Adventures of a Stay At Home Mom

Here we are again....

2011-03-05T10:34:00.002-06:00

Ok...again haven't blogged in a while. I've been looking for work....again. I've been very close twice. I always seem to be perfect...except...

SO I'm keeping my options open. I'm going to try to blog more. Give myself an outlet to my thoughts and feelings. We bought two cats recently so my day is filled with cat litter and vacuuming. :D Fun Fun. I'm SUPER excited tonight we are going to a BBQ for my cousin Ana and her boyfriend Eric. I love my family. I'm totally going to miss the crap out of them.

Better get cracking on my day it's 11am and I'm still in my pjs and glasses. :D Have a great Saturday.

And I'm Back....

2010-09-22T21:28:00.002-05:00

I know it's been a while and well that's ok cus life happens. Here's what has happened:

I put Bam in daycare with his brother and I went out and found a job. I felt like there wasn't a reason to be home if Bishop and Lucas were both in school. After much searching and even ore rejection, I found a position as a Loan Closer for a large bank that deals mainly with military personnel. I was a contractor and was going through a 3rd party company. I loved my job even though it was SUPER stressful. There were days I would just cry because I was so stressed and felt like I wasn't getting it. I usually consider myself to be smart and calm. But I was feeling less like a cool and calm business woman and more like a crazy woman who was stupid to think she could ever be smart enough to go back to the business world without first having a job that required me to say "would you like fries with that". Having a baby changed me. Before Bishop entered my life, and my body, I was a cool calm manager. I could handle any situation, whip out spreadsheets in a moments notice, and could listen to people and help them find solutions. I was a good manager. I really was. Now I can hardly keep my thoughts together long enough to make a complete, and coherent, sentence. What is it that changes in us? One friend of mine called it a "Placental Bypass". "Unfortunately," she said "we never recover from it."

Anyway...I worked there for a couple of months. As I began to feel more and more capable of handling the work, and felt like I was really going to make it, it happened. Bishop got sick. And when I say sick, I mean the sickest and scariest it has ever been with either of my boys.

Last Tuesday I received a call that Bishop had a fever and I needed to pick him up from school. I would normally just call Jason to pick him up since he has been working from home but i knew that he was on a conference call and didn't know when he would be done. So I left work after only being there an hour, and went to pick up my baby. When I got to the school he was laying down, flushed and out of it. I took him home and gave him meds, and Pedialite. He slept with us that night and the next morning it felt like his fever had broken so I got ready for work, since Jason had decided to stay home with both boys. I left and got to work at 7:15. I caught up on emails, and looked over my workload for the week and had just begin to work when I received the scariest call I have ever gotten.

"Hello"

Jason: Hello babe, I think Bishop just had a seizure.

Me: WHAT?! What happened?

Jason: He woke up on fire, I changed him and took his temp, and it was like 104 so I got up to get him meds, and he put his arm up over his head all stiff, then he fell to the floor and started shaking. I picked him up and was calling his name and he was just staring off into space and rolling his eyes around. What do I do?

Me: It is 8:30 am there is lots of traffic no matter where you go Please call an ambulance and get him to a hospital.

Jason: Which one?!

Me: DOESN'T MATTER call an ambulance and get him to a hospital. I'm on my way.

Jason: Ok I'll go to the new one on 151.

Me: Fine I'm leaving now.

I told my boss briefly that I had to go and I ran as fast as I could in 5 inch heels. (A gift to myself for finally feeling good about my job)

I go to the hospital and my poor skinny boy was in a hospital gown, still kind of out of it and drinking some juice. He was totally out of it because he was so focused on watching Diego on Nick Jr. Yea we don't have cable so anytime he can see Diego on TV he is excited. And by excited I mean he ignores everyone and stares at the TV in an almost catatonic state. It's ok his dad gets the same look. :D

SO he is fine. It was a FEBRILE SEIZURE. He's fine but we were told that it could happen again. He should outgrow them but for now we have to be watchful. After much debate we decided that it was better for me to be home. Boys will stay in school but I need to be closer to them. Since my job was temporary anyway, I would just stay home and be a housewife not to be mistaken for stay at home mommy. I am volunteering at their school, also I clean the house and run errands. I keep everything running so that Jason can concentrate on his job. I can totally do this job no problem. And once we get some bills paid down then I plan on going back to school. So that is the plan for now. I'm able to be close to my kids, Jason is able to focus on his new job, and the boys get mommy time any time they need it. I like this job WAY better.

Before the haircut

2010-02-13T10:21:00.001-06:00

Here he is a day or two before haircut

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Bishops first haircut

2010-02-13T10:18:00.000-06:00

We had to practically hold him down for it but it was a success. I'm a little sad at the loss of his hair. And now he has a huge forehead.

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GOD bless Playworks

2010-02-04T12:15:00.003-06:00

Bam has been going to Playworks (www.playworks-cdc.com) for a couple of weeks now. He loves it. Of course he doesn't like when I leave but the story is always the same. He cried a little then cuddled then played. He was fine.

Today was another good day. Bam has a best friend named G. G is a biter, meaning he will just walk up and grab your hand and bite it. He has bitten everyone and when I was told this I was worried that he would bite my little Bammie poo. Apparently I was wrong. He bit him once and Bam cried and that made G feel bad. So he hasn't tried to bite him again. Yay. I just picked up Bam and found out he danced with the other kids and at lunch time when he was getting ready to be served the teacher Ms Mary said, " Alright everyone settle down and I'll get the plates." Bam got up and went over to the play kitchen and came back with all the play plates and cups and started to set them out. She thought about just serving lunch on them since it was so sweet and nice. But she decided against it. He helped her put them back.

Lucas, my 4yo, stays at school all day, everyday. He loves it and for all the flack that daycare has gotten by so many people I applaud the good daycares. The ones that teach and encourage and open up the children to knew experiences. Lucas loves his teachers, Ms Margie and Mr John. I popped in to see how Lucas was doing and Lucas ran up and hugged me and then said ok you can go now mom. :(

Bam learned to close the door by himself...also he is now tall enough to reach the door knob.

2010-02-01T21:10:00.001-06:00

Bam learned to close the door by himself...also he is now tall enough to reach the door knob.
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

Well it looks like we will have to be putting on the childlocks again soon. Lucas learned how to take them off pretty quickly. Let's see how long it'll last with Bam. :D

Shout out to Simply Creative Mel

2010-01-31T21:53:00.003-06:00

http://www.simplycreativemel.etsy.com

Going to give a shoutout to Melissa. I needed an awesome Baby Shower invites for my Bestie's baby shower that is coming up in a matter of weeks. She not only had a lot of really great designs she also offered to print and ship them to me for a very reasonable price.
Thanks Melissa for all your help and hard work on it. :D

Christina

"Am I making myself clear now, mommy"

2010-01-29T10:02:00.003-06:00

Bam is sick. Tuesday he went to daycare in the morning and when I picked him up he seemed fine except his eyes looked REALLY tired. Like more than usual. I put him down and he seemed fine just very sleepy.
Wednesday he wakes up with goopy eyes. Please oh LORD don't let it be pink eye. Thursday was worse but not red in the eyes just yet. Went to the doctor and he said it was looking like it but he also had a runny nose so it could be a sinus infection too. Treat him for both.
By the time I got him home and down for a nap he looked like a stoner on a bender. His eyes were red and droopy and full of boogies. We were given some eye drops for the pink eye.
Is it just me or is this really the worst way to have to give a child meds. Bam HATES the meds. Yesterday I had Jason to help me, and although he would fight us, between the two of us we were able to get them in. Then he would be held and rocked and loved to show it was ok. Today is different. I am wrestling my very strong 18 month old and practically sitting on him. I'm crying because he is crying and I know he is hating this. It is a bad feeling to know that you have to do something even though it hurts him. :(
As soon as I let him up after I finally get the drops in his eyes (not to mention his cheek, carpet, down the front of his shirt and my lap) he gets up and I open my arms for a hug. He takes this opportunity to grab the bottle of meds off my lap and proceeds to run with it. He then throws it into his toy box turns around at me and screams....As if it is a big proud proclamation of his anger. WOW...this kid is mad. So I go over and I hug and rock him and tell him I am sorry he is so angry but the medicine is going to make his eyes feel better. He looks up at me and just starts to cry....It broke my heart. But now he is up and playing as if it never happened. His eyes are clearing up and the world is bright and sunny again. I am his favorite mommy again. :D 1hr and 15 min to more meds. 1hr and 15 min to melt down again. :(

"it was a present from my grandson"

2010-01-26T18:24:00.001-06:00

I went for a walk today. I dropped Bam off with Lucas at daycare and I headed to the park. It was awesome. I walked/jogged 4 miles. That is a rough estimate since my runkeeper gps lost me on the trails. I did awesome. I am hoping to work my way up to being a runner. But we'll see. Part of my time was spent talking to another walker. He was the sweetest old man. He was in his 80s, no need to say that I held the same pace as an 80 year old. We struck up a conversation over his running pants. They were the cutest light blue with rainbow stripes down the side and across the butt was written "sexy bitch". His grandson had recently come out to the family and bought him these pants. He promised to wear them in support of him. He turned to me and said "ya know what they are really very comfortable". We seperated on the trail and I just smiled the rest of the walk thinking about what I would do to support my children. They are still very young but in the future,what will my kids ask of me. That gentle man doesn't have to wear them but he chooses to. I hope to be that kind of parent supportive even if it means wearing running pants with rainbow stripes and the words "sexy bitch" across my butt. Of course first I have to find some in my size.

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I want this towel...totally me.

2010-01-25T09:01:00.004-06:00

I totally apologize to Miss M. This is something that she stitched on a towel for her kitchen. I should have given credit to her and I neglected to. I am sorry about that. here is a link to Miss M's blog. I love it.
http://splendidmissm.blogspot.com/

We awe hunting fow wowk...HAHAHAHA

2010-01-25T08:40:00.003-06:00

Seriously it feels like I am in a bad Looney Tunes cartoon sometimes. I am Job hunting again and although it seems like it would be fairly easy...it's not.

