A Happy List: new baby, tired mommy edition

Since I recently squeezed out a baby things are nuts around here. And, if you read my blog on a regular basis you know that and you are probably sick of reading about it. But, who cares. I have a houseful of kids and as much as I love them, they don't give me near as much blog content as Camden. Eventually I'll blog about something else... So, on that note, I am gonna do a list. A list of things that make the crying (mine and his) and utter chaos and exhaustion almost forgettable. These things make me happy and they pretty much rock!

1. Being able to sleep on my tummy. I waited months to do this again and wouldn't you know my baby will only sleep good during the day, in some one's arms, or with a tit in his mouth. Which means I rarely get to sleep on my tummy except when I nap with him during the day. And when I do, I sleep like a freaking petrified log and it feels amazing!

2. When I actually get to eat with both hands and while my food is still warm. I have been standing up to eat while nursing the babe at the same time for 3 weeks and my food is ALWAYS cold. And, it just so happens that the moment I sit down with a plate or bowl of food he wakes up. I am thinking maybe I should follow my dog's lead and forget utensils and limbs altogether!

3. Watching my older children love on and care for their baby brother. They love to hold him and kiss him. Hunter wants to hold him all the time and Chloe is proving to be a master diaper changer and baby soother. Chandler and Hayden just look at him ALOT. They love to stare at him and caress his cheeks. I seriously have to hold back the tears. I am SO in LOVE with my children.

4. A shower. I am a bath girl all the way and the exact moment he turns 6 weeks old I am taking a bath- with scalding hot water, a candy bar, an ice cold glass of something yummy, and a trashy magazine like People. And, yes I will lock the door to the bedroom and the bathroom. But, back to showers. When you have on the same pj's as the day before and you smell like eau de spit up, a shower feels like pure bliss.

5. Being allowed, no make that forced to eat 500 extra calories per day because I am nursing. Some days I get my extra calories in the form of something healthy like an apple with peanut butter and other days it's a Snickers bar. I do feel a bit guilty, a little tiny bit. But, I also know that breast milk is always uber healthy and I think that Cam secretly likes Snicker flavored milk anyway...

6. Dressing Camden in all his CUTE clothes. I bought and was given (both new and hand me down) some of the most adorable clothes for him ever. I try and change him twice a day. What? He likes it... It does bum me out a little that no one gets to see him in them but oh well, there's always pictures. He likes photo shoots at home too.

7. Staring at and touching my baby. I could do it all day long. He has this one little spot on his ear that's just one random tuft of hair and I love to poke at it. And his feet are like rose petals and his cheeks and head are like warm velvet. And I could go on and on. Babies are like a drug. I swear as much as I think Michelle Duggar has like way too many kids, I think I can figure out why. Oh man, I wanna go hold him NOW!

8. Giving him his daily bath. As soon as the nastiness that was his umbilical cord fell off I filled his baby tub with warm water and in he went. And, he LOVED it. Still does. I imagine he relates it to being in my tummy in a bag full of warm amniotic fluid. He is just so relaxed when he's in the tub you can see it in his little face. That is one area where he takes after his mommy- baths are awesome. And, he smells amazing afterwards! Goodbye curdled milk, hello Johnson and Johnson!

9. Nursing Cam. It is seriously an amazing feeling to be able to feed your baby with milk that your body makes for them especially. And to see them get fat and healthy from it is even more awesome. Having a child really is a miracle and one of the most beautiful things ever. No offense to those of you who formula feed, just because it's not something I have ever done. But really, breastfeeding your baby is such a special experience. Try it, you'll thank me later.

10. Having my whole family home with me on the weekends. We usually never cook dinner (amen to take out) and we ALWAYS have dessert. We could be watching cheesy TV while I feed the baby or someone is on the computer and someone else is reading a book. But, we are together in our cozy house just here, just being us. And it's awesome. Once again- I am so in LOVE with my family. And, I am BLESSED beyond measure.

That's it for now. Right now I am just feeling all warm and cozy. So, I am gonna go kiss all my kiddos and straighten out their covers while I smooth the hair across their foreheads. Then I am gonna wake up my baby and rub his little feet while I give him a midnight snack. After which I will kiss my hubby goodnight and then say a prayer thanking Heavenly Father for all of my wonderful amazing blessings. The end.

Baby Showers!

Me and the baby (and Jon) were recently the guests of honor at not one but TWO baby showers. They were thrown by my sweet sister Kelli and two sweet friends, Erin and Sarah. One was for my friends from Grand Prairie and Arlington and one was for our couple friends. And, these ladies went all out. We're not just talking cake and punch here. We're talking FOOD, FAVORS, AWESOME CAKE, DECORATIONS! And, these sneaky ladies not only planned and hosted a great party- they gave me gifts too. Which, they will be getting spanked for.... as soon as I have some energy to do so. I specifically told them no gifts if they hosted the shower, but they didn't listen. I had a great time at both showers and I think Jon had a pretty swell time as well, he did pretty good for his first ever baby shower! I am just so thankful for my friends and family, that I was all mushy both days. I was able to score enough clothes, blankets, diapers, toys, sheets, and all manner of fun things that baby boy is spoiled already! I was also able to get a ton of gift cards that I am gonna put towards some of my bigger items. Thanks again for a great time! I am a lucky girl to have such an amazing support system. I have but a few photos, I was too busy eating and talking to take very many. But, I know for sure Miss Sarah has some great ones over at her blog. She was able to get pics of all the cute decorations. Check it out here. I may be able to scam some from Erin sometime too, we'll see.

