Naked Time!

I was thinking back today of the beet-red picture of my baby on her first bath at home and how everyone thought I scalded my child... Oh, have things have changed. Now, it is a nightly ritual - that is when Greg gets home at a reasonable hour since he is the official bath-giver - something they can do together. And lets face it, he's more fun and dances and sings to her... boring ole Mom. That is, he does if he gets home at a reasonable hour - he just got home and it's 8:50! We decided to hold off on the inflatable bathtub for a little longer since she likes splashing in this one so much more. Gets those waves going! Tell Greg she needs a little pool for the backyard - not to mention how cute would she be in a little bikini with that buddha belly stinking out? :)

Last day of freedom for me tomorrow. Daycare is better - she's smiling when I come in and today she didn't even seem to care that I was there... Just grinning at the daycare owner who came in with me. All good signs I guess. And eating and all normally...

PS: I apologize for my child's nudity (complete) being broadcast... I've been told that may not be completely appropriate... Deal with it, Mom! :)

Daycare Days

Yesterday was the beginning of daycare... I start work next week.  When I got there yesterday, she had only had one bottle (in 7 hours!) and was crying and hadn't really slept.  Hopefully, today will be better.  They did say how happy she is and how well she talks and gets around - so she did have some good time at least.   Sad that our days together are over - hopefully, someday it won't be an all day thing.  Getting to daycare by 6 every evening may be a challenge!

Note how good Greg (and Tray) are getting at their photo skills... Although I am pretty picky I know :) Just move closer and it's all better.... bad pic of Mommy and baby is better than no pic at all... I was around after all :)

My child decided that nibbling on the coffee table was normal - if you like the taste of dust.

We Love Aunt Tracy! - and Lance :)

We spent a little more than a day up at Greg's parents house... didn't get to see much of Sam and Aubrey (send me pics of the girls please!) but got to spend some time with the others.  Need to take some pics with Pa obviously.
We spent a little more than a day up at Greg's parents house... didn't get to see much of Sam and Aubrey (send me pics of the girls please!) but got to spend some time with the others.  Aunt Tracy does love her kiddos - even if she now has to divide her attention by three... we'll take what we can get!

Reading... Eating?

It's gotten very difficult around here to read to Meghan.  She gets frustrated cause she wants to eat the book... or we get frustrated cause we give in to let her eat it, thereby ending the reading session.  At least we got some cloth books for her to nibble on :)

Last time I took her to the library (for me not her), she looked at the books on the shelf behind me and squealed.  Hopefully, this means she will like going to the library as much as me in the future.  Once we've gotten over the Cookie Monster approach to reading that is.  I so look forward to her with her little canvas library bag going and picking out her books to read - even if she doesn't like it! :)

Yeah Go Me!

So I'm new to the coupon world - call me a dweebo, but it's kinda exciting to never know what you're going to get in the newspaper on Sundays! And sometimes, you get three flyers --- then it's an exciting day.

On the news last week they were comparing shopping methods - one lady did just coupons I think and the other did the Grocery Game (online). She saved like 44$ or something... I've been investigating.  The online thing tracks sales trends and then matches the coupons with the sales... good theory. Little overboard - and I don't have room (or the desire) to have excess stored all over my house.

Been looking at flyers - esp diapers! - and comparing...

Went to HEB and saved 17$ - had a 6$ dog food coupon so 

doesn't really count...

Went to Kroger and only got (mostly) that which I had coupons for. I found out last week that they double and triple coupons (like 50 cents or less - not the biggies) so I've been looking forward to this trip to test the theory! So you see what's on sale, match it with your coupon (I save the biggies for HEB where the product will be cheaper anyways), they double or triple it... and if you're cool like me, you save 44$ today in one trip! 33% of my total.  Greg said it doesn't really count that much cause a lot of that is "kroger savings" with that stupid card - but if I hadn't bought stuff on sale on the card, it would have been higher right?

Impressive right?

Another tip: you don't have to buy 10 when it's "10 for $10" - ex: buy 2 and use your coupon for like "buy 2 and get 40 cents off"... they double it on top of the sales price! 