Bam has started going to daycare two times a week. We survived last week and although Tuesday was rough, Thursday he seemed to come out of his shell. I think he'll be ready to stay all day soon rather than me picking him up at noon. His friend Gabriel is cute and loves having a friend his size. They "read" books together and of course Bam has to "read" out loud. They cuddle together and my little musical boy loves to dance so they get out there and boogie together. Bam also LOVES to play in Lucas' closet. I have to go in there and knock on the door and he opens it like "Hello, Im in here. Can I help you?" All annoyed. Geez little boy, who told you, you could have a personality all your own.

Anyway the job hunting is going weird. I've seen a lot of really great opportunities. One, I would have been great for given my penchant for shoes, was a Merchandise Director for a shoe company. It was a high end shoe company that marketed stuff for Jessica Simpson and Santana but they also did some other stuff too. I would go and set up sales floors in department stores, get free shoes, inform sales staff of sales that were going to be coming up, get free shoes, have a region from ElPaso to San Antonio and south. But so worth it for the free shoes....well. Ya. Having to travel 1/2 the time isn't great when you have small kids. I did merchandising for Ralph Lauren before I met Jason and this was my dream job. Traveling and free stuff. COME ON win win.
The next one I applied for was for an Administrative Assistant for a law firm. And I got a call back. He was a one lawyer firm and it would be good hours, slower pace :(, and a lot less money. For a minute I thought I can make this work. No one else is calling so I have to take this one. Then Jason slapped me out of my downward spiral. I can do better. I know there is a job out there for me. Maybe not my dream job. Maybe not even close to what I was doing but something has to turn up....Right?

A little behind....

2010-01-18T15:02:00.002-06:00

OK...I have really sucked at blogging lately. It has been a crazy few months but I am ready to get back to it. Lots of new adventures with Bam starting school tomorrow and Lucas getting older and bigger.

I'm sad but a happy sad about Bam starting school. It is difficult for me to acknowledge that he is going to be growing attachments to someone other than me. Lately, Jason has been getting up with him whenever he wakes in the middle of the night and rocking him till he falls back asleep. I know Jason loves that little intimate time with him. But I can't help but feel a pang of jealousy when Bam reaches for Jason instead of me. I'll get over it I know, and until then I'll cuddle when he lets me and be there when he needs me.

Lucas is another story. I forget that my little boy is only 4. He has the attention span of....well...a 4 year old. He asks a question and before you can finish explaining the answer he is asking you about something completely unrelated. I love that little boy though. I have never hidden that I am a tough mommy, but I love the hugs and cuddles too. One of my favorite times in the day is when I am reading to my boys. Both boys climb up onto my lap and we read a story together. I love it. And the boys love it too. Bam loves the pictures and Lucas loves the stories. It's 15 minute perfection.

I am off to do some cleaning. I am going to take advantage of Bam's longer than usual nap to clean a little.

Bam reading

2009-10-22T10:06:00.001-05:00

100_1955
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

This is Bam cracking under the pressure of being my son. He likes to sit and pretend to read...he talks to his stuffed Curious George Monkey and looks at me while chattering away. :)

Go Ga Ga

2009-10-22T09:37:00.004-05:00

We have been really encouraging Bam to talk lately. Holding things and encouraging a "Please" and "thankyou" response, saying the names of everything he points to, even including spanish words into some of the sentances and discussions I have with him...Last night I got a little scared.

I've heard that sometimes if parents put pressure on their kids to talk they revert back to baby talk. It's not a big deal except that it means the parents are pushing their child too hard. Yesterday in one of our discussions, Bam started to say "Go Ga Ga" Um...it sounded a little to close to goo goo ga ga and I thought "aw crap I've pushed him too hard." and of course in my overly dramatic fashion my mind wandered to him as a student, and worse a teenager who was pushed to excel by his parents and instead he rebels and becomes a member of a biker gang and smokes and all. I know I know Im dramatic, my poor husband.

Anyway...this morning it was the same thing while I was changing his diaper and getting him dressed for b'fast and he was saying it again "Go Ga Ga". I started to worry again. Have I made my 1 year old crack under the pressure of being pushed to talk and not only am I pushing him to speak one language but two...

Well my fears were put to rest once I sat him down for b'fast. I put on his favorite Yo Gabba Gabba DVD and he got so excited he was nearly jumping out of his chair saying "GO GAGA, GO GAGA!!"

OH thank GOD he just really wants his DVD. Thank goodness my child hasn't had a mental breakdown at the tender age of 1. Wait should I be worried that he is already fiending for TV is he watching too much? Ok Im going to stop before I scare myself :D

Bam dancing to Yo Gabba Gabba

2009-10-08T11:31:00.004-05:00

He has been super excited everytime I put on the Yo Gabba Gabba DVD...He loves dancing to it. Lucas did too but told me the other day he has outgrown Yo Gabba Gabba. I on the other hand will never outgrow Yo Gabba Gabba...I love that show. :)

How's this for logic?

2009-09-24T10:52:00.001-05:00

I told Lucas last night that he couldn't grow anymore till after Halloween or his costume wouldn't fit...last night I am plating up chicken and veggies for dinner when he comes in to see what we are having. He quickly told me that he can't eat chicken and veggies because they would make him grow and I told him he couldn't. ...Thats our lawyer.

Oh my he's a screamer.

2009-09-15T15:11:00.004-05:00

Bam's new thing is to yell. At the top of his lungs. It's fun. He just walks around and yells for no reason...And right now he is holding a block in each hand and hitting them on my chair then he bangs them together over his head, then back to the chair, then over his head. Normally doesn't bother me but...after te past 30 min of it I get a little annoyed. Time to redirect.

The subject has come up between Jason and I as to whether or not and when to go back to work. My reaction: WHAT?! ALREADY?! He's just a baby and he still needs me. (Look across the room at Bam playing by himself very happily) Ok...so he doesn't need me all the time but I need him. I love being home for him. I complain ok yes I am a complainer. But that is part of my humor...I find the negativity in life and make fun of it.

Here is the truth.

I love being a stay at home mom. Ok so I don't like to clean...well I hate to clean. But I can clean and I do clean.

I love waking up and seeing him smile at me. I love watching him learn new things. I love being home and not going to a job I hate and working with people who may or may not understand my humor and personality. But I know I am not a teacher. I don't have a knack for teaching and being structured. Lucas is in school and I am a supporter of him being in school so why am i finding it difficult to let Bam go. Is it as Jason says, because Lucas wasn't with us from the beginning, and Bam was? Is it a slight favoritism? IF that is the case then I want to stop that immediately. I love both my boys. I love Lucas so much being my first son. So I guess what I am saying is I am going to have to learn to let go. He will be fine and I will be fine. It is all my inability to let go that is holding me back from letting him get the headstart that Lucas had. :'(

When Jason brought this up over lunch the other day I nearly broke out into tears...ok so I let one slip out. Can it be that he will be 18 months (the age that Playworks Child Development Center starts taking kids) soon. We will be dropping him off with Lucas and letting him learn and grow the way he should...:'( I'm crying again. Im such a sap.

Now to find a job...

That's my boy

2009-08-12T13:19:00.002-05:00

How is this for priorities...Bam is eating lunch today, his new favorite Mac and Cheese, when he has an explosive diaper. Without batting an eye he continues to eat. He only cried when I took the food away to change him.

He is starting to be a picky eater. He only wants to eat hot dogs, anything dairy, and fruit. I can't get him to eat any veggies so far. He just spits them out. Tried peas, carrots, some cooked broccoli...so far all he wants is meat, dairy and fruit. I hope this phase doesn't last.

Bam's first word..

2009-08-01T22:12:00.002-05:00

Ever since Bam has been making noises Jason and I have been waiting for his first word. He says Dada, and Nana indiscriminately. Today he said "brother". I was taking Lucas out of the room to go potty and Bam pointed at Lucas and said "broba" as we walked out. It was awesome...It made Jason tear up a little. I love those moments. Lucas got so excited at it. He kept trying to get him to say it again and again throughout the day. In fact he did say it again, a couple of times whenever Lucas would play peek a boo behind the couch.

I love watching Bam and Lucas together. They love each other so much. I hope that this is something that continues. I may not have always gotten along with my sisters every waking moment of my life...but I appreciate them now that we are older.

Lucas has also discovered how fun it is being a kid. He hasn't been listening...wait...take that back. He hears people telling him not to do things (ie "don't spray the class with water", "don't kick your friend", "no running") he just chooses not to obey them. So he does whatever he wanted to do anyway....this means someone ends up wet, hurt, or running after him. When we ask him why he did it his response is always the same, because it looked fun. Today his answer changed a little bit. " I didn't listen to Uncle Josh because I am a kid."

Well there is our little logical lawyer. You can't blame him for finding the one thing you can't fault him for. His behavior has it's ups and downs. Here's hoping for more ups than downs.

"Your son is a little...Um...top heavy."

2009-07-31T08:14:00.003-05:00

I know I haven't blogged in a while...It has been a hectic couple of weeks. So forgive me if this is really long. :D

First of all, we solved the whole "crawling out of the crib" problem...he now sleeps in his playpen...which he hated at first but Bam has slowly gotten used to it. It only took a couple of weeks. He now goes to sleep without the whole crying for hours drama.

Secondly, and most importantly, Bam turned 1...It was a nice party at home. Bam had a cute cake that was way overpriced that I got emotionally suckered into by the saleslady (good job bakery saleslady, good job). I went to SAMS first because they are inexpensive and taste awesome. They didn't have what I was looking for. I wanted something that matched the invites but incorporated the luau decorations that somehow made complete sense when I bought them. The only cake that might work was called "Fun in the Sun". It was apperently so popular that they didn't have anymore of the decorations left for it. He had ordered more but wasn't sure if they would be in soon or not. "Why don't you place the order and call us Friday before the party. If they aren't in then we can work something else out."
Um....WHAT? the day before the party of 50 people you want me to call and see if my cake is going to be available or not?
So I left feeling really upset that the cake wasn't going to come out right and therefore the entire party would be ruined, scaring my son for life and making this the childhood memory that set the presidence for the rest of his life. (Bam is super dramatic that way. I don't know where he gets it) I went to The Cake Shop that looked like it had just opened. I thought I'll just look how much could a cake be. Well...now I know. I went and looked through their book, and still not finding exactly what I wanted. The woman said "Oh, well if you have a copy of the invite we could copy it or we could make it match that." And it was gorgeous BUT I was emotionally suckered into spending my entire decoration budget. I felt so stupid. Lesson learned and never again will I do that. If it is too much then it is too much. Because Bam had a blast anyway. Although he didn't want to get all messy with the cupcake I bought. he just poked it and scowled at it. He was passed around to everyone at the party. He is tall and lean and strong. He ended up taking a couple of steps without any assistance. He and his cousin Wade were hugging and when Wade was done, he turned and took off. Bam then took a couple of steps after him as if he was going to chase him. Then fell to the floor. My mother and I looked at each other and I started to cry. It was wonderful. The party was a blast even though there were people everywhere.

