Lexi got this great sling for Ethan and me to use. (Let's face it, without one, the other can't use the sling!)
The directions say it is for two months and up, but a bit of research on a few other sling sites and I figured out how to use it now if I want to. I just have to remember to not bend over too far!
It is so cute and I can't wait for an opportunity to use it.
Thanks Lexi! You are a rock star.
One Word Answers...what could be easier... If you want to play, do a post on your blog. Let me know in the comment section that you answered the "One Word Answers." I'll come by and visit you.
Not as easy as you might think. You can only type one word, on each line. Here's my One Word Answers:
Where is your cell phone? purse?
Where is your significant other? Work :-(
Your hair? Wet
Your mother? In-transit
Your father? Driving
Your favorite thing? boys
Your dream last night? sleepless
Your dream/goal? sleep
The room you're in? Green
Your fear? Reality
Where do you want to be in 6 years?
Where were you last night? Michael's
What you're not? Rested
Muffins? Blueberry
One of your wish list items? Jeans
Where you grew up? Louisiana
The last thing you did? Showered
What are you wearing? P.J.'s
Your TV? Silent
Your pet? Boys
Your computer? OLD
Your life? Happy
Your mood? Sad
Missing someone? Yep
Your car? Gold
Something you're not wearing? socks
Your summer? short
Love someone? Bart
Your favorite color? Depends
When is the last time you laughed? TurkeyTime
Last time you cried? Today
Thanks Doobie Star. Now I need to find more things to occupy my mind so I am not so sad/tired/lonely for a while. Bart gets home at 2:30...how many posts can I do while baby sleeps?
Black Friday. A day of sales and shopping and smiles when you get that good deal.
Not for me.
Today Black Friday is more like a rain cloud Black Friday.
Today my parents go home to Louisiana.
We've had such a wonderful time getting to visit with them. I am so thankful they were able to be here when Ethan was born. They've been a HUGE help and we've all had a lot of fun.
I can't wait for this summer when we can go to Louisiana and visit them.
We love you Papa Jeff and Grandma Cupcake! Thanks for visiting and for all you did and do for us!
Brennan's Kindergarten Class
There has been this little battle raging in our house. Not as big a battle as "the battle of jacob feathers", but a battle none-the-less.
The battle of Jackson's hair.
See, Bart liked it long and shaggy. Me, I wanted it cut nice and clean.
I was "letting" Bart win, and this morning, I dreamed of a nice treaty...I'll get Jackson's hair cut today and then let it go until Jackson's birthday (in April!). It worked.
Thankfully, Amie could cut it this afternoon and Jackson was a perfect client. He sat very still, listened to her instructions, and did not make a peep.
Check it out...what do you think? Handsome or what???
Last year, on Nov. 23, Kristabelle received a small bowel transplant. Without it, she might not be here to celebrate this Nov. 23. Kristabelle is such a sweet girl and I am so grateful she was able to get the transplant and is doing so well now. I am glad her mother and I did mall walking this spring so I got to know her a little better.
Kristabelle and her family were featured in the Omaha World Herold recently. Take a minute and read her story. It's amazing how wonderful technology is to be able to change a family's life for the better. I know I try to remember to thank my Father in Heaven for all my blessings, even those that do not always directly affect me, like doctors, medicines, and life saving operations and I am sure Kristabelle's family, and so many others, do to.
I have a plan.
A very "bite off more then you can remember to chew" plan.
See, to mix up the way the baby books look, I decided to take a picture of Ethan every day for one entire year. I was going to do the same spot every day, but that won't work when we are in LA or on days I forget until the night and am too tired to go to that spot or have to snap it while Peanut sleeps.
We'll see how it goes, but I am excited at how the outcome will look.
I need a name.
A nickname to be exact. Brennan's nickname: Bren or Bren-Bren (as a small child)
Jackson's nicknames: Jack, Jackers, Goober Butt (very popular right now)
What to nickname Ethan? E.E. sounds awful. E.P. nope. See...I guess it will come on its own, but until it comes, I wait, patiently...
