Smiley and Suzanne...Gracie and Clara, too!

Dr's visit for everyone!

2011-12-30T11:38:00.001-06:00

Gracie feels the need to steal Clara's thunder, so on shot day, Gracie decides to dive head first off the toilet.

The good news is Clara is a whopping 14 lbs and Gracie is 25! Also no stitches for the big girl thank goodness

I guess we had to have some excitement around here since Christmas is over and Meck Meck went home.

Jimbo and Caroline's jalapeño bread

2011-12-06T18:20:00.001-06:00

So easy and oh so yummy! Wayne and Mel are coming to dinner tonight. They are the best dinner guests because they always bring something yummy...like steak!

I'm making bread and peach cobbler and that's it. Aren't they fabulous?!

Caroline, if you read this, just pretend that this is actually how you make this bread. I have lost the actual recipe , but I just go with what I feel in my heart to be right.

Split a loaf of bakery bread
Melt a stick of butter and brush it on both sides of the delicious inside
Mix shredded cheese, Parmesan, mayo until you get something that looks like that picture of goo

Spread on one side
Top with jalapeños
Wrap with foil
Bake at let's say, 350 for oh, I don't really know... 30-45 min.

EAT

Ok for cobbler, melt stick of butter in 9x13. In separate bowl, mix 1 cup each, sugar and flour. Add milk to flour and sugar. Pour over butter- do not stir/mix. Add one large can peach(or any flavor) pie filling. Again, no stirring.
Bake one hr at 350.

Santa!

2011-11-29T06:53:00.001-06:00

Mom and I took the babies to see Santa (and Mrs. Beth) at the MSU library.

Gracie didn't just love Santa, but she was tough and didn't cry. Clara loved him as she does all strangers.

And..... Looking for board games in Michael's closet, Mom and I found an old play station controller and an empty Wide Spread Panic CD case. Michael had just told us about a new gadget. Apparently there is an atari/atarri old school controller that is preloaded with old games that plugs right into your tv.

And thus, fake Christmas gift was born. I always want to open one present early. So, being the sweet sister that I am, I gave Michael one present early. I think he loved it.

Blogger for iPhone...... I'm back!

2011-11-22T13:54:00.001-06:00

My babies deserve a blog, a log of our crazy daily goings on. But I am busy doing nothin specific and nothing completely. Here's the attempt to put this phone to work!

Clara isn't sure what to do with all these things but isn't it sweet how Gracie wanted to share her toys this morning?!

Clara is here!

2011-09-18T18:02:00.001-05:00

we LOVE our Furni!

Family photo attempt...

PLEASE!.... yes, whatever you want, blue eyes

The sweetest girls... and they're mine?! How did that happen?

Stationery Card

2011-09-18T17:14:00.001-05:00

Pattern Party Green Birthday Invitation

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View the entire collection of cards.

costas to cameras

2011-08-18T15:22:00.001-05:00

Stevanie asked me to update the blog... so this first pic is for you! I know you love it and will probably save it as your desktop background.

We did actually have a second trip to the beach, so I do need to document our super fun trip. Gracie has now officially named Uncle Michael "meck meck" or something like that.

And my real life Forest Gump wanted to see a shrimp boat just like Forest Gump had, so we took him. As you can see, it was a big deal. Gracie was over it in about 2 seconds flat.

Why we're not in front of the shrimp boat, I don't know, but at least there is one picture that exists of all FOUR of us. Hi Clara!

We hope to meet Clara next week... yes, I said in one week, we'll have a newborn around here. Are we ready, no. Is anyone ever ready for a newborn? No. Do we have all the stuff a newborn needs? Yes. Does that mean we're ready? No.

I am, however, ready to not be pregnant any longer, so WELCOME BABY CLARA!

We're looking forward to seeing Uncle Michael for Labor Day weekend =) Gracie really hopes he brings "wah wah" (water - as in, the beach) and a "SLYYYYYde" (slide). We'll see if he comes through on that.

On a side note, I want a new camera. One of the buttons on my camera has been broken for about a year now, and I want/need a new one. What better time to get a new camera than when you get a new baby?! Makes sense to me! So, yesterday I was lamenting the astronomical price tags on nice new cameras to my husband (who makes the money). He did not immediately say, "Momma, you go get yourself a brand new camera. Whatever you want. You just go get it!" I am not surprised at this, so I'll need to mention it a few more times.

(This is related, but you'll have to follow along closely)

Daddy's Costas are broken. A few weeks ago, I found the form online to send the sunglasses in for repair. Well, he found his old (less broken) pair to wear in the meantime. Today another (a THIRD broken-ish) pair show up around the house. And I know of one pair still resting at the bottom of a lake.

Do you see where this is going?! That's the cost of my new camera! I know I would take way better care of a beautiful, handy and much needed new camera than he is taking of these poor, neglected and yet super expensive sunglasses - I mean really... I've never paid more than $10 for sunglasses people!

That's all I'm saying about that... bet I still don't get a camera even though it would be a very nice family oriented investment. Hmmmm, I think "very nice family oriented investment" is similar to a description I recently heard about the new Ranger/4 wheeler in my garage. Ok, ok. Now THAT's all I'm saying. I could keep going and going, but I'll stop.

Window treatments!

2011-06-27T21:46:00.000-05:00

I rarely like any window treatments that are budget friendly, but this is fun and looks easy (and inexpensive). Anything that says "Pottery Barn inspired" and "no-sew" automatically = happiness to me! I think I will make my handy mom do this is Clara's nursery.

found this at momtastic

Poor daddy...

2011-06-23T14:42:00.000-05:00

And for father's day, I will try to coupon.

He's a hard working man... he wears a steel hard hat (I don't really know the words to that song). Our daddy does work hard, and since this couponing thing is the latest trend along with my leggings (HOORAY!)

I thought I would give the couponing a go...
Here are my tools. I planned to hit CVS because it seems like the easiest reward system, and I already have a CVS Extra Care Card. Here's my prep:

And here's my bootie:

And again...

I'm not convinced that I saved ANY $... I spent $90 on this. My receipts say I saved $23.35 on my first purchase.

And then I went back through the store and purchased my other items on the "extra bucks" I had just earned - supposedly saving $49.95 on that purchase.

Here's what I got:
Tony's seasoning ($.85)
2 Colgate Max something special toothpastes ($2.79 each)
1 Colgate 3D Vivid White Strips (they better work!) ($44.50 - $7 coupon)
1 Cottonelle toilet tissue ($8.97)
1 92 count Pampers Swaddlers for Clara (only the best for my baby) ($20)
1 216 count Huggies wipes for Gracie ($6)
1 Pantene shampoo ($3.49)
1 Pantene conditioner ($3.49 - $3 coupon)

That total was $89.36 then I got $26 extra bucks and bought:

2 Arm & Hammer detergents - B1G1 free ($6.79)
1 Gain dish soap ($.97)
2 CinnToast Crunch ($4)
6 bags of Lay's 3-BBQ and 3-Sour Cream B1G1 free ($12)
Whole Milk for Gracie ($3.87)

I paid $2.53 for the second purchase. But I just don't have the "I just saved a whole bunch of $!" feeling... I'm just not sure that if I had gone to Kroger I couldn't have come out just as good without having to go through the entire CVS add, read the fine print about quantity limits, check out twice, etc. I need to find out what I would have paid for these items at my regular Kroger store.

On a happier and much less exhausting note, fave photog Tricia Hopper Butts pulled through yet again! Looky at what I got in the mail!

She just does not like us...

She's warming up a little...

Nope... there she goes again. Not a happy face, Gracie.

Slightly concerned about how long this will take, but thinking about smiling.

Maybe it's just me... she does like her daddy though.

And she's so dang pretty, who cares if she's grinning big or not?! Just look at those big girl teeth!

Time for Gracie - star of the show pics -

Gracie imitating Tricia

I'm free!

Dancing with momma... isn't that what everyone does during a photo shoot?!

This is kind of a fun day, you guys!

What? I belong in a magazine?

Sure, I can model with props!

And I can do this...

All while looking pretty.

We LOVE Tricia!!! Plus we had a fun visit. Can't wait for baby sister Clara to arrive so Gracie can teach her all the cool moves for photo sessions.

Uncle Michael!

2011-06-15T11:15:00.001-05:00

We went to visit Uncle Michael (who just so happens to live at the beach!)
Gracie had a good time visiting and she doesn't mind showing off her swim suit bod either...

Daddy's birthday...

2011-06-07T14:05:00.000-05:00

I have been sooooo spoiled by supper club! I haven't made an entire meal for a group of folks in forever. Daddy's birthday was quickly approaching and we had zero plans. We actually had a not fun thing to do on his actual birthday night, so I didn't make any party plans. The not-so-fun plans fell through (yay!) and I had one whole day to contact our friends, hit the grocery story, clean up my house, and cook dinner before everyone arrived at 7 pm... AND I'm super whiny and pregnant. Not a good combo.

My anxiety level must have been rising to a scary level because my neighbor... the sweetest and prettiest woman in the world, Gan Gan, called and offered to keep Gracie while I ran to the store! She's amazing. Gracie came home talking about "gee gee" all afternoon. If that wasn't sweet enough, she dropped off some stuffed eggs. Her status as the best neighbor ever is secure.

cooking more than one thing at one time is not one of my good qualities.

And daddy requested a coconut cake but I was too busy to take a pic of how gorgeous it turned out after leaving the cake pans. It was pretty though... oh well

And jumbo cupcakes just in case someone didn't like coconut (and I thought there was a good chance I would have at least one of these leftover for me later, but I also had one after dinner)

I was feeling slightly overwhelmed but mostly tired and achy with contractions, so poor daddy grilled the chicken quarters on his very own birthday... bless it. These were the best part of the meal. They were dee-lish and beautiful and all gone - thus no pics.

Everyone looked beautiful and summery, the kids had SO MUCH FUN all together at last, and new baby Emily got to come too... did I get a picture of all of our friends all prettied up? No, because I was just lazy and sitting down. I must have whined just the right amount because instead of leaving as soon as they had finished their meals (which would have been due to too much whining) or sitting around visiting (I chose visiting!) while I cleaned up the mess (which would have been due to too little whining), my precious friends cleaned my entire kitchen. That's right. Every last dish.

Love them.

As you can see, in true Suzanne fashion, this birthday party was not about Daddy at all, but all about ME. It's the hormones, can't help it.

She's a freak (clean freaky)

2011-05-28T18:02:00.000-05:00

One quick thing... be careful when you purchase maternity pants that look just like your regular pants. I skimmed my closet looking for my white linen pants, found them, and put them on... they don't fit! I'm already bigger than I ever was with Gracie?! That's impossible! Wait... these aren't maternity. Crisis averted.

Since I'm pregnant, lazy, worthless, and broke, all I can do is clean. I don't want to do any more laundry or see another dirty dish even though I have these things to do, but I instead find other more gratifying things to clean... Like the entire fridge! Needed to be done.

See how boring life is... I may wash the dustpan later. It also needs it.

Hiatus

2011-05-25T17:27:00.000-05:00

So my last post was from lobster fest - TWO WHOLE MONTHS AGO. I'm aware that all caps are rude and should be reserved for yelling, but sheesh.

Since lobster fest, quite a bit has happened around here. I'll try to go in chronological order if at all possible, but my mind is a scary, scary place.

1. April marked the end of the semester (beginning of summer!) and Uncle Michael came to visit since it was also the end of tax season. Gracie loved the visit and so did the grown ups. We'll be making a trip down to Florida soon for another visit - this one with beach activities and Gracie's bikini.

2. Also in April, we found out that baby #2 is Baby Sister! I have to admit, I had some serious pouting going on for at least a week, but I am now very, very excited to watch sisters interact and hopefully be best friends (on again, off again best friends of course). The due dates are 23 months to the day apart, so I'm hoping that all of Gracie's clothes can be used for baby sister... minus the 100s of items that have "Gracie" embroidered on them. I do love a monogram.

3. Early May I find out that I will not be teaching on campus in the fall. Turns out my due date is super inconvenient for the department and they would rather not deal with it. Yes, I contacted HR, and no, it is not illegal because I'm 9 month faculty. Sucks though, right? We're making the most of this "opportunity" and I'm slowing convincing myself that I'm really looking at a fabulous maternity leave for baby #2. I have some online classes I will teach because I have to have a paycheck to feel some self worth - a personality flaw that doesn't necessarily need working on right now.

4. Also in May, Gracie and I have been hiding out at home. Together. 24/7. We are both forming a dangerous attachment. I noticed her attachment when I would leave the room or when I would get out of the car (leaving another responsible adult in the car with her, of course) and she immediately noticed and asked for Momma. I did NOT notice my own attachment until Daddy and I went to a birthday dinner and needed to run to the grocery store after, so we packed Gracie's "pack pack" and sent her to Nonnie (formerly Granna but Gracie made up this new name and it's stuck) and Papaw's house for the night... I could not sleep and was on the brink of tears quite a few times before she returned home a mere 15 hours later! Terrible. She's so addicting.

I put off Gracie's 18 month check up because the last time we went for a check up, she was in the 5th% for weight... I had watched that number go from 90th to 50th to 25th and then to 5th and I was not at all looking forward to hearing that she was so skinny she was no longer on the charts! However, she's a whopping 22 lbs! And back in the 25th % for weight! Of course our sweet pediatrician said she's perfect.
And really, I already knew that... silly me to worry.

5. Baby Sister FINALLY gets a name in late May. Gracie June was difficult to come up with, but I think it only took us a couple of weeks after we found out her gender. This time around was more civil and less name calling trying to name the baby instead of each other, but it took forever! We've settled on Clara for baby sister. Clara Kate sounds so cute together, but I think I'm just too lazy for a double name. I hope that Gracie doesn't really get any better at pronouncing "Clara" because whatever she says the few times she's attempted to say it, sounds nothing like Clara but it's pretty cute.

