It's already begun!!

Kenny and Tim ( Rebekahs fiance) are enjoying  some "man time" at the good ol' Bass Pro Shop this after noon!!
I called Kenny to see when he thought thye would be home and to generally see how the afternoon was going.  Kenny asked me if I needed anything.  Yeah, right like I need anything from the Bass Pro Shop!!
Don't get me wrong it's a neat place to go and all but I have all the hunting and fishing items I will ever need. 
This is how our conversation went:
Kenny.. "you need anything?"
Tammy..." what? Me?? Something from Bass Pro Shop?? NO!"
Kenny..." I was looking for a Red Rider BB Gun."
Tammy..." Why? Who needs a BB gun?"
Kenny..." Well, for Critter for Christmas!"
Tammy..."Kenny...really...Critter isn't even born yet! Don't you think next Christmas might be more appropriate?"
Kenny..." well...you don't want him to get behind!"

Holiday Shopping.....

I was so excited to finish my shopping for Christmas. I had done most of my shopping online and early in the year to avoid the madness of the malls and department stores. I still however had a few things I needed to buy.
I asked a friend who has lived in Lafayette for over twenty years “What is traffic like during the holiday?”
Her response was “oh, not that bad! Don’t, worry about it.” I of course, took her statement literally.

So, yesterday I ventured out to the mall. I was cruising at A GOOD PACE when I had to come to a stretching halt. I thought to myself “wow, there must be an accident or something.”
After sitting in that same spot for over twenty minutes I realized that it was not any accident but in fact the traffic on one certain road that runs in front of all the “big” stores. It was so slammed with cars that it was over flowing onto the other streets. I sat in that one spot for over thirty minutes! It took me over 45 minutes to get two miles up the road.
I thought to myself “well, thank God I went the bathroom before I left or I would have a problem.” But then my gas light went on. Holy Mollie!! I was going to run out of gas right in muddle of the road and I would have to get out six months pregnant and push my car to the side of the road.
After five minutes of panicking, I decided to try to change lanes so that if I did run out of gas I could just coast to the side of the road. What is it about the holiday that it brings the “crazy” out in people? All I wanted to do was get over and not a single car would let me …They honked at me like “how dare you even ask!”

I spent three hours shopping and out of those three hours, one and half was sitting in traffic! When I asked my friend why she didn’t tell me how the bad traffic really was is she said “I said don’t worry about it but I didn’t say it wouldn’t happen!”
The Moral of the story is never take a Cajuns word for it.

Oh, and next Christmas I’m going shopping with water, snacks, a full tank of gas and a pee-pee jar!

This baby has got to have a sense of humor!

This baby has got to have a sense of humor!

I have four older brothers. Two of my brothers Jerald and Whitie have always been…well, how should I put it nicely? Jerald and Whitie have always been the ones with the sense of humor. If they could tease you about something, they did! If they could pull one over on you, they did! They are quick with a funny come back and are always up for a good laugh… even if it's at their own expense.

My mom was the victim of many of their pranks as kids. I have told you my mom has her own crazy sense of humor and loves to laugh so I can't imagine the boys getting into too much trouble. I have fond memories of the family sitting around the kitchen table listening to them retell a funny joke (not always clean) or giving us a play by play reenactment of their latest shenanigans!!

My nephews (their sons) learnt early on to be leery of any "special presents" that came just for them at Christmas- ask Jay Dee about the baby doll he got one year all wrapped up (he cried, LOL). Toddlers weren't immune to their tricks- Katie's first Christmas they gave her two Christmas stockings… one for each foot and made her wear them. She looked ridiculous and couldn't walk but they laughed and laughed! The tradition of gag gifting has been carried on to this day.

In Kenny's family his dad was the jokester. My first Christmas in the family Kenny's dad wrapped Joyce's gift in feed sacks and bailing twine… nice touch. We have a saying about the Flaming's "if it's funny the first time it's funny the 100^th time!" They will run something stupid you said or did into the ground!!

Teasing and picking on each other is an acceptable form of entertainment. Unless, of course you're the victim! As a family we love to laugh weather it's at our self or at someone else. That's probably why we love to people watch.

Isn't that what families are supposed to do… laugh, tell stories, keep each other on our toes and enjoy being together??

Face book has given us a new means by which to tease and pick on each other. And it has allowed us to expand our circle of victims to include those that live far away from us. I love going back and forth with Kenny with catty comments and stupid things. Below is a face book conversation that just makes me "laugh out loud!" Cole you better be ready baby, it will be your turn soon!

Katie Baker:     New baby Cole blog coming soon! Anything ya'll would like to know?

Any questions you might have, I will answer in this next blog! Send them to me!!!    

Paula McBride:    The Baby's name is Cole?

Jessie Baker:    Is he going to be ugly like his father?

Jessie Baker:    Can he eat solid foods yet?

Jessie Baker:    Does he like beer?

Katie Baker:    Ok, all questions except from Jessie Baker…

Katie Baker:    Yeah, the baby's name is Cole

Jessie Baker:    Does he have any special babe magnet powers like his Uncle?

Jessie Baker:    Can he count to 10 in Spanish?

Jessie Baker:    Can he burp his ABC's?

Love it!! This is classic!! By the way she hasn't written that new blog yet, LOL!!

IT'S A BOY !!!!

