Baby Bubba and the Boobie

Bubba is going to be 2 at the end of April.  (the 21st).  Take off the 3 months that he was premature- but for the most part, he’s going to be 2. 

And Bubba is a Boobie baby.  The folks in the NICU were so sweet to me when he was there and I was pumping the milk maids (that would be the boobs and I pumped every 2 stinking hours by the way).

Starting off, Bubba was feed thru a tube in his nose.  From there, he was fed thru his nose and he had to learn to take a bottle.  And I pumped.  And I pumped.  And I pumped.  (And hubby forgot to close the freezer, but that’s another story.)

Bubba mastered the bottle, and from there he got to meet the milk maids. I still remember that day I was able to make the introductions.  Bubba was still so tiny…I think he was on the big 3 pound size.  And at that time, my boobs were HUGE.  (Let me paint a picture for you.  His head, size of an apple, my boob, size of a honeydew melon.  I thought, there is NO way, this is going to work) 

Those sweet NICU folks said, don’t be disappointed if he doesn’t take to the milk maids.  It’s not unusual for babies to not want to nurse, because they’ve mastered the bottle, and well, they just don’t. 

Well, Bubba didn’t get the memo.  Matter fact I don’t even think he heard what they said at all, much less read a memo.

We got home after 44 days in the NICU, and he and I were able to just “HANG OUT”, me on the couch and him on the boobs.   Well he mastered the boobs.  Boy did he ever.

And he never touched another bottle.   

Fast forward to now.  I had him down to just nursing in the morning and bed time, and an occasional after nap snuggle time.  My deadline was April 22nd (wasn’t going to upset him on his birthday).  Mentally I have been done, but didn’t want to fight or hear him cry for me.  it would make my heart hurt – not to mention my boobs.

But as I always try to state the truth, here it goes, I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GET HIM OFF OF THE MILK MAIDS!!!  So I emailed my go to girl on all things Bubba related, and she sent me to her go to girl.  Go to girl number 2 gave me some good thoughts and said GOOD LUCK. 

That was last week.

This week, we have gone 3 THREE, THREE nights without him saying “Boobie.  I neeeeeeeeeed Boobie.”  (He went from saying “i-aunt-boobie” to I neeeeeeed boobie)

On his own, he has laid down in the floor and gone to sleep 2 nights, and the other night Hubby held him and bounced him.

BUT NO BOOBIE!!!! 

YESSSSSSSS!!!

I had NO idea it would be this tough getting him to stop.  Still has his morning Boobie, but I think that will too be gone soon, hopefully as easy as he did away with his nights.

REGARDLESS, deadline is April 22 and I’m dang sure he got that memo!  And even if he didn’t

I’M DONE!!!!!!

Hairspray

Ya know that line in the movie Hairspray (the recent one with John Travolta as the momma)…when she/he says “I have to do my I-ron-nin. 

Well that was me today – I got to do my I-ron-nin.  I was so happy.

I washed a big load of Hubby’s dress shirts.  There is something about the dry cleaning of dress shirts that after a while, to me, they just aren’t clean.  So into the wash they went, and then I needed to i-ron them. 

I love to i-ron.  I can’t help it.  I think it started with my Gram.  I guess she liked to i-ron too because she i-ron-ed everything.  for a long time, my mom i-ronned everything too.  And up until I had 4 kids and no time, I i-ron-ed everything.  Even our sheets.  I love freshly starched sheets – so nice to get into the bed!

My therapy begins tomorrow.  

Oh – the menu has been a hit – EXCEPT the hash brown casserole, the kids didn’t like it.  not sure why because it looks to me to be kid friendly.  My only guess was the salsa on top of it.  Hubby and I like it. 

In a food mood….

That’s what Marybeth calls it.  I think it sums up how I’m feeling.  I was not able to sleep in this morning – long story – baby and husband did not want to cooperate with me….Oh, THEY slept in until 9.  NINE!!! 

