15 Pounders

15 pound turkey with a 15 pound baby.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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Two Month Checkup

Ha! Ha! I think that photo is so funny!
Troy had his two month visit on Friday the 13th. All went well overall. He had one oral vaccination and four shots. Before I could get a pacifier out of the bag, the shots were over. He didn't cry until the nurse had finished giving him the shots. Oh, it was a heartbreaking, skin curling scream! My eyes welled up with tears! Brian did just fine. It didn't take long to soothe him. An hour or so later he would cry pretty loud for maybe less than five minutes, all the while, I couldn't soothe him but he would just quit crying. He obviously didn't feel good. By six hours post shots, he was fine and still slept through the night. It was harder on me than it was on him! He may have been upset with me afterwards because I did take him to Kids Kloset for some fabric, then out to eat with some friends, to Fun and Fancy and then to Wal Mart. Had to do it then so I didn't have much of a choice. Oh well! I will say that if you EVER want things to be rushed for you at Wal-Mart, have your baby start screaming while you're waiting in line. People were so nice to us! They put us in our own line to check out, someone put most of the groceries on the belt and another person helped me put the groceries in the car. Of course, I wasn't wanting Troy to scream the whole time. He slept while I was shopping. Convenient, huh?

So here are his stats:

Head circumference: 15.5 (25 percentile)

Length: 23.6 (85 percentile)

Weight: 14 lbs. 1 ounce (90 percentile)

He apparently has a small head although it doesn't seem like it to me.

Lastly, if you're wondering...NO, we didn't go to the Auburn/Georgia game. EEk! Although the outcome wasn't what we wanted (as far as the outcome of the game), we did miss going. However, I feel so good about the decision we made to stay at home with Troy. We just decided it wasn't time for us to be gone that long. He has become a little attached to me, I think because I went back to work last week and he was having a little separation anxiety (or so I'm guessing). He'll have a tiny crying spell and when I pick him up, or take him from Brian, he'll stop crying. It only takes a minute or two of me holding him for him to be okay, then I can give him back to Brian. So, with that reaction I've had coupled with the shots, we decided it wasn't time to leave him for 2 nights. Plus, I had NO idea that a two month old baby was still a little baby. Months ago, I thought he would be old enough. Well - Mama didn't feel that way when the time came!

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We made it!

So I didn't post this before but Brian was out of town the last couple of nights. He's back now so we're safe...no stalkers! However, I started back to work this week and had to juggle a baby with work, taking him to Goli, picking him up on time and managing him on my own at home. Nope, didn't pull any hair out and he slept pretty much like a charm! He has begun waking up by pooting - yes, pooting, around 3 in the morning. I can hear it on the monitor! It makes me wake up also, I go to him, stick a pacifier in his mouth and he'll go back to sleep. Brian missed him so much! Of course Troy missed his daddy, too.

While Troy was napping at night, I have been able to get some sewing done, too. I'm working on a couple of Christmas outfits for him. They involve smocking, of which I don't enjoy. I'm almost finished with one outfit. I made a 3 month and since he's already wearing 3 month handmade clothes, I'm a bit concerned that he'll grow out of it before Thanksgiving. I'll make sure he wears it before then, just in case. What's wrong with wearing a snowman outfit before Thanksgiving? We've had a rule in our household that we don't begin celebrating Christmas (with the decor and music, etc.) until the day after Thanksgiving. Since the Auburn/Alabama game is that day, I'm not sure we'll get the decor out until later. I did, however, learn an important lesson last year. You NEVER pick out a Christmas tree without your significant other participating. Never!

We have his 2 month checkup on Friday so I'll try hard to post his stats that day. AND, Brian and I are going to the Auburn/GA game this weekend. I think I'm crazy but we're not taking Troy. I know it'll be really hard but he'll be in great hands with my Mom. She and John have graciously agreed to come to our house and care for him. And, it's their anniversary. I will tell them how grateful we are to them! I'll let you all know how that goes, too.