December 2, 2009 started off normal, you would have never known it was going to be the second most exciting day of my life second, only to my wedding day!! I was excited and nervous.
I had horrible dreams the night before about having girl triplet and they all hated me. I was a bit tired and a little upset because I thought “Man, I really am going to have a girl!”
At 11am I got a phone call that upset me… my doctors office called and said they made a mistake on their schedule and they weren’t able to fit me in today for the ultrasound at 2:30. The only way they could see me today was if I came in right now!
I was so upset!! I cried and cried because I really wanted my mom to be there. I wanted my mom and husband and sisters all there with me. I have had 20 weeks to build this day up in my head and I was devastated when it didn’t turn out the way I thought it should.
I called both Jake and my mom crying because I was so mad and disappointed. Both of them talked me off the ledge and calmed me down. Sometimes that is a pretty hard thing to doJ
Jake, Kendra and I went to the ultrasound and everything happened so quickly!
The ultrasound tech looked at the heart, kidneys, lungs, bladder, brain, spine, and umbilical cord and said that everything was normal. To me that was the sweetest words I could have heard “the baby is normal and right on track”.
Then the moment of truth came …. The moment I have been so excited about!!
We saw his penis and when we did, she said “IT’S A BOY!!”
Love for my husband and love for my son filled me. I looked at Jake and the look on his face was beautiful. He looked like he was ten years old and he just got his first bb gun. It was a look that I can only wait to see again when he gets to hold his son for the first time.
The ultrasound tech said “Wow, this is certainly a boy, no doubting that! He is all boy!”
Jakes face again swelled with pride and happiness. I kept looking at him and crying.
I had a great day even though my mom was not able to be at the appointment but she did come after. We went shopping for baby boy stuff and had a celebration dinner.
It was amazing to go shopping for baby clothes with my mom. I have waited a long time to be able to experience that with her and it was what I always imagined. We looked all over the mall until we found the cutest cowboy stuff at Gymboree!
I kept telling her how happy I was that she was here and my sisters too. I am thankful to Jake for moving me closer to my family because I don’t think I would want to experience this without my mom. My family won’t know what to do with a boy but Jakes’ family is very experienced. I am grateful that his mom will be readily available to answer any questions I have about boys because I am sure I will have a lot!!
I can’t wait for more excitement to come… picking out clothes, furniture, the baby showers and the changes in me that is yet to come. I have a feeling this baby is going to be very spoiled but don’t worry I will keep him in lineJ
I will post his pictures on the blog tonight!!!!
Oh and we are thinking about the name Cole, what do y’all think???

Thanksgiving 2009

For the first time I was the Commander of the kitchen and actually had a willing and able crew to boss around. I cannot tell you what a joy it was to have someone to go over the menu with and to have someone volunteer to purchase and prepare dishes. Of course, I have always been the primary cook and upon request (albeit loud, repeated requests) I would receive the usual half hearted, whinny assistance one would expect from lazy teen agers. As remarkable as it may sound I didn't even have to raise my voice or cry or make threats of physical violence to obtain help in the kitchen.
This year Kenny did not fry a turkey and he left the cooking of the bird to me and Katie. I know that sounds like a big mistake on his part but it all turned out. Katie did refuse to touch the turkey and I was a little confused about where exactly you put the stuffing- who knew the bird had two cavities to stuff!! We wraped the bird in a foil cocoon and forgot about it until its appointed time and the turkey turned out perfect!
Between me, Grandma Bada, Paula and Katie we had the rest of Thanksgiving dinner in the oven in no time. I didn't even peel a potato; I did however endure some criticism of the condition of my potato peeler!
At first, I thought Paula's smarty pants remark "whoever uses this peeler better have their tetanus shot up to date" was going to lead to a mutiny but desertion was adverted when I produced a brand new shinny peeler. The small scuffle over who got to use the new peeler just added to the festivities and turned out to be all for not because the shinny peeler was about as sharp as a butter knife!
Have I mentioned how good it was to have little ones under foot again! It's been a long whiel sense we've had extended family with us for a holiday- and we loved every minute of it!!  I wasn't surprised when the girls and Grandma Bada refereed a game of indoor hide and go seek from the couch. I was surprised however, when Cousin Jake turned out to be 2 yr old Ava's favorite. Ava would sit in Cousin Jakes lap and play with her baby doll and rub her nose with her blanket. Uncle Rachel and Cousin Jake were definitely the favorites!
Soon enough we will have a brand new baby to pass around and to play with. He will bring excitement back to the old boring holidays! The timing is perfect. So move over Kendra and Rachel!! We will have a new little buckaroo in charge of the holiday/ family gathering entertainment. So go on with yourselves and dump us for your friends, your cell phones and the mall! See if we notice you are missing after the baby gets here!! That is as long as the potatoes have been peeled!

Man Humor

 

I was quite surprised when I opened my email and found this sent to me by my husband, Kenny with the subject line "for your blog" on it. Kenny and Jake have not been strong, avid supporters of "The Baker Baby Project." They haven't told us we couldn't do it… like that would work. I know Kenny is reading it; curiosity killed the cat you know. But when I have asked what he thought of the latest blog entry I have just gotten the "one grunt answer."

Ladies, you know what I'm talking about. It is "the grunt!" You know, the one that says: "Does it matter what I really think? You are gonna do what you want to do anyway?"

It's the sound of a husband who has finally realized that it is better to pick and choose your battles carefully and some battles you will never win!

Kenny and Jake have teamed up against me and Katie on more than one occasion. Oh, but they have paid for it!

To fully appreciate the bond that Kenny has with Jake you have to first understand that Kenny was the only man in our house for 17 years -or there about. I know it's been lonely being the only one to leave the toilet seat up.

When your house is full of cabbage patch dolls, little plastic pretend food, barrettes and "hair thingies" you have to do what you have to do to keep your man card.

It's been a battle of the sexes! He never played tea party, nail polish was banned from our house and he never wore pink. He has always been rough and enjoyed torturing us girls with pellet guns, water hoses and stinky armpit hugs. However, we have learned that the word "tampon" will make him clear the room in 2.5 seconds.

    When Katie married Jake finally Kenny has someone that thinks like him in the house. The reward for surviving raising four daughters is the promise of having son-in-laws and the ultimate reward is the possibility of having Grandsons!!

 

So this entry is from the Grandpa to be…its right about his speed….it's man humor:

 

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?

A: No, 35 children is enough.

 

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?

A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

 

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?

A: Childbirth.

 

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.

A: So what's your question?

 

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?

A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

 

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?

A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

 

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?

A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

 

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?

A: Yes, pregnancy.

 

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?

A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

 

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?

A: When the kids are in college.

