Monday, May 11, 2009

First Haircut

It was time...his hair was so long and unruly on top and in the front! We needed to get his hair cut! The lady who cuts John hair, Peri, agreed to cut Colt's and he was so good while she did it. And it looks soooooo much better now!

Have you ever heard it's bad luck to cut their hair before their first birthday? I hadn't, but I don't care! He NEEDED a hair cut. We did not cut any off in the back, so the rat tail remains in-tact!

And, yes, I did save some of his hair...though I'm not sure what to do with it. His baby book (which I have so not started) doesn't have a place for it. But I guess I'll put it in an envelope and keep it in the book anyway. I was not sentimental about this day AT ALL, hope that doesn't make me a bad mom! Maybe if he'd had curls or something I would have been sad...I was just ready!

Doesn't he look so grown up?!




Thursday, May 07, 2009

Randomness

Found out yesterday that one of our friends was in a contest to win a trip to the NBA lottery in NYC. He submitted a 7-word reason why he should win a trip with the OKC Thunder and his reason was "Gonna wear my Thunderwear in Times Square". We were sending it all over the FB and Twitter worlds and it worked! He got the call today that he and a guest will be there when the OKC Thunder (hopefully) chooses Blake Griffin! Check out the story here and also the video where the Thunder is calling Randy with the news. Congrats!
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Colt rolled over for the first time today! Well, at least the first time to us. I don't know if he's done it at daycare because they don't tell us. I like that! So the first time we see him reach milestones, it IS the first time! But it was SO awesome because we were both here and he's been so close for a while.

That paragraph seems so boring but it's not! It's really awesome! I can't believe how awesome it is, honestly. Now he wants to roll all the time. Not fun when trying to change his diaper.
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I submitted Colt's nursery to Rate My Space on hgtv.com. I'm still receiving pretty high rates, so that's exciting! My next plan is to submit my master bedroom in hopes that Angelo will come and make it over and we'll be on TV!

Please go Rate My Space and give us 5 stars!
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One of my favorite websites is The Lost Ogle. Which, if you're not from Oklahoma City, you won't find it nearly as funny as I do. Anyway, it's mostly a sports and local politics blog with a sprinkling of making fun of local celebrities. They are HILARIOUS.

Anyway, they keep losing Best Blog contests to Oklahoma mommy blogs...like The Pioneer Woman, maybe you've heard of her? Anyway, they decided they needed to be a mommy blog for the week to better their chances of winning future Oklahoma blog contests. It's hilarious. As someone who write about my kid, I think it's hilarious. Check them out sometime, especially if you're local. This week they are really funny...but only if you don't get offended easily!
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I hate the iPhone.
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Ok, lots more randomness but I spilled most of it on FB and Twitter this week so I won't rebore you. And John is getting awfully antsy because I'm in his chair and he wants on the computer.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Bladcoxerson Baptism

John and I have some amazing friends we've made through all walks of life. Some of our best friends are these folks: Nathan and Liz Blais and their daughter Anna, and Derek and Brooke Adcox and their son Van.

Seems like our life the last few years has been dotted all along the way with these people. As you can see, we've all had kiddos around the same time. We were all married within a few years of each other. Anna and Colt are just 3 weeks apart (Van's the older brother in this scenario at 2 years old!).

Anyway, this past weekend was Anna's baptism. It was an honor to be invited, I've never been to a baby baptism before. At our church, we baptize as adults (or teenagers). It was not too emotional, other than when the priest was asking Liz to commit to raising Anna in a Christian home and being a good example as a mother and Liz started crying, so Brooke and I started crying and it was a whole thing...

Something else to note: because it was my first baby baptism I didn't know we were supposed to dress up. John and I both wore jeans and we walked in and felt SO underdressed. But no time to change so I just made sure everyone knew: "I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A DRESS CODE!"

Also, John is standing on a step...I'm not that short.

Anyway, we love these people (Bladcoxerson is a combination of all three last names). Their families are like our families, and we are blessed to have them put up with us (in B&D's case - 10 YEARS of putting up with the likes of me!).

Love you guys!

Monday, May 04, 2009

What kind of mom am I?

The last 5 months have been so lifechanging for me, and sometimes I stand back and I take a look at my son, my home, my career, my LIFE and just shake my head at how it's all come together. How mature and responsible I feel. And how surprising that I feel mature and responsible...

There are many things about my life as a mom that don't surprise me at all. I'm not at all a germaphobe (some things get me, but in general I don't get bothered by much). I'm not easily rattled by cry fits or dirty diapers or even middle-of-the-night wake up calls. I'm accustomed to going out with Colt, because he's been doing that since his second day of life. In fact, my grandpa calls him "Greyhound" because he thinks Colt has more miles on him than a Greyhound Bus. Probably true. I've even pretty much accepted that my house is going to be messier, more cluttered, and laundry takes longer to do.

But one things that really surprises me about life as a mom is just how naturally it's coming to me. Oh, I don't mean I'm like the best mom ever and I'm an example all should follow. No, I mean that it truly feels like something I was born to do. I was afraid that I would get easily frustrated, have a short temper, get tired of a baby during my DVR time, be afraid to take him out, even have a rough time spending hours alone with him. I had prepared myself to ADOPT but I hadn't prepared myself to BE A PARENT.

But it turns out, I didn't need to worry. Oh, sure, everyone has their moments where it's just too much. But for the most part, I'm so much more patient than I ever realized. I am watching less and less TV and instead making faces or reading books or just laying down next to him to talk. I can read his cries (when there is crying, which is almost never). I have a running timeclock in my head for when he needs to eat or get medicine or change his diaper. I remember when we first brought him home I recorded a log of all those things and studied it religiously. Now, it's all in my head.

I FEEL like a mom. I even sometimes feel like a pretty good mom. No matter where he is or who has him, when he sees me it's an automatic smile. I guess that's the reward I look for, and I like to think that's his way of saying "we've got a good thing going - I love you".

I guess I'm just surprised how different I am, and how not-so-different I am at the same time. He's a part of my life, and it seems to be working.

That's all. I just love being Colt's mom.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Oh how fast they grow

Colt weighed in at 20 pounds today at the doctor.

Which prompted me to look back and see how "small" he was when he was born, a measly 9 pounds, 7 ounces. The first picture is when he was 5 days old. The second, 4 months (taken last week).

I love every back-breaking moment with him!




Monday, April 27, 2009

Hey!! Anybody there??

Ok...so in all honesty I haven't been blogging at either blog in over a week, which is just unheard of for me.

