Happenings

A picture from San Diego.  Turner grew a little more hair (I think, Heath isn't so sure) and learned to stick out his tongue while we were on our trip!

So many things to write about!  There will be no particular order (of course) and I am telling myself no pictures so I will actually sit down and write this.  I get overwhelmed when I think of pictures - silly, but then I end up not writing anything!  (Later - I changed my mind and got the pictures on here).   Here are some recent happenings:

1.  I took a year's leave off of school next year.  I feel lucky to be able to take a year and see how it goes before I officially take a few years off.  It was a big decision!  I went round and round about it.  Turner was in a wonderful home daycare with a friend who I used to teach with.  His friends were all teachers' kids, and I was very pleased.  But, I felt like I didn't get to see him that often.  I couldn't balance it all, and I am very impressed with my friends that can!  Heath and I were talking about the Iron Bowl being on Friday, and I said "Well, at least we will be off work anyway."  He looked at me and said, "You are now always off work!"  It hasn't hit me yet because it is summer!  Thank God for summer!!

2.  I thought it would be sadder to leave my classroom.  The kids helped me take it all down - I mean every child took a box to my car - and as they did I could see memories of putting it all up over the last 5 years.  Weird.  But, I completely feel in the center of God's will about this.  I know He will provide and bless us for following His will and making the decision we felt the best about.  And, I tell myself that I will still be able to see my friends at school, just not every day!

3.  Last week was my birthday.  I like for my birthday to be all week long, and Heath does very well with this! We went to dinner several nights in a row with friends and family as my "birthday dinners".  I loved them all.  Also, an elementary school is a great place to work on my birthday.  I started a countdown with them on May 1st.  I would say "Whose birthday is in __ days?"  Then I had small children roll their eyes at me.  Did I care?  No.  They were wonderful to me on my big day - presents and cards and surprises and a balloon and cookie cake.  So fun.

4.  Turner and I got back at midnight last night from a trip to L.A.  We went to my cousin Amy's wedding.  She is a couple of years older than me and she is my dad's sister's daughter.  My dad has a brother, Tom and a sister, Mary that live in Orange County. 

 Dad with his brother, Tom, sister, Mary and Granddad at the wedding.

However, while in L.A.,  I didn't see any celebrities.  Not even one.  I thought I saw Adrian Grenier (not that I have ever watched Entourage), but Derek didn't think so.  Also, I thought I saw a girl from that NBC award-winning reality show "Momma's Boy" that had been a Penthouse cover girl.  But, not even sure on that one.  Pretty sad.  But I digress.  We had a blast spending time with my uncle Tom and aunt Candy, aunt Mary and cousins Paul and Amy.  Grandad Starr went with us, too.  It was a zoo trying to get a 90 year old, 6 month old, me, Mom, Dad and Derek through the airport.  Especially in Las Vegas, where we got to wait for 5 hours.  Mom still doesn't have her luggage, and I am not sure why because her bag is 1980's fuschia and you can see it from across the airport.  How they lost that bag of all of them is beyond me.  Grandad's comment was "At least it wasn't mine."  Nice.  We had a party for Grandad because his 90th birthday is next week. 

5.  Turner was a champ the whole trip.  He has a little cold (confirmed after not one but 2 doctor visits, who is the new mom??).  His cough got worse while we were out there and I lovingly called him 'Emphysema Joe.'  He would wake up in the night and cough so much he would choke.  I got used to it, and I would pull him next to me so I could hear him better.  One night at 2, Mom woke me up asking where Turner was because he finally WASN'T breathing like Gordon (the pug).  He had actually stopped snoring, and it scared her.  Mom of the Year here was oblivious.  I wondered if he would be fussy because he wasn't 100 percent well, but he was very smily and sweet.  He went everywhere with us, including Universal Studios.  He slept through Shrek 4-D (I don't know how because it was one of the loudest rooms on the planet), and didn't want to sleep a wink during the studio tour.  He didn't like his carrier, and wanted to be in my lap.  During the simulated earthquake he laughed!  What?!  Same with the wedding.  I kept saying "Go to sleep!"  And he would just laugh in my face!  I like him - good thing, huh?  And the flights were great.  I learned to have a bottle ready to stick in his mouth if he was fussy, but I didn't have to use it that much.  

