Thanksgiving

Well, I have really fallen behind on my blogging! Life is moving so quickly these days; I wish I could slow it down because my little girl is growing so quickly. She's on the way to getting her first teeth and it hasn't been an easy trip! I hosted my first Thanksgiving this year and the day before when I had so much to do, she was having a really bad day. Will was on his way back from West Texas, so we were on our own. I called my mom is desperation and she came over to help entertain Hayden so I could start getting the house prepared. Luckily, Will was home before long and he tag teamed his way into the ring. He helped me get the house straight and played with Hayden so I could start making some of my food. I baked my little heart out all night long, and we were up at the crack of dawn the next morning to keep it going. We got it all done in the nick of time, just as our guests begin to arrive. We had my mom, dad, and brother; Destiny and her father Bubba; and my mother in law Susie, sister in law Jennifer, and nephew Devin over for the feast. Grant and Bubba fried a turkey in addition to my mom's baked turkey, and all the trimmings. I was in charge of the mashed potatoes and sweet potato casserole, which was, haha, my favorite. It was pretty festive around here with lots of fun and laughter. The Texans played their first Thanksgiving game on national TV, and thankfully we won after a nail biting game against the Detroit Lions in overtime. I enjoyed having my entire family over. I realized just how much work goes into hosting a holiday for a family. I see now why my mom was always exhausted after a long day of cooking and entertaining. I'm happy to take over the tradition for her-- I feel like a real grown up now! ;)

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Hayden's First Halloween!

Halloween has come and gone already! We had a fun day yesterday getting all sorts of dressed up and taking pictures. Hayden actually had several Halloween accessories (bow, hat socks, skirt, onesie, etc) and we had to take pictures in all of them. Will wasn't able to get home early as planned, so when he finally arrived we got her in her costume for some pictures. It didn't last long for several reasons. A) It was a little big. It was for 6-12 months, as most of the costumes I saw were. At just under 5 months, she wasn't quite there yet. B) It was hot. It was a thick costume with a headpiece. A costume like that doesn't last long in Texas. C) She's teething some and was tired, so she was grumpy and over having the camera in her face all day. It was nearly 7:00 by the time we got her in it. But, we did get some pictures. All you need is one, right? 

My mom came over earlier that morning and she dressed up as a (good) witch. She looked really cute, and she did it just for Hayden. It was funny. I hope she continues to do things like that. She's a good grandma. We also had NO trick or treaters for the second year in a row. What a bummer. Our neighborhood is mostly comprised of older folks, but I know some kids live here; I see them in the park. We've never had many, but at least a handful. Nope. None this year. And with Will gone, we did not carve pumpkins for the first time since we've been together. It's one of our traditions; so that made me a little sad. Will is really good at carving pumpkins. We were going to have a contest where the winner gets a morning off baby-duty. And we always eat the seeds. I guess it was one of those times where life just gets in the way. We'll pick it back up next year, no matter what.
What other news? Will just got home after being on the road for ten days. That was a little challenging, but things are actually a lot easier now that Hayden is a little older. I'm more accustomed to the time, energy, and  sleepless nights now than I was in the beginning. I basically function on very little rest these days, but it's become easier. She hasn't been sleeping all that great since we unswaddled her arms, but is doing better now so that I am only getting up about three times a night, instead of six. One fellow mom recommended turning off the monitor to resist the temptation of going in there at every little peep. While I thought that was some sound advice, I opted to turn the sound down very low instead of the full turn off. That way I can look at her in a click if I want to. It's helped. She's becoming more skilled at self soothing. Sometimes I even put her down awake and let her put herself to sleep. She still starts out in her swing, but goes to her bed after her first wake up; and sometimes back to her swing when she wakes up around 5 am or so, just to coax her back to sleep so she knows it's not time to wake up yet. Hayden recently started rocking herself in her bouncy chair, haha, she really gets herself going by swinging her leg up and down. It's the funniest thing. Some things she really loves now: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, belly kisses, rolling to her tummy to look at the owls on her crib bumper, and her BIG lovey Delilah (Daisy's big sister) with her satin lining.
Speaking of Daisy-- I don't think I've written about dear Daisy. Oh, Daisy. We had a miniature crisis involving Daisy. Daisy is a little pink rag dog given to Hayden when she was born by her Aunt Jennifer. We take Daisy about everywhere. Well, on an excursion to Michael's craft store a couple weeks ago, we of course had Daisy in tow. I was staying at my parents' since Will was out of town. We came home, watched most of the football game, and it was nap time. I get her all settled in and started looking for Daisy, who was nowhere to be found. I became frantic and went into a frenzy looking for Daisy Dog. Not in my purse, not in the diaper bag, not in the stroller, not in the truck, not in the crib.... I came to the conclusion that she must have been lost out in the big world. I jumped in the truck and drove as quickly as I could back to Michael's, which was over a half hour away. Of course I had called to ask beforehand, but they were not very helpful. Whoever answered, said, "We don't have it," and it seemed like they hadn't even looked; so I decided to go look myself. I scoured aisle after aisle, looking underneath in case it got kicked under the merchandise racks. Nothing. I was just sick thinking about some grubby kid picking it up and taking home something my kid has been chewing on for four months. That's just not right. I asked again, and again, "No, don't have it." As I was walking away in near tears, a lady said, "Yes we do! Someone turned it in! It was found in the parking lot!" What?? I can't believe someone picked her up and brought her inside! And we were in a strip center, how did they know we were even in Michael's?? I couldn't believe it!! I was so happy, I think I actually was crying when I grabbed her up. No one at home could believe I found her, either. I washed her as soon as we got home so I could give her back to Hayden. My mom said the real Daisy needs to stay home from now on, so we ordered Daisy Deux for public outings. We also got Delilah (a big Daisy) just for fun. Oh yeah. I've named all of Hayden's stuffed animals, in case you hadn't picked up on that yet. Haha. :)

