Double ear infection

I took David to the 'after hours' at our NEW pediatrician that is GREAT, and sure enough he has a double ear infection. I knew something wasn't right. He has been fussy ALL week and not sleeping well and today running a fever (102.2). This is his first ear infection.

I forgot to tell about David's 1 year check up. He is in the 29% for weight (21.6 lb) and 42% for height (I can't remember). We saw the new doctor- Dr. Waters. She is in a brand new practice right near us. The building is so clean and she is great. Did I mention she also goes to our church? She recommended that we send David to a speech pathologist for his eating issues (he has lost 1 lb in the past 2 weeks). His issues recap: he will only swallow smooth food, anything chunky he chew then spits out. At Sonny's BBQ the other week, he ravenously 'ate' chicken. (take a piece, chew it, spit it out, over and over again). David actually has an appointment tomorrow morning with the speech pathologist, so we'll see how that goes. I have packed his favorite foods (soy cheese and diced fruit pieces- really the only food he'll actually eat) and some other food that he chews and spits (little chicken pieces and green beans). I'm just need it to be the weekend. It's been a hard exhausting week with traveling a lot and a sick baby with lots of appointments and my class and being sick myself all week. Also, tonight Zach's at the 1st Tech game so I'm going at it alone tonight. I forgot to mention that David is now solely on the sippy cup and soy milk- yeah! Although it's funny because David now calls the sippy cup 'Ba ba'. He even asks for it when he is thirsty/hungry.

Day Care

I've been touring some other day care centers as we are considering switching because David's current DC is about $100 more a month than all the other ones around here. I'm beginning to realize why. His day care is so much more clean, organized, and systematic than all of these other ones I am looking at. His also has nice, new toys and the playground has mesh matting. In general, his current DC facility is just so much nicer and better maintaned than all the other ones I'm looking at. I am beginning to appreciate how nice his center is! There was one center in town called 'Jacob's Latter' that uses the Abeca Christian teaching program that I was very interested in. The have the kids pray before meals and teach them. (david's center is not a 'teaching' center- they don't do any type of curriculum). However, upon visiting the center I was very turned off. The rooms were baren, not much of anything on the walls- no colorful pictures, etc.. David's room has artwork and all kinds of things neat in it. There were barely any toys at Jacob's latter and the ones they did have were very old. Everything looked very old and run down. What do the kids do all day? The room was an almost empty all grey room. No mats on the floors, nothing. The conclusion to all of this is, that for now, we are keeping David where he is at and spending the extra $$. It might be worth it to switch him when he is older so that he can have a learning program, but we'll reconsider later. I am now, more than ever, happy with his day care and when they are anal and do things that annoy me I will have to keep it in perspective.

Dreams of a Mini-Van

Recently, somehow or the other, the subject of cars came up. I can't believe I'm going to admit this, but I would love to have a big, gas-gusaling mini-van. Yes, it's true, I actually like them. But, sheesh, those things cost big bucks. Maybe I just think they are lots of $$ in comparison to the cars that we have had. No, right now, there are no plans to purchase a mini-van. We currently own Zach's CRV and are trying to pay off my car.

On another note, I started taking a night class at Macon State. It's just one course, 3 nights a week. It is 1 of 5 pre-req's that I would need to take if I ever decided to go back to school. And, no, there are no plans for me to go back to school right now or in the near future. I just want to be prepared if the opportunity ever presents itself. In fact, our plans in general for the next coming years are so up in the air. I'm not sure what we'll be doing in terms of jobs, or where we will be doing them. We have bounced off many potential options, but we will have to see what doors God opens and closes. For right now, at least for another year things will remain the status quo. I do know that I am currently very unhappy at my current situation, and something will change in the next couple of years. At least I have to hope that. I'm trying to have the attitude that anything is possible for a limited amount of time. And, as much as I long to be with David more than I am, I do honestly feel like I am doing the right thing for our family by working. (I just wish my job didn't wear me out so much- mostly from all the traveling)

I think I'm just ready for summer to be over with. Summer is my very busiest time at work, and in the past 2.5 months I've put 10,000+ miles on my car traveling for work.

