CafeMom Tickers

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Like a kid in the candy store...

I'll tell you one thing that I love about living in the country - We can ride our four-wheelers up and down the road and nobody gives a mess. We also live on our hunting lease so Brandon doesn't ever have to leave me for a weekend or week like he used to when we lived in Arkansas and Shreveport so that he could come hunting. We have a lot of land on that we can ride four-wheelers on. Garrett was put on a four-wheeler just as early as I was (except I was put on a three-wheeler) around six months or earlier. That boy LOVES to ride! Especially a four-wheeler. If we let him out of the back door, he runs straight to the four-wheeler. He throws a fit when his Daddy turns the four-wheeler off and brings him inside. When we ride, Garrett is grinning the entire time and will sometimes let out a sound of excitement. He thinks he's a big boy and doesn't want us holding our hands on his chest or anything to give him support.. he wants to sit up there like a big boy. He'd ride ALL DAY LONG if we would let him. We even got him his own battery powered four-wheeler for him in the house, but since he's been old enough to realize.. that battery one just ain't enough power for that baby.. He wants on the BIG one and he wants to go FAST! He has learned to push the button on the battery one though and will ride it a tad, but not near as much as he likes to ride the REAL DEAL. Brandon is 6'4" and our son is already over 35" tall himself. Riding the four-wheeler has been pretty crammed for a while now... when Brandon turns the handles to turn, it sometimes hit Garrett's little legs. For the past few months, Brandon has ONLY been talking about how much he'd LOVE a Ranger for us to all ride together with comfort! Every single conversation would somehow get turned into him wanting a Ranger. We stopped at a ATV place in Haughton and he drove one and I KNEW from that point on, he wouldn't be quiet about it until he got one! He smiled forever after test driving one. Unfortunately, it would be like $450 a month for it for 5 years and that just wasn't something we could do right now. And it killed me to know he wouldn't get one anytime soon. One of our best friends, Jimmy, had barely used his and moved into the town of Haughton and can't use it there so to free up some money, he called me on the afternoon that Popaw had passed away and asked if Brandon was still interested in getting a ranger... and I was like "OH YES!" so we started talking and seeing about loans and everything - it's the best deal we would have EVER gotten on a Ranger and I can't thank Jimmy enough for giving us first dibs on it because he knew how bad Brandon wanted one. We signed the papers for the loan on Friday and I was talking to Jimmy about how I could possibly get him to bring it up here to surprise Brandon. But Jimmy and Brandon work almost the same exact hours so he couldn't bring it during the week while Brandon was working. Brandon KNEW we were getting the ranger, but I wanted to surprise him with it sooner than he was thinking. So I tricked Brandon and told him that Jimmy couldn't bring last night because he had a Christmas party to go to with his girlfriend, LeAnne, and he was like "Awe man..." and I told him that Jimmy had said he could POSSIBLY bring it on Saturday and would let me know. Brandon came home from work and was laying on the couch watching TV and LeAnne was sending me updates about where they were and stuff. She sent me a text to say they were pulling in and when I heard the car doors shut, I said "Baby.. I think somebody is here.. I'm scared" (I always get scared - so it's a good reason for him to open the door) and he said "Who in the world would be coming here this time of night!??!" and I said "Uhh.. It's ONLY 6:20!" HAHA.. So the doorbell rings and Brandon turns on our porch light and is staring through the glass and through the center of my wreath and he said "Is that Jimmy??" and I said "Well open the dang door.. you're making him freeze!" so they hug and Brandon just looked sort of puzzled (but later revealed that he was just in so much shock that Jimmy was at the front door because once he saw him, he just KNEW that he'd brought him the ranger)..so I said "Jimmy came bearing you a large gift" and he said "REALLY?!! LETS GO!" it was really really cold and Brandon was only wearing a cotton t-shirt and LSU shorts.. no socks, no shoes, but he didn't want to wait.. he was headed out to see his new toy. I have never ever, never ever seen my husband so excited about something. It felt so good for him to get something that he's really wanted, but mostly something that he's really DESERVED. Him and Jimmy took it for a spin and then after Jimmy and LeAnne left, he rode it at least three more times (once including Garrett and me). Since it was pitch black, I didn't get but one picture of Garrett and his Daddy getting ready for our COLD family ride with my cell phone:

Brandon does so much for Garrett and I so I really wanted and needed him to have it! I get to stay at home and raise our son and take care of everything around here instead of working my life away while someone else takes care of our baby and raises him basically. I can't ever repay how thankful I am for that. Times have been hard for us, but the great thing about his new job is that he can work overtime anytime he needs it and gets paid much better anyways! So if he ever needs extra, he will work extra to make whatever we need. And he's such an amazing Daddy and husband!! I'm so happy that he's so excited about something!! I'm also excited about it!! It's fun riding with my boys!

Ready to ride!

Driving Daddy! One of my favorite pictures! Father and Son bonding time! :)

Smiling BIG while riding!

Another one of my favorites for today! He wanted to drive HIMSELF!!! He was so excited.

Now for some fun things that Brandon has said since he got the ranger last night:
  • "My face hurts from smiling so much!"
  • "It is so much more than what I was expecting - I am so in love with it!"
  • "It's beautiful!!!"
  • "I have never in my life been so excited about a present."
  • "I'm ready to go to sleep so I can wake up and it'll be daylight so I can ride my ranger."
  • "I can't wait for me, you, and Garrett to go on the Ranger and ride all day!"
  • "I'll probably hunt out of the ranger cause I like sitting in it."
  • "Would you like for me to back it out of the shed so you can take a picture of it?" (it was pitch black outside)
  • "I really don't think I've ever been this excited in my whole life... not even on our wedding day!" Thanks honey!!! He did tell me that he was just picking afterwards, but it was funny (I really think he was more excited about the ranger than he was on our wedding day though!) HA.
  • When I asked him where he was going to park it, he said "Where that aluminum boat is" and I said "You'd better move that boat soon though so the spot will be ready" and he said "I will move the boat - WITH MY RANGER!"
  • "The 'new feeling' will not wear off for at LEAST two years or more"
  • When I finally told him he needed to put it up for the night and come inside, he laid his head on the back of it, as if he were hugging it! No lie!
  • This morning when I got up he said "I was like a kid on Christmas morning.. I had to MAKE myself stay in bed until the sun came up so I could get up and get on the ranger! I was up before 7 and was disappointed it was still too early!"
  • I made my mother-in-law a wreath and Brandon said "Let's take it to her on the ranger!" LOL - so I was loading up and he said "You are getting glitter all in my ranger!!!!" and I said "Well, as much as you ride it.. the glitter will blow out!!!"
You get the gist of it... He's beyond stoked and delighted! And obsessed! And I'm so happy!!! I just hope after SOME begging at times, he'll come inside and spend some time with us! HAHA. So happy he finally got his ranger!!!!

Friday, December 17, 2010

If you were wonderin' why you didn't get a Christmas Card...

I'm a FAITHFUL Christmas Card sender - and I send personalized ones now that we have a beautiful son to put on there AND because I've learned to design my own cards!!! And I LOVE doing it. It makes me feel like I'm an awesome wife and mom to be able to do such things!!! Hey, I'm starting to think that maybe I really AM crafty - cakes, invitations, photos (not so great yet), Christmas cards, wreaths, crocheting (learning and interested, anyways) - and I'm open to doing more stuff! It's been my zen.. keeping me sort-of-sane! Unfortunately, this year I didn't send out Christmas Cards... I PROMISE I was going to.. I ordered envelopes, I designed my card, I had them printed, picked them up, and then....realized I wasn't going to be able to send them. You'll notice why.

I guess I'd opened my mouth too soon about having another baby. I guess because everything went so well with Garrett, I thought it would be the same with the next pregnancy. Well, I'll tell ya... I learned my lesson and NOBODY will know next time until I make sure that everything is going to be okay. I'd ordered an ornament for our tree and everything. I will put the ornament and one of the 50 cards I paid to have printed in a keepsake container. It has driven me crazy that I didn't get more done, but honestly...I haven't been emotionally or physically able to take that part of the card off and go to Sams Club to have them printed again. But I wanted you to see the card that I DID make to send because I loved it.

