March 31, 2009 ~ Almost a year ~

Remember this from an old post??? This was Garrett, my best friends son on the day he was born...April 22, 2008.

And here we are the second day of his sweet life

And this is Garrett now!!! He is almost 1 year old! This was yesterday, March 30, 2009!!

And here we are again, almost a year later!!

Garrett loved Chewy!

And here are the 3 of us. My best friend since 8th grade and PRECIOUS Garrett!!!

I can't even express the love I have for these 2 people!!

Such a sweet picture of Mom and Son!

Mine and Garretts self portrait....gotsta have one of those!! :)

Time sure flies by!!!!

March 30, 2009 ~ A Few More ~

Here are a few more pics of the sisters in a different shirt!

March 25, 2009 ~ The Sisters ~

The sisters are here. Everything went great. I was back to work on Monday. I ended up having to leave early because I was worn out and feeling a little sore. However, I worked a full day yesterday and am doing great today. I had very little pain. In fact, I wouldn't really call any of it "pain". I would describe it more as really uncomfortable. The worst part was when Charles and my mom had to remove the tape from my sides in order to remove the pain pump. That's the only time I cried from pain....yeah, tape. Sleeping is uncomfortable because I have to sleep propped up and I'm a side sleeper. Knowing now what I know, I'd do it again. Not that it was a barrel of fun, but it was not what I expected. I only took my pain meds the day of surgery and Saturday. I took them less often Sunday and haven't had one since 3:30am Monday morning. I go for my follow up on Monday and am now just waiting on them to drop on down into place!

March 17, 2009 ~ Ode to Boobs ~

All my life I’ve been small busted. I always joked with my sister that it wasn’t fair she took my portion. It was always interesting to me to put one of the cups of her bra on my head! It’s been an ongoing joke for a long time about me having no boobs. It was always a dream to get a breast augmentation, however, it seemed like one of those dreams that I’d never actually go through with. It just seemed out of reach. I never realized how insecure I was until I started considering a BA seriously. I noticed that I would always make sure to have on a padded bra. I wouldn’t even consider a bra until I had felt it to make sure it had PLENTY of padding. It started to really sink in that I was very uncomfortable with how clothes fit. I had my daughter 7 years ago, and even though I was small busted, it still took a toll. They just were not as perky as they used to be and not as “full” (if that’s what you wanna call it)! Well, within the last 10 months or so, I have lost 20 lbs and there is just about nothing left. So…I got my tax return and set up a consultation!!! This coming Friday I'm having my surgery, so in light of that, I wanted to take a minute to give recognition to...The Girls.
Dear Girls,
I know right now it may seem as though I'm turning my back on you. You have been there for me through thick and thin, literally. You gave my daughter the nourishment she needed when she was born and for that I am forever grateful. You were the butt of many jokes that I got some great laughs out of. However, I always defended you. I'm not getting rid of you. I'm merely enhancing you. You have been a...small... part of my life but a constant nonetheless. So as we come to this crossroad, it is with great honor that I turn in my resignation as President of the IBTC (Itty Bitty Titty Committee). I will forever be a supporter of the IBTC and will never forget you.
All My Love
Andrea

March 16 2009 ~Memories Made ~

Camryn and I had one of the best weekends we've had in a while. Just me and her. We laughed so much together. From her getting stuck in her shirt and me trying to get her unstuck, accidentally choking her while doing it...and then laughing so hard at the face she made as she muttered "you're choking me, Momma". I laughed so hard I couldn't pull the shirt off. To yesterday when I SERIOUSLY had the longest burp EVER known to man....or to me anyway. I excitedly looked at Camryn when it wouldn't stop and she began to panic and told me to stop. Then I later realized that she thought I was turning into a monster. We had movie night where we took silly face pictures and laughed about her pooting...it was a great bonding weekend that we desperately needed. Then we did this thing that Billie did with her kids.
1. What is something mom always says to you?
I Love you (this is so true..I can't stop telling her)
2. What makes Mom happy?
Doing what she says (at least she knows...now if we could just put it into practice)
3. What makes Mom sad?
Not doing what she says (she's got that one down pat!)
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Making funny faces and taking silly pictures (aww the memories)
5. What was your mom like as a child?
like me (this is true)
6. How old is your mom?
27 (mind you, at the pharmacy yesterday she asked what year I was born. When I said 81 she said "man that was a LONG time ago" yeah, the pharmacy lady got a big kick outta that
7. How tall is your mom?
I don't know, like 5 or 6 feet. (you'd think so with the height of the men who i tend to date)
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
mostly go shopping (which I DO NOT like)
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
laundry (hahhah!!! not so much)
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
rich (sweet!!!!)
11. What is your mom really good at?
Coloring (at least there's something)
12. What is your mom not very good at?
Uhhh...DANCING (WHA??????)
13. What does your mom do for a job?
regular work (not on most days)
14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Cabbage (lol..this is funny to me..she just started liking cabbage)
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
You play with me (awww)
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
sponge bob *after I sigh* What? I love him (ERRGGG, knew that was coming)
17. What do you and your mom do together?
Movie night and a lot of things (yay!)
18. How are you and your mom the same?
sometimes I act like her (all the time) and two times we've thought the same thing at the same time
19. How are you and your mom different?
hair, eyes and she's older than me (thanks for pointing that out again)
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
she hugs and kisses me a lot (i do, indeed)
21. What does you mom like most about your dad?
*yeeeeaaahhhh, we skipped that one!*
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
mall (ehhhh not so much)