6. AND the very end of May, we are excited as always to have THE Tricia Hopper Butts taking some fab shots of the fam! We missed her last visit home because of the silly cabin getaway in March, so it's been 7 months since we've had pics taken... Gracie wasn't walking and we had just celebrated her 1st birthday. Seems like a lifetime ago, so I'm anxious to capture the bigger, faster version of sweet Gracie and maybe get a blurred, distant shot of Clara under layers and layers of material.

7. Gracie is starting to talk to my belly and give it kisses some too. She recently made an incredible discovery that my belly button is actually a portal to baby sister. She can tell me "shhhh Baby" when Clara is asleep by peeking in the portal and she can even communicate with her by speaking loudly into the belly button. It is the cutest thing that she discovered on her very own... I had no idea this type of communication and viewing were even possible! Clara is going to have to be one tough girl the second she arrives because Gracie is fond of showing you where your "eye-ees" are... she can even find them when they're closed. Look out Clara! And although my belly and mind and appetite were completely looked after and comforted during Gracie's journey to the world, poor Clara is not being given the same luxurious lifestyle as she develops. Gracie has certainly kicked her in the nose a few times already and I'm actually not eating as much cake as I did with Gracie (hard to believe if you've seen me eating desserts this time around, but I assure you I was worse with Gracie).

9. Since I'm at home, I've been tackling "projects." One day my project was cleaning - I cleaned out the DVR. Another day was cleaning - I cleaned out Daddy's closet and donating pretty much ALL of the contents to the tornado victims in our area. (I felt productive and generous - especially generous since it wasn't my clothes). Here are some before and after shots of various projects around the house. Clara's room is the storage room basically and has housed such items as the Christmas tree, tax papers from as recent as 2006, gift wrap, vacuum cleaner, guest bed (burried under these other more important items), TWO tv's that we don't use, and of course air intake filters. Obviously, I have to find a new home for all of these items, so I have to clean out other areas of the house to move these items to those areas.... it's exhausting just thinking about it. Gracie is such a helper. I'm certain she saves me about negative 20 minutes for every hour of work.... bless her heart.

10. I'm also pretending that I'm morphing into a super duper stay at home mom (which I'm not, and I never asked to be a stay at home mom - I DID ask for part-time work, and that's what I got, but anyway) I am perusing crafting blogs where ladies of 3 and 4 kids find time and energy and creativity to create some amazing things from items around their house or from thrift stores. I too want to be thrifty and crafty and amazing... but I'm not any of those things. I am cheap, but I stick to finding already made items on sale. I have requested mom's glue gun, so we'll see what kind of damage I can do! It's fun to pretend, but I have ZERO creativity and crafting skills. If you want to drool at their abilities with me, some of my favorites so far include So You Think You're Crafty (no, I already said I am not, but she certainly is) and Positively Splendid. I will attempt the fabric covered diaper boxes / storage bins
and I'm planning to purchase some Mod Podge but not sure if I will do anything with it after the purchase.

Ok. As I have said at the end of most of the previous blogs, I will try to do better at documenting our going ons since I truly have nothing else to do... other than make sure the DVR stays fresh and clean. I do have to view those shows before deleting them though, and that is very time consuming especially when you consider pee and snack breaks.

Surf 'n Turf

2011-03-24T09:17:00.000-05:00

I think that supper club has been spoiled after our fabulous, and I mean fabulous, steak dinner (by chef Wayne) at the cabin getaway in Gatlinburg. We're stepping it up to surf 'n turf.

I plan to document every step of this process, but you know how plans go. So in case I miss recording this experience, I'll at least preview the plans. Bryan and Wayne have decided to cook a live lobster... their discussions and ideas are always entertaining.

I'm actually pretty excited about this one because it involves making dinner for everyone and it sounds like a FEAST! I'm still not sure if they've worked out the details... like 1.) how do you get the lobster from the tank at Kroger to the kitchen at home? A really big goldfish bag? 2.) How many lobsters will it take to feed our rather large group of friends? Will we be fighting over this poor critter? 3.) If you're not supposed to purge the lobster, when do you rid it of the pooh?
I'm always the one with the questions.

I am especially proud that they have a back up plan (the turf) in case the lobster cooking goes awry.

Should be interesting and hopefully YUMMY! We're living large =) Speaking of large... I'm growing and finally feeling some tiny kicks! We find out the gender April 13 @ 3:00... 3 weeks and counting! Can't wait!!!

Quick update on the diva

2011-03-10T10:08:00.000-06:00

This morning I put Gracie's silver ballet flats on her tiny feet (we've had them since December) and watched her stumble around the house for 2 minutes. I went back to her closet and got the same shoes she wears everyday to school and said, "I'm sorry, no silver shoes today. They're STILL way too big."

We sit down and begin to take the silver shoes off... MELTDOWN. She has an absolute fit over the way too big silver shoes. Who is this girl? Me?

Isn't it crazy that you don't have to teach girls that if a pair of shoes are very cute, it doesn't matter if they are not at all your size or if you absolutely cannot walk in them - you still want to wear the fab shoes instead of the comfty old ones.

Oh, I love her!

pathetic

2011-03-04T13:55:00.000-06:00

I am pathetic... I just have to do a better job of blogging or we will never remember anything that ever happened. This baby is being neglected already. I feel such guilt. With Gracie's pregnancy, I read everything I could get my hands on. I knew every detail of every part of her development, and I tracked every inch and ounce of my "development" as well. BUT with this pregnancy, I am so caught up in the details of managing life and family and toddler that I haven't dedicated any time to enjoying being pregnant (possibly for the last time...)

There's usually a reason for cliches... case in point: "She's a mess" is a common statement about very adorable (and into everything) toddlers. That's because they are MESSY. Gracie loves to toss her food, cup, and anything else she can reach from the top of her high chair. She also loves to designate new places for random items including toboggans, towels, diapers - clean ones, clothes hangers, potty chairs, magazines, pillows, cups, toys, shoes, containers, books, dishes, and on and on and on. I've pretty much all but given up on picking up after her. I find these items all over my house everyday. Anything she can lift, she carries to some other part of the house. Anything she can't lift, she will push to some other part of the house. I'm shaking my head in despair and defeat.

I cannot imagine two little movers! Does everything multiply times two? Will I have twice as much mess? Maybe I can teach Gracie to put up everything her younger sibling puts out of place. They could stay entertained all day with that game I bet.

Everything I worried about with Gracie's pregnancy - I haven't even given a thought about this time around. I now worry about how I will go grocery shopping with two, how I will get two to sleep in rooms right next to each other, how I will nurse one and feed the other, how I will bathe two - one in the big girl tub and one in a baby tub. Will the hours in the day suddenly be twice as long? I have a bad feeling they will feel like half the time.

Somehow, I'm sure we will have groceries and baths, and no one will starve. I will try to focus on being able to watch Gracie love on a little one, being able to watch Gracie teach this baby how to play with blocks and chase bubbles, and being able to watch Bryan nap with a sleeping newborn on his chest.

Bring on baby #2.

special guest comes to class...

2011-01-13T16:46:00.000-06:00

I have a hard time learning names at the beginning of the semester, so I have made 2 of 4 classes play a corny name game so far. I went in to one of the classes where we have not attempted to learn each other's name today. We finished our chores early and I looked around and thought - I don't know any of these people.

I admitted out loud, "I don't know any of you people! We need to play a corny name game." Then I pointed to a random girl and said, "I have no idea who you are!" Turns out, my class is so much fun that my students bring random ole miss friends (who haven't started the spring semester yet) to class... really messed with my mind.

SNOW day!

2011-01-11T09:20:00.000-06:00

This will probably not happen again until 2020, so I should document our play day in the snow! Gracie loved it as much as her daddy. She had on a onesie T, and a turtle neck, and fleece pj's from Aunt Sonya, and corduroy britches, and socks and too big shoes and a toboggan and mittens... took as long to get dressed as it did to actually play!

new blogger templates

2011-01-02T18:11:00.000-06:00

It took me forever to learn all of the blogger lingo and features. When I finally get it, I somehow change my template and cannot go back. Even though I have selected the comments feature on my settings tag... alas, still no comment option on the posts.

Sorry - I'm still working on it

I love my husband...

2010-12-08T23:40:00.001-06:00

My buddy has been around for a long time. He never loses his temper - he is patient. He never says hurtful things (not on purpose anyway) - he is kind. When I splurge on material possessions AKA crap, he does not feel the need to have a shopping spree of his own - he does not envy. When I am wrong (which is of course rare) he does not say, "I told you so" - he does not boast. He happily carries baby bags and loud purses - he is not proud. He does not take advantage of or dishonor others even though he has had opportunity. He always protects, hopes (even with Mrs Negative Nancy, here), and I know we will persevere.

He has all of the "fruits" of true love. Except one. He is self-seeking for a few months out of the year... It's killing, I mean hunting, season and he is GONE. Either in the woods, up a tree, in a blind, or on the ground- all I know is that he is not here. Since he is pretty much wonderful according to God's standards, I will try to have a better attitude about the killing season(s) that will keep coming around year after year, BUT love never fails and keeps no record of wrong.

So, I love my husband, and with good reason.

If you are special... you'll get a hard copy

2010-12-04T10:13:00.000-06:00

Mod Snowflake Flurries Christmas Card

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Ouch!

2010-11-18T16:27:00.000-06:00

Gracie is tough... but not THAT tough. Ok, so when I got to school, her teacher said, "we were bitten today..."

suzanne:      by what? (haven't seen her or the bite at this point)
teacher:       a bear!
suzanne:      I thought like a bug or spider or something... Oh! a kid
                  Well, what did she do?
teacher:      she took a toy, and he bit her, and then she slapped him

Not exactly what you want to hear when you walk in the door at daycare, but HEARING that was nothing compared to SEEING this.

1.) Gracie has a whopping 7 teeth.... should she be in the same class with a big boy who has obviously way more than 7 teeth? He appears to have ALL of his teeth. Just saying.

2.) Ok, Gracie, you win. Your day sucked more than mine.

Shutterfly Christmas cards

2010-11-15T14:44:00.001-06:00

Fellow bloggers, jump on this deal!
Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly… sign up: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

50 Free Christmas cards from shutterfly. I LOVE shutterfly. They make it so easy for even a lazy bum like me to share pics with my family and friends. I have ordered Christmas presents including calendars for the proud grandparents and just because gifts - coffee mugs covered in Gracie's cute mug, and I had the birth announcements ready to go before she could even spit up good!

Now, I love Shutterfly even more because they are starting the Christmas spirit early but giving away Christmas cards for bloggers. Who does that? Seriously, when do you hear about a deal that is actually a good deal - FREE!

Plus, compared to snapfish, I think they have the cutest designs and so many options - maybe too many options for an indecisive person like me. I always look forward to receiving Christmas cards from friends and family - but if you don't have a picture card, I'm very disappointed... We don't get to see everyone as much as we'd like, so please send a picture Christmas card! We've been faced with that awful decision every year - which picture to use for the Christmas card delima. I would always search for "1 photo" cards, but now that we have Gracie, I look for "multiple photo" cards. I guess that just goes to show how we've grown into a little family over the years.

I look forward to seeing your face for Christmas, even if it is on a piece of card stock =)

pictures!

2010-10-24T20:06:00.005-05:00

If you don't have a friend who is a photographer... Tricia is 1.) super friendly and 2.) an awesome photographer! Friend her!

Please go and drool over all of our amazing pics at her blog. Thanks!

I have to say that Gracie was such a sweet girl through her multiple wardrobe changes and all of our demands with props. Such a little model that girl.

I'm still here...

2010-10-18T12:05:00.005-05:00

Ok, so I've been gone for a while - and I'm getting a lot of lip about it. It will take multiple posts to catch up with the happenings in our family since August, but I will attempt it.

So, this post will serve as an index for the upcoming posts.

August - Suzanne starts a new job teaching our future (and it's grim) on campus!

and Sonya and Brent welcome Douglas!

September - pretty much still consumed by new job

Sonya and Stevanie turn one year older

October - Gracie turns ONE! We celebrate with closest and sweetest friends and family

Anni turns ONE, too! And we get to celebrate all over again with more sweet friends and Anni's amazing family. Jimbo turns one year older, and Stevanie starts her new job on campus today! Also, Daddy and the Fun Guy (AKA Jeff) are heading to North Dakota to duck hunt next weekend while Stevanie, Gracie, and I head out to Pumpkinpalooza and her first trick-or-treating experience.

Not to mention, I'm starting to make my list and check it twice (3 gift choices - not purchases - down and countless more to go) because Christmas will be here before you know it! (Possibly before my next post) hahaha just kidding - maybe

Any second now, we'll have the work of the well-known (at least in my circle) photographer / artist / funny girl extraordinaire, Tricia Hopper Butts of Betty Donne Photography. Next post will probably have few words for good reason! CAN'T WAIT =)

Nice girls...

2010-07-30T13:56:00.002-05:00

I saw this online today. Originally, I thought it was funny, because I have a corner office... I hear lots of jokes about it. Every time I meet with new people, as soon as they walk in it's always something like, "wow, what did you do?!" or "you must be important, nice office!" etc, etc.

But my first thought was, what's wrong with this office?! Does it get hotter than all other offices on my floor in the summer? or colder in the winter? Does it have a weird smell that cannot be removed? I got this corner office because the girl before me had this office, and she's a nice girl too.

I never once considered that I got this office because I'm not nice. I know what that title implies, and I know that I am a nice girl, so I will go on record saying that if anyone wants to buy this book... don't, because nice girls don't read trash like this!

Don't worry about your office. My best days at work are the days when I'm OUT of my office. It's similar to being on a cruise. You stress out about whether your cabin will be big enough (because they are beyond tiny) but if you are enjoying your cruise, you're nowhere near your cabin.