In other notes, David is sleeping very well. He usually sleeps from 9:30 to 6ish. Nice! Occasionally he wakes up, but he soothes himself. One year olds are so much fun!

I'm Stoked

I just realized that my paycheck on Friday was 130 dollars more than it should have been. I went online to my company's site and saw that I got a $4600 per year raise! No one even told me!!! The reason was listed as 'equity review/ market analysis'. I knew that they just hired two people and those people were hired on at a higher rate than me (office gossip), but I didn't care because of the flexibility extended to me by my company. I guess word to other people got out and more people were upset so they had to give out raises, WOO HOO!!! Now, I can put an extra 250 per month towards debt and hopefully get some more student loans and car loan paid down- yeah! I am so excited! This is a way better raise than what I got at the new year.

Birthday Weekend

This was actually last weekend- I am behind on my posting. David's actual birthday was last Sunday, August 17th. We celebrated all weekend! Saturday night we had a pool party for D at our neighborhood pool. We had several people from Zach's work, a few from church, and even visitors from Atlanta (thanks Emily and Melissa, Mimi and Aunt Lindsey!!). It was a fun time! The party went Oh so smoothly except for the cake. I worked so hard to bake this egg free, milk free cake. It took me 4 attempts. Well, we lit the light and started singing to David and all of a sudden, he took the palm of his hand and smacked it on the candle, extinguishing the flame and getting hot wax on his hand. He was not a happy camper and wanted NOTHING to do with that cake. Even the next day we tried to give him the cake at home and he started crying the minute he saw it! I wonder if he'll forever avoid blue cakes. David got SO many presents! It's wonderful! I did put about half of them in the closet for later, and some of the ones I bought I'm going to save until Christmas.

Zach and I feel so blessed that God gave us David and he has been such a joy this past year. Though it has been challenging, we wouldn't change it for the world. I am so thankful that David is healthy and normal, and now that he can respond to us it is so much fun.

Another Video- Ball!

This was taken this past weekend. His favorite word is 'Ball'. In fact, when we were at the grocery store on Sunday strolling through produce he pointed at the honeydews and loudly yelled 'ball', and he did it again at the cantelopes and watermelons. Afterwards, he cried because we didn't give him the 'balls', but he got over it quickly.

It's a Wobbly World

David's starting to walk! Check out his wobbly steps!
*Birthday post including pictures to come next

Poll for New Mommies

Lately, as I've been seeing people's baby birth stories and reading blogs I've been hearing about the 'push present'. I've heard of people getting presents at their child's birth, but I didn't know it had a 'name'. So, I am wondering- How common is this? How many of you got a present after giving birth? What did you get? I have to admit, I didn't get one when David was born, but I would have liked it, though I think it would be silly to get upset over.

Birmingham Trip

This weekend we went to visit my friend Rachel and her family in Birmingham. She has a 3 week old baby named Wyatt. He is so sweet and wonderful. We just loved meeting him! It was also good to spend time with my friend. They have a dog and David went nutso over him. The dog would lick him and David would laugh and then he would grab the dog, and they spent lots of time playing. I think the dog got sick of David chasing her around! We went to one of our favorites- a mexican restaurant- and got a margaritas- that was fun. (1 of only 2 alcoholic drinks that I like) We also spent time at their huge, awesome neighborhood pool. It was a good weekend, except for 2 things. One- the ride back to Warner Robins, David was a pill. See the picture of him grabbing his feet mad? Two- while sitting on the screened in porch (yes screened in), some bug bit me 5 times on my face around my eye and once in between my eyes. It itches so bad and the bites keep getting bigger! I think they are mosquito bites, and I'm probably in trouble because around the 3rd day my bites get to be the size of quarters. I attached a picture of this too.

