Say Momma?

When he first started jabbering he said "momma" all the time. But not anymore. He likes the Ba-Ba sounds and says Dada a lot. It's frustrating to me that he was saying it perfectly and then all the sudden stopped! I try to get him to say it all the time and will repeat it over and over and he'll just grin at me and say dada. Little stinker, I think he's doing it on purpose!!

Conversations with a brush. . .

. . . it's usually this brush or a shoe or some other inordinate object that he gets fired up at? I don't know what he was trying to tell the brush, but you can tell by his voice that he meant business! If we could only know what they are thinking. . .and trying to say!!

This boy loves his bath!

 

First "Cookie"

Okay, so it wasn't a REAL cookie. It was a teething biscuit, but hey he doesn't know the difference! Apparently he LOVES these. He can be just as fussy and I can give him a cookie and he's good. . . for a WHILE! Which helps me cook supper or do laundry! Don't worry I am keeping an eye on him while I do so! He did bite off a chunk the other day but I'm not surprised, have you seen his chompers?

My doctor appointment and the weekend

I had a doctor's appointment last Thursday afternoon, and as it happens I was feeling Horrible. Sore, scratchy throat, I was running a little low fever and just felt bad. He checked me out and said I had Strep throat (and no he didn't swab me-Jarrod wants me to be clear) so I guess he just saw the back of my throat (it must have looked bad) and assumed that with my symptoms I had strep. But we can't be positive that is what it is. . . Either way, he put me on an antibiotic. He decided to keep me on the same stomach medicine right now, since it does seem to be getting somewhat better, he wants to see me back in a month. Anyway,things with me went from bad to worse, I felt horrible Friday and most of the weekend. And then when I did start feeling better it didn't take long to wear me out! I am back at work today, but not feeling so great. Stratton on the other hand seems to be doing much better! He still has a runny nose and some coughing, but acts like he feels a lot better.

Friday night I convinced Jarrod to run me into Hobby Lobby so that I could get somethings so I could work on Jennifer's shower while I was inside feeling crummy. . .well while we were there the tornado sirens went off and we had to go to the back of the store to wait together. It was a little frightening. I mean Hobby Lobby is NOT a place you want to be in the midst of a tornado! Think of all that ceramic and iron stuff!! Well it was no big deal and we just stood in the back for about 5 minutes until it past and then we went right on back shopping. We weren't in there very long at all, but when we got there it hadn't started raining yet and by the time we left the parking lot was flooded!

Saturday we pretty much took it easy. And I stayed in all day Sunday. I definitely  wasn't going to church and share my germs! Jarrod left this morning going to Harrison. He will be gone till Friday night. I hope I can handle Stratton by myself! He has been a handful lately!

Here are some pictures from last week, when we gave Sadey a bath and let her stay in the house for awhile, till she dried off good. She was so good letting me bathe her and then we used the blow dryer on her. She wasn't a fan of that, but at least she let us (yes, that part took both of us) dry her for a few minutes! She spent the most of the time in the house chasing the cat. Or should I say "stalking" the cat. . . 

As you can see, she doesn't get too close to Taki- I think she's been swatted a few too many times and has learned her lesson! She confiscated one of Taki's toys, the cat doesn't play with it anyway! It's a stuffed fish with a squeaker inside. Isn't she cute carrying it around?! She has already grown so much in the last few weeks!

 

First Ear Infection and more

It's been a rough few days (yawn. . . ) Stratton started running a fever late Friday night/Saturday morning. And was sick all weekend. So, we took him to the Dr first thing Monday morning and they said he has an ear and sinus infection. Great. He has been taking an oral antibiotic and cough medicine along with alternating tylenol and motrin since then. We have kept him at home, of course. My mom watched him Monday afternoon and Terry and Margie came yesterday. Yesterday he was still running a fever off and on and last night he was still running a low fever and kept us up some during the night with his congestion and coughing. So Jarrod took off today to stay home with him and took him back to the Dr this morning. They gave him a shot of antibiotics, even though she said his ears looked better.  I guess with two infections it just takes more time and more meds to take care of it? Anyway, Jarrod and have been not getting enough sleep and are both dealing with colds of our own now. Ugh. [Lack of sleep + allergies & colds + working all day = tired, cranky parents!!]

Hopefully (crossing my fingers!) he won't run a fever today and he can go back to daycare tomorrow. I hate that he is sick but I hate even worse paying for a week of daycare that he hasn't even been there for! I digress. . .

