Saturdays

Well I was gonna write a long post updating on our lives lately but the boy is starting to wake up from his nap so I will keep this short and update later.  We have all been very sick - germs from daycare, my school, and Kenneth's school has kept some sort of sickness floating around our house for weeks - I feel like we are all on the up but they could change any time!  Fingers crossed we all will be healthy soon! 

Football will be in full swing NEXT WEEK... even though it already feels like it has been in session since summer started! With that being said our Thursdays and Fridays will be filled with Dacula Football, Saturdays will be a mixture of college football and high school films, and Kenneth will be gone on Sundays preparing for the upcoming week of high school football.  So our Saturday mornings will look a lot like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Survived

We made it through our first day at work and daycare!  Kenneth had to take Levi this morning... I had started boo-hoo'ing before they were even out the door.  Kenneth  and I both stayed busy today so that helped pass the time.  I did ask Kenneth to call and check on him around lunch time! :)  The daycare said he had a good day.  He was super happy to see me when I go there - made my heart swell!  When we got home he wouldn't let me out of my sight!! So sweet.  Now to to it all tomorrow...

Here are some pics from the weekend...

 And today when we got home...

Last Day of Summer Break

Today ends our summer break.  It is 6:45am and Kenneth has been gone to practice for close to an hour just like he has all summer.  I do kind of feel sorry for him, but I think he does enjoy the coaching... just not the time he has to be away.  Anyway, Levi and I went ahead and got up right before he left because I wanted to see how Levi would do getting up earlier... he has not been the happiest baby so I'm beginning to think he is not going to be a morning person.  In hindsight I should have been getting up early for the last couple of weeks but I really just wanted to sleep in so we did! :)  And when I say sleep in I mean 6:45-7am. 

He has really started pulling up on everything and becoming a little adventurer... and with that he has started banging his head on everything.  He rarely cries when it happends but when he does cry oh my... face scrunches up, he screams, and tears start pouring.  A part of me wants to giggle and another part of me wants to cry with him!! :)  But as long as I don't make a big deal about it he usually gets over it quickly. 

The daycare he will start on Monday is called Great Beginnings.  We have heard nothing but great thinks about the place and they have so many awesome things going on there - including a pre-K program which is great because I was worried that we would not be able to put him into a program since most of them around here are wierd hours so Kenneth and I would not be able to get him to with our work hours.  I know he is going to be in great hands there - but it doesn't mean that I have to like the fact that he has to go right now.  I have decided that it's going to be harder for me to go back to work now than it was when I went back from maternity leave - I don't know when I became such a girl!! :)

Anyway, football is about to be in full swing!  I'm curious to see how long Levi is going to last a the football games!  I'm going to need some help I'm sure so if anyone wants to join me on Thursday or Friday nights let me know!!

Time to go chase the little dare devil down!! :)

Changes

The end of summer is here and I am beyond sad and honestly a little terrified.  Kenneth and I start pre-planning on Monday and Levi will start daycare.  I think this is going to be way harder on me than the two boys... actually I know it will be - I have been having mini breakdowns for weeks now just thinking about it!  Kenneth is used to getting up and going to work - he has had to all summer but I on the other hand have had the good fortune to be at home with the boy for the last 8 weeks.  I know that I shouldn't be whining because there are lots of people who don't get that opportunity but the last 8 weeks flew by - I really have no clue where the time went!  But I have gone back through and looked at pictures on my how the boy has changed in the last 8 weeks!

I think I'm most sad about missing things - just the little things but I know every working parent feels that way and this is nothing new.  I am also terrified because as much as I hate to admit it this kid is a mama's boy!  I am sure that it is my fault... more than one person has told me that I should be letting him stay with other people so that both of us can get used to to it but honestly I don't think that anyone can really blame me for wanting to spend every minute I can with that sweet boy or cuddle with him as much as possible - I keep being told by other friends that he is almost at the stage where he won't want to be held so I'm taking full advantage right now!  But with all that being said - I can't even imagine what he is going to be feeling that first day of daycare when he looks for me and I'm not there and he doesn't know his surroudnings.  The kid has stranger danger down - he gets upset when he doesn't know or recongnize people.  One thing is certain - I will not be the person dropping him off that first day!  I know he will adjust more quickly than I will but oh my - breaks my heart!

