All I Want for Christmas Is You

When December 1st rolls around, I typically crank up the Christmas music full blast. For some reason, this year I haven't been listening to it as much. (I have been singing lots of it to Preston, though, which has been a great lesson in how few of the correct lyrics to these songs I know.)

Thanks to Jimmy Fallon, Mariah Carey and the Roots, though, I've been playing this version of "All I Want for Christmas Is You" on repeat. I love so many of Jimmy Fallon's music videos (Bob Dylan sings the theme to "Charles in Charge," Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen sing "Whip My Hair," and The Doors sing "Reading Rainbow" are just some of my favorites.) and this one is no exception.

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving

Even though it's December now, I felt I should write a bit about our Thanksgiving.

For our first Thanksgiving as a family of three, Scott, Preston and I traveled to celebrate with my family in Nashville. It was Preston's first time in my home state, and it was fun to take him around to all of my favorite places in town. We enjoyed our week off with my family, eating too much and playing Mario Tennis on N64. Scott and I even got to sneak away and see a movie ("Skyfall," which was awesome). And while it wasn't traditional Thanksgiving fare, Preston — complete with crocheted turkey hat —enjoyed his oatmeal almost as much as everyone enjoyed watching him eat it. 

We had a wonderful time, and now we're looking forward to the little guy's first Christmas!

Thankful for my sister

We haven't always gotten along so well, having our fair share of fights, yelling matches, disagreements and fake biting. (OK, OK ... I used to bite myself, show my mom the bite marks blaming Courtney, then she'd get the spanking. I was an evil big sister.) But now that we are older, wiser, my sister is my best friend. She is the main reason why I want Preston to have a sibling so badly; you can't have that relationship with anyone else. Who else will play Barbies with you, film ridiculous movies, use a cardboard cut-out of Mickey to deter the window painter from smoking, let you sleep in her bed when you find a bug in yours, be your pre-GPS GPS to help you find places, and steal rolls and eat them under the desk with you. There are some things only a sister can do, and I'm incredibly thankful for mine.

Monthly Preston: Month six

Weight: 15.2 pounds
Length: 25.5 inches
Likes: Preston has learned that he can make tidal-wave-sized splashes in the bathtub. Scott and I look like we've been front row at a Sea World show after he's had his bath. Additionally, he loves blowing raspberries, his paci (forever and always), hair (his own and anyone else's), his feet, bouncing in his exersaucer, peek-a-boo, and having folded socks dropped on him.
Dislikes: He still doesn't like socks. Now that he plays with his feet more, they get pulled off quicker than I put them on. It's a losing battle.
Accomplishments: Rolling from his belly to his back, standing when supported, sitting for a few seconds when sat down, and finally sleeping through the night (I was drunk with giddiness after getting my first full-night's sleep in almost six months the next morning.) He also just started on rice cereal with minimal excitement. He'd rather eat his bib.

I can't believe it's been half a year already! It seems like we just brought him home. I say this every month, but it still remains true. The older he gets, the more personality he gets. He's such a happy, easy going little guy. We took him to a volleyball game this month, something Scott and I have enjoyed doing since we were students. Since the gym where the girls play is pretty loud, I stuffed some cotton in his ears and came armed with a few books. He did so well and even liked watching the game. He also got to participate in his first Harding Homecoming. Most of our family came by to visit this month, so he got to see both grandmas, grandpa, and aunt, which is so nice when they live a few hours away.

From top left: Attack of the giant baby toys; first Halloween; first Homecoming game; what we do when daddy's away; wiped out; Grammy and Pops come to visit; rice cereal!; cheering on the volleyball team; snuggling with Aunt Coco.

Thankful for my parents

I recently read somewhere that "thank you" is the best prayer. It makes me enjoy this little exercise all the more.

I'm thankful for my parents. When I think about how much I love Preston, I get overwhelmed to think that they love me that much, too. I feel like I should tell them to stop, that I'm not that big of a deal, but I'm glad they do. Mom and Dad show me God's love — in their relationship with me and in their dealings with others. Neither are boastful about their actions, but both take a behind-the-scenes approach. I'm also thankful my parents didn't try to be the cool parents and say yes to everything. I never wanted for anything, but I never got everything I wanted, and as an adult now, I can see how unpleasant those other kids turned out.