 

Stratton's 9 month check up

I totally forgot that he didn't have to have shots this time! What a nice surprise! As soon as we laid him down on the scale the nurse said "He is the biggest 9 month old I have ever seen!" and she sees like 15 babies a day?! The doctor said the same thing, and then the receptionist said it to! If we had a dollar for every time someone made a comment about his height or how large his hands are, we would have Stratton a nice college fund started! Lol! Not that it matters- He will be on a football scholarship anyway, right?! Ha-ha! {No pressure, baby!!}

His stats at 9 months:

Weight: 21.5 pounds (75th percentile)

Height: 30.25 inches (97+plus percentile) I guess once you hit the 97th % they quit counting the nurse put a 97% and an up arrow on our paperwork!

Head circumference: 17.5 inches (50th percentile)

He is eating about 5 containers of baby food, 5-6 tablespoons of cereal and taking about 5 bottles (4-6oz) a day. We are gradually going to start on some table foods, that should be fun! And while he still won't hold his bottle by himself, he is doing better with the sippy cup that has the straw! He likes water a lot! But I have to be careful, he wants to drink it too fast and then gets choked!

Since his last checkup, 3 months ago, he has gained about 2 pounds and grew almost 3 inches! I am hoping he will slow down soon! The Dr. assured me that he would soon, between now and 12 months they don't grow as much-thank goodness! We are heading into the 12-18 months sizes. His torso is so long that most of his 6-12 month stuff is getting a little tight. I am still having trouble with pants. Most 6-12 are a little big in the waist, but he can usually keep them up, but they are too short! I am glad it's almost time for shorts! Girls have it so much easier- if you have a tall girl she can wear dresses and leggings and it's no big deal! I am glad that I have some gymbucks to redeem this weekend, my growing boy's got to have some new clothes!! We are going to have to start training him for his football career- I have already had a request from my boss, Kelly, to be his agent! ha-ha!

We got right in and out of the doctor's office pretty quickly, so we went to Cracker Barrel and had brunch. Jarrod had to hold Stratton most of the time. He isn't a fan of their highchairs. Again, he is just too skinny for the belt to hold him in and he slides in it. We gave him a little of my scrambled eggs and he didn't act like it impressed him too much! I think it's just the texture of whole foods that is freaking him out a little, but he doesn't turn anything away that is coming towards his mouth! I gave him some puffs last night for the first time and he did spit the first one out. It took him a couple of times to figure out that it tasted good!

Jarrod and Stratton were headed to the farm after they dropped me back off at work. S isn't going to daycare today since we have to have him there by 10am if we are going to bring him. That worked out fine anyway, my grandma and grandpa are going to watch Stratton this afternoon while Jarrod is helping my dad. They love getting to keep him, so I am sure he will be spoiled rotten by the time we get him back! They haven't seen him in a couple of weeks and he has really started being so much more active lately, he is likely to wear them out!!

We moved his car seats around to face forward a couple of days ago, and he loves it! Especially in Jarrod's truck, because it will only fit in the middle, so he can see out the front window! It's so much easier to get him in and out, too!

Look at our big boy! He just looks so big sitting there!

I am so glad it is Friday! This has been one stressful and long week! We don't have any major plans, we are having my mom's birthday dinner at my grandma's Sunday at lunch, but nothing other than that! I would like to work out in the yard again. I did get my weeds pulled and moved some of the shrubs last Saturday, but I didn't get to plant my annuals or re-mulch yet, so I might work on that. Jarrod will be helping my dad again on Saturday, I'm sure, so we will have to see about what I decide to do- A pedicure sounds like a good idea to me!

Daycare is exhausting!

This was about 6pm last night, right after we got home, I hadn't even fed him yet! They told me he took a bottle at 4:30 so I was going to wait awhile to feed him and I sat him in the highchair while I started supper. He was just playing with his toys and then next thing I know I look over and he is asleep. It didn't last long though, he soon woke up and was mad. So then I did feed him!

The daycare situation is going good. Jarrod actually picked him up Monday evening, since he got off before me. So last night was the first time I picked him up and he was SO happy to see me. It's never really happened before, like that. One of the teachers was holding him and the other one was talking to me and showing me something so I didn't immediately go in and pick him up-Well, he let me know real quick that he wasn't ok with that! He started screaming and then when I picked him up he was fine! Haha!

We had an unexpected visitor last night. One of Jarrod's buddies from college is in town (he is actually moving here) and dropped by around 7pm. I am glad I was actually cooking supper last night and had enough for three since Jarrod invited him to stay for dinner! I don't know that he will be coming back- he is single, and I'm sure being with us for a whole evening was a shock to him! I am pretty sure all we talked about was Stratton and after dinner we sat in the living room and watched him play in the floor with American Idol on in the background- what an exciting life we have! haha!