I got a gift.
Lexi sent Ethan one of these great slings. I am very excited for him to be old enough to try it out. I'm going to go here and here to see other ways to wear the sling...I just need to find the time between naps (his and mine). I also want to watch the video...eventually.
I entered a contest.
Go here and enter, too. We were looking at some really neat building blocks similar to these, so if I win these, I'd be in heaven! Good luck.
I found an old Brennan-ism.
I wrote this down at church one Sunday and just found it in a notebook.
"Oh, nuts! Now when I grow up I have to be two people's brother, Jack and Fat Baby. I think I can handle that."
9/6/2008
That's all for now!
Ethan's birth was pretty uneventful, other then the whole epidural deciding to stop working (I guess that is what happened), intense pain, nausea, shivers, epidural button pushed twice, still intense pain, anesthesiologist called in, injects icy cold pain med. directly into epidural...sweet relief, jello legs, shivers, oxygen, pushing for about an hour, resting with eyes closed between pushes (can you nap while in active labor?) baby, shivers.
Other then that, your normal trip to labor and delivery. I was supposed to be induced, and I was, but when I was checked, I was already about 5 cm and having contractions on my own, so basically the drugs just sped up what nature wanted to happen anyways. It's a good thing, too, because with Ethan being so large, and turned "sunny side up", I'd hate to think what might have happened if he'd cooked a few days longer. "Sunny side up" just means he was turned up instead of down and my OB had to do some maneuvers to get him in the correct birthing position. BUT, due to the high amount of pain meds in my system, I didn't feel a thing, so that was fine with me.
Ethan went home weighing in at exactly 9 lbs, but I am sure by now he's gained small bit back. 
We are doing great and having fun learning about him. He is very quiet, crying only when he is hungry or dirty or hit in the head on accident with a book by his brother. His big brothers are having a blast learning about babies...everything from where milk comes from to who is biggest of the brothers to how to hold Ethan properly. Both boys so far adore Ethan, clamoring around his bassinet and going first to Ethan in the morning, then Mommy. I wonder if they are checking to see if Ethan is really still here, or if he went away.
Having my parents here is great. With Brennan, my mom was there for the birth, but had to go home and recover from a major surgery she had just had. With Jackson, my mom kept Brennan in Vidalia for a while, a major blessing as we learned what made Jack tick. This time, because they live so far away and keeping the boys at their place was not an option, they came here. It's been nice to visit, experiment with some of my mom's cake ideas, and just relax. Today, four day old Ethan and I took my mom to breakfast and a movie for her upcoming birthday, but I will post about that tomorrow.
Well, it's 10:25 p.m., Ethan ate one hour ago and is asleep, so I better do the same.
Pictures: top: Thanks Dawne for the adorable hat. It fits Ethan great and is very cute with the Pooh outfit Jackson picked out (though I personally am not a huge fan of any type of poo!)
bottom: my three boys dressed up for the LSU game. Too bad it was for nothing.
Title comes from Berenstien Bears book "The Spooky Old Tree". As I was in labor, I kept shivering uncontrollably, and that line from the story kept running through my head.
Hi all. We are home from the hospital. As much as I love being woken up several times a night and getting room service and having nurses check your hoo-haa and behind at odd times, I am glad to be home!
Thanks Jeni for updating everyone for me.
For now, be satisfied to read that we are doing fine, Ethan's coming home weight was 9 lbs. exactly, and we are trying to break that day is night and night is day cycle.
TONS of pictures are on dropshots, so go check them out. You can even leave comments on there.
I'll give you my "Baby Story" tomorrow. For now, I am going to take a nap.
Oh, before I go...a word to the wise.
If you are going to pick a funny/cute nickname for the fetus within...DO NOT USE THE WORD FAT, CHUBBY, JUMBO, etc. in that name. It might just come true.