Dr visits and God

Monday: Dentist Appointment- root canal
Tuesday: ENT- hearing tests.
Wednesday: OBGYN- baby’s heart beat

Needless to say it has been a crazy and busy week.
The root canal was painful because my gums are enflamed and tender. But the worst of it is over.
The ENT visit gave me some peace and answers about the pulsing I can hear in my ears. They said it is a common occurrence due to the increased arterial flow that occurs during pregnancy BUT over the next week I must perform several tests and make sure the pulse is in perfect rhythm with my heart beat. If it is not I have to have a MRI.
The OBGYN visit was great! The baby has shifted to the left side and his heart beat is strong and steady.
I love hearing the heart beat because it makes me feel like “okay, he’s still in there. This is not a horrible joke. I am pregnant!”
I was reading my baby book to Jake a couple of days ago and I found myself overcome with emotion and awe of Gods glory. I can’t believe that I, Katie Baker, am growing a human life within me. I know that most women talk about feeling connected to the baby but really I feel very connected to God. I can’t stop thinking about how God has made my body to be such an amazing, safe place for new life to be able to form and grow. What a gift!
I look at the ocean, the mountains and nature all around me and think this it is amazing but I feel God gave the greatest gift He could give to us humans…the ability to bring a soul into this world. There is something breathtaking about the growth cycle of a new human life.
I don’t want to become corny but those are the emotions I have inside me and I wanted to share them with you.

I used to think that God gave all His beautiful gifts to nature but I now know He gave the most wonderful gift of all gifts to mothers……

Ten Things I promise to never say after the baby is born…

1. Katie, you look tired!
   
2. Don't you have anything healthy to eat in this house?
   
3. I don't want to interfere but….
   
4. Good Grief, give that baby whatever he wants!
   
5. Will you quit telling me to wash my hands?
   
6. I survived just fine without a lactation consultant and a "Boppy pillow"
   
7. Do you really think that's a good place to put that?
   
8. When was the last time you dusted?
   
9. Have you finished those thank- you notes yet?
   
10. No, I don't want to hold the baby!
    

    
     

    I am sure this list will have to be modified from time to time.
    

Week 15

I’m now 15 weeks and everything is changing so quickly.
According to “The Book” my baby is growing hair, moving and starting to learn how to swallow and suck. It’s very exciting for me and I can’t wait until I can feel the baby move!
My body is starting to feel different. I have a lot of pains in my hips and lower back. I know it’s because my body is starting to shift to accommodate the growing baby and preparing for upcoming presences of a full term baker baby. I have been emotional over the past four months (we all know about my emotional outbursts) but this past week I can just talk to my belly and I get all teary eyed.

The past few weeks have been great, very little morning sickness! I have pushed it a bit and paid the price but over all I have felt good. The only thing that’s going on that gets me really upset is the problems I’ve been having with my ears.

For the about two weeks I have been hearing my heart beat in my right ear. Not a ringing- but an actual “swoosh, swoosh, swoosh” that is in perfect rhythm of my heart beat. Weird, Huh?
I have not been congested or sick. Just one day I woke up and I could hear my heart in my ear. I let it go for over a week and Jake finally demanded I go to the doctor. The doctor looked in my ears, throat and nose but could not understand why I was hearing my heartbeat in my ear. I have no infection, water, swelling in either ear. He stood there and said “I have no idea what’s wrong with you!”
I told him if I died of a tumor next week I would be pretty mad about it. He didn’t laugh, so that freaked me out even more. So I now have a doctor’s appointment with an ENT doctor and also some hearing tests have been set up. It’s traveled to my other ear and now I have a headache that has been constant sense Friday.

So other than that I feel great and I’m really excited about the weeks to come.
I talk to my belly every night and I tell the baby how much I love her/him.
I’m sorry this blog is not very funny or upbeat but this headache is really taking a toll on me.

I will write more later after my doctors appointment and let you know the outcome…

Just a little venting

There are several things that annoy me…..but that list is way to long to get into.
So I will talk about only two today and only one has to do with the baby.

1- I hate cops that sit on the side of the road all day and just wait for people to speed by just so they can pull them over and give them a ticket. Then the cop goes right back to the same spot and waits for the next person.
Since 8 am this morning I have sat at my desk and watched a cop pull over people. He has been sitting there for over six hours... just waiting for people to speed by. Nine times he has gotten that poor sucker that was speeding. I hate it when cops set their little speed traps. I know we aren’t supposed to speed…Blah blah blah!!! The cops are out right now but come Friday night when the streets are full of drunks, you can’t find a single one! Where are the cops pulling people over then? They worry about speeders on a 45 mile an hour road but when the street leading from the bars are slammed packed with crazy drivers you can’t find a single one sitting on the side of the road.
The cop just got someone again, poor guy, he had no idea he was driving into a trap!

2- I hate it when people ask you how are you feeling when clearly you look like crap.
I had the most interesting conversation with someone yesterday morning, it went like this:
Rude Person: “Good Morning! How are you feeling today?”
Me: “I am okay. How are you?”
Rude person: “Really, you’re okay? You kind of look like crap?”
Me: “Wow, I was trying to give you the nice answer and not bore you with all my stuff.”
Rude Person: “Well, I asked you the question. I can clearly see you don’t look that great.”
Me: “Okay, here is the answer to your question. I threw up cranberries in my trash can right before you came in and the smell of my throw up is so strong I feel like I could throw up again. My head hurts because I can barely sleep at night because my back is sore. My stomach hurts because things are shifting around in there and I feel bloated!”
Rude person: “uuummmmm”
And he walks away………

A Fish Story

I have been craving Spicy food. I love it; I want my throat to burn!!
I got it in my head that Sushi with tons of wasabi and soy sauce was the food I wanted to eat more than anything in the world. I looked online and read about the dangers of Sushi.
Guess what? There really is little danger, although they recommend you eat it in small portions. Hot Dog!!!!!! I mean SUSHI!!!!!
I told Jake, “Go get me two veggie rolls and one Philly roll.” Of course he complied- you don't mess with a hungry pregnant lady!!
I was so happy; I danced around the kitchen, singing in my head, “I am going to eat sushi, I’m going to eat sushi!!”

I proceeded to eat all of my sushi with the most wasabi sauce I have ever eaten in my life.
My tummy was singing me praises. I was so happy and satisfied. I happily settled down to watch some TV but about 45 min later...things weren't as settled down as I had thought.

