Fly away

I'd love to be telling you about all the neat stuff going on here. There's a ton of stuff. We've got bluebirds in our box and they have 4 eggs. We have a great garden going. Wes is taking the month of June off, so we've been going to the zoo and stuff like that. It's all good.

These radishes are delicious!
The Navy Bean won't eat them though,
she's says they're too "sour."

But, this post is going to be about how the Navy Bean was almost killed in a freak wind storm.

In order to keep my sanity, we got the Navy Bean a swingset. Before it got hotter than hell here, we were probably outside for 3 hours every day. She LOVED her playset. We loved her playset. The playset was all good.

Then, one day we were outside, and in less than 10 minutes, the sky went from sunny with no clouds to pitch black. The Navy Bean was in the fort part of her playset, and as Wes and I were heading to get her and take her inside, a freak wall of wind, (about 70 miles an hour) picked the playset up, took it straight into the air and dropped in down. With the Navy Bean in it. We were terrified and screaming and she was screaming. Those were probably the worst moments of my life. Go back and look at the picture of the playset. Look at what is around it and behind it. Yeah, nothing but ground that is as hard as concrete.

The back wall of the fort is a tarp. Thankfully, she was pushed into the tarp and didn't hit her head of any of the wood. She came down on a very small shrub. Pretty much the only shrub in the yard. She walked away with 2 quarter size bruises and that was it. Oh, and a fear of wind (but only in our yard, everywhere else she is fine).

The Navy Bean showing you how big she is in comparison to the shrub she landed on.

She is fine. She was back outside within two hours, lamenting the fact that her playset was broken. Wes has fixed it, but now it's so hot we don't go out much. And she's afraid of the wind.

But she does talk about it. "Big, big storm and big, big wind come. They take playset up, up, up and throw it down to the ground! Navy Bean go up, up, up and then down to the ground. I really scared. But I okay now. God keep me safe. Storm go away. I no scared anymore."

Thank God he did keep her safe.
I don't think I could live without seeing this face everyday.

My boring self

I'd love to be able to tell you that I've been gone doing interesting stuff, but that's not true. The Navy Bean is going through a phase where I have to spend EVERY SINGLE MINUTE paying attention to her, which makes blogging a tad bit difficult. I know I could blog once she goes to bed, but by then I'm exhausted and I want to do something fun, like play Dragon Age and try to seduce my companions (you should try it: guilt free casual sex).

I am planning something interesting, but I won't be able to talk about it for a month. I know, I'm such a tease.

Now, I will leave you with an IQ story (because those are so much fun). IQ Jr. is doing massive amounts of therapy, both physical and speech (among other things). He is not developing as quickly as he should. They should be grateful that Mr. IQ is in the Navy, because insurance is paying for everything (yes, your tax dollars are being spent to help a child who probably wouldn't have issues if IQ didn't ignore him all the time). Anyway, they recently bought a house, a pretty nice one, I should add. When I went to see it, I asked why the dining room had crayon all over the walls (every, single, wall). IQ replied that she had been unpacking upstairs and left IQ Jr. downstairs. First, why are you leaving a 2 year old on a different floor (only acceptable for short periods of time, or if he's sleeping), second, the stairs were open in the back, meaning he could have fallen through if he had tried to climb up, third, he was in the room next to the kitchen and fireplace. Let's not even think about what could have happened there. So, yes, IQ's mothering skills still suck.

And, in other IQ news, she has decided she will not have sex with her husband until she loses weight. Apparently her head starts shaking when they have sex. Now, I have no idea what that has to do with her weight (and yes, she does need to lose weight), but, since I once asked my husband if both IQ and Mr. IQ put bag over their heads when they have sex, I'm not really sure if I should feel bad for Mr. IQ or not.