Now to his checkup. Dr Gibbs is an awesoem doctor. He is one of those you can call at 2am and he will help you till the morning. Then works you in even if that means that he has to stay later or come in earlier. I love it. Plus he is a Trinity U fan which helps in this family. :D Anyway...Bam is 29 inches long, weighs 20.5 lbs, and has a big head. Dr Gibbs and I were talking about how adn what to feed Bam, and discussing the changes that Bam was going to go through.
"Well Dr. What about putting him into a forward facing seat? Is he big enough?"
"Christina normally they recommend that your child be at least 20lbs and 1 year. Bishop meets those requirements but I think it would be best to put it off for at least 3 months. "
I looked at him puzzled. "Why? Is there something wrong?"
"Bishop is a bit...top heavy. He has a big head. It isn't abnormally big, or something I would be too concerned about. It's just that if you stop suddenly, with a large majority of his body weight in his head, he could get wiplash easily. So I would feel better if we waited a couple of months. Lets give him whole milk for fat, and he can eat everything ya'll are eating and see if that fattens him up a bit."

You know I have never thought of Bam as having a big head, I just thought he had a skinny body. Now when I see him I just see is huge melon. :)

...and he sticks the landing.

2009-07-16T22:33:00.002-05:00

Well I think that Bam Meridth is a good name for a gymnast don't you?

Let me explain...Saturday my niece Cassie came and babysat for us while we went out. She told my husband that Bam cried when she put him to bed and she almost went in but he stopped crying. So a couple of hours later she went in to check on him and he was asleep on the floor. This was weird to my husband and I because Bam has NEVER gotten out of his crib or attempted it to the best of our knowledge. Until today.

I put Bam in his crib as I do every morning for his nap. He usually cries but eventually settles down and falls asleep. This morning he cried and cried for about 30-45 min. I eventually decided to go and check on him, when I walked in my heart jumps into my throat when I heard him cry but couldn't find him. He wasn't in his crib. As I opened the door I could hear him, and found him behind our rocking recliner. I picked him up and calmed him down....how in the world did he get out of his crib. I called my husband so that he could share in my disbelief. The crib railing was still up and locked into position, there isn't anything that he could have used to make the drop to the floor easy. It worried me, and intrigued me. So I put him back down for his nap and closed the door to his room. Immediately he set to work.

While crying and screaming for me, he throws his stuffed animal onto the floor first, then he works his blanket out of the crib and into a nice cushy pile on the floor. This is where it gets scary. He jumps a little and hooks his ribcage onto the railing of the crib, simultaneously working his monkey toes up the slats higher and higher while bending his head over the rail. He then throws his legs up and over the bars, turning in air and landing on the comfy padding he lowered earlier bottom and lower back first...(I wish there was a way to put an emoticon right here. One that looks like it is about to puke with it's eyes bugging out.) It happened so fast I almost didn't believe what I saw....My 11month old is friggin scary....he has NO fear.

So if I don't blog as much as I used to please don't be upset...it is because I am busy trying to keep up with my daredevil 1 year old. I am thinking Olympic gymnast.

Smart A$$

2009-07-11T11:17:00.002-05:00

I come from a loud family of 6 girls and we all have this keen ability to be a smart ass. My dad once said that all of us girls married some outstanding, strong men but when we girls get together the boys tend to fade into the back. We girls are loud. Apparently this is a trait we are passing down to our children.

For example: One of my sisters has a 5 year old daughter that still occasionally sucks her thumb. One day last week they were in the car driving somewhere when my niece looks down at her thumb and says "Mommy, I have some dry skin on my thumb. It is itchy."

My sister looks back and says "Well honey, it's probably from sucking on your thumb. It's ok and it will go away if you keep your thumb out of your mouth."

"No Mommy I don't think it's from sucking my thumb. It's just dry and needs lotion."

"Well honey," says my sis trying to keep that cool calm parent voice, "Yes honey when you put your thumb in your mouth the skin will dry out."

"No Mom It's just dry."

"OK, when we get home we'll put lotion on it. Don't suck on it and it'll stop getting dry," my sister said starting to get a little annoyed.

It was quiet in the backseat and my neice looked down at the carpet. In a quiet voice my sister heard her say "You have dry skin on your feet but you don't suck on them."

My sister just about died holding in her laughter. She looked back and said "WHAT did you say?!"

"Nothing, Mommy."

That is it...the legacy we are leaving for the next generation of Armendariz girls. :)
My dad is so proud. :D

My Boys

2009-07-08T10:29:00.002-05:00

Lucas and Bishop have been busy lately.

Lucas is doing awesome in Tae kwon do. He absolutely loves it, once he gets out on the floor. His sensais are awesome. Miss Bernal is a mixture of tough and encouraging that Lucas responds well too. Mr Healy is good about coaching with patience. It is nice to see him out there kicking and punching and being so confident. Monday we had some difficulty getting him on the mat. He got nervous and shy all of a sudden for no reason, but once we got him out there, he was doing so well he earned a stripe on his belt. He was so proud and I cried. Lucas is awesome with his brother, other kids at school and we haven't had any more problems with him at school like we had.

Bishop's 1st birthday is coming up quickly. We are getting invites out and planning it. It isn't going to be huge. It'll be a nice party at home. Friends, family, hot dogs, pools, nachos, and cake. Simple. Hopefully. Bishop is working on walking, but he shows no desire to say any other words other than "dada" :( I can't wait to hear "Mama". We are working on it. :)

Is this the face of brotherhood or what?

2009-06-22T12:17:00.001-05:00

Is this the face of brotherhood or what?
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

And here is the temper. No Bam isn't being chocked by Lucas. Lucas is trying to keep him standing for the pic and Bam isn't having it. My boys. :)

All Smiles.

2009-06-22T12:16:00.001-05:00

All Smiles.
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

the boys are all smiles in this pic for Grandpa and Bobka. Oh how things go from wonderful to temper in a few minutes.

Ch-Ch-Ch-changes

2009-06-08T15:42:00.006-05:00

I know I am sorry I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks. Things have been crazy. Lucas graduated from preschool, Bishop started to walk, Lucas finally started to settle down at school (now if we could get him to stop bouncing off the walls at home) and I am getting over the worst cold I've had in a long time.

First Lucas...Lucas had a bad couple of weeks at school. We don't know why or how but he fell into a big slump at school. He wasn't listening, he was talking back, hitting, throwing things...it was horrible. I was seriously afraid that he was going to get kicked out. At home was even worse. He has a bad habit of getting really distracted when you talk to him. He never looks you in the eyes, his mind wanders constantly and he has no regard for what I say. If Jase gets after him he snaps to but if I say something I am bound to have to say it 3 or 4 times before an hour goes by. Grrrr...so frustrating. I know he is 3 but come on....I spend more of my time yelling than talking because that is the only way I can hold his attention. ( I know bad Mommy form). Jason and I decided that he needs a hobby. He needs something to teach him discipline, focus, and help boost his confidence. So we visited a Tae Kwon dojo.

He started out rough. Wanting to tumble and spin on the mats, not paying attention to what the teacher said. She was nice but she turned stern real quick when it came to getting down to business. She would say," Lucas hit my hand." He'd laugh and look at me. "LUCAS, HIT MY HAND." He would just stare at her blankly...In my head I was like, yea this isn't going to work, they are going to laugh us out of here. Then she took him by the hand and took him to where the classes were going on. He watched all the older kids do kicks and spins and play with the Ssahng jeol Bong (nunchuks). He yelled "WOW COOL." She brought him back in and we had NO problems after that. he was hitting and blocking and yelling "HIYA" right along with the teacher. They were surprised that he was only 3. I signed him up immediately and we left with his first gui. He was so happy..."I'm going to be like Kung Fu Panda." Then Monday came and it was time for his first lesson. I am ashamed to say that I was embarrassed. My son stared at the teacher like they were speaking another language. He didn't feel like kicking so he decided to run around and fall on the mats. When the teacher tried to show him the moves he looked at him like he didn't understand and then ran...I felt like it wasn't fair that the teacher had to spend so much time with my son. Thankfully there were two teachers so the younger one took Lucas and Jason into the smaller room and gave him private one on one time. That seemed to do better. Every student earns their white belt their first class...Well not Lucas. He had to earn it by making it through a whole class. Wednesday was his 2nd time and although he had a couple of times he flaked out, the teacher Mr Taylor was able to bring him back to focus....He did so much better. I was so proud when they brought out his white belt and were tying it around his little waist....Everyone clapped and cheered for him and he was so proud till he looked down and said " HEY i want the black one." I had to explain that he had to earn that one and he could do it if he works really hard and listens to the teacher every class.

He was very proud and couldn't wait to show Daddy.

Bam...Bam has been talking more. He is still looking thin but he has grown a couple of inches since his last appt. He has learned to walk behind a push toy. it was amazing when he did that all by himself. He was sooo proud and I love to see Lucas attempting to get Bam to walk to him. Jason's eyes looked a little bit teary when he watched him walk the first time. It's amazing that 6 months ago he was laughing for the first time, and 11 months ago he wasn't even here yet. I was preparing and growing impatient for his grand appearance. I was terrified of being a bad mom, and worried that something would go wrong at the last minute. I was writing farewell letters with my wishes should anything go wrong in delivery ( I know it is the strangest thing I felt like I needed to prepare, just in case. It sounds so stupid now.) Bam has my smile. He does it more and more. He will look at me till I look at him, then he wrinkles his nose and grins with all teeth showing. It's even a little crooked like mine. I love it. It cracks me up whenever he does it. Last week Bam was sitting in my friend Jean's lap and Lucas was sitting in front of him on the ottoman facing away and watching TV...Bam wanted to see his brother so he crawled out of Jean's lap and over to his brother and proceeded to pull on his shoulder to turn him around till he could see his face and smile at him...It was a precious moment. I love those moments. And I hope to be able to remember them when HE is running around the dojo not listening to the teacher. I hope I am able to relax more and remember hey he's three and it could be worse.

