ebay shipments I need to get out today. Have I mentioned I have an Ebay business? No? Well then come on over and check out my store! Inventory is constantly being updated and my prices are almost always negotiable: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZclubdivaQQhtZ-1

Miles' Great Grandmother

Sad news to deliver this afternoon: my only remaining living grandmother, Emma Sue Todd, passed away this morning in her sleep. For many years she was the executive assistant to the founder of Holiday Inn Hotels, something she was quite proud of. Known as Sue to friends and family she was only 3 weeks away from her 88th birthday but has been in declining health for a couple of years now. My father was her only child and he will have quite the burden in preparations for her funeral. This is just one more reminder to Matt and myself why we want Miles to have at least one sibling.
The cool thing is that my dad took baby and myself to see her in the nursing home shortly after his birth for a picture so at least I can show him visual proof of meeting his very own great grandmother.
My only living grandparent now is Papaw, grandfather on my mom's side. I've always loved his visits so it will be nice to see him at some point next week when he comes to pay his respects. My aunts came to my late grandfather's funeral 4 years ago and I'm wondering if they will make it as well.

The craziest part of all this is the timeline. My grandfather, Carl, died in April of 2004. Sue's birthday is 3 weeks from tomorrow so she was born and now has also died in April. My wedding anniversary with Matt is less than 3 weeks away and my uncle Nick died right before Matt and I began dating in April 6 years ago. There's something about April in my life that causes constant life upheaval!

Our Weekend

I'm a chicken. I made my husband take Miles to the doctor on Friday because I could not stand watching him get needles stuck into his skin. However, Matt said he handled it quite well. He cried a bit right afterwards but once he was home acted as if nothing had ever happened.
We kept a close eye on his legs where the shots were administered all weekend - no redness, no swelling and no fever either! Our little guy is quite the trooper.
Also, the doc said he is in the 50% percentile as far as his peers are concerned. Everything is right on track. He's gained a little bit more weight and is almost 2 whole feet long!! I knew the moment he was born and I saw those long legs that he would be tall but I had no idea he would be a tall kid - I thought it would be more of a teenage growthspurt type of thing the way it was for my husband and brother, who are both quite tall.

This Saturday we took the little sprout to his very first birthday party. Our friends Beth and David's son, Will, was turning one and we had no idea what to buy him. So naturally we Googled presents for a one year old and came up with...tennis balls! This reporter swore by them and said her daughter loved to pop them in and out of the can. We made a special trip to a sporting goods store right before the party and they seemed to be a hit. Even the older kids were tossing them around in the living room (sorry if you guys have any breakables, B!) and having a great time.
I was smitten with a little girl at the party who was just starting to pull herself up on coffee tables and pantlegs, getting ready to walk. I kept looking over at Matt all misty-eyed and saying, "Let's have another one." He just laughed because he thinks I'm insane but at the same time I think he's still open to the idea of one more child to complete our family with the number 4. Like many parents we'd like one of each, boy and girl, to experience the best of both worlds. And we want them close in age with only a couple of years between them because we both have one sibling with 6 years between us and we think that's simply too much time. I don't have much in common with a 26 year old boy and he doesn't keep in contact with his 40 year old sister. We're hoping siblings closer in age might have more in common as they grow up. Plus, what great financial savings on hand-me-down clothes!!

In closing here's a little tidbit to brighten your day. Just filmed this afternoon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lSauehIICQ

Happy Birthday to Miles

Today is the 2 month anniversary of my son's birth. I can't believe right now 2 months ago I was laid up on a hospital gurney, wondering if I would ever have feeling in my legs again. At this particular moment I was also wondering when my hands and arms would begin to STOP shaking. (The drugs they put me on gave me serious tremors so bad that I couldn't even hold my own child until later that afternoon).

So very much has changed over this short amount of time! He's grown stronger, bigger, heavier, longer. He's beginning to show his little personality and develop a relationship with those closest to him ie. me, Matt, my parents. I've tried desperately to log all his "firsts". First bath, first snow, first stroller walk, first Easter, first St. Paddy's Day, first zoo trip. For some reason it's very important to me that he knows when all these things happened so that he can look back and see just how crazy in love his family was with him during this time.

Also, he has begun to do something most recently that has melted my heart in a way I didn't know possible - he has started to unintentionally say, "Mama". It's usually when he's tiredly crying and frowning making the "maaa" sound once while opening his mouth and then again while closing it. However, he's beginning to make the connection that when this sound is made the "one with the long hair" comes running into the room to scoop him up and cuddle him. Matt and I are thinking it's only a matter of time now before he utters that very word in reference to me and my heart will forever be enamored for this sweet little guy who runs my life. (I DARE you to look at that gorgeous smiling face and resist the cuteness. Go ahead. Just try.)

It has been a loooong, tiring journey thus far but Matt and I are now extremely comfortable as parents. You could even perhaps say that we are naturals. No one knows Miles better than we do and we can predict better than a crystal ball what he will want next according to his moods. We have been blessed with a happy, wonderfully laid-back baby. None of that awful colic for us! And on Friday he goes in for his 2 month checkup where they will measure and weigh him as well as give him shots!! Oh no. I don't think I'll be able to stand being there for that event.

w00t!

My mom is teh roxors. She just bought 3 tickets so that she, my husband and I can all attend the one and only Eddie Izzard show coming to town in June!!! We have been big fans of the tranny comedian for "many, many years" (heh, Eddie joke) and this is a dream come true to actually be seeing his stand-up live and in our hometown.
I expect we'll make a night of it by also going to dinner somewhere beforehand. Maybe our favorite Le Chardonnay? Ooo, and the more I think about it the more I'm creating a mental gameplan to try and get a whole BUNCH of friends (who also happen to be Izzard fans) together for a dinner before the show.

Cat, I know you and Bill are going. Anyone have any ideas? Suggestions? Cake or death?

UPDATE: Seems like Rio Loco is quite popular with the gang so I'm down wit dat. Never been there before, though. Where exactly are they located? Are they the most delish Mexican food in town? Killer margaritas? (Obviously we will have a sitter for this particular night.)

Welcome, one and all!

So...this is my very first attempt at blogging. Be gentle, be kind.

The reason for all this documentation of the nonsense I call my "daily life" is because I was inspired by my friends. I know 2 other people who are using this same forum to let the internet world know about their thoughts and wanted to take a stab at participation myself. Time will tell if this venture will be a total and complete failure. In the meantime, this will be an excellent way for me to share the intimate details of my daily family life and also something for my mom to read in the middle of the night when she can't sleep. (Hi, mom!)
Enjoy my ramblings and feel free to leave the random comment here and there when you feel so inclined. I welcome tips on how to become a better blogger and opinions from my friends on how I'm doing so far.

Greetings, dear internet readers, and groove on the posts from a 30-something married woman in Memphis who has recently added a third member to her family. I'm learning a wealth of new things daily and hopefully I can impart some wisdom to you all. If not, this blog should be at least good for a laugh.