That's all the philosophy I can muster on this Friday. In Gracie news, we have a top tooth that made it's debut this week! It's been a long time coming, but it's finally here. I have no new pictures because 1.) I STILL cannot get my new phone to sync my email, so I can't send pics other than BBM and 2.) I just need a new camera. period. The buttons on the old one are doing functions that don't go with that particular button. I would say that pretty much equals broken.

Let us all pitch in and get me a new camera! Donations welcome, or you can fix my phone.

Also.... BIG news! No, I'm not pregnant, but Sonya is! And baby Douglas is coming early. Dr's orders. We're having a well deserved baby shower at my house Sunday, so I hope I can get some kind of picture taking plan together before then. It's going to be fun!

Birthday Bash

2010-07-23T09:14:00.005-05:00

I was just telling Stevanie that it's been kinda hectic lately and I've neglected the blog. Then I sit down to document our lives lately and discover that not much has happened since my last post. So, I apologize now for having to share my THOUGHTS instead of recent happenings, scary.

It's starting to hit me that I have a birthday party to plan... and a very important one at that! Let's be honest, this first one is really for the adults - all of our friends and family who want to celebrate Gracie's first year of life. Low and behold, October 2 is on a Saturday. We will celebrate the actual day of her birth - one year later.

Bryan can't understand that I need studio portraits of her and a birthday cake before the actual birthday. It's like bridal portraits, no? You will be CRAZY on the actual day, so you have some professional pics taken in advance... makes sense to me. I'll have her a cake to tear up and it'll be so cute! Speaking of the dreaded cake -

I always pick the wrong details to worry about. Birthday party details that worry me: so far, Gracie is a super healthy eater.... no cookies, sugar, cakes, tea, caffeine, coke, nothing - just fruit and veggies and Gerber snacks made from fruit or veggies and only water or milk to drink. She has had crackers but that's not often. She's SO healthy.

There's this woman at daycare - the preacher's wife who freaked me out in the beginning - she keeps asking me if Gracie has "enough teeth for a chicken nugget?!" Everybody laughs it up.. apparently, I'm the crazy mom at school who actually feeds her kid baby food and that's it.

It's really hard not to slap the preacher's wife. I know that I can't be extreme with the healthy eating craziness, but I just don't want her to be one of those kids who survives on nuggets and cookies and chicken tenders, you know the ones who no matter where you go, they eat only chicken! Not my baby girl... no, no. I have to prevent this.

Birthday party in my mind = beginning of the end, healthy eating habits down the drain. She will be introduced to cake and icing, and she will be ruined. I LOVE cake, and I hope she doesn't have to spend the rest of her life avoiding it or feeling guilty when she just can't refuse some fabulous dessert. A little bit of cake and she'll be demanding chicken nuggets in no time flat. And it's so easy to sit a box of nuggets in front of your kid, I'm sure it's tempting for many mom's who just don't have (make) time to put on a production of a meal every single day. The preacher's wife will not win this. It's me vs. preacher's wife and the nugget.

What I should be worrying about: we have CONCRETE floors and Gracie is crawling, soon to be cruising, and walking... and we all know what comes along with that - FALLING! I should be worried about concrete floors instead of stupid chicken nuggets.

I'm considering covering my entire house in foam connecting mats, which is not at all affordable or practical, but then again, I am not at all affordable or practical.

2010-07-14T16:01:00.003-05:00

We went to the beach!
I tell you what, I was really dreading the drive to Unkie Mikey's house, but that sweet angel... I had to apologize to her for doubting her sweetness. What a perfect child if I do say so myself! We left after work Friday and she ate dinner in the car (and so did we). She had a diaper change on an exit ramp somewhere around Tuscaloosa and then she went to sleep right on schedule and we drove all night without a hitch!

Thanks to our host and hostess! We're so proud of you!

Aren't they precious?! She looks like Da Da, but has tons of "Michael faces." I tell her all the time, that was a "Michael face"

There's another Michael face (they did not plan the color coordination - I don't think) I nicknamed him "Baby Hog" for the weekend. He had to soak her up, no telling how big she'll be next time.

What.. what? Is that an actual picture with me and she's smiling? Can it be? (not so great of me, but at this point, I can't be picky)

All of these smiling pics we got, she must have thoroughly enjoyed herself! You can't see it, but there's a cute sail boat on her outfit. I did try to outfit her according to the beach theme you know.

I've tried to explain that it's not ladylike to eat with our feet 3 feet apart! But she insists that this is the most comfortable way to eat and if I would just try it, I would be sold too.

No oil on our beaches! But she seemed a little timid in her teeny weeny itsy bitsy yellow polka dot bikini.... although I told her she's a hottie

She was not a huge fan of the water. (That's the "dada made me get in the water) And she did not appreciate me comparing that scary gulf to her sweet bathtub that we love, but I tried. She kept the frown, but didn't cry unless she was forced to actually touch the water. Not happy about the sand much either. I think she would have felt better if she would have participated with the wearing of the fabulous diva sunglasses she has. She was not feeling the glasses either, though.

Looking concerned, but not too mad.

Is she a super model or what?! Love that little beach baby.

Unfortunately, the camera died before fireworks (obviously because I was using the battery up), which stinks doubly bad because we all dressed up for dinner that night. Looking swank at the Sunset (lovely little eatery) and off to see fireworks for the first time! She LOVED them. Watching the fireworks, she began to see light in a whole new way... she looked up at a streetlight we were semi standing under and gasped at it too, as if to say "have you been holding out all this time? Can you do that too?!" So cute.

It's the best to watch her new discoveries.

When we got home, we celebrated our 8th anniversary just like we did last year. Dinner at Harvey's. Only thing different was that Gracie was not in my belly, but I did have dessert!

decision maker, I am not

2010-06-30T15:36:00.003-05:00

Words never used to describe Suzanne: "works well under pressure, can handle sticky situations, is flexible and goes with the flow, keeps anxiety level in check"... and newly added, "knows how to balance work and family"

Building on the recent Swagger Wagon discussion, I've been missing my Gracie girl. So, I make a plan! Full time teaching job at the jr college = less time than current full time job. I'll start teaching so I can have more time with her, plus I got two degrees and spent many a year in school so that I could do just that. No time like the present (or 3 or so years ago).

Alas, the community college of my dreams needs an English teacher! Sign me up! Hmmm, what have I signed up for? Let's reevaluate the situation. I want more time with Gracie, so let's teach. I have a full time job now, and I suddenly find myself employed teaching not one, but two classes at night. I'm no math whiz, but pretty sure this equals LESS time with baby girl. So add, "can make important decisions that will benefit her family" to the list of words that do not describe Suzanne.

I have to start somewhere and I need to get started on making the (probably several years long) transition into the teaching world. So, wish me luck (and check on Buddy because he'll be single parenting a lot pretty soon)

Gracie, I love you! Da Da will point at my picture so you will know who I am.

SWAGGER WAGON

2010-06-28T14:36:00.006-05:00

I have had a revelation with Sonya today and I must share... Gracie, just know that I was cool (cooler) before you came along. Basically, I've subconsciously started wearing mom jeans. I didn't even notice what I was doing! I dug out my old jeans that I wore every day in jr college (nearly a decade ago, folks) and I didn't make the connections...

I'm wearing mom jeans. What is wrong with me?! In addition to the mom jeans, I've also got my eye on a swagger wagon - Daddy is not at all ok with any of this (the mom jeans included) Let's all remember that I drive a HEMI 5.7 liter gas hog of a vehicle, that does feel very safe because it's a steel box and gorgeous. But I'm looking to downsize. Better gas mileage, warranty, etc and new car smell. I have not paid off the monstrous HEMI and have been advised to settle down with the talk of selling it (I'm not saying who is against it - wait I already did).

I've convinced myself that material possessions are what's in the way of my spending more time with that sweet baby girl... true and not necessarily true all at the same time. I mean, hey... you gotta get to work and you gotta eat, right? But do I really need a HEMI to get me and my precious cargo where I need to go? If your name starts with Da Da, don't answer that.

Current car:

It does have features I never knew existed. Auto dimming and bright headlamps (no longer called headlights if you didn't know) that's right, I don't have to dim the lights. Power lift gate that opens and closes from either the remote, the back, or above the driver's head... handy in the rain at the grocery store. Automatic windshield wipers that come on and adjust speed with the rain. Navigation is a MUST for this driver. These are things that I've gotten really spoiled to having. I only have to hold the steering wheel and stare at the road. I can yell out commands and my phone - hidden somewhere in my purse which is hidden somewhere in my vehicle magically responds. It is super nice, BUT it's huge and overpriced and in the way of more Gracie time (so I've decided)

Next car (possibilities):

All have the same features - that would be NONE. They do come with warranty and much, much, much better gas mileage, but not much else. They are cheap rides that are even cheaper to operate.

The point is that I'm looking at mom friendly cars and wearing my mom jeans - full blown mom mode and LOVING it!

A Father's Day...

2010-06-23T13:18:00.004-05:00

(thanks Tricia Hopper Butts for the AMAZING pics!)

Father's Day at our house wasn't any different than any other day... Notice how, today seems more appropriate for me to dote on this father than Sunday. So, today is Father's Day for us. Gracie-lu has been sickish since Monday morning. I took off Monday (Mother's Day), Granna had her yesterday (Granna's Day), and today her daddy had his turn - Father's Day. It never even crossed my mind to acknowledge what all he does on a daily basis.

He's a hands-on dad. Period. There's nothing that he isn't willing or able to do for that baby (except "boobfeed") Now, he can't do things as perfect as I can (you know me) but he is always willing to try and then he listens to me tell him how I would have done it. He doesn't really hear her in the night either - but that's my job anyway. Even if I ask him to go tend to her if she wakes up crying, I'm in there within a minute flat (of course telling him not to do whatever he's doing the way he's doing it) so there's no point in waking him up!

She snuggles and hugs him with her special hug reserved only for him. She tilts her head down and looks up at him with her special look only for him, and she says "hey da da!" Totally has no clue what she's saying - she calls everything "da da", but he gets a phrase and a wave and I can't even get "ma ma" not once?!

He's her favorite, and that's ok with me. When I was pregnant I often imagined a daddy's girl. I have this image of her as a toddler doing her best to keep up with him in a tiny pair of rubber boots and nothing else but a diaper. Gracie and her daddy...

For her, Father's Day is every day. Gracie would think it so silly to have only one day to dedicate to da da, she celebrates him every day with arms and legs wiggling and huffs and puffs until he picks her up. So, Happy Father's Day, Da Da on this ordinary Monday. See you at home - it's bath night!

2010-06-03T15:29:00.000-05:00

Ain't no party like an East Coast party! (JT and Anna's wedding in Baltimore)

2010-05-24T08:56:00.009-05:00

Here's what I found on my camera and turned into one pointless post. Enjoy!

We went to Scruggs with daddy... she's now an aspiring truck / tractor driver. I support whatever her dreams may be. That's right, dress for success, baby.

First time in my life I plan ahead and fully charge the camera before daddy's surprise bday party. And then I go and leave the memory card! Worthless, I tell you I am worthless.

This is half the group - the hard drive on the camera holds a whopping one picture. The other half of the L-shaped table was not captured. At least this one has the back of the birthday boy's head.

Took this one on my phone. Cute, huh?! (Nope, I did not make it)

As most of you know (because you were also there) we headed to Baltimore for JT and Anna's wedding. MS was well represented and we had a great time considering sweet Gracie was at my mom's with a fever and teething pain. Not the best visit they could have had, but they both survived! Everyone was happy to have us home.

Favorite quote of the trip...

Will C (with menu in hand): I'll have some raw oysters!

Waitress: Sir, the kitchen is closed

Will C: They're RAW

hahahahaha love it!

Notice Mississippi is jumping right in there to cut up the pig. Also notice, there is no one from Maryland nearby. They are standing at a distance in awe of our animal-dicing skills!

Stand back, people.... we are professionals!

Stevanie, Brandi and I have decided to quit our jobs and become business partners (the husbands are thrilled). People in Maryland LOVE ice cream, yogurt, gelato, etc. They have little shops every few yards. This was my favorite one. A yogurt bar! So fun! You're totally in charge of your yogurt (I of course had sorbet) but it was yummy and fun nonetheless.

Our first ride in the cart. She LOVED it (yes, we are in the baby section, and yes, I know that I am not allowed in that part of the store, so smart me... let's take our picture right.... here. Totally busted.)

Pictures uploaded in a weird order. Deal with it. Back to Baltimore:

Bryan's first meal. Fried plantain on top. I don't have a clue what anything under the plantain is.

Famous crab cake (first of many on my quest for the best)

Why I'm banned from grocery shopping... Let's break down this picture. The only actual food items were thrown on the top of the cart in an attempt to have purchased "groceries" at the grocery store. The other 95% of the cart contains:

2 cell phone toys, a bubble gun, toddler swing, some kind of ball toy thing, bath goodies, loofah, sugar scrub, garbage bags, self tanner, about 50 things of baby food (that's groceries!) and about 150 other items that "were not on the list"

We're over $100 and this much left to go:

face cleanser, baby sunscreen and swim suit, ziploc bowls, infant tylenol, and on and on...I'm in big trouble.

Giddy morning girl. She is the best when she first wakes up.

And again, back to Baltimore... aren't we a pair.

News that I do not have pictures of:

Second tooth popped through out of thin air. Wasn't there yesterday, and this morning HELLO tooth #2! Still no pictures. So stingy with the teeth, that girl. I'll try harder.

Gracie went swimming at school Friday before Memorial Day weekend. I missed this adventure, so I am now demanding a kiddie pool at my house, so I can see firsthand how she liked it. Daddy is not on board with the purchase. Not sure why not. I'll win... hmmmm, if I can just fit it in my grocery cart.

One last thing. Sad day, my friends. I was walking across campus this morning and suddenly approached by a group of students - probably in their late teens maybe 20's (dressed alike and obviously in some kind of camp or competition) Then they drop the bomb on me:

"Excuse me, mam. You work here, right? "

Until this point, I've complained about being confused with students when I'm trying to dress professionally and everything. No more, I am now an old "mam" who works here. Which is correct but still offensive.