We took family pics also this past week. They came out nice I think. This is our family. We are a puzzle piece bunch, not perfect picture but we all fit. It feels good.

Bam's first steps

2009-06-01T12:30:00.001-05:00

Bam's first steps
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

This is one of three videos that can be found at www.meridthfamily.com. He is starting the walking process. I am so excited. :)

My Baby is growing up so fast. I can't believe it.

The Shortbus to Christieland update....

2009-05-24T20:50:00.001-05:00

I have posted a new blog on my Shortbus to Christieland. It is going to be an interesting ride hopefully. Want to follow along please check out my new blog at http://theshortbustochristieland.blogspot.com/

Oh No!! Woe to the World, BAM has my temper...

2009-05-21T10:28:00.002-05:00

My son throws a fit like I do.

He doesn't want to take a nap right now. So he cries and usually I am all about letting him cry it out. Just now I went in after the past hour of crying. He had thrown his blanket and toy out of his crib and he was crying because he is tired and doesn't have a blanket. He was trying to reach his blanket through the bars of his crib. So I covered him up and turned on his mobile. Now he is sound asleep.

I pity the world because the Armendariz temper courses through both of us. I pray that it doesn't take him as long to learn to control it as it has taken me. I have the urge to apologize to the world for this.

Bam's new peek a boo game

2009-05-19T11:06:00.001-05:00

Bam's new peek a boo game
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

This is too funny. He just started doing this yesterday. If it doesn't work go to www.bishopmeridth.com and it'll be the third video on there. It is hilarious.

I'm Published...

2009-05-15T16:38:00.000-05:00

http://www.schmap.com/sanantonio/activities_fun/p=20003/i=20003_49.jpg

The above website has published one of my photos. I know it isn't a big deal just a little exciting.
Check it out. :)

Christina

Lucas' Parent Teacher Conference

2009-05-14T22:34:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday the director of Lucas' school asked to have a parent/teacher conference to discuss some things about Lucas. I immediately went a little cold. Thoughts flew through my head of why she woud need to talk to me. We talked to him about the hitting, the spitting, and the asking to see peoples butts. What else could there be?

It was just a normal parent teacher conference much to my relief. Lucas is graduating to PreSchool class and he is ahead of the rest of his class in everything. He knows all of his letters by sight and 22 of 26 letters by sound. He has all the coordination down and the only concern they have is him getting bored because he is so far ahead. Also he is going to start having trouble finding friends to play with because he will begin to play differently then his peers. This is all good news. Of course this is the same kid who that very morning took an unusual interest in the color of his poop.

"What color is my poop today, Momma?" he asked. That was a weird question completely out of the blue. "Um...it is a little brown I think. Honey that is an interesting question, why do you ask?"
"I don't know I just want to know what color it is. Poop can be different colors, Momma. What color is Bam's poop today?"
"well it was a little green"
"Why is poop different colors?"
"Well it depends on what we eat. If we eat a lot of carrots then it is more orange, if we eat a lot of peas then it is green."
"What makes our poop black", he asked thoughtfully.

That took me aback. "I don't know but I will certainly look it up." (An excess of iron)

I love it. He is so inquisitive and curious. It's awesome.

Our 1st trip to the ER.

2009-05-12T11:32:00.005-05:00

Bishop (and Mommy) survived our first trip to the emergency room. I think I was more traumatized by it than Bam.

I have an island in my kitchen that has bookshelves on one side and cabinets on the other. On the shelves I have had my glass bowls and my cookbooks. Bam has become so much more mobile and I keep thinking that I need to move the bowls. But I inevitably forget and think about it again in a few days when it is even less of a convenient time to be rearranging cabinets. Well I have learned my lesson. I doing laundry and left my little speed crawler in the living room happily playing with his toys. Then next thing I know I hear a crash in the kitchen. I ran out and my son is sitting with a big broken glass serving bowl in his lap. He is surprised but not crying. I rush over and pick him up to expecting to see cuts on his legs. To my surprise, and relief not a cut on him. As I hug him tightly I see blood on his arm. He waves his arm in excitement and the blood comes pouring out of his little arm. There is a cut about an inch and a half long on top of his wrist. I freak. I start crying and panicking. ( I know I would totally not make a good nurse I freak too much) He starts to cry a little just seeing me cry. I grab a clean towel and an ice pack.

I try to stop the bleeding but every time he moves his little wrist it opens up and starts to bleed again. "Ok where do I take him? His Dr is across town, there is the Urgent Care Pediatric Clinic on Bandera and 1604 not far. I could go to ER? What do I do." I call Jason. Like he can do anything from downtown. He tells me to go to the Urgent Care Pediatric Clinic. I start to move him to put him in his car seat and it starts to bleed again. There is no way I can drive and hold the towel and ice pack on him. Jason calls me back just then to ask if he needs to come home. I decided that he was too far and by the time he got home it would all be over anyway. SO...I called my mother in law. Jason's mom sat in the back seat with Bam and the ice pack while I cried silently in the front.

Bam is laughing and giggling with Bobka in the back. This is weird shouldn't the injured infant be crying? Isn't it supposed to be me the Mommy comforting my injured son instead of him making me laugh?

Thankfully no stitches just some glue to keep it from opening up again. It wasn't deep just bleeding a lot. And it's his first cut. I panicked. I could have done all that at home but knowing my luck and grace I would have glued his hand to his face. And then we would have made the ER trip anyway.

He is fine if not just a bit tired. He's taking a nap and I...well I am rearranging my cabinets and sweeping my floor. Something that should have been done a while ago.

I'll post pics of our little patient as soon as I can. :)

PS. Thanks Mom Meridth for going and keeping us (me) calm.

"...but we don't touch the cakes, Mommy."

2009-04-28T14:07:00.002-05:00

Oh my, I had an "embarrassed Mommy" moment.

Lucas is learning to be a big boy and go potty in public places. A couple of days ago Uncle Josh took Lucas to the potty and my son, curious of everything, picked up the urinal cake. Now I am a girl and have never had the pleasure of being in a men's bathroom, despite any rumors that have been said, so I don't know what a urinal cake is. I can only guess it is as disgusting as it sounds.
Moving on...
My son announced while we were out to eat last night (thanks Mom Meridth for the gift cards to Olive Garden, it was yummy), that he had to go potty. So Jason got up and took him to the potty before he had an accident. And granted it is dinner time at the Olive Garden on a Monday, it wasn't packed but there were quite a few people around us. My little man comes running back to the table and yells at what seems to be the top of his little lungs, "Mommy the big potty flushes all by itself, but we don't touch the cakes, Mommy." I nearly spit out my water. Several people around us laughed and giggled at the innocent exclamation. I was so embarrassed but masked it by saying, "Yay son, you're right we don't touch the cake."

Later on the waiter asked if we wanted any dessert and before we could say no, my son told him, "do you have birthday cake? It's my Mommy's birthday." I quickly told the waiter that it wasn't my birthday. I hate when they sing. So Lucas serenaded me with a nice little song over a bread stick. It was sweet. :) Oh and PS...My father in law is starting the Meridth confidence early. If you ask Lucas "Are you good?" He will quickly respond " I am BETTER than good." That is the Meridth confidence for ya. Humility is not in the genes. I do love my boys though. Big egos and all. :)

9 months old...already?!

2009-04-27T11:24:00.002-05:00

Yup, Bam is 9 months old. We had our 9 month check up and he is gowing and changing right on cue. He is saying the basics, dadadada and gagaga indescriminately. When he is sad he cries with a loud wailing "Mooooooom" He has developed a shyness over the past month which thankfully he comes out of as he gets to know the person. He weighs 19lbs 5oz and is 27 1/2 inches long. He is still in the 50-75% for height but he has dropped to below 50% in weight. I am feeding him 8oz bottles 3x per day with cereal and either meat, veggie, or fruit at every meal. My doc suggested working in another 6-8 oz bottle in there sometime to bring him back up in weight. It isn't a concern or anything just a suggestion to see if we can bring him back up to where he was at. Dr Cortez said he should be eating 30-40 oz a day. Reflexes are good and his speech is on track. He is a sweetie.

He is also crawling on his hands and knees instead of the army crawl now. He started that yesterday. He loves crawling as fast as he can after Lucas. Lucas will run ahead of him and yell over his shoulder "Come and get me Bammie" And to that Bam will laugh and crawl as fast as he can. Then when he gets close Lucas just laughs and tickles him. We are lucky tht Lucas has not had the jealousy hit yet. I am not looking forward to that, but I am prayerful that when/if it does come that I know how to handle it well. Lucas can sometimes get lost in the shuffle but Jason and I are diligent to be sure to spend as much time with Lucas as we can when Bam is sleeping. We know how important individual time is to both boys. I am thankful to Jason's family. Since I am not working they help ensure that Lucas is able to go to a good school to get that individualized time. He loves being in his own place where he is just Lucas, not the big brother.

I know a lot of people are against day cares and all but for our family it works and I think that is what parenting is about. Doing what's best for your children and family. I am open about the fact that I am not wired to be a teacher. I try to put little lessons into things that I do with the boys but I am not a teacher. So for now day school works for us. :) Better go. I have a sleepy boy who is fighting sleep.

The Meridth Boys Easter pic from "Our365 Portraits."

2009-04-23T00:20:00.001-05:00

The Meridth Boys Easter pic from "Our365 Portraits."
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

Aren't the Meridth boys handsome? I love this picture.

In the hospital Our365 Portraits did our newborn pictures and with the package I bought we got a free 8x10. This is the one we chose. they came out and set up the pics in out living room, and took somem absolutely adorable shots. But the package was too expensive even the cheapest one was WAY out of our price range so unfortunately this is the only one we got. Love it. It is adorable.

My Little Gymnast

2009-04-21T22:58:00.001-05:00

My Little Gymnast
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

I don't know when or how he picked this up but it is the funniest thing. He thinks it's great to do this and make me laugh. My little ham will do anything for a laugh...sounds like me. :)

The Funny Things Daddy has Taught Him.

2009-04-21T22:57:00.001-05:00

The Funny Things Daddy has Taught Him.
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

Bam has learned the fun that can be found using his own body. Daddy came in the other morning while I was changing Bam's diaper and to keep him occupied he was thumping on his belly, then Bam would thump on his, and back and forth and they were both just laughing hysterically. Well, looks like Bam thinks this is the best thing.

