6 month stats

We went to Cruz's 6 month well visit this morning. And thanks to some flurries the "we" that was supposed to be Mommy and Cruz, turned into family day at the Dr. office. Thankfully Daddy held down the fort in the car with all the other kiddos as to avoid any germs waiting to snatch them up in the waiting room while Cruz and I headed inside.

Have I mentioned lately how much I dislike the Dr. visits? Where I enjoy going and making sure everything is on track, here lately I feel so much pressure and guilt. Yes, I delayed shots a little bit and skipped a few but we are only one behind and still quite on track. But, it is always something. I felt like the token bad mom today because I have not lined my kids up for the H1N(one). I was asking if they had seasonal available for Callan (Bay's already had seasonal). I want him to get it because he has gotten the flu the past 2 years and I thought I would test it out and see if it helped this year. He seems to be the one most prone to getting it. But instead, I was given a small "I feel like it is my job to tell you" that it is the H1 that you need to worry about and causing more trouble. I love my Dr. and know she is just doing her job and giving all the facts. But knowing the hour long converstaions we have had about my feelings since Cruz has been born, she looked at me and suggested a mercury filled one for Cruz. I do not like it when people are disappointed with me and I left there feeling like my parenting choices were being frowned upon today. I just pray that I am doing what is best for my kids!

In other news, Cruz was 20 pounds and 28 1/4 inches. His weight is pretty close in line with what Callan and Silas' were (Bay was bout 6 pound more) but he has them all by about an inch in height... and has grown 3 inches since last visit. I think maybe they must have mis-measured last time because 3 inches is A LOT! My boy likes to keep his momma jumping though. If all his issues with his eating, possible allergies, tummy, and sleeping weren't enough. Today he has a little bit of yeast in his diaper area, and he had fluid in his scrotum indicating a hydrocele. Callan also had a hydrocele but it was not discovered until he had surgery for a hernia at age 2. I was given instructions to watch it and see. Sometimes hydrocele's seal back up on their own, so we will see. She also sent me into a little scare when examining his back. Cruz has a hairy back right at his diaper line. It has always been there. We have always laughed at his manly bootie, but after some questioning and pulling from me, she told me that hair there can indicate Spina Bifida. She did not seem to think it was so because it most cases there is also a dimple and the hair is typically coursely textured but again we are going to "watch it". From my research I have found that in some very mild cases people never know they have it until later in life when they go in for an X-ray or MRI because of another issue. A person can go their whole life without knowing and without complication. The only alarm that my research sent out is that because the nerves in the L5 region are pinched due to the spine being off, it can cause bowel issues. My little man has had bowel issues since we started solids. In fact, we are on a Dr. ordered, prunes only diet for 3 days to see if we can clean out the system and get things flowing again. I am going to call the Dr. back tomorrow and see what she thinks about it all and see if further testing is needed. But then again, if people go their whole lives not knowing and are just fine... what is the point in having a label? And if you ask me... Cruz is no different than one or two of his other brothers and their potty issues. It may just be a Jones thing... and the hair may be too.

This parenting business... it is going to be the death of me!

"O-tay Panky""

I have been told now by multiple unrelated passerby's that Cruz favors...



Spanky from The Little Rascals.

What do you think?

Out with the old... in with the new

2009 was a great year!

If I am fully honest here, I will admit that it has probably been one the toughest of my life on a day to day basis. Not because anything happened, but because I spent the first half of the year sick with pregnancy issues (a first in pregnancy for me) and the second half worrying over a fussy baby angel who has forced me to change a lot of the way I live. I think that at least one or two other babies of mine were this difficult, but there was just more of me to spread around. With the brood growing, it is hard for me to have as much time to focus on a child who may or may not be allergic to most everything I eat. But, I do it. Why? Because I choose to. Not because I HAVE to, but because God gave me these angels and they are all I have ever wanted in life. Sure eliminating dairy, nuts, and for a while eggs was hard... still is, but what is one year? I was given these blessings to take care of, and I will do everything in my power, I will give all that I have in me, because I am MOM. I am loved unconditionally, and it is my job to love unconditionally back. I will drive a hour if only to watch my son play baseball for 10 minutes from the car while feeding 4 other kids. I will be Room Mom when I know I should let someone with more brain power and ability. I will work daily one on one with a child who does not seem to understand that (as an educator) I cannot let him go to Kindergarten next year not knowing every letter and sound. I will make my own baby food and I will get up 3 times a night and nurse a baby who should be able to sleep through the night just fine. I will drive to speech classes at the worst time of day and sit in the car with2 other kids for 45 minutes so that she can reach her potential. I will not fear when my 9 year old son goes to a third world country with his dad to minister to the less fortunate. I will do whatever it takes.

I am so thankful to have a husband and family that supports me. I love this life, even when the days are hard. 2009 was a good year, OH I CANNOT WAIT to see what is in store for 2010!

Christmas at Muber and Pa's House

I am having trouble with Blogger uploading my pictures this morning, so I will leave you with just these two.

My grandparents Muber and Pa with my kids. There are 4 other GREAT grandbabies with one on the way just any day now. In the past year they have gotten a GREAT grand child from one of each of their grandchildren. Each of the other three contributed a girl... I of course contributed my precious boy.

Christmas Eve at their house was always part of my Christmas Tradition. As was Boiled Custard and Muber's tray full of homemade chocolate and candy goodies. Even though we changed the day this year and I did not get to partake of any of the milk laden goodness, it was still a Christmas to remember.

Christmas with Nommie and Gandie

(and Bubba and Julie)

Nommie and Gandie are so good to us, they come here Christmas morning. First to see what all Santa brought, and then to have Christmas with us from them... and of course a huge breakfast.





This was Bubba and Julie's (and Jackson and Georgia) year to spend Christmas in Texas so they were not here with us this year. We missed them and I am already excited about spending it with them next year. Bubba and Julie prepared in advance and their presents to the kids have been under the tree for a while now torturing the kids =). We finally opened them when we opened Nommie and Gandie's gifts.

Thank you Bubba and Julie! Every boy needs a machine dart gun and every girl needs a doll that pees!! (They all loved their gifts)

Santa's Visit

The kids were spoiled rotten this year... AGAIN.

They are so good at waiting at the top of the steps... yelling for us and waiting for us to come so that they can come down.


Baylor even went and got Cruz.

Twas the Night Before...

It has become a tradition (for us) that Christmas Eve we get to open one gift, read Twas the Night Before Christmas and the story of the birth of Jesus from Luke 2.
Baylor opened a first baseman's mitt, and loved it. He hopes to be able to play at first some this season.

Callan got Lego's. You can't miss with getting Callan Lego's. He LOVES them. As for me, I am getting tired of finding Lego's all over the house. But I know someday I will miss it, so I just scrape them into piles and keep bins of Lego's everywhere.

Silas who used to be our crazy PJ boy, has now become naked boy. He stays in his undies day and night no matter how cold... but he still loves his PJ's. He got some new Batman, and Superman PJ's, and he got the rare Artic Batman for his Batcave.
Sissy asked Santa for a Mermaid. She has been watching Little Mermaid and loves it. (Mom's dream come true. It happens to be one of my favorite, and she stares at me funny as I sing the songs word for word.)
Cruz got a rolling drum toy. He loves the music. (Forgive the "chillaxin at home" and hunched over baby to fit in photo look)