The little prince has arrived. Ethan Pierre Remington arrived to Queen Jessie and King Bart Nov 18, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. He is a grand 9lbs 10 oz and 22inches long. He arrived pain free for mom and sideways for the dr. There were no problems and Queen and prince are doing fine. I haven't yet received pictures of the royal prince but when i do i will post them. Her royal hiness (sp) can tell you all the details when she arrives back to her castle with her new bundle. Ethan your royal court can't wait to meet you. We love you very much!
Can't wait for this date.
Ethan, Jessica, and Dr. Wescott. Man, I am pumped.
But, not about the early wake up call. I have to be at Methodist Hospital tomorrow a.m. at 7!!!! At least I picked the hospital closest to my house so it will be a fast trip there. I just have to get up to take a bath and fix my new hair do (I have bangs folks, something I think I might have had when I was five, but I actually really like them. Sometimes I surprise myself. Thanks Amie!)
And, YIPPIE for my parents. They got in around 3 yesterday afternoon. They brought lots of projects to work on while they are here until around Thanksgiving, but so far the boys have given them little time to do any of that. Jackson is GLUED to Papa Jeff and wants to help him with everything.
And, speaking of bringing projects, are they serious? Don't they know my house is a giant project just waiting...waiting...waiting for them??? :-)
Thanks for coming Momma and Daddy...we are so glad you are here to help and enjoy the little family of ours.
So, after receiving an email from Barb predicting the time and date of the baby's birth, I decided to do a contest.
If you guess the exactly correct time/date of the baby's birth (not just day, but minute and hour, a.m. or p.m.) OR the exactly correct weight, I will give you a prize of some sort. (though Stacy says don't hold your breath...she's still waiting on a prize from the spring!) I do not know what yet, but I know it will be fun. I wish I'd thought of this weeks ago.
Helpful Hints:
1. Barb guessed 7:37 p.m. this Sunday, so you can't use that combo.
2. I am scheduled to be induced Tuesday, Nov. 18 (Fat Baby's due date) at 7 a.m. if he is not out on his own, so I'd be willing to bet guessing Wednesday would make you a loser.
3. Friday morning I was 3 (almost 4) cm and 70% effaced.
4. I experienced a decent amount of contractions Friday and maybe 10 or so today.
Good Luck!!!!!
A few years ago (2006 I think), right before we moved to Omaha, the Wesley's had a Christmas Party at their home. This Christmas Party was of course as great as could be. At this Christmas Party, Kim served homemade cider that was so good, I still remember it and until today, have wished I knew how to make it. (I often think this of the things Kim makes...she is just so good at it!)
Well, tomorrow I am (hopefully) going to a Mom's Night In at a friend's house and I am decided to bring this delicious drink as my contribution to the food table. Yeah, not food, but who cares?
So, without further ado, I am sharing (without Kim's permission...hope you don't mind!) the recipe Kim gave to me.
Oh, and I made it up tonight and it is just as good as I remember it being. I halved the recipe so it would fit in my pot, and tomorrow I am going to make it again so I bring one full gallon to the party, since we kind of sort of drank a bit of it!
Kim's Apple Cider
2 c. sugar
1 quart water
2-4 cinnamon sticks
10-12 whole cloves
7-10 allspice berries
1 inch of a ginger root
1 can frozen orange juice
1 can frozen lemonade
1 gallon apple cider
Mix sugar and water and bring to boil for five minutes.
Remove from heat.
Peel and cut ginger root up into small pieces.
Add spices and let sit for one hour. If you have one of those tea things or cheese clothes, use that so removing the spices is easy.
While the syrup cools, take one 12 oz. can of frozen orange juice and add two cans of water (not three as the directions on can tell you to). In the same container, add 6 oz. of the frozen lemonade concentrate and 1 ½ cans of water.
Add juice mix and 1 gallon of apple cider to syrup. Mix and heat to desired temperature.