What we have been up to.

2009-04-17T00:17:00.002-05:00

I am sorry I haven't posted in a while. I didn't know that anyone else was really reading this stuff. I figured that this blog was read mainly by me and maybe Jason it never dawned on me that anyone was really reading this...well tonight I got TOLD.

Jason and I dropped the kids off at Jason's parents for a couple of hours so that we could go and visit our friends Andy and Aubrey who just had a beautiful baby girl, Lyla Danielle. I have to say that she is a very beautiful baby. Not many kids can look that good after just being born but she wears birth well. So did Aubrey. She looked really good for just giving birth the natural way. Anyway....we are just oohing and aaahing over the baby and of course I can't help giving the usual unsolicited advice, I know it is a horrible habit I get from my dad, when Andy pipes up and said they missed my blog. Really, do ya'll really read this? That is great....I just found out I am interesting, or at least my blog is...or my boys are. Whatever it is all relative. :)

So just to catch ya'll up...Bam is 8 months and 3 weeks. He is crawling like an army guy on elbows and knees. I catch him crawling on all fours everyonce in a while but then he quickly gets down and crawls on his belly. He is very fast and loves to follow me into the kitchen whenever I go in there. My little free spirit however does not like to be put into a walker, exersaucer, or play pen for ANY duration of time as it limits his movements and doesn't allow him to do what he wants. My nightmare is being realized...he is just like me. Impatient and stubborn. He is a happy baby and is getting a couple more teeth in. That makes 4 on top and 3 on bottom...and he loves to use them.
Lucas is doing really well. We are potty training and aside from a few accidents here and there, we are doing well. Lucas tells us when he needs to go and will sometimes go on his own. He is however alson turning into a little three year old, grown up. He has a way that things should be done and when they aren't done exactly then he lets you know. He asks "why" for everything you tell him, and even after you answer he will continue to ask the same question. I know I should be more patient, but when you have answered the question "Why did you put my cup there, MOmmy?" for the 100th time. You start to run out of answers and I often catch myself using the old addage, "Because I said so." Ah...many a night was spent fighting with my parents and promising I wouldn't ever use that cop out of an answer...well I lied...that is now my go to answer for the unanswerable questions.
Also I have an announcement, we have a new addition to the family. I know it is soon to add a new member but I know that she is going to fit in well as long as she watches her manners. We have adopted a dog. I am not much for small yappy dogs. When they get to barking i just want to kick puppies, but a couple of weeks ago the cutest little long haired chihuahua wandered into my garage during a rainstorm and she has been a very well mannered little lady. She lets Bish crawl all over her, she puts up with Lucas' constantly bugging her, she is house trained (thank goodness). She is so sweet. I know she is goign to be a good dog. Plus she is older. Small, cute, older, and did I mention house trained. (I am doing good to have all 3 Meridth men peeing indoors right now I didn't need to train another animal)

So that is it, we are good. We are healthy, and surviving. So no worries.

Is there such a thing as a Back Transplant?

2009-03-24T21:47:00.003-05:00

I know I haven't blogged in a while. It has been a rough couple of weeks. I have had a bad back since I was 18 and it reared it's ugly head last Monday. Bam is getting too big for me to carry in his car seat. But being me, I figured it would be easier to carry him in that thing until he is old enough to walk by himself or something. Nope...The seat is soo awkward, and heavy. I was visiting some employees at my old job, and as i was putting Bam in the truck, I felt it....something slipped and my back went out. I managed to get Bam into the truck and run the errands that I needed to run. But I have been home based for the rest of the week. I was feeling a little better by Wednesday but thought I should go to my chiropractor just in case....bad idea. I was worse than ever on Thursday and by the weekend I was so bad I was questioning whether going to the bathroom was necessary or optional.

Today I gave in and my father took me to my doctor. He gave me some meds and I have been feeling no pain. Through this whole time I have been thankful that Bishop is such a good baby. He is so easy going and it has been a GOD send. Although I can't get up and chase him as he is crawling around, I have found that I can roll from one side of the room to the other quickly and almost painlessly. I look like a walrus I am sure, but it is effective. :)

Bam's new face

2009-03-06T19:59:00.001-06:00

Bam
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

Bam is getting so big now and today he started making this face...I kept laughing and the more I laughed, the more he did it to make me laugh. Bam the ham.

Who? Me?

2009-03-06T16:09:00.001-06:00

Who? Me?
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

Geez we are so in trouble. This little boy is too cute. Just like his brother Lucas. They both have a way of smiling and being all cute to get out of trouble. GOD help us if we ever have a girl cuz Daddy will be totally wrapped around her little finger.

Bam is crawling

2009-03-06T16:06:00.001-06:00

Bam is crawling
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

We are so excited...Bishop is taking his first real progress with crawling. It is more like a froggy hop but I am so excited anyway...Yea Bam!

Oh how fast they grow...

2009-02-23T22:59:00.003-06:00

What a difference 3 months and 10lbs make.

Seriously, I thought this only happens in comedies...

2009-02-22T22:24:00.002-06:00

Lucas is all boy and that said he is all Meridth too. We were invited out for some BBQ at our friend's, Chris and Aide Taylor, house in Boerne. It was lots of fun and I love the drive out there. It is really nice. Anyway...
We were driving up to their house and they are doing some work on the roads on I10 outside of 1604 so there are some big piles of rocks and dirt. Lucas yells "Look Mommy, that is a huge hill of dirt." To which I reply with the usual, "You're right that is a big pile." Then he sees another pile even bigger. "OH MY GOSH, MOMMY! That is HUGE. IT'S AMAZING!!" Jason and I just giggle at his exclamation. He is so amused by the simplest thing.

Later on, Lucas was up playing with the Taylor's oldest son Christopher and he had been in the room for a while and all night our big worry was that he would trip and fall down the stairs when no one was looking. Of course we are in the middle of aggressive potty training so my biggest concern was that he'd go potty on Christopher's bed. Christopher comes running down the stairs and calls for his Dad. Then as I come around the corner, I hear Lucas starting to get a little panicky. He is crying and saying "OW ow ow ow..." I go up the stairs and my 3 year old has gotten his head stuck in the metal rails at the foot of Christopher's bed. Chris tries to push Lucas head through but that makes Lucas panic. I call for Jason and he runs up the stairs faster than I have ever seen him run (except for the time my hero thought a car was crashing through our back fence, but that is a story for another day) while he ran to help Lucas I ran to get the camera...unfortunately I didn't get it in time. Jason pulled on the bars and pushed Lucas' head back through the bars. So I am sorry I don't have any pictures of the harrowing ordeal but Lucas has the bruised ears to prove he could fit his head through the bars. It was getting it back that he found to be difficult. So I suspect that the time for emergency room visits are about to begin. The Meridth boys are notorious for being brave and thinking they are indestructible. I have heard many a story of playing with their Dad's swords, or jumping off of this that or the other. And throwing things at each other. Well at least this lesson was fairly simple.

The Incredible Memory of a 3 year old.

2009-02-22T07:20:00.003-06:00

Lucas is a smart kid. He has a very impressive memory, he always has. Well yesterday Jason was taking a nap and over lunch, Lucas and I talked about how naps can help give people energy.
"No Mommy, food and water give us energy." Lucas says.
"Well yes food and water are part of what gives us energy but a nap and sleep at night help us too. When you go in for quiet time, or for bed, you are tired right? Then when you wake up you are awake and ready to move around and play."
"Oh...then Daddy needs a nap so he can wake up and play with me."

It was a very cute momment...Hours later in the evening, Jason mentioned he was getting a little tired and Lucas pipes up from the backseat..."Dad you should take a nap so you can have more energy. Then you can play with me and Bam."

Jason cracks up laughing just amazed at what has come out of Lucas' mouth. Then in the same car ride, Lucas asked "Who makes the roads, Mommy?" I said the county does, he responds, "No Mommy who makes it." I said again, the County does.
Then Jason broke into " We live in a house right? Well our house is in a city, and the city is in a county, and the county is in a state, and the state is in a country, and the country is in the world. Everything is in a subset, tomorrow we will get a map and we can show you."
Lucas is really smart but I don't know that he really knows what all that means. So I ask him if he can say "Subset" for me. Just to see if he would. "Lucas can you say subset?" He quickly replied, "No, but I can say candy."

Nice...that is our little lawyer. :)

The Big Softy

2009-02-16T16:07:00.003-06:00

Every other Monday, Bam and I do running around to pay bills and buy groceries. It is our one time to get out and get things done. Otherwise we stay pretty close to home, you know to conserve gas and energy and all.
Today we left the house kind of late. I usually like to be at SAMS by 10 am so we can be done and home for lunch time and all. Today I didn't get to SAMS till 11. Oh well just a little bit of a late start. So I am going about my shopping trying to make good time. I am standing in the produce aisle trying to pick out the best fruit when I hear Bam laughing behind me. I turn to see this huge biker type guy looking in to the carrier. Understand this guy was probably the type most men wouldn't want to get caught in a dark alley with, but here he is leaning in and making googly faces at my son. Who is just laughing and smiling back at him, and having a ball. I turn around fully and smile. The man stood up straight and smiled, "He is so beautiful."
"Thank you, " I smile politely back. "Shh... don't tell anyone I am such a softy it will ruin my reputation around here." he says in Bam's direction. To that my son responds by grabbing the man's monstrous finger and shaking it. Almost to say "Pinkie swear". It was a precious moment.

Bishop's new sound

2009-02-12T16:59:00.001-06:00

Bishop's new sound
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

This is too cute. I couldn't stop laughing.

BLOG AWARD

2009-02-08T21:19:00.002-06:00

I received a blog award from my friend, Aubrey. In order to accept the award, I must answer the following questions with only one word. Here goes.

