A Juneteenth Rock Star

Okay, so it isn't Juneteenth yet, but last weekend we pretended that it was. After a fun morning with Liam at the Caden Lane photo shoot, we headed over to my parent's house to help celebrate the birth of one amazing father, grandfather, husband, son-in-law and friend. He is such a Rock Star!

There is just something about GiGi and Poppa's house that makes you feel like you are on vacation. It might be that you walk into their backyard to a beautifully manicured garden overlooking the greenbelt that looks like something out of the Southern Living catalog. Or it might be the fancy drink concoctions that you are served in your Mexican dress on the patio.

Maybe it is the early morning coffee on the deck by the pool. Or that you are almost always guaranteed to experience birds playing in the waterfall, deer frolicking through the trees or even slippery creatures like lizards (and even those we don't prefer like snakes!)

Or maybe it is the pink flamingos dancing in the flower pots while you go for a swim.

In any case, there was a celebration! We rolled dad's 52nd birthday and father's day into one big San Antonio fiesta complete with BBQ chicken, ranch beans and watermelon.

And what Juneteenth baby wouldn't have their favorite cake be red velvet?

After dinner we opened gifts and got delirious over a singing hamster card purchased by yours truly! It was a fun family party. Happy Birthday Daddy!

Sorry Gran for what comes next because even though she promised to kill me if I posted these photos, there was something magical that happened at 11pm that night, when all the boys had gone to bed and the three of us girls, who should have joined them, became just that... three silly girls, squeezing ourselves into Gran's bed and interrupting her book reading to fill the room of giggles like three best friends at a slumber party. And then it hit me as I looked at these amazing women who I love and admire... I had joined their secret club. I had become one of them - a mommy! And I cannot wait to make more memories like those.

The birthday celebration would not have been complete without a cherry on top - Aunt Janie came into town and Liam got to show off all his new tricks while we listened to Poppa stories!

And Vogue

Work it baby! Literally....

Recently, my little model was asked to pose for a Caden Lane photo shoot introducing their fall collection. We love Katy Mimari (creator of Caden Lane) and were thrilled when she asked us to be a part of her new catalog! Her bedding is so colorful and bright. The polka dots are mesmerizing and Liam is entertained for hours in his bed! If you are ever in San Antonio, you should check out her store, Nursery Couture!

Liam was quite the model, giving his photographer plenty of poses to choose from. Including a little toe action pose that he learned from Katy. This acrobatic trick gets lots of praise and so it gets performed about as often as rolling over these days!

He smiled and laughed at his ridiculous parents giving a command performance. When I look back at these photos I can only think "Is that what I look like to my son?" He must think we are completely crazy. Now I understand why he is always laughing. Who wouldn't laugh at this bag of nuts? I hope he doesn't end up warped by all the tongue thrusting, bubble blowing, crossed eyes, and monkey puckers. Aren't we a zoo?

You know, as a mother-to-be sometimes you worry that you might have one of those babies that only a mommy could love. And not that I would know if I actually had one of those babies, or care for that matter, but it sure felt good to know that someone other than his mommy thought Liam was cute enough for a catalog! I just stare at him sometimes and wonder how something so beautifully perfect came from me. Because as his mommy, I think that is what he is... practically perfect in every way.

Mommy's got her Groove Back!

Mommy's got her groove back... well, sort of! Before getting pregnant, I had worked my way up to a whopping 6 mile jog. Now, all you marathon runners will not be impressed, but I was pretty happy with my accomplishment of 6 miles. When Bill and I found out that I was pregnant I was thrilled! I decided that running was most likely not good for the baby (either that or it was an excuse to stop). I decided low impact stretching and walking was much better with a little one on board and we were doing great until... dum, dum, dum... BED REST! And not the "you should stay in bed" translated to "take it easy" kind of bed rest. The bed rest that required bed pans and spit baths, which later turned into bathroom and shower only. The bed rest that required support hose so that your legs didn't turn into mush - the ugly kind of bed rest. I would have laid in that bed all over again for our little munchkin... exercise is so overrated!

Needless to say, working out post baby included many bicep curls and lunges (to pick up fallen pacifiers), but not really any major cardio. So, that makes nearly 6 months of pretty much minimal workout. UNTIL last Saturday... Mommy had the bright idea that she could just pop right up and run a 5K with her girlfriends... no training necessary. Lets just say - at least I finished! It wasn't fast and it sure wasn't pretty, but I finished!