P.S. I do believe I am in the home stretch....!

about to open our loot at couple's shower (gotta love my hips, they were made for birthing babies or so it appears)


cutting the cake (aww, just like our wedding day)


kiss, kiss (they made us)


me and Miss Chloe at my girls only soiree

My kind of day!

Jon and I celebrated our birthday (yes, we were both born on February 28th) on Saturday by doing a few of the things we enjoy. I slept in until NOON! Meanwhile, Jon went to work and afterwards took the kids to the BMX track for some practice. While they were gone I piddled around the house (cleaning and Facebook-ing) and took the longest bath ever. It felt great! And as an added bonus- no one walked in while I was in there because no one was home but me! We had planned to have dinner and see a movie, but the movie we wanted to see (The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke) was only playing in Dallas and at Grapevine Mills. Chan was babysitting and we felt it would be best if we ate and came straight home. Honestly, that's more our style anyway seeing as we outgrew club hopping a long time ago. Some people may find us boring, but that's just who we are. Dinner out and adult conversation are luxuries and really I am too tired to do much more. We went to one of our favorite places: P F Changs and had some yummy food- super spicy Dali chicken, shrimp with candied walnuts, lettuce wraps, and chicken fried rice. Yum! I had to un-button my pants on the way home, lovely. So worth it though. Even though it was super low key, we had fun. We both forgot to get cards and decided against cake, seeing as we were way too full. But, we made a promise to each other to get cards asap and that tomorrow evening we will have cake. Not uncommon for Jon to forget, but very unlike me, I have been slightly distracted... I do want to thank EVERYONE for the awesome birthday wishes via phone, text, cards, and Facebook. I really am blessed to have such great family and friends. And, before I log off for the night I wanted to share our fortunes, they seemed very fitting considering our recent news this past week. For some reason the waiter gave us three cookies even though it was just me and Jon. I of course took it to mean I should eat two of them, one for me and one for the baby.

Jon's fortune: Your eyes will soon be opened to a world full of beauty, charm and adventure. And on the back was one word: GIRL.

My two fortunes: #1- A single kind word can keep one warm for years and #2- You will receive a surprising gift very soon.

Happy Birthday to me and Jon 2/28/2009

I'm Thankful

Since we'll be in Tulsa, OK for Thanksgiving and we're having our "official" holiday dinner today, I am doing my thankful/gratitude post now! Here goes!

I'm thankful for:

my family. Seriously, I have been blessed with 4 absolutely amazing children and a really cool husband. They are all so different, but in such neat ways. Yes, they annoy me from time to time, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

my parents. Sure they have their flaws, but they're them and that's all that matters.

the Gospel and my testimony of it. This one speaks for itself.

friends, both new and old and those undiscovered. I am majorly blessed in the friend's department.

my new ward. Seriously, this little lost puzzle piece has FINALLY found her puzzle. I am super excited for all the future holds.

chocolate. Although I indulge WAY LESS than I used to, it's still nice to have on hand.

Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Chick Fil A, and Lean Cuisines. My four basic food groups.

Clothes, shoes, makeup, purses, and jewelry. Man, I have said it before and I'll say it again: I LOVE being a girl! We have so many more options than men!

my minivan and that it currently only costs $30 bucks to fill the tank. I went from $97 to fill the Suburban and $65 at the beginning of Summer to fill the van. Gas better not go back up!

trials and tribulations. Sure, they suck when they're happening. But, I know they are gonna make me stronger and I am meant to learn something.

my room! I am just so in love with my mattress set (a Stearns and Foster, worth every penny) and I love my craft area. I seriously just love having my own space. Ok, so I have to share with Jon and most days there are crumbs in my bed, Hot Wheels on the floor, and empty juice boxes on my night stand. But, I just shove them aside and I'm good.

my red hair. Ok, so just to clarify: I am a natural redhead, PROMISE. But, it is fading a little and I do get it spruced up from time to time. But, it's still a lovely shade of strawberry blonde underneath. I just like it a little more intense. Thanks, Israel. Ssshhh...

my Swiffer sweeper. It's really alot of fun to go behind Jon and pick up all the crap his sweeping missed. Seriously. I just really like my Swiffer. Makes cleaning easier.

finally losing a teeny bit of weight. I have lots more work ahead, but those 20 pounds being gone has renewed the fight in me. It will surely be hard. Especially after visiting The Cheesecake Factory for the first time yesterday. Thank goodness it's all the way in Arlington.

my little sisters and the new found relationships with some of my older siblings. Family rules!

So there you have it. My thankful list. And, like I said last year, I am just so thankful to be me. Yes, I have issues. But who doesn't? But, I like me and all that I have. I have to remind myself of that often. But, I think I am pretty darn swell and I know I am really really blessed.

**last year's thankfuls here**