While we are on that subject - at the same time I had the Christmas cards printed, I'd already designed Garrett's 2nd Birthday Party invitation too! Since they are so close together and I get my stuff printed at Sams since it's so much cheaper - I have done them at the same time for the past two years. I'm a big planner, I can't stand to wait until last minute for anything!!! And while I am so sad that my baby is already turning a big TWO I still LOVE to plan his party and of course design his own birthday invitation!!! I'm probably gonna be mad for spoiling the surprise for those who will get this invite, but I couldn't wait to share it. PLUS, I was a tad disappointed when I got the prints because they looked darker than it did on my computer screen - so it looks better on here anyways!!! We decided to do a Finding Nemo theme this year because that has been the "movie of the year" and Garrett absolutely LOVES that movie!! I've already got everything I need for the party - and can't wait to do his cake again. Here is his birthday invite (note the Disney font at the top - then the Nemo font! I was so stoked)

Today has been a better day for me - best day of the month, I'd have to say. I had four friends come to visit...and most friends live at least 45 minutes away and NEVER can come out here to see me. So having four in one day felt amazing and I finally had my friends here to talk to and catch up and it felt great. Not to mention one friend brought along a Polaris Ranger that my husband has been SO BADLY wanting - and deserving. He was seriously so happy, I don't know if he's EVER been that happy before in his life..not even on our wedding day! HAHA.. But there will be a story about that to come. It was after dark when we got it here. That didn't keep Brandon from hopping on and riding until he was so cold he HAD to come inside.. but I plan on taking some pictures tomorrow!!! Love you all!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

150 Random Facts About Me

After all that has been going on, I've been staying busy - making wreaths, organizing Garrett's 2nd Birthday Party, trying to find some time-consuming fun hobbies to do, spending a lot of time with Garrett, and so on... To keep my mind going and off of things, a few days ago I decided I'd make a list of 150 Random things about myself.. I thought at first that'd be simple to do, but it REALLY was hard!!! But then I got it finished faster than I thought I would after realizing how hard it was! Without further ado, here are 150 random facts... ENJOY!