I'm back

I was in Texas, visiting the family for two weeks. I have been home for a week, but boy, things were crazy here. The Navy Bean had/has sleep issues, and the lawn needed to be mowed, the house cleaned, groceries bought, and I'm on the committee for the moms' group that started again yesterday. The trip was good. I got to go out with Camille, without the Navy Bean, and we had margaritas and a great time. I had lunch with an old boyfriend, and had to laugh when he said his only regret about us was that we never slept together. Um, isn't that the regret of every man towards every woman he has ever met in his entire life who has not slept with him? But it was great seeing him again and we had a great (if short, stupid weather/traffic) time. The Navy Bean was still afraid of my brother, but eventually warmed up to him and gave him a kiss. My brother has lost more than 35 lbs and he looks AWESOME! I'm very proud of him.

But, this is by far the most exciting thing going on around here:

look closely. There's pee in that potty chair!!!!

Thankful

I

am

so

thankful!

Happy Halloween

Here is my little Garden Gnome!

She's actually sick and going to the doctor today.
But she is cute!

11 months

I'm not dead, I've just been busy. Busy unpacking and cleaning and getting to know neighbors.
And busy chasing around a little girl who is going to be one year old a month from today.

Where's my baby?

The Navy Bean is practically running everywhere.

And she climbs on everything.

She is fearless.

The Navy Bean with bubby and sissy.

She loves big kids.

She wants to be a big kid.

She's a very happy baby.

We're trying to teach her to say "stinky" when she poops.

She can say it, but doesn't say it when she's poopy.

I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast.

She is using a fork and eats a ton of food.

But, she still nurses twice a night,

which, I suppose, is my fault.

9 months old

My little adorable Navy Bean is 9 months old. She is so big, and smart, and funny. I just want to hold on to her, and beg her to slow down, just a little bit. Stay small for a while. Stay mommy's girl for a while. Stay a Navy Bean! She just won't listen. I love her so much.

We need to start a fan club for her at the commissary. I think at least four people stop us every week and comment about how cute and happy she is. She eats the attention up. But they are right: she is cute and very, very happy. One of her favorite games is trying to take my magazine, or my crocheting and playing tug-of-war with them as I declare, "No, that's not Navy Bean's. That's mommy's." Apparently, everything is hers.

We still have some sleeping issues, but everything else makes up for it. Besides crawling at light speed, she has begun taking little steps. She's up to three now. Part of me wants her to stop it, part of me can't wait for her to wobble across the room to me. She loves to play Peek-a-boo. All the time. For a very long time. She will play it anywhere. She loves to duck below a chair to pop back up. She loves to hide behind blankets, stuffed animals, toys, hands, anything that can hide her eyes. She loves to play when nursing, covering her one visible eye with my shirt and giggling as I cry "oh no, where is the Navy Bean? She was just right here. Navy Bean, where are you?" and then she pops up only to cover her eye again before I can finish, "Oh, there you are!"

She is fearless. She would crawl off the bed everyday if we let her. She will find a way to make it over our make-shift gates. She is amazing and I love her to death.

Which is why I haven't written about IQ lately. Her son, who is 6 1/2 months older than Navy Bean is not walking yet (among other things). This is why: IQ called me the other day and told me she is now playing WOW on her husband's computer in the living room because that way IQ Jr. can be in his pack n' play and still see her, rather than her playing in the office, when he would have to stay in his crib in his own room all day.

Navy Bean is 8 months

The Navy Bean is now 8 months old. I can't believe that much time has passed. She is so big now and more like a little girl than a little baby. I guess that's why I still like those nighttime feedings (ok, I would like ONE nighttime feeding, the rest can end).

Look at my beautiful teeth,

and not the uni brow I got from daddy.

She is such a joy to be around. Her middle name is Hope, because I hoped she wouldn't get my stress, my anxiety, my depression, but it should have been Joy, because that's what she is and that's what she gives to me.

Playing with Nana.

She can stand anywhere, using just about anything. And more and more, she lets go and just stands there by herself. And she is smart. She knows how to get back to the floor without falling. She seems to be learning so fast. She is already cruising around. Wes thinks she'll be walking by 9 months. I wouldn't be surprised, but I do wish she would slow down just a little bit.

Reading with Grandpa.

She's loves books and squeaky toys. She loves to be kissed all over and to laugh. She has two laughs, her real laugh, and her silly laugh, which sounds like a coughing machine gun. She is a VERY happy baby. She can play by herself, but loves it when I play with her.

