Da-da-da-da

Sunday August 21, 2011 it happened. My sweet boy. The one I carried for 36 weeks. The one I produce food for. The one that I feed, bathe, change most of the diapers. The one that I get up with during the middle of the night when he wakes up. The one that I suck those boogers out of with that bulb thing. The one that I play “peek-a-boo” with OVER AND OVER.


Yes, my sweet baby boy said his first word.



Da-Da.



That’s right. Not Ma-Ma. Ugh.



Oh well. Surely “ma-ma” will come soon? When he gets a bite of baby food he goes “mmmmm!” haha. So cute. Just add that little “a” to the end.



Seriously, congratulations Eric. Collin bear loves you so much. I’m so happy that he loves his Daddy so much. I’m happy that you get to share this with him. I’m very thankful for a husband who is such a great dad. Thank you.



Now, Collin… PLEASE say Ma-Ma soon!!! It would make me so very happy! I love you sweet boy!

8 Months!

Dad helping out with the pictures!

It is getting harder to get your picture! You are way too interested in the blocks!

*You weigh around 16 lbs. Still no clue how long you are.

*You are still wearing 3-6 month clothes. Size 3 diapers

*You went “swimming” for the first time this month. Daddy got in the pool and held you for a little bit. You LOVED it. Sorry about the pink hat… it was your Aunt Tori’s when she was little. Mommy forgot your hat at home. I won’t forget it again! Promise. Your favorite part was when your Papa Jack put you up on the side and let you kick in the water. You would have sat up there forever if we would have let you.

*You are sitting up by yourself! You're not 100% stable all the time, but you are definitely doing it by yourself. Honestly, you would rather stand up than anything.

*You even sat in a high chair for the first time this month. Mommy took you to eat at McAlisters with our good friend Robin! She is having a little girl in a few months. This is the best picture Mommy could get!

*You're not crawling yet, but I think it is right around the corner. If there is a toy out of your reach that you want, you will stretch your little body as far as you can and then whine when you can't reach it. You also get up on all fours and rock back and forth. Usually followed by a nose plant!

*You absolutely LOVE remotes, phones, cords, anything that you aren’t supposed to have. We are already having to baby proof everything!

*You love food!!! You have tried just about everything- except peaches. Mommy thinks they smell weird. Maybe we will try them soon. You have just recently tried vanilla pudding custard with bananas. It is your favorite by far!! You attack that spoon before Mommy can get it to your mouth!

*You still nurse about 2-3 times a day. You have to bottles at daycare (of breast milk). You also eat 3(ish) things of baby food while you are there. You have started eating some snacks. Mum-Mum’s are your favorite, with Strawberry-Apple or Sweet Potato puffs coming in a close second.

*You still sleep about 10-11 hours at night. Bed around 7:00 and up around 6:00. You usually nap 2-3 times a day.

*For some reason you have taken a big liking to your paci. I have no clue why- maybe you are getting a tooth? You have always been so indifferent about it. But now, you prefer to have it. I hope it’s not going to be a problem to break that habit!

*You still love to splash and kick in the bathtub! We have turned you around in your baby bathtub so that you are sitting up and not laying back. You seem to like it. Ducky has made some special appearances during bath time. Of course, he goes straight to your mouth!

*You want to touch everything! And after you touch it, you study it, then it ALWAYS goes straight in your mouth. For example, the other day Daddy had a drink from Sonic in his hand while holding you. It took you all of 5 seconds to grab that straw! Everything just fascinates you.

*You babble occasionally, we have heard all kinds of sounds- “ba ba, da da” Daddy swears you are saying “Da Da”. It is precious.

Collin Bear, we just love you so much. I love how much you have gotten attached to your Daddy. I can already tell there will be great times ahead for you all together. Nothing makes me happier than to walk into your room at daycare and those little feet start to kicking when you see me. Mommy loves you SO MUCH.

A normal Day:

This post is really just so I can remember how hectic I think our lives are right now. That way in a few months, or years I can look back and wish for these simple days. Ha!


I’ve been a bad blogger the last month. Our days around here are filled to the brim. I just haven’t made sitting down at the computer a priority. Something happened to my app on my phone. I used to could blog from there, but it quit working.

A normal day around our house starts around 5:30am. (5:00am for Eric) I get up and get Collin from his bed, and he comes to bed with me until 6:00. I nurse him and we have cuddle time. After a diaper change, I take a shower while Collin plays on his play mat. By the time I’m out of the shower and dressed for work, Collin has had enough of his play mat. This works out perfect.

We go to my bedroom and he lays on the bed and watches Baby Einstein while I dry and straighten my hair.

***I refuse for the TV to be a babysitter for Collin at any point in his life. I would really rather not turn on Baby Einstein every morning while I’m drying my hair. Some mornings, I don’t turn it on. I find him some toys to play with. It’s just so difficult since Eric has to leave for work so early in the mornings, I don’t really have a choice. He is limited to 15 minutes a day on the videos though.

Anyway... When I’m completely ready for work, I get Collin and we go back to the living room. He sits in his bouncy seat while I get his bag ready for daycare. Get his bottles ready, get some baby food for him, etc. I get my bag ready with extra bottles for me to pump into. Then we are finally out the door. Usually between 7:15-7:30. I get him to daycare then I’m at work by 8:00.

Around 3:30 each day, Eric comes to my work to switch cars with me. He takes my Jeep and leaves me with his truck. He goes and gets Collin from daycare and they go home and play. (This is a long story. Yes, we have an extra car seat for Eric’s truck, but I’m a nervous, over-protective parent and I don’t like how a car seat looks in his passenger seat. It’s just not safe enough for me! Even though, by the law standards it is.)

