Sixteen WHAT?!

Caroline went in for her 6 month well baby visit today. She weighs 16+ pounds! And she's perfect, says Dr. Bimle. Hey, I've said it all along, but she's the one with the medical degree! Caroline also had to have her little finger pricked. This is about the time babies start losing the iron they have stored up from birth, so some of them become a little anemic. All the numbers came back fine, though. (Oh, Chris, we need to start remembering to give her the multivitamin everyday...) Caroline got a kick out of sticking her tongue out at Dr. Bimle. She's discovered that people smile when she does that, I think. Yeah....well, we're claiming she's said her first word: "hey." Plain as day. That is the very first word she hears every morning. As soon as her eyes open, we say, "hey, baby!" So it would make since. Tomorrow night we'll start giving her some sweet potatoes.

I hate school. My school (LA Tech), not Calhoun Middle. I hate writing papers, that's all I'll say.

UPdaaate!

Before I tell you what's been going on with Caroline, let's talk about me. I was born first. Be patient. I am currently student teaching under a great teacher at a great school, but man, this job is tiring. I have been working on this computer for almost 7 hours straight trying to finish my portfolio which is due Friday. This Friday. I'm just throwing all kinds of things in there, probably in the wrong places, but I don't care. I got observed Wednesday and the lady (not the teacher I'm under) said I didn't ask questions correctly. I asked the class, "Who remembers which organelle is the site for photosynthesis?" The lady said the correct answer to my question would be "I do." But the class knew what I was talking about and said, "chloroplasts." Even if a kid had said "I remember," I would have asked him to elaborate, I wouldn't have thought he was being smart-alecky. Well, I promised I would work on my questioning skills for her next visit.

Caroline is perfect. Yes, I said perfect. What? You didn't think that existed? Well, it does, and its name is Caroline. I'm adding a new video to the left, but it will take several hours to show up (google pre-screens it). She has been jabbering to her sitter and rolling everywhere she wants to go. Today, I tried to get a cute video of her, but she stops doing what I want when I start recording. She used to use a soothie pacifier that you could stick your finger into. Now she won't take it unless she gives it to herself, but she sticks her thumb in it and sucks her thumb that way. She was so cute. Chris had to come get me off the computer to see it. Oh, and she sits in the buggy when we shop now! Okay, so maybe she falls to the side a little so I have to stick my purse beside her. She swings her little feet out of the holes.

Chris is still lovin' Westridge...

Is that cleavage?

So much for getting gas

I'm mainly writing this post to preserve a memory for myself. After picking Caroline up from Mrs. Linda's the other day I stopped at Jmart to get gas (I wouldn't leave Chris with an empty tank in the morning, would I?). Caroline was crying like crazy because she was ready to eat and she was strapped into her car seat. As I start pumping gas I press my face against the window to check on my girl, which I shouldn't have done because she sees me looking in and thinks I ought to be getting her out. So she cries as hard as she can...then looks at me. Then she cries as hard as she can...then looks at me. She does this a few times until I decide to look at her through the back glass. (It tears at my very heart muscle to just stand in her view doing nothing when she wants me to get her out so badly) She catches on fast and finds me in the back glass, too. I couldn't stand it. I stopped the pumping at ten dollars and rushed home where I promised Caroline she could nurse as long as she wanted to.

Then we went to the West Ridge vs. Calhoun Middle football game, of course! Caroline wore her "My Daddy is a Patriots Coach" shirt, and people loved it. I spent a little time on the CMS side, too, since I'm student teaching there. All the girls went crazy over Mrs. Cavin's baby! Now you can go crazy over this baby bootie:

And in her pretty pink polka dot dress!