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Yum!

First sippy cup!

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Daddy feeding me!

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Super Baby!

Here's an update on our favorite girl:
Four months old on October 5! She got her 4 month shots several days later and she took them like a champ. She cried, but not as hard or as long as last time, and she didn't sleep as long when we came home, though she did snooze it out for several hours. However, she did get a low grade fever that evening and it continued to drop and spike for over 24 hours. The highest it got was 101.3 and she was not feeling well at all. We just cuddled up and watched 'toons on the couch all day. I was happy when she awoke the next morning and it had broken. The doctor told me that she weighed fourteen pounds, nine ounces; and was twenty five inches in length. This put her in the 75th percentile for height and 90th for height. We're going to tall girl, I think. I'm going to guess around 5'6 or 5'7. Yesterday morning, on October 15, she decided it was the day to roll over from her back to her tummy! My mom saw her do it first (I was getting ready to attend a service.) She ran to get me, and sure enough, Hayden did it again! She's continued to show off for everyone now the last two days, we've all seen her do it. She is a very strong baby, as this is usually a five month old trick. She's done everything early so far, so we're on track for an early walker, Lord help us! I had a feeling this new streak of independence would be coming on, and I started breaking her of her full swaddle a couple of weeks ago. While it was a little hard going at first, she is slowly adjusting. She had been rolling up to her side in the middle of the night, and it really scared me that she would roll all the way over fully swaddled and would suffocate herself without her arms to help her. Seems like I made this decision at just the right time-- it must have been my mommy instinct. I think once she rolls over to her belly at night, she will be a tummy sleeper. I'm so scared of SIDS, though, so if she wants to sleep that way, she's going to have to get there herself. Her pedi agreed, with the sound advice, "We don't ask for trouble." Yes ma'am. Fine by me! On another developmental note, Hayden has also started taking her first sippy cup! It's a 4 month trainer. She has refused bottles for the past eight weeks like we were some kind of idiots for even thinking she would take such a thing. I don't raise no fool. However, that has made it a little stressful whenever we want or need to venture away from her for several hours. We introduced cereal a couple of weeks ago, which she loves, so that has been a big step and a little weight off our shoulders (she's not starving) but we are so happy with this new step! She's also started taking a little juice (per pedi's orders for her tummy troubles) from her sippy and is just quite the happy baby! We are very proud of our growing girl!

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Family Day

The first week of October, Will took his week vacation at work. We didn't plan on doing anything special, just staying at home being a family and catching up on things we've been meaning to do at the house. He got a full dose of just what goes on at the Luker house while he's at work. While he loved it (and was a huge help), I think he was a little surprised to see just how much work it is to be a stay at home parent! He always listens to me and understands when I have a hard day, but I think he described it best: "I have always sympathized with you, but I've never been able to empathize with you." Well-- now he can! He sure helped with the baby a lot, and did laundry, dishes, cleaned out the garage-- I almost became convinced it was an extended weekend, not a vacation! I actually started to feel a little guilty and tried to let him sleep in as much as I could (though for Will, "sleeping in" is 7:30 am.) He reassured me, though, that he was "taking a vacation from work, not his family." Those are the words of a good man. A good husband and father. Seeing as how we were in desperate need of a good time as a family, though, my parents generously offered for us to have a family day on them the Thursday he was home. So we loaded up the truck and headed to Kemah for our first stop. We strolled the Boardwalk and ate a delicious lunch at The Aquarium. I hadn't eaten there is quite some time. Will took Hayden around to look at the fish inside the 50,000 gallon aquarium in the middle of restaurant. I was happy and surprised to hear her laughing away at the fish! Every time a school of silver fish would quickly jet by in front of their eyes, she would let out a loud giggle.So cute!
From there, we headed over to our next stop, NASA- Johnson Space Center. I'm ashamed to admit that I've lived here my entire life and have never been to JSC. Not even a field trip-- as a student or teacher! They had a replica of the Endeavor right out front for us to gaze at. It is still upsetting to me that Houston got gypped out of our own space shuttle. Really, after Cape Canaveral (Kennedy Space Center), we should've been next on the list. Aeronautical museums, or whatever, should not take precedent over the fact that Houston alone has Mission Control and that we were even the first word spoken from the moon. But, whatever. So after looking at the shuttle, we headed inside where we discovered that we wouldn't be on our own exploring a museum-- we were going on a 90 minute tram tour with forty other people! Oh, Lord. We were those people. Those people with a four month old baby on board. Will and I looked at each other nervously. The look we exchanged said it all. First, "Haha," then, "oh crap," and last, "Please Lord don't let this baby start screaming." Away we went. While we were both pretty tense at first, as the time passed, we relaxed. Hayden was great; on her best behavior. The only time we hit a snag was when we were in Mission Control and she started a little fussing. At the first whimper, Will whisked her out of there though and hung outside the door. Thankfully (for us) everyone was distracted shortly after by a man getting ill and having to have an ambulance come get him. Everyone forgot about us. She was nothing short of perfect for the rest of the trip. We heard a lot of interesting facts, saw many cool things, and took some great pictures. My favorite part of JSC was seeing the shuttle in front, the Mission Control room (until 1996), and seeing Rocket Park. Saturn V, one of the rockets they have housed there is HUGE at 363 feet tall, or the height of a 36 story building. Neat!
We made it out with a mind full of new knowledge and a happy baby. Thanks Mom and Dad for the chance to spend a great day together as a family!