So thanks, Mom and Dad, for being a great example of love, generosity, and kindness to me.

Thankful for Preston

I had been wanting a baby for more than a year before Scott decided he was ready as well. I can't imagine the pain some women must feel who spend years trying before they finally get pregnant because it happened for us relatively quickly, but there is still an impatience and sadness that comes with each month wanting so badly to have a child and still not being pregnant yet.  

My sweet Preston is the answer to many, many prayers and is just another example of how God answered them. The longing and waiting had worn me down, and the moment we knew Preston was on his way felt like everything hadn't been that bad after all.

He's 6 months old today. I can't believe half a year has gone by already. Maybe time goes by quicker when you're sleep deprived — but maybe it's more because of happiness. (Probably a mixture of both.) I can imagine life without my loving, cuddly, inquisitive, silly, playful, happy boy, and I am thankful for the joy he's brought Scott and me.

Scott and I talked about how everything would change once Preston came along, and it has. There's a third person in our home who requires a lot more care and attention (and diapers) than we do, but aside from that, it feels like this is how it's been all along. There are times where I do miss the freedom of going out to long dinners or the movies or car trips without two or three nursing breaks or clothes without poop stains, but not enough to where I would give up the look in his eyes when he smiles at me.

To be loved by him is an amazing blessing I wouldn't trade for anything.

Thankful for Scott

Home Bible study, 2006: Where we first met

To celebrate the days leading up to Thanksgiving, I thought I'd start a little "thankful for" series where I can share (and remind myself of) all the blessings God has provided.

I thought I'd start of today with Scott. Nov. 1 is an important day for us — it's the day we began dating seven years ago. He was, quite literally, the answer to my prayers.

I came into my freshman year at Harding with wide eyes and dreams of finding the one. Having dated no one in high school, this was the place where I'd find my future mister. Obviously, he was going to be the very first guy I dated in college, and, when that very first guy I dated in college dumped me a month later, I was heartbroken — probably (definitely) more than I needed to be.

Crying on my little twin bed in Sears dorm, I prayed that I would never be dumped again. I asked God for the next person I dated to be the last person I dated, even if that meant I had to wait until I was 40.

A month or two into sophomore year, I met Scott. When we'd been dating a couple of months, I remembered that prayer. I don't know why, but I was surprised that God had actually listened to that weepy prayer of a over-dramatic girl, and that he had sent me exactly what I needed.

So, here we are, seven years later. We've been through job changes, going to school, house buying, having a baby, and the small minutia of daily life. There is no one who I'd rather have by my side, as my best friend, husband, and father to our son.

I'm so thankful that God listened to my prayer and how wonderfully he provided for me — and that it didn't take until I was 40 after all.

Baby's first Halloween

I have been looking forward to Preston's first Halloween since it meant the beginning of his first holiday season. I was tempted to get a cute baby-sized costume to celebrate this milestone, but since he is a baby and not quite able to go door-to-door to get me ... I mean, himself ... candy, we decided to stick to pumpkin-print pjs and a hat (I've learned that baby's first holidays includes lots of themed headgear). 

Happy Halloween, from our little pumpkin!

Slobber in style

At about the two-month mark, Preston sprung a leak. Gallons of drool have been pouring out of the kid's mouth ever since. His shirts look like he's entering himself in a one-man wet T-shirt contest. When we were dealing with the drought, I thought about sitting him in the yard to single-mouthedly water the lawn (Just kidding, CPS).

The unfortunate thing is that most bibs are pretty ugly. I mean, if he's got to wear it all day, shouldn't it be cute and not terry cloth with a lizard or some saying about the dirtiness of his diaper. ("iPood." Really?)

I discovered these bandana bibs on Etsy in my search for cute bibs, and I love how they look like little scarves instead of a snap-on towel. The $24 price tag is keeping me from throwing them in my virtual shopping cart and clicking "Buy now!" — plus, I think they'd be very easy for someone with limited sewing skills (me) to make. (Here's a nice little tutorial, too!)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go mop up after my baby.