Do it for Daisy

This morning we made a family trip to the local animal shelter and found Daisy, our new Beagle mix. Mally had been asking for a little sister for a while now...well, not in so many words. She was so sweet from the minute we walked in. She beat the competition in bark-lessness (a trait we were looking for since we live in a neighborhood), size, demeanor, and just plum sweetness. Chris went back to get her after hitting an ATM and she rode with her head resting on his arm and her tail wagging all the way home. She looks at him with the most love I've seen in a poopy-dogg's eyes in a while. She and Mally sort of hit it off. If hitting it off means not snarling and barking at one another. It took Daisy a minute to come out of her shell while Mally kept running around her trying to play. I think Mally understood this new puppy wasn't just here for a playdate, also. Well, as for the title of this entry, I urge everyone to never pay for a pedigree dog again. There are SO many perfect pooches in the pound that need-and deserve-a good home. Our hearts were breaking as we explained to all of the other dogs that we couldn't fit ALL of them into our backyards. Did you know there were over 1300 dogs dropped off at the shelter in June alone? We were the first to adopt one this morning and already there had been 20 dogs surrendered to them. It really ticks me off that someone would have a dog or cat and have it TAKEN AWAY from them because they refuse to take care of it. People know better. These animals don't. They take the crap that their owners dish out because they don't have an option. (Excuse my language on thispreviously G-rated blog) Every one of these animals deserves to be treated better than that. So please consider giving a donation to or adopting your next pet from your local pet shelter.


Other things we're up to: Caroline is doing really well at Mrs. Linda's. She had one bad day when she refused to eat out of her Avent bottle and wouldn't take a nap. Another mom brought a Dr. Brown's bottle the next day for her to try and she guzzled it down in no time! Now she's eating and napping like a pro---at Mrs. Linda's. She's growing up way too fast.


Calhoun Middle is great. I was worried about losing my milk supply, so I went to ask Mr. Aswell, the principal, if I could pump at school. He said yes before I got the question out. I taught Friday and the lesson went really well. However, what I had planned was completely changed by seventh period. I had to reteach Atoms to these kids, and that's not one of my GLEs! Oh well. Thank the Lord I remembered the basics about atoms. Although CMS is good, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with all the assignments I have. I have to turn in a case study and my whole Portfolio in a couple of weeks and I haven't started on either one. I'm also taking another class and, after reading the syllabus, my stomach started hurting. There are so many assignments with so many components. Let's just say I might not see or talk to any of you very often in the next couple of months.


Chris is having a ball at Westridge. It's a great school and a great parish to work in. Their football team is winning games, and his classes are pretty good. They LOVE seeing pictures of Caroline. Speaking of people loving to see pictures of Caroline, I've included some for you. I think they all begin with her daddy getting her ready for church and end with her and Abby in the rocking chair.

Oh no she didn't...

Yes, she did. Caroline (you know, MY daughter) took a TWO HOUR nap for Mrs. Linda today. Last week, she wouldn't leave my arms to nap for twenty minutes. That shows the power of the boob. They're like magnets. She is so distracted by the other kids at Mrs. Linda's that she forgets to fuss, too.

Anyway, my first day at Calhoun Middle...yes, Calhoun Middle, not West Monroe High was good. I really like the principal and my teacher. They originally placed me at Westridge with Chris against their own rules. When I informed them of his employment we had to scramble to find another placement and luckily, CMS took me on. They couldn't (or rather wouldn't) put me at WMHS because there were no other Tech students there. Oh well, I'm excited because I get to teach reproduction to junior high kids...

Carolines crying, gotta go!

Fine!

I don't want to spoil you all with frequent posts, but my husband is bugging me to update! Update! He gets pictures off my blog to use as his background on his computer at school. The students see the background projected on the tv when he minimizes their bellringer, and he wants them to be able to see a new picture EVERYDAY! Chris, there's, like, 180 days in a school year!A new way to dispose of junk mail.

"Why am I just now wearing this awesome shirt? Because Sir Wesley and Lady Sam just brought it to me from the Georgia Aquarium in Hotlanta!"

You can tell she enjoys her new tee. Thanks Wesley and Sam!

Give me a P!

P! You got your P, you got your P! Go West Ridge Middle School Patriots!
Chris' school beat Good Hope Middle (their big-time rivals) for the first time ever! Man, that new defensive backs coach really knows what he's doing! They'd better keep him! So inspired was I by their win that I made these for Caroline to wear to the games:

I don't normally take pictures of Caroline with her shirt straps hanging down (risque!), but when she came up with this idea to wish her uncle Phillip a happy birthday I had to snap a pic.