But I've made a decision to start transitioning most of my thoughts over to this blog. So hopefully there will be many more posts to come. Here's to Hope will remain active for people googling or familiar with my story to check in. But I simply can't keep up with blogging, Facebook, Twitter, work, husband, family, friends, baby and OH YEAH!! DVR!!

This blog is about my life, so that means many of my posts will be about being a mom and about the cuteness that is my kid. Since I won't be posting very much at the other one, there will probably be posts about adoption, infertility, and other general everyday TMI.

I hope to, at some point, return to my always entertaining, very exciting posts about Hollywood breakups, people watching, traveling horror stories, and tidbits about things like NOT catching swine flu by eating sausage. (most of you know what I do and who my client is, so you can only imagine the kinds of calls/e-mails we're getting!)

We'll see how long this plan lasts. I am a tad delirious thanks to travel and meetings without so much as a moment to do anything other than Facebook all day. Awesome job, and one of the only benefits to the STUPID iPhone that I HATE.

Hhhhmmm...new posts brewing already...

Stay tuned!

Friday, April 17, 2009

The soundtrack of my death is apparently the theme song to "Dallas"

On Sunday I had to leave for a business trip in Kentucky.

I almost died.

I made this dramatic announcement on Facebook, promising an update to the blog ASAP. Obviously it didn't happen.

So, since today is my 28th birthday, I will update you all with the story in celebration of the fact that I did not die and made it to such a momentous birthday.

This was written Sunday night after finally landing safely in KY.
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So, it was never in the cards for me to have an enjoyable travel experience on Sunday. First of all, it was Easter Sunday...Colt's first Easter Sunday...that would be MY BABY INFANT TINY SON'S FIRST EASTER THAT WILL NEVER EVER HAPPEN AGAIN...but, hey, I got over that three weeks ago when I found out I was going. Can you tell?

It was also my first "real" trip away from him. I went to Dallas for two nights, but traveling to Dallas is really nothing. This was a trip to another timezone, and at least one connecting flight away and for some reason it felt like it might as well have been the other side of the world. I was very nervous and sad about leaving this time.

Finally, it was an incredibly stormy day. Lots of rain, thunder, lightning...very gloomy. Set the stage quite nicely for a near-death experience.

Because it was Easter Sunday we all were allowed to take a later flight out and forgo night-before rehearsal so we could get some time in with our families. I chose between a 3:15 flight that would get me in at 8:30 and a 4:45 flight that got me in at 11:00. I chose the former because I needed a good night's rest.

Everything is looking good, we're on time, we load the plane, I get fabulous gate-checked luggage (all the benefits of checking your luggage without baggage claim!), I settle in next to a very sweet, thin, sweet-smelling teenage girl.

We move away from the gate and head out toward the runway. I say my usual prayer, identify a few babies on board to make me feel safe, and sit back for takeoff. The plane picks up speed and we're racing down the runway. We start to liftoff and all of a sudden we're back on the ground coming to a screeching halt.

The plane had some mechanical issues and the pilots wanted it addressed before we left OKC. Frightening, but I'm not going to argue. My only concern was for my connecting flight in Atlanta, I only had 40 minutes between them. We hang for a minute on the runway before returning to the gate. We're advised it could be a moment and we're welcome to deboard and get comfy in the airport. I go to get booked on the late flight out of Atlanta when we hear that it is a SEVERE mechanical issue and the flight is now canceled! They unload the luggage and take the plane away!! WHAT?! It was severe enough to cancel a flight that almost took off? What if we'd been in the air?

I haven't been afraid to fly in a long time until today...

Eventually I get booked on a completely different airline, connecting through Detroit. Still getting in around 11:00. I'm just glad I wasn't on that other plane.

Anyway, we takeoff safely - and in all fairness they warned us it would be bumpy (remember thunderstorms) - and I proceeded to have the worst flight EVER. Of my whole life. The turbulence was terrifying. Everyone was white-knuckled and I cried through half the flight. I felt nauseous the whole time. Literally, my life was flashing before my eyes.

I tried to turn my phone on to call home and say goodbye to my boys...that's how scary it was. I kept looking at a picture of Colt, so sad that this morning would be the last time I hugged and kissed that little miracle. I kept thinking of how his Easter pictures were on the camera and it was with me and John would never have those pictures because the camera would be burned up in the wreckage of the plane.

I'm not kidding.

As my life was flashing before my eyes, it was all set to music. A strangely familiar song that I later realized was...the theme song to "Dallas". I used to watch that show as a child with my mom (it was her favorite) and that should have brought me some comfort. But NOOOOO...I'm a conspiracy theorist and I just thought it was my childhood flashing before me as I neared my end.

It was terrifying.

In the end, all that calmed me was endless rounds of solitaire on the iTouch and Huey Lewis blaring off the iPod of the guy next to me that every once in a while would overtake "Dallas".

Now I'm here in Kentucky, settled in to look at my presentation one final time before going to bed and getting up in a few hours to pitch new business tomorrow. Awesome. All I really want is to be at home with my boys and my kitty and falling asleep to some HGTV and baby snores. OR, I'd like to be one of the super drunk army guys that slept through the entire experience as their smell of beer wafted through my nose as I prayed for my life. Because that might be good, too...no memory of those horrifying 2-hours.

Oh, when drinking has a benefit....
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There you go. The rest of the story included a flight to Dallas on a plane that had mechanical problems during flight and our cabin wouldn't pressurize. And thankfully a scare-free flight home that lasted all of 45 minutes and allowed me home before Colt's bedtime.

I won't be flying again until...well, next week.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Happy Easter!


BFF

Anna is three weeks younger than Colt and they are both in daycare class together now. The other day Liz (Anna's mom) found matching outfits at BRU for them, pink for Anna and blue for Colt. They were the hit of the class Easter party and made for some cute pictures. Especially when they were holding hands and looking off into the distance!










Clothes Horse

Here is all of Colt's newborn and 0-3 month clothes. An entire tub for 3 months worth of clothes. he is quickly growing out of his 3-6 month clothes as well.

Bittersweet...


Friday, April 03, 2009

Don't hate me because I'm awesome

Boyz II Men.

Tonight, in concert.

With 5 AWESOME girlfriends.

A sit-down dinner with no kids first.

Then slow jams from high school prom.

My friend told me to "have fun tonight at the end of the road".

I will.