Images via Francesca Baby on Etsy

Monthly Preston: Month five

Our little mister is growing too fast. He reached several milestones this month and continues to show more and more personality every day.

Weight: 14 pounds, 14 ounces
Length: 25 inches
Likes: He's got a little toy ball that he loves. When he sees it, no matter where it is, he just stares it down until we had it to him. His favorite songs are "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Taylor Swift and "Gangnum Style" by PSY. He especially loves my awesome dance moves while singing them to him. (Babies are the most appreciative, easy-to-please audience.) Since it's cooled down, he's been spending a lot more time outside, and he loves to watch the leaves, birds, and planes overhead.
Dislikes: Nose drops. The little guy had a stuffy nose for a week or two, and I had to give him saline drops to help clear it up. At first, I could sneak up on him as he was blissfully unaware until the bottle was already in his nose, but now he knows, and, the second I tilt him back into position, he is squirming and moving away as best he can.
Accomplishments: This month, he finally rolled over (video evidence below). He's done it once or twice since, but I don't think he's sold on it quite yet. He doesn't see what the fuss is about. He upgraded from sleeping in the pack-n-play in our room to the crib in his room, but he's not going solo yet. Scott and I are sleeping in the bed in his room, too. He's not quite sleeping through the night, and I'm too lazy to walk across the house to feed him. He also started responding to his name.

From top left: He came to work with me and learned all about AP Style; his first Bison football game; his first (and only as of now) morning in Sunday school; scrunchy face; smiling at the TV; Sunday afternoon nap; his favorite toy.

Here are two videos from this month. I finally caught him laughing on camera (which is more difficult than trying to snap Sasquatch), and he (pretty much) rolled over this month. He's just got to work on getting is arm out from under him there at the end.

Parmesan chicken with Caesar roasted romaine

When I cook, I leave billions of dirty dishes in my wake. The problem is that I hate doing dishes. So, in looking for weeknight meals, I try to find one-dish-dirting recipes. Slightly adapted from this Bon Appetit recipe, this recipe actually dirties only the plates you eat it on if you play your cards right, thanks to a prepackaged breadcrumb mix and nonstick foil.

What you'll need:
Skinless, boneless chicken breasts (the Kraft mix covers up to four pieces, but I only use two since it's just the two of us eating)
Kraft Fresh Take breadcrumbs and cheese bag in Italian Parmesan
Large hearts of romaine, halved lengthwise (1 heart = 2 people fed. You do the math.)
Salt and pepper
Extra virgin olive oil
Fresh chopped garlic or garlic powder
Caesar dressing
Lemon, cut into wedges

Take a sheet pan and line it with nonstick foil. Instead of moistening the chicken with water like the Kraft mix suggests, spread a thin layer of Caesar dressing on either side of the chicken then coat as directed on the pouch. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes. Remove and place the halved romaine hearts around the chicken, seasoning with salt, pepper and garlic with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the lettuce is wilted and charred. Serve with additional Caesar dressing and lemon.

Now, with all that time you saved, you can prop your feet up and watch DVR-ed episodes of "Gilmore Girls" in peace.

Wishful thinking

Some days, I just want to read ...

... hang out with these guys ...

... and take a nap in a hammock ...

... on the beach.

And on those days, I content myself by eating Nutella straight from the jar.

What would your dream day look like?

Photo credits: Books//Family//Hammock//Beach//Nutella

If you need me ...

... I'll be trying to learn this dance.

Am I the only one who can't get this song out of her head? I don't even know what the words mean, but I love it just the same.

Newborn essentials

Registering was a daunting task. What do I really need for this baby? Well, four months in, these are the items that have been indispensable.

1. Aden + Anais muslin swaddles: I originally registered for these because they were cute, but I quickly found out they are the best swaddling blankets. Since they're thin, they're easy to wrap up your little baby burrito nice and tight without making them too hot or unwrapping as they wriggle around.

2. Nuk pacis: Preston is a paci man, and these are the ones my dental hygienist mom recommended. They're essential because, without them, crying chaos ensues, and nobody likes crying chaos.

3. Cloth diapers: These make thick, absorbent burp cloths. I got a ton of these, cutely embroidered by my mother-in-law and others — so many, in fact, that I joked that Preston would be taking burp cloths to college. But these are no joke, and you need a ton of them. Seriously.