My tummy started to make this awful rumbling sound. I ran to the bath room and threw up everything! Oh, but this wasn't just any little round of morning sickness! This was the Mother of all morning sickness!!
CAUTION! STOP READING NOW IF YOU ARE EASILY GROSSED OUT
The seaweed came out in whole, green pieces and everything burned of wasabi. The thing I had loved and longed for was turning on me. The most awful part was that the rice and veggies had congealed into this horrible jello like substance. I was throwing up sushi jello! Slimy, fishy and thick sushi jello!!
I was hurling so violently that I could barely breathe. In a panic, I decided to try to inhale between explosions. BAD IDEA!!! When I inhaled I actually shot vomit up and out of my nose and out of my mouth- at the same time!! I felt like I was drowning, so I panicked even more and started crying. So to sort this out …. I had fish jello throw up coming out of my nose and mouth and I couldn't’t breathe for at least thirty seconds. I saw my life flash before my eyes. I knew I was going to die. Jake would find my cold body slumped over the toilet. This was the end.

Thank goodness everything finally came out and I stopped throwing up and I could breathe.

I had cheated death once again!!
I don't think I will be eating Sushi anytime soon, if ever again!!

It was the worst thing that has ever happened to me! Possibly the worst morning sickness experienced in the history of morning sickness! And I'm not exaggerateing!!

I shall not wear granny panties!!

I have raised my four daughters with a certain rite of passage. You may be familiar with it and you may not. You may have unknowingly even participated. It is…… get ready, drum roll please……The move up from packaged panties to the Victoria's Secret 5 for $25 panties!!! Yeah you know what I'm talking about! I, being a product of the 80's never experienced this rite of passage. I was already carrying around my post child birth body when we discovered Victoria's Secret and frankly those cutesy panties scared me and VS does not make a full brief tummy control panty. Also, 5 dollars a pair, when I can get a whole package for 5 bucks??? Nope, not for me!

Just last week I took Rachel into VS to redeem a coupon for a free panty. That's how they lure you into their store! They dangle a cute little pair of free panties in your face and then they slam the front door shut and there they have you!!

Rachel actually had two coupons. She was kind enough to encourage me to use one coupon and get a free pair of panties for myself. I knew this was a ploy of hers, to fain generosity. It worked. I ended up spending forty bucks on weird stuff like hand sanitizer, room spray and foaming antibacterial hand soap that was 75% off. However, I did get the free panty.

Shopping for that free panty was an ordeal and a half!! Usually when we go to VS I just look around at the little skimpy costume like things they have up front called lingerie. I will hold the little thing up like I'm examining the quality of the garment. I'll hold the tiny garment up to my huge bosom. Occasionally, depending on how ornery I'm feeling, I'll ask the girls for an opinion. This usually hurries up whichever daughter is buying underwear quite a bit!

After looking around where Rachel was picking out her panty I quickly decided that the "pink" VS brand was not for me. In our particular VS they keep the more expensive, more mature panties in the rear of the store (no pun intended) so I ventured back to that department. The display was very cute. They had about 50 billion different styles of underwear. Bikini, Bikini high rise, boy cut, hipster, lace waist, etc. etc. It was very over whelming!! And what happened to the little numbers?? VS does not use numbers as sizes but small medium and large. I didn't like that!

With a lot of eye rolling and snide comments from Rachel I finally was able to pick out a pair. What the heck, they were free.

An amazing thing happened!! I fell in love with my free pair of panties!! The cotton felt so rich and the cut was perfect and they just stayed were they were supposed to!!! And the cute little print was fun and made me feel special! How could I resist? I was skeptical, I just knew that upon washing them the glamour would fade. But it didn't they were just as heavenly as the first time!!

I was looking at my pitiful collection of granny panties and was overcome with rebellion! I will not wear granny panties!! I will not!!! Saturday I went down to VS and spent 50 dollars on panties. I have never ever spent that kind of money on something so silly before in my life. And you know what? It felt good. Kind of naughty, but GOOD!! When I arrived home I threw out all of my granny panties.

I can just see it. 50 years from now I will be in a nursing home and all of us old ladies will be wearing Victoria's Secret panties. Now I call those granny panties!!

 

P is for........Embarrassed!

I never knew that pregnant women puke and tinkle at the same time. Every time I feel the urge to hurl I go to the bathroom, sit down and pull out a puke bag. It’s the most embarrassing thing ever. I cannot believe I am actually writing about this in a blog!

I feel like I need to get over a few things…..

1- My belly is now the center of attention.
The doctor, the two nurses, my husband and my mom are all there for the ultrasounds. It’s a very odd feeling having everyone focus on me and my belly.
2- Vomiting is a fact of life.
I have puked in front of every person here at work. Once, in front of a group of pilots. They all had sour looks on their faces when I finished; I was quite embarrassed to say the least. I have puked in the car more than a dozen times. People driving by get to see me driving with one hand while holding a puke bag and crying-all at the same time. Did I mention, I drive a stick shift?
3- I am gassy.
Just the other day I tooted in front of a co-worker. It just slipped out, I was so embarrassed! I almost cried!!! I wanted to play it off like “WOW, what a noisy chair!” but by the look on his face, he knew exactly what happened. I get really bad gas if I have soda. The carbonation really messes with my stomach.

I never knew I would have so many embarrassing moments being pregnant.
I would like to know some of your embarrassing moments. Did you ever vomit in front of your boss or pee your pants? Share your stories with me, I could use the encouragement!
Thank you to everyone who is reading this blog!! We have had over three hundred hits and I'm pretty sure thats just me and mom looking at it everyday!

"What did you say?"

I was standing at the sink, happy in my little world. When Jake came up to me and grabbed my butt. At first I was like “hey, hey good lookin'” but then he said three little words… "It’s gotten bigger!”
I spun around so fast my hair slapped him across the face. I stood there with horror on my face and looked into his happy smiling eyes and screamed “WHAT DID YOU SAY?”
He slowly started to back away and a look of complete confusion and fear fell on his face.
Jake slowly repeated himself “It’s gotten bigger, I like it. What's so wrong with saying that?”
Hot tears flowed down my face as I sobbed “I am only in my first trimester. I’m not supposed to get bigger!!!”
He then turns me around and grabs my butt, yet again. This time he proclaims,“Oh, I was wrong! It's not bigger! You were just standing in a way that made it feel bigger.” Then he walked away.
For the next hour I looked at my backside in the bathroom mirror. Obsessing over if it was indeed bigger.

I have come to the conclusion...my husband is an idiot!

