Tour of Homes

If you don't read Kelly's blog...it's a must! She always has such neat posts! This week she is starting the "Show us where you live Friday" tour of homes! Each week she will be touring a different room, and this week is KITCHEN week! I am so excited...I just love seeing other peoples homes! Hope you enjoy!

Here is my kitchen from the living room area! When we built our house, it was so important to me to have an "open floor plan". Also, I wanted my island and my vent to stand out, so we painted them black! I love the way it turned out!



This is looking into the living room. We have LOTS of counter space...don't know what I'd do without it!

This, my friends, is where I keep my Southern Living Cookbooks!!! I think I could sit and look at cookbooks for hours...that is, if I had time ;)


Here they are! My Nana bought me the majority of the Annual Cookbooks trying to get my the entire set! I don't know if I ever will, but I'm sure trying!


I hope you have enjoyed my part of the Kitchen Tour! See you next week!

8 weeks

Today was the dreaded visit to the doctor for Gage's 2 month shots. All in all he did really well. He only cried for a second and it was all over. I was so proud of him! We took MeMe with us because I wasn't sure I could handle it, but it wasn't too bad. He weighs 12 lbs 15 oz (84%) and he is 24.5 inches long(95%)...BIG BOY!

This is Dr. Nolen checking him out! She said he looks "perfect"!

Here he is with his MeMe! Poor guy had no idea what was about to happen :(

He has been doing so well with his sleeping this week. He has slept for 7 hours two nights in a row!!! Even though he is sleeping great, I am not! It seems like I still wake up about every 3 hours to check on him...you know, put my finger under his nose to see if he's breathing ;) We've all done it, huh? I thought I would never see the day that I would be so paranoid. I suppose that's what happens when those motherly instincts kick in! He has started taking 5 ounces of formula this week and he seems to be getting full, so hopefully we can stay there for a while. On the other hand, he has been drooling and spitting up like crazy! I don't know where in the world this came from! I sure hope he isn't cutting teeth already...if so, I will probably cry!

Here is Gage with his Bunny Rabbit today...I can't believe how fast the little guy is growing! While we were at the doctor we saw a baby that was 1 week old and he seemed so tiny. I remember when Gage was that age and people would say "I can't even remember mine being that small". I would smile and say "really?" but inside I was thinking "you can't remember...what do you mean you can't remember?". Now I know...you really do forget! I can't remember Gage being that small either! SO SAD!!!


I realized when Michael came home today that he and Gage both had on green Polo's! I just had to have a picture...aren't they cute? I just LOVE those two!!

Dinner's Ready!

Last night two of my cousin's came over for dinner and of course...to see Gage! Rance(the dark-headed guy) is a great cook, so he did it all! We had pork chops, mac and cheese, and some vegetables he threw together and baked! I never have liked squash, zucchini, OR onions but for some reason I tried it...IT WAS WONDERFUL! I don't know what he did to it, but he did it right! For desert I baked chocolate chip cookies and we called it a night! We had such a good time visiting with them and we can't wait until they come back!

Kyle adores "Baby Gage"! Kyle and I have always been very close, so it means so much to me for him to love Gage so much! I know I'll be crazy about his kids too!

Gage's First Day...

Yep...you heard right! Gage went to the babysitter for the first time today! I did a lot better with the situation than I thought I would. Maybe because he only had to stay for 4 hours, or maybe because I knew he was in good hands! Kristi and I have been friends since the first grade. As a matter of fact, we were best friends! I wish I had a picture of us from way back then, but I don't! I'm pretty sure we spent the majority of our Elementary career with each other! When I found out I was pregnant I asked her about keeping Gage, and after talking to her husband and thinking it all over she decided she would!

Kristi had twin girls, Brittyn and Lexyn, on my birthday last year and they are a mess. It is so cute to see them with Gage because they are almost a year old and he is already bigger than they are. I'm sure Kristi decided today that her hands are officially full!

Here is a picture she posted today of Brittyn and Gage. Apparently Brittyn was a little curious...or mischievous! They are going to have so much fun together!

50 Years and counting...

Last Saturday my grandparents celebrated their 50th Anniversary! We had a party for them at the church and I couldn't believe how many people were there! It seems so special to me for someone to be married that long and still be so much in love. Michael and I have been married almost a year, and I can't believe how fast it has flown. I wonder if 50 flies by the same? Hopefully one day I'll find out! Happy 50Anniversary to the sweetest grandparents ever! We love you!

Picture Post

This is really a random post, but I had a few pictures I wanted to share!

This is one of the sweetest pictures I have ever seen! He is so peaceful when he's in his swing!

Mom and I took Gage shopping Monday so we took a picture in his new shoes! They are so cute!

I am a far cry from a photographer, but I thought these were pretty sweet!


Here he is laying in bed with Daddy! He is very hot natured, so he loves having his shirt off!