6.  As I am typing this, I am watching The Hills from tivo.  I just saw a shot of this little cobblestone road where we went the other day in Beverly Hills.  

Grandad treated us to Baskin Robbins near here, and Dad was doing this when I turned my back. 

 However, Turner didn't hate it!!  In fact, it is the first good response I have seen to anything remotely "human" food.  Back to The Hills, Heidi and Spencer are ri.dic.u.lous.  Seriously.  I watched them on Regis and Kelly in the hotel room and my dad asked, "Who are these people?" with a look of disgust I wish I had taken a picture of.

7.  We also went to San Diego and visited a hotel called the Del Coronado.  I called it the El Dorado.  Oops.  San Diego was beautiful.  My aunt and uncle wanted to make sure that Turner had a hat on because it gets so hot out there.  (A welcomed change from Birmingham).  This was a picture of Turner on the beach of the Pacific Ocean and with Uncle D in his hat.  

Derek did a great job with him.  He was even trying to rock him to sleep in his carrier during the wedding reception, all the while telling my cousin to make sure to let all the single ladies there know that it was his nephew and not his son.  Nice.  But he really was helpful this trip.  It was great having so many hands to help out with Turner Bug and play with him and love on him.  

Turner with Uncle Tom and Aunt Candy

8.  I think this is all for now.  We are about to head to the beach for about 2 weeks and I am excited.  A lot to pack - a ton of stuff for a little tiny baby!  Lindsey and Kate and Blake will be with us while Brandon is on a mission trip.  Heath will be visiting on weekends!  

9.  Oh yeah, on a completely unrelated-to-me note.  This Jon and Kate stuff is killing me!  I should have realized a few years ago when I was genuinely crushed about Nick and Jessica splitting up that reality shows are never a good thing in the end.  But, I will say that I am a little irritated with all this hatred towards Kate coming from everyone.  Jon is the one that made a bad decision, and he admitted it!  (Heath tivo'd the season premiere for me while we were in California)  Anyway, I can't imagine how she holds things together with 8 kids!!  And 6 of them are 5 years old!!  I want them to work it out.  I feel like they used to have their priorities in order, especially spiritually, and now they are so astray.  I want to believe the best in them - call me naive.  

I will leave you with one of the little presents in Turner's End of the Year goodie bag.  It makes me laugh!  

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday was Turner's (and mine as a mother) first Mother's Day.  Saturday my husband and son got me a makeover and some new makeup from Trish.  Heath was heartbroken he couldn't go with me on this little venture, but he stayed home and kept Turner.  Then Sunday morning Heath (and Turner) gave me a pedicure certificate and this card - 

 - very fitting because we usually have two tiny feet between us.  They are usually closer to me, and by closer I mean that this tiny person has the crazy ability to push me off of the bed.  I will wake up 1/4 of an inch away from the bed - and he started out in the middle!  How does he do it?

Side note - I always SWORE I would not let my child sleep with me.  And I don't let him sleep through the night in our bed, but God help me if I don't throw him in there any given morning between 4 and 6 if I want a little more sleep!  He is just so snuggly.  Don't decide what you will or won't do on some things until you actually have a baby.  You will eat some words for sure.

Anyway...Heath made breakfast and we started our Sunday routine.  We were surprisingly not late, and I checked Turner in the nursery at church.  Our pastor did a great sermon honoring mothers and encouraging us of the job God has given us to build the character of our children.  

Then, we ran home and picked up a few things and headed to Mom's for lunch.  We had Outback to Go - delicious.  Nanny and Dink and Grandad Starr came over to eat with us.  

   Nanny with Turner

Grandad and Dink 

    Gigi with Turner - Grandmother's Day!

Heath even made blueberry pie for dessert.  Then Derek (and Heath) set up the jewelry armoire that Lindsey and Derek and I gave Mom for Mother's Day.  

Someone got a buzz cut

In the afternoon, Heath let me come to the house and sleep for an hour while he ran errands with Turner.  