4. Dreft stain spray: This removes baby poop from anything. I'm sold by that fact alone. We use it on all of our stains, even the non-baby related ones.

5. First Years infant-to-toddler tub: The best thing about this tub is the little mesh hammock it comes with — perfect for keeping a can't-be-submerged-yet-because-of-the-belly-button-stump baby in the water but not in the water. Once he could be fully in the tub, we still used it until he got steadier with his head control.

6. Fisher-Price Infant-Toddler rocker: Without this seat, I would have never showered, eaten or used the bathroom while on maternity leave. It's light weight enough to drag all over the house (which we do) and keeps Preston happy and within eye-sight. I wanted to start off simple, too, avoiding a swing or a bouncy seat until I knew who he was and what he liked, so I didn't buy something he hated. When he was smaller, it's vibrating feature would put him to sleep just like the car's motion does when we're traveling. Now, he's interested in the little creatures dangling above him.

Things I didn't need after all:

The Boppy pillow: I thought this would be a great dual use piece — a nursing pillow and pillow to prop up Preston. I never used it as a nursing pillow because I'm too short torsoed to make it work, and Preston hated sitting in it. I'm going to revisit it, though, now that he's a little bigger and can sit up a little better.

SwaddleMe adjustable swaddling blanket: I'd read that a tight swaddle would help a baby sleep because their movements wake them up. Well, to Preston, this was more of a straitjacket. He likes his hands out, so he would fight this until he was so angry and frustrated that it made going to sleep even harder. Even when I kept his hands out of it, he hated it. So, stick with the Aden + Anais blankets.

Monthly Preston: Month four

Weight: 14 pounds, 5 ounces
Length: 24.5 inches
Likes: He's addicted to his paci. He also has a teething toy my mom bought him that he loves. His favorite song is "Roll the Gospel Chariot." It's an instant crying stopper. I've lost my voice a couple of times now singing it over and over and over again in the car to keep him happy. (When you sing it that many times, you'll make the mistake of rolling right over the sinner or stopping to pick up the devil. Neither are good options.) He's continuing the drooling and bringing everything to his mouth. And this month, "Peek-a-boo" became a fun game and not mom and dad being weird and lifting a blanket up and down.
Dislikes: He's started fighting going to sleep, mostly when he's really tired. And when he's really tired and fighting sleep, he becomes an attention hog and whimpers if you're not looking at him. He won't be ignored.
Accomplishments: He's getting grabby with his little hands, holding his paci, teething toy, and anything else he can get his mitts around. He's batting at the toys on his play gym and sitting up in his Bumbo.

Oh, this boy. He gets more and more personality every day. It's so fun to see who he's turning into. This month, Scott traveled for the first time, so Preston was the man of the house for the week. We made it pretty well on our own, FaceTiming with Scott when we could, but there was nothing better than when Scott came home. Preston's little face lit up like a Christmas tree. We were both happy to have daddy back.

From top left: Baby's first game day; little pig tail; eyeing the camera; making a face; those fingers must taste good; post-nap daze; hanging out with Caroline; watching the Olympics; Daddy's home!; smiley; getting away.

Game day

Saturday kicked off the start of Arkansas football in our house. It was like Christmas with the excitement buzzing in the air. It was a little bittersweet, though, as this was the first time in two years Scott and I were watching a Fayetteville game on TV and not from our seats in the stadium, but it was just as nice being at home with our little guy watching from the comfort of our couch. Preston got in on the action wearing his Razorback onesie — the very first thing we ever bought him, back when he was just the size of a blueberry and was simply called "the baby."

I attempted some Razorback sugar cookies for the festivities, and, while the cookies turned out great, my first foray into royal icing did not. Not only did I make entirely to much in my efforts to make it thick enough to pipe, but, thanks to the large quantity, it was impossible to turn it red. One whole bottle of red food coloring later, and the icing still looked like Pepto Bismol.

Aside from the giant pink mess, our first game day as a family of three was great. Preston enjoyed watching us call the Hogs and singing the fight song. Although, by the end of the day, I think he'd had enough.