Later that night, Bill and I went out for the very first time without Liam. I am so lucky to have my sister-in-law in town who was available short notice to watch him for a couple of hours while Bill and I enjoyed the company of adults at M'Lees Housewarming party! So exciting! She was a wonderful host and I thoroughly enjoyed the margarita machine! It was really great to emerge from our bubble and catch up with friends! Liam had a wonderful time with his Aunt Nolie and even trained her to take him outside to hang out by the beautiful water fountain in her complex. Who wouldn't enjoy a nice evening next to a calming water fountain?

The next day we headed over to Bill's grandmother's house to swim! Bill heated the pool to bath water temp and we waited patiently while the afternoon thunderstorm passed so we could dunk those baby toes in the water and play until dinner.

And when our fingers were nice and pruned, we snuggled into over sized beach towels and made a milk mustache!

Raspberries

After recently enjoying a post from the Stark family on their sweet little one's raspberries, Liam decided to join the club yesterday (June 9, 2010) and make a few of his own. Bill and I truly enjoy our mornings with him. He usually plays in his swing and talks to us while we are getting ready. One of the wonderful perks of a large bathroom. This morning I curled my hair to the beat of babbles and raspberries. I love that little voice! Enjoy! (You might notice he is talking to himself in the mirror on the second one!)

Daycare

The dreaded day arrived on June 1st, the day that Liam started daycare! I spent the night before ironing little "Liam Robinson" labels into all of his outfits, sticking labels on pacifiers and putting waterproof, rubber labels on bottles. I was a labeling Nazi! I had ordered an extra large diaper bag in fire engine red just for Liam to take to daycare and I filled the entire bag and then some with all of his favorites. I did not want him to do without anything. Amongst those items like butt paste, diapers, extra clothes, bottles, etc. were his puppy dog lovey, his Sophie giraffe, toy colored links, Liam striped blanket, binkers, and of course his own crib sheets that match his home sheets! And yes, they were all "necessary." Necessary because I felt so horribly guilty that I was having to drop my sweet little baby off at daycare. Necessary because sending him with all of those items made me feel better.

I have been agonizing over daycare since before Liam was born. We went back and forth on nanny versus daycare and determined after several lists of pros and cons that we would try daycare. Then, it was a search to find the right place. The first stop was the Montessori school. The one closest to our house came highly recommended and while I am sure it is wonderful, there was something about leaving him in one of those plexiglass boxes on the floor that was unsettling. I wanted Liam to sleep in a crib - why? I dunno... I just do! and that was that! Next on the list was Creme de la Creme. A very pricey, mini Disneyland for babies. They even have a little bridge you cross in the middle of the daycare. Real cribs? check! And while there is no price you can put on Liam's little head and the extra $3 a day for diapers was not ridiculous at all... we decided that if we had to do a daycare, I would rather Liam be in a loving, Christian environment where other children I knew had gone before. Because if their children turned out okay, then surely mine would too!

Bill had to stand in line at 4am just to get us a spot at daycare. At 4am he was 12th in line. Really? I guess that means this is a pretty good place (at least that is what I keep telling myself). And then, after the decision was made... God sent us a wink! Turns out that a co-worker (former Accenture and now Spectra) had a sister that graduated from A&M and had a son 5 days after Liam... it just so happens that he too, attends Liam's daycare and their cribs are right next to each other! I love his mom and I know we are going to be great friends... and hopefully our boys as well!

As a parent, your hope is that you are able to give your child everything. You are willing to sacrifice anything for your child and all you want is for them to be happy, healthy and maybe a little spoiled! I never wanted to expose my child to daycare germs or allow someone else to experience Liam's first steps. I never imagined that I would not be the one to fix every meal, nurture his growth and plan daily activities. I wanted to do like my other girlfriends that don't work and take Liam to gymboree on Tuesday mornings and go to the park in the middle of the afternoon. But, sometimes, things don't always go according to plan. Some mommies work. And I am working on that balance... that delicate balance.

As for Liam? he is doing just fine! First day report was that he talks a ton and is super happy! He comes by the talking quite naturally I am afraid and I will say that he truly is a happy baby! The ladies are wonderful and so loving. They do not even wait for you to unhook Liam from his car seat before scooping him up and taking him to play. Everyday I came in to find my happy, smiling son still in one piece!