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

The making of a perfect photograph

For every awesome photo we post, there are a million others trying to capture both the smile AND the adorable clothing with hilarious sayings. An example of this process is below. Actually, I thought they were all cute so I wanted to post them all. #2 is about to make me rush to daycare and eat him up...for real y'all, I'm starving.

Here's what I imagine Colt is thinking as we snap 200 photos of him in the same position and same outfit each day:

"Yo, what's up? Good lord, not that stupid camera again. Geez, people, I'm not going to give you a show...I'm a dude, not Lindsey Lohan. Stop asking me to smile...I don't smile on demand. Oh, wait HA, the big guy tripped. Hilarious. Anyway, if I'm not giving autographs, why on earth would I give you a smile? I just want my privacy. As soon as I'm able to crawl, I won't even have to pose for these stupid photos. Me and Joaquin Phoenix will be livin' life large in a shack in Baja. We'll grow beards together and write rap songs and wax poetic about how we hate the entertainment industry. The paparazzi is so overrated. Sigh...do you have your shot yet? Can we get this show on the road? I've got bubbles to watch in 30. Peace."











Monday, March 23, 2009

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Woe is me

Woe is me...been struggling with this illness for 8 glorious days. I felt better over the weekend and Monday, but I'd obviously pushed myself too far. I missed yet another day and a half of work. I've been a less-than-fun wife and mom. And in case you missed my countless lamenting updates on Facebook, I also missed the concert I've been dying to go to for years: Billy Joel and Elton John. Luckily Julia was still able to go with her friend Amanda...but John and I skipped out.

THAT, my friends, is how sick I was. I gave up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see two great pianomen superstars perform together and in-person. Sigh...unfortunately I know it was the right decision. I would be worse off than I am now.
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In not-so-sick news I've had a great time the past few weeks spending time with my best friend, Melissa. We've been friends for over a decade and we're SO different. We always have a good time together and leave each other wondering why our friendship works, but awfully thankful it does.

Melissa and I were both in the school musical in 1997 "The Wizard of Oz". Our alma mater was actually performing "Oz" this year and we thought it would be fun to check out the new generation's version. It was FABULOUS. Seriously, professional quality. We had a mini-Oz reunion from '97 and caught up with several old friends that came that night. We brought Cameron, Melissa's son, and enjoyed watching him watch it. He really wants to see the video of our performance, so he can see his mom and me as Munchkins.

After watching this year's show, I'm not sure that video should ever make it to the light of day. How far Edmond North drama has come!

Also this past weekend, we went and got Melissa registered for her summer wedding. I'm so excited, she and Eric have been together for 10 years and it's about time they tie the knot! And when I say "we" got her registered, I actually mean "I" got her registered. I practically picked her dishes out for her, that girl is so indecisive!

Her wedding shower is in a month...I've got a lot of work to do to make it extra special. She deserves it.
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Family is fabulous. John got new golf clubs so, uh, woo-hoo. It actually just means more time away from me and Colt but whatareyagoingtodo? Colt is doing very well. Growing like crazy, I swear he's the size of a 6-month-old.

Work is super stressful, especially since I've missed so much with being sick. Looks like I'm going to have to travel on a day I really don't want to travel...but again, whatareyagoingtodo?

Life is pretty good these days! Now, just get rid of this cough...

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Signed, Sealed, Delivered...I'm Yours!

Our little Stevie Wonder! He's already got the head bob and lips poised for singing. Adding the sunglasses was a natural.

Put a piano in front of him and he can be signed, sealed, and delivered right to you!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Colt's not the only one that goes to the ER!

So Tuesday night I started feeling very achy. It just hit out of nowhere, and my muscles ached and my skin was sensitive to anything touching it. I went to be hoping to sleep it off.

I was wrong.

But Wednesday morning I knew I was in bad shape. I had a fever and felt very weak and still achy. Assuming it was the flu, I sent John to take care of Colt in the morning and immediately called my doctor to get in. This is the same family doctor I've been seeing for over 20 years. He's also in practice with 4 other docs. The receptionist curtly told me they were booked for the rest of the week and I'd need to see another doctor. Then she hung up on me. Without even giving me a referral to somebody else!

Total sidenote: this is the way it's been for the past couple of years and I'm thinking it's time to find a new family doctor. My doc is close to retirement anyway.

So I decided to self-diagnose myself with the flu. I called Dr. Laura (my resident physician and one of my best friends) and she said the flu in OK is resistant to much of the medicines on the market. She said drink plenty of fluids and rest.

Well, see, the thing is, I didn't have much of an appetite and too tired to drink anything. So I didn't. Then, naturally, the headache started. And then, naturally, the vomiting started.

By Wednesday at lunch I was still in tremendous pain and throwing up even one sip of water. Definitely not keeping any meds down. My mom ended up taking me to the ER where they administered 2 bags of IV fluids and gave me different combinations to help with nausea. Nothing for the headache pain.

As if it couldn't get any worse, I had an allergic reaction to one of the meds they were giving me. I started freaking out. Screaming and kicking my legs and my arms were flailing. My head hurt SO BAD. I just cried and cried and I'm sure my mom was about to lose it. At that point, I couldn't do anything but yell.

Finally, they brought another medicine in the IV to counteract my reaction, and after much screaming and begging they brought in morphine and an anti-anxiety medicine. I dozed for a while and finally finished the IV. They sent me home and I still had a migraine, but the pressure had lightened up. I slept from 5pm until about 8am this morning.

John has been sleeping on the couch for two nights. And last night my mom and Bill took care of Colt for us...his first overnight and I didn't even know it was happening! He may stay there again tonight because John is exhausted (not much sleep on the couch) and I'm still very weak and not moving very quickly.

All I can do now is pray that John and Colt don't catch it. Really, really, really terrible two days.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Happy Belated Birthday, Little Blog!

I didn't even appropriately celebrate the 4th birthday of this blog. 4 years ago on February 28th I started writing about building our new house. Well, now we're in a different house than that one and we have a baby. We've also traveled to a few awesome places, got promotions, and spent an inappropriate amount of time trashing celebrities. Ok, well, that was mostly me.

What an awesome 4 years it has been.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

I know, I know.

Nothing. No updates. I've probably lost any and all readers I had before the adoption.

I'm not giving up on this blog just yet! More to come soon!

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Wrong side of the bed

Good Lord, I am, like, the most boring person on the planet.

Today in particular is a day I'd rather just close out and start over. Nothing all that bad, just little things that irritate me. Maybe I just need to sniff a dose of Colt crack and everything will feel better.

