Teething, Toilets, & Robbing Walmart

As you can tell by the title, Barrett and I had a crazy day!

The day started earlier than usual, 4:45 to be exact. I woke up because I could hear Barrett stirring which he does throughout the night, so being the paranoid mom that I am, I was actually relaxed by the noise because I knew he was breathing. I was REALLY glad I didn't need to go check on him because with the cold front coming through last night our house was freezing! I know this because of the other 3 or more trips I made throughout the night. (It cracks me up when people say I'm lucky he sleeps through the night because I've realized I never will again!) Around 5:15, Doug apparently got tired of waiting for him to go back to sleep, and he got him out of bed. I secretly was thrilled that Daddy took care of it, or so I thought.

5:17... Daddy comes into our room with Barrett, puts Barrett in bed with us, comments Barrett is obviously having teething issues, and he goes back to sleep. By he, I mean Doug. Barrett had other plans. I decided I could distract him from his aching gums by feeding him, and since my loving husband was snoring, I figured I'd have to do it. Since a bottle takes a while for Barrett to consume, I decided to go to the bathroom first. Hence the second word in my title, toilets.

I would like to amend my list of things I am thankful for from the other day. I need to add indoor plumbing. As I staggered into the bathroom this morning, I was greeted by the FREEZING tile floor. You know where this is going, right? Because I wasn't thinking clearly, I was then greeted by an even colder toilet seat. What a crappy way to start the day, no pun intended. Because I challenged my Sunday school kids to see the blessings in their lives instead of complaining, I'd like to say I feel blessed to have a toilet inside because an outside seat this morning would have really sucked!

After getting the bottle made, I crawled back in bed with my snorting, angry baby and snoring husband. My attempt to appease Barrett worked, and he happily sucked his bottle down while his daddy got ready for work. After Doug left for work, I was sitting in bed with Barrett trying to convince him to go to sleep, when I noticed that my nativity scene was the only thing I could see in the house because of the one light Doug left on in the living room. It was one of those moments I wish I could film and watch over and over again. I had a very relaxing conversation with God, and I didn't even notice Barrett had passed out. :) My day was getting better!

Wondering where robbing Walmart fits in?

Yes, I robbed Walmart today.

I went to buy three things: Grandpa's Christmas gift, diapers, and formula. I collected all three and went to one of the self check aisles because Barrett was not in the mood for a line. I scanned all three items while listening to Barrett scream. I was trying to dig out my $10 similac coupon while soothing Barrett. I pulled out a wad of coupons, scanned the similac one, dropped it in the "deposit coupons here" spot, crammed the other coupons in my bag, grabbed my stuff, and rolled frantically out of Walmart.

When I got home, I unloaded everything, cleaned the spit up out of Barrett's seat, changed Barrett's diaper, and emptied his diaper bag of dirty bottles. It was then that I noticed my crime... There in the bottom of his bag was the $10 coupon. Oops.

Back to Walmart. Apparently there are a lot of people who scan coupons and don't put them in the little box, at least that's what Velma the "manager on duty" says. (By the way, a red vest means manager if you ever need one.) And, they do press charges, it is considered theft. We went to the box where I deposited something and Velma opened it up. There was a coupon for $1 off Milicon with my name printed on it. I'd make a bad thief. I was thanked for my honesty, but I was happier that I wasn't punished for my stupidity.

Here are some pictures from Thanksgiving that wouldn't upload the other day.

My nephew, AJ, loves money. He found this in Uncle Doug's truck. He was actually more excited about the quarter he found.




















All my other nephew, T-man, wants for Christmas is his two front teeth.















Barrett loved seeing so much of his family on Thanksgiving, especially his Uncle Ray!




















Barrett is in bed asleep now, so I better sleep while I can. Tomorrow we go to take his Christmas pictures. Wish me luck!

