Sunday, November 28, 2010

Love, Jax

It's the most wonderful time of the year . . .

Last night we trimmed the tree for Christmas!

And hung our stockings on the fireplace for Santa.

All to the sound of Christmas music . . .

I wore my snowman jammies, and I got to hang my very first Christmas ornament on our tree.



Right next to Mommy's Baby's First Christmas ornament.  Talk about a blast from the past!

From 1986 to 2010 . . .

So much has changed, yet at Christmas, so much remains the same.  Now, let the joyous holiday season begin.  Merry Christmas everyone!
Love,
Jax

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Turkey Day

Happy
Day!
Thursday was my very first Turkey Day!  And don't think for one second that I ate that ^^. 
Nope.
We have a lot to be thankful for this year.
And so does Maggie . . .
She's thankful that:
1.  Gerber Turkey makes me gag.
2.  Mommy bought lots of it.
3.  Mommy didn't keep her receipt.
4.  Target won't return babyfood without a receipt.
5.  It goes great over kibble.

Happy Turkey Day everyone!
What are you thankful for?

Friday, November 19, 2010

Maggie the Menace

You might recall this FACE
from last year's post during the holiday season.

Well, she's a bit early this year . . .
But she's back in business . . .
Maggie the Menace
Please note that this is Nightime Formula Baby Orajel

Somehow, it is no mystery to me that she devoured last season's Belgian chocolates and Reses Bells entirely, wrappers included . . . but left this years bedside table mischief only tampered with.

Oh, how I wish I had a camera rolling when she realized her mouth was numb.

And . . .
because the Bard never disappoints:

'Twas a month before Christmas
And all through our house
Miss Maggie was searching
For anything left out
No chocolates were purchased
No eggnog in the fridge
"What's that on the table?"
"I'll just taste a smidge!"
I can only imagine
She knocked it with her paw
Down onto the carpet
Then started to knawl
The plastic tube was much thicker
Than those wrappers had been
But that didn't stop Maggie
She just had to dig in
"That Baby gets this stuff"
Maggie snarled as she chewed
"Now it is my turn
Who cares if it's rude?"
Pop! went the tube
And the Orajel seeped out
But soon Maggie realized
That she couldn't feel her mouth.

Do you feel sorry for this me?

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Teeth

There are lots of things I don't like about my body--especially after having a baby.  But there is one thing that I do like about it.  My teeth.  I have good teeth.  I am one of those girls who a guy might say "yeah, her, she has nice...teeth" and actually mean it.  

So, you'll understand what I mean when I say that about 10 months ago when I went to Gateway Dental in Gainesville, VA (yes, I'm name dropping because you should know this) for my routine cleaning I had a rather interesting experience.  The dentist, who looked like we could have graduated kindergarten together, told me I had seven cavities, one of which needed major work (i.e. like an artificial tooth kind-of-deal).  You'll understand that I was shocked freakin' hysterical to the point that I started bawling in Target when I told my husband.  How could I have gone 23 years (at that time) without a single filling, and then suddenly develop 7 cavities in 6-months?  This was knife-renching news for me at the time.  To top it off, I was pregnant, and I couldn't do a darn thing about getting them repaired.  Plus, even with dental insurance, this was going to cost about $1,200.  It was the first time I had gone to a dentist outside of my hometown, and I was utterly devastated.

I sucked it up.
I didn't get any work done on my teeth.
And, I actually waited more than 6 months before returning for another cleaning.
Yes.
Out of fear.

Today, I went to Bristow Dental Care for a routine cleaning.  I didn't say anything about what the last dentist told me, and I didn't transfer my records.  I just allowed fate to take its course.  Low and behold--I have ZERO cavities.

Yeah, that's what I thought too.

Now I understand why the other dentist was stuttering when I questioned "I just don't see how I developed 7 cavities so quickly?"  He was a liar!  Can you fathom that he was actually going to pull and drill perfectly healthy teeth for money?  I am just flabbergasted.  Moreover, I am thankful that I followed my gut and didn't get that dental work done.