Happy football season! Hopefully I'll have the icing figured out by the time Alabama rolls into town.

27

Flowers from my traveling husband ...

... a little birthday gift to myself ...

... brand new birthday shoes ...

... and spending my evening with this party animal. 

Yes, I'd say 27 isn't looking too shabby. 

This baby

A year ago today, we were in Nashville for my birthday weekend, and I got the best birthday gift I've ever received.

I found out I was pregnant.

I'll never forget standing there in my old bedroom, looking at that pregnancy test, in shock of the plus sign — like a little X marking the spot where our lives changed forever.

That day we found out we were having a baby, but it would be seven months before we found out it was this baby.

This baby, with his bright blue eyes and sweet grin. This baby, who laughs at the word "hiccups," who manages to rotate 90 degrees in his bed every night, who never says no to "Do you want something to eat?" This baby, who loves to cuddle, kick and coo, splash in the bathtub, and be sung to. This baby, whom I can't imagine loving any more.

Yes, we were excited on that day because we were having a baby, but I'm so glad we got a Preston because he is just what we needed — the perfect addition to our little family.

Celebrating the after

For the most part, I loved being pregnant and, except for the end where I felt like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man (if you saw my feet, you'd know this was no exaggeration), felt pretty good in my new form. The pregnant form is celebrated for the most part. I mean, when else do you get excited that your pants no longer button? As a first-time mom, I beamed as my stomach grew larger. There was God-given life growing in there, and, here I was, given a front-row seat to all the action.

This seems to be the feeling of most. I mean, Facebook is littered with pictures of women turned to the side, chronicling the expansion of their waistline, and Pinterest is covered in maternity picture inspiration.

But then you have the baby, and it all changes.

I was devastated when I read somewhere that, after delivery, you would still be about as big as you were at six-months pregnant. Six months?! I was only slightly less gigantic at six months. When I got home from the hospital, I made the mistake of trying to put on one of my pre-pregnancy T-shirts, only to realize that, while I felt smaller, I still wasn't "small."

I went from a baby bump to a post-baby gut, from celebrating my burgeoning belly to hiding it as best I could. Two months after Preston arrived, I was still wearing maternity clothes and felt like a failure as a result. But why? Why do we eagerly accept the before but want to hide the after?

This article talks about how celebrities are ripped apart in magazines if they haven't shed their baby weight in six weeks and the backlash that is growing because that's not reality. Should I feel like less because Beyonce or some Real Housewife of Wherever lost her baby weight in six weeks? This group of moms says no and created a website to celebrate real women's post-baby bodies. After seeing them featured on the Today Show, I began to reevaluate my attitude.

While I won't be posing for any photos showcasing my little pooch where I keep my extra cookies, I'm not going to beat myself up because I, unlike Beyonce, can't pop into a golden leotard and do the "Single Ladies" dance less than a month after giving birth.

I've decided to be happy in the after.

'Mini' fall goodies

I'm not sure if they sell your address to every kids clothing catalog when you register for baby things, but, before I even felt Preston kick inside of me, the catalogs were rolling in. 

I'm a sucker for tiny little clothes, and Mini Boden has quickly become my (and Scott's) favorite children's catalog to flip through. I'm especially loving what they're offering right now because fall clothes are my favorite (one reason why I love my late summer birthday — all that birthday money goes to new sweaters and boots!), which means tiny fall clothes make my head explode with glee.

Here are a few of my favorites that I think my little guy would look very dapper in.

From top left: cozy pocket top, logo jumper, flannel all-in-one, baby jeans, jersey duffel

French dip crescents

There are two conversation starters Scott hates to hear me say: "You know what we should be for Halloween?" and "I found this recipe on Pinterest..."

I'm not a stellar cook, and whenever I find something to make on Pinterest, especially if it's not a baked good, I get my hopes set too high and, inevitably, it never comes out the way I hoped. Ever.

Now that I get off work earlier than Scott, I'm in charge of dinner. I usually get home at about 4:30 with Preston, and he's usually passed out by 7, so that gives me two and a half hours of consciousness with the little guy a night. I don't want to waste any of that with a lot of chopping, sauteing, and blanching. I am constantly looking for something quick and easy — really just something I need to assemble and put in the oven.