Anyway, next week Caroline starts going to a sitter and I start student teaching (although I don't know where. If they tell me early, they "have to tell everyone else, too.") But I need to know if I'll be allowed to pump at all or if I'll have boobs the size of small watermelons by sixth period. Oh well, maybe the boys will pay more attention that way. I'm just kidding! But here's what's serious: Caroline has an eye doctor apointment next Wednesday morning, and although I haven't noticed any problems as of late, we would still appreciate prayers. Other prayers that would be appreciated include those supporting our attempts to get Caroline to take naps or go to bed without the aid of nursing. Last week we were doing so good. I could wrap her up (while singing my "Wrap You Up" song) and rock her to sleep (singing my "Whose That Baby's Mama" song). Then I could gently put her in her crib and have about 30 mintues to myself...or the bills...or lunch. THIS week she refuses to take her pacifier, even when she's happy. That pacifier was crucial in the wrapping up/rocking deal. She'll fall asleep while nursing, but every move I make, no matter how small, is going to wake her. I swear she knows what I'm trying to do and she's fighting it with all 14+ pounds she has! However, her daddy was able to come home and get her to take a nap without nursing on him. She knows what I have, and I'm being used. Anyway, advice and/or encouragement is welcome. I'd be fine nursing her all day long, but next week things are going to change a lot, and I want it to be smooth sailing.

Well, before I go, I want to say goodbye to our friends Will and Jennifer who are moving to the Dallas area. They are a really cool couple that Texas is lucky to get. Remember, folks, to take advantage of the friendships you have while they still live close by. Will and Jennifer, this was Caroline's reaction when I told her you guys were leaving:

The Return of Tuttle and Bad Mothering

Every time I see Tuttle I think, Will he come back? I'd like to pretend that he loves us and considers us his new home, but I figure we're just his convenience store where he refuels on kitty food on his way home from work. BUT, Caroline and I were hanging out on the couch yesterday and I saw something pass the window out of the corner of my eye. That Chloe, I think, "she's so silly," I say (because Caroline likes to hear it). So we get up I peek out the window and who do I see? Tuttle! But this time he doesn't need me. He's helping himself right on top of the kitty bowl:
(By the way, if you're wondering, we use a plastic salsa and chip dish for kitty food. TIP: Fill the chip ring with water so ants can't cross to the food. That was Chris' idea.)

Anyway, Bad Mothering? I was arranging some fake flowers into two hanging baskets and Caroline was watching. She started getting bored so I let her play with a set of the flowers. So...I didn't know that the dye from the flowers would come off all over her face and clothes, with the potential to cause some kind of skin reaction. Luckily, I got her cleaned up so fast, I didn't even have time for a picture. That's too bad-she was really cute with her first real mess.

Oh, the joys of motherhood...and the not so joyful days of stay-at-home motherhood. Don't get me wrong, I do love it most of the time, but we have our ups and downs. The downs primarily being me going crazy at the house all day watching the second hand tick away on the clock. I would continue my painting hobby or make some cards or something, but Caroline (bless her napping little heart) wants to be played with 59 of 60 seconds of every minute! I look forward to Chris coming home all day. The first couple of months I thought, It's time to nurse AGAIN! Now I think, When do we get to nurse again? I'm just one of those people who needs a job. But I desperately want to witness everything she does this fall. I got a sick feeling in my belly thinking about leaving her with a sitter (although we have a great one, I think). My heart aches thinking about it. So, yes, I do go crazy during the day, but here's what makes it ALL worth it:

For Your Viewing Pleasure

The videos in the sidebar should be updated periodically! So enjoy!