1 I get annoyed when the "A" in my middle name isn't capitalized. It's DeAnn not Deann
2 Miscarriage/Ectopic Pregnancy is a really hard thing to go through. Losing a tube makes it double as hard.
3 One of my all time favorite movies is Son-in-Law. I know people think I'm dumb for that.
4 I've never ever had another love like I have for Garrett.
5 I can't stand chewing noises, jaw popping, smacking, etc. Makes me want to punch people in the face!
6 I was a real meany in high school. Like - real real mean.
7 I don't really have a favorite color, but I wear a lot of black.
8 I am a worry wart. I'm always stressing out about something.
9 I am so blessed to have such an amazing family. My parents and MeMaw and Granddaddy are some of my best friends.
10 I have 5 nieces and 1 step-niece. My brother is expecting another baby - I'd love a nephew.
11 I wish I had more self control.
12 My favorite number is 3! It's also my lucky number. I was born on the 3rd of April. My Grandparents were married on the 3rd of August 1961. I graduated in '03. I was married in the 3rd month on the 31st at 3:30.. And some other things that I shall not need to disclose here.
13 I love gerbera daises, calla lilies and tulips.
14 I want to decorate our house and redo a ton of stuff to make it feel more "homey" for us.
15 I met a friend from Vegas on Blogger when searching for a "Handy manny" cake idea earlier this year... And she has become one of my best friends. It's insane how much we are alike. I'm so thankful for her - and her precious daughter Lauren!
16 I'm extremely tenderhearted.
17 I've never been a fan of kissing. It is just sort of weird to me. By kissing, I mean "making out"
18 I've had a few pet squirrels.. All named "Pepper" and I want another.
19 I have horrible sleeping habits. I'm always thinking about stuff rather than going to sleep.
20 I love midgets.
21 I get words mixed up a lot. Example: I was in the McDonald's drive-thru and I said "I'd like a number two with fries to drink" or as I told Brandon "You can't eat and drive a taco late at night!!!"
22 My eyes are hazel with a little sunflower around my pupil. My eyeballs are really pretty in the sun.
23 I'm 5'4". Brandon is 6'4". A whole foot difference.
24 I have a real brother who is 27. A step sister who is 21. A half sister who is 15. A half brother who is 11.
25 I wear flip-flops most of the year - even like now in the winter.
26 I am addicted to Orange sodas... Like Sunkist!
27 I love my iPhone even though it messes up sometimes. I can't imagine going back to an old rinky-dink phone.
28 I want a laptop so bad! Just to sit in bed comfortably and blog or check Facebook or whatever!
29 I have horrible road rage. People don't know how to drive!!
30 I done a couple wreaths to try to keep my mind off of things while recovering from my surgery and tube removal... And now I'm addicted.
31 I don't take compliments well. But I try to - trying just doesn't usually work.
32 A lot of people say this type of thing to "fish for compliments" but since you now know I don't take compliments well... I can tell you - I never ever feel pretty. Never ever have.
33 I wish I was a millionaire. Cause it seems like I always want expensive stuff!
34 I don't really like living so far in the country but at the same time... I'm not so sure I want to move back to Haughton either though. I'm indecisive but it doesn't matter.. Brandon will never move.
35 I wish my house would be spotless and stay that way. I desire to have a super clean and organized house. I think if someone helped me get it all picked up and done, I could keep it that way.
36 Since I was in 7th grade - someone each and every year has passed away thats my age or at our school. Its continued even after high school. Random things - car accidents, drowning, shootings, sickness, cancer, etc.
37 I have these sharp pains that go through a couple of my fingers at times... My Momma has the same pains so we text each other when it's happening to see if we ever have the pains at the same time!
38 I am my Granddaddy's Princess, but Garrett and him are best buddies.. I have sorta been replaced but still hold my status as his Princess (I even have the keychain that he got me to prove it)
39 Speaking of which, I melt when I see Garrett and how excited he gets to see MeMaw and Granddaddy... And vise versa!
40 Did I mention that Garrett is named after his Great Granddaddy and MeMaw? Their last name is Garrett.
41 I used to wear a size 8.5 shoe... Now even 8's are nearly too big. Pretty sure my feet shrank when I was pregnant with Garrett.
42 I used to be a really big tomboy... When we wore uniforms in school I even made my Momma buy me the boy shorts because I hated the pleats! I'm still not really girly but I wear girl clothes now. Ha. Sometimes I like getting dressed up!
43 I am TERRIFIED of bugs... I don't care how small or if it bites or not... Keep them away from me.
44 I am also terrified of death.
45 And terrified of car accidents. When I drive down the road, for example, when a car is coming towards me.. I picture the accident happening in my head - like the car hitting me and me spinning and hitting the next car or something like that.
46 Anxiety kills me. I can't hardly sleep at night because my anxiety is so bad (not to mention me always thinking). Its been the worst since I had Garrett (so I haven't slept much in two years)
47 I really wish that Brandon was a vacationer - we never go anywhere or do anything. Ever. And probably never will. He is a homebody.
48 I don't like yellow gold. At all. Or gold anything. A lot of our house has gold accessories and I hate it. Can't wait to update the whole place.
49 My fourth toe on each foot is really fat at the top and then goes to really skinny... Just like my Granddaddy! :)
50 I have to shave my little toe hairs - please tell me I'm not the only girl that has to do that (at least I know my Momma does too)
51 I can't swim.
52 I love to cook new things. And especially love making desserts!
53 I used to be REALLY picky but I've started eating lots more - but still not a huge fan of a lot of meat... Or non-fresh veggies.
54 I have the best best friends I could ever ask for. I've been lucky but I still feel so disconnected from all of them all the time. My life is very different from most of theirs so it makes it hard.
55 I thought coming up with 150 random things about me would be a piece of cake but I am struggling now... And only am at 55! And it seems pretty boring so far so I'm happy if you are still reading.
56 I am so ready for Garrett to talk to me!!! (Don't say "When he starts talking you will wish he would shut up" because I don't feel that way and I know I won't... I've been waiting for way too long to hear him talk)
57 I love when Brandon makes me chocolate milk.. Oh and grilled cheeses.. Oh and fried eggs too.. And coffee.. Or anything! He's the best husband I could have ever had!
58 I am a stay-at-home Mommy which is 24/7/365 (sometimes 366) and it's the best job ever even though I don't have days off or vacation. I get paid in love rather than money! And I don't miss a thing Garrett may do!
59 I am really blunt. Sometimes too blunt for some people.
60 I talk and walk in my sleep! I used to sleep walk really bad but now its mostly talking.
61 I love photography and can't wait to learn more and more.
62 I can't go into a restaurant and eat alone. I don't like doing anything by myself.
63 I have two tattoos and want to at least get my children's names somewhere.
64 I'm a morning person... Night person too!
65 I've been a bride once and a bridesmaid five times so far.
66 I don't have a green thumb but I really want plants and flowers and stuff!
67 I have a million post-it's and note pads but I would love to have more. Can't have enough cute papers for reminders!
68 I am a thrifty buyer. I love good sales!
69 I am at my parents house spending the night. It's my Momma and Pops, Memaw and Granddaddy, Brandon, me, and Garrett all sleeping here tonight. I am laying here at 1:17 staring at my sleeping baby in his crib and wanting to cry. He's growing up way too fast.
70 When I dream something, it usually comes true within a few days or weeks. It's really scary at times.
71 Sometimes in the shower, I feel like I can't swallow so I'm
constantly spitting while I'm showering.
72 Before I had Garrett, I would always say "My child will NEVER eat junk food, act like that, etc" but I don't care if he wants Cheetos... He's getting cheetos!!! He's so picky.. I just want him to eat. And the attitude.. It's cute but bad. It's so hard to spank someone so dang cute!
73 When we were growing up, my brother Jeffrey and one of my best friends Jimmy (my brother from another mother) would call me "Zelda" because they said my ears were so big. But I don't know why they thought that because I found out a while back that my ears are abnormally small... iPod earphones don't even go into my ears without hurting me so bad!!! Now they just say that my head grew into my ears and now my head is big. Haha. Gotta love them.
74 I have always gotten along with boys and have more boy-friends than girlfriends.
75 I am friends with all of my exes except for one and thats not on me...I would love to get back in touch with him, but not all spouses are okay with their spouse being friends with exes. I like the fact that I can be friends with them and not have hate! All of my "serious relationship" boyfriends are married and have children and I couldn't be more happy for them all!
76 I wish there really was a fountain of youth so I didn't have to lose loved ones and we could all be happy and healthy together!
77 I would love to be an ultrasound tech IF I had to work - I love finding out the sex of a baby! And hearing heartbeats and seeing them!!
78 I thought after I had Garrett that I'd love love love another boy and was not wanting to have a girl - but after what all I've been through, I really really would love to have either one. I just want a happy and healthy pregnancy and baby!!
79 I don't like reading much. But I do love funny novels and stuff! If it captures my attention within the first couple pages.. I read it!
80 I HATE mopping the floor in the kitchen and am so thankful that my sweet husband will do it when it gets bad enough!
81 Minden Wal-Mart is my FAVORITE one... The one in Springhill SUCKS more than any of them.
82 My favorite fruit is probably kiwi but it has to be perfect ripeness! Not too ripe but not too early either!!! I like most fruit except for cantaloupes and honeydew melons!
83 Speaking of cantaloupes, once driving down the road with family, I started screaming with excitement "OH MY GOSH!!! Look at all of those cantaloupes in that field!! I had no idea cantaloupes could live here in Louisiana!!".. My husband looked at me and said "Antelopes. Not cantaloupes" - then they all laughed cause I didn't even know I'd said it wrong. I really am dumb - no playing dumb here! But it's comical to me.
84 I'm a night owl and can work off of a very short amount of sleep - thank goodness!
85 If it's not written down, I forget it.
86 My brain is like a goldfish - 3 second memory and then it's gone. I'll think of a fact, for example, and then I will scroll up to be sure I'm not double posting but as soon as I start scrolling to look, I forgot what the fact was! Gosh...
87 I wish I would have grown up in the 70's and 80's cause that music ROCKS MY SOCKS OFF!!! Or I wish Journey and all of those awesome bands were going on now rather than all these rap songs you can't understand and crap.
88 I have recently found out that I'm pretty talented in some areas. I'm pretty crafty!
89 I love to check the mail and I'm not really sure why.. it's usually only bills!!!
90 I wish I had thicker hair or knew how to style my super-thin, super-fine hair!!! It's awful and I'm never happy with it.
91 One of Brandon's best friends used to tell me that I had the PRETTIEST feet he had ever seen - I wonder if he still feels that way? Haha
92 I love to watch animated movies. Kid movies are awesome and I can't wait to take Garrett to movies!
93 I wouldn't change my job for the world but I do miss working in the dental field a lot!
94 I have my China cabinet packed with cake stuff rather than China. Sad, I know.
95 I love surprises but I hate them too.
96 My heart rate is always really really high. A lot of the time it's in the 130's but it has slowed down some.. It's been around 100 recently..
97 The first time I ever gave blood, I passed out and ever since then I haven't been able to because I get to anxious and my already high heartbeat is too high to give it!
98 I think paper-cuts hurt more than most other bo-bos!
99 I wish that Brandon could burp!!!! I know he'd feel so much better all the time if he could!
100 I probably tell Garrett at least 100 times a day that I love him and give him a minimum of 150 kisses a day... Seriously.
101 I love listening to my iPod while cleaning - it makes me clean better! I clean to the beat. I just wish the earphones didn't hurt my small ears!
102 I would almost rather always text rather than talk on the phone.
103 I am SO country, but don't really notice it until I hear myself recorded on an answering machine or video.
104 I can be crazy!
105 I used to HAVE to have socks on and my bra on when I went to bed - now I absolutely can NOT have socks on and can't wait to get my bra off!!
106 I really wish I could be motivated enough to get myself fit. I have a hard time because I get bored so quickly.
107 I can go almost the whole day and even a whole meal without taking a sip of water or anything. I barely drink fluids - I know, that's not good.
108 I love that my relationship is so open with my husband - I can't imagine holding in a burp or fart just because he's around.. Haha. My manners don't work that way.
109 I call chapstick, lipstick, and gloss "lip lip" - always have.
110 I also call my toenails my "toetails"
111 When I was in school I called my backpack my "packpack" - Yes, even as a senior.
112 I only like Pepperoni pizza with mushrooms. I don't like supreme or sausage or anything like that!
113 When I was pregnant with Garrett, I could NOT eat any meat. Yuck! Even though I mostly ate junk food, I only gained 20 pounds my whole pregnancy!
114 I LOVE LOVE LOVE wrapping presents!
115 I hate shaving. My husband is nice enough to wax my armpits!
116 I love the Pioneer Woman and am dying to be chosen for a weekend getaway to her house!!!!
117 I used to HATE watching movies but now I LOVE it.
118 I don't like fictional stuff.. Like Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc.
119 It's not fun when people ask me about my pregnancy and all of that because they don't know what happened... No one will know I'm pregnant next time for many weeks just so I don't have to go through this next time.
120 I have a dirty mouth.
121 I miss having cake class! Loved having fun with my instructor and mostly one of my great friends, Angie, in class! So blessed to have met her too!!
122 The absolute BEST trip I've ever been on before was to float the Guadalupe River in 2004 with a bunch of friends. I think there was about 17 of us and only four of us were girls so it was drama free and amazing! Nothing like camping, meeting lots of people, drinking at 5am (haha), and floating the river - fantastic time!!! The long road trip was even a blast. I miss those folks!!!!
123 I bought a crochet learning kit on December 16, 2010 and am wanting to pick that up to do too! I've learned two stitches tonight - its definitely hard and I'll need some work! Ha.
124 I have VERY keen smelling - for example, if Garrett poops in his crib.. I can smell it sitting in my living room or at my computer table.
125 I want liposuction in my hips so that I don't look like an oompa loompa.
126 I know I mentioned this on a previous post, but you could have missed it - I always spell it "sandwhich" and go back and take the first "h" out that doesn't belong now that I've been corrected. I'm so used to typing it sandwhich that I can't ever think about it before I type it! HA
127 Looking back at old pictures makes me smile so big - and makes me think that I need MORE pictures!!!
128 After a conversation sometimes - I think of AWESOME comebacks and think "CRAP! That woulda been so good!" HAHA.. My brain just doesn't think fast enough.
129 My laugh is so loud and obnoxious - the type that will shut the bar up. HA. It's embarrassing but funny at the same time!
130 I always feel like I'm SO BUSY during the day and always doing something, but you can't ever tell that I did anything - the house still looks like crap! WHY WHY WHY!
131 I'm the type of person that you either love or you hate me. No in-between.
132 I've only lived in two states my entire life - Arkansas for 3 years and Louisiana the other years!
133 I've never been further West than San Antonio, Texas... I've never been further north than Tennessee... and I've been pretty much to all the lower states to the west... I've not seen much of the country, unfortunately. However, I really don't care to go up North anyways...
134 I think Matthew McConaughey is so sexy - his body, his hair, his voice, his hands, his eyes, his butt, his everything... I'd absolutely pass out if I saw him. Don't worry, my husband knows how I feel about him... He always hollers "Your man is on TV!!" when he's on.. My heart races.. MM MMM MMMM.
135 I know he's old, but I do think George Straight is sexy too .. not AS sexy as Matthew, but still!
136 I like to get on Craiglist and read the "Personals" like Missing Connections, Seeking, Rants and Raves, etc. because people CRACK ME UP!
137 And now I'm enjoying searching for other peoples random facts - the first one that I pulled up **close your eyes older people** - the man posted on one of his facts that he is 6" fully extended... I'm sorry but I would NOT be posting that if I were him. BAHAHA. Even posted that he slept with a married woman after his divorce. Wouldn't post that either, there buddy.
138 I can and do keep secrets.
139 I can lose things SO EASILY because I can't ever remember where I put them or had them last.
140 I actually love doing laundry - unless I'm BEHIND on it or it piles up a little after they come out of the dryer.. but if I stay on top of it, I love doing it!
141 I LOVE LOVE LOVE my elderly people. They make me smile!!! And anytime I see one in a store or something, I always smile at them and help any of them if they need it!!! I can't tell you how many oranges or apples I've picked up off the floor before!
142 I wish I could remember more of my childhood... My brother, Jeffrey, remembers EVERYTHING. He's always like "Do you remember when we were 1 and..." HAHA.. I'm so happy he can tell me all about it because I sure can't remember anything. Very few things, anyways.
143 I used to love roller coasters when I was younger, but can't do it now... I'm terrified. Too many accidents, too many scary stuff, and I'm not a huge fan of going fast and loopy and all that either..
144 I don't wear watches because I think they look weird on me, but lately I've been wanting a white watch for some reason. I have no idea why I want a white one.. I don't even wear white.
145 I'm a junk food junkie! I'm surprised I'm not bigger than I already am.
146 I'm a belly sleeper - LOVE LOVE LOVE to sleep on my belly - it angers me when I can't!
147 I don't wear lipstick - mostly chapstick or glosses are my lip lips.
148 I HATE sleeveless shirts or spaghetti strap shirts...
149 With my short body, tiny waist, big booty, big thighs - the ONLY jeans I fit well into are jean from The Buckle - Mostly BKE - but that sucks sometimes because they are $100+!
150 I can't believe I actually came up with 150 things - and I'm so ready to go to bed, but it's after midnight and my little man is in his crib laughing and playing!!!!