And that's where our dinner from last night comes in. When I pinned this recipe for French dip crescents, I was worried Scott would find it too ... well, Pinteresty*? Like that hotdog made to look like an octopus or something. But he was all for it when I suggested it.

And they were just what I had been looking for — an easy assembly job. You just roll the meat and cheese up into the crescent and bake as instructed. Instead of making the suggested au jus (I just didn't want to mess with it), I served them with horseradish dijon mayonnaise and lemon pepper green beans. I think this meal found itself on the "make again" list, and Scott and I spent the entire dinner naming other things we could roll up in a crescent. This could be good for our taste buds but bad for our waistlines.

As for what we should be for Halloween, I'm thinking that Preston could be a football, Scott a football player, and I a cheerleader — just in case you were wondering.

*Pinteresty: (adj.) When something looks really cute but is far too much trouble/time/money than it's really worth. "I thought I would paint the whole room with chalkboard paint, make tissue paper puffs, then cover my couch in burlap, but I realized that was too Pinteresty." See also: craftastorphe.

Monthly Preston: Months two and three

I've let myself get behind on keeping up with Preston, so today you get two for one.

Month 2

Weight: 12 pounds, 1 ounce
Length: 23 inches
Likes: Anything dangling above his head, watching sports with Daddy (he was especially into Wimbledon), going on road trips (after being so good during a 15-hour journey to Florida, he's got to like them a little), reading (well, looking) at books.
Dislikes: Being hungry or being set down
Accomplishments: He can smile, coo, and lift his head with some coaching and lots of wobbling.

During Preston's second month of life, he went on his first family vacation. Sometimes we questioned our parenting, dragging the poor kid all that way, but he slept most of the time and enjoyed all the attention he got from my family. These Florida vacations are a tradition in my family, and it was so fun to start Preston so soon.

From the top: Rooting for the Razorbacks; so cool; smiling; boy genius; sleeping with daddy; rocking some leg warmers; watching TV; thinking deep thoughts; playing in his gym; snuggling with me; my breakfast view

Month 3

Weight: ~14 pounds (We're going to need a bigger white onesie.)

Length: 24.5 inches

Likes: Being tickled, being sung to, licking his clothes (really, anyone's clothes go straight to his mouth. Is that weird?) and still loving books, his pop-up gym and bath time.

Dislikes: Scott sneezing (It freaks him out every time.)

Accomplishments: He's gotten much better at lifting his head. It's like it happened overnight. He's giggling now, too, and is very close to rolling from his back to his belly. He's still exclusively breastfed, but he now gets that in a bottle when I'm at work.

This month I went back to work, and I am so proud of how well he's adjusted. He's been quite the showoff to his babysitters (he has one for Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and one for Tuesday and Thursday). It makes me feel good knowing he's handling it so much better than me. 

From the top: He's found his thumb; seat thief; snoozing with mommy and aunt; learning about the Beatles (got to start them young!); celebrating the Fourth; relaxing; sweet boy; how all the cool kids nap with their pacis; monkey feet; reading; nap time.

Unbelievably good uneven bars

Yesterday during NBC's coverage of the Olympics, they showed this uneven bar routine by Russian gymnast Olga Korbut in the 1972 games. The feature told about how she broadened gymnastics' audience. She and her coach created routines around what viewers wanted to see, not the judges. And she excelled at that. It's incredible to watch — just one more reason why the Olympics make me feel incredibly underwhelming as I sit on my couch.

Feeling a little flat

(A quick note before you get into the real post: You may notice the new layout — a little J.Crew-y, Anthropologie-ish piece of loveliness. If you're reading this in Google Reader, click on over and see it for yourself!)

Before I got pregnant, I wore heels to work every single day. Since I have a desk job, they weren't completely impractical — I wasn't running back and forth all day long. Plus, being 5 feet tall, they helped give me a little height, making me feel less like a college student around the university. However, once my pregnant belly started to expand, my coordination went down the tubes, and my feet swelled up like balloons. So I switched to flats — specifically the same pair of gold sandals every day from March to May. My feet stretched them beyond repair, and they've since gone on to shoe heaven — may their soles rest in piece.