I traveled this week for work, and I'm glad that first trip is out of the way. Proof positive that I can function in the outside world! I actually think I make a pretty good mom...well, maybe that Colt makes a pretty good son which in turn makes me appear to be a pretty good mom. The kind of mom that can make drug references with her son's name attached is awesome and apparently very mature. Anyway, to travel for work helped me realize that I can still be good in my other life.

However, things are a-changing. I am super stressed, but very inspired at the direction in which I want to take my career, my position, the people I manage, and literally the entire PR department at my work. I don't know if it will work out like I have it pictured in my head (I'm having a difficult time even finding the words to express it in a relatable form, even to my boss) but the fact that I see new opportunity and new direction lift me up.

It's going to mean a lot of work outside my comfort zone, though. And that is stressing me out.

This morning I had a terrible time waking up. Felt like I was in and out of a coma. I know I got up to feed Colt at 2:30 (which is random because he hasn't been waking up at night lately) but I have no recollection of actually feeding him! Soooooo tired.

So, of course I woke up late, John had to help me get him ready so I could get myself ready, and I was STILL 30 minutes late to work.

And, oh yeah, my car is falling apart. Some plastic piece on the bottom has come loose and is scraping the ground as I drive, which I'm pretty sure is not a good sign. Luckily I have a man who is in the insurance industry and has a lot of contacts with body shops, so we'll get it fixed today for relatively cheap.

Which brings me to a whole other topic: money. Our lack of it. I know it would appear that the owners of 2 new iPhones have tons of money, but John had been saving his blow money for a treat (golf trip, golf clubs, etc.) and decided he'd rather spend it on something for both of us. Anyway...money is crazy tight. Medical bills for Colt's first few weeks are piling up, homeowner's association dues are due, legal fees for the adoption coming out of nowhere, blah blah blah. Sob story that I know most people don't care about because HEY - WE HAVE JOBS and a HOUSE. But still, I continue to stress, just as everyone else does. We at least have a light at the end of the tunnel (taxes for the next few years are going to be very good to us). I know it could be a lot worse.

Anyway...it just made me wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Plus it's supposed to be 90 degrees today and it's March 5th and that's just wrong. If it's 90 in March, good Lord what will July look like? I HATE hot weather.

In the good news column, I'm going with girlfriends on April 5th to see Boyz II Men in concert at one of the many local Indian casinos. My life is, in a word, awesome.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

It's going to be a long tornado season

A few weeks ago we had our first major storm of the season. Well, actually tornado season hasn't officially started, but the tornadoes weren't listening.

Edmond was hit pretty hard, and the destructive tornado first touched down a mere 3 miles from our house. Colt and I spent the afternoon cooped up in the closet. Colt was in his car seat, Faith was in her carrier, Mom was freaking out and twittering between Gary England warnings.

Colt was SO good and quiet. Eventually he fell asleep, around the time baby Anna and her parents showed up because there was still a threat and there was no power at their house. Anna and Colt stayed safely asleep in the closet while the rest of us stood outside and watched the fourth storm begin circulating over our house. It's Oklahoma, y'all!

Also, major hail. Nope, those aren't golf balls in our backyard...it was hail stones the size of golf balls!

















Eye of the Tiger

I can't imagine anything more boring than watching 4 hours of a golf tournament on DVR. And watching commercials just because Tiger Woods is in practically every one of them.

Hey, I like Tiger as much as the next guy.

But it's John who has the biggest crush on Tiger in this house.

Friday, February 13, 2009

People Watching at it's Finest

I am breaking my two-week silence on this blog for a very good reason. One, I KNOW you all miss me. You're all tired of hearing blah blah adoption, blah blah baby...get back to randomness and useless information! I know, I know.

I think I'll keep Here's to Hope going for a while so this doesn't turn into a dreaded mommy blog or something. Not that I read any (128) of those or anything. MmmmmK....

ANYWAY, last night John and I went to eat at Chili's because we had a gift card (SCORE) and we're poor. And it provided the best opportunity for people watching I've ever experienced. EVER.

We all SAY we love people watching. "Oh, I love the state fair to people watch" and "nothing is more fun than a mall on black Friday to people watch" and "Blog stalking is an acceptable, anonymous form of people watching". But truly, last night, I understood people watching.

A lady we will affectionately refer to as Crazy Psycho Hosebeast (CPH for short) came in and was seated at the table next to us. The best way I can describe her is that she looked EXACTLY like LaFawnDuh in "Napoleon Dynamite". No lie. She ordered two drinks including a margarita, John and I hardly noticed. We assumed she was waiting for someone.

I guess I really noticed her first when she began licking the salt off the margarita glass like a dog laps up a discarded hot dog. Full on tongue out, licking the glass and turning it like an ice cream cone as she went.

Then the laughter began. Out of the corner of my eye I could see her physically laughing (you know, leaning forward in a full belly laugh, sitting back and twirling her hair in a flirtatious giggle) and hear it. Then John kept watching her. She was talking. Carrying on a conversation is more like it.

I immediately assumed she had a blue tooth in. On more than one occasion I have pinpointed someone as a CPH and it turns out they're just talking on a blue tooth. I imagine Nathan looks like that as he drives home from work since the Versa has blue tooth built in. ANYWAY....

She then finally placed her order as the waitress came by for the third time to ask for it. "We'll have the tacos" she said. It was then that I began to think maybe she was seeing someone that I couldn't.

Not long after the waitress left, she began arguing with someone. Actually, she began arguing with air. It was a full on, wagging her finger, shaking her head, elevated volume of speech "oh no you didn't" argument.

There was no one there. She was talking to no one. Air. Air that had it's own drink and was apparently splitting tacos with CPH.

And then the second margarita arrived, which I thought was fitting because nothing takes the edge off a difficult conversation like a second round of alcoholic beverages.

I don't know how it ended up because we left. It seemed CPH and Air had made up briefly when we left, as she flirtatiously giggled.

It was, in a word, awesome. Totally awesome and John and I laughed about it all night.

You never know when people watching will really pay off. If you try to hard and look for it you can be sorely disappointed. It's little gems like this that take you by surprise that really make you realize: there ARE people out there crazier than you are.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Family


Only in Oklahoma

Only in Oklahoma can a layer of ice and arctic temperatures shut down state offices and schools for 3 days and less than 48 hours later your husband will be golfing in shorts and a short-sleeved shirt. Pure sunshine and 70 degrees today...

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Tagged on Facebook

So, I've been tagged on Facebook too many times to count. Some for "16 Random Things" and some for "25 Random Things". And I have done similar tags on this site before, so I'm probably reusing a lot of thoughts. Heck, this whole site is pretty random most of the time!