As for the germs? One of the lovely mommies brought their snotty-nosed child to daycare sick. Green means sick lady! So, Liam and all his new little friends are sick after only their first week at daycare... and things were going so well! Liam still smiles through the sniffles. We propped his bed up so he wouldn't drain, bought a humidifier and this mommy made her little honey a doctor's appointment, because even though he doesn't have a fever, I cannot bare to hear that little cough! Damn daycare.... delicate balance...delicate balance!

Unofficial Start to Summer

Memorial Day is a day that commemorates our soldiers who have fought and died for our country. While I am truly greatful for all of those men and women, I am also happy to celebrate the 'unofficial' start of SUMMER!! Oh how I love summer, and even though I celebrate summer a little differently than I used to, it still brings a smile to my face. Summer used to mean a break from school. It used to mean the start of life guarding at the Corsicana Country Club pool where we all ended up 'well done' after cooking in the sun 6 days a week. Even though sun exposure and skin cancer are no longer a part of my job description, I can still enjoy the warm joys that summer brings! Summer means that we still have daylight when Bill and I get home from work to take Liam on evening walks and talk about our days. It means snow cones and cold treats! It means margaritas poolside and the excitement of taking Liam down to Galveston to experience the ocean. I am so excited it is summer! Not excited about sporting my new post-baby body in a swimsuit or fighting off pesky mosquitoes, but excited none the less!

For Liam's first Memorial Day weekend, we traveled to San Antonio to visit my parents and we had such a great time. We started off summer with a backyard BBQ where my dad grilled salmon and mom made delicious zucchini boats! I was happy to partake in the summer punch now that I no longer have to worry about alcohol content! Dad and I blew up the toy frog that GiGi bought Liam to swim in and we suited him up for the pool. Unfortunately our hearts were a little ahead of the pool water in terms of temperature, but we did manage to dip those chubby thighs into the water for a taste of whats to come! Uncle Steven and Rachael came to view Liam's new trick of rolling over and we sat around, catching up and laughing until bedtime. Liam and Tucker were completely worn out from the trip and have slept extra long these past few nights~ Here's to the start of a wonderful summer!

Four Months

Last Monday was Liam's 4 month checkup. Four months. 130 days of complete happiness! It is hard to remember life without Liam. He has such a little personality now. He flirts with all the girls showing off those two dimples large enough to swim in.

Dr. Thaller says that Liam is just perfect. Yup... perfect! But I am not biased at all! He is very pleased with how he is developing and says that we can start trying different foods to see what Liam likes. Everyone has an opinion on this subject. When, how much, which foods to start first... I think I am going to stick with Dr. Thaller on this one - he will like what he likes and not like what he doesn't, so just try a new food every week or so to see how he does and how he reacts. We love Dr. Thaller! We started with rice - YUCK. Then apples. We LOVE apple sauce! So much so we cannot get it in our mouths fast enough.

My main concern this visit was Poop. There is so much riding on that 4 letter funny word - poop! I mean, Liam poops every 3 days. Inquiring minds would like to know where he is storing this? Is this normal? okay? And when he does decide to go number 2, you and all your neighbors know it. He grunts like a little old man - so much work this poop. Usually he waits until church or somewhere just as embarrassing. Let me put it to you this way... his grandmother, Mea, watched him for a solid month and not once changed a poopy diaper! I am not sure anyone will be believe her. All this worry over poop and Dr. Thaller says.. No worries, totally normal. Well, okay. Maybe we will have to spend more time at GiGi's house. She brings out the poop in him. Never fails, with GiGi... we poop! yea Liam!

Other than that, we have an amazing 15 pound little four month old. 15 pounds on the nose, which puts us in the 50th percentile for weight. He is now 25 1/2 inches long, putting him in the 75th percentile in height; and the most important to daddy? Liam is in the 50th percentile for head size... wink! Long and Lean - wouldn't we all like to be long and lean?

And our four months would not have been complete without Liam's accomplishment of mastering the art of rolling over (back to tummy that is)! He has gotten so good at it and does it pretty much any chance he gets. He is starting to grip with those long toes and is determined to push and scoot... slow down little one! Always moving, just like in mommy's tummy. Second on the list of accomplishments? SLEEP! 9PM to 7AM which is totally wonderful. I think it just took us learning how to roll on our side to sleep without disturbance. We sleep like our mommy! And even though I am excited to be fully rested, I somehow miss those times in the middle of the night when I scoop that little boy up and he nuzzles into my chest. Funny how that happens.