Carry on, consider yourself FINALLY updated.

Mother's Day and teeth!

2010-05-12T11:03:00.009-05:00

Gracie was playing in her tub with her rubber ducky when suddenly a white flash caught my eye.... a tooth! I can't believe she has a tooth! She never even let on that she was teething. No drooling or fussing... nothing! It just appeared out of no where. (I will give Stevanie credit for trying to say, I think she's getting a tooth... we ignored her)

Tooth #2 is on it's way in and this experience is a little different. Not terribly fussy, but chewing on her tiny little fingers and not sleeping so good at night. We'll make it... I'm totally not complaining at all....she's a trooper.

TEETH! She's practically grown. I have tried to take a picture of this tiny tooth, but she is stingy with it.. Maybe when the newness wears off, she'll be sweet and show the thing for the camera. It's hard enough to get oral gel in her mouth, much less a camera lens.

On to Mother's day!

I picked Gracie up Wednesday afternoon and as I'm snapping her into the car seat, I spy dried blood on one of her tiny little fingernails.... then I start checking her out. Other hand, same thing - except it's BLUE. Then I see a stray piece of glitter hanging out on her chub cheek.

So, curiosity killing me, I ask in a real smarty pants way, "What have you been doing?! CRAFTING?" and then it hit me.... She made me a Mother's Day Craft!!! I was so excited, and miserable having to wait until Friday afternoon to get my precious first hand made craft.

(look at that hair! I had suspected that they immediately take her bow out everyday when I leave, confirmed) What was she doing crying at school anyway?!

It's proudly displayed on the fridge and she gets excited when I take it down to ask if she made that for me! She is an obvious fan of glitter paint, but that sounds like a mess, so we'll leave the glitter painting to school.

On the actual Day of Mother's I got a cute card signed by Daddy and Gracie. She obviously helped hold the pen.... Looks like a 5 year old wrote it, which is pretty good considering she's a mere 7 months old.

AND, our fave photog, Mrs. Butts was in town for a wedding, so she generously (practically donated) her time and expertise to capture sweet Gracie on campus. I cannot wait to see these sweet pics! Jennifer Garner of Jennifer Garner Designs had just finished monogramming several very cute pieces and Gracie chose the pink dress for her outfit at the chapel. (Hmm, maybe she'll get married at the chapel? Slow down, slow down, it was just a thought!)

blog... what blog?

2010-04-28T09:42:00.010-05:00

Daddy has been out an entire semester... Doesn't feel like that at all to me. I kind of feel like he's still in school! I'm still waiting for all of that free time he was going to have when he finished, where is that?!

His work peeps got him a HUGE cake. I miss that cake. I ate approximately 5 pieces a day. I threw away probably a day's worth of my helpings - I could have eaten the rest of it, easy. I just decided that I wasn't helping save any starving children in Africa by consuming the rest of that delicious cake - it wasn't doing me any favors either. You know when you have something like that in your house and you have to get rid of it so you'll stop eating it... well, I ate it as fast as I could so I could stop eating it.

He looks pretty dang excited about it! I think it's a pretty good idea to celebrate graduation each year with a cake like that. June can't get here fast enough.... multiple birthday cakes =)

Since we were discussing school and being out of school and how great it is to be OUT of school, we somehow got on the subject of getting back IN school. Not sure what we had smoked prior to the conversation, but we actually thought it would be a good idea to both go back to school. We must be very bored and this is the best thing we can come up with to fill all that spare time we've got. At the end of our silly and very casual convo about grad school Friday, I sent out emails of inquiry and headed home for the weekend. I get back Monday morning and faculty advisers are calling me to discuss their programs, etc.... I had totally forgotten all about it! Lucky for me, I'm "not a candidate" for several of them! Didn't hurt my feelings any.

Not feeling the "go back to school" thing at all - especially when I read "intensive weekends, compressed video, and internet courses" I'd rather spend my weekends on the porch like this... taking video of Gracie Girl and then playing on the internet while uploading my pics.

LOVES bath night....

New scrunching nose thing.

Uncle Michael finished tax season and finally gets to make the trek home, and what do we do? We all leave our cameras at home.... too excited to be bothered with things like silly cameras.

She's making a very "Michael" face.

Bryan took these on his phone..... it's the best I could do with these poor quality shots.

She really, really likes him.... Pretty sure she's ready for another visit!

During Unkie Mikey's trip home, we went to the pasture to see the new baby girl.

Dad's horsey, Dixie Pizazz had her baby - Marylou! (Every time I say her name I start in on... "Hello, Marylou / Goodbye heart / Sweet Marylou I'm so in love with you!" It gets stuck in my head every time.

P.S. We sleep through the night almost every night.... God is Good!

I think that's enough... Consider yourself updated!

Why are our names even on this blog...

2010-04-05T11:39:00.005-05:00

One brief non-Gracie item... Yesterday, we were at a red light and saw the horror of horrors - a baby in the lap of the passenger / baby daddy / current beau / drug dealer (who by the way, was downing a 24 oz), with no car seat! So, I did my usual yell-through-the-window "CAR-SEAT... (pointing at baby) CAR-SEAT"

Well, I have unfortunately had to do this many - I'd say at least 5 - times, but this is the first time I have gotten a response. The driver (the proud mom I assume) rolled down her window and yelled, f--- you, b----! Just when I thought I could be mom of the year, this lady had to ruin my chances.

Ok, back to Gracie. First Easter x 3 egg hunts + 1 birthday party = 1,000 pictures. Observe

These are at the President's home - Bryan went to the annual Egg Hunt when he was a bitty baby too!

Having fun for about one second.

If you take one more picture of me and this stupid basket...

No caption needed, but I'll say it anyway.... Daddy's girl.
I had a devious plan. This Friday, I was off and Daddy had to work, so I have ALL DAY to practice "ma ma." Plan backfires - she now says "da da" constantly and acts like she's never heard "ma ma" in her life.

So pretty! and a little creepy - maybe a little too much on the editing there, Mom.

Wants to be just like me - have some real goals, Baby.

Refusing to sit up on her own even though she can

Contemplating Easter and all it's glory

Why do I put my face next to this beauty queen?! Who could compete?

Our first friend.... Sweet Emmi

This is Gracie's world and we just play in it.

Itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini....

2010-03-18T15:19:00.004-05:00

That she wore for the first time today - indoors of course!

Gracie's Unkie Mikey lives at the beach so this is an essential wardrobe piece. Diva shades are essential regardless of his location. She loves them b/c they look like momma's. She doesn't mind one bit when I make her dress up! I think she quite enjoys us making a to-do over her.

I have explained to her that if she insists on wearing the ever popular triangle top, she will have to learn to dive, otherwise it will fly up when she hits the water. Triangle top or cannon ball - life is full of trade offs. These are the life lessons I am passing on. Scary I know!

Could she possibly get any cuter?! We'll have to wait and see...

Clean house or play.....hmmmmm PLAY!

2010-03-08T16:02:00.004-06:00

What do we do when we should be cleaning our house?!.... we play in the floor instead!

we can eat with a spoon.... sort of

2010-03-01T16:22:00.005-06:00

Gracie has the biggest crush on her daddy... It's sooo cute! Just look at this face.

I will translate, "Oh, Daddy, you want me to take my milk with nasty rice flakes in it out of a silly spoon?! OK, whatever you say as long as I can look into your dreamy eyes!"

We are trying rice cereal! She neither loves nor hates the stuff. (note, soft infant plastic spoons will melt in the dishwasher... I learned the hard way)
Why is my food on my chin?!

I can almost hear the "slurp" sound in this pic. She's so proper!

Still no giggling going on at our house. Any idea that we may have had about us being funny people has dwindled into nothing. Either we are very dull, or she has a very dry sense of humor (but we think she is hilarious!)

One last thing, when you are out and about and run into some people who have a very cute baby with them.... pause and think about what you will say BEFORE you say it. New moms (like me) have a complex and over analyze everything that is said about their baby.

We were walking through the ghetto-Belk when a stranger approached with a "compliment" on my bundle. And I quote, "oh! She's so...........LONG" Well, what does that mean?! Is she TOO long? Is she freakishly tall? What is it? Out of 100 kids, she's taller than 75 of them. So, she's tall, but not a freak. Leave us alone.

I bet Giselle, Cindy Crawford, and Tyra Banks' moms got comments like this all the time! I guess it's the price you pay to be a super model.

Looking just like her daddy these days...

2010-02-22T13:51:00.003-06:00

I was sick all weekend and had to watch the good times in the pretty weather from my bed. Here's daddy taking Gracie for a stroll. She had a great time, although she slept during the excursion.

Speaking of her daddy... She is really looking like him these days!

He is pretty cute, so it shouldn't be a problem!

Giggling and boyfriends at school!

2010-02-12T15:26:00.009-06:00

no reason for this other than.... her hair cracks me up!

Gracie goes to school with one other little girl (who is no competition let me tell you) and 3 boys. She already has a boyfriend who made a silly face and it made her "giggle." When I picked her up Wednesday, her teacher told me, "she had such a good day! She talked and grinned all day.... and she giggled at Collum!"

I was heartbroken.... she WHAT?! giggled.... but she hasn't done that yet! She giggled for the first time at school, and I missed it. Needless to say, I cried all the way home.

We've all been acting like idiots trying to get her to laugh at us with no such luck. I've yet to hear a giggle. It's been almost a full week of our pathetic attempts to get a giggle.... nothing. We're just confirming Gracie's suspicion that she was left with crazy people.

Daddy and Jeff are super depressed that duck season is over. Stevanie, Suzanne and Gracie, are just beside ourselves with happiness for about one second, and then we've already begun planning for next year. See Jeff's handy countdown clock thank goodness for that! We don't want it to sneak up on us.

Gracie is practicing for next season. I got Daddy a wii duck hunting game out of pure stupidity, but I thought it would help him make it until next season with only minor depression. Now, I have to hear the stupid duck call all through the house. It has some pretty ghetto graphics, but it's the thought that counts.

She not only plays with guns... but baby dolls too! Well rounded girl.

Her body is finally catching up with her mind. She's super advanced and breaks her neck trying to stare at this amazing toy. It's such a thrill to her, she stops eating just to stare at it! We've drooled over it (literally) since Christmas and she's finally getting big enough to enjoy it! It's so fun.

That is all... consider yourself updated!

If we are the body....

2010-02-01T11:45:00.003-06:00

Help Haiti.

As I packed my lunch this morning, I thought about the nearly 1 million Haitians who may not have a meal today or for several days to come. Help Haiti. On my way to work, I listened to KLOVE - the contemporary Christian music station in our area, and they offered a simple way for me to follow through with God's commandment to be His hands and feet.

Simply text KLOVE to 20222 and a one time charge of $10 will be added to your phone bill. Respond to the confirmation message with the word YES, and you just fed a Haitian lunch! You can do this up to 3 times, so help out!!! This is made possible by the Food for the Hungry Ministry who has partnered with the KLOVE radio group during Haiti's crisis.

If my daughter was lefted orphaned by a natual disaster (I pray not, but it could happen) I would hope that Christians around the world would follow through with our responsibility to show the love of Christ to those in need. We are so blessed. This $10 donation was so easy, I still feel guilty about not doing more.

someone's daughter....

Tonight when you lay down in your dry bed in your warm house surrounded by those you love, think about the Haitians who are sleeping alone under tarps and count your blessings.

Babies don't keep....

2010-01-22T11:20:00.006-06:00

Look how much she's grown!

Sonya found this on another mom's blog. I'm PROUD that my house is dirty and our fridge is empty and our clothes are clean but piled up high in the laundry room and my bed hasn't been made in months because I only get about 4 hours in the evening to soak up Gracie when she's 3 months, 2 weeks, and 6 days old. And then it's gone! Then she's 3 months, and 3 weeks old!!! Gosh it's going by so fast... Love you baby girl!

Song for a Fifth Child

By Ruth Hulburt Hamilton
Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth
empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
hang out the washing and butter the bread,
sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew
and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
but I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for babies grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

Napa Valley and Bobbie's shower

2010-01-21T15:59:00.004-06:00

Look how much fun I have at work.
I had a work trip with Garret, Mariah, Courtney and Lesley and just guess where we went! Napa Valley! Well, actually we went to Univ of California - Davis, but it happens to be right next door to Napa Valley! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

This is the only pic I got at our first winery. The memory card was full and we started tasting and stopped picture taking!

Daddy had a basketball game to attend so Gracie came with me to a coworker's baby shower! She was a hit of course. Lynn took these... he's taken a picture or two in his time. I did play with the coloring just cuz it's fun to do. She's such a cutie!

Look at this big girl! Where did my wee little baby go?!

Not a newborn anymore!

Good luck to Bobbie!

Hope she has her little boy soon.... very soon.

sick baby, sick mommy, tired daddy...and the full time nanny

2010-01-13T09:24:00.004-06:00

Big news! She can now grasp monkey on her own, and finally get him in her mouth! She's been trying for weeks now.... Way to go! It's the little things.

Several things are going on in the Mattison household these days, but most of them are not appropriate for the blog. Namely, because I want to talk ugly about some people who actually read the blog. Frustrating at the least. No, it's not you. Here's what I can disclose.

Good ole MSU closes for a "snow" day Thursday. So I get to stay home with the sick girl without using my imaginary leave (I have none since I stayed home with her for nearly 3 months!) Thank you MSU! Well, since we somehow missed the disastrous winter weather Dick Rice promised, I have to go back to work on Friday. So Daddy, who was taking off early to go duck hunting in the delta all weekend, decides he'll just take the whole day and cart her off to the dr's office.