Typically on a good day, I can leave work a little before 5:00. (sometimes way later than 5, just depends on the day) I get home and get some Collin love. I nurse him for a little bit. He usually takes a little cat nap. Then we have dinner (Eric and I eat while Collin plays, then Collin eats his baby food). I give Collin a bath. Get him lotioned up and dressed. I usually read him Goodnight Moon or something. Then we lay down for a little more cuddle time until he falls asleep. It usually only takes about 10 minutes for him to be completely asleep. I pick him up and put him in his bed.

We eat many, many meals out of our crockpot. I love that thing. I don't know what we would do without it. Many nights I fix dinner for the next night before I go to bed. That way, right before I leave for work, I can plug it in and dinner smells AMAZING when I walk in the backdoor after work. Thank you Jesus for crockpots!

I clean up the kitchen, check on laundry, spend some time with Eric- then, to be honest, I’m so tired I can barely make it to my bed. Here lately, I’ve been going to bed around 8 or 8:30! Then wake up and do it all over again. Wow. I'm tired.

scramble Pie

One thing I love about my family is our family meals. This is something that I hope to carry on for Collin and Collin’s kids (Yikes! That is, when he is 75 years old and moves out of our house to start his own family!). Many times a year we prepare a special meal. From an outside perspective, it probably doesn’t seem all that appetizing. In fact, Eric isn’t too fond of it. People are raised differently- I get that, but in my opinion, it doesn’t get much better than this…

Amazing. If you can’t see what all is there, I’ll name it all off.

Corn

Cornbread (Jiffy and homemade)

Purple hull peas

Lima beans

Butter beans

Fried okra

Squash

Cantelope

And in the back, next to Eric… homemade banana pudding. (or scramble pie)

Yep, that’s right. No meat. All fresh (from the garden) produce. Picked, canned, frozen, or just straight from the garden.

Scramble Pie: I bet you are wondering about "scramble pie". I honestly have no idea. I really need to ask my mom this story. When I was little somehow I began calling banana pudding, scramble pie! Who knows where that came from!? I also called "Fruit Loops", "Flip Floops". I was a crazy kiddo!
To this day, everyone in my family calls banana pudding, Scramble Pie! I love it! I have to be careful if I ever order it at a resturant. Dixie Cafe has great Scramble Pie Banana Pudding. You should get some next time you are there!

Sweet Random Pictures

Sometimes I look at Collin and can't believe how big he has gotten. He went from being a tiny 4 lb 12 oz baby to now nearly 16 lbs!! I realize 16 lbs isn't all that big- but compaired to the 4 lbs it's huge! HaHa!

I love this little boy more than I could ever explain. Just look at that sweet face...

Carrots EVERYWHERE! Collin likes to put his hands in his mouth after he takes a bite. It is a MESS!

On a walk with Mommy! He never makes it very long without going to sleep.

We just graduated up to a bigger carseat. When we stop at red lights or anything, I turn around to check on him. This is usually what I see! Him looking up over the back of his seat at me! Sweet Boy!

Oh, I do have that mirror that goes on the back of the headrest so I can see him through the rear-view mirror, but sometimes it's just not enough. I have to turn and look! :)

Father's Day (a little late)

I realize I’m almost a month late, but really wanted to write about Father’s Day. This was Eric’s first Father’s Day. I wanted to make it special. Collin and I are very blessed to have Eric. He works hard to provide for our family. He is a true blessing.

The day before Father's Day we went to Benton to see Eric's dad. We had a great visit with them! I can't wait for Collin to be able to swim in their pool with us!

Eric, Collin, and Jack (Eric's Dad)

We started our Sunday with a big breakfast. I made Eric his favorite breakfast! Then we got ready for church.

 After church we stopped by my parents house for a little photo session!

On the swing in the backyard!

Telling Pa "Happy Father's Day!"

Then, we had a relaxing afternoon at home. Such a wonderful day!

Eric, in just a few short months (6 to be exact) you have become so much more confident with Collin. We both can tell you love him so much. Thank you for being a wonderful Daddy!

Day 1 being a father

Happy Father’s Day Eric! Collin and I both love you so very much!

Granny and Poppa

 Dear Collin,

Your great grandparents (Granny and Poppa Hunt) love you so much! They have wanted to see you since you were born. They haven’t been in good health lately. In fact, Granny has fallen a couple of times. Daddy and I have really wanted to take a trip to see them. Every year for the 4^th of July, Daddy’s side of the family all goes to Granny and Poppa’s house for lunch. We couldn’t miss this opportunity to show you off! You were the highlight of the day

So, Monday for the 4^th, we made our trip to Hot Springs to see everyone. Poppa didn’t want to share you very much! He got some good lovin’ from you! Granny was so happy to hold you! You gave her some slobbery kisses on the cheek! It was precious.

When we got there, Poppa called us into the bedroom. He had a present for you! Daddy and I were in shock when he handed us a check for you. To be honest, I’m still in shock! Wow!

He also gave us some pictures of Granny and him when they met, and then some recent ones. They wrote you a letter too. It was all so precious. They love you so much. They want you to use the money to go to college. Our family is so fortunate to have them around. They are so wonderful.

One day, these letters and pictures are going to mean a lot to you. I can’t wait for the day when you can put your money to good use.

According to your Daddy, you won’t need any college tuition money because he is convinced you will have an athletic scholarship of some sort. We will see! If so, I would hope you would use this money to get a car, or even put a down payment on a house. Use it wisely sweet boy! Checks like this don’t come around very often!

I love you.

Mommy