Since I'm not tagging anybody (seeing as how everyone has already done this) I won't write the rules. But here are my 25 Random Things!

1. I am currently obsessed with sweet potato fries and chocolate pie. Not together...those are just my obsessions.

2. I have a tendency to be obsessive about my house being neat and orderly. Notice I didn't necessarily say clean. Clean is part of it, but I'm not a germaphobe by any stretch of the imagination. It's more about order.

3. My mom is my very best friend.

4. My other best friend and I have been friends for 12 years, and have been through just about everything together.

5. I loved college. I loved pretty much every minute of it.

6. In my younger years I was, what do you say, boycrazy. I'm sure there are all kinds of subconscious and psychological reasons why, but mostly it was a lack of self-confidence. That is probably the number one thing I would change about myself if I could.

7. I eat M&M's after dividing them into color groups, then making sure the color groups have the same amount of candies in them, then I eat one piece at a time until all that's left is one blue one. Blue M&M's taste the best, and I save the best for last.

8. I am definitely a morning person. If I can get myself out of bed, I am happiest in the morning. Mostly because nothing annoys me yet. By afternoon I'm pretty tired and irritable. The key is getting me out of bed--that's pretty tough!

9. I like alone time. I really do. I like watching TV or reading or cleaning or sipping coffee all by myself. I especially love seeing movies by myself, but I make sure that's a true treat saved for Christmas.

10. I am annoyingly early most of the time. Luckily I married someone who shares this with me. We are the annoyingly early couple to every event. Sometimes we arrive so early we drive around town just to make a fashionably late entrance and STILL are the first ones to arrive.

11. See #10...all that said except for work. I'm 15-30 minutes late to work every day.

12. I love, love, love living in Oklahoma. I have lived here my whole life, but I really appreciate it now. I have a lot of pride in this state. Believe it or not, my position at work is actually kind of rare for someone in a field office to have, technically it should be done out of Dallas. So when I travel for work and tell people my job description and where I live they always seem surprised. I love being able to relay all the reasons why I love Oklahoma and would never leave.

13. I love that our families live in the same town. If we're bored, there's always a parent or a sister we can go hang out with. It is especially nice now that Colt is here.

14. My favorite sweatshirt is one I got in middle school. I only wear it to bed, but it's the best. It's actually an American Girl sweatshirt (yes, like the dolls). It was way oversized at the time, and has stretched and thinned out enough to still be oversized as I grew!

15. I wish I was an accessories person.

16. When I was deciding on colleges, I pretty much had OSU set in my mind. I applied to OSU, OU, and Oklahoma Christian (though OC was never really in the running for me...chalk it up to living in Edmond my whole life). How different would I be if I had gone to OSU?! But the OU campus tore me away.

17. I was baptized in a river of melted snow water in the mountains of New Mexico. It was nighttime, and two other girls were baptized that night, too. It was cold. Really, really cold but worth it.

18. I am easily swayed one way or another in politics. But in my core, I'm Republican. But if you really got me talking, you'd be surprised at how much I agree with the other side on certain issues. At the end of the day, I think everyone in politics is crooked. Even if they didn't start out that way, they end up crooked. How else can you rise to the ranks of power in your state or in Washington if you're not making deals with the devil and promises and favors to lobbyists? It's a fact of life.

19. I shamefully contribute to the obsession with celebrities. I have a subscription to People magazine (best birthday gift ever!), I love Go Fug Yourself, and sometimes send multiple e-mails a day to a certain friend talking about celebs like I know them personally.

20. I am not a closeted Britney Spears fan. I'm out in the open.

21. I like lots of other music, too. Music you would consider "good". Like, for instance, in march we're going to see Elton John and Billy Joel in concert and I couldn't be more excited!

22. I was an award-winning journalist in high school, also wrote some for the Edmond Sun. I even had several articles published in the OU campus newspaper when I first arrived. But I quickly realized: I hate interviewing people. So then I went through 5 other majors before I finally decided on PR.

23. I used to write stories all the time. From the time I was in 3rd grade through high school, I wrote short stories. I have notebooks full of short stories I never finished. I was convinced I would be a novelist. But once I got to college, I stopped writing. Maybe that's why I have a blog...it's an outlet for the writer in me. Though I don't try very hard here!

24. I hate to cook, John does all the cooking. But I do like to bake every now and then.

25. I really, really love traveling. For fun. Business travel was fun for a while, it made me feel important. But now it's just tedious and annoying. You don't get to see anything or do anything fun...you just fly in to your meeting and hotel and fly back out. But traveling for fun...there's nothing I love more!

Wow...that was hard! But now I'm headed back to bed. I succeeded in my quest to get sleepy again after feeding Colt. But he's due to wake up again in about an hour! Oh the life...

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Maternity Leave in January

Kind of wishing I'd had a baby in spring, when we could do this every day! Here in OK it's 75 degrees, sunny, and the perfect day for a walk. He slept, but I got in some relaxation and iPod time.

Now I have to change clothes since it's so warm I was sweating! All you Northerners...eat your heart out with your snow! ;)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

So, I guess we're not National Champs...

A good friend pointed out that the last time I posted I promised the next time I posted OU would be national champions. Did you think I wouldn't post for a whole other year until OU is actually National Champs next January?!

Why haven't I posted? I don't want to blame it on Colt. So instead I'll give you 10 other reasons I haven't posted:

1. I'm scratching my head trying to figure out the meaning of Saraphina Affleck's name. I think it sounds like an eau de toilet. Or a makeup store. I'm just hoping there is good reason behind it. Violet=cute. Saraphina=bad Sylvester Stallone offspring.

2. Remember last year when I turned crazy and started watching American Idol? Well, I've actually been looking forward to it. AND...watching the auditions which normally I hate as much as I hate the sound of people gulping. Or the sound of the windows locking in the car after John has farted.

3. Watching the entire season of CSI:Miami that I never got around to. That Horatio Caine is such a bada$$.

4. Getting a new dishwasher instead of the GAP jeans I really wanted.

5. Thinking about how I don't have very many pictures of me and Colt together (I'm always the photographer), thinking about how I haven't sent birth announcements, thinking about how I never sent Christmas cards so no one knows that we had a baby. No one. It's not like we have 2 blogs, 2 Facebook pages, 2 MySpace pages, 4 grandparents, various aunts, and a thousand friends who've been praying for us for a long time.