Anyway, we will all be adjusting to our new roles soon but for now, or at least the next few days I will be spoiling that baby!  I had planned on doing a lot of work this week but then I decided that can wait - the kid will only be this way for so long and I'm going to enjoy it! :)

Okay... Let Me Explain...

Ok, so I knew that I probably wouldn't be the best at updating but I really didn't expect to be this bad!  In my defense, we have been without internet for most of the summer and I really did plan to update A LOT over the summer.  We just got the internet up and running again last night... everything kind of went haywire when we got the TVs mounted on the wall and was trying to get the internet connected to the TV and then we needed an amplifier then we needed a new modem then we needed something else... anyway, we have an awesome guy that has been doing all of this for us and we got it fixed last night!  So I'm gonna start keeping this updated better!

There's no way I can go back through and update everything so I'll kind of give you an overview of what's been going on!

The end of May was hectic and to be honest kind of a blur - but the end of that month was so sweet because I was able to start the summer with the sweetest little baby!

Learning to play in his jumper at the end of May!

June actually has been kind of a blur as well!  Kenneth stayed super busy with football and wrestling and had to leave us for a few days for wrestling camp.  Levi and I mostly played around the house and got out and ran errands!  Doesn't sound very exciting but there was never a dull moment! :)

July has been the same as June pretty much... Kenneth has been busy with football and wrestling, he went to football camp for a few days this month, and me and Levi have just been hanging out!  It seems that this month has been HUGE as far as developments go!  He is getting teeth!  We have one, almost two through now!  He started crawling at super speed which was immediately followed by pulling up and standing!  He loves food... there really isn't much if anything he doesn't like!  He loves cheese puffs (Mama likes those two!) and has been eating a variety of fruits and veggies! 

I've got lots more to update on and lots more picures and I will slowly get to them... but now I'm going to go and play with that sweet baby that is waking up from his nap! :)

I told you so...

I said that I may be bad at this... turns out I was right! :)  I am going to try to be better at updating... It's been a month since my last post and it kind of makes me sad that I can't look back and read what all happened this past month... because to be honest I don't remember a lot of it myself!

We had spring break at the beginning of this month.  It was a lot different this year than last year.  Last year we went to the Dominican Republic on an all inclusive trip (my first time out of the country).  As we were packing the day before we were to leave I found out I was pregnant.  We had a great time... and had lots to talk about!  This year, we spent time as a family.  We hung around the house, went out shopping, Kevin came up to visit and fish, we cooked and ate good food.  It was very relaxing... and it was nice to reminisce on all that's changed this past year!

We celebrated Easter at the end of spring break.  I can't wait for next year... Levi will be running around for eggs!!

Going back to work was pretty miserable after spring break.  I got spoiled all over again being at home with the boy.  But the count down began for summer break... that's whats keeping me going at this point!!

It's incredible how much Levi is growing.  He's reaching and grabbing EVERYTHING!!  He is also trying to mimic sounds... its incredible watching him figure something out! 

At his 4 month check-up he weighed 16lbs 3oz and was 26 inches long.  He pretty much gained 4lbs and grew 5 inches in 2 months.  Sturdy baby! :)  He is almost completely in 6 month clothes now!

Speaking of his 4  month appointment we had allergy tests done.  Main reason being because his face had been breaking out in a bad rash.  We have been putting Cortaid on his face and it has helped tremendously!  But back to the allergies... we were mainly looking for a milk allergy... what they found was an egg allergy.  Level 3 allergy which she said was significant but not severe (whatever that means).  She said we would test him again in a year to see if he outgrows it since we tested him so young.  I have looked up a little bit on it and it is the most commonly outgrown allergy so that's what we are hoping for - that he outgrows it!  If he doesn't, we have a lifestyle change coming!

The boy has been a happy baby!! He is growing WAY to fast!!

His Nana bought him a new toy... a stationary jumper.  Oh my the boy loves it!!  Our living room is now a baby playground... no need in Kenneth and I spoiling him, between his Nana, Mimi & Poppie, and Papa & Grandma BeBe the boy is already spoiled rotten!!

Here are some videos of him playing... one is better quality than the other because one if from my phone and the other from my camera!

Woohoo for Friday!