Funny Dink story (since he is pictured above) - Dad came home last weekend and Dink was freaking out because he could not find his golf cart anywhere.  Now, he is 91 and not "allowed" to drive anymore, so he loves that little morsel of freedom left in his golf cart.  My aunt and uncle had been over, and my cousin drove it back to their house.  Fast forward to where Dad comes in the picture.  He was working in the yard and waved at a passing car.  He did a double take when he realized it was Dink.  Dad chased him down and waved him in the driveway, trying to convince him to turn around and go back home.  Dink was set on finding that golf cart!  Dink agreed to go home, yet turned left out of the driveway, towards the highway!!  Dad raced to his speed racer van and followed him.  He had to chase him in a church driveway at the end of our road and beg him to turn around, promising he would figure out the mystery of the missing golf cart!  

Dad chased Dink back up the street and into my aunt's yard, where my cousin was standing, taking it all in.  Dad watched as Dink had a rope tied to the back of his Lincoln Continental and was going to lasso the golf cart and pull it back to his house (next door).  My cousin and his wife were still standing there in shock!  Luckily, Cowboy Dink didn't get to try out his skills because my dad and cousin talked Dink into trusting they would re-charge the golf cart and return it home safely!  When Dad followed him back to his house, my sweet Nanny was in the front yard - looking VERY overwhelmed.  Dad said she just kept saying, "What am I going to do with him?"  Evidently he had crept out (loudly - he uses a walker) while she was napping.  Dad said it all ended with Nanny calming down in the house as she and Dad watched Dink knock his right side mirror off the car as he screeched back into his driveway.  Needless to say, this entertained us thoroughly as Dad retold it.  

The Mother's Day ended with a trip to Publix (saved 35 dollars - went from 90 to 55!) and Turner actually ate his they-gave-it-to-us-with-all-the-coupons-I-had sweet potato baby food.  I will leave you with this picture.  Don't worry he threw most of it up a few minutes later, but at least he is starting to take some!!  My first Mother's Day was a success - I wish it wasn't so close to my birthday, because it is like a second birthday!!  I am beyond blessed that God has allowed me to be a mother for this little guy.  As cheesy as it sounds, I never would have imagined what a blessing motherhood is!  Thank God and praise Him for all mothers!

Gross

I am sitting here holding a now-calm, talking and giggling Turner.  However, about an hour ago he was not so  calm!

Normal thumb

Swollen thumb

This is a picture of his thumb - normally and then the infected one.  I vote myself mom of the year for the gangrene I almost gave my child.  I will rewind.

Last week when I went to get Turner out of bed, he had sliced his face open with his fingernails of death.  They grow freakishly fast - but so do mine.  Guess I passed that on.  Anyway, his face had a cut down the front for a matter of days.  Then, his daycare called (more on that in a minute) and asked if I had seen the scratches on his legs.  Oops, yes.  His also-freakishly grown toenails had scratched his legs up.  They wanted to make sure it had not happened there!  I assured them that he had done it at home, I just didn't realize his leg had bled!  Wow.

So, I decided to cut his fingernails the other night.  When he is awake this is a 2-person job.  Heath held him in the bathtub while I attacked the nails.  Looks like mom of the year clipped too far into his thumb.  Fast forward to last night when I noticed his thumb was swollen and red.  Who did I call?   You know it - Lindsey (and Brandon by default).  The final word was to keep neosporin on it, but not to worry until it turned green.  Ha - we thought - it won't turn green.

Well, later last night was wonderful.  Here was the rundown:

9:00 - Turner went to bed

10:30 - Heath and Kelly went to bed after watching The Hills - very much against Heath's will, but I love it.  Spencer is ridiculous, but I digress.

12:30 - SCREAMING from the nursery.  This child has been a blessing across the board, but especially in the sleep department.  I tried to calm him down, then Heath relieved me (since we are both at work).  I tried to give him a small bottle, and he wouldn't have it.  

1:00 - Heath takes Turner to the guest bedroom - holding him upright because he wouldn't lay down at all

2ish - 3:00 - Turner and Heath nap

3:00 - Screaming from guest bedroom - I go in and take the boy to feed him

3:30 - Turner back in crib, Heath and I are in the bed, but not for long

3:45 - Heath takes him to calm him again, walks around the house sitting upright - concludes something is wrong with his ear from the blood-curdling scream

4:00 - I go in because he is still crying.  I rock him to sleep and place him in his swing at about 4:30.