Lost Dogs, Empty Rooms and Teen Agers

It seems like everyone in our family is going through something right now: some of it good and some of it not so good. Career paths change, you move into a different home, children grow up, parents grow older, and life goes on. Growth and change is the nature of the family entity.

Rachel is now finding out what it's like to be an only child. She even admits she doesn't like how quiet the house has become. Change.

Kendra is a college student now. Out from under us for the first time and yet not too sure about her new found freedom. Change.

Rebekah's roommates have all moved out and she's all on her own. Now more than ever since her little Molly dog ran away. Change.

Katie is getting a small taste of parenthood with Kendra moving in with her. Katie is overwhelmed with worrying about Kendra getting up on time, making good choices, being safe etc, etc. Now Katie is seeing a little bit of what it's like to have a teenager instead of being the teenager. Change.

I have had so many different phone numbers and cell phone numbers I could not even begin to list all of them. Change.

Some things aren't supposed to change. Mommy and Daddies are supposed to love each other forever. Children aren't supposed to die before their parents. Home is supposed to always be a safe place. Change.

Sometimes the fear of change keeps us from dealing with issues in our lives that need to be handled, sin that needs to be confronted and taking that stand that needs to be made. Change.

I read that a healthy marriage "breaths." I believe a healthy family breaths. You adapt to the natural changes that occur in life. Change is scary, it sometimes hurts and you oftentimes cannot control it. But change is necessary to grow and to experience the next thing God has for you. If you live your life holding your breath in fear of what's around the corner you're not really living. Change.

I'm not holding my breath. I am determined to breath in every moment that life has to offer. The good smells ( like the smell of a freshly bathed baby) and the not so good smells ( like a teenagers bedroom)… I want to breath them all in!!! Change.

Angel or Monster

I have started thinking about what type of personalities my baby will have. Will it be a little monster or a little angel? We all know that perfect child that is so sweet they could melt ice with their sweet smile. On the flip side we all know that little child that is such a horrid little monster it makes you question ever having children.

Jake has such a different personality from me. He is a good country boy, non- wavering, technical thinker. I on the other hand am wemsical, emotionally driven, and a creative thinker. So what traits will our child pull from us?

Having taught school last year, I have come across many different types of children.

I had this little four year old boy in my class that would pat me on the butt and tell me how much he liked my big booty. He was a hand full; he used to tell me a light saber could cut off my head in 3 seconds. Also, in cirlce time he pointed out that my boobs were bigger than my assistant teacher's boobs (and he was right about that).  
This same boy used to get so mad he would slam his head against the wall as hard as he could.  No, he did not emotional problems.  He was just a very smart, manipulative little boy.
He was the perfect birth control for an entire year.  I loved the kid but he seriously made me reconsider having children. No matter how bad he got, he could always weasel his way back onto my good side. Lol
On the flip side,  I had the sweetest little boy ever in my summer class. He would sit in my lap and suck his thumb and tell how much he loved me. He would catch Rolly Polly bugs as presents for me. He used every word I used like "fabulous" and "are you being sassy?" (I loved using the word sassy in class)
He would pet my hair and say "When I get older, I will marry you. You can live at my house with me and my mommy!"
He told me I could sleep on his top bunk because he was not allowed to because he fell off once.  He would bring me pages he colored and rings he found at garage sales. He cried when he had to leave my class and it nearly broke my heart to watch him walk out of my life on the last day of school.It was those children that showed me that kids are wonderful, creative, imaginative and beautifully honest.

Nursery Theme!!

Katie, Rachel and I went shopping yesterday.  Katie drug us to her favorite store....Hobby Lobby!
We tried shopping at Kirklands but the smell really got to Katie so we had to leave.  That led to a trip to Starbucks...just to settle her tummy.  That  girl is workin' it, I tell you!! Just teasin' Katie- I know you really felt bad.
Anywho, at Hobby Lobby Katie found her inspiration for the Nursery.
The theme will be The Wild West!!
If it's a little Buckeroo she wants to use vintage, retro fabrics.  You know the kind you imagine a little boy wearing on his pj's! She wants the more vintage inspired color pallet for a boy.

If the baby turns out to be a little "Calamity Jane"  then she wants to go with pepto pink and chocolate brown.  Sounds like her morning sickness gave her some inspiration! 

We found the sweetest little things at Hobby Lobby!

    We just loved the paisley and stars!

      (a close up of the matching fabric)

I just couldn't wait to share what we came up with!! 

I think it will be fun to collect some nuetral accents while we are waiting to find out if he's a girl or boy.

Rachel wasn't all that thrilled shopping for baby stuff!  Actually, Rachel gets kinda mad when I spend my money on anyone but her!  She better just get used to it....move over Rachie you are not the baby in the family for much longer!!

I Love This Baby!

I have never felt real fear until Tuesday night. It started out just a regular night.  I was having a few stomach cramps that quickly turned into "I may lose this baby." Having lost one baby, it was my  one fear that was always lingering around. I was totally frantic, every bad thought that could possibly find their way in did. I never felt such a cold wave of fear hit me before. I started praying that this was just spotting and nothing more.
It's weird how much I love this little bean inside me already. I want to protect it and I would already give up anything I own if it meant its safety. I love day dreaming about Jake holding our baby, teaching the baby to walk, and holding the baby at night.
In two seconds I felt it all rip away from me…… I don't ever want to experience that again. I know it's kind of dramatic but its how I felt. Call it hormones, call it whatever you want but I realized I love this baby!I am thankful for a great doctor that I'm very confident in. My mom was there for me during the whole thing. I was happy she got to hear the heart beat with me and Jake for the first time. The baby's heart beat was so strong. I instantly felt happiness and pride swell up in me when I heard that sweet little thump thump. I looked at Jake and mom and said "it's so strong!"
I will, for the next six months, take it very easy and do everything I can to keep stress down.

I will post more later about everything that happened but I really need to eat dinner right now…. J

I’m so classy ….

Mix morning sickness and the smell of a dentist office … you're asking for trouble.

I went even though I felt like I might spew like Mount Rushmore. I even threw up a little bit in the parking lot before I went in (classy, I know). I had to get  my permanent crown put on.