Sweet Baby Gracie completed a record 3 days of daycare before I pulled her from the evil grasps of winter colds, sniffles, coughs, ear aches, etc. Poor girl. Here's evidence of the fever in her cheeks... that I ignored and called "rosy" for an embarrassing length of time.
She's such a trooper and her daddy gets big points for taking her to the dr! Just Gracie and her daddy on their way to get some good drugs. He reported that he was the only daddy in the waiting room, but I find that hard to believe because I am no stranger to the pediatric clinic waiting room, and I have ALWAYS seen daddies there with their sick wee ones. But we'll let him claim that glory nonetheless.

I got SICK. If Gracie felt as bad as I felt Friday night, she has a real high tolerance for pain! It was horrible. I made a plan to not leave my bed unless absolutely necessary.

So, the bed contained (wish I had felt good enough to take a pic of this accomplishment) changing pad, wipes, nasal aspirator, Kleenex, nasal drops, ear drops, Tylenol, reflux drops, antibiotic drops, syringes for all the drops, bib, blanket, burp cloth, diapers, chloraseptic spray, cough drops, cell phone, and me. Gracie slept (periodically rested between moans and cries) in her bassinet which was pulled as close to the bed as possible. Unfortunately I didn't have room for the refrigerator or toilet, then we would have been set!

Caring for a sick baby is 0 fun and caring for your sick baby while you are sick is.....well, I don't have a word for that misery. This brings me to the full-time nanny!

My mom and dad come to my house and take over caring for the wee one when I reach the bottom of despair since I'm so weak and achy that I can't pick Gracie up! That's when I knew we were in big trouble. Thank you Lord that I did not have something other than her sickness... I just knew I would give her the flu and child services would snatch her from me.

We are all well now, finally! I still sound like a chain smoker, but I feel fine =)

Daddy unfortunately did have to pay when he finally got home Sunday. He shampooed carpets and rearranged furniture. And loved every minute of it I assure you.

Gracie is now staying home in her cozy warm nursery while my mom plays with her all day long... so jealous! And now the search is on (deja vu) for daycare once the temps are out of the twenties. I am convinced that I will do a better job at choosing a place that we both love and that I feel comfortable with.

Gracie is now 13 lbs and approx 23"

That is all, consider yourself updated!

Getting better

2010-01-05T15:43:00.003-06:00

day 2 of daycare..... still sucks so bad
Who am I kidding with this post title. It's not at all better. I made it until 1:30 then I lost it (I brought my makeup to work for such an occassion, but don't care enough to use it...) I just want to run out and go get her.

Today I am thankful that I am busy at work. I really would not be breathing if I didn't have something to keep my mind off of her for at least a few seconds every hour.

Finally, please offer buddy your sympathy. I told the man for years that I WANTED to work...and I know deep down I do! But now all I talk about it is how miserable I am without her. Hang in there buddy. Everyone promises it will get better! We've got this.

Let me just also take the time to point out that I think it's stupid how everyone always talks about being worried about labor and delivery. They give you DRUGS. You don't feel a thing. The real pain nobody cares to discuss. Why is it that no one talks about abandoning and neglecting your brand new baby and throwing them in a room full of people she doesn't even know where she can't see or hear me for 10 hours?! THIS is what you need drugs for.... I'm just saying.

Again, no pictures. I do not want to remember these days.

Big girl... daycare

2010-01-04T09:58:00.004-06:00

I packed the camera to take a picture of her first day at daycare, but it did not happen this morning! I just took all her stuff in and then ran out to get her all bundled up (cuz it's SNOWING - really) took her inside and said hello to all the other babies and then handed her over to DD and walked out. Hopefully I can hold it together long enough this afternoon to document this important day in Gracie history.

Cried in the car all the way to work. Cried when I sat down at my desk, cried when asked how it was going.... cried cried cried. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day, but as of now I am convinced of these things:

1. Gracie wonders where I am..... I've abandoned her!

2. Gracie is crying and thinks I gave her away because I don't like her anymore! Why else would I leave her for 10 hours a day!!! (This is the dumbest thing I have ever done. Ever.)

3. Gracie will have the flu, a cough, a cold, and ear infection, a virus, or some other contagious disease by this afternoon. (Because I've been over protective against germs only making it more likely for her to get sick now.)

4. I predict daycares will go out of business in 2010 because it is HORRIBLE and again, the dumbest thing I have ever done. What was I thinking?!

5. Finally, I'm convinced that she is loved and that DD will love her and care for her. I'm also convinced that tomorrow will be easier and than today and Wednesday will be easier than tomorrow and Thursday will be easier than Wednesday and Friday will be GREAT because I get her all to myself on Saturday and Sunday!!!! Yipee

We did finally have Christmas at our house! See... she did have her very own tree and lights. And you were right, she LOVED the lights. (I'll pretend that's why they're all still up!)

There's not even a third of our ornaments on the tree. I was just impressed to get it up. She didn't mind one bit that it's practically naked.

How sad that she didn't have a stocking!!! No baby's first Christmas stocking?! Who are we? terrorists!

new washing machine for Christmas...

2009-12-16T08:57:00.006-06:00

quick note... if you are looking for an obama chia for a loved one (as I am) they have been pulled from the shelves due to racists complaints!!!! OH NO! Not to worry, I found one at Amazon and am having it shipped directly to my loved one (who obviously knows its coming) because it's on back order! Man these things are a hit.... so weird

Just what I wanted for Christmas.... our washing machine broke. You can't go without that for a single day without your house turning into a pile of dirty clothes (esp with a new little girl in the house!)

I need everyone to help me get in the Christmas spirit. Actually, I need you all to get buddy in the Christmas spirit. Jeff and Stevanie are hosting a Christmas party this Friday night, so maybe that will help. I have always decorated for Christmas early - as early as October and always before Thanksgiving... always. Not this year, I don't have one ornament or twinkle light anywhere in sight. When we cleaned out the guest room to convert it to the nursery, we put all of the Christmas garb in the attic. I do not climb ladders especially ones that lead to attics! So all of my decor is out of reach. Buddy could not care any less about Christmas, a real scruge he is, so unless something drastic happens in a hurry, we will not have Christmas at our house.

A new washing machine has not helped awaken the Christmas spirit. Josh Grobin's Christmas CD is waiting in my car, but even that hasn't done it. This calls for drastic measures.

I'm so sorry....and selfish

2009-12-12T12:13:00.003-06:00

Everyone,

I am so sorry for hogging this baby all to myself and not sharing via blog as I should. I just can't be bothered with things like uploading pics and computers. She's so sweet and fun, who cares about the blog.

Here's some kind of update, hopefully I'm back on track and blogging regularly as I am told to do!

Hey, we love her!

First off...... GRADUATION

We are so proud of Daddy! Thank goodness school is finally out forEVA!

She did great for the big grad day. Until she woke up! We had a full schedule.

Dinner with Daddy's parents at 4pm. Arrive at the Hump at 6pm. Ceremony at 7pm. Leave Hump at what felt like 2am.... I think it was actually 10pm, not sure.

She didn't want to eat (more interested in napping) at 5pm before we had to get a move on to make it to the Hump. Well, we get there and she's still sleeping. I start to get concerned when it's been 5 hours and no meal. (She usually eats every 3) She woke up, REFUSED her bottle in her diva style and we headed to the women's PUBLIC restroom to nurse. I'm not sure what my plan was when I got to the bathroom but I wanted to get some food in her tummy.

Ok, notice that I am in a scarf and sweater dress.... nuff said. I found sweet Anita working graduation in the concourse and she directed me (and mom is now with me - came to check on the baby) to a closet that said "FIRST AID" on the door. If you were in need of first aid, you would not find it in this closet. So, we get her fed and she poops. So we head back to the women's PUBLIC restroom for our first diaper change on a nasty PUBLIC changing table.

I have plenty enough gear to keep all parts of her from touching any part of that changer. So, finally full belly, check. Clean booty, check. Head back to our seats and daddy is about to cross the stage!!!!

Where's the CAMERA?! I mean we were cutting it close but I got some very blurry shots of him crossing the stage but most important thing.... I heard them say "Bryan C Mattison" that was worth nursing in a closet any day!

Congrats Daddy, we're so very proud.

I do not have a picture of our day of torture Dec 2 (AKA 2 months shots drs appt) but it was HORRIBLE. We all cried and she screamed like I've never heard her scream before. Probably b/c I've never stabbed her sweet thighs with huge needles. She totally forgot about all of it after a good nap, but I cried again the next day. Worst day of her short life so far, hands down. And we have to do it all over again in another 2 months. We may run away to Mexico where they don't care if you immunize.

Gracie supports our bulldogs and is not a fair weather fan. Everyone around our seats is so excited about seeing her in her cheer suit next season! (We don't know them at all, but they are very invested since they saw me VERY pregnant at the first two home games and then not so pregnant at the last two!)

Can't wait to cart her and all her gear to the games.... good times

GO DAWGS

She is a super star and should have her picture on the cover of the rolling stone! I'm currently working on getting her some gigs. She acted just like any diva would. She pitched fits and had to be petted and spoiled a lot during her 2 hour shoot. We love Sarah and Melissa at Twice the Focus Photography in Mathiston! Here's their work.

Also can't wait to see Tricia Hopper Butts' (of Betty Donne Photography) artsy fartsy pics the week of Christmas, so watch for those!

(her real daddy's arms holding that sweet baby)

(pretending to be asleep and angelic... I think she nailed it)

That is all... consider yourself updated!

Is daddy in the sky???

2009-11-02T12:41:00.003-06:00

Gracie thinks she's 16 already.... We tried our bumbo and she's just barely big enough to sit in it.

At first she LOVES it. I must have been a little too excited about her being so big sitting in her bumbo cuz she immediately freaked out and was DONE with the bumbo sitting. She's so funny.

Daddy flew an airplane..... here's some of his pics. Me and Gracie look outside a lot during the day and we always talk about, "where's daddy?" Since he flew, we look in the sky for him daily. She seems to like the game even though it has no point. She's happy with it.

I'm ready for daddy to get his pilot's license so we can cut that trip to Florida to see Uncle Michael in half! YAY

Here's all the uncles.... they love her.

Precious

uncle michael

Uncle Dan'l

uncle kyle

Daddy killed a deer the week after we got Gracie home. She's got food to eat and a place to sleep. We're all set.

2009-10-26T21:34:00.003-05:00

I absolutely cannot believe we're starting the 4th week at home. That is CRAZY! Gracie has good days and bad days and mostly good nights. She only wakes up to eat, but the trick is getting her to go back to sleep!

It's late. Not uploading pics at this time, but I promise I will get on here with some good head shots soon. (I have made my official request for our first Betty Donne Photography professional photo shoot by Tricia Hopper Butts and cannot wait to see Gracie strut her stuff. Well, she'll probably just lay there, but it will be adorable either way)

Daddy is in charge of bath time and does a fantastic job of it. She LOVES her bath and her daddy and I love for him to hand me a clean, spit-up free, and amazing smelling wee one! Bath nights are great! (If I were on top of my game I would post a pic or even a bath video here...I'll do better)

We read Good Night Moon a lot... a lot. It makes me sleepy and sometimes it makes her sleepy too.

Our only problem is keeping her food in her tummy. She's a ferocious eater (dubbed "lil piggy") but gets a little too excited about how well she can eat and sucks down too much air or something. Not sure how to remedy this problem but my entire house is about to be covered in spit up if we don't figure out something. She is the absolute best baby, as long as her tummy feels ok. It's so sad to watch (and hear) her in pain.... nasty tum tum.

Attention moms-to-be. Do not listen to anyone who says, "don't buy newborn sized anything, they'll outgrow it in no time" IDIOTS! I listened and we had to get some NB size crap ASAP when we got home cuz everything else swallowed her. We didn't have a single sock that would stay on her foot! She's 4 weeks old (I'm guessing near 9 lbs) and still wearing NB sized cutie pieces and they fit perfectly. Glad we have plenty of NB sized pretties because the princess has to change clothes 4 or 5 times a day (due to spit up mishaps but we'll ignore the reason behind the wardrobe changes)

Did I mention we all LOVE her..... we are all still worthless.

She's here!!!

2009-10-08T18:11:00.009-05:00

All 4 generations. We're celebrating Nanny's 90th bday this December. She has 11 babies and I've already called desperate for advice! She's still got it.... Gracie loved her.

Clean baby.... best smell in the world

Sleeping beauty!

Daddy's Princess... no really, she is daddy's girl already!

First trip to the dr's office. I'm feeling that I must document every second of her life, so we took a picture of this too. Her tummy was really hurting her, so we had to go figure out what was wrong. Turns out, she has reflux and simple fix is peppermint flavored miracle drug. Kudos to Dr. Shirley because Gracie is now a completely different baby since we fixed her lil tum tum.

We're home... hospital bracelets and all. You cannot see her outfit at all, but that is the dress I came home in. Maybe I'll put it back on her and pretend that it's our homecoming day for the sake of a good picture.

Daddy's first night with his new girl in the hospital. We had her at 4:57 and didn't get her in our room until midnight. The poor woman who kept coming in to take my blood pressure every 15 min (we could hear her cart coming down the hall)...... I finally told her that she was a huge disappointment and that if she didn't wheel a baby in there she couldn't come back.

Don't let our HUGE grins fool you, we're scared to death. Gracie screamed the entire first hour of her life. I'm pretty sure it's because she was scared of us too!

Last but not least.... Sweet dr furniss! This is Gracie's first picture when she is just seconds old. We had the absolute best experience at OCH and we already LOVED dr furniss, but having her there to deliver Gracie was very special. At one point, buddy said, "I don't think this could have gone any better!" and I totally agree. Perfect day all around.

First off, sorry to the demanding public, but it's pretty dang busy around our house with the new princess! We jump at her every command =) But you finally have some pictures. Don't worry, I'm taking tons. I just have to stop staring at her long enough to upload the things.

We had a sad first two days with her tummy pain and reflux, but we have miracle medicine and she's a new woman! Just smiling and peeing and pooping and sleeping and pooping again... we LOVE her. I didn't know anybody's baby could be so perfect and beautiful, but wouldn't you know that the perfect child would be mine.