4:30 - I realize there is no way I can teach today!  Put in for a sub, email Leighton to help me with plans.

5-6 - Heath leaves for Bible Study, Turner and I nap

6 - Guess who is screaming at the top of his lungs again?  I feed him, and rock him until he naps with me until 7.  

Long story short Heath called the doctor and we went at 8:45, to realize Turner had some pressure on his ear, but not an infection.  Side note - I took him last week to a different doctor in the practice, and he told me that ear was clean.  Dr. Brandon had suspected differently.  Dr. Brandon proved right today.  Also, Turner got on antibiotics for his large green thumb.  You are welcome, son.  

A little while ago, when Turner was a whole different level of hysterical, I noticed his thumb was throbbing.  Like a cartoon.  I reached for the phone and tried to call guess who - Lindsey.  She didn't pick up.  Heath and I had to make a game-time decision - pop his gangrene thumb or not?  Heath sterilized a needle, and we did.  His blood and pus covered several kleenexes.  How could someone so tiny bleed so much??  This was after we tried to soak his hand in warm water, and he continuously knocked over our bowls of water.

Okay, so back to the daycare.  I went back to work last Wednesday.  Rip my heart out.  Turner is staying at "Mrs. Lee's".  Lee used to work at our school, and now graciously opens her home up as a daycare for several of the teachers' kids.  It is right across the street from the school, and a true blessing.  However, I have been spoiled spending so much time at home with Turner.  I got pretty used to it!  I cried all day Wednesday, again on Thursday, but Friday and yesterday I was okay.  In fact, I had adjusted by today and it was weird not to be there.  Staying home was not as fun when Precious was sick and Screaming!!!  

I told Heath the other morning (while crying) that I didn't want to go to work.  He said "Neither do I."  Good point.  Meanwhile, though, Turner is having a ball.  He has made several friends, and it is so neat that I remember most of them from when their moms were pregnant.  He has already been invited to a birthday party, and to spend the night with a little girl.  She is 3 and her mom told me that she came home the other day asking if they had baby food, blankets, diapers, etc.  She told her mom she needed them for when Turner spent the night.  That makes me laugh.  I think of him as a baby, but he is their friend.  Most of the kids are 2-3, and they make a point to speak to him and take care of him daily.  One kid told his mom, "Oh yeah, I like Turner, he is really nice."  That is so funny to me.

Well, that is a rundown with us.  Trying not to give my son any infectious diseases and balance working and mommying for the next month.  Then we will pray about me going back next year.  As much as I have LOVED my job, I would love to quit.  But Heath reminds me we would also love to live.  We will really be in prayer about next year.  When people said my life would change with a baby, I didn't realize my heart would grow this much!

I am sticking the following pictures on here to have something besides disgusting thumb pics in this post.

Turner willing to try rice cereal

He hates rice cereal.  Has hated it for weeks.  Hopefully that will change!!

Hangin' with the cousins

Update - a mom of one of my students just emailed and asked if Turner was okay.  The kids assumed that since he was sick that he had "the really bad flu"  - SWINE FLU????  Lord help us!

Happy Easter!

We took this picture at the mall - I guess starting a tradition to continue over the next several years.  I laugh when I look at it because he was smiling!  Maybe that tradition will continue over the next years' pictures, but who knows?!  (Side note - I would not have picked the lovely ivy on the side of the picture, but it came with the package.)

We sent this picture to family in a card.  It was frustrating because I could not find cute, true meaning of Easter cards anywhere.  There were some precious bunny and egg cards, but none that spoke of the true meaning of the season.  In fact, I have never really thought how this has been "secularized."  I am not opposed to bunnies or eggs AT ALL (you will see further in the post), I just have to be careful to keep it in perspective.  I got an email from school the other day (not that I have gone back yet) that said to make sure during our Easter celebrations in the classroom that we do not make it religious, but that we can appreciate the "birth of Spring."  This got me fired up!  I understand I have to be CAREFUL of the religious line in a public school setting, but I DO NOT celebrate the birth of Spring, but the resurrection of my Savior!  That is the message I want to convey to the children (carefully) - it breaks my heart to think that they would think more about an Easter bunny than our Lord and Savior making the ultimate sacrifice for us on the cross, and the miracle of His resurrection!  If you know me well, this doesn't surprise you - I don't respond greatly to authority!  Ha!

