Rainy Weekend

We had a great weekend with Grammy! It seems like the time in between our visits is way too long. Last weekend she got to go to Denver to see her sister, my Aunt Cindy, and even got to spend time with Amy while she was back from Costa Rica for a short conference. I understand now how much moms need their daughter time! She came down Saturday morning and we had a lazy time around the house. It poured rain most of the day, and we got three and a half inches! Our only adventure was to run to Target and have dinner at BJ's Brewhouse, one of mom's new favorites here. Most of our day was spent sorting through all the goodies that Aunt Rachael sent. She was supposed to join us but was suddenly feeling sick and needed some rest. I think the first week of her new job at ACU wore her out, but we are really proud of her and hope it just keeps getting better and better. Our original plans for shopping at the outlet mall would have been a soggy disaster anyway! Fortunately for us, she was gracious enough to send tons of clothes for us to borrow and a fun new toy.

After impressing Grammy with your walking skills, you decided this little house was super fun right off the bat. It plays songs, has the swinging door and doorbell, and it's great for you to stand up and lean on. The other night Daddy tried to crawl through it but was a teensy bit too big. You are having tons of fun with it. The only downside is that your room is a bit cramped with your swing and jumperoo, so this toy will mostly remain parked in the living room until we figure out how to better arrange things.

It is crazy how fast your birthday is sneaking up on me! I had started packing up all the clothes that run up to 12 months that you are growing out of. And when most everything was emptied out, this is what your closet looked like:

Lots of empty hangers! But after we did laundry and sorted through all the things Aunt Rachael and Emerson sent, check out the after shot:

And that is just shirts and dresses! Your drawer of pants is overflowing too. We are so thankful that you will have so many cute things to wear. Aunt Rachael has fabulous taste, so I can't wait for it to be a little cooler and try out some of your winter wardrobe. It is wonderful that we can save money and not have to buy all new things when you go up a size. Thank you Aunt Rachael and Emerson!

Daddy came home from his trip on Sunday afternoon and you were so excited to see him. He got lots of smiles and hugs, and you kept resting your head on his shoulder. He was worn out from driving and enjoyed hanging out with you and watching the Cowboys game (right up until the end where they choked and lost. By the way, I think we should issue a formal apology to Jessica Simpson, since she is obviously not the problem with Tony Romo's game!)

And now, here we are with just a few more weeks to go. This Saturday, we are having your picture taken for your birthday, so I am worried that you will take a nosedive any day now and give yourself a huge black eye or something. Hopefully we will have a peaceful week. Mommy could definitely use some relaxing evenings with you to take her mind off all the things coming up. Hugs and kisses from you are just what the doctor ordered!

Little Miss Tinkerbell

October has completely arrived and yes, I am due to write Cameron's 11 month birthday post. But I have some spectacular pictures in mind that I am going to work on tonight, so we will be a bit late. Just had to share that I won a halloween costume off of Ebay, so it is official - Cameron will be an adorable little Tinkerbell!

Who wants to see Bo dress up as Peter Pan? :)

Love, Loss, and What I Wore

Cameron, is that the greatest title of a book ever or what? I just read the most interesting article about it, and was completely enthralled. The book is a sort of memoir, recalling the big events in her life with sketches and pictures of the clothing that she remembers in perfect detail. There are just certain outfits that women feel different about, that we think somehow define who we are at that moment. And to be perfectly honest, I even have a few outfits of yours that I will treasure as special for little moments in your first year. I even bought you outfits last month to wear for your birthday party and your birthday photo shoot.

So here, in random order, are the top five outfits that hold a special memory for me.

1. My wedding dress. Girls dream of their wedding day, spend ridiculous amounts of money and time to plan it, and think that their life truly begins once they have lived through the ritual of a wedding. I dreamed of a very metropolitan, elegant affair with fine china but our setting (little old Abilene) and budget dictated a much more modest soiree. Knowing that I wanted to be able to comfortably dance at the reception, I chose a dress with a shorter train and no extra layers of puffy ruffles to make the skirt larger. Searching through magazines, I decided that I wanted a more traditional dress with a strapless sweetheart neckline, intricate lace overlays, and a "candlelight" color that would compliment my skin more than stark white. I loved it from the second I tried it on and my mom happily paid $600 for it, a steal compared to the thousand(s!) dollar couture gowns we saw on TV. Your Daddy said that it was the most beautiful that I had ever looked. Even now, when I look back at the pictures, I think it was completely perfect and love the memory of how it felt to wear it.