I started a new phase in Brennan's life and it just dawned on me that it is a sign of Brennan growing up.
Eating breakfast at school. You might wonder how eating breakfast, something he's done since he was born, helps him grow up, but read on and you will see...
Every child in Omaha gets free school breakfast and I had let Brennan eat a few times since school started, but not that often (just when they had waffles or biscuits, and then not every time). Then, in the past two or three weeks, it somehow morphed into him eating two or three times a week at school.
We have a routine, too. I stay in my pajama's (nice!), drive to school, and pull into the church parking lot across the street from Brennan's school. Brennan's seat is on the driver's side, so parking on the side of the road by the school would be dangerous because he'd be getting out into oncoming traffic, making me have to get dressed and open his door. Brennan gets out on his own, walks in front of my car, through the grass, and is at the "Safety Patrol" and the cross walk in about five seconds.
Today, as I watched him cross the street and wave goodbye to us, I realized that this routine has caused Brennan to grow up, even if just a little bit. He is responsible for his safety. Once he is out of the car, he must choose to follow the Safety Patrol and cross the street when safe. He must choose to walk to the cafeteria, not wander around. Granted, I wait in the parking lot to see him walk into the cafeteria (one entrance is located outside), but still, he ultimately has the choice.
I know he's been in school a little over 12 weeks now, where he has had to make many decisions on his own, but seeing him today struck a chord. Maybe it's because my hormones have decided to get a bit out of whack (end of pregnancy), maybe it's because the weather, family, economy, and world are changing so much so quickly, but today, I saw Brennan...BIG Boy...not Brennan, my Baby.
I posted to get mom's input on baby swings on MyOmahaMommies.com...not only did I get input, but I even got a few offers from mommies to borrow their swings! That is so great, because really, there was no wiggle room for a new one in the budget.
Thanks ladies! I love your friendship, your opinions, and your willingness to serve and share with others. I love having playdates almost any day I want, all I have to do is pick and choose or post my own idea. I love meeting new moms, sharing ideas, and uniting in our desires for what is best for our families.
I love myomahamommies.com!!!!
After fighting with the baby swing to build it again, washing those darn buckles that didn't want to come out, and then putting the padding on, does the thing not work??? I wonder if it broke during the move and we just never knew because we didn't use it after that. Too bad we didn't try it out because then "the company" could have bought a new one...
Doesn't my baby swing know I needed it, if only for five or six months? I am going to feel ridiculous going to buy a brand new swing for one baby to use.
AND...what if Ethan doesn't even LIKE the swing? Then I've really wasted my money, which I don't really have a lot of anyways!
Anybody heard of the Power Plus Plug In by Fisher Price? You can t use batteries or just plug it in the wall. It doesn't go side to side, only front and back, but for the price of $80 and not having to worry about batteries, side to side is a feature I'd be willing to give up, I think. Just one of many options I found searching online tonight.
I love Karen. She's so funny and great. She's the one who painted the tree in Fat Baby's room.
I really do. Now, occasionally I don't feel this way, as my foot throbs from stepping on one, but overall...I think they are the best toy EVER!
See, for Christmas two (?) years ago, my younger brother, Justin, gave Brennan all his legos from his childhood. Justin had a LOT of legos. Well, I assumed Brennan was too young (at the time I was probably right) and put them away...until about a year ago, when I pulled a few out. Brennan loved them, Jackson liked to dump them out. Life is good.
Now even Jackson can build some things and it is amazing to see the boys imaginations at work. Jackson just brought me two legos crisscrossed and told me it was an airplane for Indiana Jones.
Brennan got a few of the new kits for his birthday this past year, but he is more interested in creating his own designs then following the directions (which I actually had to do and maybe complained about in a post) and sticking with the finished product.