Her sweet daddy is just smitten as can be! I'm not sure if she likes him more of if he likes her more. They're a pretty cute couple napping on the couch all the time.

We had the most amazing labor and delivery experience. The nurses and drs at OCH were phenomenal! The L&D nurses loved my gownie and kept sending in other nurses to see it. Naturally, they put me in a great mood since they all oooed and ahhhhed over how cute I looked while in LABOR. I love them. Also, I joked a lot about how buddy would be the worst labor coach ever, but he was a rock star in the delivery room! As soon as we got there, he went into "daddy zone." They told me I had to wear the nasty hospital issued gown, but when I came out of the bathroom in that nasty thing, daddy said.... absolutely not! So, he fixed it immediately. Sweet man. Who wants to go through all of that while feeling uglier than you have to?

If you've been around us for more than 5 minutes, you know that we like to laugh and have a good time no matter what. Well, Gracie's birth is no exception. The dr was holding the phone with one hand (talking to her nurse at the clinic about the patient she had to leave for me) and catching Gracie with the other. I was throwing up and our 4 nurses and buddy were all laughing at the chaos. It was hilarious and even though I was only laughing on the inside..... their laughter made me not worry about anything going wrong. Overall, we had an awesome experience and the expressions on our faces in our first family pic at 4:57 pm are so funny. They had just put Gracie on my belly, she's only a few seconds old, and we both are in "deer in headlight" mode staring at this little girl like..... what do we do now?! Then it hit us both. You LOVE her and the rest just falls right into place.

Buddy (also now called daddy) and I spent Gracie's first hour of her life with just the three of us (plus all of our nurses and our dr) and that was the fastest hour of our lives. We passed her back and forth and introduced ourselves. I played with her feet and shook my head at how much hair she has. I joke sometimes when daddy asks what we're doing, "oh, I'm just braiding her hair!" She was beautiful the first second we saw her and so worth every second of our 2 hour pushing session. She was present enough, but daddy did so good and got me a "push present" in addition to the sweet baby you get as a reward. Check it out, it's bee-u-t-ful and I can't wait to give it to Gracie when she has her first baby.

My baby is hungry.... more to come later. And yes, we know, she is the most beautiful baby in the world.

Stubborn girl..... who did she get that from?

2009-09-23T13:13:00.008-05:00

Drs appt this week was not a huge success to me, but in reality everything is just right! We seem to have one cozy, healthy, happy, and lazy baby. She LOVES me and does not want to leave. What can I say?

My sweet Dr flat out told me and buddy that she did not expect to see this baby before the due date. In fact, she's going to some med conference in Cincinnati and won't be back until my due date. She did say she was on-call this weekend if I could make something happen! If not, I go back Oct 1. She will not induce unless I have progressed some or am one week overdue. She will also not "let" me go past the week of Oct 12. (Pretty sure I will not be able to wait that long without asking to be induced!) Oct 12.... who is she kidding?

6 days until the due date, piece of cake. Speaking of cake...

I needed something to make me slow down on all of the sweets I've consumed in the past 9 months. Well, some poor woman in Indonesia was God's chosen vessel to help me out with that. Bless her heart! She holds the record for giving birth (C-sec of course) to the largest newborn....19 friggin lbs.

Lesson learned, "above average" kids are not always better!

Word on the street is, that poor lil averaged sized newborn pooped his diaper when he saw that monstrosity! And, let the nightmares begin.

So, we finally made it to a watermelon! My lil poppy seed is now a watermelon. Wonder when she'll turn into a newborn?! I'm tired of seeds, fruits, and veggies.... we need a newborn!

Mom has been digging out some fun goodies.... my blanket (probably mine, we think!)

I got her a mobile that is not "matchy, matchy." Totally out of character for me, but this will make her smart (and sleepy we hope) so it's way better than a matchy, matchy pink and green pointless one.

What if Gracie is a boy?! We've all of the sudden started to wonder.... what if they were wrong all those times? Hope he likes PINK..... everything is pink. Everything.

My clothes..... precious. And they still smell of cedar even though they've been washed twice already.

And TA-DAH!!!! my favorite toy of all time! The original Big Wheel! She has two already (one from Aunt Sara and one from Retta). Two is the perfect number to have of each favorite thing I think! One at my house and one at Retta's..... We couldn't give her my actual Big Wheel because I rode the wheels off of it. Man I wish I could take this for a test drive!

Jackson week

2009-09-18T13:17:00.005-05:00

Ewe.....I know that's disgusting, but you have to laugh. I USED to have little feet. Little ankles and I don't remember my toes being quite that "sausage-like." Sonya helps me laugh about this, but it's not at all funny. It's gross and doesn't feel too great either. But, like buddy says, "they will go back to normal soon!" I sure hope so =) Also, my fall color is OPI "magnifico in Mexico" and it did make me feel a little better about my sausage toes.

Well, we made it through Jackson recruiting week! Excellent fairs this year and very nice, respectful, and smart kids! Hope we see them in the next couple of years....

Several drs (OB/GYNs) attend college fairs (cuz they have college age children) and they all noticed and correctly diagnosed my condition. UH-MAY-ZIN. Well they were actually very nice and offered their services in their fancy Jackson women's centers / hospitals, etc, but I unfortunately never needed to call any of them!

Jimmy Kight's sweet dr gave me his Castor oil recipe, but I'm too chicken to use it, plus I'm just not 100% miserable yet. I AM anxious to meet her and uncomfortable, but not enough to try anything drastic. Gracie seems to be in charge, so we'll just let her decide when to get here (unless she takes too long to decide then we will certainly decide for her!)

It's September 18... the day we had picked and really gotten my heart set on, but I'm still very, very pregnant. Consider yourself updated...

Everyone is getting my hopes up.....

2009-09-04T14:41:00.004-05:00

We had a super fun shower 3 of 3 this past Wednesday night. I told buddy, there is no way we will ever be able to keep up this level of "spoiled rotten" now. I mean, is there anything this baby still needs? I think not! We may not even have room for her because of all of her pretties. But we'll make room =) She has some sweet

Everyone says we'll never make it 4 more weeks. Also, mom and I have picked September 18 as our estimated delivery date (full moon and all). I took a fun quiz online per a coworker's request and it estimates just what we're hoping for...2 weeks from now!!! Gracie, if you can hear me (and I know you can) if you're a good girl and behave all week in Jackson from Sept 13-18. Then you can have a prize that Friday night! A BIRTHDAY. You only get one birthdate for your whole life so make it count!

Anyone want to chime in with your delivery date predictions?
Here's what justmommies.com thinks - as if they're some kind of authority.

"Your labor prediction quiz results are below.....
Get your bags packed early just in case you need them. Make sure your partner has a phone available when he's away because this baby just might come early. We predict your baby will come 2-3 weeks early. Your baby will most likely be born in the morning. Justmommies predicts that your baby will weigh approximately 8.8 pounds and that your labor will be about 12 hours long.
This is for entertainment purposes only." (I love their disclaimer!)

Come on Sept 18!!!!!!

Making Progress...

2009-09-02T11:30:00.005-05:00

Went to the dr this morning. We're 36 weeks. She'll be full term Sept 15 and due Sept 30. Gracie is head down (good girl!!!) and her heart rate was good. My blood pressure is better than its ever been in my life. I've started to progress, but haven't noticed any contractions, although I read where a midwife tried to explain the "fake" non-progress-producing contractions and she said... "Does the baby ever stick its butt out? Well that's a contraction" hmmmmm, so maybe I have. Obviously not a REAL one or I would know it.

I pre-admitted at the hospital and they said that buddy can bring snacks and his toys (laptop and phone) to keep him occupied. So,everyone should get regular updates =)

Best news, I LOST 1 POUND. I've never been more proud of losing one measly pound in all my life..... hopefully we'll hang out right at 29 lb gain until she gets here! That would be lovely. Going back Sept 11 to see if anything's happening. If not, I get to take my work trip to Jackson Sept 14 - 18! My goal is to make it through Jackson recruiting week =) Then on the way home on Sept 18, those fun hills just outside Flowood surely will help speed things along. I plan on taking those bumps at about 90 mph!

Also, Corbin Lee Tehan is ready for his girlfriend to arrive, so I will try to accommodate. He looks like he's sleeping, but he's dreaming about their first date.
So cute!

blah

2009-08-25T14:51:00.005-05:00

I'm too insane to blog this week....it is just crazy stressful times at our place.

We've had so much going on at our house lately, that I can't even walk straight (although that too is probably pregnancy related)
Our garage door was fussy, buddy fixed it. Our element in our water heater went out and we've been showering in Gracie's bathroom for 3 weeks. Element comes in, buddy fixes it, and then the water people with no warning.... mess with our water. We wake up to a foyer full of water. Thanks for the heads up people! Then we get the lovely boil water notice and no water pressure. That's fixed, thank goodness for running water! And we now have hot water in bathroom again, cause buddy fixed that too. His headlight went out, and he got a ticket for it! (that's not fixed yet, if anyone wants to take that one?!) But he fixed the light, so that's good. As I type this, it seems like all of this shouldn't have been such a big deal, but for some reason, living through it was a nightmare... go figure.

I did go to the chiropractor for the first time ever, and it was nice. Quick visit though, and I would have liked a massage at the end, but oh well. Gracie is making me crooked, so I'm going back tomorrow. Everyone told me, "don't let him near your neck!" In the waiting room, we talked about it again and giggled. I made it very clear that I was there for lower back pain, so I was sure that we wouldn't have any issues with discussing the neck. The topic eventually came up. When the dr asked if my neck had been hurting... mid adjustment.... buddy busted out laughing. This turned out to be a good thing, because it saved me from getting my neck cracked!

She should be here in 3-5 weeks and I'm 100% ready and 100% not ready at all... at the same time! It's pure madness.

Showers....

2009-08-17T17:43:00.007-05:00

Bedroom wall art by Barbara Stewart

Bathroom wall art by Barbara Coleman and Kelli Peacock

I posted what pictures I have (I was busy opening gifts!) at the bottom of the page in a shower slideshow.

The good friends shower:

August 2, Sonya Gholston, Barbara Stewart, and Elaine Reed hosted a very very fun and fabulous shower at Bulldog Deli. I had a blast playing some silly games, and Gracie got such pretty things. We had a delicious carrot cake that had too much left over and I was FORCED to take it home with me (in addition to a lovely cookie platter). Good day.

The good church family shower:

August 9, Paula Jones, Jackie Nason, Ann Brown, Denise Coleman, Barbara Coleman and Kelli Peacock hosted another spectacular Gracie Extravaganza! Kelli and Barbara were their usual crafty selves and made posters, detailed cupcakes, a diaper cake, Peacock carved a watermelon baby carriage, it goes on and on. It was adorable. Another good day.

This baby is super loved and way too spoiled already.

The good people at work shower:

Shower 3 of 3 is coming up and it's sure to be yet another awesome event! After this kind of high, it's no wonder new moms go through depression when reality sets in.... Unless buddy can somehow figure out how to throw a party every week and keep this going, I'm doomed.

Also,
We had a great visit with Uncle Michael this weekend (even if we had to endure the stupid motorcycle rally). I stayed in the air conditioning as much as possible and was a real party pooper. But hey, it's hot out there and I'm HUGE. Next time we see him, we'll have a sweet baby girl to show off! Can't wait...

Good girl...RIP Prissy

2009-08-14T13:45:00.006-05:00

Sad, sad day. Our sweet Prissy girl is finally resting good. We are so silly about animals, aren't we? But if you've ever had a family pet, you know how much they are loved. We just can't help it. She is definitely part of our family.

I love this picture of her. We had a sleepover at my house while her mom went to Florida to visit my brother, and I had a big pile of blankets that I had folded to put up in the closet. Well, she found the goose down comforter and a blanket and we noticed that it was quiet and she was hiding somewhere....She had hit the blanket jackpot! So I just had to snap some pictures of her peeking out of the blankets. So glad I did. We miss you Priss! Such a good, pretty girl.

breakfast fairy

2009-08-03T09:28:00.005-05:00

I've been giving bryan a hard time about.... well, that we'll probably starve unless he knows how to prepare some food before the baby gets here. (this would never happen... if you've ever met my mother, you understand. Plus, it's not like I've been cooking a lot lately, so we've learned to manage already)

So this morning I wake up at 6 am with some rumbling in my kitchen. It's buddy making cinnamon rolls! Very, very sweet man today.

I took a picture (in disbelief I guess) and he said immediately, "do not put that on the blog"

Can't help it! sorry, have to document this occasion =) in case it never happens again

Also.....I am an idiot and just laid my camera down at the shower yesterday as if it works by itself... it just sat there the whole entire time with not one picture taken. So, I'm requesting all attendants with cameras to send me their pictures, PLEASE! and thank you. BUT, the shower itself (sorry you can't see any of it) was WONDERFUL! Gracie got lots of pretties and we played very funny preggo games! Lauren (due in 3 weeks) was a pro at the "candy bar / pregnancy word" game and went home with a stash of at least 15 candies. I hope she didn't tell Lee where she got all of that, so he'll think she robbed a gas station or something. I wish i had a picture of her shoveling candy bars into her purse at 37 weeks pregnant. Priceless.

Making progress at record speed!

2009-07-30T10:06:00.007-05:00

I apologize for how long this post has to be, but I can't help it! We have lots and lots of updates.

First off, we had a fun dinner at Jason and Joni Ingram's house last weekend. So good to see old friends. Heather and Cadence are home, Jason and Joni and Allie Beth of course, and Shane and Lena and Garret and some others. We miss everyone, but since we're all adults we stay way too busy. I thought my baby would most certainly be the best behaved out of the kiddo bunch, but the babies were all so good and fun! We can't wait to add our little rug rat to the crew. I did not take any pictures of this fun party, so sorry..... maybe we'll be invited to do it again soon and I'll be sure to document.