So I came downstairs and started on the menu planning.  It’s that time of year again that I need to take control of the menu again.

Soccer practice starts full force this week.

So, I hit my favorite website.  It used to be www.recipezaar.com, but they merged or something and now they are www.food.com.  It still works for me.  I can sift thru recipes based on certain specifics. Main dish, poultry, casserole, crock pot, easy, cheap (two of my favorite descriptive words, haha)

So, in no particular order, here are the dinner options for the next 12 nights.

1. Lasagna (we actually had that tonight)
2. King Ranch Chicken (tons of different recipes out there for this, it’s so easy, but so good.  everyone LOVES it)
3. Chicken and Dumplings (I use flour tortillas instead of dumplings..another big hit around here.)
4. Spaghetti
5. Tuna Casserole (but Bubba doesn’t get this – he has a seafood allergy NO SEAFOOD OR SHELLFISH AT ALL FOR HIM)
6. HollyBeth’s Goulash
7. Taco Casserole
8. HBC (it’s a casserole with Hash Browns)
9. Ranch Chicken thighs
10. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes
11. Black Bean Chicken
12. Coney Island Casserole (this is a new one for us, but the reviews on it were 5 stars and it’s a family pleaser…we’ll see!)

That’s 12 nights of dinners.  I also have breakfast for dinner if I decide to deviate from these.  I don’t have the nights planned out, but rather I’ll pick the night before what we are going to have. 

How did I come up with this and prepare for it?  Well first off, it has to be something that everyone is going to eat – tastes good, simple, and that I can cook ahead of time.  (I start cooking dinner by 2 in the afternoon), so if it’s a casserole or something that can go in the Crock Pot..I’m all about it. 

I went to my website ( www.food.com), picked things out using the recipe sifter.  FYI…….I did set up an account and if I find something I like I save it to my online cookbook..then when I need some ideas – there they all are! 

I list out ingredients that I need for each meal, then I go to the cabinet and cross off what I have, then I go to the store.  My list says like “green beans 2” which is 2 cans of green beans.  Or chicken bag 3.  Yeah, you guessed it, 3 bags of the frozen chicken breasts. 

Each night gets some sort of side or sides, fruit and/or veggie.  I had to get breakfast and lunch stuff…..OF COURSE, I went to Aldi, got everything but FOUR items, then went to Bi-lo.  (the only things Aldi didn’t have that I needed were, cans of diced green chili’s, green onions, black olives and diced FROZEN hash browns.  they do have the refrigerated kind, and they are super yummy, but the casserole does better with frozen. 

I spent $137 at Aldi and $38 at Bi-Lo.  (I picked up more than 4 items at Bi-Lo because they had some things on special).

So, for $175 all of our meals are set!!! 

I LOVE that feeling.

Lola went with me.  She likes being my assistant.  She helped me make the lasagna for tonight….My family will tell you it’s good.  and it is, but it’s not as good as Ninni’s or our dear friend, Mrs. B’s.  (Mrs. B makes her own homemade sauce and it is so good.  thank goodness she knows we love it and she is so good to bring us some when she makes it…but that’s another story.)

What is your food mood?  Do you plan ahead?  What does our family like to eat? Do you love your crock pot or hate it? 

Congrats to my awesome cousin, JOSH COX

This is the article from ESPN.com  (how many people are YOU related to that have been interviewed and on ESPN??)  And if you are wondering, he is my cousin, his mom is my Daddy’s sister.  This is not a cousin 4 times removed. 

PHOENIX -- Josh Cox won the Arizona Rock 'n' Roll Marathon on Sunday, then kept on going to smash his American record for 50 kilometers by 3½ minutes, missing the world mark by just 7 seconds.

Cox completed the 31.2 miles in 2 hours, 43 minutes, 45 seconds after finishing the marathon in 2:17:32 to beat Solomon Kandie of Kenya by 1:08.

"Seven seconds is hard to swallow," Cox said. "But I'm happy. The American record is nothing to hang your head about."