Now that I'm back at work, I thought I would jump back into my heels with excitement, but my feet have grown accustomed to the comfort and ease of being level on the ground. Plus, carrying Preston in his car seat, plus all of my bags, into the house every afternoon is hard enough without having to maintain my balance.

Luckily for my feet, there are lots of cute flats out there to choose from, and they don't look like dowdy mom shoes. These are some of my favorites.

From top left: Target, J.Crew, J.Crew, Target, Old Navy, Old Navy, DSW, DSW, DSW

What about you? Are there certain things you though you had sworn off, only to discover you love them? 

Mom at work

Last week was my first week back to work since having Preston. While I love my job, I had been dreading July 23 since May. I enjoyed the lazy little routine we had gotten into — our morning naps during Kathie Lee and Hoda, folding clothes while singing children's church songs, and all the cuddling, cooing, slobbering and smiling that comes with a baby. We had a good thing going, and I miss being able to be with him all day.

My first day back, everyone was so sweet, sending me texts and Facebook messages, bringing me little gifts and words of encouragement. They were all a great comfort to me. But during that first week, there was one thing that changed my whole perspective.

Coming back was something I struggled with. It broke my heart that I wasn't going to be the one to take care of him. And then one of Preston's sitters sent me a picture of him that said, "Thanks for working hard for us, Mommy!"

As strange as it sounds, that was something I hadn't realized. I was back at work for him. I was going to work to help support our family, not because some mean, outside force was dragging me away from my baby. At this time, for this season of my life, this is the best way I can take care of him. And that changed my entire attitude on going back to work.

Do I still miss him during the day? Painfully so. But I know that when Preston reaches a time in his life when he needs me at home, God will provide that means. For now, I find comfort in the fact that this is how I can take care of him — and squeeze in as many drooly kisses as I can in between.

Olympic fever

The Olympics are finally here! I have been chattering on for months nowabout how much I couldn't wait, and I think Scott is tired of it. While he geeks out about the Oscars, I am addicted to the Olympics — specifically women's gymnastics.

When I was younger, my sister and I took gymnastics along with our two best friends — also sisters. Our love of gymnastics peaked at the same time of the 1996 Olympics and the Magnificent Seven. This was the year the women's team took home the gold and Kerri Strug vaulted her way into infamy on a broken ankle. 

During that summer, the four of us would turn our friends' living room into an Olympic venue, cartwheeling around the floor, balancing along lines in the hardwoods, and vaulting over the couch. We each took on the name of one of the gymnasts — I was Dominique Moceanu — and marked down scores on a Little Tikes blue easel (Remember that?). My sister was Kerri Strug (they had the same, unfortunate, hairstyle) and played up the limping and heroics of the role. We even had gymnast Barbies who we would reenact various routines with. Those were good times. (We would even do rhythmic gymnastics with our Ribbon Dancers. You have to remember those.)

To add to my anticipation, in this year's games, a Harding graduate whom I had the privilege to interview for the magazine will be running in a track and field event! Janet Cherobon-Bawcom will run in the 10,000 meters August 3, and I'll definitely be streaming it at work and cheering her on.



So, while I might be too old to be an Olympic gymnast, I will still be firmly planted in front of my TV dreaming of flipping and flying my way to gold. Plus, I've got to find a sport to dedicate Preston's life to so that some day Pampers will make a commercial honoring me as an Olympic mom.

Monthly Preston: Month one

Has it been a month already? It feels like it's been a blink of an eye, yet we've been doing this forever. My fear was that we'd get this baby home and have the hardest time adapting to him. When I was worrying about being prepared, a friend of mine told me that God made Preston just for us and that we would know just how to take care of him. And thankfully we do! He's a huge blessing, and we've loved getting to know him this month. Here's what he's been up to ...

Weight: About 10 pounds
Length: 21.5 inches
Likes: His fuzzy changing table cover, bath time with daddy, his paci, mealtimes, singing with mommy (his favorite song is — for some reason — Carly Rae Jepson's "Call Me Maybe"), sleeping on someone, his mobile, lots of hugs and kisses, and his little rocking seat.
Dislikes: Having to wait too long to eat, being cold, hiccups, taking his Vitamin D drops, sleeping somewhere other than on someone (although I've learned to trick him into sleeping in his bassinet), not being held, and socks.