To celebrate her 8 months here, she started climbing the stairs.

She loves classical music and the piano. Whenever she hears either, she stops what she is doing and dances. If she's crawling, that just means rocking back and forth, but if she's standing up, it's a strange combination of headbanging and the butt. She often crawls to the piano and stands up to play it. This makes me very happy.

Waving.

She also starting waving at people. Sometimes she gets very enthusiastic and waves with both hands, which is fine, because the one hander kind of looks like a heil Hitler. She wants to be a big girl so badly. And she is big. But she'll always be my little Navy Bean.

Snip or not to snip

Wes doesn't want anymore kids. Which I understand. He has three. He wants to get snipped. I don't think I want anymore kids either, so what's the problem. I really don't know. I love the little Navy Bean so much, and if we were younger and could wait 4 or 5 years in between kids, I would probably want more. But we're already 35. His kids are 11 and 8. And I like sleep. I want to have space in between kids though. I want to be able to enjoy my time with the Navy Bean. She's in such a fun stage right now (when she's not teething). She can interact with you. You can see the light bulbs going off in her head, often one right after another. She is trying to figure stuff out. She's getting a sense of humor. Her personality is emerging. I don't want to have to put her on hold while I take care of another baby. I don't want her to have to share me. I want to spoil her. I don't really want another kid.


But I'm terrified something will happen. The Navy Bean could never be replaced. I wouldn't even want to try. But after becoming a mom, I don't know that I could stop being a mom. I don't even know if any of this makes any sense. I told Wes we should wait until she's two. It seems silly though, to wait, when I know I don't want another one. Suggestions on why him getting snipped freaks me out?

Catch up

Guess who got teeth yesterday?

So, the Navy Bean sprouted two teeth yesterday. She had been teething for about a week and doing pretty well. Wes left today for 10 days. Today, the Navy Bean has been waaaaaay fussier than she was before the teeth came through. I hope that ends quickly, otherwise one of us might be dead before daddy gets home!

Everything has gone through for the house and they will start building this week, if it stops raining. We went and picked out colors Sat. and then my head exploded. It took FOREVER and we liked most of the stuff in the model. But, this means by Oct/Nov. we should have plenty of room for company from all over the world!

Now, I just have to clean the house and start packing. I figure I will kill two birds with one stone by baby-proofing/packing at the same time!

6 months

My little Navy Bean is 6 months old. And she's not so little any more. At the moment she is not eating because she is getting teeth!!! But, when she does eat, it is a beautiful sight to behold.

Don't you just want to kiss those little rolls of fat?

She's learning so much new stuff it's hard to keep track of. She can't actually pull herself to standing yet, but she's working on it. She so wants to be a big girl. I am amazed at how smart she is. She knows the words "kiss" and "milk" and will respond accordingly. Her kisses are wet and sloppy, but they are the best kisses I have ever received.

Her smile lights up my day, no matter how little sleep we have gotten. My life has been so enriched by her, I could never imagine being without her.

I love her little goofy faces. I love it when she gives me a hug and a kiss without me asking. I love holding her in my arms. I love reading to her. I love taking walks with her. I love her.

She loves music. She loves the sound of the piano and was thrilled when she could make noise on it too. She loves classical music. She loves the drums. I hope she continues in this love.

Did I mention that she cracks me up?

It's been a wonderful 6 months. I love my Navy Bean more than I thought possible. I can't wait to see what the next 6 months bring (besides crawling, walking and more teeth).

Midnight

I hear you crying and stumble out of bed. I put on my pajama bottoms and socks and a robe. I come into your room and see your little arms and legs pumping wildly, as if that would help me hear you. Even in the dark, I can see your smile when I pick you up.

I sit in the rocker and you quickly find what you're looking for. You curl your little body around mine. During the day, you're my big girl, but at night, you're still my tiny baby. You rest your plump little hand on my chest. I run my finger over it and marvel at how something so tiny can also be so chubby. I rub your fuzzy little head which is starting to sprout hair again. I grasp your chunky little legs and make sure they are warm.