Thompson Magwana of South Africa set the world record in 1988.

Cox, of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., set the American record of 2:47:17 in 2009 at this same venue -- running the marathon through the streets of Scottsdale, Tempe and Mesa, before completing the final five miles on the Arizona State University track.

"I did everything I could to click off those final miles," he said. "We put so much into this ... months and months [of training]. I thought I'd be able to rally on the track. But my legs were tired. They start barking at you.

"Still, it was a great day. I felt good out there. You have to be happy with a [personal record]."

Cox had envisioned finishing the marathon in 2:17 or less and couldn't quite make up the deficit, even though he reeled off a 71-second final lap after running the other laps at approximately 80 seconds apiece.

"I was hurting, I was in a lot of pain," he said. "You just have to fight and fight and fight. The record is something you shoot for. ...

"I'll be back. I would like to run the world record here in two years. I'd like to give it another shot ... that ever-elusive world record."

Next year, Cox will be occupied with competing in the U.S. Olympic trials for the marathon in Houston, which will be run about the same time as the Arizona race.

Now, if you really want  to see GRACE, CLASS, STYLE and a guy who is so filled with the LORD and the gift the LORD has given him, watch his after the race video interview.  (the the link doesn’t work, here is the web address http://bcove.me/1yax6ggq )

I watched it 3 times last night, balled my eyes out.  It was awesome.  I could see my aunt (his mom) cheering him on the last bit – made me sob.  I saw his wife, who is prego with their first baby, at the finish line.  I was just a balling freak.  I’m so proud of him.  I’m amazed by his ability to RUN distances I don’t drive in a weeks time! 

GO JOSH!!!!  Don’t forget, next year’s goal is “OLPYMIC BOUND”! 

Only when you’re a baby

You can only get away with running nekked when you are this young, and this cute.  Try this when you’re an adult and the po=po are going to get cha!!! 

 

Our boy loves to run nekked when he’s getting  a diaper change…of course, the hardware fascinates him. 

 

He’s a male for goodness sakes. 

 

Bubba and his diaper run

Back to life, back to reality.

Do you remember that song.  If, like me, you grew up in the 80’s you might.  Can’t’ remember who sang it, I’ll look that up later.

Here is proof that we have 4 kids.  Crash finally made an appearance when I had my camera out and ready.  He just got out of the bed – so the hair is a little ICK.

 

Here’s what happens when Mommy is NOT paying attention (but quickly runs to grab the camera…)

It’s just diaper cream for Pete’s sake….

 

He was happy.

 

Snowing, Again.

Today’s disclaimer is this……I DO have 4 kids, there’s a blond that is missing , again, from the snow pictures because he takes off running to catch up with his friends.  Not too much a mom can do to try to keep him around and let me take pictures of him playing in the snow. 

Pootie waking up and getting his cup of coffee….

Trying to put his GLUBS on…

and then the jacket

So happy

Going for a walk…..

 

 

An intersection on our walk – it was snowing it’s butt off!!!!

he fell asleep, so to keep all the snow that was falling off of him, I put my scarf over him…he slept for about an hour while we walked….

Awake and ready to play – nose is all red!

His new boots – Ninni bought them for him last week.  I never would have thought that we would need the dang things again…

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, this is the back of the Blue Goose…isn’t it wonderful….do you know that someone actually stole one of my favorite magnets off my car…so I’m working on replacing it.

Pootie and his buddy Sweetie -

 

 

 

 

Trying to build an igloo….yeah right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Playdate

Saturday we “babysat” for our friend Suzanne.  She has a 3rd grade boy, Andrew, and a 2 1/2 year old, Ethan. 

Andrew and Crash played upstairs on the playstation, and the little boys played downstairs…Little Bubba had a blast!!!

Here they are playing with, ummm, everything?  Some of it is actually left over toys from when Pootie and Crash were this age.  I had given to my friend Angie, never thinking it would ever make it’s way back here!!!!