Case in point: DO NOT GO TO GATEWAY DENTAL.  And, if in doubt, always get a second opinion.
Ha!
Show me some teeth!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Country Roads Take Me Home

This weekend we took another trip to my Mommy's favorite place on the planet, Roanoke, Virginia, to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with our family.  Well, actually, Mommy and Daddy took me to see Beth Simmons for my 6-month milestone photo shoot (and to get family pictures made for our Christmas card this year).  Beth was the amazing photographer who did my newborn session that you readers probably saw on my birth announcement.  Isn't her work spectacular?
Anyways...me, Mommy, Daddy, GranGran, and PawPaw arrived at Granny Tori's house on Friday around lunch time.  Daddy wanted to take a nap after our lunch a Famous Anthony's, so Mommy and GranGran took me to Valley View Mall for some Roanoke-style Christmas shopping.  I thought it was great--especially since everything Mommy bought was for meee.

Somehow, I always make out big time on shopping trips with these two ladies.
Yes . . . if you're wondering . . . I'm wearing a giraffe outfit.  Because I can.

That evening we met Granny Tori and Aunt Marney for dinner at O'Charlie's.  The new restaurant, Chedders, had a really long wait so we saved it for Sunday brunch instead.  Aunt Marney bought me a half-birthday present.  What can I say?  The ladies like me.  I think it's my hair.

Granny Tori also had some half-birthday goodies for me at her house.  Lots of jammies...and this awesome portable highchair (note to any pregnant readers: this is THE WAY to go).
Functional and oh so much fun!

On Saturday morning, we went to see Beth for my photo session.  Here is a sneak preview.
Who am I kidding?  It's not my hair.  I'm a rockstar with impeccable style and charisma.  I'm basically the best and most handsome baby in the universe.  I'm also very modest.

Saturday night, the whole family celebrated an early Thanksgiving at The Homeplace.
And besides the projected 45-minute wait that turned into an hour and a half, it was an awesome night.  We have a lot to be thankful for this year...although Mommy is very much looking forward to a new year in 2011.  *grin*


I didn't mind the wait!

When we got our food, GranGran thought it would we funny to give me a chicken leg.

But, I think I'll stick to my milky.
Thanks.
GranGran.
Very.
Much.

As a collective group, we definitely weighed more going than we did coming...even me.

A full belly sure makes a baby (and Daddy) sleepy.
So does a glorious nighttime ride down Mommy's beloved Catawba mountain.
Country roads take me home...

Home.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Happy Birthday Maggie Mae

Happy Birthday!

Don't worry, Maggie,
You're only as old as you feel.

Today our infamously stinky grizzle, Miss Mags, turned 5 years old.  She has been with us for 2 years and 2 months, and she has brought more joy to our family that we could ever express.  We wish everytime we see her snaggle-toothed face that we could erase her difficult past before she came to us, but we are simultaneously thankful that she is now in her forever home.  We hope she knows how much she is loved.  Judging from these photos from her birthday party this morning, I'd say she does.

She loved her new pet octopus. . .



And she enjoyed her cake--aka, new treats



Little Miss Maggie,
Looked her best shaggy,
and today was her special day.

With treats in her beard,
Her tail wagged as we cheered,
to wish her a Happy Birthday!

Ruff, Ruff, Ruff
. . . and many more. . .


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Speak Now

Taylor Swift says "Speak Now," and that's exactly what I need to do.  It isn't very often that I find myself moved enough to write a review on my blog.  Mostly, I use this little piece of cyberspace to share the struggles and joys of family life, but this entry just needs to be done.  I recently purchased Taylor's newest album, rightly entitled Speak Now, and it is the most brilliant album I have ever listened to.  The 20-year old recording artist wrote all 14 songs herself, most without co-writers, and that is where the true beauty of it lies.  Listening to the tracks on this album is like receiving a tiny glimpse into the personal life of Taylor and celebrities in general. She takes fans deep into her innermost thoughts and feelings.  She says outright in the disc insert that the album is really a series of letters to specific people telling them what she meant to say to their faces.  Taylor is taking the opportunity to "Speak Now."