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Tomorrow

Today is the last day before going back to work. Troy will be 2 months old this week. Just like everyone told me it would, time has gone by quickly. But, I feel like I've done as much as I possibly could over the past 2 months. During the last couple of weeks of my pregnancy, I was very much looking forward to my time off. I wanted to meet my son, to see his little eyes look at me and to find out about this whole motherhood thing. I thought I would change entirely. That hasn't happened at all. I'm still the same Elyse who needs to stay busy. I truly thought he would come into our lives by 9/9/09 and weigh 9 pounds. Ms. Sherry made a comment about that and it stuck with me. But then again, I thought we were going to have a girl. by 9/9/09 and no contractions, I just knew he would be here by 9/11 and I wasn't getting excited about that. Then, when that day passed, I prayed that he would come before I was 2 weeks past my due date. The doctor wasn't comfortable letting me go that late and was wanting to induce. Since I wanted a natural birth, I didn't want to be induced. I wanted God to choose Troy's birthdate. As always, He came through for me and my prayers and Troy was born on the 13th. Looking back over the past couple of months, I've learned a lot about motherhood but have also learned that you can have your cake and eat it too!! Troy has been a wonderful baby for us. He has truly spoiled us!

That spoiliation was evident when, three nights ago, he woke up every 2 hours. His little tummy was hurting him but he wasn't upset. He wanted to eat and play. I got quite frustrated although I didn't tell him. I only told him I wish he would go back to sleep...and I'm sure it was in the sweetest voice ever! Of course I was also thinking that I didn't want him to start getting up like that because I was about to go back to work. Guess what? the next two nights he slept 9 and then 8 1/2 hours. I felt like a fool. He was probably just going through a little growth spurt or something and whatever I ate probably hurt his stomach. Ugh.

We've also done so many other things together. Little man isn't fussy much. He either needs to be changed, to eat or sleep. We're still trying to figure all of that out. He is happy most of the time. He loves me and Brian. His face lights up when he sees us. We get a huge ear to ear grin from him. I'll also say that he adores me. Yes, the feeling is mutual. If you know me well, you know that I'm not a touchy-feely, kissy kissy, affectionate person. But, looking at this little being and knowing that he is absolutely infatuated with me is a bit overwhelming. I love it! Yes, I'm the source of his food. But, that's not why he loves me so much. It's that I'm his mother. I'll treasure this time forever. I just pray that we will be the best teachers we can be, using God's guidance and direction, for Troy's life. And, I pray that he will hold tight to everything he's taught and will grow to become a God-fearing, respectable man.

As I've told many, I absolutely love my son and my feelings toward going back to work have been that I need to go back to work. There are many reasons so I'll name just a few: the benefits, I love what I do, I'm very interested to see how my outlook on my evaluations will change (will I be more compassionate or harsh? more understanding or impatient?), my job is very rewarding to me, I love to read and write about what I do, I love the flexibility, I think I'll be a better mother by working. Goli is taking wonderful care of him also. I cannot express how blessed I feel we are to have found her. She kisses him like crazy and I can see in the other childrens' eyes that they absolutely adore her. She takes them outside which is a big plus for me! Troy has taken to her so well. I want him to be a well-rounded child and be exposed to other people and children (within reason, of course). This is the best route, for our family, for Troy at this time. And...well, I'm going back part time for now which is another blessing. And, working out of the home most of the time isn't a bad thing either. I'm probably not dreading it as much for those two reasons.

Since Troy has been born, one of the greatest blessings we've had is Brian at home. His job responsibilities have changed and he is now in the "office" every day. Prior to Troy's birth, Brian traveled....a lot. Seven states and being gone at least 3 weeks out of each month. I'd say that's a lot. My prayer back then was for strength to manage a baby and work without daddy at home each night. He works for a company based out of Opelika. That office is just a few miles from our house. While he'll travel every now and then, it will be nothing like before. I have a newfound respect for single mothers and single fathers. Just to have an extra hand every now and then is a Godsend. Really, it is! You guys know exactly what I'm talking about.