6. Trying to figure out how my house could be making me sick. I'm convinced something in my house is causing my daily headaches. Maybe it's my couches. I need new couches. Yes, it's the couches that are causing my headaches!

7. Refreshing Facebook status updates on my phone every 30 seconds.

8. Not fitting into anything but hooded sweatshirts. Thanks for all the good food everyone is bringing and the good restaurants we go to.

9. Wondering why every movie Sean Penn makes means Oscar buzz. "This Christmas, Sean Penn is deranged, retarded, gay, sensitive ponytail man in Sean Penn: The Movie. Ebert hails it as the best movie of all time." Ugh. Irritating.

10. Holding the child every second I can, soaking up the moment before it passes.

So, I've been busy. Love you, mean it, will post more when I go back to work!

Thursday, January 08, 2009

No Sweets!
















I can't believe I almost forgot to post about this!

12:01 on January 1st marked one year of a sweets-free year for John. He made a CRAZY resolution last year to go one whole year without eating sweets. No one, and I mean no one (including me), believed he could do it. But he did!

There were a few things he was allowed: sugar substitutes in drinks (as in diet soda or Splenda in coffee) and condiments (jellies, syrup, honey) and natural sugars in fruits. But he didn't even eat sugar-free candy.

That meant no desserts, no snacks, no birthday cakes, no candy canes or conversation hearts at holidays, no chocolate, no pie, no ice cream...nothing.

He is 50 pounds lighter for it, and SO proud of himself. Honestly, I couldn't be prouder myself. I tell everyone about it. He's one person I know that really stuck to his resolution in such a big way! This photo is of his first bite of ice cream with Jacqui's famous caramel sauce at 12:01.

He's gone a little crazy this last week with the sweets...but plans to continue limiting them to once a month for special occasions.

So proud of you, Honey! You did it!

Hello???? Anybody out there?

So....hi!

What's going on in the world? How are all of you?

I'm a dazzling conversationalist right about now. I can talk about poop and swaddling and pediatrician visits and anything related to a 3-week-old.

I can also give you rousing recaps of all my DVR that I'm finally caught up on.

Beyond that, I might as well be comatose. I do a pretty good job of updating Facebook, only because I can do it one-handed from my phone.

The rest of my time is spent holding our little angel. He likes to be held, what can I say? It's invigorating that he wants his mom to hold him to stay calm, and frustrating that I can't put him down for 5 seconds all at the same time!

I've lightened up on myself a little in regards to what "accomplishment" means from day to day. I'm proud to say I've showered, fixed my hair, put makeup on every day since Colt has been home, even if we don't go anywhere. I always have the diaper bag ready, and I've ventured out by myself with him several times though I prefer to have someone with me to prevent screaming in the car!

I'm not sure when this blog will be back to it's "normal" excitement. This is a new normal, I suppose. But I promise I'll be much more interesting once I go back to work in February. I'll have time to read things on the internet, catch up on world events, ready each delicious daily entry of Go Fug Yourself.

In the meantime, I'll update when I'm not sleeping or holding Colt!!

And, uh, BOOMER SOONER tonight! Next time I update, OU will be national champions!!!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

I'm not going anywhere!


Many more trips to church in oversized clothing to come! N terminated her rights today. We still have a wait with the birthfather, but our level of anxiety is much lower with that and we're grateful for each and every step that gets us closer to our forever family.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Court

Tomorrow is a big day for us. Colt's birthmother, N is going to court to appear before the judge and permanently relinquish her parental rights.

We have a lot of thoughts and prayers on our hearts for tomorrow for so many things. Hopefully by this time tomorrow night John and I will be breathing a sweet sigh of relief that we're one step closer to Colt being ours forever. There will still be a wait for the birthfather but we're not too worried about that.

I took Colt to our agency's offices today to visit, and I brought a gift for N. It was a photo album full of photos (since we take a picture of every outfit it's easy to fill an album in two weeks!). There was also room for more photos that we send her as he grows. I also got her a bracelet with a heart charm and his full name engraved on it.

A heart because:
"The heart is a symbol of God's love, humanity, and charity. The heart is also considered to be the source of understanding, love, courage, devotion, sorrow, and joy."

So please keep us in your prayers tomorrow. Around 2:15 she should be appearing in court, and I can't imagine how hard it is for her, and how wonderful it will be for us.

Friday, December 26, 2008

More family visits

So almost everyone in the family has spread the love with Colt...here are the most recent family portraits!





























Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas from John, Jessica, Colt and Faith!

We hope this day brings as much joy to you as it has to us.









Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Our new favorite pastime!

Colt is no longer under those obnoxious lights! Doctor says he's doing much better, and I can tell. Colt is more alert, eating more, sleeping less, and even more fun. Lots of fun faces and such.

We officially went stir crazy so we have been running around. Despite the cold, nasty weather we've needed to be out and about and it's been nice. When we're not running around town visiting the doctor, family, and friends, we're sleeping. Naps come most often when Colt is cuddled on our chests.

So forgive my lack of posting. Days and nights are blurring together and I can't believe a week has already gone by! More updates soon!!!




Saturday, December 20, 2008

Poor Baby

In case you couldn't tell from previous pictures, Colt has jaundice. But luckily, rather than admit him to the hospital they brought a phototherapy machine to the house! So the centerpiece on our coffee table is now a tanning bed!

It's not been bad, except he hasn't slept in a while so he's active and wild in there, meaning not as much light can be on his skin...we have to protect his eyes. Hopefully it won't take long to make him better!







Thursday, December 18, 2008

Family Visits

Forgot to get one of Uncle Matt holding him...but hopefully we'll get that tonight when they come back and bring the cousins by!

Colt is a little socialite already!





























Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Posted by John: Introduction

Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are proud to introduce to you Colton Thomas Anderson.
He was born on December 16th, 2008 at 1:06 P.M. He weighed 9 lbs. 7 oz and was 22 inches long. He has a full head of hair and at this time is receiving a full belly of formula! Birthmother and baby are fine. Possible discharge (from the hospital, not the other discharge!) tomorrow. We will keep you updated!





































We're having a baby today!

We're having a baby today!

The roads are pretty bad, but not terrible. We're waiting until around 3:00 (2 1/2 hours from now) to head out with T, our caseworker. Then it's a 2-hour (maybe more with the ice) drive to the hospital. Where likely Colt will be waiting on us!

N was dilated to a 6, had an epidural, and the doctor was coming in to break her water when we last talked to her. That's right...I got to talk to her on the phone. She sounds so nice. She even told me "oh, you sound so sweet"! She wants us to call on our way so she knows when to expect us, and she told us to drive safely. She also checked to make sure I knew how to get to the hospital!