When deciding which toys to bring up from the basement for the next few weeks (my parents will be sleeping in the "toy" room/basement) I knew legos and megablocks were a must. I will post in a few weeks to say if the legos kept their appeal the entire time or if I had to go bring some other things up to entertain them as well...
To our veterans, thank you for your service and devotion to keeping our country free.
Sorry it's so orange. Our house is old, has no overhead lights, and is lit up with lamps, making things look orange in the evenings.
Saturday, during the LSU game, I learned it's not from me that Jackson learned the phrase "Oh My Gosh!!" I don't really say this phrase, anyways (at least I don't think I say it a lot), so I was puzzled when Jackson started to say it, A LOT.
Then during the LSU vs. Alabama game, Bart was cheering a good play (towards the middle of the game) and beating his leg (as he does when he is on the phone with Will and watching LSU....he gets huge bruises!) and jumping around.
Next thing I know, Jackson is yelling, "LSU! Oh.My.Gosh! Geaux Tigers!" and jumping and beating his leg, just like DADDY! (I will put up a video of Jack when I asked him to cheer like Daddy, it's just upstairs and I am downstairs right now!)
And 7 Monkeys, it's a bar, but not. There is a large bar in the middle, it's dark, and obviously for adults, but kids are allowed (even have PB&J on the kids menu! AND smiley fries), there is no smoking, and everyone was very mild mannered. I actually kind of liked the atmosphere, though I wish the booth had had a tiny bit more room between table and back of chair, but I probably won't feel that way once Fat Baby is out. It was delicious and next time the gift certs. go on sale for such a great price I will get another one. Although...they are in the process of changing their menu, so who knows what next time will be like. We had a great waitress who just loved Jackson and his cute voice. (He really does have the cutest voice!) There are a few monkeys throughout the place, kind of hidden, and the boys loved finding them.
Yesterday Brennan wanted to eat at Burger King.
Not because he wanted a burger, but because he DIDN'T want me to use the oven to cook dinner. (He's back in his freak out mode b/c Bart burned {badly} tator tots one night while I was out.)
I told him we could not eat at BK b/c 1. Jackson was SO SICK and 2. We "didn't have the money for it"...he, he, he...kids, so naive. Really, he can't just think he can get away with this fear of the oven and I DID NOT WANT BK.
This afternoon I told him we were going to eat out at a place called "7 Monkeys". (I got a gift cert. to try it out, so it will be free!)
Brennan looked at me, a twinkle in his eyes, and says, "Do you and Dad have the money for it?"
Then, after I laugh and say "Yes", he gives me a great...big...KISS!
Awwww.
Jackson went to his follow-up appointment this morning. He is doing much better. He walked into the appointment by himself (yesterday I had to carry him EVERYWHERE and he just moaned and cried!) and did fine. The nurse who walked us back today said she had seen him leaving yesterday and had thought, "That must be one sick little boy." How sad for my buddy.
Anyways, he is not contagious (after 24 hours on the antibiotics he is okay) and has been given a second oral antibiotic to cover the things the first antibiotic doesn't. Dr. Walters said he is good to go to church or play dates or whatever he is feeling up to doing. We'll see how he is come Sunday.
Last night he slept all night, only waking up around 5, crying that he wanted his Mickey Mouse sippy cup, not the one I had given him with water. Right now he is sleeping, because he is still very tired from feeling so bad for so long. I am about to go and join him...
I just hope that is the last time I have to see Dr. Walters until Fat Baby gets here (probably on 11/18 unless he happens to come before the scheduled induction...not likely) and starts his check-ups. I really like her, like I said, but I don't like my kids to be sick and so far this is the third time Jackson has had to go in since he got his flu shot, but the first time he's been sick (other times: Eczema and Strep Butt {whatever that was called})
Those are some of the traditional words uttered at a wedding as a bride and a groom go from being two to one.
Last night, around 3 a.m. or so, I realized that those words are not only for supporting our husbands and wives, but also for supporting what comes after...our children.