The ladies are so sweet in my Dentist's office!  They said they were going to "go slow and try to get as much done as possible. "
I was thinking...." GO SLOW??? Go as freaking fast as possible, or I will throw up in your beautiful dentist's chair.!!"

To make a very long.... gagging... stomach turning story short: they had to stop 30 minuets in.


The Dentist does not like being thrown up on……….my next appointment is in 5 weeks...under the condition the morning sickeness is gone!

First Baby Picture!

Katie is in fact in her 6th week.  Originally it was guessed that she was 9 weeks but the sonogram shows that "he" is exactly 6 weeks old.  We got to watch the little heart flutter and we even got to hear the heart beating!

Keep "him" in your prayers- katie has been spotting a little bit.  Katie has been put on bed rest for a few days.  Pray that her morning sickness will ease up.  She has a funny story to share about morning sickness and going to the dentist.  Not a good combination!!

Practical Christian Living

Katie has observed that Kenny and I are different parents now with Kendra and Rachel than we were with her. I would have to agree. For one I am a different person now than I was 5, 10 or 15 years ago.
Our circumstances have changed; my walk with Jesus has changed- as it should. We parents are growing up right along with our children. Or at least we should be. Parents should be growing as individuals. I was a dumb kid when I got married. But at least I had enough intelligence to know I was in way over my head. I did a lot of reading of the Word of God and Godly books on parenting and Christian living. Thank God for Dr. Dobson and Focus on the Family on the radio!
I hope Katie and Jake will skip some of the growing pains that Kenny and I experienced. I know they already have a head start on us just because they have waited longer than we did to begin this whole ordeal. I believe they have matured and grown closer together a lot in the past 4 years.
I can't wait to see Katie's reaction when we get to spoiling that grandbaby! I have a feeling that Papa Kenny will be just as good as Grandpa Loren was at spoiling and breaking the rules. However, the greatest thing we can give our grandchildren will be the heritage of a strong Christian family.
I have been on the internet looking for something I came across when I first started homeschooling. It was a list of Christian Family Rules. I know what you are thinking, "here comes the dress code and requirement to get rid of the TV!" True Christian family values goes much deeper than that. I know it may seem a bit, okay, way to soon for Katie and Jake to think about these kinds of things but I firmly believe that their relationship and who they are will set the tone for the their future family.
This is not exactly what I had originally but it is close. Read it and see what you think. This isn't a test… you don't get a pass or fail. It is merely a tool to see if there are areas you need to work on. You might just find out your not doing as bad a job as you thought you were.
Consider the following as symptoms of a strong family. Your goal is to discover the strengths you already have and to prepare your family to get even stronger.

• You catch each other doing things right and you tend to look for the good instead of focusing on the bad.
  
• You have learned how to argue without losing your temper. You have eliminated violence in your relationships.
  
• You deal with each day's problems as they arise, rather than letting them build up.
  
• You have made family a top priority on your schedule and when the schedule gets tough, family wins.
  
• You make time for casual conversations. You talk about feelings, intentions, thoughts, experiences, and actions.
  
• You spend lots of time doing things together as a family and you help each other try new things.
  
• Your family has a positive view of life. You speak about character and growth more than failures.
  
• You tell stories about your parents and your childhood, even if your children are tired of hearing them.
  
• You do something special with your spouse each week - make a date, even if it's just a walk around the block.
  
• You don't label your family members. You allow each person to grow and change.
  
• You have expressed your appreciation for each person in your family. Even with its faults, you're proud of your family. You feel blessed.
  
• You have learned an effective way to resolve conflicts that works for you and your family.
  
• You get help with problems and frustrations before they become full-blown crises.
  
• You have found a purpose or mission in your life that is worth fighting for, and you work at it together.
  
• You've learned when to be flexible and when to be firm.
  
• You've developed a team spirit around the house. Helping out teaches everyone responsibility. It's a mark of maturity.
  
• You have heart-to-heart informal talks with each family member on a regular basis.
  
• You pray with each family member on a regular basis.
  
• You have found a healthy way of dealing with stress - prayer, music, exercise, relaxation, humor, worship, pets, etc.
  
• Your family is aware of the rules and expectations at home, and, although the rules may be challenged, they are respected.
  
• You have found ways to have fun together on a regular basis.
  
• You eat together at least one meal a day.
  
• Your family attends church regularly and is involved at church.
  
• You take a family vacation at least once a year.
  
• You have developed your own family traditions, including birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, anniversary, and other special days.
  
• You have learned how to bless each member of your family, and you give blessings regularly.
  
• You have cried with a family member in the last few months, and you have laughed with a family member in the last few months.
  
• You share your work life. You let your children see you at work and meet your co-workers.
  
• You keep your own passion for life alive.
  
• You share successes as a family, talking about the good things that happen during the day.
  
• You share inspirational stories of people who stand for the values you appreciate.
  
• You honor your children's creations and have set aside an area of the house (refrigerator door) for displaying their creations, awards, and schedules.
  
• Your family speaks openly about church, faith, and religious issues.
  
• You have found ways to talk with your children about tough issues like drugs, sex, race, honor, and death.
  
• Every once in a while you do something crazy with your family.
  
• When your family faces a crisis, you pull together and find a way to deal with it successfully.
  
• When you make promises you keep them.
  
• In your family, Dad is involved with the children. He is the family leader.
  
• You feel safe and secure within your home.
  
• You have a challenging, but fulfilling marriage.
  

(Courtesy of John Mark Ministries)

Stars and Glitter!

Jake bought me the new Sims 3 game. I'm totally addicted and I can get sucked into it for hours but me being addicted is another story.

Lame I know, but I love creating this alternate universe.... that I control everything in! I got online tonight and made my cute little Sim Family, the Bakers.

There is Jake, in a cowboy hat and glasses. Me pregnant, the best Susie home maker of all sims. We live in the perfect house, with the perfect pool, perfect neighborhood, and all the money in the world- thanks to the cheat code I found on line J I spent over an hour creating this wonderful life.
I even decorated the baby room to perfection. I was secretly hoping for twins, so I bought the most beautiful matching cribs. Then all of sudden BAM, my cute little sim starts to clap and sing!!!

She is going into labor!!!!!!

In a cloud of stars and glitter she spins around and out bursts a baby (not twins L )!!! She is clapping,I'm clapping and her happy level shoots through the roof!