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Haute Mommies and Bella Babies!

When I was preggers, looking cute was a must, and it seemed that so many places out there (while trying really hard to be cute) just didn't have quality clothing. Until.... I stumbled across Haute Mommies and Bella Babies in Clear Lake (Houston), Texas. While having cute things for me to dress my burgeoning body (including nursing gowns, dresses for my showers, and more!), they also had super adorable sleepers, outfits, bloomers, bows, and everything else you can think of for my soon-to-be baby! Hayden has the sweetest pajamas from HM & BB, and we also found her coming-home outfit and bow there. One of my favorite things about Haute Mommies-- they love to support local artists and domestic goods. They are huge supporters of USA made items and Houston artists. Another favorite thing-- the owner, Darcy, is always in store and on hand to give you a happy greeting as you visit. She makes the shop feel really personal and it feels good to be remembered upon your subsequent visits. They have baby registry available there as well. Be sure to check it out if you are in the neighborhood, and if you don't live nearby, fear not-- Haute Mommies and Bella Babies is online at www.hmandbb.com! Free shipping via UPS on orders over $99! 

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New Mommy Friends

Wow, I'm blogging my little heart out during naptime! If you're on our Facebook fan page and you're getting bombarded with new posts, you'll know that Little Miss is asleep and I'm getting at it while I can! The Lord has really been working in my life in ways I have really noticed the past few weeks. Sometimes I can feel a little sedentary being at home with our little one, though BLESSED is what I know I am. But being as how I'm at home with her during the day and we don't get out much socially besides my family, it's hard to see sometimes His workings and goings-on in my life; though He continues to provide for us financially and health-wise, all of us, so that I may do so! I know the Lord is continuing to work for the better good of our family, it's me, personally, that I'm talking about. I've been keeping up with prayers though and had the bright idea this week (I don't know why it took so long) that Hayden and I would start praying together too. I'm going to make it part of our bedtime ritual and when we wake up in the mornings. If you read the last post, I mentioned how God made room in our budget for Sasha's testing at the veterinarian's office; if you are a pet owner, you know vet bills can be quite costly. I've also written about how desperate I am to get back in shape physically from my pregnancy, and He has made that an option for me as well by my mom so generously helping me everyday and also giving me the motivation, inspiration, and support from friends to continue on with this journey. Several friends have led me to the My Fitness Pal app, and I love it. I just recently started using it regularly, and I'm kind of addicted. I think it will be a blessing in my weight loss journey. However, the biggest blessing of late that the Lord has bestowed upon me is my new mommy friend, Christi; and maybe even change friend to friendS.
It's so funny to me how God works. Last week, for no ordinary reason other than I thought of it out of the blue, was that I took a picture from my Pinterest board {Faith} and posted it on Facebook. It said, "God's plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day." I pinned it a while ago, and for some reason, God put it on my heart to post it on my Facebook. At the time, I thought, "Maybe someone really needs to see this or hear this today." So I posted it and went on about my day. Later that night, I got a message on Facebook from my aquaintance, Christi. She and her husband Craig had taken Lamaze with Will and I at the hospital. Though it was only four classes, I was really drawn to them because they seemed like good people, and a couple that Will and I would enjoy. We always sat by them in class. We got an email list of everyone that was in class with us. I took it upon myself to email her and say that maybe we can get the babies together or hang out sometime after we recovered from our impending births. She replied that she'd love to; but you know how it goes-- are you really going to do it? I added her to my Facebook a couple weeks later as well. She has been pretty active on my posts, so I know she was seeing everything I was putting out there, but we hadn't made any plans to get together. And then, just earlier this week, the message. She invited me to come to a mommy group she was having at her house on Thursday (yesterday.) She said it's a few friends that get together with their babies, and that they read a chapter a week from a book and discuss the chapter while the babies play. The book they were reading is called "You're Already Amazing" by Holley Gerth and that they were going to discuss chapter five at the next meeting and she'd be making lunch if I'd like to come. Um, yeah! I downloaded the book on my Nook and covered the chapter that morning during Hayden's playtime. I haven't read the previous four chapters (yet), but what I read was, well.... amazing! And I can see why she didn't invite me right off the bat-- it's a book for Christian women. That's not necessarily something you just throw out there to someone if you don't know how deep their faith is. The chapter I read was called "Where are you and where are you