Daddy's Turn

Today Barrett spent the day with Daddy. So, true to form, Barrett slept the entire day when he was with someone else. It makes it hard to get sympathy for how hard my days are when he is perfect for everyone else. Doug never had to deal with a crying fit, spit up, or a poopy diaper, but then again, he only had him for an afternoon. The real test will be next weekend. My friend Cindy has made it possible for me to do something I have ALWAYS wanted to do! We are headed to New York City next weekend. While I have been there before, it's never been in December. I can't wait to Christmas shop there and see all the Christmas decorations! Daddy thinks today was easy! We'll see how easy it is after he has him an entire weekend.

Now, on to what I need from Doug's helpers. DON'T HELP HIM! Make him wash bottles, change diapers, sooth the crying, make bottles, clean up puke, bathe Barrett, etc...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and since I wasn't able to write, I wanted to take a minute to mention the things I am thankful for:

My family, that is ALWAYS is there for me

My in-laws, who are so much more than the parents & brother I got through marriage

My friends, even though I don't see ya'll as much as I'd like, I do love you

My former students, you made the past 8 years amazing

Barrett, what would I do without him!

Doug, I am so lucky to have a husband that allows me to do whatever my heart desires

and finally,
I am thankful most for the Lord who has blessed me with the people I love.

Who Would Sue Santa?

Barrett experienced another first yesterday. He had his picture taken with Santa! I did not go to the mall with the intention of having the picture taken, but seeing the Santa booth with no line was too good to pass up. While I remember waiting FOREVER in line to see Santa modifying my list the entire time, I couldn't see any reason Barrett needed to wait until after Thanksgiving.

He was somewhat happy, not covered in spit up and/or drool , and he had socks on. So, he was ready to have his photo taken! Those may not seem like abnormal occurrences to you, but trust me, it's amazing they all happened at the same time. He's not always real happy right now due to the teeth that apparently trying to rip their way through his gums which also causes the drool pool on his shirts and mine. He also hadn't spit up yet on the clothes HE was wearing (don't ask about my shirt!). I had the other, cuter clothes covered in rancid soy milk in the diaper bag. The final requirement, socks, involves his Nana. If I had his Christmas picture taken without socks, I would just be setting myself up for her concern about his freezing feet. After all, it was a frigid 80 degrees!

We walked straight up to Santa, and Barrett went to him with no complaints. Getting Barrett to look towards the camera and smile was not so easy. As all four of the elves danced around like idiots, Barrett just looked constipated. I then started to sing Mr. Sandman, and as I expected, he smiled. Unfortunately, it threw Santa off, and he looked at me instead of the camera. To be honest, everyone looked at me, along with the passing shoppers, but who cares I got the picture! So, I had to choose between constipated Barrett with Santa looking at the camera, or cute and chubby Barrett with wandering-eyes Santa. It was not a hard choice.



After the chaos ended, Santa handed me the traditional candy cane. While I picked the package of pictures I wanted, I unwrapped the candy cane. (It's not like Barrett can have it!) I bit into the candy cane and was shocked. It had no crunch to it. If I am paying an arm and a leg for Santa pictures, the least they can do is give me a fresh candy cane! So, I did what any woman who already made a fool of herself would do, I asked for another candy cane because mine was apparently stale. It was then that I heard something that actually made me sad to be an American...

They are now giving out these weird softer candy canes because of a lawsuit. Yes, someone sued Santa for giving crunchy candy canes! I see people so often forgetting what CHRISTmas is all about, and someone suing Santa is a great example.

I promise if Barrett should ever break his tooth on candy that I allow him to eat, I will explain to him that sometimes bad things happen that are no one's fault. I will not teach him it is an opportunity for money.

Merry Early CHRISTmas!

Mr. Sandman, Bring Me a Dream

I came to an amazing revelation yesterday, motherhood changes you. I don't mean physically, although the extra skin on my waist is a definite change. I did something yesterday that I swore I would NEVER do again.

It all began in 6th grade. I was in choir preparing for our Christmas show. It was the last rehearsal before the show, and I was excited as I stood in the front row with all the other short people wearing my sweatshirt proudly displaying our gold Raider mascot. I made sure my Santa hat was on perfect allowing my bangs not to be squished. (It was the 80s!) We finished our first song, and we were amazing. Then, the choir teacher called me up in front of everyone! I wondered, am I directing? Am I being thanked for my dedication? Am I doing a solo????