Hope you enjoyed!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Life at its hardest...

Needless to say, the past few weeks have been the HARDEST and most DIFFICULT weeks of my life. A week or so after my positive pregnancy test, I started having some spotting and then the day after Thanksgiving, I started having some cramping. Brandon and I went to the Emergency Room where we sat for FOUR HOURS... Once they got me back and did an exam and testings they found that my hCG level was only at 96 and it should have been MUCH higher at 6 weeks and 5 days pregnant, but sometimes levels were crazy at the beginning anyways and they needed something to compare it to. A couple days before Thanksgiving, we were told that Brandon's Popaw only had a couple days left to live so dealing with all of this in the middle of that was such a hard thing for us to do. Thanksgiving Day was also Popaw's birthday this year - he turned 76! A couple days before, he became bed ridden and slept all the time. I know he could hear us, but he didn't talk back. It did feel good to know that he was resting peacefully though. We celebrated Thanksgiving at my in-laws house and then went over to Mamaw and Popaw's to celebrate his birthday by eating cake. Mamaw made the cake and I made icing to frost it and decorate it. It was the hardest cake yet - to decorate a cake while you have a gut feeling that you are having a miscarriage and also knowing that Popaw is in the other room not responding and not even going to know that I'd decorated the cake for him. The cake that he'd told me just only a few days before that "if it ain't chocolate, he don't care for it". He went downhill so quickly and it breaks my heart still. He was looking so forward to eating Mamaw's Thanksgiving dressing, but didn't get a chance to have it that one last time. On Sunday, December 28, 2010, three days after turning 76, went to be with the Lord shortly after noon. I haven't lost a grandparent or a close family member before so it was really horrible. No, he wasn't my "blood" but he is my Grandpa-In-Law.. But he was just as much as family to me as my own Grandparents are.. He was my Popaw too. He was also our sweet neighbor and we love going over there, of course. Mamaw is always making me a little fatty because she makes so many goodies. And they always were playfully bickering and so sweet - I'm truly missing it so much already it makes me break down. I can't imagine how she feels after over 55 years of marriage (and being together for MUCH MUCH longer than that) and losing her soul mate, best friend, and husband. I miss him shouting when we walk in their front door "Aww wee - there is my sweet little man!!" to Garrett, who is his only Great Grandson and then looking to me and saying "Hey baby! How you doing?" and he'd always ask me how my Momma and my Grandparents were doing. Such a thoughtful and loving Popaw. I hate this feeling - I hate losing someone.. I don't take death very well ever and him being the first family that I was close to sucks.. and I NEVER want it to happen again. Here is the Slideshow from the Funeral. As I said, dealing with all of this at the same time has been horrible. Monday morning I called my OB-GYN office and went in to have my hCG levels tested again. They should have at LEAST doubled by then since it'd been over two days since I was at the ER. At that time it was only 132 so it'd barely went up at all. The doctor told me that she's pretty certain that I'm having a miscarriage and to prepare myself for the bleeding and clotting and everything else. I glanced at my clock when she told me the news and it was at 12:24pm.. EXACTLY 24 hours after Brandon's Mom had called us the day before to tell us that Popaw had just passed away. Exact time on the dot. She told me I'd need to come in every 48 hours to have my levels tested until they were back down to normal. And I also had ultrasounds at almost every appointment too. From the first ultrasound on Monday, they didn't find the baby or the sack so that's what definitely confirmed that I was miscarrying. I went back on early Wednesday morning before Popaw's funeral - I didn't wait for them to get the results before heading back home because I wasn't missing the funeral!!! Shortly before the funeral, I got a call and the first thing the nurse said was "This is Dr. Dean's office - can you be here in an hour?" and my heart dropped because she didn't even tell me my level result or ANYTHING else - she just said that so I was freaked out and I said "No, I can't be there in an hour.. I have my Popaw's funeral" and she put me on hold and said "Can you be here tomorrow at 10am then?" and I said "Sure, but can you PLEASE tell me what is going on?? No one has called me before now and you are scaring me" and she said "Well, Dr. Dean is afraid you are having an ectopic pregnancy and we need to see you as soon as possible". Brandon was at the church eating with the family at this time so when he got home to pick Garrett and I up to go to the funeral, I told him what they had said and he said to call them back and see if we can come after the funeral was over. So I called back and they said that they'd love to see me that day rather than waiting til the next day because ectopic pregnancies can be extremely dangerous and could even rupture and kill me (Thanks for that additional scare). So they said if we could get there around 4pm or so.. they'd see me. The funeral didn't start until 2pm and the entire time, I was having the most terrible pains ever. We were definitely cutting the time close - we had to miss the burial and that still tears my heart up. I tried to get Brandon to stay because I didn't want him to miss it, but him being the loving husband that he is wasn't going to let me drive myself to the doctor. I know I had no control over the situation, but I'll probably never stop feeling guilty that we missed that. When we got to the doctor, she said the level was still slowly climbing up - it was 176. I had another ultrasound which nothing was revealed - they even checked my tubes but saw no baby at that point. I returned on Friday and it had dropped to 169 - while that was a sad thing, it was also a good sign.. A sign that my body would start miscarrying and "flush" everything out on it's own. So I prayed that over the weekend, while I had Brandon home with me, that everything would pass on it's on. I thought for sure that was happening because I was in a lot of pain all weekend and had a LOT of bleeding and clotting. Once again, I went to the doctor on Monday and this time she wanted me to wait for my results before leaving the hospital... Shockingly after just KNOWING it went down.. My level was higher than ever - 257. She rushed me into an ultrasound where this time, they found the fetus in my right tube RIGHT before the ovary - which made me even more sad because it was SO SO SO close to making it into the ovary! Dr. Dean confirmed that it was an ectopic pregnancy at that point and then they found internal bleeding. After much talking and thought - she decided that she needed to admit me into the hospital to be watched - and after MORE thinking and discussing with other doctors, she thought she needed to perform surgery that afternoon to remove the fetus from the tube and clean it out so we didn't have a higher risk of it rupturing or me bleeding out anymore. It SUCKED sitting there by myself.. all I could do was cry. I got in touch with my Momma and Brandon to let them know (they were both at work) that I was being admitted and needed surgery. Not but about 15 minutes later, my Pops called and asked where I was because he'd left work and was almost at the hospital to be with me. Once I finally finished in admitting and the nurse was taking me upstairs - Momma and Brandon had gotten off work and was there. We had all of the lovely paperwork to sign and I was gowned up and in my bed with multiple people coming in and preparing me for surgery. We had to wait until about 6pm or so before I went into surgery. Everything went well - but she did have to remove my right tube because of the damage and the bleeding. So we'll be working on one tube, but she said there is no reason we shouldn't be able to get pregnant with that one tube. Since then I've had a few people let me know that they've gotten pregnant on only one tube so it helps me reassure myself that it IS possible. One of those people is my sister-in-law! But we do have to wait at least three months before trying to get pregnant again. I have so many fears that it's going to happen again and then I'd have no tubes... but then a nurse tells me I could get fake ones put in if it came down to it! HA. I just got to have faith! A friend of mine shared this verse with me today and I love it! "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding--Proverbs 3:5" I do need to tell myself that often. It's been a week and two days since surgery and I'm doing some better with the pain, but I'm of course still extremely emotional. Brandon was on-call this past weekend AND while he was at work during the week, all I could do was cry cry cry.. I was so lonely and sad and depressed, so we went and stayed at my Mom and Pops house so they could help me with Garrett - not to mention I didn't want to be alone - I have been an emotional wreck. We ended up staying at Mom's from Friday until Tuesday after Garrett's speech therapy and I only cried a couple times there.. mostly when I was laying in bed or in the shower. When I was busy with Mom and everyone, I didn't have time to cry so it was nice! I had a feeling on the way home yesterday that I'd be happy to be home and sleep in my own bed, but I just KNEW that feeling would fade quickly. Sure enough, I started missing my Mommy today and have been down a lot today... especially writing this post. I thought I'd be good by now, but boy was I wrong! I felt like I needed to post my story before I forgot things though because I just know that one day I'm gonna be looking at my little man and have a healthy baby in my arms and be so thankful... and I'll look back at this post and just remember that Popaw just wanted one of his Great Grandbabies to come to Heaven with him to play and be thankful that at least my angel baby isn't alone up there - He/She is having that wonderful Popaw to play with!!!