going?" It talked about how God led the Israelites out of Egypt on their journey to the Promised Land and it applied it to different areas of our lives; personally, professionally, our families, any issues we're struggling with. Is there any part of your life that you feel like you're still in Egypt? Bonded, enslaved to something? Are you encamped, as the Israelites were for some time (as you probably know, it took them forty years to reach a destination only eleven miles from where they started out.) If you are encamped, you are awaiting the Lord's direction, or you may be healing and resting from weariness while the Lord prepares you for your next journey. Are you setting out? Has the Lord put it on your heart to be on the move? Or have you already reached the Promised Land? This really put a lot in perspective for me. I think I'm in a little of each of these areas in my life. As for Egypt, I have felt "enslaved" or "in bondage" over my weight issues for a long time. I've always worked very hard at it since my early twenties and it's always been an issue for me. I was thin for so long in my life, I don't think I knew how to handle gaining weight. And though I've always been active, it wasn't easy for me to lose. We now know that it's a thyroid issue which I take medication for, but it has followed me for a long time. As long as I'm being proactive in my health, I feel good about it, even if I'm not where I want to be. I know I'm doing something about it. So I feel that of late, I have broken out of that bondage, skipped over the encampment, and I'm now on the move. Professionally-- well, I no longer have a professional life. That was another thing for me to overcome. I worked sixty plus hours a week and I emotionally and physically gave everything I had to those children. I didn't realize how much of myself I gave over until I left. There was some guilt there, and I was sad for a while. I feel like my professional life is encamped; but you know what? I do need rest from that, I do need healing and preparation. When Hayden starts school, I'm unsure if I will go back to teaching. I truly love it, but I don't think it's worth my family. Leaving education is the sole reason that I consider my family life to already be in the "Promised Land." There is no way, absolutely no way, I could give 100% to my job and my family simultaneously. I would be half-assing somebody, so to speak; and neither party deserves that, especially my husband and my child. I would be an exhausted, bitter person to work and live with if I had to pick Hayden up from daycare at 6:00 everyday. That means we would get home, bathe, and she'd go to bed. I know being a stay at home mommy isn't for many of my friends, but it's worth the personal and financial sacrifice to me. I may want to pull my hair out at times; I may really wish I could buy this or that, but I can't-- but when it comes down to it, Hayden is numero uno. Moving homes has also been on the table for us for the past few months. It's been heavily discussed for several reasons. I feel encamped in some ways, but I also feel the Lord is putting it on me to set out, to have faith. I'm hesitant and excited, which is an odd combination of feelings. There is so much about this issue that I will have to tackle in a blog all it's own, but I know it's something I really need to be praying about and seeking God's wisdom.
Anyways, that's the gist of the book and how I applied it while reading it (which I think is the whole point of a book like that.) So Hadyen and I set out yesterday morning at 10:45 to journey over to Christi's. I'm a real people person, and I wasn't too nervous, but I had a few flurries. I had really only seen Christi four times in my life, and she was the only person I knew. But Hayden and I showed up, as well as four other girls, plus Christi, and they were all so welcoming and nice. I felt really comfortable. And, if you know me, I just jumped right in to all the conversations. We ate lunch first, a yummy spring greens salad and a chicken casserole, then we sat down on the floor with all our babies on a big comforter and just played with them while we talked about mommy stuff or things going on in our lives. Then we started discussing the book, and I just jumped right in. You can see where it can get pretty personal. But that is the whole point of using the book, the support of friends, and God's presence to work through those things that we need help with. All the girls (except me) go to Clear Creek Community Church, which used to be my church before Will and I started to attend Gateway a couple of years ago. That is how they know each other, and they all volunteer for their small groups (such as high school youth.) At the end we prayed together and then continued to just hang out for an hour or so after. Christi told me it usually ends about 1:00 or 1:30; well, I didn't get home until 2:30! Hayden was a good girl and all the other babies were cute, too. I really enjoyed the company and discussion and being out with other moms my age. I also felt really good about God being so present; I felt closer to Him and I didn't realize until then that I have really been needing that. Maybe being a mommy, I've been moving too fast and He's telling me just to slow down a bit, enjoy it, and most of all, don't forget Him in all of it-- He's the sole reason that I've been so blessed. Hopefully I will continue to meet with these moms, make new friends, and continue on my spiritual journey with Hayden along for the ride.

