Out of Retirement

I referred to my 'work' in my last post, but I just realized that I've left you all hanging on my job situation.  Last time I discussed my job situation was during my pregnancy, and at that time there was so much unknown about what was in store for our family post-Cale's arrival.

Long story short, I left my old job as a paramedic at Tulsa's ambulance service. There was no way I could keep such a demanding work schedule, especially with Alan being gone for an entire 24-hours every third day.

For the first four months of Cale's life, I was blessed with the opportunity to stay home and fall more and more in love every day with my baby boy. It wasn't entirely our plan, but it was obviously God's plan.

I knew I needed to work to make a little bit of money to help support our family, but for our family situation, I needed something with flexible hours and scheduling.  All I could do during this waiting/transition period was to trust that God had something perfect out there for me! Lo and behold, HE DID! Isn't our God awesome?!

 I have always been a worker, and even though my mommy job kept me busy 24/7, there was no monetary value to it.  Alan was working lots of extra shifts and we were missing Daddy around the house!! :(  No longer could I justify spending money to get my hair done, buying salon quality shampoo, scheduling lunch or dinner dates with friends (etc!) without feeling guilty. It was a very weird experience to know that I was spending money without making any money. I realize that those things listed are shallow and superficial, but I'm just being real. I promise we don't live some extravagant, flamboyant life! I wanted to feel like I was contributing to our household, and I wanted Cale to have some special time with Daddy!

I found a job working for a paramedical company. Basically, I do 'physicals' (for lack of a better term) for insurance companies with clients who have applied for life insurance.  I schedule my own clients on my own time. I don't work from an office, just my house. It works perfect for our little family, and I'm so thankful for the flexibility that it gives us. Between the two of us, we are able to keep Cale at home during the days. I love that we are both getting to experience life with him at this stage!

It feels so good to contribute again! I've met some awfully nice, sweet people in this job---much different from our local emergency clientele ;) I'm looking forward to making a hair appointment and getting mama some new jeans! It's the little things in life, huh?!

Roller Over-er

It's official! As of yesterday, Tuesday, morning Cale ROLLED OVER! We knew he was right on the verge, and just as I figured, he waited until I was at work to show off his new skill to his Daddy for the first time. Figures! I was so happy and proud that Alan was with him to witness that first roll :)

He is precious and MOBILE!

The entire rest of the day my little brain was busy thinking (and agonizing!) over everything we would soon be child-proofing in our house. This mama's heart is not ready for all of this.

These moments are so very bittersweet for me! Of course we want more children, but not knowing what God's plans are for our family, I'm always worried that this is the only time I'll get to experience these 'firsts.' I cherish each one so much! He grows and changes daily before our eyes. On the sweeter side of things, watching him grow and learn makes my heart swell with pride over his accomplishments.

Now if I could just freeze time for a while in this stage, I'll stop complaining about how fast he's growing! Is there some sort of mom secret to make that happen?



Five Months

Cale turned FIVE MONTHS old on Wednesday! Next month, he'll be half of a year old. Very bittersweet.

Stats: I'm honestly not sure. We go back to the doctor for more immunizations next month, so I'll have more accurate stats then. 

Sizes: He is still wearing Size 2 diapers, but only because I have a box of them to finish up! After these last few are gone, he'll be bumped up to the next size.  Most of his clothes are 3-6 months. All of his newborn things have become too small in length. Aaaaand, given the nature of children's clothing sizes, he can wear some clothes up to 9 months.

Food: Cale is taking five bottles per day, along with three 'meals' of baby food. We are starting to introduce the sippy cup slowly. I offer him water in the sippy cup at meal time so he can practice gripping the cup. He doesn't really seem to care for water, though. Any suggestions? He definitely has a sweet tooth when it comes to food preference. He has taken any fruit combination we have offered him. The only vegetable he took without hesitation was sweet potatoes (go figure!).  We are slowly coaxing him into eating more veggies. Alan was very successful one day with carrots, which I have yet to be.  I'm really hoping to have a well-rounded eater!

Routine:  Welp, let's start with the positive. I'm so pleased with our daytime routine! I have such a happy, fun-loving, playful baby ;) He takes two solid naps per day, an hour in the morning and an hour and a half (ish) in the afternoon. He is so easy to put down for a nap. He is routine with his times, so it's simply a matter of laying him in his crib with his pacifier. He is a good self-soother (note: during the day time!).

