Tab's Not Thrilled...BUT I Sure Am!

8:29am: Pure Love

This is for you Baby Girl...

my Sweet Caroline, Booga Boo, Boog, Stinky McGee...

{and yes, I am humiliating myself just for you...since you love these next 2 pictures so much!}

6 months

 Right before I had you

 ********************************************************************************

 
At about 8:25am Dr. Dean told me you would be here in a few minutes {I didn't know what time it was}, so I asked,"What time is it?", to which he replied,"8:26".

"Can you wait until 8:31"?

"She'll be here in about 2 minutes".

"But I wanted her to be born at 8:31".

"How about 8:29?" {as he pulls her out}

At that moment I could have cared less about what time it was.  My girl was here.  All that I had been waiting for just seconds away from my eyes.  He lifted her over the sheet that was draping over me, and I was in love. Pure.Love.

I have spent every moment since trying to be the best mommy I can.  Making sure that my decisions are good for you, that you eat right, you do your homework, gosh...that still gets me homework.  How can you already be old enough for homework?

Seven years.  No one can ever explain to a mommy how fast the time goes, blink and its gone.

I know I don't have to explain to you how special you are to me.  You know.  So, I have decided to just share some memories.  From when you were born until now.

The first is really not about you at all, but a treasured story from when I had you.  I was so excited, for so many reasons, but every mom knows how great it is to have food after having a baby.  Most of the time you are so hungry from not being allowed to eat, that getting food totally rocks!  Well, I decided I needed Whataburger.  It was soooo yummy!  I was cleaning up my mess and putting all the trash in my bag when suddenly I was covered in red blobs.  It looked like I had been shot!  I punctured a ketchup package...and it exploded all over the place.  Me, the wall behind me, and even the ceiling above me.  Instantly everyone there started cracking up, including me for about 1/2 a second until the peircing pain hit me.  Duh!  I just had a C-section, I couldn't laugh!  So then, in true Alicia fashion, the tears started.  And then the obsenities and me screaming at everyone to get out of my room.



You were so tiny, only weighing in at 5lbs. 11oz. when we brought you home {6lb.2oz at birth}.  Your first night "home" was spent at your Aunt Amy's house because the next day was Thanksgiving, and everyone was coming to see you.  You slept through the night from day 1, scaring me half to death because you were supposed to keep me up all night.

At about 7 weeks old I shaved your head.  I know.  No one has to ask me what I was thinking,  I temporarily lost my mind.  I was told by my hair stylist that it would make your hair grow in even and faster.  Lets just say that you were lucky to have a bow in your hair on your 1st birthday.

6 months old

1st Birthday

10 months...you took off running!

1st Halloween...this face is priceless

You were a piglet, still are really.  But, you have always eaten so healthy.  Very shocking.  And you did not want us to feed you.  You had to do it all by yourself.

You are a fiercely loyal little thing.  You  make friends and keep them.  Max was your best bud for years at school.  Gabriel has been your best friend from day one, and now you have many more.  You're too smart for your own good, and it wears me out.  There is no way to "put one over" on you!  I just can't tell you how much you mean to me...

 

 One of my absolute favorite pictures of you...ever!  It just shows your personality to a T.

I love you Boog,

Momma

{and to any of those wondering why I wanted her to be born at 8:31, here's the story.}
I know I've talked about my BFF Michelle lots, and we were lucky enough to be preggers together.  She delivered her son, Gabriel exactly 12 weeks before at 8:31am.  So if Boog could have stuck it out for 2 more minutes, she and her best bud would have been born 12 weeks apart...to the minute!  How cool would that have been?

Just Sick

Quick post. Real quick as I feel like I'm dying.  The doctor first thought I had Mono...now, she's not quite sure.  I had blood work done this morning, and should know something by tomorrow morning.  So, I am to stay at home in bed, through the weekend.  That is unless I have some serious breakthrough in feeling better.

I will miss Caroline's school Thanksgiving lunch on Friday, and her birthday party on Saturday.

I cried the whole way home from the doctor.  How can the mommy miss those things?  I'm heartbroken....

Cup Full of Pity Anyone?

***Updated***

Well, the doctor thinks I have Mono!  Great!  We won't know for sure for about a week because they can't test until I've had symptoms for at least a week.  But if I feel better in a few days, then we'll know its NOT Mono.  I sure am praying that it isn't!