PS-- Christi did tell me she asked because she saw the picture-- God at work, that was! :)

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Dear Sasha

I took Sasha to her annual check up last week and some surprising news came up that I didn't expect. When they brought her back in from weighing her, the vet tech told me she weighed eight and a half pounds. I could feel myself frowning. I asked what she had weighed the last time we were there. I knew it definitely wasn't in the eight pound range. She is usually at the top of the nine pound range and I'm always very careful about the amount of food I feed her. The tech looked at her chart and told me she had lost a pound. I didn't like the sound of that. I actually had not even noticed. It made me nervous. The veterinarian came in and told me all the reasons this could have happened, including kidney disease, which is very common in older cats. Sasha is about middle aged at nine and a half years old. I luckily had a general health profile done on her last year with a series of tests, which all came back normal. They decided to do another one this year to compare the results. I was praying she was only dehydrated. Unfortunately, her tests came back with elevated numbers pertaining to her kidneys. The next morning, I took her in for a urinalysis. This would tell them if it was actually her kidneys, or dehydration. I took her in the morning, hoping she had some urine already, but she didn't, so they had to keep her for several hours until she had to use the bathroom again. I cried when I left her. I was so afraid for her health, and I know she didn't want to be left there. She hates the vet. I just wanted to hold her and tell her it would be alright. Sasha is my first child, really. That may sound silly to those of you who don't own pets, but it's true. She's my family. She's been with me through everything, for so long. She's been my pal, my confidante. She's consoled me when I'm sad and has experienced my happiness. I love her very much. I returned that afternoon to pick her up. As I sat in the waiting room with Hayden on my knee waiting for the veterinarian, the receptionist asked me, "How old is your baby?" "Nine," I replied. She raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Nine? Like, nine months?" Me: "Oh. My human baby?" Laugh out loud! I had been so worried about my "baby" all day, I thought she'd been talking about the cat! Ha! The veterinarian called us back (after much fluttering about my human baby from all the techs and receptionists, Hayden receives love everywhere she goes.) The veterinarian did inform me that Sasha had the beginnings of kidney disease. It hurt my heart so much and I was in shock. She reassured me she was in very, very early stage one; and that this is nothing that will affect her for most likely years to come. She would be putting Sasha on a special dietary food to slow down the disease. Still. I am crushed to know what is going to take her in the end. As slow progressing as it is, this is a terminal disease. I talked to my friend Erin about it, who used to be a vet tech. She reassured me that she had seen many cats with kidney disease that live ten plus years, and that the diet really helps. It just hurts and takes some getting used to. I always thought Sasha was going to be one of those cats that live to be twenty years old, and that Hayden would grow up with her. And look, I know-- the reality is, our pets eventually pass away. We eventually pass away. Our loved ones, too. It's the circle of life, and all that. I know we're all here for a limited amount of time, animals and humans alike. It's just not a pleasant thing to face at all. I hate even thinking about it. I know it will hurt and I know it will cry, and I know I will grieve; and that's the worst feeling on the face of the earth.
I don't want Sasha to get old, sick, or hurt. If it comes time that her quality of life is no longer viable, then I will be her friend and her mommy and do what I have to do to help her. As Will keeps telling  me, until that day comes, we will love and appreciate Sasha every day. I showered her with attention before the baby, and I know she's felt a little sidelined since Hayden was born. I'm making sure she doesn't feel that way any more. She's getting as much love as possible. It's also funny how God knows what's coming up in our lives and He works to provide for us-- these tests and medical bills for Sasha were several hundred more dollars than I had expected to spend at just the annual exam. This particular paycheck was the first time that they aligned just right calendar-wise that I did not owe a mortgage payment or a truck payment, so we had the  money to afford the tests without putting it on our credit card (I would've if I had to, but I love being debt free.) I had been looking forward to saving that money, but she was worth every penny. I called Will to let him know what the costs were at the vet's office. "So?" he said. "She's our daughter." And THAT is why I have the best husband in the world. Kitty, too. We love you, Sasha.

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Busy Weekends!

