Cash's First Go-Round

Today, Colt, Cash and I dropped by the Jumpin' Jeans baby consignment sale. We got some really cool toys for Cash. I love letting Cash try out new toys and seeing what he likes. Its almost a given that if it makes noise, lights up, or has bright colors, he'll like it. We got a table that he can stand up at, and learn about music, a ball that he can chase around that lights up and plays songs, and a drum toy. We planned on wrapping them up for Christmas, but we couldn't resist watching him play with it now. I think we will have more fun on Christmas morning than he will!

Colt had to play at the Don Cesar tonight, so Cash and I were on our own. My car was in the shop, so my sister came to pick us up after she got off of work, and take us to Clearwater to see my family. We haven't hung out, just the original five of us (+ baby), in a long time, and it was nice to remember what being the "older sister" felt like. We went to dinner at Crispers, and then headed down to Octoberfest in Oldsmar. It was 1/2 carnival rides, and 1/2 shops and booths. Cash got to see some traditional German dancing! He couldn't have cared less about the dancers, but he liked the music. He loved looking at the lights on the carnival rides, and games. It was sensory overload! My dad dunked the clown at the dunk tank with the first dollar! Those clowns freak me out. I hate when they say..."Water..." in their low, sinister voices. All I can think of is, "IT" by Stephen King, and then I remember why I had to shower with the shower curtain open for several years...ok and maybe occasionally in present times. Cash rode his first amusement park ride tonight! It was, of course, the merry-go-round. When we first got on the ride, he was smiling and so excited to even be sitting on the plastic horse. When the ride started moving, he lost his mind. He was squealing with excitement. He kept looking at me like, "Isn't this great!" My family got some pictures on their cell phones. I'll post them below. I think the merry-go-round made his night, and mine. Its PATHETIC, but I almost cried while we were on that ride. What has happened to me?!? I'm NOT a crier! I guess that is what having a sweet baby boy will do to a Mama. Its amazing how happy it makes me to see him experience something for the first time. He was so excited, and happy on that brown, plastic horse. When he first got on, he had no idea what was in store for him. Everything was new, and the excitement was so genuine. I love seeing him genuinely surprised! After that, I made a "no-more-ride-rule" until Daddy was with us. We are planning on going to the State Fair so Cash can ride some more rides...and Mama can eat a funnel cake! Yum!

After the festival we all piled back into my Dad's truck and headed back to their house. I changed Cashman into his Thomas the Tank Engine pajamas, and we hung out for a while longer before my parents drove me back home. What good folks I have to drive me back to my house (40 minutes away) and then have to drive back to their house. I would like to think its because they love me, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Cash has something to do with it. Ah well, who can blame them!

Now Cashman is in bed, and Colt and I get to watch our shows! Mama and Daddy alone time! BOW-CHICA-WOW-WOW! Just kidding. :)

(Disregard that Cash's head looks super weird in this picture, I don't know why it does-HAHA!)

A sappy thought at 1am...

I always imagined that being a wife and mother would be great. I never imagined it would be this rewarding or fulfilling, or that it would make me this happy. Its a million times better than I ever imagined. That is all for tonight. :)

The first picture we ever took together.

The first baby we ever made together (or in general-HAHA!). :)

BEWARE OF DOG

The best thing about our neighborhood is that you can't throw a rock without hitting a home occupied by Christians. I love that. Its such a secure feeling to know you have friends all around you, who are right there if you need them. Just off the top of my head, I can think of 5 families that go to our church that live in our neighborhood and dozens more that attend other churches in the area.

My feelings of security were temporarily interrupted this week when we heard about a series of break-ins. My in-laws live a few streets over from us, and were informed that there was an attempted break-in on their neighbor's house. Apparently they went to the grocery store around noon, and when they came back their front door had some damage from where the criminals tried to kick it in. Scary stuff! What took me by surprise was that it was in the middle of the day, at a house that was clearly seen from the street. I prayed about it, and decided I wouldn't let it bother me.