A special thanks to all of my AMAZING family who has helped me through this terrible time. I couldn't be more thankful for every single person. Family really is all it's about!!!! And a big thanks to everyone who has been praying for us, as well! We've needed it and still need it. I appreciate all of the kind words I've gotten from many of you - and a lot of good friends to help me through it as well!!! I could never express how thankful I am for every prayer and kind words and reassurance. Pray that 2011 is nicer to me!!! Love you all!!!

If you need anything from Scentsy before Christmas, you can order all the way up until Saturday to get it in time for Christmas! The link to my Open Party that I'll close on Saturday is:

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year if I don't post before then again!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Wow... What a CRAZY couple of weeks!

Hello everybody! It's been a minute, but I have been insanely busy the past couple of weeks. I'm not even sure where to begin. It's definitely been a roller coaster. After that last sentence, I need to talk about something off subject. Not many people will understand this, but I can't help but every single time I spell "definitely" out now, I think about one of my best friends, Crystal. She's always been the one to have correct me on literally MILLIONS of things. For instance, when I first started working in the dental field, which is how I met her, I'd say "prophy" wrong. I can't remember exactly how I said it, but it was definitely wrong and I looked like a total ass. I think she let me say it quite a few times before she finally corrected me (because she didn't like me at first). Ha. She's also had to constantly correct me because I spell sandwhich wrong. Habit. I always have to type it as sandwhich and then go back and take that first "h" out. Sandwich. She has also corrected many of my flaws... don't call people "chinks"... death is a part of life, you gotta learn to accept it... I'd be here for DAYS if I had to think about all the things she has corrected me on and taught me, but I think you get the gist of it. There has only been one or two times that I got to teach her something, but most recently she was corrected by someone for spelling "definitely" wrong. She spells it "definately". HAHAHA.. I wish I could remember what one thing I got to correct her on.. It was recently, but I can't remember! Regardless, she is one of my BEST BEST BEST friends and I love her so much. I'm so happy she got to come in town last weekend and I got to spend some quality time with her. It was much overdue. She got to use my new lens and take some family photos for us for our Christmas cards!!! I love them! We got some great pictures, even though we were only out there for about 20 minutes because it was COLD.. and it was wet on the ground! Yuck weather! Regardless, they were precious. I tried loading a couple onto here, but it always takes so long and messes up a lot...but you've seen them on my Facebook anyways!! :)

The GREAT news is... We are expecting another baby!!! We are so excited and can't wait. My mind is going ninety to nothing thinking of all the things I've got to get done and we've got to get before the baby comes! I'm only nearing 5 weeks, so it's still really early. My due date is around July 24th, but I'll have him/her a week or two earlier since I'll have to have another c-section! My first doctors appointment is on December 14th and I can NOT wait! To tell my family and friends, we got a shirt for Garrett that says "I'm going to be a big brother!" on it. I have yet to get a good picture with my good camera, I only have one from my cell phone because I put him in his carseat to take it! HA. He's so hard to get to sit/stand still! We were already going to my Mom's house the morning I found out FOR SURE I was pregnant, so the timing was perfect. Especially since my MeMaw and Granddaddy would be there too since they are living there during his radiation. So we loaded up and headed out. I just KNEW they'd notice it right off the bat. Garrett and I arrived at Mom's and as soon as we walked into the house, they pulled up... I was so excited that I didn't even go get my Subway sandwich (ha) out of the car because I knew they would notice the shirt while I was outside or something and I didn't want to miss that reaction. They all three come inside and each of them held and kissed Garrett, but I was wrong. No one noticed. So I walked outside to get my sandwich and unload our clothes and everything. MeMaw and Mom followed me out to help. We went back inside and Garrett was sitting in his Granddaddy's lap watching "A Goofy Movie" together. MeMaw, Mom, and I sat at the kitchen table together while I ate. I kept trying to get Garrett to come into the kitchen to get a bite of cookie so MAYBE they'd see it, but he wouldn't come in there. I even heard Granddaddy saying something about Garrett's shirt, but he didn't read the words. Finally, after about 30-45 minutes, Garrett was going into Mom's bedroom and I asked her if her toilet seat was down because Garrett would get into the potty if it wasn't. So she said she'd go shut it... I stood up to watch her walk by Garrett because I just KNEW she'd surely notice the shirt then.. She walked by looking at Garrett and said something like "Meme loves you!!!" and she did a double take at him.. and she ran up closer to him (cause she can't see far off) and read his shirt.. and she just started screaming, crying, and acting like a crazy lady. HAHA. You'd think something was wrong with her.. It was hilarious. But my MeMaw was like "WHAT?! WHAT!? What's wrong?! What happened?" because her or my Granddaddy had no clue why Mom was acting that way. Finally, Mom told them to read Garrett's shirt and MeMaw's reaction was the same as the first time I was pregnant and I wore a shirt saying that we're expecting their first great grandchild.. she was like "What? What? You got to to kidding me?" Okay, now I gotta see if I can upload the video from the first pregnancy. Best video ever. Anyways, my Granddaddy was STILL just staring at us like he had no clue what was going on and he says "What is it now??" and then we tell him and his reaction was also the same, he just says "Really??" and stays still on the couch "Well, that's great!!!" HAHA.. Anyways.. Most of my girlfriends caught on to the photo immediately.. most men, I had to tell them to read the shirt. Anyways, I think everyone is pretty much excited about it!! I know we definitely are!!!!

Here is Garrett wearing his shirt (photo from my phone)

The pregnancy tests were sure confusing though. Here is how it all went down... On Sunday, I was feeling a bit weird and like my pregnancy before, my boobies (sorry if there are any guys reading) were really tender. It wasn't quite time for me to start yet, but I figured I'd take a test anyways.. I immediately saw the "-" sign on this test before the 3 minutes were up, so I just threw it in the trash. About 5 minutes later, SOMETHING was telling me I needed to go get the test out of the trash. When I did.. this is what it looked like.. It had a faint + line... I was freaked! I went to Walgreens and got a 3pack of Early Response tests and the Clear Blue Digital tests for a few days later....

I went ahead and took an Early Response test the night that I went to Walgreens and got more tests which is the second test in this photo. It looks really negative, but a few minutes later, it had a very faint line. Very, very faint.. You can't even really see it in this photo. So I waited til Monday morning, first pee to take another test... It was a little more positive than the night before, but still a confusing "iffy" test.. so I was just telling myself to wait a few more days until I was REALLY late. Brandon was like "No, please take one tomorrow morning".. so I held my tee-tee all night and woke up on Tuesday morning and took the digital one so it could be CLEAR by saying "Pregnant" or "NOT Pregnant" because the lines were just stressing me out. I've never taken a digital one before, but it was pretty cool.. except those three minutes feel like an hour! The little time glass was just blinking and blinking and blinking... Brandon was in the kitchen getting his stuff together to leave and I was just staring and waiting.. and all of a sudden, BOOM... It popped up PREGNANT. My mouth hit the floor. I came in the kitchen kinda hiding the test and showed Brandon. He was ecstatic! We were so excited. And of course he starts the whole talking to my belly thing and saying "Daddy has another little boy on the way!" Oh boy, I think I've finally got him to accept that it's a good chance it's a girl too. Just for grins and giggles and pure curiosity, I stuck the last Early Response test in the same urine sample just to see what it'd say and the line was more profound that time. And now I am way late... and I can definitely tell I'm pregnant now without a test.. so I'm definitely pregnant. I'm just waiting to go to the doctor!