The puppy is still with us. I guess we are going to keep her. She is a sweet dog, but I have forgotten how much work they are. I have been trying to work with her on sitting and fetching. But you know how puppies are. . .she can't focus because she see's a bug and has to chase it, or gets distracted by a noise. . .ect. . .It's going to be an adventure. I hope we can at least train her to be a decently behaved dog. There is nothing I hate worse than when you go to someone's house and their dog jumps all over you and chews on you. I think she thinks her name is "NO!" since she hears that a lot. But I think we are going to call her Sadey. It seems to fit her!

Good news, Bad news.

The good news is that my doctor's office just called and my blood test came back negative- I don't have H. Pylori, like he thought. The bad news is, while the new meds he gave me are making me feel some better, I still don't feel like the issue is resolved. I go back next Thursday, April 22nd, for a follow-up. I don't know where he will want to go from here? But like I said the meds are doing some good, so at least I am not in as much pain and I am not as nauseous as I have been, so that is a blessing!

"D"- Day

We dropped Stratton off at Day Care this morning. Jarrod and I both went, mainly because I had a ton of stuff to take! But also for emotional support. I didn't cry, but came real close. I am flooded with emotions this morning so I spare you the details, but it was harder than I anticipated. I am already counting down the hours till 5pm! I might try to sneak by around lunch, if I have time. But I am worried that if I drop in it might just make it worse for me! The good news it that we dropped him off at 7:30 and I was at the office at 7:50, I even swung into McD's for an iced coffee (my weakness, but I needed some caffeine to get me going) and was still early! Today can't go by fast enough!

Olivia's 1st Birthday Party

Stratton attended his first "friend" birthday party today! Poor Erica and Ryan, both of their kids were born on the same day, April 7th! So, they had Carson's birthday party at 2pm and then Olivia's at 5pm! They had one big day. They had all of their family there and several families from church. It was a great day to be outside! The weather and temperature was perfect! They grilled hot dogs and the kids ran around crazy! It was so much fun to hang out with our friends and their kiddos!! Stratton was wore out when we got home tonight!

Stratton LOVED Olivia's swing!

What do you mean, I can't have any cake?!!

Little Ham!

Erica pulled Stratton and Easton around in a wagon. Stratton loved it and just laughed and jabbered! Easton just looked at him like "Dude, what's the big deal we're in a wagon?" it was Too funny!

He is so excited!!

Then Jarrod pulled them around for awhile and gave Erica a break! I think we will be buying a wagon in the near future. This one was really neat it had a seat belt so that Stratton would slide out.

Erica and Olivia with Rebecca and baby Lilah (who is just a month and a half younger than Stratton! She is so tiny!!) Don't you love Olivia's birthday outfit!! They were made by Jamie at Lady Bug Boutique! So cute! She had a matching birthday hat, but didn't like to wear it!

Just for fun, below is a picture of Jarrod holding Olivia on the day she was born. . .can't believe it's been a year!! And I was 5 months pregnant then! What a year!

Whew! TGIF!!

Yesterday was my mom's birthday. So, last night my mom and dad came to Jonesboro and we took them out to eat for her bday, We ran to the mall and then went to Olive Garden (it's fairly new in town, for those of you who don't live here, and it's always packed!) and we only had to wait 20-30 minutes! Stratton was awful after we sat down! He acted like "he had never been out in public before" (in Jarrod's exact words) I know the people sitting beside us were so [not] happy. My guess is he was tired and hungry- not a good combination! But still! I was mortified! I don't want to be "those people" that bring in the fussy baby and everyone else just looks at like "thanks for ruining our evening". . . . I guess I should be thankful that this is the first time he has acted this way in public! I am spoiled since he is always so good!

Then Matt & Carla came over and picked up their puppy. It was a little sad separating them, but they promised they would bring him back to play soon. The other puppy did great last night! If she cried at all, we didn't hear it! I was really worried that she would whine and cry all night, so I was pleasantly surprised!

I am SO glad that today is Friday. My mom isn't working today so they took S home with them last night, and will probably bring him back Saturday afternoon. Which means if Jarrod doesn't work late tonight [crossing my fingers, but not holding my breath] we might actually get to spend some time together- I am thinking a trip to the movies might be in the cards, we got a gift card for our birthday and haven't used it yet. And maybe a trip to Lowes (seriously, I don't think I have been to Lowes since S was born!).  Tomorrow Jarrod will probably have to work again (ugh, more overtime--thanks, Entergy) but I really want to start working out in my yard, since I don't have to be anywhere Saturday morning. So, if I can pull myself out of bed in the morning, I need to pull weeds and move a couple of bushes then I would like to plant some colorful annuals and re-mulch. We have a birthday party for Olivia (S's girlfriend-haha) Saturday evening. I am sure I will have some cute pics to post from that party!!