But it did bother me. Today, Colt and I made a trip to Lowes. We bought a chain for our door, some window locks, and lastly, the most cheesy security measure...a BEWARE OF DOG sign for our fence. Its amazing what having a baby that sleeps all the way across the house from you will lead you to do. We also have an ADT system, dog that's a light sleeper, and a video monitor in the baby's room. I think we're pretty well taken care of. In all seriousness, I know that all I can do is pray about it. God has protected me for the last 24 (almost 25) years from people that may want to do me harm, and I pray that he'll continue to do that for me and my family. These little extra security precautions don't hurt though!

In other news, Cash has been doing REALLY well with sleeping in his crib. He doesn't really cry at all anymore when I put him down, and he's been sleeping for 11-12 hours at a time. Love it!

Well I better go. Colt got home a little bit ago, and its time to watch our shows, and hang out! Couldn't have gotten luckier in the husband department. ;)

Bible Class and Family Vacation!

Right now, I am enjoying a lovely cup of STRONG coffee that Colt made, watching a ridiculous Lifetime movie and listening to my child scream bloody murder in the other room. Yep, Cash has decided to boycott napping. Well, napping in his crib to be more specific. If he is in my arms, or in the car, its no problemo. It was to be expected I guess, because my mom said I never wanted to nap when I was little. Still to this day, I can go on very little sleep. I think his sleep schedule is thrown off a little bit from our mini-vacation. He is a once a day napper, but he sleeps about 12 hours a night, usually waking up once or twice if at all. I hate listening to him cry himself to sleep for nap time, but its the only way he'll learn.

This week started out with Cash's first time in Bible class on Sunday morning. He loved it! I got rave reviews of his good behavior from Ms. Lynda! He didn't cry at all, and sat listening to the teacher and touching the arm of his classmate, Deacon. Such a sweetheart! I have to say, I was choking back tears the whole time. I know it sounds weird, but its just another milestone proving that my baby is growing up too fast. He looked so cute in those little bucket seats.

Monday and Tuesday were spent at the Don CeSar Hotel on St. Pete Beach. Colt has been playing there, and really loves that gig. Its a gorgeous hotel! Cash loved swimming in the pool and the Gulf! He sat in the sand, running his feet through it, and grabbing handfuls to pour on his legs. Of course...adorable. Beach vacations are definitely different with a baby. The whole point of going to the beach is to relax. Relaxation is almost impossible with a cruiser who likes to crawl and pull up on everything. Instead of beach chairs, they gave us a really cool canopy bed with canvas sheets on the side, right on the beach. We put a bunch of Cash's toys on the bed, and laid around and watched him play. I didn't get much sun, but it was fun to see him discover a new landscape! Its funny how my beach priorities changed from getting a good tan to preventing my son from swallowing sand.

This should be an ad for Target Wipes :)

Well I guess that's it for now. I'll leave you with a video of this weird thing that Cash has been doing with his tounge. Its pretty hilarious! Thanks for reading!

A Friday in the Fall

It has been too nice outside not to enjoy the beautiful fall weather. What did we do today you ask? We went to the DMV. Ok, so its not really enjoying the fall weather, but its a favorite hangout for Colt and I. We discovered the entertainment value when we were applying for our marriage license several years ago. Since then, we look forward to every opportunity to visit. Its the best place to people watch. Today was Cash's first trip. We were served by a lovely lady named Ruth. Of course she was enamoured with Cash's good looks and charm. At the end of our visit, he left her something so as never to forget him. He barfed on her desk. Not a lot, but just enough to let her know he cared. I love running errands with Colt and Cash.

After a few more errands we went to Chick-Fila for lunch. Cash ate a french fry which the throughly enjoyed. He learned how to drink from a straw on Wednesday and ever since then he whines for a chance to try out his new trick when he sees an opportunity.

Now, Colt is playing, so Cash and I are at home, fresh from a grocery trip to Target. Cash got a swim shirt for our first family vacation to the Don Cesar on Monday and Tuesday. It looks super cute on him.

I'll let him jump in his jumparoo for a few more minutes, only because I love listening to him talk to himself with an occasional, "Mama" and "Dada" thrown in. I wonder what he's saying about us. All good things I hope.

UPDATE: Crib Sleeping

Last night (10/5/10), Cash slept through the night in his crib! He didn't even wake up once! We are so proud of him...and well rested!