Okay, okay... Enough about me being pregnant. After we told my Mom and Grandparents.. Garrett started getting ill feeling AGAIN and as the night went on, it got worse and worse. So I had to cancel his Speech Therapy session and take him to the doctor instead. He's got a viral infection and sinus infections, bless his heart. It's been a rough week.. it's tough for my baby to breathe at night when he's trying to sleep. He's been coughing and gagging. Not eating well at all. It stinks, but I think he's starting to feel somewhat better. A day after I took him to the doctor, I woke up with MY throat killing me and my sinus' are acting up too!!! I hope we both are 100% better ASAP! I am so ready to go back to therapy though... the day we found out I was pregnant, he did the "more" sign language sign and it was SO AMAZING! He did it a few times asking for more cookie. I loved it... he hasn't done it again since that day though! But he's learning!!!! He's a smart boy!!!

Heath got to come home last Friday!! So he's officially been home for a week and a day. His homecoming parade was amazing! That is one of the few things I love about a small town like this one... the community is all like family and something like that is a BIG DEAL!

Granddaddy is doing pretty well with his radiation. He's still tired all the time and weak a lot, but he's doing better than he was during chemo. He'll be going into his third week this week!

We got some not-so-great news this week about Brandon's Popaw. They have decided that there isn't much more they can do for him. They stopped his radiation and chemo... and he's now on Hospice at home. It was just so rough on him going back and forth from Sarepta to Shreveport EVERY SINGLE DAY of the week for radiation. He's just exhausted, tired, and in pain all the time. So they've decided to take him off of everything, including his pills, and let him be at home for the remainder of his time here on earth... until he goes to live in Heaven with God! This breaks my heart, but it absolutely hurts me to see him suffer and holler when he's in pain. He's so tired, and so tired of hurting. It helps me to know that he says he "is ready" even though it will break all of our hearts. Please keep him, Mamaw, and our whole family in your thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. I was just talking to my mother-in-law about photos of him and I ran across this one of him and Mamaw dancing at our wedding and it made me all giddy inside!


I reckon that is all I can come up with for now!!! I've been typing on this on and off for most of the day... I had to pause to go take a picture of Brandon's big ole 8-point he killed!!! He was so excited!!! Until next time...

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Bitter Betty

This post will pretty much be short and "sweet" because I'm tired AND I want to catch up on a couple shows before bed. AND because I don't want to be such a Bitter Betty too much.

One thing that I'd like for you to know is that CANCER SUCKS. I'm so sick of it. I'm not going into it again tonight, but my entire family needs your prayers. Cancer is all around me.. I'm just ready for GOOD NEWS... POSITIVE NEWS.. I want to be HAPPY again, not sad and stressed all the time.

On the better side, Garrett's therapy went well this week! It was a REALLY early appointment and he wasn't too happy about being woke up... so he wasn't totally up to par this time, but he did put a coin in the piggy bank, which he hasn't been able to do before. I was so happy that I got tears in my eyes. We were excited to have Brandon come with us this week and meet the therapists.

HEATH IS COMING HOME FRIDAY!!! WAHOO! Hope it's not raining so we can go to the parade for his WELCOME HOME!

Christmas has officially began at our house. My Christmas tree went up yesterday and it's looking good! I even have three wrapped presents under the tree so far and ordered quite a few more gifts tonight. Gotta love that online shopping. There WOULD have been four presents under the tree, but my present came in today while I was getting my hair "did" and Brandon wrapped it and put it under the tree... but I KNEW what it was and decided I could go ahead and have it. He loves me and spoils me enough so I got my way! It's something I wanted for the holidays anyways - a better camera lens! It's a really nice portrait lens and I can't wait to get some nice pictures of Garrett and family and friends!! I went outside for a bit today and played around and took a few pictures, but don't feel like waiting on the upload on here tonight - I think all three of my readers are on Facebook anyways! HAHA..

Click on this link to order Scentsy Wickless Candles today! Makes great gifts for Christmas!!

I'm out of here. Sorry for the short post!

Love,
Bitter Betty

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Garrett and Grandpa's... Again!

I'm hoping one day I'll find something else to blog about other than my baby boy not talking and all the cancer and sickness around us! It seems like I only post about Garrett's therapy and my Granddaddy and Brandon's Papaw and how sick they are... I need more things to talk about! POSITIVE things!!! Cause I know ya'll think I'm boring and Negative Nancy! But hey, I'm loving seeing how far my little man is coming already and the more people praying, the better!

His first actual therapy was yesterday and he's already doing so good! After Mama and I stocked him up on newer toys and better toys for him... he's been enjoying them so much and is learning to push things and learning the concept of "cause and effect" way more already. And blabbing all sorts of letters! We will get there one day!!! AND SOON.. I just know it!

Garrett playing with Mrs. Cre!! He LOVES her! (The ring she's wearing is the one he gave her the shocked face to last week!!). I didn't get many pictures in Mrs. Cre's room this week because he was a busy-body in there! She ended up having to turn her mirror around in her room because he was going over to stare at himself too much!! HAHA.. He KNOWS he's cute!

He's a pro at putting the balls in and pressing the button to make them come out - he made Mrs. Audie so proud!

POP! POP! POP! POP! POP! He LOVES bubbles!

He made Mama and Mrs. Audie so proud! He sat so still in the chair and listened to her read the book... helped turned the page.. and even said his first "J" sounds - She was showing him a grasshopper and saying JUMP! JUMP! JUMP! And he grabbed one and was saying "JA! JA! JA!"

I love that his therapy is "play based" rather than him being bombarded with people aggravating him and just MAKING him do work or learn! He's really enjoying it and I'm enjoying it as well! I'm one proud Mama and can't wait to hear him tell me he loves me! I'll cry for weeks when that happens. So...I can't wait to cry for weeks!

My Granddaddy had an appointment yesterday with both of his "cancer doctors" and he had his MRI done and got marked up for radiation which he will start next Wednesday. He'll have seven weeks of radiation - five days a week. Hopefully that'll get over before we know it and he can get his health back some. He's so weak and sick feeling... and he can't take three steps without being out of breath. Bless his heart. Him and MeMaw will be moving in with my Mom and Pops during radiation so that they don't have to make a two-hour round trip every day of the week! Especially since my MeMaw doesn't drive and Granddaddy is too weak at this point! That's what is best for them.

Brandon's Papaw is also not doing well at all. They found out yesterday that the chemo he's taking isn't working anymore. And the cancer has spread to several other places. They are going to try radiation and the doctor told them there is another "new drug" that he could try if he can handle it... He has been suffering so bad lately and it kills me to see him that way. I don't want to see him in so much pain!

Like every other post - Please keep Garrett and our Grandpa's in your daily prayers - as well as Heath - and everyone else!!! There is so much going on - I think everybody needs to be livin' on a prayer!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Garrett's Evaluation and Our State Fair Experience!

The past couple days have been crazy!!! But mostly fun anyways. We had Garrett's evaluation with the Speech and Occupational Therapist yesterday. Let me begin by saying - WE LOVE THEM! His Occupational Therapist's name is Mrs. Cre and she is so sweet and so good with Garrett. He absolutely loved her. He even played with her hair and looked at her ring and gave her the shocked face when he saw it! So funny! And his Speech Therapist's name is Mrs. Audie and she is such a sweetheart too. It's so obvious that they both love what they do and love the children. Garrett warmed up to both of them, but Mrs. Cre in particular! He cried when we had to leave her room and go to Mrs. Audie's room. But he did so well with both of them and the entire time we were there. They asked me hundreds of questions and played with him some. They do think that he needs a little help in both areas, but they didn't have any major concerns. They think he will catch right on up in no time. Which made me feel so happy and relieved! They both gave me great suggestions and recommended more interaction with children his own age some. A lot of why he probably doesn't talk is because he's not in daycare and he's never really HAD to say much because his Mama just gives him whatever he needs! HA. But we will get there! They suggested a few toys that are "Cause and Effect" - so he has to do something to make it work! And things that make him really work his little fingers and make his mind think. He's got SO MANY little knick-knack toys in his bin here at the house and they suggested to sort of clean it out and only have a few things available for him to play with at a time so he can focus more on one thing at a time. And to also have a designated area for him to sit and color or play with a certain toy! So after his appointment, my Mama, Garrett, and I went on a little shopping spree for things that he needs. Thanks to his MeMe and his Daddy's hard working, he's gotten some nice new toys and learning activities.. some "early Christmas presents"! He has absolutely loved them all so far too! We couldn't find a little activity desk and chair like we wanted, but his MeMe ordered one online for him!! One thing Garrett really loved at the therapists' office was the little mats they played on. I found some at Toys'R'Us with the alphabet and numbers and as soon as we got home today from spending a couple nights with my Mama..we set them up! He was running and stomping on them for a WHILE! He's so funny. We will be seeing Mrs. Cre and Mrs. Audie on Tuesday's for a little while and see how he does. I've also got him on the waiting list to start next August at the Child Development Center in Springhill (sort of like Mom's Day Out, but a learning center). He'll go twice a week from 9 to 2:30! They start pre-registering and she said it's pretty likely that we will get accepted because he's not too far down the waiting list (one of a few perks of living in a small town). I know next August is a little ways away, but we will find other activities to do from now until then to get his interaction with other kids that he needs.