1. Where is your cell phone? Table
2. Where is your significant other? Couch
3. Your hair color? Brown
4. Your mother? Carol
5. Your father? Tony
6. Your favorite thing? Kids
7. Your dream last night? None
8. This year's goal? Security
9. The room you are in? Livingroom
10. Your hobby? Eating
11. Your fear? Dark
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Traveling
13. Where were you last night? Bed
14. What you are not? Tired
15. One of your wish list items? Debtless
16. Where you grew up? Texas
17. The last thing you did? Blog
18. What you are wearing? Jeans
19. Your TV? On
20. Your pet? None
21. Your computer? Slow
22. Your mood? Fidgety
23. Missing someone? No
24. Your car? Intrepid
25. Something you are not wearing? Bra
26. Favorite story? History
27. Your Summer? Hot
28. Love someone? YES
29. Your favorite color? Green
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? A week ago

Now I pass the "Blog Award" onto Jason!

To work or not to work....

2009-02-05T14:30:00.001-06:00

Bishop
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

The past few days have been fun. Bishop and I have been having fun playing patty cake and learning to give "besitos" He is funny. He grabs my face and comes full force tongue to my cheek. It is great. Yesterday I was picking him up off the floor and I threw my back out. My sweet husband came home early and took care of dinner for the boys and put them to bed while I slept. This is so weird. My back hasn't been out since before I was pregnant and I was sure with all my back problems that it would go out at some point during the pregnancy but it didn't.
I have been struggling lately with whether or not to go back to work. Things are tight financially, not bad just really tight as it is everywhere, so I had decided that I was going to put my resume' out there and go back to work. After looking at things and praying about it. I really don't think that I am supposed to go back to work right now. I have been reading "Power of a Praying Wife" and in the first chapter it talks about making the change in me before making changes in my husband. I prayed about it and have come to some realizations. My husband and I can do this. I can stay home and we can take care of our family. I am able to take care of them by cooking and cleaning and doing laundry. To me it seems like something out of the '50s and seems like an antiquated system but I like being here to see Bishop develop and I like being here for Lucas when he gets home from school. So for now I am putting the job search on hold. I am asking for prayers. Pray that I am able to put any difficulties that we have in GOD's hands. I tend to stew and worry and try to take care of things on my own and I know that I need to give them to GOD. Thanks ya'll

The beginnings of a talker...

2009-02-03T16:17:00.001-06:00

The beginnings of a talker...
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

Looks like Bam is going to be talking and crawling soon. :') I'm getting a little weepy.

Mommy and Bishop

2009-02-03T11:04:00.001-06:00

Mommy and Bishop
Originally uploaded by jmeridth

Bishop is getting so big. I am amazed at how he has changed over the past 6 months. He looks almost nothing like what he did when he was first born. I am anxious to see what he will be like as he gets older. Last night we had fun playing with my hair.
My hair has gotten very long, but since I have Bishop my hair is always up in a ponytail or bun because then it stays out of his little hands. Last night Bishop and I were laying on my bed and I put my hair down and he thought it was the greatest thing to play with it. I love seeing that smile on his face. It reminds me of Lucas.
Lucas is getting so big. Yesterday I decided to take the boys to the park. Lucas was running and climbing and I was sitting with Bishop in my lap. Lucas yelled "Bishop come play with me." It was so cute. So I got up and put Bishop up on the play area with Lucas. They climbed and jumped and slid down the slide. It was a great to watch them. I hope that enthusiasm to play together continues. Lucas totally forgot about me being there guiding Bishop's steps or holding him up. "Bam chase me. " i would run with Bishop chasing Lucas. Bish just laughed and laughed. It was wonderful. I saw my boys playing together. And even I forgot that I was even there. They play sweetly together.

A Very Trying Few Days...

2009-01-28T16:00:00.003-06:00

I know it has been a while since I have blogged. Bishop has been very fussy lately and I have been frustrated with him.
This weekend was nice and quiet for the most part. It was great.
Monday was Bishop's 6 month checkup. He is weighing in at 17lbs 8 oz, and 25 3/4 inches long. Also he has an 18inch head circumference. He is in the 75th percentile in height and weight but 90th percentile in his head circumference. I hope that means that he is just really smart. Pobrecito did, unfortunately, had to get 4 shots in the legs and he was not very happy about it. We are now going to give him two meals of rice cereal and fruit twice a day along with his bottle. We found out that he might not be ready for peaches yet but we will start including carrots and other veggies into the mix over the next few weeks. After his appt Bishop was fussy. Partly because the shots, partly because of the cold he is getting but mostly because of his fever and teething. He has another tooth coming in, it's the same one that has been coming in for about a week or two now. It is really giving him some trouble. I can see it trying to break through. His poor little gum is red and raw but that tooth just won't come through. He has developed a new cry. Ok maybe not a cry exactly, it's more like a high pitched yell. And he yells every time I am out of his line of vision. That means even if I am a foot from him but he happens to have turned over. The first day was rough, then Tuesday was even worse. I feel bad for him I know he is miserable but there isn't a thing I can do but pick him up and keep him comfortable.
Today seems to be much better. he has been smiling and happy for the most part. He loves laying on our bed and playing with my face. And we have discovered a GREAT CD set. For anyone who is interested http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/mediaplayer.asp?ean=011661811928&track=2&disc=1 Bishop loves the song "Sing Verdi Very Loud" It comes on Noggin music channel and when it does he stares at the TV and me, because I am usually singing along at the top of my lungs, and just laughs out loud. I am hoping to get the set so I can play it for both boys. Hopefully they can learn an appreciation for opera and classical music. I wish I hadn't given up singing when I was young but that is a story for another day. Bishop loves to sit in my lap and watch me type. He bangs on the laptop as I type and I have to turn off the mouse pad so he doesn't make my computer do things I don't want it to. Maybe he'll be a techie like his Daddy.
I am so excited. Tonight our friend Jean is coming over to watch LOST with Jason and I. She loves hanging out with the boys and she and I are a lot alike only somehow she has that filter between her brain and her mouth. Unlike me who just blurts out whatever comes to my mind.
Well I better go and get dinner going for tonight. Plus I am tired of deleting what Bishop keeps typing. :)

Feelings, nothing more than feelings...

2009-01-20T07:22:00.005-06:00

Bishop was very chatty yesterday. He is discovering his voice and how to use it. He squeals with excitement, and has learned that not only does it make different sounds, it has different volumes. He can be quiet just talking to his hands as he watches them open and close. He intensely watches his wrists move back and forth and squeals in delight as he watches his hands pick up toys and bring them up to his face so he can get a closer examination of them. Then he tosses his hands back, and usually the toy with them, and squeals loudly. If I walk away out of the room, he makes a hollow "Ah" sound loudly to see if I respond. Usually I will call his name from the other room so he knows that I can hear him. I am trying to encourage his communication. I talk and coo right along with him. I play music games and sing him to sleep in the evening.

Bishop is different from Lucas in that way. Lucas never liked it when I would sing him to sleep. He would cry louder as soon as I started so I stopped after a couple of nights. But I do constantly talk to Lucas. Lucas is learning about emotions. We try to encourage him to tell us how he feels. You know...I am mad, sad, angry, happy, silly etc. I feel it is important for him to understand feelings. I grew up having to suppress my feelings. We weren't allowed to be upset or sad. Once my Dad said after I was upset about something that had happened at school "Why are you sad. You have no reason to be sad. You have a roof over your head and food to eat. Stop crying and cheer up." I grew up not really knowing how to explain my feelings so I try to be sure that my boys are in touch with them. They don't have to be guitar playing tree hugger or anything but just be able to understand their feelings.

Speaking of Lucas...Jason decided to shave Lucas' head. I can't believe Lucas let him but Jason and I checked and checked and asked and asked to be sure he was ready for this. And he wanted to shave his head. I will be posting the pics onto http://www.flickr.com/ for all to see. I just hope Jason's mom is able to talk to us again.

Last night, Tim posted pictures from the Rock Band party. I had a lot of fun hanging out with the girls. All of the girls said "You look good", knowing that I had gained a lot of weight with Bishop. It was all that bed rest....and sugar free chocolate, note to self sugar free is not calorie free. :D I had gotten my weight down before I got pregnant (which the doctor said may have been a big factor in me getting pregnant) but I gained 70lbs with my pregnancy. I have lost some of the weight and was pretty proud of myself, but last night all of my old feelings about my weight came flooding back. I look horrible in the pictures. My thighs and hips and tummy just look aweful. I need to work harder at my weight. I am at home all day and I play with the baby but unfortunately playing "Patty Cake" doesn't burn as many calories as I had hoped. I am going to start going for walks more. Bishop loves going for a walk in his stroller.

I think Bishop is getting another tooth in. I have noticed that he is fussier than usual and has been feeling really warm. Keep ya'll posted on the teeth. :)
Love ya'll.
hmmm....I feel like having sushi for lunch.

GOD bless Grandmas

2009-01-19T09:17:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was a very busy day. I have to begin with Saturday night. Jason's co-worker and friend Tim gave one of the famous XBOX parties. This was the first time that wives and girlfriends were invited to come. Jason's mom and dad watched Lucas until bed time, and my parents watched Bish.
I like to think that I have grown up a bit since having kids. Something happens to us when we get a chance to get out with other grown ups without kids. I had fun. My friends Susan and Jean and I hung out all night long acting like idiots and being crazy. I called my mother and she assured me that the kids were asleep and fine so to stay out as long as I wanted and not to worry. Before I knew it, it was 1:30 and we were all driving to IHOP. Then it was 3:00 when we left IHOP, so we went back to Tim's house to watch a movie. we didn't get home until 4:30 am. WHAT WERE WE THINKING?! We aren't teenagers. We are parents of children that wake up at 8:00 in the morning. Thankfully my mom and dad spent the night. My mom watches my neices and nephews for my sisters all the time so when she comes over and I ask her to hold the baby or feed the baby, I feel bad. I want her to have fun and relax but yesterday my mom was wonderful. I needed to take care of the boys in the morning so I could let Jason sleep in. So my Mom held and fed the baby while I made Lucas some breakfast, then she watched Lucas, Bish and my niece Ava while my dad and I replaced the brakes and tail light on the truck which took a few hours. Jason woke up and then had to go and help my brother in law so he was gone all day as well. It is awesome to have that support system. I love being so close to them. By the time my parents, and my sister left. The boys were in bed and Jason and I were exhausted. We went to bed and fell asleep takling. I enjoy having my family over. Jason loves having them over too.

I'll show it who's boss....

2009-01-15T09:39:00.004-06:00

Bishop is discovering how to work the rattle. Watch the video. He shakes it and tries to get it into his mouth. As you can see the rattle is much bigger than his mouth. He gets so frusterated and yells at his rattle like it is the rattles fault he can't put it in his mouth. It is funny.