That's when reality hits me like a frozen computer screen. My hands start to shake and a full on panic attack starts to sweep over me. I start breathing heavy and my face feels so hot! Why is it all of sudden so flipping hot in here?
Pregnancy is not glitter and stars!!! It's hard, its gross, it's not clapping and singing! Its morning sickness every day, gaining thirty pounds, and crying over the fact that your husband eats the last Jell-O cup. I got sucked into this fantasy world and the real world hit me a little too hard.

I'm scared to death!

TLC...I have a new show idea!

Forget John and Kate, they are nothing but drama. Yes, they brought the whole eight kids thing to the table but I would bring PIZAZZE!
I’m not mean and crazy like Kate. I am a little kooky but in a good way. Jake isn’t passive like Jon. Jake may put up with a lot from me but he somehow manages to keep me from going over the edge. We are openly loving and very demonstrative and boisterous. That’s polite talk for loud, obnoxious and well…you know… we like (wink, wink) each other. We would not pretend to not be in it for the money. We would not casually talk about the latest toy we “purchased” for our baby. We would openly allow our baby to be used for advertisement space.
Let me explain.
There would be whole episodes of me shopping at Target. What wouldn’t be entertaining about me and my mom and my sisters shopping? Jake would not be any of those scenes. He would be at home… on the coach… eating potato chips and talking to our mini Dotson Pixie.
We could do it up just like the race car drivers and get sponsors. I would even be willing to wear a jump suit, a very stylish jump suit, of course. I would wear sponsors like Tide, Gerber, Huggies, Midol and the Nova Ring. Jake would have sponsors like the NRA, Winchester, Viagra (not that you need it honey).
I propose that everyday my baby will wear a onesie with an advertising logo on it.
When passing strangers are drawn to the adorable cuteness of my perfect baby they would look down and WHAM!! The cameras would cut to a close up of the brand of the day!!
We could hang logo banners in the background of our couch talk scenes.
Think of the things we could endorse, we could make a bundle!
Hello Mercedes, here I come!!! Oh, oh maybe I could get one of those free vacations too.
The name of the show would be....
Katie and Jake Plus Eight Minus Seven = Three!!
It could work!!!

My Story

I hope Katie and Jake enjoy every moment of Katie's pregnancy. I know they won't but I hope for the very best. Every pregnancy is different, just as is every delivery and every child that enters the world. The first pregnancy is special because… well, because it's the first and you have nothing to compare it to, no point of reference. Everything is scary and strange and wonderful all at the same time!

For my first pregnancy I did not get to share the wonders of having a little alien growing inside of me with a husband. I was but a scared 16 year old girl surrounded by family and a few friends but no "baby-daddy." Don't get me wrong, it wasn't any less miraculous. It was just lonely, particularly at night lying in bed talking to my stomach all by myself. There were plenty of good times shared with my family and especially with my brother's wife, Jan who stuck by me through it all. Katie brought joy to the whole family and everyone adored her. But being pregnant, 16 and in high school was difficult.

I never got to share the excitement of doctor visits with anyone. Even after I was married Kenny never went with me to regular pre-natal visits. He worked and it just wasn't practical. He did get to go to the ultra sounds and he was there for the births. Jake has already gone to several doctor visits with Katie. I know Jake will be as involved as possible. They will love every moment of it, okay almost every moment. The vomiting, mood swings, weight gain… not so much.

For me every pregnancy has had its own unique story with happy and sad moments. Rachel (baby # 4) is the miracle baby-I got pregnant with her 9 months AFTER Kenny's vasectomy. With Kendra (# 3) I was very hormonal and crazy. I think that is why Kenny decided to get that vasectomy in the first place. My pregnancy with Rebekah (baby #2) is a special gift to me from Jesus. It was everything I missed with Katie. My pregnancy with Katie is a story of loving someone I hadn't even met yet more than I loved myself and doing the right thing even if it wasn't the easy thing to do.

My personal story of repentance, redemption, submission and restoration has just had another chapter added to it…..REWARD! My own daughter being a wife and mother is beyond priceless! Adding more children into our family is going to be a great joy. Kenny and I have the reward of watching Katie and Jake as their story is being written.

RANDOM THOUGHT

Humor is a key ingredient to being a good mother.

Katie will make an excellent mother!

My mom, who is affectionately known as Grandma Bada, has a crazy sense of humor. She says that raising four boys forced her to roll with the punches and learn to see the humor in life. Knowing my brothers I would tend to agree.
I guess I adopted her philosophy. I am sure I will tell you more about that as this blog progresses.

Luvada " Grandma Bada" Watson

Shopping has taken on a whole new meaning

We Flamings love to shop. Back in the day when the girls were little and we were broke (which was just about most of the time) we could "do wall-mart" and never buy a thing. We would try on outfits, touch everything, play with the toys and leave with just toilet paper or whatever was on the real shopping list. Being given 2 or 3 dollars to spend at the dollar store, on anything you wanted was an hour long shopping adventure!

As the girls have gotten older shopping has changed. For one, nobody is happy with just a cheap crappy toy or the promise of candy at the checkout stand anymore. Shopping is more like being engaged in terrorist negotiations. One wrong move and I will be out smarted and will risk sure death by credit card maxation. I know what the enemy is thinking; How much is mom willing to spend, does she only have cash, can I get her to use the credit card, am I going to have to fork over some of my own money, if I tell her how great those shoes look on her I will get to wear them if she buys them. Shopping is not the slow stroll through the mall that it used to be. Don't get me wrong I still love shopping, I have a maxed out JC Penney's card to prove it!

I made my first venture through the baby section at wall-mart Saturday. I am ashamed to admit I felt funny. I felt like I had to suck in my tummy because I didn't want anyone to think I was pregnant! I rehearsed to myself what I would say if someone asked me when the baby was due. Then in the middle of all that sucking in I got offended! Why, I am not too old to have a baby if I wanted to! They better not just assume I am a grandmother!

I was engaged in my own internal hostage negotiations. I am 40 something years old and I still care way too much how other people perceive me. Why do I care what people think? Is it living in the fish bowl of ministry? Oh, I don't know. The hard truth of the matter is nobody thought twice about me shopping in the baby section. They were probably concerned about me walking in circles talking to myself while holding in my stomach more than anything.

