Thanksgiving Traditions

A few years ago my family started a new Thanksgiving tradition. Most families use the last week of Thanksgiving to spend time with loved ones and have lots of warm fuzzy moments. Not us. We go to the boats in Shreveport. Nothing like saying thanks at a blackjack table with a drink in your hand. It's not as bad as it sounds. We don't go on Thanksgiving day, just a few days before. This past Tuesday when Brad got off work we hit the road. Earlier that day I realized that this would be Kherington's first overnight trip and her first time in another state. I wanted to stop and take a picture at the 'Welcome to Louisiana' sign, but it was already dark at that point in our journey. We would have been there a little earlier if Brad and I had not been too busy talking to see I20...not exactly the easiest thing to miss, but we managed. Our mishap went unnoticed until we were entering Gladewater (that's a good 15 miles past our turn). Drive, drive, drive, music, music, chat, chat...all with fingers crossed that Kherington would sleep until we got there. She did just that. Finally, we were there. Let the fun begin, for Brad that is. I'm not a real big fan of throwing money in the trashcan, so I didn't do any gambling. I stayed in the room with Andrea, Ave, and Addison watching "So You Think You Can Dance." Brad, on the other hand, is a huge fan of that, so he went to play blackjack. It's a real fun game, but he has not honed his craft yet. :) His time spent at a blackjack table is why we get coupons for 'free' hotel rooms in the mail and why they give 'free' drinks while you gamble. While the night was winding down, the girls were not. They built a tent for a movie theater in the corner. In that tent Addison decided to write on a pillow case with a pen (Sorry Sam's Town), scratch Avery in the face, and spill an entire orange soda in the floor. Gotta love her! Finally Andrea got them calm and in the bed watching a movie. Mom offered to keep Kherington in her room, so Brad and I got a full nights sleep!!! After a wild and crazy night in Shreveport (yeah right), we spent the day shopping at The Boardwalk in Shreveport. Trying to fit clothes on this new mommy body I've got wasn't fun! Somehow, those 5 pounds that I have left prevent me from wearing anything that they sell in any store on the entire Boardwalk. Kherington and Brad got plenty of new things. Luckily, no matter how big you get, shoes still fit, so I got a new pair of tennis shoes to run in. That has yet to happen, but they sure do look cool. After a delicious lunch/dinner at Salt Grass we came home and unpacked just to pack all over again for the next morning.

Rise and shine! I got up the next morning to finish packing and get ready to go to Cleburne. Let the traditional Thanksgiving festivities begin. We had a 2 1/2 hour drive ahead of us and needed to stop by a grocery store for the rolls. Thank goodness that's all we were in charge of bringing since Brad failed to tell me. Luckily his mom predicted that and text me the day before to let me know. Kherington was a doll again and slept the whole way there waking up just in time to scream as we walked in the door. Nothing a little formula won't fix. She was in heaven for the rest of our visit. Never a moment without the attention of someone, usually several people at once. She got to meet several people that she had never met before, a few aunts and uncles, several cousins, and her great grandmother. She spent a lot of her day awake with out much of a nap, so I was looking forward to a good night's sleep. That was not the case! She didn't go to sleep until 12, woke up at 1, 3, and again at 7 to get the day started. You gotta be kidding me! I was good for nothin' the next day. After more family time and lots more football, we headed back to Tyler. On the way back the Heavens opened up and the angels sang as I ate a meal from Taco Cabana. Oh the delight!! When we got home Kherington was snoozing in her car seat. She woke up and had a little play time in her bouncy seat and a bath in her tub. Once again, I was sure Kherington would let us get some sleep. Boy was I ever wrong...again. Maybe it's the snotty nose and cough that she got along the way. I'm SO not ready for a sick baby. Let's just hope that tonight is better!! Overall, Thanksgiving was a success. One holiday down, one to go. Now I have to start getting gifts...

Track Star

Here's a video of Kherington playing in her bouncy seat. When I watch it I think, 'How precious is that. She's learning how to play.' When I showed Brad he said, "She's gonna be fast. She's got good form." That's a coach for ya.