Anyway, the point is a balance.  Bunnies and egg hunts are not wrong - in fact I love them!  But, it was very refreshing today to be at church celebrating our Risen Lord!  Every year it is such a reminder of the miracle of God sending His only son.  I think I am thinking more about it this year on Turner's first Easter.  I have a whole new thought process about God sending His son for us, knowing He would die!  What a miracle - I adore my little son in a way I never knew I could!

Now, for the balance (almost negating my little rant from earlier)....I made these Easter desserts this weekend.  I have made the cake the last several years, and it took less than an hour start to finish.  I wasn't going to, but Derek asked for it, and I think it is funny!

Chocolate Bunny Cake

Easter Basket Cheesecake

The cheesecakes, however, took a little longer because I decided to get creative late into the night.  The recipe called for coconut.  I hate coconut, so on both recipes I used shaved white chocolate.  I melted the white chocolate down and mixed the green food coloring to look like grass.  Then shaved it with a carrot peeler.  The pleasant surprise was that it tasted pretty good!

Here were some pictures from our day - what a fabulous day to celebrate Jesus with family and friends.  

Turner's Easter outfit - made by my friend Jane Ann's mom

Family Easter picture - hard to get everyone looking :)

Turner took a 2 hour nap with Uncle D on the hammock!

We watched Kate hunt easter eggs and eat her candy - hilarious

Grandsons with GiGi - they both had duck outfits on...our original matching plan for all 3 grandkids got sidetracked with Lindsey and Brandon's move into their house this weekend!  Our seamstress was busy to say the least!

Random - Dad was cleaning the pool and we saw this little gem!  Brown recluse?  

Almost 4 Months

Turner Bug will be 4 months on Sunday.  That is crazy!!  I have never seen time fly so fast!  We took him for his 4 month appointment last week.  He weighed 14 pounds, 5 ounces (oddly the same exact weight as cousin Blake at 4 months) and was 24 and a half inches long.  50th percentile for both.  At 2 months he was 12 and a half pounds (75th percentile) and also 24 1/2 inches long (90th percentile - we are thinking he was a little shorter, though, since he stayed the same this time).  His head is huge to me, but it was 50th percentile this time, and last.  She said he is a "waffler" in growing.  He started out pretty small, grew a bunch, now he is evening out.  I took these pictures of him in his swing, because Heath and I think he looks pretty old in these "big boy pajamas."  

Last Sunday, we had Turner baptized.  It was so special, because Reverend Hay baptized him, and he is the pastor that married us and he also baptized me as a baby.  I wish I could find a picture of that, but mom is not super sentimental, and probably doesn't have one!  :)  

She (my mom) made the gown that Turner wore, and Blake wore it last week for his baptism.  We thought it was beautiful ("we" being Lindsey and me) - Heath didn't share the same adoration for it.  Thought it was too sissy, but that is just what they wear!  And it wasn't even a super long one - could have been way "girlier."  I thought he was very handsome!!

Family pic before church

Close up

Laughing with cousin Ford

He also had a play date the other day with Caroline Ely.  Mary Beth brought Caroline (who is 2 days older than Turner) and Pete, their black pug, over to play with us.  (Side note - Heath keeps threatening that Gordon will be gone soon, but as of right now he is snoring in the kitchen, safe and sound).  Here is a picture.  Caroline is adorable, and her little head is so petite next to Turner.  When I turned around from grabbing my camera, Turner was trying to eat sweet Caroline's little face.  I like to say he was kissing her, but who knows?!  

Mary Beth and I agreed we will resurrect these in about 18 years when they are at Auburn together!

Sorry for the long space in blogging - he is keeping me busy!  I am going to do better in April!  

All Because of Blogs...

Turner with cousin Kate.  She loves to give him kisses, and she cried the other day when he left her house.  It was very sweet - he was flattered!