Sometimes there is thunder.
Sometimes there is rain.
Sometimes there are even birds singing.
But usually, it is silent.

You detach and we switch sides. I'm amazed at how beautiful you are in the dark. When you are through eating, you stretch out and then rest your round cheek on my breast as you prepare to go back to sleep. I bring you up to my shoulder, where your fluffy, soft cheek rests against mine. I put my hand on the back of your tiny, silky head and I just cuddle you. I kiss your cheek and lay you down. You give me a sigh and a half smile, close your eyes, turn your head and go back to sleep.

I stumble back to bed, to sleep. But, this is my favorite time, when you and I are the only people in the world.

Getting it back

Everything changes when you have a baby. It's such a cliche, but oh, so true too. Since I'm a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom), I figured I would still have plenty of time for myself. I mean, I understand why Camille's middle child was three before she got to read a book again, she worked full time. HAHAHAHAHAHAAH!!!! I am so naive! Every time we get into a schedule, where I think I can start doing stuff again, guess what? Someone decides to change the schedule without consulting me first. My reading has definitely suffered. I am currently reading a stack of books, but now they have names like Super Baby Food and What to expect the first year. I had been keeping up with my magazine reading because I could do that while I was breastfeeding. Then someone became curious about everything. And magazine pages make incredibly interesting noises. Needless to say, I just finished all my magazines from the month of March. However, as she gets bigger, she is happy if I just sit next to her while she plays. So there is hope. At least I hope there's hope. I have several crochet projects I want to finish/start. And really, that's about it for my goals of doing non-baby related stuff. The Navy Bean loves to be outdoors, so I'm sure we'll be spending at least one afternoon a week at the botanical gardens, but who knows how much bird watching I'll get done. This is not really where I expected my life to be. But I wouldn't change it for the world.

Worth every minute of my time.

Five months old

My baby is five months old today. I can't believe how big she has gotten and how much stuff she has learned. I still look at her and wonder what in the world I could have done to deserve such an amazing gift. She fills me with joy and I love her so much more than I ever thought I could love. I can't imagine life without her.

She is becoming so aware of everything around her. If I get a drink, she wants some too. If someone is talking across the room, she has to figure out who it is, even if she's eating.

Yummy toes. They're as good as mommy said they were.

She has discovered her toes. She has also discovered her thumbs, which she often puts in her mouth at the same time. I think this has something to do with having Texas blood. You know, the double fisted bubba law. She now pats me on the cheek and hugs me. She loves being kissed all over. She has a beautiful laugh and often adds a cough to her laugh and cry, just for emphasis.

Look, I'm Santa Claus!

She has a great sense of humor. She loves to sing and dance and move around. She doesn't hate tummy time as much, because she rolls over now. She also pushes herself with her toes. This has me a little worried. Slow down, Navy Bean!

She is trying new foods, like avocado (which she's not sure if she likes). Wes made the mistake of holding a bread stick out to her the other day, and she grabbed it with a vengeance, ripping it in half. However, she still gets up at least twice a night. We're working on that though.

Navy Bean I love you so much. My life would be so boring and worthless without you!

Generations

My parents and my grandma visited this week. My grandma lives in Minnesota and won't fly alone, so my mom flew to Minnesota, from Texas, and picked her up, and then flew here. I'm so glad she did though, because I realized, my grandma is starting to get old, and I don't know how much I'll be able to see her now that I have a baby. It was a great visit, but much too short.

Since we had company, we could actually get a picture with all three of us in it.

The Navy Bean (trying out for an e-trade commercial) and my parents.

All four generations. We will never get to five generations because to do so, the Navy Bean would have to have a child awfully young, and then I would kill her and it would still only be four generations.

Four Months

My little Navy Bean is 4 months old.

(ok, she's a little older than that, but we had computer problems.)

She is such a joy to be around.

I think I've laughed more in the last 4 months than I did the previous 4 years.

Future mug shot.

Your little laugh is so infectious, even if I'm not sure what you're laughing at.

You smile all the time. You are so happy.

You fill me with joy.

But you are getting so big!

You can sit up by yourself for almost a full minute!