I just recently read President Monson's talk, "Finding Joy in the Journey". I was a slacker Mormon and did not hear it when it was first given at General Conference.
Not my finest Molly Mormon Moment, I know.
Let me just say, it was quite inspiring, especially as all of our lives become more complicated and change becomes more and more of a constant.
Many of my bloggy friends already wrote about this article, or others from the conference.
Let me just encourage those of you who haven't read this article or heard it yet to do so, even if you are not LDS, or think religion is wild, or maybe are related to Godzilla. Just read it. You might have a better day.
Here is just one excerpt from it:
"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."
I love President Monson. I think he is able to relate concepts and ideas in a way that doesn't seem too "churchy" all the time. I mean, a few of his examples came from musicals!
So, go and read it and report back to me what you thought...esp. you non-LDSer's. I'm interested to see if you loved this particular article as inspiring as I did.
I called our brand new Janie and Jack store to see if it was in stock...the associate went to check...
"Is it the one with tan elbow pads?"
WHAT?
I didn't check the "alternate view"...I quickly did so, because 'Diamond Pattern Sweater' was up on my screen. Yep...elbow pads.
I am not too sure how I feel about elbow pads.
She nicely asked if she could hold it for me, stating they also had a few in the size I needed. I told her no, just in case I went into labor before I could pick it up tomorrow...that was my excuse. Now I have to think long and hard.
I know Bart will LOVE elbow pads. He'd probably put some on everything if he knew how. Me, I don't know.
What do you think?
Oh, and should we be dressy or casual? Jeans? Or nice dress pants?/
Help me out.
My first voting memory must have taken place while I was still in high school. I turned 18 in December, so it's possible.
I remember my dad making a big deal of it and telling me who to vote for. That might seem bad, but for a brand new voter, I didn't mind, especially since I tend to trust my dad's opinion 100%. It wasn't a major election, just city officials and ordinances, but it was still important to vote.
We went to the Vidalia courthouse and I remember these really old looking machines. I am pretty sure this picture is an almost exact replica of what I used. Talk about old school...but it worked and I became a "real American" that day.
This election, Bart and I had our ballots mailed to our home, where we were able to take our time, skip out on all lines, and vote. I am not sure of a few of the people/titles...I mean, what the heck is the Learning Community Coordinating Council??? But, I did the best I could, said a prayer to Heavenly Father that for those I had no clue about that he'd guide my hand in picking the right candidate :-), and hope for the best.
So, do you remember the first time you voted? What it a big election, like this one, or a smaller one, like my first election?
Go here to enter a great contest with some very cute cards. Maybe one of us will be the lucky winner! I love the Frosty Fancy Design.
Happy 2nd Birthday Brooklyn!
I was a very bad aunt and did not even CALL on her birthday! At least she only turned two and won't remember this tragedy. If it were Brennan (he's turning six next year) and one of his aunts or grandparents did not call or send a card/present...he'd probably put you on a short list of "no drawings for you" he has going on. I had already mailed her a present, so I am kind of covered. I think the reason it is so hard for me to remember her birthday is because she was supposed to be born two or three times before she actually came. :-)
Brooklyn is just such a cutie and from what I hear a great big sister to her baby sister, Sophia.
Happy Birthday Girlie. I hope you had a great day and that you have a great party.
Our friends met us and we set out on a trick-or-treating mission. Brennan wanted to go to 70, no 79, houses! I'd say we went to 30, but got enough candy to last until at least Christmas, if not Easter. All over people proclaimed what a neat costume Brennan had on. I still think it is kind of cheesy and lame, but I guess after seeing 534 darth vadars and 999 princesses (no offense to the d.v. and p.'s out there!) maybe seeing something nobody else had on was a nice change...however, Jackson didn't get ONE compliment, but I think that is due in part to the fact that NOBODY probably knew what the poor kid was! Joss, of course, got oodles of compliments, but she's just so cute, how could you NOT compliment her???