March 12, 2009 ~ Lord Help Us ~

It is becoming more and more apparent that my daughter is MUCH like me. She may not look a thing like me. I mean, if I hadn't spent months running to the bathroom every 2 seconds because she was smashing my bladder, or spent hours in labor giving birth to her, I'd question if she was mine. However, if you know me (who am I kidding?? I have 5 readers all of which know me) and listen to her talk you will know without a doubt she's mine...or I'm hers. Either way, because on more than one occasion my BFF Barbara will call me Camryn. Needless to say we act very similar! Last night she was lying on the couch and I was on the floor watching the news. The weather no doubt because Camryn is obsessed with weather...anyway. They mentioned Texarkana. This for some reason piqued Camryn's interest and the following conversation in sued:
Camryn: Texarkana
Me: Yeah, it's down south Arkansas...(always trying to impart knowledge)
Camryn: (ever the student) That's a cool word
Me: oh (obviously disappointed that she wasn't caring what I had to say)
Camryn: Texarkana...that's a fun word to say
Me: You know what word I always thought was fun to say in high school?
Camryn: What?
Me: Connecticut
Camryn: Connecticut...no, I don't think thats fun.
Me: It SO is fun...Connecticut
Camryn: Nah...Texarkana...Connecticut...what word do you think is fun to say?
Me: Uhhh...Connecticut
Camryn: Oh, I like Texarkana

This may not be funny to any of you, but in high school Ashley and I would have similar conversations. Time just seems to repeat itself. And don't be jealous by the deep and meaningful conversations that my child and I have.
And by jealous I mean...don't laugh! :)

March 9, 2009 ~ Seats and Tiaras ~

This weekend marked a new chapter in Camryn's life. We all know that law that says you have to be 6 years old and 60lbs to get out of your booster seat, right? Well, Camryn is 7, but when she turned 6 she was no where near 60lbs. She's still not quite there, but if I wait for her to be 60lbs she'll be 16 years old and I'll be putting her booster in the drivers seat before she goes somewhere. She's tall so the strap doesn't cut her off at her neck and I feel pretty ok with her not in her booster, but, well...I just wasn't ready to let go of it. For a while now she's been asking if she can get out of the booster because, she's NOT a baby. It all started when she got in the car with a friend (who's 8 by the way) and she asked why she was still in a car seat. Camryn said "My MOM makes me". UGH did she have to say it like that??! And for the record, lil girl...it's a BOOSTER, not a CAR seat...sheesh. Anyway, my excuse to Cam was when I vacuum the car she can get out of it. (Raise your hand if you understand that statement and don't want your child sitting the stuff that tends to gather and grow under a child's seat!) Yeah, well, that was my excuse, and knowing how often I vacuum my car, I figured that would give me at least another 8-9 months. The weather was amazing Saturday, so I washed my car and yes, vacuumed it. Camryn was so excited to get out of the booster seat. She was even excited that he car was clean and made the comment "man, they really did a good job vacuuming the car". UHHHHH, They NOTHIN'. I did that. I can't imagine her automatically assuming that someone ELSE vacuumed the car. *Hmmph* So, she's officially a big girl now. Next step...sitting in the front seat. Anyone know the law on that? I mean, I'm thinking like...16yrs, 17yrs old??? :)
We also had a dance competition this weekend in which Camryn did awesome again. She got 1st in her division on her solo. 5th place in the top 10!! I didn't know I had entered her in the running for the Title (like she won last time) but apparently I did. She got 2nd runner up and received a TIARA!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally something fun and girly. She wore it most of the day...even wore it into Shorty Smalls when we went to eat afterwards..silly girl! (This is where I DO NOT mention that I put it on when we got home...WHAT??? I never won a tiara and deserve my princess moment..besides, who are you do judge??? ;) ). Camryn and Callen's duet got 1st in division and 3rd place in the top 10. Their hip hop large group got 1st place in the top 10! YAY!!!!!!!!! And the Tap Large group got 6th place in the top 10!! I was so proud...they all did so great!!! And even after waking up at 5am on day light savings day which felt like 4am...I survived the day with minimal witchiness!!! Go ME!