No one ever told me the ins and outs of this!

Not to mention, the store coupons themselves...

And there are places online to get extra coupons - haven't done that but might be the next step.

Granted, I won't be doing this everytime cause it takes too long and don't use that many of the products with coupons - but once a month or so might be fun right?

I do accept coupon donations.... 

And WHO buys enfamil or such formula when the store brand is half as much for the exact same thing?!!!  And don't buy store brand diapers - HEB good. Target - not good at all!

Now, tell me how good I am... Have to figure out what to spend my "savings" on now :)

The end ;)

I'll post pics tomorrow I promise, Tracy... Chill!

Hmmm...

Saw this posted on Mike Cope's blog... and I liked it.

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

16 Weeks

I believe this pic looks a lot like me as a baby? Correct me if I'm wrong?
I've been waiting to catch you in the act of doing all your recent accomplishments. But kinda hard to get. This is our last week of full days at home together... We are both sad (Daddy and I that is) but excited at the same time. You really like staying busy and being around other people and kids. And Mommy is eager to get this job thing rolling - scared but ready. Although, looking like a nincompoop (sp?) isn't high on her list... Hopefully, we'll still get lots of time together. Maybe Mommy needs a maid so that's one less thing to (not) do during our time together.... Daddy? :) You are rolling all over the place - off your blankets onto Mommy's nasty floor. Read this is a five to six month feat so pretty impressive I saw. I need to clean better now! And playing with yourself better on the blankets. As long as there is something to shove in your mouth. We had to go shopping yesterday for "eatable" books. Haven't figured out how to have reading time since you want to put them in your mouth. Your pretty new books. And it's kinda hard to read them when you want to eat them. Still working on that.

Semi-sadly, fully on the bottle now. Was planning on going halvsies, but Mommy's body seems to have said "enough!"... And doing very well with it. You get excited when you see a bottle and even guide it to your mouth at times. Speaking of, you replugged yourself yesterday!And talking!!! Especially when we talk back. Most of the time it's semi-fussing to yourself when no one is around which makes it hard to capture. (as in the video - fussed once you realized I really was around! ) You really like to talk after a bottle though still cuddled - like you're telling us how good it was or something.

We we went and watched the ducks and squirrels at the park earlier this week. You were very interested and lasted a lot longer than I thought you would. Of course, you love to be outside anytime so shouldn't have been too surprised. If only it wasn't getting hot here - I worry about your pale little Baggett skin... but we go out in the late afternoon when we can. Tell Daddy we need a tree or porch!

Sleeping pretty well. Mommy and Daddy are still trying to figure out the best schedule for you. You definitely sleep better with fewer/shorter naps. So currently we're having a short one midmorning, about an hour early afternoon, and another short one before Daddy gets home. Been sleeping until about 4 when you get hungry and eat another full meal! Of course, the schedule will all change when we start daycare (part time) next week and then go full blast the week after. We'll all be getting up early and who knows how it will go. And once we figure that out, you'll start eating and it'll all get wacky again.

You like listening to music and especially being sung to... All the better with hand and leg motions.

You have discovered the puppies lately. At least Maggie. You like to pet (aka pull) her hair. But she's very tolerant and will take any attention you're willing to give her. And likes to try to sneak in kisses. Might just be after all that drool all over your face. Tobey is still glowering and doesn't want you - just the one holding you.

This is your "Aha! I just slimed Dad... again" face
Mommy was sick last weekend so Daddy took good care of you. First time on all-night baby duty. When he gets to dress you for church, he always picks out really cute outfits. He even took you to church by himself. Thankfully, you didn't get sick - although Mommy did try to stay away and missed you! Cuddling with Daddy- he's been getting home late but makes sure to soak in as much time as he can when he's here
And I've decided Greg needs to go take photo classes! How many of these have me in them?

Congrats to JoDee and Craig! She's adorable and so lucky to have you two! And Meghan is really excited to have a new little best friend. And you'll have tons of beautiful pics - I need a ML!