He loves his play mat! This was his first experience!

Mom and I took him shopping last weekend when it was so pretty out! He was so good!

I'm pretty sure I have a little thumb-sucker on my hands! As bad as I hate it, he still looks so cute!

Wouldn't you like to pinch those cheeks?

Gage's First Easter

Here is my sweet little family on Easter! If you are wondering why Michael's shirt is wet...that's because it poored rain ALL DAY! We had a really big day, and Gage was so good! We went to Church with my Mom on Sunday morning, then headed out to my Grandparents. We have a huge family on my Dad's side and it is always fun to be with everyone on the holidays. I just love visiting with all my cousins...they are all crazy about the new addition to the family by the way! My Mom and Stepdad joined us this year and I'm so glad they did! It seems strange to everyone that my parents are divorced and can still tolerate eachother, but they actually get along very well. I'm so thankful for their relationship...it makes things so easy on me! After we went to Granny's we went to Michael's Moms house and had dinner there. Her mashed potatoes are FABULOUS, and of course, she made them!!!

Every year when the holidays come, Michael turns into a complete Scrooge because we have so many places to go and not enough time to make them all. I love all the hustle and bustle, but he HATES it! I usually dread waking up on holiday mornings, because I know he is going to get aggrivated. We always end up hurting someone's feelings because we don't stay long enough, or we just simply don't make it at all. This was the first holiday that we didn't have 4 places to be at one time...instead we only had 2! It was much better and we actually enjoyed the day! Hopefully we can figure out a way to make everyone happy now that we have a Grandbaby in tow. I know they would all appreciate it! Anyone have any ideas?

Happy Easter!

This is a little early, but I know tomorrow is going to be too busy for blogging! Mom and I took Gage to have his picture made with the Easter Bunny today and he did GREAT! Here they are! Aren't they cute?

I hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow! HAPPY EASTER!

Better late than never!

I have been reading old stories in my blog, and I realized that I never wrote about the day Gage was born. I wanted to write a post about it so that I wouldn't forget ANYTHING, and apparently I forgot. I suppose now is a better time than never!

I worked all day, came home and cleaned the house, and finished getting all our bags packed for the big day! All day long my customers would ask "You're still here?", and I would smile and say "Yep, I'm still here!". I couldn't imagine the thought of telling anyone I couldn't do their hair and to tell you the truth, it kept me from driving myself crazy thinking about what the next day would have in store for me.

Thursday, February 26, 2009
11pm~ We checked in the hospital to begin my induction. I had been dialated to a 1 for about 3 weeks, so I talked my doctor into inducing me. My Mom and Dad met us there and we headed upstairs to my room. The nurses gave me my gown and we were ready to go! We began filling out paper work, which took what seems like forever.

Friday, February 27, 2009
12:05pm~ We recieved a call that our very good friends had their baby at 12:03! When Teneal and I found out we were pregnant, we never expected to have our babies on the same day. She had been in labor the entire day before, and he didn't get here until a little after midnight on Friday! How neat is that? Gage and Aaron will surely be best buds ;)

1am~ I finally had all my paperwork done, and the nurse started my IV. I asked her, very nicely to not "dig" in my veins. She did it anyway. After the 3rd try, she finally got it. This was by far the worst part!

2am~ I recieved my first dose of Cytotec. The nurse told me that it would probably be a while before anything started happening, but she was wrong! I started feeling contractions within about an hour.

3am~ I had started having quite a few contractions...about 2 minutes apart. My parents were both still there, and we had been up talking. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep, but by this time I was wishing I could.

5am~ I had started having more contractions, and was given some pain meds in my IV...not a good idea! Gage's heartbeat dropped dangerously low, and nurses started coming from every direction. The pain meds knocked me out almost instanly, but I can remember waking up every few minutes thinking "why are all these people surrounding me". My Mom and Michael were both standing at the foot of my bed with their eyes glued to the monitor. The looks on their faces were not good. At one time I heard the nurse say, "it will take about 2 hours for the medicine to get out of the baby's system and he should be fine. Until then we just need to watch them both closely". By this time, I was starting to get nervous. What would I do if something happened to my baby because I asked for pain medicine?

7am~ Gage's heartbeat came back up to normal and I told Michael to get the nurse to call for my epidural. She told me minutes before that he wouldn't be here until noon, but I wasn't waiting. I WANTED IT NOW! Dr. T came in to give me my epidural and a few minutes later I was sitting up in the bed putting on my make-up. Those things work miracles, huh?

Throughout the day I progressed fairly quickly and things were going pretty well. I was on oxygen most of day because Gage's heartbeat kept falling. It seems like I asked the nurses every 10 mintues if he was okay. They told me yes every time, but looking back I wonder if they ever doubted. Things sure seemed fishy a couple of times.