I love Friday... even more so during the school year!  Fridays are usually easy days for me, for example - the kids are working and I'm writing this post! :)  It's usually a day to just manage the kids because they are also usually just as excited about a couple days off of school as the teachers are so I usually have some type of assignent for them to do for at least half of the class period if not the whole.  Smart, I know! :)

Fridays are even more exciting now because that means that I get to spend time with baby boy!  We don't get much time together during the week anymore - yesterday he was a sleep less than an hour after we got home!  We are lucky to get a bath in the evenings anymore.  There really is no point in trying to keep him awake because he just fusses and is not happy and that makes me not happy.  And we have learned that the more he sleeps during the day the longer he sleeps at night - when we try to keep him awake he is fussy at night and can't stay asleep - strange.  So on Friday I know that when he wakes up the next day that I will be able to spend the next day with him!

Have I mentioned that we think he is starting to teethe.  He has been super drooly for a few weeks now but lately he chews on EVERYTHING he can get his mouth to!  He will grab your shirt and try to pull it to him, if that doesn't work then he will thow his head to it!  He's a funny boy.  We kind of feel where the gums are starting to seperate but there is no raise yet.  The other night he woke up every hour hollaring and crying for a few minute then he would go back to sleep.  We think the teeth might have something to do with that.

So on to the weekend we go.  I'm not really sure what we are doing - lots of things have been tossed around.  I do know that I will be leaving my two favorite guys Sunday afternoon/evening to actually go do something with the girls.  I have not done that in months so I figure why not Sunday.  It's two of my friends birthday so we are all going to go to a early dinner then a 7:00 movie.  I'm actually not thrilled by the time since I have to work the next day but I want to spend some time with my friends and I really want to see the movie!  Also it gives Kenneth and Levi some alone time to spend together.  I always forget that Kenneth never really gets time to spend just him and Levi so I'm sure it will be nice for him to get that one on one time!

Anyway... here are some pictures of that sweet boy from this week at the babysitters!

Evening Fun

This week has been pretty miserable at work.  Teaching 14 year olds when you have no voice is pretty close to torture.  I'm not sure if I have a cold or its this pollen but whatever it is it's kicking my butt.  The evenings are my saving grace.  Levi seems to go from one extreme to the other as far as his moods.  He's either extremely happy or extremely not happy.  The past few evenings have been super fun and happy.  He has been so smiley and laughing at everything! I think he is getting ready to start scooting around.  He loves to roll around on his playmat!

He has recently started liking tummy time! Its fun watching him... even though he gets a bit frustrated at times when he can't get to where he wants!  But he is good at starting in one place and ending in another!

Of course as I write all of this Levi is being super fussy.  I'm hoping he hasn't caught whatever sickness it is I have.  It is also very possible that he is teething... he drools buckets, has been chewing on everything, and today he has had diarrhea.  Either way, he is not a happy baby at the moment but that could change in a matter of seconds.  I did manage to get a good pic before he got fussy tho...

I think we are getting the hang of it...

Last week was my first full week back to work (well it was a 4 day week but still) and we survived.  It actually flew by... which is good and bad all at the same time.  By time we get home and everything is done it's time to go to bed and start it all again the next day!  It is getting easier but now that we are kind of falling into a routine I'm sure it will all change soon. 

It has gotten hot a lot sooner than I expected so we have had to go and buy some summer-ish stuff in 3-6 month clothes for Levi!  Erica (Levi's baby sitter) gave us some of her little boy's clothes so that has been very helpful!  He has spent lots of his days lately in his onesies... and I think he's okay with that! He's very hot natured... he is like a little heater!

Levi had a good week at the baby sitters!  He even got to go to the park and watch some of the bigger kids play! So very thankful for Erica!

Kenneth and I ended the week very tired! And I ended it feeling sickly.  Today I feel full on sick... we're thinking allergies - the pollen is awful.  My eyes itch, I can't breath, and have no voice.  I'm actually hoping that its just allergies and not a cold because I really do not want Levi to get sick!  This week is sure to be a challenge trying to teach 13-14 year olds when I have no voice!

The weekend we spent being lazy and hanging out with each other... I love those weekends!  I'm sure that the lazy weekends are going to few and far between here soon once the boy gets mobile so I'm trying to take advantage while I can!

Here are some pictures Erica sent me last week:

There's not enough hours in the day...