Tuttle the Turtle Takes Tidbits of Taurine

A while back, we backed out of our carport to find a box turtle hanging around underneath our car. Oh! How cute! We had to get out and see him. He scuttled along and we left. Chris continued to see him every now and then just hanging out with the kitties, Chloe and Oliver. So we named him Tuttle the Turtle. I hadn't seen him in a while, so I thought Tuttle had moved along to the next Soup Kitchen. But yesterday, Caroline and I walked out to water our tomato plant that will never bear fruit (we need to get him in to hear Dicky's sermon on that), and to our surprise, there stood Tuttle the Turtle! We brought him a special treat-kitty food with the amino acid taurine essential for kittywitties-and he gobbled it up. Here you go:


And to those of you who are SO glad we've "started solids," we haven't officially started solids. That runny cereal mix can hardly be considered a solid. And really, we just give her a little bit before she nurses around suppertime. I'm afraid to stop now, though, because I really think she might get mad. She wants our food SO BAD! But, Michelle, if you are around the house at "feeding time," you are more than welcome to help. Just don't put your hand inside the cage.

Here is a pic of her napping. The easiest way is to wrap her up really tight while singing a "wrap you up" song.

We are in serious need of some video on this blog. Someone tell me how to do it please, without going through photobucket...

The Return of Happiness and Faked "Firsts"

We had to do it. Chris and I both NEED reliable internet access at home, so we got DSL again, which is great-we couldn't be happier!-but we have to pay for it, too. Yes, we really do need it. Chris needs it for work outside of school and I'll be needing it for my classes this fall. So lucky for you ducks, you get Caroline pictures more often!

We've all been doing wonderfully. Chris LOOOVES his new job, and everyone loves him. He's had two sets of parents request that their kid be in his class, just after meeting him, not even knowing his teaching capabilities. And I've just been hanging out with Caroline all...day...long. New babies are fun, especially Caroline (!), fun to hand over to her daddy when he gets home! No! I really do enjoy it, but I'm excited about working, too. She can be a handful and the cause of a little back pain.

Caroline is set for her first eye doctor visit on September 4th. We're going in to check to see if her little eyeballs are developing correctly. The camera flash takes her by surprise sometimes (can we say googly), but lately I haven't noticed it as much. In any case, we want to make sure every thing is okay early on. In other Caroline news: a friend recently gave us a Johnny Jumo Up that her baby has outgrown. I was skeptical at first, but it is some kind of sturdy! Check out how much she likes it.


We also gave her a little cereal recently. Partly because she shows the signs of being ready and partly because I was super jealous when our friend Natalie announced that her little cutie, Isaac, had started on it. I also wanted to see how she reacted to being spoon-fed, since she'll be getting a little bit of it from her sitter come September. She loved it! She grabbed the bowl at one point. I guess I was holding it a little too close! Here is a picture of her "first spoon feeding." Actually, it's not a true first. The camera went dead on her real first. So this is the second day.

I also said I'd never put a headband on Caroline, until I played around with one. She is the cutest thing ever. Evidence:

I want to send a shout-out to my faithful readers. Milton. Thanks!

I'm typing REALLY fast...

to get this in before I lose my connection and/or Caroline starts fussing! SO many things have happened:

Caroline is now 4 months old. She weighs 14lbs and is 25 inches long! That’s the size of a six month old! She is doing great, smiling and laughing, especially in the mornings. She definately knows the difference between naps and bedtime (bedtime requires our presence, apparently). She LOVES to be told she's cute (what girl doesn't?) and that she's a silly...billy...goat! She's a master nurser, now, and can get the job done in 5 minutes sometimes. She has become really social and wants interaction during all waking hours. And she was wounded on the battlefield the other day. The Civil War battlefield in Vicksburg to be exact. Just a small scrape on the foot. I will be posting more pics, but it ain't easy on this kind of connection...

Chris and I completed our first real home improvement project yesterday, replacing a couple of warped boards on the back of the house. And I succeeded in spilling an expensive gallon of white paint on our back porch, on which Mally insisted on running and leaving white doggy prints! Luckily there was enough left to paint the boards.

Being at home all day with Caroline gave me a hankering to start a hobby, so I've been painting little things for Caroline and Abby. And I convinced Chris to listen to the last Harry Potter book with me so I could hear it in the car, and now we've gone to listening to it while eating lunch. Oh, and Chris loves his job at Westridge Middle, and I’ll be student teaching in the fall.

Whew!