Hello Morning Sickness! Its not so nice to meet you....

Today I went home from work because I was so sick and running a slight fever. My OBGYN said there was nothing they would do until the fever hit 102. I may start looking for a new doc because that answer just didn't satisfy me. They said to go home and rest and they would call me when they could "fit" me in. They never called.
I think the term "Morning Sickness" is crap, I have friend that is sick every night and another friend that was sick all day. I fall into the all day group. I woke myself up at 4 am today with the worst nausea I have ever experienced. It lasted until 3pm today. It took me sleeping five hours to get through it. I have been reading "What to Expect When Your Expecting" and the book said that doctors can’t really say why morning sickness occurs. We can put a man on the moon, we can transplant new faces on people, and we can clone sheep BUT WE CANT FIGURE OUT MORNING SICKNESS? I believe it’s a conspiracy...........
Jake is so sweet, he asks kindly every time "is there anything I can do?" I kindly answer "Can you reach down in my throat and take out the vomit that’s lingering?”
I don’t mean it in a mean way; it’s just really he can’t do anything to take it away.......
I know that is has to get better. I don't want to just complain but right now too many things are changing....Like my BOOBS!!
Oh my gosh, It looks like I went up a cup size in a week. In my husbands eyes this is an amazing and fascinating thing for him but for me they feel like I have 10 pound weights strapped to them. If I was a spy and you needed to get information out of me , threaten me with boob weight!
I would break in ten seconds, I never knew how sensitive the "ladies" were until this week.
Jake today at breakfast told me five times that my boobs are huge!!
I told him I knew this, no need to remind me every 20 minuets.

Calling all crazies!!

I received a call today from a hysterical crazy person. I am accustomed to dealing with loonies. Most of the people in my life are certifiable nuts! I know and understand girl drama. I have raised four daughters. There is nothing like a sister on sister cat fight! At times the estrogen level has gotten so high that it has taken Kenny to pull the plug on it and save us from killing each other!

But this is a new kind of crazy. The kind of crazy I have not had experience dealing with. Okay, I have had experience with it but I was on the other side of it. And in my defense that little man at McDonalds was just asking for it! Anyway, I digress. We don't need to get into any of my emotional pregnant outbursts.

Katie has said that I have not given her the pregnancy advice like she thought I would or should. I am a good listener. I do give good advice. I try to see both sides of a situation. So what's wrong with me?

I know first hand that change brings out the best and the worst in each of us. Nothing says change like having the first grandbaby! How do you mother a mother to be? How weird is it that the little girl that not to long ago was making mud pies on the patio is now having her own baby! It seems oh, so right and oh, so wrong all at the same time. My baby Rachel will be 17 years old in a couple of days. Opinions and doctors reports have changed a lot in the past 17 years, so is my advice worth anything?

I think I better get something out in the open now. Katie-I don't have all of the answers. I will give you my advice when you ask for it. Your pregnancy experience will be uniquely yours. I will try to think back and remember what I experienced and share it with you. Don't take my lack of an immediate response as a lack of concern. I just might not know what to say, for once.

If the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I have a feeling that I will be speaking to this crazy person a lot in the next few months. Pray for Jake.

Sleepy so sleepy....

Imagine not sleeping for four days, then working a 24 hour shift, and finally having to do 200 loads of dishes. That's how tired I am. I just slept nine hours and I could go back to bed and sleep another nine. I know in my first trimester , I will be going through so many changes in my body that will drain me. I'm like one of those old ladies that can fall asleep in mid conversation. I have been going to bed everyday at 930 pm. I have not gone to bed this early in since I was 16.
I'm not supposed to have caffeine during the pregnancy, which I have given up completely but how the heck do they expect me to stay awake?
I cant have any caffeine , so what am I supposed to do now? All I want is the biggest cup of vanilla coffee I can get my hands on.The experts say " do light exercises to energize you", I can barely get my butt off the couch to go pee, how am I suppose to go do "light exercising"????

I'm going to be a mommy.....

It feels weird to say that. It does not yet roll off the tongue with ease. Don’t get me wrong, I m very happy and excited. I feel like it’s the right time in my life and I know Jake will be the best daddy a kid could ask for.
I feel like Charlie in Willy Wonka, I have been blessed with a Golden ticket. A ticket that allows me entrance into the most secretive club in the entire world, the “Mommy Club.”
I swear the mommy club is the coolest club ever. Moms can look at one another and just have an unspoken understanding of one another. But just like every club there is a dark side….. the mommy’s who think they are better than all the other mommy’s!
I’m nervous. Will the other mommy’s like me? Will they welcome me into their club or will I be out casted because they don’t think I’m good enough?

You may be thinking right now, “Katie is a little too into” this but I’m serious. I even have an example.
Jake and I went to our first OBGyn appointment on Wednesday. We wanted to make sure everything was going well with our baby. We were sitting in the lobby with three other women. One had already given birth, and two were pregnant, and of course me smiling like an idiot. The lady that had already given birth was a very large, biker, 80’s looking lady with the smallest mouse of a baby I have ever seen. When she got up to leave she did so in a loud, knocking stuff over and slightly embarrassed kind of way. The other two moms rolled their eyes, and looked at her with disgust and never once helped her. I saw the dark side of the club play out right before me……
I immediately got up and helped her open the door. I smiled at her and told her she had a beautiful baby boy. She smiled a smile so sweet; I could see her happiness that I had extended the hand of kindness to her. I shared a mommy smile with her, a smile that touched me to my very core. I, right then in that split second made friends with the mommy that was too large, too biker, and too 80’s looking, the mommy that the other two mommy’s over looked.

Will I ever fit into this club?

Special Delivery!

Katie and Jake gave Kenny and I the most fantastic gift this weekend!!

The only thing is we have to wait about 8 months to reap the full reward of said gift!

Yep, you guessed it they are giving us our first grandchild! We are still in shock.

It is my hope that this blog will allow us to share this exciting time in our lives with our dear friends and family that we have scattered all across the country.

Katie and I enjoy each others humor so much that we decided to share our thoughts and daily observations via this blog. If you read this and decided that we are not infact entertaining please don't burst our little bubble and let us pretend that the world if laughing with us and not at us!