Today was the first day I worked and will have to work the next day.  So tonight we are trying to figure out a good routine that works best for all of us.  If I leave work right when the kids leave that puts me getting home with Levi between 5:15-5:30 and Kenneth doesn't get home some nights until almost 7:00 because of workouts.  Levi has such a good time during the day that he is usually super tired by time we get home.  So I get a short amount of time to play with him and then he wants to take a nap... today I held him while he slept until Kenneth got home with dinner.  Its now 9:15 and we are just now about to put him down after everything has been done.  His diaper bag with his clothes have been unpacked and packed again, bottles have been washed, bottles have been made for the possible midnight feeding and morning feeding, he has had a bath (we did have a good ole time playing in the bath tonight), he has been fed, and now down for the night.  This is a little late for what we shoot for when putting him to bed but with the little time we got with him tonight it seems unfair to put him down this early.  I know that this is something that we are just going to have to come to terms with because he needs to go to bed early but that doesn't mean I have to like it!

Today was a bit easier... I did boohoo on the way to drop him off and right after I dropped him off.  I'm staying busy at work so once I'm at work I'm fine - until someone gives me a sad look and ask how I'm dealing - I do still tear up.  Anyway, he was awake today when I picked him and he smiled as soon as he saw me and didn't take his eyes off of me... made my heart melt.  Erica said they had a great day which makes me happy!  She has a sweet, smart little boy and Levi loves watching him!  She sent pictures again today... I can't even begin to say how thankful I am for her!

Kenneth and I are starting to notice that his personality is really blooming... he is such a funny kid! 

There are just not enough hours in the day for me to get my fill of loving on my sweet little boy...

Knocked out in the swing at Erica's

Levi and Cohen hanging out... Already BFFs!! :)

A Lovely, Relaxing Weekend

After the exhausting day I had Friday I was so looking forward to the long weekend.  Those that know me well know that I love nothing more than a lazy day... the kind of day where you stay in your pajamas and do absolutely nothing.  We had a lot of that this weekend and it was fabulous!!  I'm already looking forward to next weekend!!

I got to sleep in until 8am on Saturday morning! It was wonderful!  Kenneth brought Levi in to the bedroom to snuggle with me around that time but I knew they were just trying to wake me up because the boy was not in the mood to snuggle!!  We spent the morning playing and napping and around lunch we decided to go out on the porch for a while (still in our pajamas!)

The rest of that day continued as it started... being lazy and spending time together!  Levi has learned a new trick... instead of proping up on his boppy he has decided to try and push himself over it!

On Sunday we had to go to the Dacula Wrestling banquet.  We spend most of the morning getting everyone ready and then headed out to the banquet shortly after lunch.  Levi did great!  I admit I was nervous... I just knew that as soon as it got quiet that he would start fussing... but he didn't, he slept instead which was okay with me! :) 

Top Left: Snoozing as soon as we got there.  Top Right:  I couldn't get both to look at me at the same time!
Bottom Left:  The girls wanted Levi in the pic!  Bottom Right: Levi made one of the posters!

We decided since we were all already dressed and out that we would make a day of it and ran some errands.  I know a lot of people hate running errands such as grocery shopping and I usually do when I am alone.  But I have always loved getting out with Kenneth, even going to the grocery store.  It's even more fun with both my boys are with me!  Levi just stares at everything, it's so fun watching his face! Sunday was a great day!

Today we had off of work for a furlough day.  Most people complain about not getting paid for today, me on the other hand could care less!! Give me those days off! :)  We have been lazy again today and doing laundry.  Kenneth grilled us some steaks for dinner and now we are all lounging on the couch.  I love these days!!

This was an awesome weekend!! Looking forward to next!  Now fingers crossed that I make it through the week away from my sweet baby.

Well... I Survived...

Today was one of those days that just completely drains you... mentally, physically and emotionally.  Last night I didn't really sleep, I cried most of the night, even though I was trying to fight it, it kept me awake most of the night.  It may sound bad but I was secretly hoping Levi would be little bit fussy this morning but he wasn't... he was smiling and being sweet from the minute he woke up.  I guess I thought that if he was fussy I wouldn't feel like I was missing out on his sweet smiles while I was at work today.  But it was special getting to spend a little bit of time with my happy baby this morning.