Now that my post has become extremely long, I will add that I love our life right now. It's as perfect as I can imagine life on Earth right now. Troy is a blessing in and of himself. Truly from God. We prayed for a child for years and now he's here! Brian being at home is a wonderful blessing. He works for a wonderful company which is extremely family oriented. The company I work for is absolutely wonderful, with great benefits, of which I'm very grateful. We enjoy a comfortable life, with time to do the things we want to do (including house and yard work). Thank you, Lord, for these many blessings. I am overwhelmed with His generosity. He blesses us in the good and the tough. I don't call them "bad" times...they're just tough. I seem to seek him more during those tough times and should thank him more for the blessings He's given us. If His love is this wonderful, I cannot imagine life in Heaven or the treasures being stored there for me and my family.



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Christening Gown

I know you've been holding your breath waiting for the day I'd post photos, right? Right. Well, we (as in me and my mother) did finish the gown before Troy was born. We actually finished it in August. Below are the photos and details. Patience is needed in reading this post...it is long and has lots of photos!
Shortly before I found out I was pregnant, I knew the type of Christening gown I wanted to make for my children, their children and so on. I found the style in a 1994 Sew Beautiful magazine my mother had from when my sister, Rebecca, was a child.
Here's the magazine and a photo of the "inspiration" gown.

Once I found out we were having a boy, I knew this was my only chance with this child to do whatever I wanted for a Christening gown. I drew a photo of what I thought I wanted it to look like, took it to Kids Kloset and Debbie suggested the pattern below, which I ordered that day. While the pattern was good, the instructions were a bit confusing. Thankfully, my mother is very good at heirloom sewing so I leaned on her a lot for tips and clarification.

Here's my sketch:

Here's the pattern:


My sketch of the dress was pretty sad so my Mom and I re-drew it when we went to a sewing shop in Columbus, GA. Here is the sketch:

We spent three hours picking out the laces.



I put the puffing strips together (Brian helped gather the puffing) and attach them to the entredeux.


Mom came over one Saturday and we spent 9 hours working on the gown while Brian and John painted the deck. They got through before we were at a stopping point. After 9 hours, we had assembled MOST of the entredeux and laces together. The construction of the gown had not even begun!

I took over the dining room for a few weeks:



I put the strips for the middle panel of the gown together:

Then I began assembling the bodice top.

Here are the four panels of the gown skirt. Sometimes the cat is needed for things like this. She, of course, is a great help. Laying on the fabric is a must and never requires using a roller brush to remove hair.


I put the skirt pieces together and then added the bodice to the top. I then put the lace around the bottom of the skirt and finished the placket.

I met Mom in Montgomery and gave her what I had finished. She added some shadow work and handwork:
She's so talented! She's a perfectionist when it comes to sewing, too. I sometimes find myself making small, minor mistakes and try to ignore them. She doesn't which is something I totally admire about her. She did a wonderful job with the handwork. We are also going to put Troy's initials on the middle bottom panel of the gown (no, not the slip). My intent is for any other child who is Christened in this gown to have their initials, too. I'm also making a scrap book to pass down and take photos of each child to be placed in the book. Can you tell I'm excited about this?




I just LOVE puffing, don't you? I took an heirloom sewing class at Kids Kloset earlier this year and fell in love with puffing. It is so much fun to do and I love the finished look. I was determined to put it on the Christening gown.



The finished gown:

Visits and Bye Bye Maternity!

Troy has been spending more time with Goli this week and it's given me a chance to get caught up on some stuff. I've got quite a few sewing projects going on right now. I start back to work next week so I need to get things in order. He is such a good baby and I feel so wonderful with her taking care of him. She probably does a better job than me!

Troy and I have been going to a nursing support group since he was 11 days old. It's been very neat having a group of people supporting one another. There are a lot of babies! If you click on the photo, you can see I'm smiling and my baby is screaming! Is this bad of me? I thought that my happiness would spread to him. Didn't quite work that way.