Have a great weekend!!

Also, Say a prayer for me. . . .Monday is "D-Day". . . Daycare Day that is!!

Dr. Appointment

Really nothing new. He thinks now that I might have H. pylori. They took more blood to run a test to look for antibodies in the blood that indicate exposure to H. pylori. If I do have it I will most likely be treated with antibiotics, and hopefully that will be enough, but if I don't have it. . . .I really don't know. I guess on to another test. At this point I think it's a process of elimination. Ugh. I felt horrible yesterday, I actually left work because I thought I was going to be sick. After a little Phenergan,  am feeling a little better today. I just never know when it's coming, I could be fine one minute and the next feeling like I am about to be sick. It's super frustrating to not know what is wrong and what to do to make it better! I will go back to the doctor in two weeks. They said it will take a little while to get the results back from the blood test, since it has to be sent off. So, I guess I'll just be waiting to see what the test can tell us, if anything.

Finding a home for Fido, and a tough night

We found a home for one of the puppies! Some of our good friends Matt & Carla Nix came over last night and decided to adopt puppy #2! I am so happy that they are going to take him, I feel so much better knowing that he is going to a good home! Now, I am thinking that I might actually want to keep the other one, but we will see! My heart says "yes", but my pocketbook says "no"! Ha! We decided that since it was so nice last night and since Matt & Carla were coming over that we would get some burgers and grill out. We had a really great evening hanging out with them and playing with the puppies. We are entertained just by watching them play and seeing Stratton's reaction. He was especially "vocal" last night!

I had a pretty bad night last night. My stomach has been giving me problems again. It started Friday and has been coming and going since then. I felt horrible most of the day Saturday and Sunday, which was really inconvenient. I have an appointment to see the doctor again on Thursday. I am not sure where he will want to go from here, but they have to figure something out, I am so tired and miserable. Last night after we ate, I got so sick to my stomach, I started thinking maybe I was getting the stomach virus or something. I finally took a pain pill, thinking that might at least knock me out and let me get some relief, I think I finally got to sleep about midnight. I am much better this morning, but I just always have this "queasy/nauseous" feeling. It's really wearing me down.

Jarrod didn't have a great night either. He ended up sleeping in the recliner with Stratton all night. After we put him down around 9pm he woke up about 10:30 really upset. I thought he probably just had a bad dream, or something so Jarrod went to see if he could calm him down and then lay him back down. Nope. As soon as we laid him down he would start screaming again. So, Jarrod went to the recliner and got him to go to sleep. I think he tried to lay him down in his crib again around 1:30am, but the same thing happened, so back to the recliner they went. I of course got up to check on them when I heard Stratton screaming and offered to trade places with him so he could at least get a few hours of sleep in the bed, but he said he was fine. Plus, I was still feeling pretty sick. So, I went back to bed. I got up around 5:15 when I heard Stratton jabbering and got him from Jarrod and fed him while Jarrod went back to sleep for a little while longer. Stratton was really fussy this morning, but I think he was tired, too. Jarrod said he tossed and turned all night, he probably couldn't get comfortable. He was a little congested but I didn't think he sounded that bad, I guess it was bothering him more than we thought though. By the time we got to Kayce's this morning he was all smiles! I hope he is good for her today!

On a personal note, please keep me in your prayers. I am extremely stressed out right now. Between feeling sick all the time, Stratton teething, having a cold and being fussy, all the "issues" at work right now, dealing with putting Stratton in daycare and Jarrod working a lot of overtime lately, I am really getting discouraged and physically and emotionally drained. I would love to take a week of vacation in a couple of weeks and go with Jarrod since he is going to be gone all week to Harrison and just get away from it all, but I am afraid with the stuff going on at work that won't be able to take time off. Ugh. I know all new moms get to this point sooner or later, but wow, it's really hard! I know things are going to eventually get better, I just wish it would hurry up already! I guess I will just continue to take it a day at a time and hopefully things will get easier.

Daddy's surprise

When Jarrod called yesterday at 5pm and said "Uh, we may have a problem", I should have known what was coming. . . .

He had picked up a couple of puppies that someone had dumped off in the middle of nowhere near the substation he was working at. He said that he saw them and got in his truck and drove away. . .but he only made it down the road a few minutes before he had to go back and get them. . .awwwww. . . He put them in a box in the front seat of his truck and they laid down and went to sleep. When he brought them home I was anxious to see what Stratton would think.