We're constantly on the go. Having a child has only mildly slowed us down. She's now part of our frenzy. We're actually pretty tame Monday-Friday. We have a set schedule of wake (gym for mommy) and play in the mornings, lunch with my parents, and we run our errands if we need to in the afternoons. It's the weekends that get a little hairy. And I take full responsibility for that. We are still living in Clear Lake, in the midst of my friends, and there is always something! I'm lucky that Will is laid back enough and loves me enough to just go with the flow with whatever I want to do. He never complains. I actually have to schedule down time. Like, "we aren't doing anything this weekend." The last two weekends before Hayden was BORN, I had to actively say "no" to people. I usually don't say no. Not because I can't... well, sometimes. I just like to be a good friend.
Last weekend, we went to a benefit for [one of] my best friend's Wendy's friend, who is very ill with leukemia at MD Anderson. Wendy had drove down from Austin and didn't have anyone to go with her. I couldn't stand the thought of her sitting by herself, and I wasn't able to go to the benefit she threw herself some weeks before, so we all three loaded up and went to Jackie's Brickhouse. I thought it was a restaurant, but it was, well.... a bar. Oh my God. I have a baby. In a bar. A la Sweet Home Alabama. Luckily, we stayed outside in the covered area with a live band, and there were other children there also. The dark, rowdy bar people were partying it up inside like it was midnight instead of 1:00 pm on a Saturday afternoon. We had a good visit with Wendy and donated to a special cause, so all in all, it was fine. We left from there and skipped on over to Seabrook to my friend Lauren and Josh's for their little boy Landon's fifth birthday party. Lauren gave birth just two months after Hayden was born to their little girl, Morgan. I know Hayden and Morgan will be good friends one day. I've been friends with Josh for over ten years, and when he began a relationship with Lauren about six years ago, I just fell in love with her. She's dear to me. There were cars everywhere when we arrived to the party. Like, an overwhelming number of cars. We walked in the door to chaos. Probably about (at least) thirty five adults, and twenty kids, if not more. People were everywhere. I knew a few people there, but no one I'm particularly close to. Lauren is of course running around like crazy. So it's that awkward party, where you're just standing there, holding your kid, not really much to do, trying to make small talk with people you don't know or haven't seen in years. Weeeee-irrrrd. But I was there for Lauren and Josh. However, we didn't make it long. Will and Hayden were exhausted. We stuck around for about forty five minutes, sang happy birthday, dropped off our gift, and came on home. Whew.
Now this weekend? This weekend is another matter entirely. I've been both looking forward to and dreading this weekend, just because it's going to take some planning and mommy skills on my part, and I'm going to rely heavily on Will for his help. I know he's up to the task. I just worry (a little) when I'm not right on hand to tag team. But, he's more than worthy of the challenge. Tonight, I'm heading over to my girlfriend Jennifer's, because she and my lifelong friend Spring are throwing a "passion party." If you don't know what that is, well... it's a party.... where you can buy "passionate" things. Just put your imaginination to it. Yep, you got it. Will is on daddy duty tonight, but hopefully she'll be asleep most of the time. I'll be home at a reasonable hour, because bright and early tomorrow, at 7:00 am, I have to be across town checking in for my B.I.G. Love Cancer Care 5K fun run. I convinced several people to join Team Claire and helped raise $2275.00.

Claire is a friend of Laken, who is my very best friend Jennie's little girl. Claire went to Texas Children's with pneumonia, where they discovered a baseball sized tumor attached to her heart, spleen, and diaghram; and it has subsequently spread to her lungs. This little girl is just the sweetest, ya'll. Breaks my heart. It also just kills me, because I look at my precious, precious, sweet, loving, happy baby girl and I can.not.imagine. I can NOT imagine the devastation, the helplessness. Oh. I can't go on. It's too much. So, to do something in honor of Claire, Jennie and I are running the fun run and then (if Hayden is up to it) going to a benefit for Claire's family in the afternoon. SUNDAY, if we ever make it that far, Will and I are going to the Houston Texans versus the Tennessee Titans game at Reliant Stadium with my brother Grant and his [new] girlfriend, Destiny. I am very excited for both the game and to meet Destiny. Everyone has met her but me. Even Will. So Hayden and I are the final pieces to her puzzle. It's been said that she is beautiful, funny, sweet, and witty. Hm. I approve! Grant has not been in a serious relationship in several years. This is a big step for him. I've been praying for him to find a good girl that will be good to him, and vice versa, for a very long time. I think it's something he needs and wants in his life. He will be 31 in less than a month. It's time. Grant is eighteen with twelve years experience. He is very mature and serious when it comes to his professional life and work. However, his downtime is spent with his single guy friends, most of whom are bitterly divorced (God love 'em.) I'm ready to see Grant settle down with a girl who is a good match for him. I don't think he's as happy with the single life as he thinks he is. Since Destiny has come along, I think that is more apparent to him than ever. He is taking her to NYC next week for vacation. I hope they have a good time! So, Sunday-- the Texans game. My parents will keep Hayden while we cheer on the number one team in the NFL to victory! Go Texans! Wish us the strength and resilience to make it through the weekend! It will be a fun time!

Some pictures from the benefit last weekend:

 

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It's Official-- We're Parents...