At the hospital; going home; first day home; snoozing; one week old; after bath; two weeks old; just like daddy; three weeks old; a boy and his paci.

Happy one month, P! We're loving getting to know you!

Preston's birth story

He's laying here on my stomach, not far from the place he stayed for the first nine months we got to know each other. His snores are somewhere between a bird's chirps and little dolphin squeaks. He's a little Houdini who can weasel his hands out of any covering so he can put them in his mouth. He loves cuddling and hates being cold. He cries very little (usually when he's cold) and sleeps well during the night. He is fascinated by the TV and unmoving ceiling fan, and he loves for his daddy to sing and play guitar for him. And it's hard to believe he wasn't here three weeks ago.

It's been a whirlwind of a three weeks, and I figured it was time to recount how we got this little miracle here in the first place.

At 39 weeks, I sat in my doctor's office as he explained that my son was probably 7.5 to 8 pounds and that with his size and my size, I might not be able to deliver him naturally. We decided that a c-section was the best option and scheduled it for the coming Wednesday, three days after my due date. It wasn't what I had planned, but I'm incredibly thankful my doctor made that call rather than letting me labor for hours only to end up in the same situation.

Wednesday morning, May 2nd, after sleeping as poorly as kids before Christmas, Scott and I arrived at the hospital, checked in and went to our room. My c-section was scheduled for 9 a.m., but I didn't end up going back until 11. The anticipation was killer. We spent it watching Kathie Lee and Hoda toasting Wednesday Wines-day... I thought that was every day for them.

Right before it was time to go back. It looks like I have a pillow under my hospital gown. I don't.

I've never had any kind of surgery, and I'm pretty sure the only other time I'd spent the night in the hospital was when I was born. But I wasn't nervous about the spinal block, c-section or recovery. I was just ready to meet my son.

After answering a lot of medical questions over and over, including how many children I had (just this one) and why I was having a c-section (he's just too big), I was wheeled back in a sexy blue hair net as Scott followed in blue scrubs. This was it!

Scott waiting to meet me in the OR. He's my Dr. McDreamy.

Once I was the most insane numb and the blue curtain was pitched, it was time for the procedure to begin. On TV, when they depict childbirth, it's a very dramatic moment. The music swells and after one more I-don't-think-I-can-do-it push, the baby cries, the doctor announces boy or girl, and the parents look at each other with tears in their eyes and bright smiles.

I had wondered prior to the c-section if I would feel robbed of that heartwarming moment, what I thought I would experience until five days prior. But when my doctor lifted my beautiful baby boy over the curtain and I saw him for the first time, I knew that my moment was perfection. There was nothing like it.

Our first family photo

Before I saw him though, I only knew two things about him, which my doctor had announced as he was delivering him. "He's got a lot of hair!" and "He's a big baby!" I didn't think he looked that big, but he did weigh 8 pounds 14 ounces and supposedly, compared to the other babies in the nursery, looked like quite the bruiser.

The hardest part was that, after nine months of his being all mine, they had to take him away from me. Scott and Preston went to the nursery while they stitched me back up and wheeled me back to my room for recovery for 45 minutes.

I was very very thankful for the lactation nurse, a woman who is adamant about getting babies to breast feed as soon as possible. She asked my recovery nurse how soon she'd be finished. When that nurse was uncertain, the lactation nurse said she was bringing me my baby in 10 minutes, ready or not. I watched the clock and, at 10 minutes exactly, Preston was in my arms for the first time.

Me and my boy!

After that, Wednesday was a bit of a blur since they gave me a magic pain killer button to push whenever I needed it. And once my lower body numbness wore off, I really needed it!

We stayed in the hospital until Friday. Taking him home was an incredible feeling — a mix of overwhelming, underprepared, and exactly what we wanted all in one. We've loved these three weeks with our little buddy and can't imagine life without him now. He's pretty much perfect. I guess we'll keep him!

With all those wrist bands, I thought I'd been club hopping.

For more pictures of Preston's arrival, check out Cassie Jones' blog. She took some amazing photos!