Her dad, sister, grandma and three best friends are there with her.

We're having a baby today. I'll keep you posted as much as I can! Ongoing status updates will be on Facebook, so feel free to follow me there. Either Liz or I will update here as soon as we know more.

Pray for safe travels, safe delivery, and ease and comfort for N. We're having a baby!!!!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Dear Zachary

Yesterday was a banner day to stay curled up in bed, which I did. And after watching some real life mystery show on MSNBC this documentary started called Dear Zachary. And I was immediately entranced in the premise. It started out as a film about how one person's life can affect so many people. About how one average, everyday person can leave an impression and touch other lives in a profound way. About how much one person can be missed by so many when they're gone.

It started out as memories of a man named Andrew Bagby. And it was sweet and profound. Even the filmmaker, Andrew's childhood best friend, admitted that he started making the movie to preserve memories of Andrew before they were gone. He was an only child, people's stories would be precious to his parents.

But as he began his journey around the world to talk to pretty much everybody who ever knew Andrew it quickly turned into a different story. It became a movie about a father...Andrew had been murdered by a crazy woman who turned out to be pregnant with his child. So it was even more important to make the film so one day his son would know more about the father that had been selfishly taken from him.

It doesn't stop turning and twisting into more. By the end I was in shock, awe, and tears. I can't shake the story. I think everyone should watch it. It was that powerful and amazing to me. I had not heard of the story before seeing the film, so I didn't know the horrific twist it would take. Which made it that much more effective. The end is absolutely horrifying. And it's all TRUE.

If you get the chance to catch Dear Zachary on MSNBC sometime, do yourself a favor and watch it. You'll hurt for those left behind, cry out at the way the law often fails to protect, and wonder how one family can suffer so much incredible pain. At the same time, you'll walk away wishing that you have even a fraction of the effect on your friends and family that Andrew had on his.

Really, I can't stop thinking about it. It's really, really good. Just watching the trailer gives me chillbumps and brings tears to my eyes. Just watch it.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

New Computer

So I'm typing this blog on our new computer. It has Windows Vista, so there is A LOT to learn. So far, the coolest things about it are the built-in webcam, fingerprint scanner, and the fact that I can automatically pull up a window for this blog without logging in through the internet. I don't know how to explain it, but we'll see if it works!

I want to openly admit it now: I'm addicted to blogging and Facebook. And I've been more away from it than usual, but not really too far away. I'm an addict....Cary, did you hear me? This is my "blog binge" confession.

Anyway, not too much going on except WAITING! Lots of waiting and I really thought Colt would come last night, with the fullest and brightest moon of the year. But he obviously has other ideas. I'm pretty sure he must be related to the Bladcox clan with his tendency to arrive late...he obviously isn't getting that from me and John who are always annoyingly early.

Anyway...we wait. And I keep reading embarrassing journal entries from my middle school and high school year (thanks, Courtney, for bringing that up) so maybe I'll feel like posting some of them here. Or not. They may just be too ghey for public record.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Update

Well, I mentioned that I'd be back with good news. And while on the surface the update I got yesterday is not good news....there is still good news to be found.

Our birthmother, N had a doctor appointment yesterday. She's made no progress and the doctor is refusing to set an induction date. She's very frustrated, tired, and upset. John and I are equally frustrated and upset. It's a bad deal, everyone is ready for Colt to make his grand entrance, like, yesterday.

Also, there are major ice storms predicted to hit Sunday night through Wednesday of next week. Which means we'll likely either be driving through them to get to the hospital or to get home. And if it shuts down the city and county court systems it puts us at legal risk longer than we'd hoped.

But, hey, who likes a person with a "glass half full" kind of attitude. Well, besides me of course! Here are the positives that came out of that update:

-Colt is still very healthy and growing
-N is still healthy, even though she's uncomfortable
-The doctor still thinks he can be delivered without a C-section
-N is still confident in her decision to make an adoption plan
-I get to work a few more days to add a few more days to my maternity leave in February
-More nights to sleep a full 8+ hours

So, see, I can handle it.

But, really...I want Colt to be here. I want to see him and kiss him and snuggle. I'm ready to know he's safe and healthy. So...prayers for patience but also a speedy delivery are much appreciated!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Totally separate re-entry into Blogworld and it doesn't really count because I'm not really back.

Dear Emily,

Please join Facebook. Just do it. It's time. I'm not asking for Twitter just yet. Just Facebook. I bet there are others who would join me in my plea.

Love,
Jess

P.S. - Liz, you're next.
------------------------------

Thank goodness I erased all episodes of "Pushing Daisies" that I had on my DVR last season. Also that I stopped watching "Dirty, Sexy Money" because I didn't have the time. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing one of your shows get canceled. I'm still recovering from "My So-Called Life" 13 years ago.
------------------------------

Reunited with my childhood friend Courtney via Facebook last night. Spent this morning reading her hilarious blog. She then wrote about some of our good times over the last 22 years. OMG...always good to have friends who knew you back when...we got into a lot of trouble together. Which I recounted in my journals from the turbulent middle school years that I never shared here, but Courtney doesn't mind sharing and it made me cry I laughed so hard.

I remember Courtney for many things over the years in youth group and Girl Scouts. One of the best things I remember about her was her Barbie dream house. It was three stories and had a pink elevator in it. I used to LOVE that thing! Did you ever have toy envy with your friends?

She's straight up funny, and apparently knows everything there is to know about water. Just trust me.
---------------------------

I've laughed a lot today. Not the least of which is because of the conversation posed between Angelina Jolie and JLo at my new favorite website.
---------------------------

I left my cell phone in the car after lunch today and it was a touch decision about whether to go get it or not. Ultimately the cold won out and I've not gone to get it (parked very far away). It has been liberating spending and entire afternoon not staring at it and willing it to ring.
--------------------------

I couldn't sleep last night. That doesn't happen to me very often, and usually when I have the rare instance of insomnia I just watch TV until I drift to sleep. But I was REALLY not tired, so I got up and wrapped all my Christmas presents last night! Finally fell asleep around 4 a.m. this morning but the wrapped beauties under my Christmas tree and the check on the to-do list make it all worth it.
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Penn Square Mall two days in a row. Because apparently I did something really bad and I'm asking for punishment.
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The end, lovelies. Hope to have good news for you soon!