She then said the words that would scar me for life, "Brigitte, could you just mouth the words?" As everyone giggled, I slumped back to my front row spot. I was singled out as the worst singer. There were thousands of us, and I was the worst? Ok, there were only about a 100, but still... It was then I swore I would NEVER sing in public again.

I have stuck by my self-imposed rule until yesterday.

Barrett loves my singing. His favorite is Mr. Sandman. How I figured that out I have no idea. I don't remember the first time I sang it to him, but it always makes him smile. When he first started smiling, singing Mr. Sandman was the one thing that always prompted a grin. Slowly I have gotten more brave singing it in front of one or two people, but only family and close friends. His smile is so cute that I'd choose embarrassing myself so others can see him smile too.

In Sunday school yesterday, the activity we had planned required the 4th graders to sing "Thy Word". The 3rd graders, who I've already done this activity with, sang it as soon as I mentioned the song. So, when I said, "Who knows 'Thy Word'?" yesterday, I expected to hear the kids start singing. They all just stared blankly. I knew they should know this song, but they all looked at each other first. It was then that I faced my fear. I sang in front of them, and to my amazement, they didn't laugh, they joined in. It was a great moment!

I promise that no matter how horrible Barrett's singing voice is (genetics are not on his side), I will tell him he's the best. And, when the day comes that someone tells him he can't sing, I will be there to sing along with him, like my 4th graders did with me.

Dorothy, The Mother-in-Law

While most people dread their in-laws, I lucked out with amazing ones. Dorothy, Nana to Barrett, is not only Doug's mom, but she's also one of my closest friends. With that being said, making fun of her is done with nothing but love.

Dorothy is anything but computer savvy, but she has managed to find her way to my blog. What she didn't understand how to do is leave her own comment. So, for her sake, as well as the other grandparent people, here are some directions:

1. Look at the bottom of this post for the word comments.
2. Click on it.
3. Scroll down past any comments that might already be there, and you will see a box that says, "Leave your comments".
4. Leave your comments.
5. Scroll down more, and type your name.
6. Click publish your comment.

Since I am picking on Dorothy today, let me show you a photo of her and Barrett when he was in the hospital. Notice his foot where she bundled him.



Ok, in her defense, that is really his hand. We didn't have any little gloves, so we used a sock. But the image that this first time grandma mangled her new grandson is pretty funny!

Coming soon... how his Gigi (the other grandma) thought he crawled out of bed at 8 days old...

Misplaced trust

Cindy was kind enough to help me start this hobby, and because of this, she knows my password. Suddenly, the phrase "I know I'm a hot mama" appeared on my blog. Since I don't know enough to change it, I guess it will remain. BUT, my password will change. Someone, I assume George, wants pics of Barrett. So, here he is:


P.S. I am a firm believer in revenge...

I Need a Hobby!

Yesterday while out shopping with my friend, Cindy, we drove past Hobby Lobby where I so eloquently said, "I went to Hobby Lobby the other day to look for a hobby, but I didn't find one." So, this is apparently going to be my new hobby. My first choice was shopping, which I have been doing every day since Barrett was old enough to go out in public, but my checkbook (and husband) suggested I find something else to do.

If you don't know me, this probably isn't making much sense, so I'll give a little background. I was a middle school teacher for the past eight years until my husband, Doug, and I decided that I would stay at home with our baby, Barrett. After spending a few years and thousands of dollars trying to conceive, it just seemed right to see every moment of our little miracle's life. So, in August as all my teacher friends were preparing for another school year, I was waiting for my overdue baby to arrive.

After about a month of life with a newborn, I was ready to head back to teaching. Luckily, with a lot of counseling from other mommies and a Zoloft prescription, I feel great about my new career. Since I tend to see the humor in everything but I don't have time to call friends and family with every little detail of my chaotic life, I decided to start this blog so you can know what we're up to. I will try to update regularly, and I am sure Cindy will let me know if I am not keeping up with the new hobby she forced me to start.

Barrett is fussing so my "break time" is now over. I did get almost 15 minutes of peace...