**************************************************************
Original Post:

Yep, that's right...I'm having myself a grand ole pity party in the wee morning hours.  Why you ask?  It's simple.  I don't feel good.  I was sick earlier this week and then by Friday felt pretty good, so I went to work, only to feel icky again by friday night.  First it was the tummy, and by Saturday morning I had a full fledged sore throat...great, just what I wanted.  I was hoping that I would wake up today {Sunday morning} and feel fine, but to no avail, a whole lot worse.  My throat hurts, my glands, heck...my whole neck hurts!  And non of my OTC {over the counter} stuff seems to help.  I don't want to be sick.  I don't want to miss work.  I hate being home all day.  And most of all I don't want boog to get this yucky stuff!

So since I couldn't sleep, I decided to come get on the computer.  I have several posts that I just haven't gotten around to and I figured I'd just do an all-in-one of the past few weeks.  Oh, and have a pity party.

Caroline started gymnastics awhile back, and bless her sweet little heart, she gives it her all!

Her GT{gifted & talented} class had a Mad Scientist night where they dressed up like Einstein and did all sorts of crazy experiments!  She had so much fun, can you tell?

She was a Geisha Girl for halloween, and her wig didn't last 5 minutes before she had it all out of whack!

We did a hayride, since you know we live way out in the country, because the kids can't exactly walk from house to house!  She got so cold that she got down on the floor of the trailer and just her head was peeking through everyone's knees!  Her face in this one just cracks me up!

A few Sundays ago, as I was cutting coupons from the paper, she decided she wanted to read the paper.  Of course, she found the funnies and immediately recognized Charlie Brown!

Okay, so those made me feel better.  But, I'm still miserable.  I'm just praying that I will wake up in the morning and feel mcuh better.  I really hate being sick, and I'm a horrible patient.  So I'm keeping my fingers crossed for feeling better super fast!

Eight Years, Love Alicia

Every November 13th I find myself at a loss.  I don't know quite what to do without you.  I'm usually a little crabby, and a lot sad.  All I really want to do is go sit with you.

I keep thinking that it really will get easier, and I guess it does on a daily basis, but come November 13th, I just want my mommy.

Caroline wants to know so much about you.  She'll ask me questions about you, and I have to try to hold it together when I answer.  But I have tons of pictures that I show her and of course lots of stories.  I want you to know her.  You would be so in love.  You'd probably want to pinch her little head off, but she's so precious you just can't.  Sometimes I know your with her.  I smell you on her cheeks.  Tab thought I was a little crazy, so I proved it to him.  He leaned down and smelled her sweet face, and then I went and got your perfume that I keep locked away only for me to remember you, and let him smell...he was stunned.

I keep a picture of you in the kitchen, because that's where I feel you most, I feel like your guiding my way as I cook dinner, or bake cupcakes for school.  Some of my fondest memories are of cooking with you and learning all those down home recipes from East Texas.  I joined the PTA and am Caroline's room mom this year, just like you always were.  You also passed down my craft craziness and I spend free moments crafting away.  I want to sit on the couch with you and watch ER.  I want to be able to go to the grocery store and call you when I can't find just what I'm looking for.

I want to go to church and see you teaching your little 5 year olds.  You loved them so much.

I want you to see Caroline.  I think that hurts the most.  I just know how much you would love her.  You would be so proud of her, she's in the Gifted & Talented program, she does 2nd grade math!  Can you believe that? How ever did that happen?  Not from me!  I buy her learning books just like you did for me, she loves them too.

Maybe this year I'll make your peppermint bark for Christmas, I just haven't been able to do it yet, maybe this will be the year.

You were so special to me...are so special to me...and you always will be.

Love, Alicia

The Greatest Man I Know...Happy Birthday

Today my daddy celebrates his 69th birthday!  WOW!  I just can't believe it!  Yesterday, I jokingly asked him if he felt old yet, and he said nah!  I just love him!  He's so great, I would truly be lost with out him.  So today is all about you daddy, and all the things I love about you and all the reasons your one of my heros.

I was such a lucky little girl, God gave me the best parents, put with me parents who would love and nurture me, and give me a good, solid life.  I learned so much from you and mom.  I learned stability, pride, honor, but most of all love for family.  Amy and I had ever opportunity, we wanted for nothing.  One of the greatest lessons you ever taught me was to be me and stand up for what I believed in.  I have so many memories...

Mom & Dad {sometime in the late 50's}

You have always cracked me up!  You can always make me laugh, but I always knew when I had let you down.  I know I wasn't a bad kid, I didn't get into trouble, but I haven't always made the best decisions.  You've always been there to help me find my way.  You sat at every dance recital {for 16 years!}, every tennis match, every football game, every drill team performance.  You never let me down.

