I know someone who knows someone

Funny story.  My friend Linsey has a cousin, who is married to a retired baseball player.  Because of this, she was chosen to star in a reality show called Baseball Wives on VH1.  The first episode airs tonight at 8:00 pm Central time.  I thinking knowing this woman is Linsey's cousin will make the show a little more interesting for me.  Linsey is the most sweet and polite southern belle I have ever met.  I don't think she has much in common with her cousin.  See for yourself:

Anna Benson on Baseball Wives

The day that puts stores in the black

The rest of the weekend was great for me.  Sadly, Travis had to work all day Friday and most of Saturday.  Aiden and I had it off.  At the beginning of the week, I noticed that Aiden was acting really cranky and he had a little cough when he first woke up.  I was checking his temperature every morning.  Monday it was normal, Tuesday it was a degree high, Wednesday it was at 100 degrees.  When Travis was getting him dressed, he pointed to his ear and said it was ouchy.  How amazing is that?  He told us what was bothering him!  That has never happened!  In the past, we knew something was wrong because he wasn't eating, or he was cranky, or he slept a lot.  But we had to go to the doctor to figure out what it was.  Sometimes we never really found out exactly what the problem was.  He's totally growing up. 

I'm sure someone will frown on this.  I took him to daycare that morning.  I gave him ibuprofen before we left the house, but I had so much to do at work that I had to get in.  I was hoping they wouldn't call me before noon to come pick him up.  I got my wish.  I was able to get him after work and take him to Urgent Care.  I called that morning and his regular doctor's office was busy all day.  I'm not surprised, being that it was the day before a holiday.

We waited for about two hours I think.  It seemed like forever.  There was a woman in the waiting room with a little boy, 3 or 4 years old I would guess.  He was sleeping on a chair by the fish tank - Aiden's favorite area.  So of course every time Aiden went back there and would try to talk to me (talk, not yell or scream), the mom would shush him and say, "He's sleeping.  Shhhhh."  Gah.  I understand that sometimes it can seem so important that your child sleep, but geez lady.  He was just saying, "Fish, Mommy?" as he was pointing at the fish tank.  I tried to keep him out of that back waiting area from then on, but I didn't try too hard.

Sure enough, Aiden had an ear infection.  I'm so happy we were able to get medication for that before the 4-day weekend.  Thanksgiving could have been a lot more difficult. 

So!  Friday morning, I got up BEFORE DAWN and tried out a little Black Friday shopping.  It was my first time to go out the day after Thanksgiving.  Honestly I was a little nervous.  You always here about people getting trampled to death for a $10 toaster.  I didn't want that to be me. 

I only went to a few stores and only one of them was right at opening.  Shoe Carnival opened at 5 am and gave out $10 off gift cards to the first 100 people.  My friends and I made it in the first 100!  Plus, they were having great shoe sales.  I've wanted to buy boots since last winter, but could never get over the guilt of such a large purchase.  The cheapest boots I could find were $60 at Target.  If you went to a department store or DSW, forget it.  You'd be spending $100-200.  As much as I want boots, I'd rather have groceries. 

Back to Black Friday - I bought a pair of $60 brown boots (up to my knee) for 50% off, plus my $10 off gift card.  I got a pair of boots for $20!!  Can't beat that.  Totally made my morning exhaustion-caused nausea worth it.  After we all made our purchases, we went to the Sephora next door.  We also stopped at Walmart, but I didn't buy anything else.  I had what I wanted and was just along for the ride at that point. 

I was home, in bed by 6:45.  I had to be home by 7 because that's when Travis leaves for work.  I was sure that Aiden would wake up when I got home and I wouldn't be able to get anymore sleep.  But I was wrong!  I got to sleep in until 8:30.  Then Aiden climbed in bed with me and we watched Transformers.  The rest of the day was pretty lazy.  That evening we went to the Ramby's for dinner.  Alexa made a Thanksgiving casserole using leftovers that was absolutely amazing.  She heated up some gravy that we poured on top of each serving.  If I ever have enough leftovers to make that, I'll totally be doing it in the future.  Mmmmm...

More later.  I don't want to overwhelm you with my play-by-play's.  Cheers!

T-day in Galveston

Thanksgiving was so easy going this year, it was amazing.  We went over to Ariel and Robert's house in the morning to help them clean and cook.  Since it was nice out, Ariel decided to do the seating outdoors. 

Hostess with the mostess

We ate around 4 pm, an hour later than planned.  Not too bad, considering how things have gone in the past.  We invited our friend Scott to dinner since he doesn't have any family nearby.  Ariel's roommate Bettye and their friends Brandon, Blake and Christy came as well. 

Dinner was FANTABULOUS.  I couldn't believe it, but none of my green bean casserole was left at the end.  I don't usually feel like that's a popular item, but apparently everyone liked it the way I made it with fresh green beans.  The canned mushy green beans gross me out.

I also made a new sweet potato casserole this year.  I don't generally like the sweet potato casserole, so I took control of it it this year.  The bottom layer is mashed sweet potatoes, the middle layer is a pecan crumble (basically it's pecan pie) and the top layer is toasted marshmallows.  The toasted part was an accident, but it turned out really great.

Ariel and Robert fried a turkey and roasted a turkey.  The fried turkey was more firm and really hit the spot.  Travis and I heated up the honey baked ham he got from his boss.  It turned out really great as well.  Thankfully we were able to reheat it right before the meal.

Christy and Blake

Aiden LOVES Brandon.  Brandon is so good with kids, so I know that helps.  Aiden sat in this hammock with him for a good 20 minutes and held on while Brandon rocked the "pirate ship". 