Country Girl

I never thought I'd have a country girl... I guess I was wrong. For a while the only way to get Kherington to go to sleep anywhere other than in her swing was by listening to the blow dryer. It still works for the most part, but when it doesn't we have a back up. She l-o-v-e-s 'Big Green Tractor' by Jason Aldean. She will go from fussy to sound asleep in seconds if you play that song for her. What has the world come to? Why, of all the songs on her sleep play list, is that one the one she loves? Here's a before and after pic of her listening to her song.

So much to say...

Disclaimer: Before you read this, if you are anything like me you may be disappointed. I like to look at pictures that go along with a story. (Maybe that's why I teach 2nd grade. The books still have more pictures than words.) There are no pictures to accompany this entry. I am pretty sure I didn't even have time to turn my camera on much less take any pictures. :)

This week has been crazy...where do I begin?!

Well, I started back to work on Wednesday, So I had to drop Kherington off at daycare. All along I had been saying that I was going to make Brad take her because I knew I wouldn't be able to do it without crying. Who was I kidding? I had to take her on her first day! Brad and I went together. I probably needed the moral support. I made it out of the daycare without any tears. Well, at least no tears streaming...they were still in my eyes. The tears came later when I got to school...thanks LeAnn and Adam. When 7:45 hit and the kids came in the room, I didn't have much time to think about it. Luckily the day went by quickly. Of all days to have meetings after school, it only makes sense that today would be the day. We had to take a test about technology on the computer after school. I had it all planned out that I was going to rush to the library, take the test FAST, and go get my doodle bug. Too bad we had to wait for everyone to get there, and then we had to wait for directions on how to do it. The directions were clearly stated on our handout, so I couldn't quite understand why I couldn't just get started. Now I know how some of my kids feel when I make them wait to get started on their work in class. "We'll get started when everyone has their name and number on their paper." I've said those words too many times, followed by step-by step directions, while a few kids stare at the ceiling thinking 'I could be done by now.' I may have to change it to, "If you understand what to do you may get started. If you would like directions..." I finally got to get started and finished in record time. I left immediately after. 'I wonder what I'm teaching tomorrow?' Guess we'll find out in the morning. When I picked Kherington up she was sleeping in her pack 'n play. The girls in her room went on and on about how cute she is and how great she did. Even if she cried and cried, they are smart girls for saying she had a great time. It's exactly what I needed to hear. I felt much better dropping her off the next morning.

I didn't think I had missed my kids or my job while I was at home, but I found out quickly that my thoughts weren't completely accurate. It had been too long since I got to read a book to 20 kiddos all crisscross applesauce in their rows. I also missed all the funny things they say. Here are a few examples from this week.

One first grader said, "Ooohhh, Mrs. Baca baby done camed out and she got skinny." Did I mention that he's my favorite now?

I saw one of my former students who is now in fourth grade. He is way too cool to acknowledge his 2nd grade teacher so he tried to walk quickly and not get trapped talking to me...not quick enough. He said, "So where you been anyway?" I replied, "I had my baby. Can you tell." "Yeah." "How can you tell?" The look on his face was priceless. You could tell he was worried that he could hurt my feelings depending on his answer. He said, "I don't know how to say it." Now I have to know what he's thinking, so I asked again. Looking at the floor, he cut his eyes to my stomach and pointed. "She ain't in there anymore." :)