Well, it's finally happened. Children's television has taken over our living room at every hour of the day. I'm not sure if I even know what adult programming is anymore.
I even know the songs. I sing them to Hayden when we change diapers, when we get out of the bathtub, when she cries. I've been told this is a Mommyhood Badge of Honor. That you have to learn the songs. I even have my own personal favorite part of each show. This morning my mom was talking to me in the living room and had to call me out of my trance, because I was watching the show with my own child-like intensity. What is happening?
Disney Junior. That is what's happening.
I know Nick Junior is the "in" thing right now, and we watch it sometimes. But we are really into Disney Junior. Maybe because I grew up on the Disney Channel, or because I'm a closet Disney nut, but whatever it is, we love it.
Let me give you a little inside.
First and foremost, Hayden and I both  are crazy about Small Potatoes. It's not even a long show; it's just a three minute commercial filler. But we both get really excited. She starts kicking her little legs and screeching at the tv when they come on (or... when we're repeatedly watching them on YouTube because we didn't get our daily fill. No kidding.) Those stinkin' small potatoes with their little accents and catchy songs. They're cute little analogies and explanations for everything. I love those small potatoes (whose names are Olaf, Chip, Nate, and Ruby. Ruby being the personal favorite. I'd like to think she's a lot like me, that little small potato.) Here's a Small Potatoes for you. I'll let them introduce themselves.

Another show we enjoy, as well as Daddy, is Octonauts. The Octonauts are eight adorable little creatures that cruise the sea in their Octopod ("Explore! Rescue! Protect!") There's Captain Barnacles, the brave leader of the Octopod, Kwazii Kitten, who is the daredevil pirate ("Shiver me whiskers!"), Tweak bunny (the Octopod's engineer) who talks with an accent reminiscent of somewhere deep in Mississippi, Professor Inking (I had no idea octopus had ears...), just to name a few, but my favorite is Tunip the Vegimal just because he is so darn cute. His little language with the other vegimals is endearing. My (ahem... our) favorite part is at the end of each episode. There is a song sung about whichever sea creature is the highlight of each show called "Creature Report." It is very educational and catchy. ("Creature report! Creature report!" stomp stomp!) They sign off with, "We're done with the mission...... Octonauts at ease! Until the next adventure!" Sigh. I know. I'm losing it, aren't I?

We are just all lovey about Little Einsteins. Baby Einstein is already huge in our home. DVDs, lullaby CDs, toys, books, entertainer, the works. So we were thrilled to discover Little Einsteins. I actually look for it to come on because it's my favorite theme song of all the shows ("We're going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship! Going through the SKY! Little Einsteins!") Of course all four of the characters are ethnically diverse. They focus each show around a different composer, which is in keeping with the classical music of Baby Einstein. The show is based around both art and music (Red Rocket doesn't move fast.... he moves prestissimo!) It really encourages cultural arts, which I love. I think cultural arts is hugely important in a child's life (in all of our lives, really.) It is definitely something I will strive to integrate into Hayden's life, so I'm happy about having a cartoon to back me up! 

An early morning favorite: Charlie & Lola. Charlie & Lola were the first sign of the beginning of the end for me. When I realized that Hayden was enjoying television (I noticed her watching what I was watching.... then the Baby Einstein DVDs confirmed it. Yep, she likes tv) and I turned to Disney Junior, Charlie & Lola was the first early morning show for us. Again, with their little British accents. I'm such a sucker. Plus, they are siblings who take such care of each other. Charlie starts off each show with, "I have a little sister, Lola. She's small; and very funny." Charlie always teaches Lola something or steers her in the right direction. It's really so sweet. I thought the show was so wonderful in that it reinforces how we should treat our brothers and sisters. I can just hear myself saying, "Hayden... you shouldn't say those things. Does that sound like something Lola would say to Charlie?" Yep. I'm a goner.

Another early morning favorite is Chuggington, whose theme song runs a tight race with Little Einsteins. ("CHUUUG-ington! Chugga chugga chugga chugga CHUGGINGTON!") Chuggington is a town for talking trains with jobs to do! It mostly revolves around the "train"ees, little trains who are learning how to be big chuggers! They are Wilson, Brewster, and Koko. Wilson is a multi-function engine that is always learning that he needs to follow directions. Brewster is a very strong diesel electric train, but always overly cautious. Koko and Wilson make fun of him a lot, but I think he's a leader! And Koko is a feminine passenger engine that is very competitive-- she's very fast, and always trying to make Brewster feel inferior, which I don't think is very nice. She always learns her lesson and apologizes though. Each train on the show is a different model of train. Old Puffer Pete is a turn of the century steam locomotive. Zephie is a trolley.

Next up: "Gaspard and Lisa! Gaspard and Lisa!" Gaspard and Lisa are best friends who live in Paris, France. They are six year old puppies and sit next to each other in school. Gaspard wears a blue scarf, and Lisa wears red. They always try to do good deeds, but sometimes their antics get them in trouble. When they have a problem: "Catastrophe!" and when they solve it, "Triumph!" I like that they always lean on each other and use teamwork to solve their problems.