I love this little car.  I remember you restoring the seats, and getting seatbelts for it so you could take me to school in it.  I loved when you picked me up at Central with the top off...I felt so special!  I remember how hard it was to get the top off, and how you would lay it in the grass next to the driveway.

Yes, my dad had a boat in our pool!  Who does that?  MY dad!  I remember how funny you and Chuck were tooting around in the pool checking out the running motor!  And then we took it to our land in Tyler and went fishing.

Christmas 2008

July 2007 - The first time we had all the grandkids together in 3 years

One of the hardest things I ever had to tell you was that I was pregnant.  Granted, I was an adult, living on my own, but I was so terrified to tell my deacon father that his little girl was having a baby out of wedlock!  I started crying as soon as you answered the phone...and you just said "okay", and then asked why I was crying.  I was cying because I was so afraind I had let you down.

Cruise

After we lost mom, I felt so lost.  I also felt like I had to make sure you were okay.  I became super protective over you!  When you and Mary Lou met I was thrilled!  I had my moments through all of it where I was hurt and confused {it didn't help that I was pregnant!} but over the last 4 years I've grown to love her too.  Mostly because of how much she loves you.  She makes you happy, and that's all I can ask for.   You have seen so much of the world because of her, and she has brought a whole new light to your eyes.

I'll always be protective of you...your my daddy.  I can never tell you how much I love and respect you, and how much you mean to me.  You taught me so much, and still do.  I honestly don't know what I will ever do without you.  I guess your just gonna have to find the fountain of youth!

Caroline is a very lucky little girl to have a grandpa like you!  She adores you {and grandma too!}  It's always so amazing to see her excited to tell you about something.  And she's always so excited to have y'all at things.  She was so proud to have y'all at Grandparents Night.  She loves to come over and go down to the creek with you, and she's always so funny when we are driving up, she wants to know if you've been in the road playing on your tractor!

 I love you daddy!  I love everything about you.  You always listen, your always there, and you live life to the fullest.  I'm so glad that you have found someone to share that with.  I will always know that I can count on you, and I hope you know that you can always count on me.  I would do anything for you.  Heck, I owe it to you!  All the times you've helped me out, and recently all the dentist appointments you've driven me to and sat in there with me because I'm too scared to be alone! 

I hope you have the best birthday, I love you daddy!!!!!

My New Persona: Brenda?

I know we all go through times when we need to change something, ya know, shake things up a bit?  I was getting dangerously close to that point where I was going to do something majorly drastic like chop all my hair off, but since I know my husband would never speak to me again, I went a different route.

It took me by surprise.  I didn't really know what to think of what I'd done.  Hmmmmmm.........I think I like it?

And then, I was really shocked to find out how many of my professors noticed!  I mean, I know I have briefly mentioned that they are the biggest geeks in the world {think "The Big Bang Theory"} they are just the sweetest group of people, and I never thought they would notice something really drastic like an arm missing, let alone a teeny, tiny little change to be observed....wow, I guess they really do love me! LOL!!!!!  Anyway, they have re-named me Brenda? Huh?  No clue where they came up with that!

I'm letting it grow on me.....

I'm a natural blonde, really I am {Hollie & Jen can verify that!}, and this is quite an adjustment!  We'll see if it lasts!




---By the way, if you happen to watch "The Big Bang Theory"...my professors call me "Penny".---

More of the Same

...around our house at least!  We've been pretty busy, but nothing out of the norm for us.  We had the book fair at school one week, and Caroline had so much fun at all the activities.  First they got to bring money with them to school to go buy books.  Last year, I forgot to send money and Caroline was so upset with me that I made sure to get her money ready so that she got to buy a book.  Let me tell you, that girl is something else!  I sent $10, thinking that most of the books she might want would cost around that, and she would get to have the responsibility of choosing her own and paying for it...wrong thing to do, I should have forgotten to send money again!  When I picked her up that day she proudly shows me her purchase:  a pencil, a pencil sharpener that looks like a puppy, a pointer with a hand on the end and a googly eyed pen.  What?!?!  I just couldn't believe it!

The next morning was Donuts with Dad, and since her dad lives here now, he got to go with her!  He came by to pick her up for school, it was so cute.

Can you tell Boog was excited?

Then the final night was Open House-Grandparents Night.  She was so excited to have some of her grandparents there.  My parents went and so did Tab's, her dad's grandparents all live in Dallas, so they couldn't make it!  She had so much fun taking them all around the school, introducing teachers to them and finally going to get cookies and punch in the cafeteria.

Caroline with my parents

Caroline with Tab's dad & step-mom