Daddy in Action

Our day started with Kheri Jo's first time at church and lunch at Bodacious. It was delish! I've missed going to eat there. Brad has brought it home a couple times since she was born, but it's just not the same as actually going to the restaurant. At home, you can't drown your BBQ sandwich in their sauce like you can if you actually go there. Church and lunch was a great outing, but I needed to go shopping for some stuff that Kherington needs for day care. (She is starting Wednesday...sore subject...let's don't even go there) We didn't want to push our luck, and I knew Kherington would be eager to stretch out at home. I dropped off Aaron, Brad, and Kherington at home and left for Babies 'R Us. Brad is so great with her when I'm at home, so I didn't think to tell him anything before I left. While I'm shopping (the trip for formula and diapers turned into a baby clothes shopping spree. It's hard not to look at clothes at B.R.U. They have Amy Coe clothes which btw are the cutest baby clothes ever!) I get a call. I can hear Kherington crying in the background, and Brad asks in somewhat of a panic, "What time did she eat?" I tell him that it's been a little over 2 hours, so she might be hungry since she didn't finish her bottle from earlier. Problem solved, or so I thought. We hung up, and the phone call didn't cross my mind again. You may be thinking that the panic in his voice should have lit a fire under me and sped up my shopping trip. However, if you know Brad, (bless his heart) you know that he tends to get frazzled in situations like that. He can be a bit uptight, and is a huge non-fan of Kherington's pitiful little cry. I knew that everything was really ok, even if he didn't. I finish looking at clothes, grab the necessities, and head home. (Side story - As I lay my things on the counter to check out, the girl asks, "Would you like to save 10% today?" My answer is always, "No, thanks." That conversation always makes me feel like a total snot. Who wouldn't want to save 10%? I know it's not gonna be that simple though. It's going to be some form I have to fill out or a credit card. I don't have time for that, even if I will save 10%. They shouldn't be allowed to ask it like that. They should have to say, "Would you like to waste 10 precious minutes of your busy day to fill out a form, only to save about 2 bucks?") Whew...I feel like my ADD just kicked in. Back to the story. Finally home, I walked in the door to find a puddle of partially mixed formula in the dining room floor. I immediately died laughing. Why is it that in the 8 weeks that I have been at home with her there has yet to be an entire bottle spill in the floor? I walk a little further to find Kherington and Brad sitting in the recliner and Aaron sitting on the couch. Aaron and Brad look a little stressed, but Kherington is looking fat, dumb, and happy. (That is Brad's saying for "Man, I really enjoyed that meal". I would never think of that on my own! I guess he is rubbing off on me.) I get a little closer to see that Brad is covered in spit up. How in the heck could such a disaster have happened so quickly?

I have since gotten Brad's version of the story. What I wouldn't give to hear Kherington's side. I'm sure it was a funny sight to see! I'll try to relay it to you just as he told me. Evidently when I left, Kherington was already fussy and headed on a downward spiral. "She had a wet diaper and was due to eat." NO! Not both of those things at the same time. What ever will he do?! So, next he changed her diaper. Good start! Now, it was time to fix a bottle. I had recently washed her bottles, so there were a few left in the pot on the stove from me boiling them. There were also a few dirty bottles here and there. He found a clean bottle and the ring that screws on the top, but no clean nipple. He says he looked 'everywhere,' while she was screaming. While his frantic search continued, Aaron picked up Kherington because the crying had intensified. Maybe there's a nipple in the diaper bag. While Brad was digging through the diaper bag like a pregnant woman digs in the pantry, his hands got a little crazy and knocked the bottle into the floor. It finally came to him to check in the pot on the stove. There they are! He made a bottle, and they finally had one happy baby! The disaster was over..well, aside from the massive amount of spit up that was on the way. I asked him later why he didn't just rinse out the nipple from the dirty bottle in the living room. He said, "I've never seen you do that, so I didn't know it was an option." Bless his heart! How precious is that?! With this episode under his belt, I think he is ready to brave bath time.