Crockpot Day 1

Here's what I made tonight and it was really good! And healthy!
http://southernfood.about.com/od/crockpotroundsteak/r/cpweekly5.htm

I'm Spicy!!!

Don't remember what commercial that was...

Hot Sauce - sounds more impressive if you call it "salsa" right? :)
2 cans 14 ox diced tomatoes
1 7oz can of pickled jalapenos drained
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 large onion
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 bunch of cilantro
salt and pepper to taste
Blend it all up!!!

This makes a lot but is so yummy you eat it up pretty quickly. Spicy-er with more jalapenos. All in all, I guess a lot cheaper than buying it and just as good!

Now I'm off to become the queen of the crock pot - my latest plan to stay sane, work, and have kids (Greg as one :) ) at the same time. I accept recipe donations!

I've Got Some Work to Do Too...

So this is copied from http://preachermike.com/ - one of my former preachers from Abilene...

A couple weeks ago I visited with a woman from our church whose memory is fading. We sat in her living room, and she mostly listened to the conversation around her.
But four times — four! — in half an hour, she looked at me and told me how much she loved me. It was clear that she’d forgotten that she had just told me that a few minutes before. But, strangely enough, it didn’t matter. Each time it meant something special.
Here’s my question: How do you become a person who, even with a fog descending on the brain, speaks words of love and affirmation? How do you get to the point where those are the words that come out by default.
I know this: Before all this happened, that’s the kind of person she was. I never knew her to scold, frown, or discourage. For the seventeen years I’ve known her she has been a source of refreshment to all around her.
I think I have some work to do.

To add to this, I still remember going to my roomies' grandfather's house at the beginning of his Alzheimer's... He was starting to get confused, and you could see hesitancy on his face and shyness. But like the woman mentioned earlier, he was returned fully to himself - praying before dinner as he had for so many family dinners. So that when all else fails, your faith is your constant. I have carried this memory with me, and remembered it fondly when he passed away last year, and thank you K and K for sharing just that little glimpse of your wonderful grandpa with me... Amazing what one night can do to make you rethink how you are as a person.

So with this in mind - I apologize in advance for the sarcastic, blunt, semi-negative person I'm afraid I would become... I'm trying to work on it... As my mom said to me today - and we all know I'm exactly the same! - my eyes, mind, and mouth are connected - I see it/think it, and it comes out... Thanks to all you who love me regardless.

I'm reminded of the simple song from so many Mexico mission trips ago (a Psalm I believe)...

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable unto you, O my God"

And since I'm not allowed to post without a Meghan pic... ignore the goof behind her...

Big Girl

This little cutie got dressed up for church only to spend the whole time in the nursery bonding with the ladies - what's the point of dressing up I ask? Isn't the whole point so people can see you with your baby and tell you how cute they are?

We're rolling both ways pretty well, taking the bottle all but once a day (doesn't need me anymore :( ) - she can even hold it up herself for a while!, putting everything in her mouth, sleeping pretty well at night... and I'm trying to make myself enjoy every minute since we only have two weeks left together. Then one week of day care before I go to work - gonna take her half day for a week before going full time.

Have I mentioned that when she gets tired at night, you can take her clothes off and she gets happy? A true Baggett. Then, you give her a bath, and she's happy again. Tonight, she decided to start diving under the water with half of her head and looking up at you with her eye open under the water... Greg said she was also getting a drink (this is for you Mom). Goal for the week: buy a bigger blow-up tub - and then make sure she doesn't drown herself!

Fiesta en mi Casa!

The Houston Baggetts reunited at my (little) house last night... Thanks for coming! We missed you Melinda!

Here's the bean recipe I found that was requested http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Kikis-Borracho-Drunken-Beans/Detail.aspx

When I'm feeling less lazy and willing to get up and find it, I'll get ya my salsa recipe :) Not-mean Nanny
Yea Pam!
Bruders
Tyler and Gaye jammin'

We love Aunt Tracy and she loves her kids Mean Nanny! Cute pouting though!
Nate is recovering from becoming a big bro and still loves Meghan - even washed his hands (willingly) to touch her :)
Meghan looks like a giant compared to little Aubrey