8 1/2 Months: Crib Sleeping/Daily Life

We've finally done it. Cash man is now in his crib as of September 27th (last Monday night). Thankfully it was an easy process. Here's the story...

We knew the time had come because none of us were sleeping well anymore. He was waking up about 3 or 4 times a night, and because I was next to him, he wanted to nurse. This made for a very sleepy Mama. He was cranky throughout the daytime because he was waking up so much throughout the night. I knew the hardest part would not be the transistion, but missing having him in bed with me. Pathetic, huh!

We decided to start the process on a Monday night so we had plenty of time for him to adjust before having to wake up early for church on Sunday morning. We decided 11 or 12 would be a good bedtime for him, since we don't lead a "wake up at 6am" lifestyle. We figured if he were to sleep 10-12 hours, which the pediatrician recommended, that he would wake up between 10 and 12 which was perfect! On Monday night, we played with him for a long time on the floor in the living room to wear him out a little bit. I nursed him and then fed him his usual "dinner" solid meal. He eats A LOT (at least 8oz. but most of the time between 8 and 12oz., three times a day), so I knew that would help with his sleeping. In my experience, a full baby always sleeps better. After dinner, I rocked him while watching TV for a little while, so he was tired, but not sleeping. Then he kissed Daddy goodnight, and I walked him in his room and laid him down. Immediately he got up and stood holding the crib railing. He was looking at me like, "Where are you going?" Then his little lip started to quiver and he started wailing. It was so sad, but I knew from putting him in his crib for naptime, he'd soon stop crying and go to sleep. As I thought, it only took about 10 minutes, and he was sleeping. He woke up twice that night, but the nice thing was, Colt got up once, and I got up the other time, instead of me having to wake up every two hours and nurse him. When he woke up, we'd go in there, give him a sip of water (drinking out of a cup is one of his favorite activities), lay him down, give him some kisses, and gently rub his head, then walk out. He'd cry for a few mintues, but very quickly fall back asleep. We all woke up the next morning well rested and in a good mood!

As I said, we started this last Monday, and he's been doing basically the same thing every night. He's crying about the same amount of time every night, but he almost always falls asleep within 10-15 minutes. The transistion was easy, but the emotional aspect was hard for me. That first night, when I went to get in my bed, I could still smell him on my pillow. There were two pee pee diapers that I had changed the night before on the changing table on the pack-n-play, which made me miss him even more. Even though he was just across the house, it felt like he was worlds away. I didn't cry which was good. I put the video monitor right next to my bedside and turned it up loud. What did people do before video monitors?!?! My attachment phase has gotten better as we get more used to this sleeping arrangement. :)

I never knew what having Cash would mean to me. Colt and I always talk about how he really is our best friend. We love waking up in the morning, and going into his room to start our day. He is always in the sweetest mood when he wakes up. After he wakes up I'll nurse him, and then eat my breakfast while he plays with his toys on the living room floor. After my breakfast he gets his solid breakfast, then we prepare to go for our walk. He gets all sunscreened up, and puts on his "workout clothes". Haha! He literally squeals with excitement when I open the door to push the stroller out at the beginning of the walk. I love our walks because it gives Colt and I time to talk and hang out without destractions of the TV, feedings, diaper changes, etc. etc. etc. Cash is just along for the ride. Moe came with us today (he is the most out of shape dog ever), and Cash loved watching him walk beside us. We have our designated water break spots, and Cash loves drinking out of my water bottle, even though he has his own sippy cup filled with ice water. At a certain point on our walk, Cash always begins to talk. We laugh everytime, because he's quiet as a church mouse until that one speed bump, when he begins to babble like a mad man. When we get home from our walk, I usually nurse him again and he goes down for a nap. The rest of the day is either spent running errands or playing at home. On days that Colt doesn't have to work, we usually go to dinner, although we're trying to do better about staying home and cooking. It really is a blissful life.

Well I better run. I'm going to try and start updating more often, even if its just a paragraph about something funny he did that day.

My "funny story" today would have to be about his "Marlon Brando voice". He immitates the Brando voice a lot when he is in serious conversation. It is hilarious. I will try to get it on tape. Well...that story wasn't really funny. I guess you have to be there. HAHA!

Thanks for reading!