Bishop is getting more and more like me. I don't know if that is a good thing. My mom says that when I was little I was a good baby. I was quiet and sweet. Now I get frusterated easily and can be kind of moody. Bishop is generally quiet and sweet but I see him get super frusterated quickly when he can't do what he wants. But maybe that is all babies. It is amazing how big he is. He is growing so quickly and is getting such a little personality. It is wonderful to watch. He is Nana's buddy (Nana is my mom) and Bobka (Jason's mom) just can't get enough of him either. Nana calls him her Buddy Bam. It will be interesting to see as he grows who he is going to be like, me or Jason.

Lucas loves being a big brother. He has this amazing way to send Bishop into hysterical laughing just by being near him and talking to him. Yesterday after I picked him up from daycare, Lucas said, " I think Bammie wants to ride withteh windows down, Momma" I said ok and reluctantly, because it was kind of cool, put the windows down for the boys. Bam started laughing hysterically which send me into laughter. It was the wind in his face and Lucas smiling and laughing at him that made him laugh even harder. I wish and hope that the boys grow up to be good friends. They don't have to be best friends but have a good relationship like I did with my sisters and like Jason does with his brother now. They are going to have fights and won't always like each other but if in the long run they remember that they are brothers and no one can make fun of their brother but them. Then I'll be happy. But for now I'll enjoy watching them laugh and talk and play together.

Hello, my name is Christie and I am an addict....

2009-01-08T22:24:00.002-06:00

I am a Facebook addict. It started as a once every other day thing. Just something to do to keep in touch with my cousins and sisters. Very innocent and social, but slowly I found that I had to log on once a day to take care of my Pet Pupz, dog that I adopted. Her name was Gus and she was a bulldog. She depended on me to feed and take care of her every day and in return I got points to buy her more imaginary stuff. I couldn't go a day without logging in to take care of her. Then someone invited me to try....*gulp* Bowling Buddies. I found myself spending an hour trying to beat my sister, Stacie's score. I would get a great score and Stacie would get a better one. Then it was "Word Challenge" and "Who Has The Biggest Brain". I couldn't stop I was hooked. I was logging in 4 or 5 times a day. Then just playing the games wasn't enough. I began sending invites. Inviting people to save the oceans, rainforests, ozone, etc...anything to play more games. That is when it started....I began being rejected. My family and friends stopped accepting my invites. They stopped returning my comments, they stopped suggesting friends for me. One of my friends even asked that I stop sending him invites. That was when I new I had a real problem.
I am unable to cut it off cold turkey but I do manage my addiction by allowing myself small amounts of Facebook time. I connect with friends, play my games and send invites in moderation. I dropped a lot of the games that I was playing, my puppy is probably dead. My husband has been very supportive in my addiction and I choose my friends very carefully. Don't let this happen to you....WHAT THE....Stacie just beat my frickin' high score in GEO CHALLENGE!?!?! Oh I'll show her....
Don't judge me. :)

Big, Baby Steps.

2009-01-06T15:09:00.006-06:00

I had lunch with Jason today. I picked him up and we went to Chipotle on Broadway across from the Witte. I love that part of town. I know it is high crime and all but the homes are old and beautiful and it just feels like an old town within the city. I love it. Anyway...

We were sitting at the table and talking and Bishop started to cry. I realized it was almost 2:00 and he still hadn't eaten lunch so I picked him up and began to feed him. Now I have been thinking lately that Bishop though a beautiful baby may not be up to speed on some of the skills that he should be learning. Afterall he HATES being on his tummy so I don't make him do it for very long um...ok not really at all :(. We are still working on getting him to sleep without crying for an hour, and lately he hasn't wanted to take naps during the day. He cries and coughs in his swing until I pick him up. Well today we had a breakthrough. :)

I was feeding him his bottle and talking to Jason and not really paying attention, when all of a sudden I looked down and he was holding his own bottle. I know it is such a small step but he was doing it all on his own. Jason and I looked at each other in amazement. I couldn't help it I started crying. It was so strange. I have never felt so proud in my life. Except for maybe the first time Lucas called me "Mom". I felt so happy and sad at the same time. Alot like when I found out I was pregnant. He looked up at me while he was holding that bottle and smiled with his big blue eyes. I could tell he was proud too. I love it.

Lucas has started showing some jealousy. Maybe not so much jealous but craving attention. I have to make a point to spend more time with him. he has taken an extra interest in his cars and he loves "The Cat in the Hat" and Curious George. And he especially likes Sid the Science Kid. I hope he takes to math and sciences. I always struggled with those subjects so I am lucky Jason is so good at them. Also he has his Uncle Josh to help him out too.

I am so proud of my boys and I know that they are going to grow up so fast. It amazes me that 6 months ago Bishop wasn't here. And 3 years ago Lucas wasn't a thought. Our family has changed so much and I know that it will only keep changing. I am not good with change but these are all good changes. And I know that soon the boys will be in school and then college and then getting married and having families of their own. Ok that was just more than I can handle. I need to go and get a tissue. I suddenly have an urge to watch "Fiddler on the Roof"
Better go... you know...Sunrise, Sunset.

New Years

2008-12-27T11:20:00.003-06:00

Is it over? The whirlwind of family and friends, food and presents, laughter and tears is almost over. It has been a rough couple of months but hopefully we will remember that we have had a very blessed year. My pregnancy, though uncomfortble and scary at times, was successful. I have a beautiful baby boy tho against all odds is healthy. My marriage is better than it was this time last year. Lucas is a great big brother and a normal, inquisitive 3 year old.
With the New Year quickly approaching, I wonder what the it will bring. Will things continue to get better or will this be the year that puts us to the ultimate test. So many external elements when allowed to come into our homes and hearts can tear our families apart. I am going to be careful what I pray for. "Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?"--GOD (Morgan Freeman-Evan Almighty) So I am going to pray that GOD be with all of us, may he do with us and our lives what he thinks is best. Help us to turn to him with every happy momment and pain of sadness.
I think that this year will be full of trials and tribulations and I ask that we all come through it together.

A Weekend of Tears

2008-12-18T13:46:00.003-06:00

I know it has been a while since I last posted. Things have been kind of crazy. We had my grandfather's memorial on Saturday and it was good to see so many friends. If a memorial service can be considered good. It was wonderful to see family and friends whom I haven't seen in years. People were getting up and sharing memories and it was nice to hear about how people felt about Daddo. Then my Aunt Collette stood up with some of the best news.
See my grandfather was part of a sportsmans club in Brownsville, TX. A man from Mexico came and spoke about the poaching of the Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle. There was one beach in Mexico where the sea turtles would nest. People were killing them for their shells and meat, they were stealing eggs to cook up and to sell to tourists and at the time the Kemps Ridley was on the brink of extinction. My grandfather, along with his brothers went to Mexico and petitioned to have the beach protected by the Mexican governement, when that didn't work they decieded to hire some men to patrol the beach for poachers. When that still wasn't doing enough they went the next year and decided to bring as many eggs as they could to a beach in South Padre Island. They worked with Fish and Game to get the area protected. After a few years of successful hatching, the Kemps Ridley is close to coming off the Endangered Species List. How AWESOME that my family had such an important part to this. That is a legacy that I am proud of for my children.

Sunday was the viewing for our dear friend, Nelson Montalvo. It was hard. It was obvious that they had to do some reconstruction for the open casket. Jason immediately had a memorial blog post up after finding out of his passing (http://www.nelsonmontalvo.com/). That post had 52 comments on it and everyone had read it. In fact a reporter with the Express News was so impressed he wanted to write a feature obituary on Nelson. It was great and just what Nelson deserved. Jason was so strong but there were several momments where he broke down. I would ask him how he was doing, and he would just look at me and say "I miss my friend" It broke my heart. I just want to keep him from hurting. Jason has found a new friend in Nelson's brother, Armando. He and Jase have had breakfast together and just helped each other cope. They are both so similar that I think it is a good match. I hope I have found some new friends in Karen, Armando's wife, and Jean, Nelson's girlfriend. We have had time to talk and share and I hope that we continue our friendships. Nelson to the end was a man of networking. He brought people together in life, and continued it in death. He is going to be missed. After the funeral on Monday we all went back to Jean and Nelson's house for food and fellowship. It was hard but it was great to see everyone. Jean asked me to bring Bishop since Nelson and she had come to the hospital when I had him. She loved seeing him. She laughed and said that having babies around makes everything better. I was glad for that. We ended up staying till 1:30 AM. But it was time well spent. I think that we have found closure but we haven't yet found peace with his unexpected and tragic passing.
There is going to be a legal battle over reponsibility for the accident. Last night Nelson's car was towed to our friends land out by Comfort. Jason went out to be with Jean and some friends. It was amazing to see a 4 door civic crushed and compacted to a one seater car. Looing through the passenger side door you see immediately the steering wheel. It was traumatic but necessary for the healing, I hope.

I better go my little man is waking up and I feel the need to smile. Thank you for the support and love.

Yesterday was tough....

2008-12-11T08:27:00.002-06:00

First, Bishop has been trying to latch on a lot lately. I'll wake up in the middle of the night and his pacifier is gone and he is latching on through my tshirt or tank. We tried to breastfeed in the beginning but he wasn't digging it and I was stressed, so I decided to stop which was what I thought a good decision on 3 three hours sleep. Jason did some research and he is thinking I should try and relactate and go back to breastfeeding. I don't know if I am up for that. I think that trying to get him to sleep in his own bed and get on a schedule is way more important. But we'll see how it goes.

Yesterday I tried to let Bish sleep in his crib. He would sleep for about 45 min then wake up and realize he was supposed to be upset and crying. So he'd scream until I came in. I went in first at 1 min, then 3, and 5 and so on until he fell asleep again. Last night was really tough. I was determined to not pick him up and let him cry but everytime I left the room he would scream before I could sit down. It was nuts. I feel bad for letting him cry. I know he is only 4 months old and is going from being with me in bed to his own. I feel like a bad mommy for spoiling him so much.

Last night was made even harder when my husband found out one of our best friends past away yesterday. He was an amazing guy and had helped my husband through some tough times. He just turned 32 and had everything going for him. Nelson came to the hospital when I had Bishop. He was such a sweet guy. It was a tragic car accident. My husband is beside himself with grief and I struggle to find words to console him.