We had LOTS of friends and family in and out all day, and at one time my nurse told me the waiting room was completely full. It meant so much to Michael and I that so many people cared to meet our sweet little baby boy! My best friend Jodie had finally arrived to be with Michael, my Mom, and I during the birth. I asked her to be there with me so that she could take pictures.

3 pm~ Dr. T came in and checked me and I was at a 9. He assured us that we should have a baby in just an hour or two. My epidural had stopped working on one side, and the pain was almost unbearable. From that point on, Dr. T never left my side. He was there for probably 4 hours without leaving. He honestly gave it his all to cure my pain, it just couldn't be done. Why would anyone choose to have a baby without pain meds? I can't imagine what it would be like.

5pm~ At this point, I still had not progressed any further, so Dr. T decided to give me my Pitocin. Early in the day, they had decided I wasn't going to need any, so they put it off. He mentioned to me that a c-section was probably my best bet at this point, but I wouldn't have it! I was going to have the baby one way or the other WITHOUT a c-section. A little hard headed, maybe? Little did I know, this was a battle I couldn't win.

6:30pm~ Dr. T checked me one last time, and I still had not progressed ANY. I was having contractions every minute, and they were starting to get the best of me. He finally talked me into a c-section even though I had my mind set not to. I cried hysterically and said goodbye to my Mom and Jodie. I wanted Mom to be there so bad, and it broke my heart that she would not be able to see her Grandson be born. I know it meant so much to her. Michael got into his scrubs and off we went. If you know my husband, you know that an operating room is not the place for him. Have you ever heard the term "a bull in a china closet"? Yeah...that's him. They told him the room would be a sterile environment and not to touch anything blue. I died laughing! He was bound to break something!

6:45pm~ We finally made it into the operating room and they got me prepped for surgery. Things went REALLY quickly and I kept hearing the doctor and nurses talking. I couldn't tell what they were saying but I knew he was coming!

7:04pm~ Before I knew it, I heard my sweet baby boy crying! He was healthy as could be! I can remember starting to cry myself, because the much anticipated day had finally come. I would be holding him in my arms in only a few minutes! Michael brought him over to me after they cleaned him up and he was even more precious than I thought! Daddy was certainly proud!

Michael was absolutely precious that day (just like everyday). He stood beside me all day long and held my hand telling me how much he loved me. I wasn't able to eat anything until the baby was born, so he didn't either. I told him several time throughout the day to eat something, and he would say "I'm not eating until you can". Wasn't that sweet of him? I'll never know what I did to deserve such a wonderful man to share my life with, but I'm glad I did!

Gage is 6 weeks old today, and it seems like only yesterday I was living this story. The day will forever be in my heart as the best day of my life. He is such a doll, and a sweet little boy! Mommy loves you buddy!!

First Bath

I know this seems crazy, but Gage had his first "real" bath tonight! And no, I haven't been letting him stink for five weeks, he has been getting sponge baths. It took his umbilical cord a little while longer than expected to come off, and it has just now completely healed up, so tonight was the night! He never cared too much for his sponge baths, but he LOVED taking a real one! I was really hoping he would! He layed in the sink and "talked" for about 20 minutes and didn't cry a bit! I am so proud of him...such a big boy!

Mini-MeMe

Since Gage was born, I have gone back and forth a million times in my head trying to decide who he looks like. He certainly has my lips and little pug nose. He has his Daddy's chubby little cheeks (I say Gage got those from Daddy because there is no chance I'll admit mine are chubby) and eyes. The question was, where did that flat jaw line come from? This picture here is all I needed to see...it's MeMe! He looks just like my Mother, don't you think?

This is not a good one of Gage, but you get my point!

Spring is in the air...

atleast occasionally! Saturday Gage and I went to the ballpark to watch Michael play softball, and it was so pretty! Michael says he has always looked forward to the day that he had a little boy to follow him around the softball fields like he and his Dad did. His wish has come true...all except one thing...Gage can't walk yet :) It won't be long though! I forgot to take pictures, but I will try to remember next time.

My Mom and I went yesterday to get some plants for my flowerbeds. When we moved into our house it wasn't a good time to plant flowers, so our flowerbeds look terrible. We are trying to get them in good shape now! Here we are working on them...in the freezing cold! Where did the beautiful Spring weather go?

Happy Birthday Papa!

Yesterday was my Papa's 73rd birthday! We ate at my Mom's house and vistited with all the family and had such a good time! Papa went in to have a cancer removed out of his face today, and things didn't go as well as planned. He has to have plastic surgery to repair one side of his face where they had to remove everything, down to the bone. Also, in a few months he is going to Tyler, TX to have brain surgery to help with his Parkinson's Disease. Papa is going to have a rough couple of months, so please keep him in your prayers. He is so precious to me!Happy Birthday Papa! We love you! This was yesterday at Papa's birthday party. His disease causes his hands to shake and he loses his balance a lot so he had never held Gage until then. It was so sweet!