Best Day

Thursdays in the Baca house are pretty dang good days (lots of our shows are on), but yesterday was pretty much the best day ever. Well, aside from the day Kherington was born, my wedding day, blah blah. Anyway, the day started with a visitor. Kim came to spend the day with us, so I got to have some adult conversation and someone to shop with! We had a great day! Brad got home at 5 something which is a breath of fresh air, since Thursdays are l-a-t-e days during football season. The first thing he said to me when he go home was, "I think you need an iPhone." I've been moaning about my phone for a while now, but I am not the kind of person that is going to buy something unless I really think I need it. I can't begin to count how many times I've picked out a dress or a shirt at Target and carried it around the entire time only to put it back because 'I don't need it.' It drives Brad crazy, especially when I gripe the following week about having nothing to wear. He knew that if it was up to me I would just use my phone until it fell apart or I dropped it in a glass or tea or something (oh, it's been done). I wasn't about to argue with him, so we loaded up and went to the store to get my new phone. Buyers remorse was just around the corner, but Brad convinced me that I should get it and that it would be worth it. It definitely was! When we got home, let the TV watching/playing with my new phone begin. While learning of all the cool things that it does, I found out the real reason Brad wanted me to get the phone. Besides the fact that my old phone was a total piece and he couldn't hear me when he called me, he wanted to buy the 'I am T-Pain' app that has auto-tunes. I'm pretty sure T-Pain is his idol...sad, but true. It won't be long before Brad records a song and sends it to his brothers. Believe it or not, there were more good things to come. Aaron called me when he was just getting off work at Olive Garden. He brought me one of their fabulous salads after I did a little begging. Little brothers are good for something! Now...for the best part of the day. Kherington went to sleep at 10:30 and slept until....wait for it...6 freaking 30. Good TV, Kim came to visit, new phone, Olive Garden salad, and a good nights sleep. Does it get any better than that?!

Blowdryer

Kherington had a long weekend. Football game on Friday, baby shower Saturday morning, pictures at Sears Saturday afternoon, and a day with her cousins. Needless to say, by Sunday morning she had a bit of attitude. Sometimes her fussiness can be cured by walking around with her, so we were strolling through the house. Her Nannie (my mom) was here since she stayed with us Saturday night so me and Brad could go out. She was in the guest room blow drying her hair. I walked into the room with Kherington and as soon as she heard the sound of the blow dryer, she stopped crying. I stayed for a few more minutes and she went to sleep. She very rarely falls asleep in someones arms without a bottle, and if she does it isn't without a fight.

Sunday night as Aaron, Brad, and I were watching the Cowboys game, she was following her normal evening routine of fussing because sleep is drawing near. It's really hard to hear the announcers with a crying baby in the room, so we busted out the blow dryer. As soon as I turned it on, the crying stopped. Minutes, maybe even seconds, later she was sound asleep! I was all prepared to buy a new blow dryer every month, but to cure fussy/sleepy baby syndrome it would be worth it. Before I burn out my blow dryer or catch the house on fire, I decided to look online for a noise machine or CD that might serve the same purpose. I found a CD that is 1 straight hour of blow dryer noise. I started to order it, but waiting 3 days for shipping was not something I was prepared to do. Could I be lucky enough to find it on itunes? It was worth a try. Believe it or not, I found the same CD on itunes, bought it, and uploaded it to my ipod. It has been working like a charm!

Attn: New Dads

My brother, Aaron, spent the day with me and Kherington today. At one point he decided that he'd change her diaper. This is a rare occurrence! He swears he's changed Addison's (our niece) diaper once or twice, but I never witnessed it. Aaron is the kind of person that asks about a thousand questions before doing anything new. Before he could start with the questions, I told him that the only thing he needed to know was to wipe her hiney from front to back. I guess that was not easy for a guy's brain to remember, so he said front to back, belly button to crack. Really Aaron?! How can anyone make changing a newborns diaper sound so gross? I guess he needed a little rhyme to remember what to do. So, for all of you new dads/uncles with baby girls, just remember front to back, belly button to crack.