We decided to stay the night again with my Mama and take him to the State Fair today along with his cousin Macee! I was a little afraid it would be a disaster because he hadn't really had a nap, but fell asleep shortly before we got to the fair... but then again, I know how he LOVES to ride almost anything so I thought it'd work out fine. When we enter the gates, we have to stop and either buy tickets or a wrist band... we chose wrist band so we could ride whatever, whenever, and however many times without having to go back and purchase more tickets! Garrett has NOT been crazy about anything around his wrists... long sleeve shirts, jackets, and much less a wrist band. He was having a come apart when the carney put the wristband on him. After the first couple rides, Garrett just wasn't having it - so I walked back over to the carney and asked him if he (I initially called him "mam" because I thought he was a she) could put a band on his leg instead of his wrist and he tells me no because the bands are "all accounted for and I'd have to pay $10 AGAIN for one to go on his leg" - FORGET THAT. I'm not paying $10 AGAIN for a piece of dang paper!!! That was the dumbest thing I'd ever heard. But Aunt Sharon wiggled it off of his arm and we just attached it to his shoe! It was all gravy from there! He had such a wonderful time. He loved EVERYTHING! I could go on for days. I'm not a big coaster junkie - and was even sort of nervous to get on the kiddie dragon coaster, but he was NOT riding that alone. The carney kept telling me "This is not an adult ride..it's for kids" But I didn't care.. Garrett wanted to ride and I wasn't putting him on that alone. My knees sure wish I hadn't of rode though. They are getting bruises on them from being so scrunched in the short cart and them banging against the metal with each turn, hill, and jerk.. but it was worth it! Garrett loved it. I think that may have been his favorite because he threw the biggest fit getting off of that one! We then got on the carousel in the kiddie area... and I was wondering when that one was going to end after about three minutes of going up and down and up and down while having the death grip on my son. Turns out the carney fell asleep for a few minutes.. no lie. Those people just really freak me out, but Garrett had fun nonetheless. Here are a few pictures just from my point and shoot camera! I wasn't bringing my big mama-jama up in the fair!!!

This is the first carousel we rode - he wasn't happy about his wristband! (Not the one where the carney fell asleep)

Still not happy about the band... HA

I sorta love this one - We were riding the little doggies!

My fearless child petting the goat! When we asked one carney where the animals were - he literally turned around in his area (some sort of game area) and pointed at the stuffed animals. No lie!!!

Okay - Seriously, I laugh my hiney off EVERYTIME I look at this picture and think about this story. A lady walked by us when we were standing next to this llama and whatever the other animal was and she had a bunch of food for the animals and she said "The animals weren't wanting to eat when we were trying to feeding them! You can have it and see if they'll eat it!" - so my Mama grabs the cup with little bits of food in them and this llama sticks his head out of this hole in the fence(we had just been laughing about his MAJOR under-bite) and my Mama is trying to gently feed the llama and he almost bites her hand off trying to get the food. He was very snatchy - no manners at all. My Mama's face was just priceless - I guess maybe it was one of those things you had to be there for. Mama is pretty fearless, but she was scared of this thing... SO FUNNY. I have tears in my eyes. **Note that Garrett isn't scared at all**

This part of the day almost broke my heart - this little train ride, I decided I'd let him ride alone if Macee rode with him. All was well until we couldn't get Macee's buckle snapped in and the carney came to help out - and he scared the crap out of Macee, poor baby! Then she wasn't having it. I'm telling you... there really was something strange about all the people running EACH RIDE... But anyways, Macee wasn't riding it anymore after being scared and Garrett was READY... so he rode ALL BY HIMSELF. And he sat so still and just looked around and did so good. It broke my heart because he looked like such a big boy. It really made me want to cry when the train would pass by and we'd holler "HEY GARRETT" and then he'd go by and I could see his little head poking up above the seats from behind.
In his own cart - all by himself!
HEY GARRETT!!!

Here we are riding the teacup (excuse my hair - it was windy!) - This particular carney was a tad strange himself.. Bees were surrounding the poor little big guy. He was hollering "Get the hell away from my damn coke damn bees! I'm gonna have to tell my boss about this problem! If I get bit once, I gotta go to the emergency room!" - Pretty sure the bees understood him... and pretty sure the children in the KIDDIE AREA could also pick up his curse words.
Brittney and Macee on the teacup!

So - Today was very interesting to say the least with all of the carnies. But it was worth it - my baby boy had a blast and I actually want to take him back! However, I can't say that I won't still be wanting to ride the rides with him again (even if he's like 4... or 9..or 16).

As far as other updates - it seems like everyone around me needs prayer (including us) at this time. So just keep family and friends in your thoughts and prayers!!! I'm exhausted and ready for bed... after I watch Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Updates! Updates! Read all about it!

Unfortunately, we had to schedule for next Wednesday for Garrett's Speech and Occupational evaluations, BUT that's probably for the best anyways. Because he has been sick since he got his shots last week. And it's been even worse the past two days. Now guess what? I've got a really sore throat - I've not been feeling really good all week either. I've been weak, tired, and fainty feeling.. and now on top of that a sore throat. Brandon and I have a "date night" tomorrow night and I'll be totally bummed if that gets canceled because I don't feel good because we rarely ever get to have a date night!! I was happy to get rid of the hot Summer months, but the transition to Fall weather always makes our allergies go wild. But we are so excited that we are getting right on in for Garrett's evaluation anyways! I had them mail me his paperwork so I could go ahead and get it filled out...and boy am I happy that I did that! It seriously took me an hour to fill them out and was 10 pages long. MOST PAPERWORK EVER! My Mom is going with us for the evaluation next week. She was going to go so she could keep an eye on him while I filled out the paperwork and for moral support! Luckily, we've got one part out of the way. So we're just waiting on next Wednesday now. The other day, he dropped something and I said "Uhoh!" and he repeated it clearly a few times. And he's jabbering more and more.. not just "dee dol dee dol dee dol" LOL.. He has other sounds in there now. Brandon and I were talking about how we just know he's going to be coming around soon and probably start talking clearly with full sentences. However, we still want the evaluation done just for peace of minds!!! And my sanity! I'll tell you what though - Brandon and I used to say "Our child WILL NEVER..... act this way, talk like that, get by with that, yada yada yada". But I'll also tell you that it's not easy to get onto him when he's so dang cute and funny. He wasn't eating much of ANYTHING yesterday at all. He would drink his milk and juice, but that's it! He LOVES sweet potatoes but didn't even want that. I got him to eat a Goldfish cracker at supper so I tried to trick him and put some sweet potatoes on it. Well, since he's SOOOOOOOO very independent.. he wanted to feed it to himself and as soon as he felt the sweet potatoes on the goldfish, his face look disgusted and he started flinging his hand to get it off his fingers. It was like slow motion and it finally landed in the floor and made a big mess... I used to say I'd tear his butt up.. but it was so hilarious.. Brandon and I just stared at each other and I did my ridiculously loud laugh. I couldn't contain it. It was just so funny and it seemed like it took forever for the goldfish and sweet potatoes to land on the floor way behind him.. I guess maybe you had to just be there to think it was funny, but I assure you.. it WAS indeed funny and I am still snickering every time I think about it. Garrett, Brandon, and I were also playing in Garrett's room last night and Garrett was having a good time turning his Pottery Barn chair over (he loves being a strong boy) and Brandon was pushing it back around and it sort of hit and pushed Garrett a little bit and Garrett got BOWED UP and was clinching his fists and going crazy on that chair for hitting him. It was HILARIOUS!!! He's just so funny. I can't wait for him to start talking and saying funny stuff then.. I do believe we are in for it! And I'm pretty sure I will have to be the punisher because Brandon lets him do whatever he wants to do and Brandon is also clear about how he'll probably never spank that baby.

On other good notes, I took my Granddaddy for his LAST CHEMO treatment on Tuesday!! We meet with the doctor for the planning of radiation on November 2nd and we will go from there on starting radiation and seeing how much he'll need. Since it will be Monday thru Friday each week, MeMaw and Granddaddy will pretty much move in with my Mom and Pops so they don't have a two hour round trip every day of the week! Keep him in your prayers and I'll keep everyone up to date on how he's doing!!!