After dinner we ate pie: pecan, pumpkin and apple.  I made the pecan pie because I was hell-bent on getting it right.  For some reason I am only capable of making pecan soup.  The stinking thing never firms up.  Of course it was pecan soup again this year.  We still ate a quarter of the pie.  I took the rest of it home and baked it for another 35 minutes.  That did the trick.  FINALLY.

As we were eating dessert, the Luck's stopped by to say hi!  They were in town to visit family for the holiday.  Logan hung out with family while Sara and JR brought Landry over to visit with Aiden.  They colored with crayons and played with a magnet set that was Robert's when he was little.  Too cute.



I hope everyone had a great holiday!  I enjoyed my 4-day weekend and was quite reluctant to come into work this morning.  If only every month had a 4-day weekend...

A bird in a bird in a bird in a bird in a bird in a pig

Happy Thanksgiving!!  We're spending the day giving thanks with my family today.  Thank goodness for this holiday.



I honestly had to stop watching when they started eating.  My protein nausea couldn't handle it.

15 Weeks Tomorrow

There are so many things I forgot about while being pregnant.  I've been going through my belly book (week-by-week play book of what was going on with me during the pregnancy) and found several things I forgot.  One of the symptoms I didn't remember is the Braxton-Hicks.  I had them with Aiden starting at 12 weeks.  Braxton-Hicks contractions are minor practice contractions that happen in some pregnancies.  They are not debilitating, just annoying.  I get them whenever I am active, like when I walk across campus or when I'm moving boxes around at work.  I've been having them a lot for the past few days.  Just in time for busy Thanksgiving!

I'm already noticing some of the hindering aspects of having a baby bump.  It's larger than it was last time at this point, but it's not gigantic by any means.  Yet.  But I have had trouble getting out of the car in parking lots a few times.  I can't just suck this puppy in anymore.  I have a feeling things are going to get more difficult when it comes to getting Aiden in his car seat.  It's one thing to slip in through the cramped area.  But to stand in it, life a child and then buckle him in.  I'm going to have to start allotting more time to do things so I can let Aiden do more for himself - like climbing in and out of the car.

I'm finding I have much less patience for pregnancy-related problems this time around.  I don't know if it's because I have to take care of another child or if it's the lack of newness.  Last time it was the first time I was experiencing any of it, and if I wanted to sit all day and take a nap, I did.  Oh the days when I was free!

Someone's always sick for the holidays

I'm worried Aiden is going to be sick for Thanksgiving.  He woke up the past two mornings with a hoarse cough.  No fever yesterday.  Today his temperature was elevated one degree.  That could be due to his full-on temper tantrum he threw ALL MORNING.  I gave him ibuprofen both mornings in case his throat hurts.  I tried to ask him if it did, but he didn't seem to understand me.

We are going to do what we did last year and go over to Ariel and Robert's for Thanksgiving.  I'm going to prepare a few dishes in advance so all I have to do is heat them up when I get over there Thursday.  We'll go over before Aiden's nap and let him sleep there.  That way I can help with the cooking.  They are frying one turkey and roasting the other.  Lots o'turkey.  We're hoping to eat at 3pm.  That almost never happens on time, but I can hope!  The best part about eating the meal early is then you have room for dessert and possibly leftovers in the evening.  Ugh, love that.

I did the bulk of my grocery shopping last night.  I have to run by a different store tonight to pick up a few items I couldn't find at the last store.  I NEED this place to have pie crusts, because I really don't want to have to add making a pie crust to my to-do list tonight.  As it is, I already need to pick up Aiden, run to the store, drop of the recycling at the center in Galveston, go home to make dinner and then make a pecan pie.  All after I get off work at 5 pm. 

Definitely stopping for coffee this afternoon.

New World Problems

We have completed our Christmas shopping for Aiden!  Toys R Us is having a ton of sales through Thanksgiving Day, so we wanted to get him done first.  The trick is to keep all that stuff hidden for a month.  I'm sure that will get more difficult down the road.  Now we can focus on gifts for the rest of the family.  My dad won't be coming for Christmas.  He's going to try to come in January or February, but it depends on his work.  I'm not sure if Brenda will be able to make it - she's still up in the air.  Travis still has to talk to his dad, but he usually can't make it because he has plans with his girlfriend or he has to work.

My mom is planning to come for a month, so she will be here for Christmas.  With her, we always draw names out of a hat for gifts.  None of us are particularly well off.  That coupled with traveling for my mom and buying food for the celebrations for Ariel and I, makes for a very expensive month.  Drawing names out of a hat helps alleviate some of that.  Now that we have Aiden, we get to watch him open lots of gifts on Christmas morning.  That has quickly become my favorite part of the holiday.  I'm sure this year will be even better.  Aiden enjoys so many things now.  He will love everything he gets.

Travis and I usually don't get each other gifts for Christmas anymore.  We generally don't have the funds for it.  This year, we thought we'd be buying a dishwasher, but I think we might be able to postpone that until after the holiday season.  It's holding on at the moment.  Barely.  Com'on kitchen appliance!  Hold on for just a while longer!!

Travis bought an iPhone a week ago, but it's on backorder.  He is supposed to get it by Friday.  Only 50% of his current touch screen works.  We can't afford to get one for each of us at the same time.  I'm hoping to get one soon after Christmas.  It seems like my phone senses that I'm ready for a new one because it is going bezerk more often than it used to.  The number one reason I want an iPhone now is for a decent touch screen.  I CANNOT stand it when my touch screen doesn't work.  My current phone is so bad that it won't even recalibrate.  It frustrates me to no end.  I am thankful I bought a flip phone with an actual keyboard on the inside.  I don't even use the main screen of my phone anymore.  I go straight to the inside. 

Oh the problems in my life.  ; )