2. The summer between my junior and senior years of high school, I decided the perfect job would be to work as a lifeguard. I landed a job at a country club in a very wealthy part of town and was told I could wear whatever suit I wanted as long as it wasn't a bikini, rather than the standard red suit that says "lifeguard." (Besides, Baywatch totally ruined those for people with real breasts anyway.) I wore a tankini just long enough to fit the rules, but still left a little line of tummy showing, which incidentally left me with odd tan lines. But I loved having that deep tan, flirting with older boys who were lifeguards too. I lived in that suit all summer long and remember being totally flattered when someone told me that I had a "cute figure." And on my first day as a senior, I decided to show off my tan in a skimpy tank top that totally violated the school dress code. I guess I figured no one would send me home on the first day! Looking back, I have no idea why my mother let me get away with it... But I felt like I was more grown up and attractive, finally out of that awkward phase and turning into a woman.

3. I remember packing my black velvet dress in case we had a fancy dinner that trip or maybe wearing it on Christmas Eve to church. It was knee length and had three-quarter sleeves with lace trim, and I remember thinking that it was flattering without seeming overtly sexy or trying too hard. When my father passed away so unexpectedly, I ended up wearing it to his funeral instead. It was so cold and windy that day that I had to put my hair back tightly, but it kept falling out anyway. I knew I would never be able to wear that dress again without thinking of that day, and how we buried my father in jeans, a t-shirt, and a leather motorcycle vest rather than a stuffy suit he would have hated. I still have it in my closet, but haven't looked at it in years.

4. Six years of my schooling were pretty much dictated by a version of one outfit - my cheerleading uniform. Worn on game days (even though it also completely violated the school dress code), I got to be one of the very few girls who were part of this group. We had a whole pep rally to plan, supposedly to inspire the football players to victory, but mostly to avoid class and enjoy people cheering for us. Each year, we ordered new uniforms, always purple and white and yellow (never the shiny gold), and I remember the year when we finally got the "flyaway" skirt. It basically had slits up to the hips so that the flaps laid together to appear like a skirt, but gave you more movement and freedom for stunts. We just thought it was cuter, and got to order different bloomers, the "boyshorts." Those ten girls probably made a few others jealous, but I remember my small group of friends (all non-cheerleaders) and how I didn't really feel popular at all. It mostly just made me feel like a basketcase because I would continually show up with the wrong uniform on. White was for home games and purple was for away games, but for the pep rally we wore the opposite. I was always having to go get a pass, leave school and drive home to change. It became such a pattern that eventually I would pack both all the time. I often wondered how in the world I kept getting voted in (by the entire school) since I seemed like a big nerd masquerading as the cool captain that I appeared to be.

5. One of the best perks of joining a sorority is the chance to dress up and go to a fancy party. Every spring, we had our formal dinner to say goodbye to graduating members and officially welcome in the newest pledge class. My junior year, I found a slinky black dress that was completely beaded with the most gorgeous floral pattern in red, turquoise, and gold. I wore smoky eye makeup, bold red lipstick and a red rose pinned into my hair to complete my "sexy senorita" outfit. I was President of my sorority that year and wanted to look like a total knockout. After the banquet program, we cleared out the floor to dance and have fun, and I of course ditched the high-heeled black shoes that were so uncomfortable. Unfortunately, my dress was suddenly dragging on the floor. In front of everyone, I was busting a move, stepped on the hem and the beads slid like crazy on the hardwood floor. I fell flat on my back and burst out laughing. My friends rushed to help me up, but I was too embarrassed to dance after that. I took a breather and left to start the after-party a little early. :)

Welcome to Womanhood

Camo,
I realized this week that all your adorable little 3 month clothes are just not going to make it much longer. Your growth spurt has left you with only 5 pairs of jammies that fit and I bought three of them all at once in a panic. We also have had some unseasonably warm weather so I haven't had much for you to wear to Cara's every day. It has consistently been in the 80s pretty much this whole week.