Next, I've been having such anxiety about my second gestational diabetes test. It's routine, but I still did not want to do it! This pregnancy has been the easiest ever, so I've just been waiting for the bomb to drop. I just knew that I would be diabetic (just in time for my yummy showers coming up.... I'm quite possibly more excited about the food than Gracie's presents!) and diabetes would RUIN my last few weeks of this fun journey. GREAT NEWS! I'm not diabetic! Bring on the cake! Thank goodness that's over. Also, I did NOT get in trouble about my weight gain this time, so all around wonderful dr appt this week. We're at a total gain of 25 lbs so far.... hope I can stay under 35 for the this whole deal, but we'll see. Buddy and I have had this convo before, but he has forgotten until I brought it up again this week that I have never ever had a Big Mac, so I've decided that this is the perfect time in life to enjoy one guilt free! That monumental event should be happening soon, I hope! I will be sure to document that occasion with pictures.

The final night of nursing / breast-feeding class is tonight! So I will be fully educated on all child related topics, right? Buddy and I still feel pretty unprepared for this, but as we always say while watching those stupid TLC baby shows, "If these idiots can do it, we can do it!"

Last but not even close to least, we have our first baby shower this Sunday! Sooooo excited! The best friends and back-up-moms in the world have gone above and beyond to host this precious shower for baby Gracie, and I am so thankful for their generosity and encouragement! I will definitely post all of her girly goodies after the shower.

Update: Uncle Michael is coming home for his final pre-Gracie visit.......in just 2 weeks! I'll have to soak up all the attention I can get because as soon as the most precious baby in the world finally arrives, he'll probably forget I ever existed.

Now, I better not leave any of this off: Gracie's room and buddy's nesting.

No 1. Gracie's room

Her daddy has done a SUPER job of constructing furniture from nearly a million pieces of tiny parts! It is absolutely beautiful and I just stare at it all the time. Her closet will be the envy of all of her fellow preschool divas in no time flat! We made sure that when we built our house, our first born would have no reason to complain about closet space. It's an exact replica of my own. She also has her own personal bathroom (until child number two ruins all her fun) so I'd say she's got it made. Here's one pic, but I did post the entire process (so far) of her room, furniture and closet in a slide show at the bottom of the blog.

No. 2 Buddy's nesting!

Along with his sympathy weight (so sweet) Bryan is also "nesting." For those not familiar, there is a phenomenon where preggo mommas start to clean and ready their homes for their new special additions. Animals do this, and now the experts (whoever those people are) have decided that pregnant women do it too! I have recently purchased a steam mop and carpet shampooer, so I'm a true believer in this nesting thing. It just hits you, and you can't help it. I told him one day, it's like the most special house guest ever is coming to stay, and the house needs to be PERFECT and CLEAN. Bryan has found me cleaning garbage cans, the plastic trays that hold and organize our silverware, and disinfecting a votive candle for crying out loud!

Well anyway, he is nesting too! So cute. His nesting is somewhat expensive though...so far, we've accumulated some new fishing supplies, a new gun safe (essential), new gun (not that I could point out which one it is, plus I can't get into the gun safe) and he has completely reconstructed the hill outside Gracie's room. I've documented his disease for your viewing pleasure.....

I'm sure a super sized, daddy-made swing set is probably coming next.

Frankly my dear....we DO!

2009-07-21T16:01:00.005-05:00

I have been sore at the top of my belly on my right side for a while... not every day but a good bit, and it's not painful, just noticeable. In Tupelo, we found out that it's her head! (silly me, I thought it must have been my bra!)

So I started looking around on the internet about baby presentation and breech babies, and I found this site that had a picture of exactly how she's sitting...... we thought it was funny and it's actually called "Frank Breech" which is unfortunately not funny.

I just thought it was interesting that there's a name for exactly how she's sitting. The sono lady did not point this out as we all laughed about her feet touching her forehead! We must have sounded like idiots to her. Oh well! Not the first time that's happened to any of us I can assure you.

We hope she flips!

http://flipthatbaby.blogspot.com/
This lady discusses all the crazy measures she took to try to flip her baby, we're not doing that. If she turns, she turns, if not... we have a C section. Don't want it, but will accept it gladly if that means she gets here all safe and sound.

Wonderful weekend!

2009-07-20T08:57:00.007-05:00

We went to Baby's Kickin in Tupelo this weekend and had the best time! We are definitely going back and I highly recommend it to anyone who is preggers! They are very nice there and seem to love watching your baby play as much as you do. I could go on and on about how much fun that day was, but I posted all of her pics in a slide show at the bottom of the page instead. ENJOY

Most of the time she was trying to hide her face with her hands (and feet!) but we eventually got a few really good images..... and she is sooooo cute! Fat cheeks already =) We all melted and will be a completely worthless bunch of people when she gets here for sure.

We also finished her crib in what seemed like 15 minutes! We were both amazed at how easy that particular piece of furniture was to assemble......and we were babysitting our niece who's 5 at the same time! We'll be super parents for sure, right?! We are not expecting the dresser to be easy at all, but we'll get it.

They slapped me off the scale..... sort of

2009-07-15T19:08:00.007-05:00

I had a dr's appointment today, and i

t did not go well. I knew this day would come eventually, but I still was not prepared for the words....."we need to watch your weight gain" and then I just saw her lips moving but I couldn't hear anything until "your weight really jumped up this time" and then more of Charlie Brown's teacher talk. So sad.

I thought I was doing ok with the weight gain. It is very hard to go from watching what you eat and feeling guilty and fatty for every single bite since the age of, oh I don't know, 11, to actually trying to gain weight. So I've been on a cookie and cake marathon that unfortunately ended today. The dr recommends a total gain of 25-30 pounds..... I have a budget of 2-7 pounds left and 11 weeks to go. You do the math.

Sad, sad day.

If you also struggle with the size of your butt, I highly recommend thedailyplate.com It tracks everything for you and it's totally free. Now, if I would just use that!

The good news is, I'm swollen. And that's nothing to be excited about.

Nothing worth talking about.....

2009-07-13T09:47:00.004-05:00

I was sad when discussing our weekly blog post with buddy today. We have had a pretty uneventful weekend. Nothing to post about. So, I'm trying to remember the week in full detail just in case something worth noting did actually happen. (I was told that I had a "bad attitude" and "was very negative" all weekend, but that could never be true, so no discussion there.)

I attended my first breast feeding class last Thursday night. Very informative. TLC does not have a breast feeding show, (I tivo all "A Baby Story" and "Bringing Home Baby" episodes and watch them on the weekend) so I did not know anything she was talking about. I will spare you all details b/c unless you are planning on BFing soon, you just really don't want to know what all your body will do to sustain life. Yes it is amazing, but it is gross. And anybody who says "It's beautiful" to me one more time..... I will give you amazing, but not beautiful. Clarification, SHE will be beautiful, what my body does is gross.
Friday, I attended a funeral for my dad's cousin at my church. It was actually a nice gathering of family (isn't it sad that you only see some relatives at weddings and funerals?) I swear, I tell buddy everyday that I should have started a list the very day we told everyone we were expecting of "stupid things people say to pregnant ladies." I am not exaggerating one bit. Every single day, never fails, I get some crap comment about how fat I am. That's all they really boil down to. They come in many forms, but they all mean, "you are beyond fat." People just think that since you are pregnant they can comment freely, very freely, on your weight. The funeral was apparently a free-for-all opportunity to hurl fat jokes at Suzanne! Don't you just love family?!
Since I neglected to start the list when I should have, I'll offer some of the top stupid comments here. "Are you sure you're not having twins?!" "Wow, you really are packing on the pounds!" "How much longer? Wow you're going to be EE-NORM-OUS!" "You look like you're about to pop!" I could on and on, but just typing these makes me ill. Lay off, people! Yes I am getting fat! I am fully aware because my clothes don't fit! I promise I've noticed! (Note: Buddy has graciously pointed out to me that I am getting more irritable, so watch your mouth... there's no telling what I will say or do at this point!)
Well, I feel better.

Moving on, we finally got our carpet shampooer. Walmart dropped the ball on their fabulous free cite-to-store shipping, so I went to Lowe's and they had it in stock! I had been waiting 3 weeks on a shampooer that Lowe's had sitting nicely on the shelf the entire time. Oh well, we have it now.
Bryan is master carpenter (built a house, remember) so he is tackling her closet. I watched while laying in the floor snacking on chips. If we hadn't have underestimated our supply need, he would have finished. So now, preggo lady has to go to Lowe's after work and get a 10' long piece of shelving in my car. Hopefully the Lowe's staff will feel very helpful this evening.
Alright, one more thing...... WE HAVE OUR 4D SONOGRAM THIS SATURDAY!!!!!!
To say that I'm excited just does not do justice to the emotion. I have YouTubed 4D sono's all weekend. I am very anxious to see her face, and we will finally get our 100% assurance that she is indeed Gracie and not John, or Bob, or Bill (we obviously have no boy name options picked out). I will post pictures of her gorgeous face immediately, I promise.

7 Years later, I'm 7 months pregnant!!!!!

2009-07-06T08:41:00.003-05:00

Happy Anniversary to us! This time 7 years ago, we were both sick at our stomach with nerves.... but it seems to be working out pretty well. We have decided that the "7 Year Itch" is just a nasty rumor to make couples nervous.

You are an awesome husband, and I cannot wait to see you as a dad. Love you buddy!

Look how young we were!

13 weeks left!!!

2009-06-30T08:29:00.003-05:00

I added a 26 week belly pic to the slide show at the bottom of the blog.....

I can't believe we only have 13 weeks to our due date! It has flown by... the third trimester is officially here and it is MEAN. I keep waking up with some ferocious heartburn. It's disgusting and very annoying, but I guess my body is just getting me used to waking up at all hours of the night =) I also want to complain that my skin on my tummy (while it is still stretch mark free....not for much longer I'm sure) is stretching and sensitive.... Buddy may be rubbing my tummy with sandpaper while I sleep. Aside from these fun things, pregnancy is still the best thing going!

This weekend is going to be a big deal at our house. It's the 4th of what?! Who cares!
Our carpet shampooer should be here any day now, so Gracie's room can be disinfected and prepped for her arrival. Then we can finish her closet (it's just an empty room that holds all of our Christmas decorations at this point). AND then we can put her furniture in her room. I'm not sure all of this will happen, but I like to make a list just to comfort me.

Buddy finished her changing table last night and it is beautiful. We also received her first pottery barn shipment.... she loves it (spoiled already)! She has no clothes, no diapers, no medical supplies, no mattress, no car seat, no stroller, pretty much NOTHING, but she has some pretty pottery barn goodies. If nothing else, she could sleep in a monogrammed canvas tote!

Semi boring week other than a few new discoveries. I attended LBT's baby shower and it was hotter than hellfire! I am a fan of air conditioning. But in an effort to cool off, I filled my tub up with cold water and floated like a whale when I got home! Lovely new trick that I am sure will come in handy throughout the summer.

One disappointing event.... very sad. I had these fabulous maternity "skinny fit" jeans that are so cute with a cuff and everything. Well, they have this magical elastic band on the inside of the waist that attaches to buttons (mine have been buttoned up to this point). Then, when you get big, you just unbutton the elastic and ta-da... bigger pants without anyone knowing. So I put them on this morning and out of nowhere they are way to little!!!!! So I unbutton my handy elastic band, and (you guessed it) still too little. I really hate to start the day off by trying on several too little pairs of pants, it's just not good for the already damaged self esteem. No worries though... I just got some new clothes! YAY, they will probably fit for a whole..... 2 weeks maybe.

This week, I've decided that I can't wait to see how tiny her little butt will be. Not sure where this came from, but one day I just decided that her butt is going to be the cutest thing. Her little butt will fit in my palm.....adorable.

First "dirty" diaper!

2009-06-21T08:41:00.010-05:00

Breakfast

This morning I got up and made buddy a special surprise for his first Father's Day.... I microwaved a snickers in a winnie the POOH diaper. Plus a cute card, banana pancakes (just like we had on our babymoon in California), strawberry banana smoothies, and a sweet card from Gracie (I helped her pick it out). Next year, he'll get the real thing instead of snickers!

YUMMY! looks just like pooh! Hahahahahaha

I put the diaper and card on his chest and woke him up at 7:30..... he made a yucky face and said, "Get that thing away from me!" We have some work to do in the dirty diaper area I'd say. I told him he could eat it if he wanted...... he wasn't up to it.

Good day already!

Happy Father's Day! (to my daddy too)

only one class left!

2009-06-16T09:12:00.005-05:00

Last night (child birth class 3 of 4) was uneventful for the most part....C section video wasn't so bad (we've seen all of that on TLC, so nothing shocking) I continued eating my cookies through the whole thing and we all giggled a bit when the baby's head seemed to be stuck, but I'm sure during the real thing (hopefully won't happen) we wouldn't be too giddy. Unfortunately, nobody passed out in class. Later, we learned how to swaddle and buddy did really well! We had to discuss the purpose of swaddling in detail (it makes them stop crying was explanation enough) and he was on board with burrito babies! Next week we get to tour the birthing suite and nursery, yippee!
There is also a maternity fair at this hospital this Saturday and there are door prizes! Since I won a Wii at MSU's staff appreciation day in May, I figure I should show up and see if my luck is still there (breast pump, breast pump, no whammies!) They will also have refreshments, so it's a win-win.

We did have some very excited things happen during the week. Our new chair and a half and ottoman arrived and we LOVE it! Even more exciting is that we can both fit in it, and Gracie's room is now in progress!!!!!! YAY
The office has now been completely transformed to the guest room. I watched all of this from the sidelines of course. I'll post pics later. Plus, Gracie's furniture is in route to Sturgis, MS! (she's super excited about this and buddy could see her moving my tummy from the other end of the couch!)