Monday, December 08, 2008

Out

It has to be stress causing the headaches. I'm completely stressed out and feeling another one developing.

I will be out of Blogland for a little while. Long story short it's making me crazy with doubts and freak-outs are following. I love that everyone loves us and is excited to know what's going on, but it's making me irrational and downright obsessive. And stressed. And while I may be one or another at times, I'm never all of them at once.

I need to have a calming, relaxing last week with my husband and not worry anymore about how things are out of my control.

I will update here as soon as we have news on the baby. In the meantime, I'll try to work on a good post about how annoying Nicole Kidman is to me. That's what you are all here for, I know.

I am not on narcotics. clearly.

Know what's awesome? A Sunday morning trip to the ER! What's even more awesome? Being treated like a narcotic-seeker.

I'm not sure what triggers these occasional migraines. John's best guess is that it's stress because they really started increasing in frequency and severity in January of this year. Only three times have I been so bad off that I end up seeking the care of a doctor. Usually I can medicate and sleep it off.

But Saturday I woke up with a feeling. Just knowing I was going to get a headache. But I second-guessed myself thinking some food would take care of it. By 4:00 it was a full-blown migraine. By halftime of the OU game (Boomer Sooner! I totally called it!) I was throwing up because of the pain. By Sunday morning I couldn't take it anymore...either have a headache or be nauseous...I can't take both.

So John took me to the local hospital that advertises seeing you in 25 minutes or less. Sure enough, they got me in in less than 5 minutes. Saw a doctor pretty quickly but it took almost an hour for the nurse to come give me a shot. AN HOUR. Let's examine this: the pain and nausea are bad enough that I've dragged my husband out of bed on a Sunday morning, I'm in a ballcap and wearing NO MAKEUP...an extra hour may, in fact, kill me. For real.

Did I mention NO MAKEUP? No shower, and a ballcap. It's serious.

The doctor was very clear he was not giving me a narcotic. Very clear. Like, repeated it 10 times in the three minutes he was with me. I wanted to say "ok, it's not like I'm Heather Locklear here please just give me something...anything. Narcotic or not."

Eventually I got a shot of anti-nausea meds and a shot of something else (NON-NARCOTIC) and by then I was feeling better anyway. Kind of a waste of a day and a $100 co-pay. I felt well enough by that afternoon to eat (because I threw up everything I'd ever eaten), get a Sam's Club card, shop at Sam's (and kind of wig out because shopping at Sam's while still on sleepy meds...wicked), have coffee at Starbucks, and see a movie.

And my Sooners are Big 12 Champions, and I'm calling it now...we're winning the National Championship. It's going to be awesome.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

The Perfect Day

Here is what a perfect day looks like if your baby decides not to come:

-browsing blogs and Facebook in the morning
-lunch with your husband at Friday's (hello Jack Daniels burger!)
-Rush to the theatre to buy tickets for "Four Christmases" with only 5 minutes to wait. By yourself!
-Wander the mall
-Stop by eyeglasses shop and end up filling your 2-month-old perscription and getting frames AND lenses for $99!
-Get two people DONE on your Christmas list
-Grab a Diet Dr. Pepper
-Stop by the chair massage kiosk in the mall
-Get a 25-minute massage where you're only charged for 20 minutes
-Feel awesome and hazily call your husband to leave work and come get a massage right then
-Walk around the mall with your husband, buying clothes at Baby Gap
-Browse e-mail on the phone while he gets his massage
-Meet 4 great friends for dinner at Cheesecake Factory...where you end the day with cheesecake and coffee
-Come home to crash and get a great night's sleep

Not too shabby, eh?

Colt's First OU Game

Also, you heard it here first. Colt's first OU game will actually be watching us win the National Championship, since he probably won't be out in time to watch us crush Missouri this weekend in the Big 12 Championship.

That's ok...his OU outfits will fit him better for that game anyway. Boomer Sooner!

No baby today!

Just FYI, Colt will not be arriving today. The induction date was today, but the doctor canceled it and wants to wait another week to see if he will come on his own. Sigh...kind of frustrating but we're ok with that!

Hate to do it, but the long drawn out story is at Here's to Hope. Just know last night was terrible, but we're ok today, and we're doing our best to be patient! He'll come any day now...so we're ready!

I will be back to regularly scheduled boringisms once my heart stops pounding and I can breathe again. I'm going to see "Four Christmases" today by myself (I LOVE seeing movies by myself!) and doing some Christmas shopping...we'll talk soon!

Monday, December 01, 2008

The weekend in a flash

Just a few thoughts from the last week:

-I am awfully proud of myself, seeing as how I called the Big 12 Championship spot back when we lost to Texas. I'm a believer, and my Sooners didn't let me down. On to beat Missouri and into the National Championship. Where we're going to win. Calling it now....you heard it here!

-If we don't win, I still love my Sooners and have lots of faith. But I think this is their season. We're doing it!

-I passed my cold on to several people at work and in the family. I'm a giver, y'all.

-Yesterday was a full-on marathon of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" and I couldn't pull myself away. That is one crazy family. And I'm dumber now for having watched it.

-John made "trash" this weekend, so guess what we'll be snacking on for a while? For those not in John's world, that's fancy chex mix that he mixes and bakes for hours and hours.

-Had my first Black Friday experience. Probably because I couldn't sleep on Wednesday or Thursday night because of the cold. John and I were both awake all night Thursday. At 1:30 John said that if we were still awake at 3, we were going out. So, we headed out around 3, got donuts, and were fourth in line at Target! We got some great deals and about half our shopping done. Those people are crazy. Let's just say there was sprinting involved down the aisles.

-Thanks to my dad's visit, we now have a real live leg lamp to add to our Christmas decorations. One of our favorite Christmas movies is "A Christmas Story" with Ralphie and the Red Ryder BB Gun. You know, his dad gets a "major award", it's a mannequin leg with fishnet stockings that goes in the front window? Surely you guys have seen it. Anyway, that was John's Christmas present. Nice!! I am trying to find a spot in the front window for it. I'm that kind of wife.

-We saw "Bolt" this weekend. WAY cute and I highly recommend it!

-For the first time in our married life, I bought frozen pizzas yesterday at the store. He will tell you otherwise now, but John has ALWAYS told me he hates anything frozen including pizzas. They're not crispy enough. But seeing as though I will be home during the day with a baby for the next 8 weeks...I bought myself some frozen pizzas. And fish sticks. And curly fries. And pizza rolls. And bagel bites. And I'm finally looking forward to eating at home!

And that's all I can think of for right now!