Somethin' Bout that 2nd Quarter

So...we (meaning me, Kherington, and one very brave Uncle Aaron) were going to leave the house at 6:30 to make a second attempt at a football game. Being the new mommy that I am, I started getting ready at about 5ish. I packed a bag for her that looked like we were going on a six week hike across Antarctica, put on my blue and gold, and left to cheer the Bulldogs into the playoffs. They had to win by 7 to make it in. We got there early enough that we didn't have to fight much of a crowd to get to our seats. At this point she was asleep, and I was crossing my fingers that it remained that way for a while. It was then that I realized that the cute outfit I bought at Babies R Us today was probably not necessary since not one inch of her body would see the light of day because of all of the blankets. (One day I will learn that there aren't many events that call for a cute outfit for a newborn.) One of the other coach's wives/my friend, Katie, and her daughter sat with us. Her daughter, Kobie, is fascinated with Kherington and would give anything to get her hands on her! :) Maybe next football season, she'll be a better friend for Miss Kobie. The first quarter was uneventful with regards to us, aside from the air horn and noisemakers nearby. Eventually, the noise got the best of her, so she woke up to have a bottle. The first quarter ended 16-6...not in our favor. Kherington was a trooper for most of the 2nd quarter. With 4 minutes to go, one of the boys got hurt (he's ok now), so the game stopped. Evidently she didn't like the stall in action, so she started getting a little fussy. I wanted to at least make it through the first half, so with a little bouncing and rocking she went back to sleep. At this point, the noise and chilly air was frankly enough for me. I know it wasn't bothering her, but you can't help but wonder. I was afraid that she was getting too cold and that the noise was too much for her little ears, so we decided to hit the road. At this point in the game, it was 22-12 with Gladewater still leading. Luckily Aaron was there to do the heavy lifting and carry the carrier to the car for me. After a stop by Taco B for a little snack, we went to the casa. Kherington was pleased as punch to lay on her play mat and stretch out. After a little playtime, she had a bath, a bottle, and she crashed hard. If we had a TAKS accountability rating, but for our trip to the football game, we would probably be considered acceptable verging on recognized. For those of you who aren't teachers, that means we did ok, but there is mos def room for improvement. Maybe next time, maybe with nerve meds for me, we'll do better and be commended. :)

When the game was over, Brad called to tell me the bitter/sweet news. They won! But only by 6, and they needed to win by 7 to make the playoffs. This led to another realization about myself. I am turning into one heck of a coach's wife. In our conversation, Brad said, "Well we ended the season 5 and 5," sounding a little disappointed. I replied, "Well, they are a young team." Seriously?! Who says that? I need a break from football season before I start talking football plays with him on Sunday afternoons.

2nd Attempt

We're going to try another football game, but this time we are going to actually sit in the stands. Wish us luck!

Realizations

As I get older, I am coming to many realizations about myself, some bad, some good.

1. When Brad and I sat down to watch a movie and he had to use three different remotes and change the input, the channel, and some settings on the TV, I realized that I am not as independent as I once was. How are my independence and watching a movie related? Well, for my entire life the words, "Let me do that for you," automatically translated to "I don't think you're capable." I wanted to, and did for the most part, do everything by myself and for myself. That night I realized that I would not be capable of watching a dad gum movie without Brad turning it on for me...eww. Guess I'm not Mrs. Independent like I thought I was. How pitiful is that? My goal this week is to figure out all the contraptions that go with the TV!

2. With my independence disappearing, so is my youth. I realized this past week that I am no longer 21. It came as quite a shock. ;) Recently I went to Walmart to get a few groceries and just couldn't help stopping by the clothes, yes Walmart clothes. Hey, they're cute! After having Kherington and somewhat getting my body back, I needed at least a new shirt. I bought the cutest blue and black flannel shirt to wear with my tights and boots. I showed it to Brad, proud of my purchase. Like I mentioned before, he's a smart man, so he said how cute he thought it was. We all know that he could not care less, but it is still nice to hear. For some reason, I felt the need to share the fact that the shirt was part of Miley Cyrus's new clothing line. The look on his face was priceless. In that moment I realized that it might be a little ridiculous that a 27 year old wife, mother, and teacher was wearing a shirt made by a teenage pop star. Just because I realize that I'm not 21 anymore, doesn't mean that I'm not wearing the shirt, with my tights might I add. It may be designed by Miley Cyrus, and it may not be long enough for a mom to wear with tights, but I'm going to rock it! As long as I'm self aware it's ok, right?