So I headed to my thrify mom HQ, Target. I found some really cute little cotton shorts in pink, denim, khaki, and black. I meant to buy another pair in light pink but swapped out a size and forgot to get the bigger ones. And guess what size we got? I even tried them on you in the store so I wouldn't get home and be wrong.... 9 months! What in the world? You have some adorably chubby legs and the 6 month size wouldn't have fit halfway into the summer. So I decided, we're in a recession and should just buy what will last.

The funniest part is that you can still wear a 6 month size shirt. And that's pretty much how you will shop for the rest of your life. Small shirt, medium pants. It's just a little blessing that your mommy is passing down from her genetic family history. Don't worry, you will eventually start walking and lose most of it. You know, come to think of it, your mommy should probably be working out more on the Wii to take care of her own chubby thighs instead of worrying about yours.

And did I mention that Mrs. Cara said that Ainslee (15 month old!) is still wearing her 9 month shorts from last summer? Yeah, you are catching up to her. You are probably never going to want to go shopping with that girl.

Weekend Warriors

Cameroni, we have been hard at this parenting thing. First of all, your Aunt Rachael wanted me to make sure that I was going to have some sort of baby book or scrapbook for you, so of course in my pregnancy paranoia, I thought I had to go get one RIGHT THEN and ended up finding you a super cute one at Hallmark. I have already started filling in some sections on how your daddy and I met and how we felt seeing you for the first time on your sonogram. They also have these fabulous calendars that help you track all the milestones in a baby's first year. It has blank pages where you fill in the months and tons of cute stickers and predone layouts where you post pictures of the baby month by month. I may have to go back for that one.


Then, I went on a bit of a spree at Half Price Books and I bought a book on all the things I have been wondering about. I am forcing your daddy to learn baby sign language along with me so that you will be brilliant and communicate all your needs long before you can talk. (My favorite signs so far are horse and ketchup.) I have also starting reading "Baby Wise" and am very impressed with its advice. We will have to learn to include you as part of our family and not make you the spoiled center of it - easy to say now! But it says that being a good husband and wife team will make us better parents, rather than forgetting all about eachother and only focusing on you.


I also took your daddy to Gymboree for the first time. He was impressed by how cute all the little sets are. I think he gets annoyed that everywhere we go, girl clothes only come in pink. He really wants you to branch out, I suppose. So I got you two pairs of cute pants and then got home to realize that you have no tops that match them... More shopping to do, I guess! Unfortunately, he was mesmerized with all the adorable boy clothes that said "Daddy's Little Quarterback," but I dragged him back over to look at pink monkey pajamas. He did almost spend a fortune on the entire line that has horses and little cowgirl sayings. They had everything.... Bibs, blankets, a pearl snap shirt, pink cowboy hat and boots, and a brown corduroy dress that I guarantee will be in your wardrobe at some point. We restrained ourselves and I will have to watch for it to go on sale!


And finally, your daddy got himself into handyman mode. When we bought your crib, we got such a good deal on it that we didn't mind that it wasn't white. We figured painting it to match your dresser would be easy! Apparently, we slightly underestimated how long it would take to nicely sand it down so the paint would go on smoothly. Like 10 hours underestimated. We were even using the hand sander, and one side rail took 2 hours! But your daddy said it was all worth it for you as long as it turned out beautiful. So I guess that will be our project for a while... Rest assured that I am going to get you sleeping through the night soon so you can enjoy this crib!

Dear Pants

To all my beloved ones, I am so sorry that this day has finally come. I just can't bear to see you all the time in my closet, knowing that I can't be with you anymore. It's not you, it's me. I am just getting too fat. I remember all the good times we shared. Especially you, Wide Leg Trousers. You always gave me the appearance of longer legs and a less curvy figure. How I will look forward to our reunion. But I take heart in knowing that you will be protected. The lovely plastic tub under my bed will protect you from dust and neglect. You will be close to me in at least one way. And I will be thinking of you and working toward the time when I can proudly show you off around town again.