And last but not least, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. You can't watch Disney Channel without a little Mickey. It would be a crime. He is accompanied, of course, by Donald, Daisy, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and occasionally Clara Belle. This isn't a Mickey cartoon (necessarily) like I used to watch. It's 3D animation. Much different if you grew up on regular cartoons like me. Along with his usual Mickey-isms, there is the Hot Dog song that ends every show. Hayden goes crazy for the Hot Dog song. "Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog, it's a brand new day, whatcha waitin' for? Get up, stretch out, feet on the flooooooor..... hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog!") Goofy has the best dance of all, and if I have the chance, I do the Goofy dance right along with him. Hayden kicks her little feet when the Hot Dog song comes on. We heart you, Mickey!
A few others that we are becoming acquainted with are Choo Choo Soul (still trying to figure out that conductor, but her engineer is pretty handsome. Another three minute show a la Small Potatoes), Timmy Time (which has no words, but I really like that lamb), Imagination Movers (four dudes that sing and dance ridiculously to entertain toddlers.... awesome), and Jungle Junction (because I'm curious and intrigued by a jungle ran by jungle animals on wheels.)
So, there you have it. The Lukers and Disney Junior, together forever. At least for the next several years. I'll never let her watch that horribly plum dinosaur Barney (I'll gouge my ears with an ice pick if I ever hear that blasted I Love You song come out of her mouth) or Sponge Bob Square Pants, that despicable and repulsive sea creature with his geometrical leggings and filthy attitude. Nope. We are on the Disney Junior train! So I'll leave you with a little gift: one of my favorite Small Potatoes. Go on, watch it. It'll only take a minute.

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Go Dynamos!

Will and I had a night out to ourselves to celebrate our friend Ashley's birthday. Ashley is a huge soccer fan (he's a Brit) and so we all met up to see the Houston Dynamos play in their new stadium. I've never seen a Dynamos game in live action before. They've won several championships, so they are a pretty good team. It was a great night for us to get together with friends, and we had a great time. We are lucky to have good friends to have fun with! Joining us were Ashley (of course... and we refer to him as Shlee. I'm Ash) and his wife Amy, Michael and Kristi, Christoper (who is Michael's brother), and JP (Shlee's best friend... and well, he's a friend to us all! But just sayin'.) It ended up being a tie game. Here's a few pics.

Will and I outside the stadium

 National Anthem

 Ashley was presented with his own personalized jersey from the Dynamos

 Kristi and I... good friends

Will made this sign for Shlee

Fantastic 4- Will and I with Kristi and Michael

 Ash & Shlee

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Party Party Party

Hayden has been partying her butt off this month. Actually, she hit up two parties in one weekend and got to stay up past her bed time! And she went to a baby shower, too. The first party was the baby shower for her future friend Ally, who will soon be the new arrival of my friend Erin W. This is Erin's second daughter, in addition to her first daughter Avery, who will be three this December. Hayden wore the CUTEST outfit ever to the shower, a little Mudpie outfit with a ladybug shirt and bell bottom pants, and of course, her best bow. I had to wake her from a nap to leave, and she let me know how pissed she was about it the whole way there. It was crazy trying to juggle Hayden, diaper bag, purse, and gift and try to figure out which house it was, because there wasn't balloons or anything outside. Luckily, the host came to my rescue. Hayden screamed the first ten minutes and I was sweating like crazy, sitting in some stranger's bedroom, trying to nurse her to calm her down. She finally got there and sat like a little peach for the remainder of the party, even falling asleep at one point. Everyone exclaimed just how adorable she was. (I know.) ;)
Then, this past weekend, we drove out to Katy to visit our friends who just moved back to the United States from Norway. Kim, Isabel, and their children Daniel, Alexandra, and Sofie. I haven't seen them since my last trip to Norway in 2008, so I was very excited. We were a little nervous because we were leaving to head out there at what should have been time to start Hayden's bedtime ritual. But, we got there and Hayden was all smiles. She was in a great mood and let everyone have turns holding her. The little girls jumped on the couch and waited patiently for their turn, so cute. I was thrilled to see the kids and Kim and Isabel, and was happy to introduce them to Will and Hayden. Will had a great time too, which I was happy about. We got home about ten o' clock that night, and Hayden slept straight on until six in the morning. Woo hoo!
The last party of late was the very next day, Laken's second birthday party. Laken is the daughter of my best friend Jennie. Jennie and I always joke that when Hayden and Laken are driving around town being teenagers, we'll be following them on the down low, with our box of wine and binoculars. Luckily, we have a few years before all that goes down. Jennie and Will (her husband-- we both have Wills :) were having a BBQ to celebrate at their home for Laken's big day. Again, Hayden let herself be passed around-- she loves it! Her little buddy Austin was there, too, who is only two weeks younger than she is. He's the son of our good friend Angela. Angela kept bringing him up to Hayden saying, "Hey, girlfriend!" We got a good kick out of that. While she took a nap there, by the time the cake cutting came around, she was holding on by a string. It was like she only promised us one good party, and it was over. So we had to leave before presents, but ended up having a great time anyway. We have some great friends. Here's a few pics of all her celebrating:

Erin and Ally's baby shower

Hayden and Alexandra

 Hayden and Sofie

 Hayden and Laken

 Hayden and her daddy

 Looking so precious

Ash and Ang with our young in's

 Austin and Hayden checking each other out

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