Thankfully he fell asleep on the way over to Erica's otherwise I don't think I would have made it to work this morning.  I don't think that I would have been able to walk away from his smiling face or sweet eyes.  I was very quick at Erica's, I knew that if I didn't get out of there fast it would be trouble.  So I put him down (still asleep), told her what was in his bag, thanked her, and almost ran out.  Then I spent my ride to school in tears.  It felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest and in truth I had left my heart with her this morning.

Walking into to school was strange... and walking into my classroom was a nightmare.  It was a mess even though my sweet friends had tried to clean it the best they could the day before.  Papers were just stacked everywhere! It turned out to be a blessing in disguise though because it kept me busy all day.  As the day went on it got easier, I have some pretty great friends that would helped when I needed or they would just drop in and check on me.  Then late morning I got an email... with a picture... talk about put a smile on my face!!

Erica sent me an email with his picture!  Just what I needed.  The rest of the day actually went by rather quickly.  The only time I got teary eyed is when someone would ask how I was doing or how I was holding up.  My students were actually rather well behaved and happy to see to me.  All in all today wasn't as horrible as I imagined it would be... it killed me leaving him this morning but he was well taken care of and it looked like he was having fun with Erica!  Knowing that he is being well taken care of and having a good time is what is going to get me through!! Such a blessing not worrying about his well being... I just have to miss him.

I say today wasn't horrible but then again I knew that I would have the weekend with him, if I went back to work on a Monday I might not say the same.  We will see how it goes next week!!

I have 3 work weeks, then one week off with him, then 7 work weeks and I get the whole summer with him!!  I'm already counting down!!

Towards the end of the day I got another email... you don't even know how it made me feel getting those emails... I stopped everything I was doing to check it!  This is what I saw...

I've spent the evening holding him, listening to him tell me about his day, and now watching him nap.  Kenneth went and got us a delicious dinner and now we are relaxing.  Just what I needed to end this day!  Looking forward to spending the entire day tomorrow with my baby boy!! :)

Here We Go...

I return to work tomorrow.  I can not even begin to explain how I feel about that... I'm not ready that's for sure... but I don't think I would ever be ready if I had the choice.  I did get almost 3 months home which is more than most get so I am thankful for that but it doesn't mean that I'm not sad and little bit angry that I have to go back. 

Yesterday we went and visited Erica and her little boy Cohen.  Erica will be keeping Levi while I am at work - I am super jealous about that.  But after seeing her with him yesterday I will say that I am not as terrified about leaving him as I was... and her little boy was so sweet with him!  Levi liked Erica too, he snuggled with her and he only does that with people he likes! :)  I have no doubt he will be loved on all day and I couldn't ask for a more perfect situation... now I just have to be strong enough to drive away tomorrow morning.

So today I have been holding that baby close and he has been super sweet.  I held him during his short morning nap and then put him in his high chair right beside me when I had to go do dishes and make him more bottles.  I think he's starting to get a little annoyed with me so I have him sitting right beside me now and he's happily watching TV. 

Tomorrow will start what our lives will be like with Kenneth and I both working - it should be interesting and I'm sure exhausting!  I planned to go back tomorrow because I had to go back by next Tuesday and I figured that if I go back on this Friday I will have a 3 day weekend to recover! I'm sure I will spend most of the day tomorrow in tears and showing pictures of Levi all day which will probably make me cry even more - I plan on taking lots of tissues!

So this weekend I plan on not letting him go very much - we have the wrestling banquet on Sunday but he will be right in my lap during that too!! I'm going to be selfish... I might let Kenneth hold him some!! :)

I'm pretty sure this is what Levi thinks about me going back to work:

Something New

I have learned that everything revolves around little man these days... We usually get the "Oh hey, how are you" a few minutes after our company arrives or we arrive anywhere.  And that's how it should be and I am thankful that it is that way.  I'm glad Levi has so many people that love him and can't wait to see him.  I really can't blame anyone, I can't get enough of that sweet baby either!

With all of that being said... I thought I would try my hand at this blog thing to keep those that don't get to see him as often as they like in the loop with things in his life, and in extension our lives.  I'm not sure if I will be good at this for many reasons...  I have horrible grammar, I'm not good at writing my thoughts on things, and I have no time management skills so I really don't know if I will be able to keep up with this but I'm going try.

I'm going to keep it short and sweet today (mainly because I hear Levi waking up from a rare nap - I thought babies liked naps, my baby sure doesn't) and share a video that I have shared with some people but it's just so cute that I'm sure those people won't mind seeing it again!