Ketchup-Catchup

Apparently I forgot to blog last week. Holy moly. Here's the quick run-down.

We have a son. He's real cute. =)

He likes to play with things he's not supposed to...

He looks like such a big boy these days.

His mom is a total child who downloaded the Toca Boca hair salon app and created this:

Last Friday, it stormed. My parents came down and we ate supper. Then, we thought we had pictures in Ponca Saturday, so they came down that afternoon to watch Reid for a few hours. We got down there and realized there was a mix-up/mis-communication about the date. We didn't have a session but weren't about to miss an opportunity to make a couple quick stops (one being for frozen yogurt...mmmm... I swear there's actually frozen yogurt under that candy shmorgishborg.

Saturday night? Lord have mercy. It was like we had a newborn again. We knew Reid had been trying to work on some molars but apparently they were really hurting him that night. He went to bed near his normal 8 p.m. time but was awake a crying/screaming by 10. He became more inconsolable with each failed attempt to calm him down and put him back to sleep. Finally, we got him up and took turns trying to sooth him. We walked with him, bounced him, and rocked him. We could tell his teeth were the culprits so we tried his necklace (which he hadn't worn all week but we put it on earlier in the day... apparently that wasn't long enough), teething gel, a cold rag, frozen teether, pacifier, rubbing my finger along his gums... we gave it a good solid effort. After a good hour or so of this, I finally had him calmed down and he was rocking peacefully in my arms. Then, we put him back in his crib and went to bed ourselves. He woke up a few times that night. It was heart breaking. It was obvious he was in a great deal of pain. I felt helpless.

The next morning, he was still kind of cranky, but we hadn't been to church in a while so we thought we'd give it our best shot. He cried during church then fell in the nursery and cried some more. He was NOT a happy camper. Those dang molars are the pits. 

We went home after church and he had some lunch. Lunch makes just about everything better, does it not?

98% of Reid's meal ends up in this pouch and then he digs some of it back out to eat. Apparently, he wanted to make sure the pacifier was in a safe place for later. =)

We had Bible study that night and it was my turn to bring treats. I made gluten free brownies (actually pretty dang tasty...I was impressed). I think it helped that I made salted caramel sauce to go on top.

Since I had extra sauce, I made a caramel apple sundae. =)

Before Bible study though, we went to Journey's 5th birthday party. It was ninja turtle themed and was super cute as her parties always are. This was the first party Reid could really play at.

He and his cousin Ahri driving together...

Ahri is 3 weeks older than Reid and is walkin' like a little champ.They are rather adorable no? Erica took this photo.

That face!! Photo by Erica.

Here's Reid and Felicity being cuddly. I think they kinda like each other. =) Photo by Erica.

The birthday girl!

My tired baby after a long day.

Tuesday, Reid and I had a play/tv-watchin' date at Cori's. I got to love on her kids and we watched some SOA.

Thursday, I got my hair cut. Nothing major - just some layers cut in so it will 'curl' better. I don't even remember the last time I straightened my hair. I told her whatever she did it needed to be wash-mousse/gel-go friendly.

After supper that night, we went on a walk. Such a nice night.

This is what what happens when Dac is left in charge of play time. =) Poor kid.

Friday, we headed to Ponca for the family session I thought was the weekend before. =) This family is fun. I like to get mom and dad away from the kids for a couple shots... I think it's important they have photos of them. After all, their love was there before the kids and will be there once the kids are grown.

Saturday was Daric and Shayna's wedding. Daric is Dac's cousin and we had the privilege to photograph their big day. Here's a little screen shot sneak as I was uploading cards onto the computer.

The wedding was beautiful!!

Here's my little handsome... photo by Kayla. He spent the day with Aunt Val while we worked but oh it was so fun to see him at the reception. =) We took more with the big cameras but I haven't gone through those yet.

 
Reid didn't sleep worth a dang that night even after such a long day. We were both up constantly with him. Sunday, we skipped church so we wouldn't have to rush around in the morning and went to Derby to try and finish our family photo shopping. I'm not sure we ended up with greatness but it will have to do. I also picked up this treat. =) It just so happens to be gluten free but let's get real, it had be at "candy corn". I've failed miserably at eating gluten free. It literally lasted 5 days. I really want to get back on that wagon though to test if it helps me. Why must I be so weak?

We finished off the weekend with chili at Dac's parents' then Bible study that evening. This week is crazy busy both at work and with stuff about every night. Next week is even worse, but I refuse to even think that far ahead at this point. Ay yi yi! =)

More 10-month fun

Capturing the monthly Reid photo isn't what it used to be. =) But oh that face.

Month 10

Earth to Reid... sloooow down!