Today, I'm officially in my LATE-twenties although I suppose you could consider 26 still in the MID-twenties, don't you? I can't think of a better way to spend my 26th birthday than pregnant with a tiny baby girl! It's going to be yet another great day...I can tell!

Buddy at child birth class... a success? Not sure

2009-06-10T09:32:00.006-05:00

Baby Daddy attended Child Birth class #2. He was very well behaved (for a little while.) I packed him a hamburger to keep him quiet. As soon as the burger was gone, he got the giggles!

During our birth video (yes it was very graphic, and even the mommies didn't want to see this!) As we learn about the placenta..... Buddy yells out, "that looks like steak!" Lesson I learned from this is to bring more food for him next week so his mouth will be too occupied to yell out embarrassing observations! I totally dropped the ball on that one.

Floor exercises were interesting and he is not going to be the best labor and delivery support person, bless his heart, but he's got some time to work on these skills. We focused on how the baby daddy can use massage to relieve mommy's labor back pain...... Well, buddy decides to massage my back with a rice filled sock! Then he nearly pushes me out of my chair as he tries to "apply firm pressure to my lower back." Doesn't know his own strength I guess..... or I just look lots bigger now, so maybe he was trying to compensate for my size. He laughs hysterically because some lady has a (his words after he could stop laughing)"huge wedge" while the other couples are desperately trying to focus on relaxing. Here's to hoping my epidural arrives promptly upon hospital admission! If not, we're in BIG trouble!

I'm surprised we weren't kicked out. As we were leaving, I told the nurse / class leader lady, "See you next week!!!" She did not say, don't come back, so I think we're still in the class at this point. We'll see.

I decided that I deserved the very cute and somewhat expensive delivery gown in the "serra" print to make me feel better..... I will need this gownie to also have magical powers since my baby daddy will be snacking and giggling during labor.

Check out my gownie for the big day!

What's in a name?

2009-06-03T12:47:00.007-05:00

We have named baby girl........ Gracie June Mattison

We love you Gracie! I hope you are simple and sweet and girly like your name, but if you are an obnoxious princess, we will love that too!

Congrats baby girl, you have a name! Major milestone people

Where's my baby daddy?... ummmm

2009-06-03T09:37:00.007-05:00

First off, you MUST pay good money to learn how to do supposedly the "most natural thing in the world." Well, sign me up for a class cause I don't have a clue!

Luckily I know two other couples in our 7 or 8 couple class, so what I am about to tell you is not a big deal. Even to a hormonal pregnant lady.

I originally planned to learn how to "support the stork" in his baby business during the August classes (no July class offered and we are due Sept 30). The Tehans happened to have enrolled in the June class, so at the last minute I change my mind and decide we should also attend the June class. Well, Bryan had fully committed to the August schedule and could not make it to the first June class........Who cares, I'll go alone! no biggie, right?

I am super prepared for class alone. I stop at sonic so I can smuggle some fries in my purse in case we have to stay longer than half an hour (good thing cause it lasted from 6-9 but the lady had snacks so we made it) and I have a new sonic drink that is now a full blown addiction.... go out and try the new Mango Cool Breeze!!!! (only if you like sprite, mango, pineapple, and other tropical goodness. mmmmmm mmmmmmm good!) I'm alone, but I have my snacks, so I'm good.

I am the ONLY pregnant lady without a baby daddy present! So we go around the room and introduce ourselves. I'm (mom's name) this is my first baby I'm due (due date) etc.... And this is my husband.... so and so (then baby daddy gets to say very few words merely to prove he is present and alert. One baby daddy tried to speak but was immediately ignored!) so we go around the room and it gets to me.

At this point, I'm thinking that I could really have fun with this. Here were the obvious options.... "I'm Suzanne, ummmm I don't know who my babby daddy is so I need all the stork support I can get!" OR (remember I am sitting next to L&L Tehan) "I'm Suzanne, like Lauren, I too think Lee is my baby daddy! But we're cool with that!"............ I chickened out and informed the class that my baby daddy had to work and he would join us next Monday night.

Now, Buddy does not know this (don't tell him or he'll skip out on class 2 of 4 and I'm pretty sure I would be shunned after 2 baby daddy absences), but we have "floor exercises for relaxation techniques" next week. We had to be informed of this so the cute preggos don't try to be too cute and wear dresses to class. Since there is no danger of buddy wearing a dress to class, I will keep this a secret so I can watch his face light up in class when it is time for our "floor exercises" YAY!
(We may also watch C sec and actual birth videos, so that will really top off his evening!)

Next Stork Support Update coming Monday, June 8.... hopefully with pictures. Also, get pumped (bad pun) about nursing class in July!!! (Bryan is not allowed to attend and he thinks the actual term is "boob-feeding" which is cute as can be so we won't tell him any different!)

The story of our life (or 9 years of it at least)

2008-12-01T14:45:00.011-06:00

So....In 1999 Bryan Mattison asked Suzanne McKenzie to accompany him to his senior prom. And that's how it started.

Since I was a sophomore, I didn't have a date. We had a fun night even though we really didn't know each other. We talked on the phone and started spending time together every weekend, and before you know it....we're "together" as "a couple"...."going out." After some time, people starting asking when we would get married. (At this point Bryan is in college, but I am STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL) I didn't know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, but I did know exactly who I wanted to spend that time with. So....we starting planning a wedding after a bit of an awkward proposal on October 12, 2001.

On July 6, 2002 Bryan and I (Bryan is 22 and I am a whopping 19 by only a few weeks) were married at Friendship Baptist Church at 1:00 pm.

Our first house was just off of Hwy 25 between Starkville and Louisville, and it didn't have one piece of insulation I don't think. AND it was infested with wasps! One night (while we are sleeping) I sat straight up in the bed screaming that something had stung my butt! Sure enough I was sitting on a red wasp. (I am blind without my glasses / contacts so I did not actually see the wasp but Bryan did and he killed it immediately) The wasp situation got so bad that we eventually rode around our tiny rental in my car with windows slightly cracked just enough to get the spray stick on the can of wasp killer aimed at nests! This house also had a crack in the middle of the tub and it was on a conventional "slab" (not sure if that's what you call it....it was off of the ground), so I was convinced that I would fall through the floor if I ever busted through the crack... Even worse, I have NEVER EVER EVER had a mouse in my home. Growing up, my mom's house never had mice.

Seriously, we had an ant problem one summer but that was quickly resolved with a professional who "sprayed" the house. Never a mouse. So, one night I'm sleeping in my bed (alone because Bryan is working swing shift at this point) and I wake up to find some blurry (can't see) blob knock over a glass of water on my nightstand. A MOUSE! or to me, A RAT! I pick up my battery operated alarm clock and head out to my car in my bathrobe with cell phone in hand.....I sleep in my car until my husband gets home. No No.... I am not sleeping in a house that is now infested with rats! Being the great new husband, Bryan eventually traps the rodent and all is well. Bliss returns to the marriage and we start looking for our step up from crap....rental home #2.

In 2003 we begin building a new house. New adventure, something couples should go through just to make sure you have what it takes. Now, don't be confused....we don't have a house built for us. No, we BUILD the house. We drew the plans...we built the house. I mean, I learned how to pull nails out of 2x4's so we could use that wood again.....I watched a lot and provided moral support, but I also helped some too. I painted and put on outlet covers, and stained some stuff, and held some things, and handed some tools, and stood on some ladders, and such. But Bryan Mattison, impressed me so much! He BUILT the entire house. And it's still standing (we did watch what little Katrina did to Hwy 12, Sturgis from our front porch and our house made it though easily) and it's beautiful. I was a little scared about this process....basically because neither of us had ever built a house before, but WE DID IT! And, to me, that's proof that we will be together until we die. Bryan and I would go to this house (started as a pile of dirt) ev-er-ee day....every single day. I would whine and be ready to go hours before he would say...."we're done for today." Then, being the fabulous wife I am, I would go home about 10 minutes before him to "make supper." The first year of our marriage I actually made supper every night for him. But during home construction...our supper was usually something like Cheetos and slice cheese. Maybe a bottle of water. No time for anything but house building!

I had never in my life made more than $5.15 and I suddenly found myself buying light fixtures for the entire house for $900. I will never forget writing that first big check for $900.....Just preparing me for a mortgage payment I guess. Well, we finished the house (with lots and lots of help from friends and volunteers) and moved in during the fall of 2004. I think I put up the Christmas tree in October that year! Nothing like a new home....no shoes on the carpet, no eating in the living room, etc. (none of those rules lasted very long, but they have to exist at first, just to appreciate the newness)

When we married, Bryan was working as a roofer. Hard work, long, hours, and little pay. But life lessons.....he did learn a lot. I was a recent beauty-school-drop-out enrolling in my first academic classes at EMCC by night and part-time minimum wage worker at a local dentist office by day. We were broke! That started Bryan's frequent quote.....Living on Love. (I'm aware that he did not invent that, but to me, it's his quote. Probably because he says it all the time). Well, I needed to make more than minimum wage, so I decided that I would go to school for a very long time. The only subject I remember thinking I was "good" at was English. So...easy as that, I had myself a major.

I eventually found my way to MSU. Loved it. Finished my BA in August 2006, did some quick tropical island hopping with my husband, and started my Master's 2 weeks later. I want to teach community college English courses....eventually. That's the plan. I finished grad school in May 2008. I finished coursework in December 2007...so from Dec to May I felt worthless. Needed a purpose. My grad assistantship on campus was over and I had no homework. So therefore, no purpose in life. Substitute teaching probably kept me from diving into depression. Staying at home everyday is NOT for me. Bryan would come home from work and find me still in my PJs on the couch with a half eaten PB&J. Exactly, worthless.

So, one day I was in Ackerman, MS going to get my hair highlighted and on the way, me and my mom stopped in at the Education office.....something something of schools office. I filled out a form to substitute teach....got finger-printed, and went on my way to have the hair did. Well, not 20 minutes later with a very few pieces of foil in my head, the phone rings. I have a substitute teaching job...and it starts the very next day! At 7 AM!

Even better....get up, get going, get done with it. Let me just say right now, if you find yourself umemployed....sign up to substitute teach. I LOVED it! God saw me transforming into a worthless sad blob, and everyday I would get a call to teach. I really worked 5 days a week for most of those weeks of subbing. Those kids are so amazing. I got attached to a new class everyday. I won't lie. It felt really good to hear them so excited whispering in the hall that "We have Mrs. Mattison today! YESSSS!!!" I was the cool sub. The trick is to tell them...."yes you can play with your phone, but you can't get me in trouble so put them under your desk and on silent." And they will! Everyone's happy. I read some great books while they "studied" and now some of those "kids" are in college. I see them on campus, and they remember the fun sub....Mrs. Mattison! Fantastic experience that I definitely recommend. Beats sitting on the couch all day.

Then, one day.....I get a job. ( I am glad about this because after applying for what felt like hundreds and getting my hopes up after several interviews that I thought couldn't have gone better.....I needed a YES and no more NO's) I LOVE my job. I get to work with students....but not all the time. Sometimes I get to work with faculty.....sometimes staff.....sometimes high school counselors.....sometimes parents. So its basically the best job. I know....wait, I knew...nothing about agriculture, but now I recruit for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at MSU. I have met so many people in just 8 months. Everyone is great! And I make more than $5.15/hr! Which is even better! My ultimate goal is to make more money than Bryan (I know this will never ever happen, but one can hope)

Speaking of Bryan....when we married (like I said earlier) he was roofing. He would leave for work when it was still dark and get home from work after dark. I hated it. HATED it. He would come home and barely make it to his recliner.....and fall asleep before I could put the warmed supper (that I was extremely proud of) on his plate. I would have to wake him up just to eat.

I felt terrible. Like I had married this man who had to work so hard just to take care of an extra person (who obviously wasn't contributing much financially) But he loved me....loves me. And he worked even harder. He is a saver. Thank goodness, cause I'm not. He had money saved up to start our house and he kept saving and saving. Now, he likes to spend too....don't think I'm the only spender. But where he can do both...I only spend. So, we needed more money. He needed a better job. One where he could come home and actually say words and stay awake long enough to eat. So.....Jesus helped us out. He got a fabulous job at a coal mine that most people don't know it even exists. It's in Ackerman. He started out driving a huge piece of equipment....probably similar in size to our first tiny rental home. Then he gets a different job at the mine....um....moving water out of the way. Basically the mine is a big hole in the ground. (Not like the mines people get stuck in on TV) Ok a huge hole in the ground...and holes tend to fill up with water. So, Bryan got it out. (Coincidentally, my dad does the same thing) They are buddies....working together to get the water out of the way.

Then I decide that I cannot live with my husband working swing shift. So....I pray. A LOT. I pray and then I pray for forgiveness for being selfish and begging to have him home so I'm not scared. Then I pray that he can please have a normal schedule. Well.....prayer works. Every time. This time it just so happened that God wanted to change Bryan's schedule, so all is back to marital bliss. Bryan now has a fabulous Monday - Friday NOT necessarily 8-5 (but definitely not 3 AM - noon) job. And we both are making more than $5.15/hr.

Then God decides....He really, really loves us (even more than I knew before He gave Bryan a normal schedule) He decides that He wants Bryan to go back to college. Bryan stopped school to build the house (remember, we stopped eating normal food and Bryan definitely had to stop school to build a house) So, its now time to go back. Well, working at a coal mine = new major. Geosciences is his new major. Its hard. Its really hard (to me) but Bryan Mattison.......who knew?........is a very smart kid! He's making A's in really hard classes. So I am now the proud wife of not only a super good looking hard working, steady job holding man, but he's SMART? I had no idea!......many times I ask, how did you do on that quiz? And he smiles....."made a hundred." Sometimes. its "made a hundred and one." I am very pleased. Turns out this husband is even better than I thought!

So now, Bryan works at the mine in the office.....doing who knows what in the engineering department. I really have no idea. But I have big plans for this guy, especially since I found out he's smart....big plans.

Other than that...we're "living on love"