Chris took Caroline to the doctor Saturday and they were sent to the hospital for bloodwork. It was just a precaution. Turns out she had a little virus that caused a fever and a rash, but the fever is now gone and the rash is fading. That girl never complained (she gets that from her mama). It broke my heart not being there for her first bloodwork (since birth), but her daddy was able to comfort her as the nurse squeezed her foot to get every last extra drop of blood she had. Oh! Maybe it's a good thing I wasn't there.

...

Pictures will come, I promise, but Tech's stupid server must be messed up and I can't get on the internet at home!

Caroline woke up with a fever this morning: 101.3 F

What's the deal? Several factors could contribute to her hot-headedness. She was sleeping beside me (which could raise her temp a little), she could be teething (we thought she was the other day), and she could have a little cold (which would explain the boogery nose). Let's pray it's that simple. Chris will take her to the doctor this morning. Gosh, I hope she's okay. She was still smiling at me this morning, so her demeanor's not shot. My GOODNESS she's so cute!

More Than Meets The Eye!

Yesterday, Chris and I had our first opportunity to go to the movies since Caroline was born. Mom, Dennis, Phillip, and Abby watched Caroline while we saw Transformers! It...was...SO...Good! Spectacular special effects, Shia Whatever-his-last-name-is, a cute little baby (that I can really appreciate now), and more! However, we were without our little girl, and I was worried about her for a second, until Phillip sent me a picture message of Abby and Caroline sweetly laying on a blanket. Thank God for technology! She had a great time and was well behaved!

Go see Transformers-there's "more than meets the eye!"

Here's What's Going On:

I'm back at work for a while. It hasn't been so bad, besides the fact that I have to leave my beautiful baby girl at home with her daddy, who-I have to admit-takes good care of her. She's been taking a bottle just fine, and pumping hasn't been bad at all. It allows me a break from work every now and then. I like being at work with all the familiarity and my great coworkers, but being a stay at home mom was the ultimate job. Just a few more weeks...

We are down to a one animal household now. Mally is a backyard dog and Chloe is a front porch kitty. Chloe is in high heaven. Mally has adjusted somewhat to being an outside dog. She held a conversation loudly with the next door dog,Lucky, last night. Oliver requires a bit more attention inside now, but there is a 90% reduction in pet hair in the house.

I have to go--time to work!

Last Video for a While

You may have to copy and paste. And it SO doesn't sound like me.

http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/DeniseCavin/?action=view¤t=MOV03404.flv

Watch Me, Says She

Since Comcast couldn't pick up our modem, we have an extra week of internet. So, I thought I'd better post a video, because there's no way I'm wasting my time trying with dial-up! Here's Caroline after a bath one night, laughing and screaming (with joy)!

http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/DeniseCavin/?action=view&current=MOV03398.flv

We love toys!

Even though Caroline's little bouncy thing said 4+ months, I put it together anyway. She's ahead of her age, right? But she was so small in it, we had to stuff a pillow in with her to keep her upright! Look how much she loved it...for about a minute!
Great News! Chris is hired at a middle school here in WM!

A Picture Presentation

of our most recent events.

Caroline is saddened by the news that she will have to get her 2 month shots.

However, she behaves wonderfully and impresses the nurse. She has her wounds dressed in Charlie Brown bandages.

Mama gives her a big kiss for being such a good girl!

As a reward, Caroline goes swimming for the very first time! She's looks a little apprehensive here, but she LOVED looking at the water.

Her daddy helped her float. She was slathered with about a quarter inch of sunscreen.

Now, why is it that they can't make a hat to fit my baby's little head or a swimsuit to fit her little butt?

In other news, in an effort to save a little cash, Chris and I are getting rid of broadband internet and going with the free Tech dial-up. Most of you know what that means: too slow for frequent posting. However, I promise to do what I can to ensure no one is hospitalized due to Caroline Withdrawals. And if you don't see pictures, just remember that she is the most beautiful girl in the world. OH-praise God! We found someone to keep her when I start back to school! A lady a few miles from us keeps teacher's kids and so I contacted her and we went over to her house this morning and we LOVE her! We think Caroline will love her, too. AND, Chris has quite a few job offers now in the area, and we're leaning towards one here in WM just about 5 minutes from the house! Just look at the answered prayers!