You love to practice standing up.

You cry when we lie you down:

big girls don't lie down!

Since you hate tummy time, I didn't expect you to roll over for awhile.

You rolled over, from your tummy to your back, on Monday.

You hand-eye coordination improves everyday.

You now take your binky out of your mouth,

examine it, and return it.

It amazes me how you learn so much, so quickly.

I just want to freeze you in time.

My favorite time is your only night feeding, when you are asleep.

You curl up against me and you are so calm and beautiful.

I can stroke your soft little head and your fluffy cheek.

When I burp you, you hold on to me,

your little cheek against mine.

You will always be my baby.

Three months

My baby is three months old today. I can't believe how fast the time went and how big she has gotten. It's amazing how much of a personality a three month old can have! But she does have a huge personality, and it seems that most of it is mine.

Navy Bean, this morning.

She is a morning person, like myself. She wakes up talking, smiling, and just this week, laughing. She loves to play games, loves to talk and loves to be kissed all over. She is rarely cranky in the evenings anymore, although she still needs to be entertained.

I can hold it myself!

She can hold toys and dolls and I've seen her reposition the mirror on her play mat so she can see the baby better! She still isn't really fond of tummy time, but she likes to practice rolling over and sitting up. She LOVES to sing and dance. She hums at her mobile and you should see her little limbs go whenever she hears music. She is a joy and a wonderful companion (it doesn't hurt that she smiles every time she sees me).

I love to listen to her at night, as she grunts, roars and farts so loud that it would make a grown man blush. She makes so many cute little noises (and a few really gross ones)!

Not me! I'm a little lady.

My baby is growing up so fast. I just wish I could suspend time for a while. I can't wait to see who she'll be as she grows, but for now, I just want to cuddle with her.

Snow, sleet, rain, shine

I wanted to post a picture, but I'm having technical difficulties. It's called, whenever I try to post a picture, my wireless router freezes up and I can't. If you want cute pictures, go to growingnavybean.blogspot.com

Anyway, today the Navy Bean and I decided we should go check the mail, since we hadn't since Saturday. Our mailbox is one of those communal ones, half-way down the street. So I loaded her up and we walked down there, only to discover . . . the mail box was gone. Completely gone. The little legs were still there, but laying on their sides. I think someone hit the mailbox with their car. Now I have to call the post office to find out 1) if they have it and 2) what do we do until they fix it. What a hassle!

Meanwhile, the Navy Bean is voicing her displeasure with the fact that I am trying to get her to take a nap in her crib. All her naps take place in her swing (yes, I am a bad mother), but I would like to get the afternoon ones in her crib. It's not working. Oh well.

That's not really what I meant

I have started a blog for Navy Bean. It's at growingnavybean.blogspot.com It's mostly for family members, since we don't live anywhere close to anyone. I'm writing it as if it's the Navy Bean writing it. Well, I kind of messed up. Under interests, I put, swinging, taking baths, playing, taking walks and talking. Only, I forgot that blogspot is usually for adults and my mom informed me that I might want to remove swinging from Navy Beans interests. That's not the kind of swinging she's interested in!

What a week

I survived the week without Wes. She actually slept pretty good the entire week. She had been having issues about going to bed, at night, and just crying until she was exhausted. The first night, she cried 45 minutes, last night, she cried 7 minutes. Of course, daddy is coming home tonight, and I doubt he'll want to turn out all the lights and turn off the TV at 9:00 to get her asleep. So we'll see what happens. And, I was sick this week. It was horrible, because I realized I don't have any frozen milk, so if I got too sick to take care of Navy Bean, someone would have to use formula. I'll start freezing milk next week. In addition to being sick, I couldn't get either of my prescriptions open. I used a hammer and smashed the bottles, which was very satisfying. This morning, my little princess was on her third outfit of the day before she had even been up an hour! And, she refused to take a nap this morning, even though she was obviously exhausted. She finally went to sleep after lunch, and I think I'm actually going to have to wake her up to feed her. Hopefully she will sleep tonight. So that's the update. Thankfully, Wes has a three day weekend, so at least next week without him will be short.