Also, Brandon's buddy Heath got moved to the "step down" unit at the LSU Burn Center! We are so excited about that. One step closer to coming home!!!! The power of prayer is amazing!! And again, here is his sister, April's blog about his recovery - she hasn't posted in a week and I am constantly stalking her blog for another post!! I love her writing and hearing about his recovery!


I'm getting stoked about deer hunting! I killed my first deer around 2005, I think... It was a doe and my father-in-law too me hunting. This was back when Brandon was stingy and didn't want to miss out on HIS opportunity to miss a nice deer by taking me hunting. And since his Daddy loves to scout and take kids hunting.. he was nice enough to take me. I remember it like it was yesterday. Mosquitos swarming all around us and then a doe walked out. I don't know if you know me, but I laugh at the most inappropriate times. Such as when I'm nervous, when I SHOULD be quiet, and all sorts of inappropriate times (hints the times Garrett should be getting in trouble).. Anyways, when the deer came out Charles was telling me what all I need to be doing to get ready to pull the trigger but all I could do was laugh and laugh. Finally, he told me to settle down and aim. HAHA. I'm ALSO a HUGE flincher. You can be 100 yards away from me and if you throw a punch.. I am GOING TO FLINCH. It's horrible. My brother makes big fun of me. So when I'm getting ready to pull the trigger, I'll get it aimed on the deer but then I have to close my eyes to shoot... and it makes me pull the gun some. It was pretty comical and I remember it like it was yesterday. But I did get the doe (even though my father-in-law had to shoot the deer again to kill her) and I was so excited. But then two weeks later, something hit me and I was SO UPSET with myself that I'd killed that beautiful deer. I was upset for a few weeks. And I got to where I couldn't even eat deer meat because I got so sad about it!!!! Until now, I've not had any interest in killing another doe. I refuse. But I am hunting for the horns! I do think I'm more excited than Brandon about hunting this season. He wants me to get one of the big bucks we have back behind the house! So these are a couple deer that I'm hunting for!!!



Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!!! I'm looking forward to my husband FINALLY having time off and having some quality time with him on date night! Hoping my throat feels better TODAY! I don't want to feel like crud on date night!!! Good day!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Playing the Waiting Game..

I hate waiting around. Plain and simple. Thursday and Friday I waited around for multiple phone calls...many which didn't come. The call I was waiting for Thursday, about insurance coverage for speech and occupational therapy, didn't come until Friday. That call made me need to make another call, which still has yet to be returned. So with all the waiting and testing my patience (which is like NEGATIVE 8 billion) it made me think about my other pet peeves.. and boy do I have a lot. That'll be a post in itself. HA. Anyways - Our insurance coverage only allows for 20 sessions of therapy per year AFTER the deductible is met and then they pay 80%. Which would probably be okay this year since we are so close to the end, but that's only 10 sessions each if he needs both Speech AND Occupational Therapy. So that wouldn't get us far at all next year. We are looking into Early Steps as well because their services are free, but have been told by the receptionist there that the "in-take process" could take about 45 days. I don't WANT to wait until around Thanksgiving and the holidays to start his evaluation and stuff. There goes my patience thing again. But at the same time, Brandon and I both want answers now. We've talked about it over our very little time together over the weekend and we've decided that we will get the Early Steps program "in-take process" started but also go ahead and see the other Physical Therapist for his full evaluation. It's worth the $210 to get him evaluated before 45 days are up to us. We're ready for answers! We both know that one day we'll probably think we are ridiculous for jumping in this deep because he's probably just a late bloomer! But OH WELL! We are both tired of stressing out about it - and I'm the worst because that's all I have time to think about since I stay home with Garrett. Brandon hides his feelings a lot, but I know this bothers him a lot too.. especially because he also has to deal with me crying all the time. HAHA. Tomorrow I'll be calling to schedule the full evaluation for very soon hopefully and getting the Early Steps process started. Ever since Garrett got his shots - he's been sick! Really congested, runny nose, and coughing and LATE LATE NIGHTS. This happened last year when he got the flu shot... I'm started to think it's not so "coincidental".

Keep Garrett on your prayer list as well as my Granddaddy and Brandon's Papaw. Both of them aren't doing very well at all. The chemo is really getting to my Granddaddy - it took all I had not to cry when I saw him yesterday. He can't eat or drink anything. He's so nauseated. It's not normal for him to not smile or being excited to see Garrett. It was like Garrett KNEW his "best buddy" didn't feel well yesterday because he kept getting in the rocking chair with his Granddaddy and letting his Granddaddy rock him... and if you know Garrett, he does NOT sit still - so that was so sweet to see! Brandon's Papaw has also been very weak and having a lot of pain. He was in the hospital for a couple of days and they have found more lesions in his right ribs and his illiac bone on the right hip. We still aren't really sure what all is going on - he sees the cancer doctor Tuesday. So does my Granddaddy - we aren't so sure he'll get his treatment this week or not seeing how this past week has been.

Hope you all have had a wonderful weekend.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

All about Garrett!!

After much thinking, stressing, and concern... I finally got a lot of advice and information from several friends and family members and decided it was time to change pediatricians and have Garrett looked at and evaluated to help answer some of my questions and concerns. And boy are we so happy about the move to a new pediatrician!!! Dr. Sharye Atchison is such an angel!!!! We are so thankful for my cousin Kristina and friend Lynda for referring her to us. Thank ya'll SO MUCH! Garrett warmed up to her pretty nicely. I loved how she interacted with him and made him feel comfortable and made him smile... until she started looking at the "sweet potatoes" in his ears! Ever since he had those several ear infections, he FREAKS out about people getting near his ears... doctor, hairstylist, Mama, Daddy, or ANYBODY. He can't stand it. So he still freaked out when she was checking his ears out.. it took Dr. Sharye, my Mom and myself to hold him still enough for her to peak in his ears! And even then, he was screaming and crying.. I know he doesn't talk, but I'm pretty darn sure he was cussing me for bringing him to the doctor and letting her do that to him!! I always feel so guilty because his ears look so waxy, but we've always been told not to put a q-tip in there (even though he won't let anything/anyone near them anyways) - so they look bad! It's killing me.. I just want to get them cleaned out! Then maybe, just maybe he'll start talking! Ha. Anyways, after talking my concerns over about Garrett - she suggested that we see a Occupational and Speech Therapist for an evaluation of his cognitive (thinking) skills, comprehension skills, and coordination. Also for a hearing test and evaluation for his speech! I'll be calling in the morning to see how insurance covers and scheduling his evaluation. I'm that much closer to feeling better!!! Today has helped me a bunch - I feel comforted now knowing she doesn't think that he's autistic. She just thinks he needs some help with his speech and communication skills!!! He also got two shots today - flu shot and hepatitis-A shot. He was NOT a happy camper because he'd already missed his nap time.. and then fell asleep in his Meme's arms while the doctor and nurse stepped out.. just for them to wake him up and poke him twice with needles!!! He's doing pretty well tonight - in fact, after I gave him a bath he was just running around in his diaper and he ran up to me giggling.. when I looked down, he had taken his diaper off and was running around naked! This boy LOVES to be naked. We also attempted a haircut today after he had breakfast. Like last time, it didn't go too well! He freaked when she was getting close to his ears! But we got a nice bit cut and after I got him out of the bath tonight, I put him on his changing table with my phone and let him play with the "Talking Tom" app that he loves oh so much and I got it trimmed up around his ears! It looks so sweet now.

After scheduling the appointment yesterday for his appointment today, we decided to go spend the night with G's Meme and Pops. So after he woke up from his nap yesterday, I wanted to take him to the pumpkin patch close to their house. I knew this year would be much harder because he's RUNNING now..where as last year, he wasn't even walking yet.. so I could just sit him down and he'd sit still. Ha. Sometimes I miss those days - even though he's getting more and more fun!! Cousin Brittney and Macee (who is only one day younger than Garrett) met us at the pumpkin patch. Needless to say, I couldn't hardly catch two running babies in one picture - especially looking at me, but I did get two of them together that I think is just plain cute!!! Here are a couple pictures from yesterday (keep in mind that this was BEFORE his hair cut, LOL)!

I had no idea it was so windy outside until we got there! This is the only decent one of him on the bench - and completely unedited! I'm so tired I don't feel like playing with it right now! HAHA.

Where's Garrett?!?!

Garrett sitting in some punkins!


Macee girl! She's so cute - she loved the tiny pumpkins!


Garrett and Macee staring at each other and giggling!


And last but certainly NOT least - my favorite of the two of them! (I had to play with this one before posting it!)


Well - That's all for today folks! Hope you all had a fantastic Hump Day!!!