Okay, so I have been loving the blog world so much since being at home!  I realized a lot of what I do is related to blogs!  Sad?  Maybe.  I can't complain, though!

1.  The first thing I have been into is couponing.  I know, I know - my sister-in-law said "All stay-at-home-moms are into couponing."  Heath has had to tell me to tone it down.  He said I tend to have obsessive tendencies?! and I have become obsessed with watching the price drop at Publix.  I am not even a professional, but i have saved hundreds (not kidding) since I have been at home.  Heath said to watch it because I got to the point where I was at a friend's house and she walked in with a box of noodles.  I said "You know those are buy one, get one free at Publix and there is a 55  cent coupon online."  Needless to say, I am reigning it in.  However, there is a coupon on the website southernsavers.com (which I LOVE) that is for Rite Aid.  It is 5 dollars off of 25!  Publix takes competitor coupons, which I find fascinating!  Heath and I went today and split our groceries in half (he wasn't super thrilled about this), and we each gave them the coupon.  It is like handing them a five dollar bill!!  I love it!!  And, Publix doubles any coupon under 50 cents.  Heath was (begrudgingly) impressed!

2.  I am also into a workout class called Stroller Strides.  We meet up to 5 days a week and walk with our babies.  My family has been teasing me about this, but I like it because the teachers are personal trainers and half the class we walk with the babies, and half the class we do strength training exercises.   I am shockingly weak, but I hurt after all of the classes!!  I saw this on Mary Beth's blog, and looked up strollerstrides.com.  Then, a lady stopped me in the grocery store (Publix of course) and gave me the brochure.  I am hooked!  Turner and I like our new friends, and I like that I don't have to leave him in the nursery at the gym yet!

3.  I am also into my sister's sewing.  Not mine - I figure if she and Mom know how to do it, why learn??  She has monogrammed some stuff for Turner, like this adorable diaper bag. 

 Check out her blog - www.slagsrags.blogspot.com.  I am very impressed with what all she can do.  She is working on matching Easter outfits for Kate, Blake and Turner.  

Side note - I had Turner (I just typed Heath by accident and laughed out loud - good thing I checked) in some bubble outfits last weekend when it was warm.  Unfortunately, he stained the back of one, and we had to get rid of it.  Heath screamed "Yes!  Those things are stupid."  Whatever.  I think they are adorable.  I wish I had a picture!!

4.  Lastly, I have been looking for a picture for my guest bathroom.  I love those wooden frames with bible verses or sayings, but they are 250 dollars for the ones that I like.  Anyway, I was blog-hopping and found someone that makes them.  Ends up we were friends at Auburn!  Her name is Cortney McKinney, and she and her husband make the cutest frames!  I bought one from her and I love it.  They customize them - I just emailed her the color choices and bible verse and font (based off of her blog), and she had it ready very quickly!  Here is her blog - www.mckinneyframes.blogspot.com.  I got such a great deal, it is handmade and my guest bathroom is complete!! 

Finally some Turner updates.  I never knew I could love him so much, and Heath and I are so grateful for him!  He is such a blessing.  He is growing so fast!  He is now holding his head up (almost 100 percent).  He smiles all the time, and has just started laughing.  I love it.  He sleeps 9-10 hours at night, and has consistently for about a month or so now.  Also love that!!  His hair is coming in a little lighter than when he was born, and his eyes are still blue.  Who knows if they will change?  These are pictures of him in cousin Blake's exersaucer.  Hilarious.

How he started...

And how he finished!  Not quite ready yet!  :)

Turner's First Snow

March 1st - Snowfall!

I can't believe how hot it was in December when Turner was born, and now that he is almost 3 months old, it snows!  But, it is fun.  This is a picture of our house in the snow.  It was so pretty all around our neighborhood.  However, Turner did not enjoy it!  See below...

"Seriously.  I hate this."

"Please let me go inside.  I am cold.  I will only open my eyes in the shadow."

Best we could do...one-armed snowman and all!

Right now, as I type the little man is snuggled up in the heat (inside) with a blanket, and he is smiling.  Maybe he will like it better in 10 years when it snows again!!