[Stratton liked them, Taki not so much!]

[puppy #1]

[puppy #2]

[this puppy tried to pull S's sock off!]

[S was fascinated with the puppy's tail]

I have no idea what we are going to do with these puppies! Jarrod has been wanting a dog for a few years, and you know how much I love animals. . . but, I am worried that we aren't home enough to keep a dog. Then we would have to find someone to come and take care of them everyday if we ever went anywhere. It's a big responsibility! Stratton was so good with them and they seemed to not really care that he grabbed them or pulled their tails! Ha! I guess I wouldn't mind keeping one, but two?! Then again I hate to separate them. It might be nice having a couple dogs around in the yard, they could be our guard dogs!  Puppy #1 is very friendly and rambunctious, he likes to chew on Stratton, especially his socks. Puppy #2 is a little more subdued and low key, but he actually growled at Taki which was funny! They both seem to well very gentle and temperamental, for puppies anyway! I mean they are puppies and I will be surprised if they haven't chewed the fence down by the time I get home!  Jarrod ran to the store last night to get some dog food and came back with dog food, little bones and a dog bed. . . .hmmm, you think he's being a softy, or has plans to keep them? In that case there goes my plans to landscape the back yard! Pray for me, we may be a family of six now!!

My special Mondays

Since I went back to work last September, I haven't been working most Mondays. It's been so nice to be at home at least one day with my little guy. We don't get to spend much time together, it seems. By the time we all get home at night it's supper time, then bath and bedtime, and the weekends are always so full of places to be and things to do that we don't ever get to just spend time at home! So, I have thoroughly enjoyed spending this "extra" time with him. Our usual Monday's are full of a whole lot of nothing. I will do some laundry, and sometimes we will get out and run errands, but for the most part we just hang out at the house and play and take naps!  We had planned on starting him in daycare in April. Kayce is due at the end of May and I know she gets tired of toting him around. Plus, they are in the middle of building a house and she is very busy keeping up with Cooper, too! I had intended on just sending him a couple days of the week, at least through the summer months. But a couple of weeks ago I was informed that I needed to come back to work five days a week, which really bummed me out. I really like my job and the people I work with, but I am disappointed that I will be losing my special day with Stratton (not to mention the cost of full time daycare!). So, yesterday was my last day at home with him, he will start going to the Valley View Childcare Center next Monday. We had a great day. After Jarrod left about 6:45 Stratton wasn't going back to sleep in his crib so I went and got him and we snuggled in our bed until he fell asleep. He woke up about 9:30 and I fed him breakfast then we played and he took another nap. The rest of the day was pretty laid back, he ate lunch and took another short nap. He is still a little fussier than normal, I think it's all those teeth coming in! Then Jarrod got home a little after 6pm with a surprise (more on that later) and we spent the rest of the evening outside, it was so nice!! We even ate supper on the patio!

Here are a few pictures from meal time. I let him get a little messy!

[on the menu: peas and apples & blueberries]

[look at all those teeth!!]

[Yummy! Our little guy likes to eat!]

Here are a few other I took yesterday morning. I was trying to keep him happy and busy while I was stripping the sheets off the bed. . .

Stratton's First Easter

As usual Easter Sunday was windy and cloudy and not a good day for hunting eggs and playing outside. We went to church at Hickory Ridge and then had lunch with my parents, grandparents and aunt and uncle. I wasn't feeling good (stomach issues again) so our visit was short, but I think Stratton had a good 1st Easter. The Easter bunny brought him a basket full of [age appropriate] goodies; a stuffed "chocolate bunny", a new sippy cup, some pj's, a book, some cd's, a plaid Polo romper, new Puma sneakers, and a few other little things! . . . .he liked the Easter football the best (of course). My mom also got him a basket that had a couple of summer outfits and a bath toy and these funny rabbit ears! He also really likes playing with basket and plastic eggs. I think we might have to keep those out for awhile.

[little bunny with a carrot]

[our 1st Easter as a family]

[Sporting the cute shirt I made him]

 

 

Picture gallery is finally up!

[one of my favorites]

Our pictures have been posted in an on-line gallery! Go to the D'Lifeful web site and enter our password "Staggs". Click on "Spring Session" to see the newest ones. Due to the fact that our session was about half the time we scheduled due to the dreary, cloudy day, traffic and losing the light, She didn't get a a whole lot of good shots, (there is one in particular that I am not a fan of, where Jarrod looks really mad) but she did capture some really good ones, especially of Stratton! She was kind enough to give me a photo credit since the day turned out to be less than perfect for outside photography! We have another session scheduled in late June, I am hopeful that the weather will be better by then!