Now for the negative. Remember how I told you last month that I thought our sleeping patterns were taking a turn for the better?! Huummmphh, I was wrong. He is only eating once per night, and not even taking a full bottle at that time. On a normal night he wakes 4-5 times without soothing himself back to sleep. If I get up 3 or less times per night, I consider that successful. It's pitiful. It used to be a matter of 'plugging' him up with a pacifier, buuuut, that's also taken a turn for the worse. Now we have to rock. After many bad nights in a row (3-4 hours of broken sleep), I can't even see straight. I have to make a conscious decision in the morning not to let my fatigue steal my joy for that day. I don't want to spend these early months ticked off all the time because of my lack of sleep. Each morning I simply count my blessings and choose joy! ;) Sometimes it's more difficult than others, but I'm always thankful that God's mercies are new each morning. I might just have to accept that Cale isn't the best sleeper. Good thing he's so stinkin' cute!

Developmental Milestones: He is at such a fun stage right now! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE watching him learn new things each day. He is so studious of his surroudings. He has developed a little laugh and seems to be quite the smily boy these days.  He seems to love all his toys. We switch up surroundings constantly during the day. We still utilitze his play gym quite a bit, along with his bouncer, swing, and Bumbo seat. His hand-eye coordination also continues to improve. I broke out the Baby Einstein DVD's in the last couple weeks. They seem pretty boring to me, but I'm not five months old either. They seem to really capture his attention---they are quite soothing. He continues to watch Veggie Tales. I love hearing him laugh when they laugh. I know he's got no idea what is even funny, but it's so sweet to hear him chuckle at the video.  I thought he'd be rolling over by now, but he still hasn't taken the plunge. He will rock up on his side but never all the way over. In fact, he's started sleeping some on his left side. His favorite, favorite toys continue to be his play gym, bouncer, Tad from LeapFrog, and Scout from LeapFrog.

Funny story. A couple weeks ago we ran to Mardel's to get a new Bible for one of my bestfriends, Tricia's, new baby girl, Gentry. When we took it to the counter to have it imprinted we were given a 15 minute wait. So, to wait it out, I took Cale over to the kids section where they had Veggie Tales playing on the television. We parked right there in front of the TV, and Cale proceeded to giggle and laugh at Bob and Larry. The worker in that section of the store thought it was the sweetest, funniest thing she'd seen.

He constantly melts my heart.

 

Mommy Thoughts on American Idol

Anyone out there watch Amerian Idol?

I was disappointed tonight to see Colton Dixon leave the Idol stage. He wasn't the greatest vocalist in the competition, so I didn't think he was 'winner' material in that aspect. BUT, I adored his heart to worship. Several weeks ago when he chose to sing a worship song during the competition he really caught my attention.  It takes guts to show your faith like that in today's society, especically for a 'young' person competing in a secular singing competition and trying to find their place in this world.  I found him to be refreshing!

These days I look through things in the eyes of a mother.  Prior to this world view for me I would have thought, "Hey, that's pretty cool of him to do." Now I look at young people like him and I think of my son. I have hopes and dreams, big dreams, for Cale, but most of all, I want him to be hopelessly in love with the Father. I want him to have the heart of a servant in all that he does in life. It's my prayer for Cale that, like Colton Dixon, he has the courage to worship and passionately serve God wherever he is placed in life.

It's because of those dreams that I have for my son that I've become thankful for young role models like Colton Dixon. Like Tim Tebow. Like Colt McCoy (Gasp! I said it.). Like Bubba Watson. Like Trevor Bayne.

Now, more than ever, I'm thankful for these young individuals who take a stand for faith while following His calling in their lives. And, I'm thankful for the impact they could potentially have on my son.

Now-a-Days

I went to the dentist today for a simple little filling, and while I was there I was able to participate in some enlightening conversation with the student dental assistant. **Chirp, chirp.**

I try to be so understanding of students, because, after all, I was one of them back in the day; however, I felt sightly more dumb after my experience there today.

Let me set the scene. I was taken to the exam room and prepped for the procedure by a petite, blonde haired dental assistant student (who ended up spraying me in the face---not in the mouth---with the little water thing). She had another petite, dark headed girl as her supervisor. This dark headed girl actually worked at the dental office. Both girls appeared to be maybe, maaaaaaybe, 20.

Example One:

Dental Assistant: "How do you say your name?"