And the mailbox…it plays music and this crazy little voice squawk’s “you’ve got a letttt-tttter”

And sitting by the front door on a little bench (it actually belonged to GramMabel) – Bubba was saying Cheeeeeessseeee

and both of them with their MoMo’s (that’s Ethan speak for Monkey)

Now, these next pictures get two disclaimers attached to them

1- I do not want to end up on Good Morning America being accused of dressing my son up like a girl.

2-I did not do this, although I did find it funny is all get out.  this is what happens when your daughter says “I’ll play with him mom?!” 

The funniest part was when Pootie saw it…..it was almost like the scene from ET when Elliott and his brother Greg walk in on Gertie having just ET up like a girl….”AWWWWW  GAWDDDDDDD”

 

Nothing like a pink tutu to make you feel rough and tough huh?

Undeniable adult truths

The first 24 are from my cousin, Lea.  I’ve italicized  my favorite ones…

 

1.   I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.  Another part of their job is to make sure you’re not buried in something you would never wear.  Me?  Ya’ll better make sure my toe nails are painted FIRE ENGINE RED, I’m in my jeans, have on heels (my red ones will do) and a comfy bra.  Oh, and I have chapstick in my pocket.

2.   Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3.   I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4.   There is great need for a sarcasm font.  I’d use it A LOT!

5.   How the *&#% are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6.   Was learning cursive really necessary?

7.   Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8.   Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9.   I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10.  Bad decisions make good stories.  Some of those bad decisions fall under the category of VEGAS! 

11.  You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12.   Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13.   I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14.  I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.  Amen.  I forgot to save this one crazy person's number in my phone and they called and I answered and DAMN, I was stuck on the phone.  Hate that. 

15.   I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16.   I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

17.   I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

18.   I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19.   How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20.   I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and  sisters!  I find nothing more infuriating than someone thinking they can cut in line.  Wait like the rest of us!

21.   Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

22.   Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23.   Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey -but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

24.   The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.  Men, what are ya gonna do?

Laughter is the best medicine

 

This lady, a resident of a retirement community, was asked to give the invocation at a dinner/convention of retirement community managers.  She does so, but then decides to add a few words of her own as a part of the invocation.   Enjoy! This is sooo funny!!!!!   click here on best video ever

I want to be just like her when I grow up!!!

I wake up….

and go through the routine of being a mom to 4 great kids and the wife of a terrific man.  Our life is pretty amazing. 

We are healthy, the kids are healthy and for 99.9% of the time, they are good kids (0.1% of the time they are trifling, as kids are supposed to be). 

Hubby has a great job, works hard, but it’s a great job.  I’m able to stay home with the kids.  I work part time for Daddy, and I enjoy that job and the folks I know through work. 

Our home is not clean all the time, it’s not huge, we don’t have a cleaning lady or a yard service. 

We drive 2 cars that are high mileage cars.  The Blue Goose squeaks (that would be my car) but they are paid for.

I think we forget sometimes that generally speaking, LIFE IS GOOD. 

And then I wake up one day and I am reminded of that fact.
A family that we know lost their husband, father, son and brother the other day.  Suddenly.  The initial  report is he had a heart attack and died during the night.  My heart breaks for the wife, Amy, and the kids, Natalie (sophomore in college) and Michael (senior in high school).  I cry and think about what they must be feeling. 

I think about my friends that have lost their husbands and then I marvel in their strength.  You are each such pillars of strength and I am so blessed to know each of you.

I read about a family that have triplet preemie babies and loses one as the other two fight a hard fight to live.  And my heart breaks for them. 

I know what our lives were like to watch Little Bubba fight, I cannot fathom what multiple babies would be like. 

So, as I go about in my daily routine of getting up, getting my Diet Dr. Pepper, getting the 3 big kids off for their day and Hubby out the door, and yes, Bubba still getting BOOBIE in the morning…I need to remember to stop and be thankful for my daily humdrum routine. 

As you go about your day, please take a moment to pray for these families.  And hugs yours and be thankful.