Better go Bish is waking up and is crying. Round two for the cry it out method.

Awwe....cute pics of Daddy and Bam :)

2008-12-04T20:19:00.003-06:00

Bishop and Daddy were playing and giving Mommy some much needed "Mommy Time". It allowed me to catch up on some reading, take an extra long hot bath, wax my "hispanic roots" off my upper lip. It was wonderful. I came out and I hear Bam laughing so hard. I had to grab the camera and capture this precious momment.

I love it.

I am a bowl of Coco Puffs....

2008-12-04T11:14:00.001-06:00

If we are what we eat...then I am a bowl of Coco Puffs, or even at times I can be found to be a sandwich or 2, or better yet I love being chicken nuggets w/ sweet and sour sauce and fries. :) Seriously my eating habits suck. I am home all day with the baby and I eat...alot. I have given my husband till Jan. After that we are going to change our eating habits. While I was pregnant I watched a show called "You Are What You Eat" on BBC America with Dr. Jillian McKeith and although there has been some controversy over whether she is a doctor or not, her program seems to work. I bought her book and it makes a lot of sense. So I am going to start it in Jan. My husband and I are going to do this macrobiotic based diet. I did make her Chickpea burgers recipe and it was absolutely delicious. Lucas even liked it. I also made her hummus recipe and it was very yummy too. So for now I am a large portion of lasagna but soon I hope to be a salad, with a side of hummus.

Jason sent this to me

2008-12-01T14:54:00.003-06:00

http://typealyzer.com/index.php?lang=en

The above link is called a typealyzer. It analyzes your blog posts and tells you who you are based on how and what you type. I am not sure if I know how it works but it sort of describes me. This is what it said:

ESFP - The Performers

The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves. The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

I would have to say I don't completely agree. I do like comfortable and beautiful things, but I don't think I avoid conflicts. I mean not always. Anyway, it is a bit interesting.

I got to sleep in today....

2008-11-30T12:12:00.002-06:00

It was so nice. I woke up late today. I got to sleep in till 8:30. I heard Lucas around 7:00 knocking on his door (we have a child lock so he can't get out when we aren't awake). But eventually the knocking stopped so i figured he fell back asleep. Around 8:30 he started calling for Daddy. I woke up and got dressed. I went into his room figuring he was ready for a change of his pullup and all but little did I know. I walked into his room and it reeked of poop. He had an explosive diaper. It was all over the carpet, he had tried to clean it up with clean clothes from his drawers, and it was all over his bed. I know I am a mom and I am not supposed to think that stuff like that is gross but I have to say I felt like throwing up. It was everywhere. I promptly put Lucas into his shower to be hosed down, then I collected all of the dirty things to put into the washer. The carpet needed to be scrubbed. It was a mess.

Note to self...when he is knocking on the door at 7AM...answer it otherwise I will have a bigger mess on my hands later.

Ninja Warrior

2008-11-28T17:40:00.003-06:00

Today was a lazy day. It is the day after Thanksgiving and my plan was just to relax and clean the house a bit. Instead I spent it mostly on the couch nusing the worst bout of PMS cramps I have had in a long time. Lucas spent a couple of hours with his Uncle Josh and Aunt Vanessa. Then I went to HEB for nacho stuff. I was craving nachos with jalapeno. So I sat down with Lucas to have a bowl of nachos and watch one of our favorite shows. NINJA WARRIOR on G4 TV. It is so cute when Lucas starts yelling "Go Nagano" Even though he doesnt know what they are saying considering the show is in Japanese with subtitles. But he knows it is bad when these amazing atheletes fall in the muddy water. If you haven't watch the show I have to say it is oddly addictive. These awesome men and women compete in a rediculously hard obstacle challenge show. In something like 20 challenges only 2 people have ever made it all the way to the end. It is insane but fun to watch.

Bishop has learned the glory of putting his toes in his mouth. Jason got some cool pictures of Bish putting his foot in his mouth. He is my son which means that he will probably spend more time getting his foot out of his mouth than anything else. Haha.

"It's ok Mommy, you are just crazy"

2008-11-26T20:53:00.003-06:00

Oh I love these moments.
After surviving the hell that is the grocery store the day before Thanksgiving, I asked Lucas what he wanted for dinner. He says he wants pizza. So I decide to call Pizza Hut and since I am out I'll just pick it up. I just wanted to get the boys home. Crazy drivers, crazy people at grocery store, being put on hold by Pizza Hut. I know it is no excuse but I just sort of snapped as Lucas was asking again if he could watch "Kung Fu Panda" for the 800th time. "Lucas I don't want to hear you talk again for 5 min. That is enough about the flippin movie. Just sit back and let Mommy drive."
After it got quiet and I was able to think again...I realized I had snapped for no reason. I pulled over and walked around and opened his door so we were face to face. "Mommy is sorry she flipped out. Things were just crazy and Mommy wasn't handling herself very well. I shouldn't have yelled. I am sorry, sweetie."
And in the sweetest voice ever he says "It's ok Mommy, you are just crazy."
!!What?! Did my son just call me crazy?

This is definitely me...

2008-11-26T11:11:00.003-06:00

(from BabyCenter.com)

New things to learn...

2008-11-26T07:54:00.006-06:00

Last night I invited my parents over for dinner. I enjoy having them over whenever I can. I feel so close to them and especially in a time when our family needs to come together to be there for each other. Lucas and Bam both tried new things last night. Lucas tried some vegetables that I had cooked in a soup and Bam had his first taste of solid foods.

Lucas, our future attorney, took one look at the veggies and told me "I have a lot of food in my tummy, Mommy I just want to eat the meat and crackers." I told him the veggies will make him big and strong. He looked me in the eye and said "I don't want to be big and strong." I couldn't help but giggle. Daddy tried to point out that veggies taste good and they are good for you. But Lucas wasn't buying it. Eventually with some assurance and bribery he did manage to eat some of his veggies but every time he ate a veggie he wanted a piece of sausage and cracker. Always the bargainer. :) Later when it was time to take a shower he argued with Jason over whether he could take a bath or a shower. Jason figured lets flip a coin. He takes the quarter and tells Lucas heads it's a bath, tails it's a shower. The coin was flipped and put on Jason's wrist. It was tails. "Tails Lucas, it's time for a shower." Lucas looks at the coin and quickly flips it to the heads position. Jason laughed loud and hard. For that he earned the bath. :)

Bishop was cleared to try solids by his doctor yesterday. We are putting 3 tbsp of rice cereal with 6tbsp apple juice along with 6oz bottle. He didn't take to it well. See the pictures above. I would put a bit in his mouth and he would promptly make a face and the food would come sliding out of his mouth and onto the bib. I don't think he actually ate any of it but it made for some funny pictures.

The Boys Go To The Doctor

2008-11-25T14:07:00.002-06:00

Aside from the sadness of loosing my grandfather, the boys went to the doctor's office for their checkups today.
Lucas is 3, weighs 44 lbs and is 41 inches tall. He is in the 97th percentile for his age group. He is doing well and although a little sore from the Flu shot, he handled it all well. He was literally bouncing off the walls while the doctor was talking to us. He is doing well and we are going to become a bit more aggressive with his potty training. Oh the fun.

Bishop is 4 months old, weighs 15 lbs 10 oz and 24 inches long. He is so sweet. Poor baby had 4 shots in the leg now. He is sore and he cried a bit but he is fine. He has a tooth coming in and although he won't open up to show us I can feel it coming through. He has been a trooper. He hasn't had a bad teething melt down yet, thank goodness but he has been getting a slight fever and drooling a lot. He is right on track with his development and he is at 75th percentile in height and weight. After his dr appt we took Lucas to school, and went to the groocery store. We were stopped 2 times in the store by women who just thought he was the cutest little boy. And of course my little cutie, flirted and smiled and cooed at them making them laugh and smile right back.

Both my boys are healthy and happy. I am a very lucky Mommy. I get to watch these boys grow and change and develop their personallities. They are such great boys.

Daddo

2008-11-25T13:54:00.002-06:00

Death Be Not Proud
by John Donne(1572-1631)
DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
###

My grandfather, Daddo, died today. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer, and went into the hospital to have his bladder removed a month ago. He never left the hospital. He had complication after complication. The whole time he was in the hospital he would look at one of us and ask when he was going home, and who was going to take him home. I felt a pang because I knew he wasn't going home. He was getting sicker and the cancer was spreading and there wasn't anything the doctors could do.
While our family was going through this the poem above by Jon Donne kept going through my mind. I hoped that death was like the poem says...a mere pause. A breath between this world and the next. I know that Daddo was in pain but I hope that it only lasted a little while. I hope that with his last breath that he was at peace. I hope that death and heaven is as we believe it is. Peaceful and beautiful. Good bye Daddo. We will take care of Mom for you. I love you.

My First Blog

2008-11-24T19:11:00.000-06:00

After seeing a couple of my friends blogs I decided to do one of my own mainly for my husband, jason. I am lucky enough to be a stay at home mom and I know that he misses us while he is at work all day.
To start with, my husband and I were married in 2004 and after trying to have a baby of our own for a couple of years we were told by my fertility specialist that we wouldn't be able to conceive on our own and to start thinking about treatments. The day after we had that appointment we were approached to adopt our son Lucas. He was 18 months old and a smart energetic boy who needed a stable home. He moved in February of 2007 and we finalized the adoption in July. December 1st I found out I was pregnant and 9 months later on July 25th Bishop was born. He is our little miracle and our best surprise ever. Here we are 4 months later and Bishop is tall and getting big. He is a cutie. And Lucas is a rambunctious 3 year old that constantly keeps us on our toes with questions like "Why?" and "When?". He is very intelligent for his age and is also much bigger than some 5 year olds at his school. Yes I know my son goes to school. I have been criticized for this. "Why would you send your son to a daycare when you are home and can provide him with love and attention?" Well the answer is simple. I am not a teacher. My son is much like his Dad and his birth father. If they aren't constantly learning then they are bored and get into trouble. So why not give my son all the opportunities I can. Besides it isn't a day care ir is a learning center. There is a difference.
Anyway that is us. My husband and i aren't perfect and we don't have a perfect marriage nor are we perfect parents. But we are learning as we go. If you care to see pictures of our family you can find them at www.meridthfamily.com
Thank you and GOD bless.