But as for you, maternity pants, we are truly the most wicked of enemies. You are unflattering, unshapely, and quite frequently cheaply made. You just don't have what it takes. I have had enough of your sabotage in dressing rooms. I despise the way you make me feel like an unsuccessful shopper! But I will find a way to beat you. I will make my tailor my ally, and our combined forces will be too much for your polyester pompousness. And if I have to drag my husband shopping with me, so be it. What is one casualty in the search for a decent outfit? Target is on my side. We shall overcome!

Little Blessings

Well it has been such a fun week here in San Antonio since we have hosted the NCAA Men's basketball Final Four. There were tons of cool things to do downtown this weekend, so Bo and I spent the afternoon walking around to see it all. We even got to see the end of a free concert with Kid Rock. He is definitely not what I would call "family-friendly" but it was kind of cool to see him play all the different instruments in his band. The guy is actually very talented in many ways. Bo and I were however completely disgusted with North Carolina's performance on Saturday evening, and I couldn't even bring myself to watch the final game between Kansas and Memphis. Turns out, Bo said it was one of the best games in Final Four history with a last-second 3-pointer sending them into overtime.

It has just been such a blessing to be able to spend more time with Bo on the weekends. He says that he loves being able to do work outside in the yard, play with Joe, and just hang out with me. I think he initially wondered about his new job and if he would be happy there, but now I know he has seen the impact he is having on the people he interacts with every day. I have always known that he is such a positive influence with an uplifting sense of humor, but now apparently total strangers are telling him so. What a blessing to have a happy husband.

And in the totally selfish department, I was super blessed to find a pair of maternity jeans on Sunday that I don't absolutely hate. They have NO huge elastic band and really don't look like prego pants at all. They even have normal button waist. Thank you Liz Lange Maternity! I don't think I want to live in a world without Super Target.

Here's hoping I can make it through the week with some energy left. I have somehow agreed to be an emcee for my sorority's annual production, Sing Song. It is the 50th anniversary this year so they really want to involve alumni. I just hope that we are funny and entertaining without looking like total idiots. Story of my life, right?

Avoiding the Strap-On Tummy

I had a really depressing moment yesterday. I have admitted that my jeans are no longer buttoning, even though I don't really appear pregnant yet. But it just becomes super uncomfortable to sit with them buttoned. So I keep doing the rubber band trick, and so far my pants have not fallen off nor have I been humiliated in public. So hey, if it ain't broke...

But I realized that eventually, none of my pants are going to fit. Now Peanut, your mom likes to think that she is pretty well-dressed. I'm not shopping on Rodeo Drive here, but I have nice basics that keep me looking professional and neat. I have great suits from Banana Republic and Anne Klein, great wide leg pants from the Gap, etc. And the thought of not being able to wear those babies for the next year is really depressing. Just yesterday, another mom of a 15-month old was telling me that she just now made it back to her pre-baby weight because she got a stomach virus and barfed for a few days.

So I broke down and decided to go shopping just to see what was out there. Passing by all my favorite stores made me wish I could run in there and pick out whatever I thought was cute, not just the things that I can tolerate. Everyone says the rule for maternity clothes should be that if you wouldn't wear it before you were prego, you shouldn't wear it now. Don't settle for mumus! But the reality is that all of the cute things that I really like are expensive. Is it worth it to buy nice clothes that I will keep and probably wear for these long months and possibly again in the future?

So after wandering around Macy's uneventfully (with a gift card burning a hole in my pocket) I gave up and went to Motherhood Maternity. My only joy came when I found a pair of super stretchy pants that had no tummy panel! They just looked like normal pants, but you could unbutton these panels inside to give them more room. But here is my problem - obviously my stomach is not going to be the only part of me to grow.... So if they fit me now, they probably won't fit me later. But the next size up was falling off of me. There was even a scary strap-on tummy in the dressing room. I just couldn't bring myself to see what I will look like when I am officially humongous.... So the only thing I bought was a black tulip skirt. Hopefully I can still feel cute when I start to really fill it out!