What makes the listening experience so extraordinary is that you often know who she is speaking to.  In track #3, Back To December, she is apologizing to Taylor Lautner (yes, Jacob from Twilight).  Her eloquent lyrics tell us about how he brought her roses and she let them die on purpose and how she didn't call him on his birthday.  They also tell fans that she has now realized that she is in love with him and wants him back in her life.  Who knew you could get such intimate celebrity information without the paparazzi?  In track #5, Dear John, she sheds light on John Mayer's revolving door of relationships.  We learn that John is afriad of committment (although he already told us that in Half of My Heart), that he makes himself out the be the victim when relationships go sour, that he plays mind games with girls, and that he is moody and unpredictable.  We are also left speculating about a particular date night that Taylor wore a dress and John did something that made her cry all the way home...it's mind boggling.  In track #8, Never Grow Up, she makes herself so humble and vulnerable by admitting that even when a person has emmense success, life is still difficult.  She admits to wishing she could be a child again with no worries and a parent sleeping down the hallway in the next room.  In track #10, Better Than Revenge, Taylor lashes out at the girl who stole Joe Jonas, her first love, away from her.  This song is blunt, harsh, and fun to listen to.  It also lends itself to creating a parody about useless real estate agents: "He's not a saint, and he's not what you think, he's a liar...whoa...but he's so busy finding everything but a buyer...whoa"  Yet, I digress.  In track #11, Innocent, Taylor responds to Kanye West.  She chooses to take the higher road when she tells the world that she has forgiven him for his rude interruption during the 2009 VMA Awards.  After his most recent disgusting public comment about Taylor, however, I am looking forward to a very different song about Kanye West on her next album.  Some people never learn.  As for the songs that aren't so obvious, fans are left in utter wonderment.  Who is she dating now?  What happened that the mean man who used to tell her she couldn't sing?  Is Last Kiss also about Taylor Lautner?  Will he forgive her, and will they get back together?

Listing to this album is living vicariously through Taylor.  It is a glimpse into the dating life of a recording artist.  It's a chance to understand what it might feel like to fall in love with Taylor Lautner or be hurt by John Mayer.  It is the ultimate celebrity experience.  Now . . . I am left with an unrequited desire for Taylor Swift to date Rupert Grint so I can see what he is really like as a boyfriend.  Is he as funny in person as he is in interviews?  Can he carry on a great conversation or is he too shy?  Is he as hott in person as he is in movies?  Again, I digress.

And for those of you who currently own, or purchase, this album (thanks to my poignant review) but haven't already figured this about.  Taylor does something else amazing for us crazy starstruck fans.  She writes us clues and messages to decoding her never-sent letters.  within the lyrics written inside the cd insert, she uses rAndoM capitAliZation of letters to spell out messages to those people she Is siNginG to or About.  sometimes she even specificaLly gives names and places.  point Blank.  taylor swift is an Unbelievable Musician and entertainer.  You should buy it.

She said "Speak Now."

Friday, November 5, 2010

Happy Half Birthday, Jackson

Today Jackson is 1/2 a year old!
Happy Half Birthday, son!
...the big 6 months...
all 18 pounds 7 ounces
& 27.25 inches of him. . .
He is a stupendous little fella.  This month he has really grown up before our eyes.
Jax now eats sooo much--all sorts of baby fruits and veggies, meats, cereal, and oatmeal.  We know he's getting bigger because he's now in size 6-9 months. 

He loves to laugh, and now actually giggles like a big person.  He smiles at everyone, especially blond ladies.  When he doesn't like something, he lets us know.  There is no lack of personality or will in this boy...and he arches that back and protests to get his way.  We are going to have to work on that!

His fuzzy little hair grows straight up in a mohawk--so we're milking that for its cuteness right now.  Hopefully this won't return to haunt us when he's a teenager and it's not so cute anymore.  He gets a lot of attention for his hair-do.

He's a player.  In the right kind of way.  He loves anything that makes a crinkle noise, has lights, or plays music.  He loves when he sing to him or let him go "flying."

He's using his hand so much!  He hold his bottle, although he can't support its weight yet. He takes out his paci and replaces it on his own.  He can pull his own socks off his feet--and shoes--we need velcro!

Jax is working on his milestones too.  He can roll both directions, but he doesn't do it very often.  He just can't be bothered!  We are always saying "roll over...roll over" to which he just laughs and us.  He can sit up briefly on his own, but he slumps forward quite a bit.  We are working with him so that he can master these skills soon.  He is finally sleeping in his own crib in the nursery now, but it can be a struggle to get him to bed on his own.  I have to take responsibility for this one--better luck next time!

Being 6 months old is hard work.


But a lot of fun!