I kid, but seriously though, this first year is moving all too fast. In one breath I find myself sad that my baby is quickly transforming into a toddler while in the next breath, I'm thanking God that I have you, here and healthy.

He's given us a real gift Reid. You are a gift in yourself but the fact that I was able to have a full-term pregnancy, deliver you safely, bring you home, and oh yeah, you're healthy too... wow... we are fortunate sir. We are fortunate that we get to know each other and be 'us'. I love you and I am so incredibly grateful.

I don't really have much else to say right now buddy. I couldn't possibly touch on everything you've learned or every way you've changed over the last month. Just know that my heart is more than full and you fill the majority of my thoughts too.

Love you,

Mama

Highlights:

• You continued eating some regular stage 2 baby foods. We also started giving you some heartier stage 3s for supper. In the past couple weeks or so, you've started eating more finger foods. I'm still sending baby food to Connie's and you eat an afternoon snack there but are getting a mix of baby food and table food in the evenings and on weekends. So far, you've had cut-up banana (which you like much better now), as well as cut up baby carrots, green beans, corn, sweet potatoes, peas, blueberries, chicken, bagels, mac-n-cheese, and probably other things I'm forgetting. =)

• You wore mostly size 4 diapers.

• You wore mostly 12-month clothes and size 12-18mo pj's

• You're up to 8 teeth now! This last one took it's time and you struggled for several days. You also started working on your molars but they didn't pop through yet.

• You began cruising around furniture.

• You sit up better and for longer periods of time (when you hold still long enough) and you crawl more like a big boy now.

• You get an 8 oz bottle first thing in the morning, then a 6 oz bottle around 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and then 8 oz again at night. You eat solids for lunch and supper.

• You started babbling more and stringing more consonants together (so far I've distinguished lots of B's and a few K's and G's.)

• You crawled more on your hands and knees.

• I had my first night away from you and you spent your first night away from Dad and I at the same time. You were in good hands though.

• You had your first hotel stay.

• You also had your first major fall. =( 

• You started being a bit of a mama's boy at times.

• You began to point your finger when you wave.

• You started pulling the pillows off the couches and wallering all over them. You think it's funny. PS - I do too.

• You started to understand the word "NO". You test us now and when we remind you you're not allowed to do something, you look back with the most adorable but oh-so-ornery grin and try to proceed. We tell you no as many times as it takes. Sometimes you get really frustrated with that answer and come crying to me for a hug. It doesn't work, of course, but I'm all for the extra cuddles. =)

Midweek Randoms

• Do you ever think of dumb things you've said and replay them in your mind? I think about this one instance I had during a PR class in college. Everything that came out of my mouth was wrong, stupid, embarrassing, or all three. I can still remember what seat I was in, who the professor was, who was surrounding me, the words that came out of my mouth, and the mean girls behind me snickering. Weird. I wouldn't mind losing that memory. =)

• I went a couple weeks with no polish on my toes (gasp) but now they have pretty orange polish on them again. The world is OK.

• My heart is very heavy for several people in need of healing and comfort. =( 

• My foot is all healed up and I started back to Zumba. I leaned like a cholo. =)

• I've started to think more about Reid's first birthday. Lord help us! 

• We've been more busy with photography lately. Had a session with these two little dolls. =)

• Reid has started to pull all the pillows off the couches and waller around on them. He loves it. It's so funny.

• I'm all but certain my endometriosis is making a comeback. I had surgery (second one) to remove it back before Christmas of 2012. Not long after, I was pregnant with Reid then was breastfeeding so I was fortunate enough to go a good year and a half without it. It knew, short of a miracle, it would be back. My goal is to suck it up and go without surgery (or other ridiculous treatments, like the Lupron shots I despised) for as long as possible. I knew from my original research that endo can be helped by a major change in diet (ie: no caffeine, no dairy, no wheat/gluten, etc...) I was never willing to do that before but now, I just can't imagine living my life this way forever. SO - while I haven't cut those things out completely, I've really tried limiting the wheat and dairy in my diet. So far I've done great for a few days then failed for a few days (ie: our trip)... it's a cycle I hope I can break with time. My goal is to give it a good month and see what, if any, relief I have. I've tried some new foods and recipes - and so far have ate a few things I would eat anyway! I think Dac has enjoyed me cooking dinner more again.

• I tried this Chicken Cantina Bowl from Taco Bell. It was pretty tasty - even with the lettuce BUT I was sad that it was quite a bit more expensive than other items plus, just as many, if not more calories. 

• I think I showed you my sweet potato, sausage, and asparagus hash last time. I was really impressed with that and so was Dac.

