I'm here!!

Hello to all!!

I am on the bandwagon now!! For my first post, I guess I'll just fill everybody in on what life is like right now. First, I am LOVING being a stay-at-home mom. Wyatt is going to be 7 months old on the 2nd of March, and he is absolutely the CUTEST thing I have ever seen. He's got two teeth, and Brenda and I are sure he's about to cut two more on top. It makes me a little sad, because he's starting to get out of that "baby look" and more into the little boy look. He's been kind of congested and coughing for about a week, but is not running a fever and seems as happy as ever. I am keeping a close eye on him, though.

Brian spent most of last week in San Antonio at the TMEA convention. I really think he had a blast seeing some of his favorite buddies. He got to visit and relax some, which is good, because as you all know, he works himself to death during the year. While he was at TMEA, Wyatt and I got to spend some time with Brenda, Del, and Maddie. Del was working really hard at his own convention, so he was pretty scarce. Brenda and I BOTH understand what it's like to have our husbands work super hard. So, we had a great time. Wyatt LOVES his cousin Maddie. He wants to chew on her, mainly. I have to admit, I wanted to chew on her too, because she is so adorable!! I got to babysit while Brenda caught up on her dr. appts. and errands. I was thrilled, because I got to hold a TINY baby. Wyatt is just huge compared to petite little Maddie, and it was nice to hold a baby and not have a backache immediately afterwards. At one point, when I was in charge of both babies, Brenda was in the shower and Del was in his office working. I got the great idea to put Maddie with Wyatt in his pack and play. Wyatt was thrilled. Maddie, um, not so much. She let out a wail and then Wyatt chimed in. So there I was, holding a 20 pound meatloaf, and a 12 pound turkey, bouncing them both up and down. It was a sight, let me tell you!!

Brian came back to get us and we headed home to Midland Saturday morning. The weather was C-O-L-D and we ran into a little mist that froze on the windshield. Luckily, that was as bad as it got. We mad it home in one piece. We saw our brand new little pear tree had been planted in the back yard. That was my Valentine's gift from the Collinses. I LOVE fruit trees, and can't wait to eat the first pear! Of course, coming home from a trip means at least a day of laundry, so that's what I am working on now. I really don't mind doing laundry. In fact, Brian knows he is NOT allowed to touch any laundry, even his own. I am a little territorial about it.

So, that's the story. I hope to post some new pics of Wyatt soon. I hope all of you are doing well!! Can you believe we're heading into March already?

Melanie

Pictures of Jessica

Here are a couple of pictures of Jess that were taken yesterday at the sitter's. It was the first time she was left with a sitter, and the last time she'll be left with that particular one. Am I being unreasonable in asking that the person keeping my child at least have a clean house? Anyway ... wanted to share the photos with you. I'll have to get one of her legs, too, so you can see the creases. I could squeeze 'em all day!

2-17-06 Update

Wow, so much has been going on. I'm in the process of trying to get into a Surg Tech program at Concorde Career Institute in Arlington. It's one of the few accredited schools for the program in the area, and pending a final review, it looks like I'll be starting classes mid-May. And, by the end of June 2007, I will be a certified Surgical Tech ... fingers crossed.

I had a very interesting birthday ... spent the first several hours of it at the courthouse. We finally went head to head with Jess's dad for child support. He's got a "B" of an attorney, and mine is quite the pushover, but child support is starting. We'll have a final court appearance to make around September I think ... he's trying to get out of retro-support. You know, like she hasn't needed anything the first 4 months of her life. He's also wanting visitation, which he has yet to exercise. I'm not thrilled about it AT ALL, but it's his right. I've had several offers to have him "taken out", but I really need that check every month. Once I get my certification, though, I may reconsider those offers. :-)

Jessica is doing well. She weighed in at 15 lbs, 9 oz on Wednesday ... doc says she's in the 90th percentile for weight, so we should probably start pushing solid foods to cut down on calorie intake. She's turning into quite the butterball. She's not a big fan of cereal, so I bought some veggies, hoping maybe it's the flavor she's after. Don't be shy. If anyone has any suggestions, lay it on me. It's been too long since Levi was this age, so I don't remember how he did with solids.

Levi is still doing great in school. It seems as though reading isn't his only strong subject. The kids have so many levels of math tests to complete before the end of the year, and he finished all levels a week or so ago. The kid is a perfectionist. He does not like to fail. It definitely comes out when he's playing video games. You would think the world was ending ... you can ask Mona. He screams at the tv constantly if the game isn't going his way. Too funny! Just don't let him see you laughing. He's going to his dad's this weekend ... unfortunately. That's a whole other story. Yes, Darrin is still married to his fatal attraction ... I don't think she's boiled any bunnies, but I bet she's run over a few. That marriage is a living advertisement for birth control.

And, since Mona won't respond about Ethan, let me have the honor. Mr. furniture man is still very much in the picture. You know the stage ... I like him so much, but can't let him know - does he like me that much? ... maybe I love him, but does he love me? ... I won't say anything unless he does ... oh my God, I haven't talked to him in 5 minutes ... I miss him so much! Blah, blah, blah ... I'm pretty sure that I'll never date again. Mom has met him, and he passed the mom test with flying colors. But, Mona has kept him from the rest of us, for good reason I'm sure. For some reason, I expect to see a guy in a toga with a bright light surrounding him. He's just been built up so much. She better bring him around quick before it gets to the point where he can't possibly live up to the image we have of him.

Mom and Dad are doing well. They celebrated their birthdays in Vegas last week. I guess they didn't do very well. After all, they did come back.

Ok, well, I have to run ... have to finish making a ring-tailed lemur for one of Levi's school projects. I thought homework was supposed to be for the kids! :-( Oh well ...

Blog ya later ...