Me: "Lindsi."

Dental Assistant: "Oh, ok. It's just spelled weird."

Dental Assistant: "People spell their names SOOOOO weird now-a-days."

Dental Assistant Student: "I totally know what you mean."

Me (In my Head): "Now-a-Days? What the what?! Pretty sure my mom spelled my name 'weird' nearly thirty years ago. I didn't change it to a 'weird' spelling as an adult. Or now-a-days, as the twenty year old would say. Pffffftttt."

Example Two:

Awkward silence in the room while waiting on the dentist to get the procedure started.

Dental Assistant Student: "Do you ride horses?"

Me: "No??"

Dental Assistant Student: "Oh, so you just wear cowgirl boots?"

Me: "I guess so."

Dental Assistant Student: "That's cool. I really want a pair of cowgirl boots."

I don't know what bothered me more: the fact that she referred to them as cowgirl boots OR the fact that she thought because I was wearing them automatically meant that I must ride horses. I'm sorry, I thought we lived in OKLAHOMA. You know, a state where wearing boots is totally normal.

Easter 2012

First of all, I noticed that this is my 300th post! Random.

Easter is probably my second favorite holiday, falling very close to Christmas on my list. I love everything Easter for so many reasons---first and foremost, it is the celebration for what makes the foundation of my faith. Easter marks the day that Jesus beat DEATH! :) Because of Jesus' empty tomb, Christians are guaranteed eternal life with the Father. I love Easter candy, I love eating with my family, I love watching golf with a full belly, etc., etc., etc.

Sometime during the night on Saturday, leading into Sunday, I woke up with terrible chills---like had to put on socks and a sweatshirt chills. Then, when I got up to feed Cale I found that I had a temperature :(  Fast forward to Thursday, I found out that I had a sinus infection and double ear infection. No wonder I felt so crummy!  Needless to say, my Easter celebration was hindered by my sickness.

We went to church, followed by lunch at my parents. I didn't take many pictures, nor did I pose for many. Looking back, I really wish I would have had someone take a family picture of us! I'm ready for an Easter re-do. Ha! Next year will have to do.

 My sweet Bentley boy with his Easter lamb :) Alan's mom (Noni) had brought over several Easter goodies for Cale earlier in the Easter week---Bentley immediately claimed the lamb as his own. He has been so sweet and gentle carrying it around with him. Makes me smile.

 Alan's dad, Poppie, serves as a greeter and usher during church services each Sunday. More often than not, Cale is in his arms helping him. I think Cale is getting to know more people in our church than we are, haha! He's the most handsome door greeter that I've ever seen ;)

 Little Miss Morgan is quite the active little squirt--she's too smart for her own good. I think I caught her sitting still just long enough to take this sweet picture. She's as spoiled and ornery as all get out. My brother and sister-in-law have their work cut out for them with this one!

 When I asked her to smile, this is what I got. Beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.

She loves sitting in her PapPap's chair, her fascination of the day was leaning back in the recliner causing the footrest to pop out.

This would be Mimi the Easter Bunny that hooked Cale up with quite a fancy Easter basket. Again, sick mom fail. I didn't even take a picture of Cale with his Easter basket :( See why I need an Easter re-do? My mom has made the cutest baskets for each of the grandkids to use every year. I love that we have these traditions. Cale got FOUR new Veggie Tale DVD's, several sweet books, and some candy from the Easter bunny this year.

 

Cell Phone Picture Dump

I've been meaning to dump a whole bunch of cell phone pictures on here for quite some time, but Blogger is giving me some uploading grief. These few are going to have to work for now!

My handsome lil' guy before church, rocking a polo :)

Visiting his Great-Grandpa Wayne's grave. It was his first trip here, and it was a very special moment for me! The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining bright, and Cale apparently had a few things to say to his Great-Grandpa. Precious! I would imagine his conversation had something to do with all the ornery stories he'd heard about his great grandpa!

 

Playing with a new toy--one we've had stashed away since Christmas.

Feast your eyes on this red hair! Ha!

 The things I do to distract him so I can cook dinner......

This is his new trick.....scooting around all over the floor on his back. He started off in the middle of his gym mat, he managed to escape with the pig!

Rockin' his horse shirt before his first (of many!) farm days....

Rockin' his shades on a sunny afternoon walk with his big brother. Unfortunately he didn't take so well to the sunglasses :( He's too cute in them!