• I also made spaghetti squash with a creamy cauliflower sauce. This is something I would have never tried even just a couple years ago, so gold star for me! =) It was actually quite good. My only suggestion would be to scoop out the "spaghetti" and serve in a bowl instead of in the shell. (Those things are slippery!!)

• This is nothing new or special really, but still good and still gluten and dairy free. Sweet potatoes with shredded chicken (I used rotisserie without the skin) and sweet baby rays bbq sauce on top.

• This lovely dish is NOT gluten free, but it does lack dairy and I already screwed up all weekend anyway, so might as well. Love some red beans and rice. Fall is my favorite food season. =) 

• I don't know how well I'll be able to keep it up or if it will even be worth it, but I feel like I owe it to myself and my family to try. 

• Reid is now 10-months old. HOW!?!? I'll be posting his 10-month update soon!

• I am so enjoying the fallish weather. Then I realize I don't really have any shoes for this weather. Sigh. I need to do something about that. I did finally buy a pair of jeans that weren't maternity. Another gold star! =)

• What else do I love about fall? TV, of course!!! =) I'm loving watching some of my long-time favorites like Grey's Anatomy and Criminal Minds. As always, Parenthood is fabulous. I also started watching the new series The Blacklist and LOVE it. Just what I need right, another show in my lineup? Ooooh, and Scandal comes back on this week!! OH, and Revenge!!! =) See, I have a real problem here, people.

• Have a happy day!!

She's got Hays for days

We spent last weekend in happenin' Hays, Kansas with some great friends. We left Friday after work stopped in Derby for some Spangles and of course went in so Reid could eat too. Then, stopped again for a diaper change/bottle break before arriving at the hotel in Hays. Reid tends to slow down trips. ;) 

We shared a room with Matt and Kelly (never again, I felt horrible that Reid kept them up and kept everyone from having a good ol' loud, fun time.) but they were coming in later. It took a while to Reid to sleep since he's used to having his own room but he settled down! He slept through Matt and Kelly coming in a couple hours later but woke up around 1:30 a.m. soaked in pee. =( Talk about a mess. SO - I through a bath towel down in his pack-n-play and changed him into the first outfit I could find so he'd be quiet. 

When he woke up for good, we headed downstairs for some breakfast. Reid made some friends in the older people who were also eating at 6 a.m., ha! 

Once Matt and Kelly were up, we went back up and got ready for a day-o-fun! =) Not much later, John, Anna, and Ruby got there!

Reid and Ruby seemed to have fun but I don't think Ruby was impressed with him being in her personal space! haha! She's so funny.

Later, we grabbed some sandwiches and snacks from Wal-Mart and had a picnic at the park.

Sweet Ruby and her mama.

Side note: Anna is expecting a sweet new baby!!! HOORAY! Does she not look fantastic? Beautiful.

After lunch we head back to the hotel for naps. Reid refused to go down. He was cranky and just not having it. A little later, everyone headed down to the pool (except Reid and I since he was still awake) and he took a major fall. I don't typically get too freaked out by falls because I know that's how he learns but this wasn't so pretty and I was majorly concerned. (ie, horrified) I won't go into the whole shebang here, but ultimately, he is fine. This is him finally sleeping on my chest once he got calmed down.

That evening we went to Gella's Diner and LB. Brewing. It was a cool place... I was pretty impressed. The food was delicious too. They were also family friendly which I've come to appreciate more. Reid knocked over Ruby's chocolate milk and the waiter was super cool about it.

John and Anna had been before and suggested this appetizer. YUM.

Dac got a sampler of their beer.

I didn't get any beer though I did taste of his and Kelly's. I just wasn't feeling it that night. I was more into this:

Reid enjoyed two things of baby food, some puffs, sweet potato fries, and some of Ruby's mac-n-cheese. He's a tank.

The group. =) PS - you can't totally see it in this picture, but Kelly has the funnest pixie cut. I love it!! I wish more of the group could have been here. =/

Checking out the goodies Matt brought.

Playing sequence:

Once Reid finally hit the hay, we brought out the big guns.... CATAN.

It was super fun times!!!

Then Reid interrupted it with lots of crying and refusing to sleep, so once he was back down again, we quickly finished up the game and went to bed. Old people. Geesh.

Breakfast was a little earlier Sunday. I made a waffle. I enjoy making a nice big waffle at hotels. haha!

After cleaning up the room and loading the cars, we went back to the park. The guys threw a frisbee around.

Reid had fun.

There was acting like children. =)

Then lunch at Jimmie John's before heading out.

Friends. =)

I'm glad we took the trip!! Mini Reid-crisis' aside, it was fun! It was definitely a learning experience being in a hotel with him but our friends were good sports. We had a great time seeing everyone and can't wait for next time! Thankful for friends like these.