It was so crazy seeing the difference between Wyatt and David and it made me realize how far we have come in one year! It is a reason to celebrate- and next weekend we will at David's pool party!

Diapers and Politics

Recently David has been waking up with a wet bottom. The first month of his life David was put into name brand diapers- Huggies, Pampers, and Luvs. We quickly changed to generic diapers- mostly Babies-R-Us diapers. They are cheap- 22 a box and I’ve never bought them without a 5 dollar off coupon (comes in mail). Occasionally, they are on sale 2 boxes for $30 and I feel like I’ve struck gold. The only problem is I have to buy them in Atlanta because there is no babies-r-us near us. But, let’s face it- they just aren’t as good. Someone, I don’t remember who, once told me that Luvs were a lower cost alternative to ‘name’ brands, but geez, those things are expensive! I consider them name brand too. So, we’ve finally caved and bought a pack of my favorite, Pampers Baby Dry, and we use one before bed time and generic every other time. I don’t think that’s too bad, but it is funny having 2 brands of diapers. Now David doesn’t wake up with a wet onsie.

I can’t believe I’m going to talk about this, but with all the buzz on TV here goes my 2 cents. I actually am not into politics. In fact, I’ve never voted before. Well, I tried once but the line was too long. I am split between the 2 presidential candidates. I can not think of a single, more critical issue to our national security, our economy and our future than the issue of energy policy. The energy crisis is the most likely thing to throw our economy down the drain and turn us into a 3rd world country. Why does everyone not see this? I don’t understand. Obama’s policies are WAY better than McCain’s in this area. McCain is obviously not planning for the future, which is so irresponsible. In fact, I’ve never had an issue that I’ve been so passionate about (except for what I’ll bring up later). I also feel passionately about abortion. I would like it banned in most cases. And, we as a country, for the first time in a long time, are so close to seeing this happen. There are 2 very old liberal justices that will likely be replaced within the next presidential term. If they are replaced by conservatives, we will see some policy changes. Obviously Obama would not be the president to appoint conservative judges. Why can’t there be a president half republican and half democrat? I hate the two party system! When it comes down to it, I am actually libertarian- usually, the less government the better. I loved Ron Paul. Actually, if I had to vote I’d probably go with McCain because I can’t stomach the tax increases that Obama will install. And, lets face it, I’m going to vote with my wallet. If I didn’t have debt, and I made enough money to buy a house, have more babies, stay at home, and be able to live comfortably, not extravagantly, I would probably vote for Obama. But, as is right now, I more than likely will not vote.

Summer Days

Not too much new going on here. I'm working and traveling a lot- summer is our busiest. Zach's helping out with David a lot and we are preparing for David's first birthday. David did just grow out of 9-12 month clothes and is wearing 12-18 which sent me on a shopping trip. Let me complain a second at how expensive clothes are- and I hate buying them new. We do have a consignment shop in Warner Robins, but it has terrible prices and you are better off going to Kohl's. When we have another baby I hope it's a boy for the sole fact that I would like to re-use David's clothes. I wish we had someone in town that could give us hand-me downs. Oh well.

We are going to have a party for David at our neighborhood pool on the 16th. I'm not quite sure how it will work out becuase I literally have zero friends here in warner robins, but we are inviting family, Zach's work friends, and a few of my close friend's from Atlanta. Wait, I take that back. I do have 1 friend in Warner Robins. She actually lives in Perry and I know her from college. So, zero new friends. I feel like I am living a sadly isolated life in desperate need for community and friends. I can't get plugged in anywhere because I'm too busy with work and when I am home I don't want to leave David- and I don't think I should.

Last weekend we were in Milledgeville because Zach was a groomsmen in his college roomate Jeff's wedding. Sadly, we didn't take any pictures! This weekend we are going to visit Rachel in Birmingham (i think) who recently had her first baby, Wyatt. I am so excited! And next weekend is David's birthday. So, we are so busy!