March 5, 2009 ~ Where does she get this??? ~

So, last night I went to pick up Camryn from dance. Her teacher and a mom told me how great she did. She walked out of the room, no problems. While we were standing there she mentioned that she hurt her foot...around her ankle. Knowing when my child is in real pain or I-want-attention-pain, I told her it would be fine so let's go. The walk to the car was nearly impossible for her. She limped and whined and "cried" the whole way. (Mind you, she just did her dance amazingly well and walked out of the room without hesitancy.) The ride home was fine, we chit chatted and when we pulled up to the house she was telling me about how when she got home from dance the day before she was telling her Nana that she didn't think me and Ms. Barbara were there, but that like we actually like were. (My friend is staying with me for a few days while her car is in the shop.) She got out of the car without a problem and was continuing to tell me the story. Then it seemed to have hit her...Ms. Barbara is in the house..another chance for some sympathy!! The limping began again. She walked in the house and looked and much to her dismay, Ms. Barbara was not right there. She limped her way back to the back bedroom where she told Barb that she hurt her ankle and that she has hurt it before, but it's way worse this time. Me, being the wonderful mother that I am, was not fazed and told I told her to get in the shower. At this point she began to work hard at getting some tears and she whined about not being able to stand up in the shower. Somehow, through the pain, she managed. While she was getting ready for bed, Barb was in the kitchen and was watching her walking around her room perfectly fine. When Camryn realized that Barb was in the kitchen she grunted. Ms. Barbara asked her what was wrong and Camryn told her that her foot hurt so bad it was hard to get into her bed. *sigh* At this point I remembered the last time she hurt her foot...for real...the doctor wrapped it and it was magical. I didn't have a wrap but I did have a scarf. So, I took my scarf and "wrapped" her ankle. Let me tell you...that scarf had magical powers as well. Instantly she could walk! WOOHOO. This morning, before she woke up I snuck in and took the scarf, thinking she probably forgot the intense pain she was in last night. When she woke up, she had forgotten. Walked to breakfast with no problems. Then it hit her...when she saw me...and she began to limp. I said nothing. Then I looked in her room and she was tearing her bed up looking for the scarf. Of course she couldn't find it because I HID it! (what?? that's what being a mother is all about...hiding stuff). Anyway...no more problems this morning. I'm just wondering...where does she get this flare for the dramatic??? SHEESH!

March 3, 2009 ~ This and That ~

First of all, let me take a minute to say hi to one of my new readers, Mrs. Iris How!!! She and I have occasional visits at Target and when I saw her last night she told me she thought my blog was funny and that she's getting to know me by reading it!!! She is just precious and now I'm up to about 4 followers!!! I never dreamed my blog would take off like this! :)

Next order of business. Last night the Owl Family Association had their second Family Night Out (I think they should have called it "Family Night Owl-T" but no one asked me..anywho...or anyhoot..hahah!!!) When I showed up I went to say hello to Camryn. She had her legs on the seats beside her and wouldn't let me sit down. She hardly gave me a hug because she was too busy looking for her "friends". I then made the STUPID mistake of asking her if I could sit by her. She told me...*sniff*...NO! WHA???WHA???WHAT???? She told me she wanted her friends to sit by her. Now, as if "can I sit by you?" was not dumb enough, I proceed to ask "am I not cool enough to sit by you?". She told me no, y'all. *dagger in the heart* This was a first and let me just tell you...I'm NOT ok with it. I mean, I think I'm one of the coolest people ever. I can do the boot scootin' boogie, the macarina and know most of the words to Hangin' Tough by NKOTB! You really can't get much cooler than that! *sigh* Moving on...
Later during the evening, I was standing in line to get food when one of Camryn's friends came up to me to let me know that Camryn spilled her drink on her pants and my purse and she was crying. THEEEENNNNN all the sudden she needed me. She came straddle walking up to me with big ole tears to tell me she spilled it on her and my coat. I hugged her and told her to go clean it up, that it will be ok. The man behind me said, "Is that your little sister?" I told him no, that was my daughter and he then told me that I didn't look old enough to have a child her age. At this point, I wanted to kiss this man. I did refrain seeing as how he was married and a stranger and my Mom is his children's principal. But it was a nice thing to hear after such a heart wrenching night.
While at this "Family Night Owl-T" my mom point out the bully who was pulling on Camryn's arms and she couldn't get free from him. This boy has been bullying kids at school and Camryn was one of them. We had a little lesson on "defending yourself" and mean by which to do this. So, he was there and I gave him the evil eye. I don't think he saw me, but I'm sure he felt it.
It was an interesting night...one of many to come, I'm sure. I'm just not sure how to deal with this whole not being cool thing. Maybe if I get a DS I can text with my daughter and find out how to go about being cool. Or, maybe I'll just not worry about being cool and be the Mother I was meant to be! :)

March 2, 2009 ~ Holes ~

I have a real hard time buying new trouser socks or knee highs. I just never think about getting those when I'm at the store. Mine have holes and it doesn't really bother me that much. It's not one of my OCD issues. You wear shoes over them so no one really knows anyway. That's just how I look at it. Apparently, my daughter aka Fashion Police, doesn't feel the same way. I had on some of my "holy" socks yesterday (afterall, it was SUNDAY). This is how our "conversation" went down:

Camryn: Mom (she likes to call me this when she's feeling sassy) you have holes in your socks.

Me: Yeah, I know

Camryn: Uhh, it's annoying

It's not that bad, is it? I mean, no one sees this. Sheesh!