Me with Troy at the nursing support group party.Does it look funny that I pull his socks up to his knees? I don't know why but I like to do that? It reminds me of High School when I used to pull my socks up to my knees for every sport I played and while wearing shorts. Why? I don't know! It took me a while to start wearing ankle socks because of my monster calves. Yes, monster calves - I've always been self conscious of them and somehow, to me, pulling my socks up higher concealed them. In reality, it probably made them look larger. Anywho...

Laura and Alan came over (with Jack and Laura's grandmother) to trick-or-treat.

Here are two rascals who came over at Halloween. They were a hoot!

Dustin and Michelle came to visit this past weekend. They are our first friends from B'ham to visit. Troy says thanks for visiting guys!I took this video of Troy on his changing table this morning. I haven't been very good about catching him in action. He's so happy in the mornings. He wakes up with a smile on his face and is so darn sweet! We put his changing table in front of the window and he will lay there for a long time and "talk" to the sky. It's amazing how much this little thing will entertain adults! Yeah, it's a minute and 1 second long. I know, too long!

Did any of you who were pregnant borrow clothes from friends? If you did (or are), you know what a lifesaver it can be! I just went through my closet and got the borrowed clothes out. I mean, there is a LOT! Definitely more than I could have worn but I wore them like crazy. Don't worry guys, I didn't destroy anything :o) Thanks again to Cynthia, Mary, Meredith, Laura and Pam. I'm passing the ones I bought onto a friend to borrow. You should, too. Here are some photos of the loot.

I think this photo of Troy is hilarious. He's probably wondering why I keep putting him in awkward positions and take pictures of him. It's just so darn fun!

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Halloween and Swimming

So you probably noticed (or probably didn't) that the Halloween day post was all about Auburn. Yes, we were super excited to see Auburn beat Ole Miss. Brian and I made it to the game and decided to leave after halftime. Uh, we shortly learned that we should have stayed. If I were superstitious, I would think that us leaving had everything to do with Auburn's win. Anyway, it was exciting!
We also had a fun Halloween. The city of Auburn dictates the day that Trick or Treating occurs. That happened the Thursday before Halloween. In our neighborhood we get a LOT of trick or treaters. It's very fun and we had a great time. Last year we cooked Chicken Taco Soup so I made that again and it was delicious (not because I made it but because I followed directions)! A couple of friends came over and brought their children. They don't usually get many folks come to their homes so they had a blast handing out candy to our trick or treaters. When they got good and sugared up, the screaming began and it was hilarious. Troy slept through the whole thing and we even had him in the middle of the chaos. We are hoping for as much fun and excitement next year!
On Friday, we went to a Halloween party. Dress up, of course. If you saw my Happy "Meoloween" note on an earlier post, you saw Abbie and Troy's cosumes. I was't going to buy Troy an outfit for Halloween. Mainly because he's so little and I didn't want to pay much money for a costume for a baby. Next year will be different. Anyway, one day Brian came home with a rooster hat for Abbie. I thought it was hilarious and decided that I could make Troy one to match. My mom came over a couple of days after that and we worked on it. I wasn't going to line the hat (where you can't see the seams) because we were making a ROOSTER hat - who cares, right? Well, she is a perfectionist when it comes to sewing so she lined the thing. I added the top stuff. And, I made a rooster applique one a onesie for him. Well, for the party I decided that Brian and I would go as farmers and take our "rooster" baby with us. See below! Please disregard the pacifier in the rooster's mouth. That rooster loves a pacifier.


Before Troy's umbilical cord fell off, I was chomping at the bit to get him in the water. A couple of days after it happened, I put him in the tub with me. I quickly found out that babies float! I'm sure the rest of you moms know that but it's the coolest thing to me! Every now and then I'll put him in the water so he can enjoy it like he does. He just loves it! Please check out the videos below. After Brian stopped filming, the little rooster started kicking and it was hilarious.