New Camera + Chattanooga

I knew once I had Al that I would need a new camera.  My old camera worked perfectly fine for taking pictures of Mark and me...since we know how to be still and smile.  Al...not so much!

Luckily, my work offers "reward points" for logging workouts, getting a yearly physical, taking the stairs, etc.  Then, you can redeem those points for gift cards or merchandise.  Well folks, I've been saving mine since 2010, so I was able to REALLY take advantage.  Let me introduce you to "Ansel":

(As captured by my iPhone...who will now be taking a backseat)

This little guy is much more impressive in person and with the lens attached.  So, yes, free camera.  Now I just need to learn to use him.

First camera trip = Chattanooga, for my cousin's wedding:

I had WAY too much fun capturing those two playing together.  Adorable!

All about Al

In the past few months, Al has taken his first trips to:

The beach

The mountains (no pictures since the trip was a bit of a disaster...there's always next time)

The zoo

The pool

The park

We have also started:

Sitting up

Eating solids (baby food).  We are trying to move to some "table" foods (puffs and cheerios), but he's been so congested that he can't handle it.  Little one has some sensitive gag reflexes, and I end up wearing his food.

And talking!  If "dadadadada" counts!  I correct him every time.  "No, Al.  It's 'mamamama'".  Sweet Nanny is totally on my side with this one.

Other than being sick ALL the time, Al is so easy-going.  We took him to a friend's house for his first Bama game, and he sat on the floor and played with cups for the entire first half.  Only made a few happy squeals (which didn't come close to matching the yelling that this crowd can do).

People love to ask if he's crawling yet.  Since he didn't sit-up until about 7 months, I'm expecting this to be delayed too.  Truth: He's a bit lazy.  Second truth: He gets it from his momma.  If he can't reach a toy, he just goes after another.  People say this is a blessing...the longer I can keep him from being mobile, the better.  And, since we've established that I'm a bit lazy too, this is probably true.

So keep "chillin'" little one, we'll get there when we're both ready.

25 Random Facts (Part 3)

11)  I am almost always in the process of reading 3 books.  The first is usually an audio book.  I prefer something educational, philosophical, etc.  I like that I can listen to it in the car and let my mind wander a bit.  The second is usually a book club pick or something fictional that I enjoy.  And the third is almost always something I've been reading for months...and typically loathe.  Most of the last category end up being books that I appreciate and am glad I finished.  Which is why I continue reading them...at a snails pace.

12) I love to dance, but I'm terrible at it.  This is not like my singing, which I know is not great, but is also not offensive.  My dancing is offensive.  I used to take dance lessons and fake an injury before each recital until my ballet teacher told me that I could just PLAN to not be in the recital.  So I would enjoy dance classes for months and then casually excuse myself when it came time to learn the recital number.
Now, my favorite show is "So You Think You Can Dance".  My DVR is filled with the episodes that I refuse to delete and watch multiple times.

13)  I have no decorating/design skills.  The irony is that my job title is technically "designer".  (Obviously the two are unrelated)

14)  I really like beer, but could do without wine or liquor.

15)  Most of the things that I would change about myself, physically, are things that I COULD change (at least to an extent) if I were less of a glutton and a little less lazy.  So, I've tried to stop complaining about them and focus on my pale skin instead.

Al's Baptism

Yesterday was, arguably, the most significant day in Al's life...thus far.  And I could go on and on about the love everyone showed us.  His Grandma Pridgen made his beautiful gown, his Grandma Deb & Grandfather hosted a wonderful brunch at their house, and we were shocked by the number of friends and family who showed up at 8:30 to see it all happen.

But, this picture is what gets me.  It stops me in my tracks.  I know Al's a baby, and couldn't possibly fathom the significance of being Baptized...but this face suggests otherwise.  He knows.

I love him.  With my whole heart.  And I love the commitment that we helped him make to follow Christ.  It was a beautiful day!

25 Random Facts (Part Two)

6) When Mark and I were dating I told him it didn't matter what Christian Denomination we joined.  But after visiting a few different churches, I realized that I missed the "Doxology" and "The Apostles' Creed".  I decided that if you attended Camp Sumatanga and/or Mountain TOP every summer, got a degree from Birmingham-Southern, and can sing the doxology to about 5 different tunes...you might be a Methodist.

7) I love football, but anticipating the new season gives me a little bit of anxiety.  Devoting every Saturday to football, from August - November (longer, if you're lucky), feels somewhat exhausting.

8) I'm guilty of taking my parents for granted.  A flaw that I'm working on and hoping to not pass on to Al.

9) I start the task of reading the entire Bible almost every year.  I always get stuck at "Numbers"...which I think I'm just going to skip this time around.

10) I'm still best friends with my same best friends from high school.  I've added a few others over the years, who are just as important to me.  But I love that I've retained these friendships for over 10 years.

25 Random Facts (Part One)

I recently noticed a "notes" section on my Facebook profile.  It seems as though 2009 was the year to create these "notes" with 25 random facts about yourself and then tag other people so they could read them.

First thought...this is stupid.  But after reading a few, "stupid" changed to "awesome".  I really enjoyed seeing what my friends had written about themselves 4 years ago.  And, I figured I'd enjoy some random thoughts/facts about my current self in 4 more years.  So, without further ado:

1)  I mostly remember fighting with my sister growing up.  It used to break my mom's heart, as she assumed ALL sisters were best friends (she had a brother).  I think part of the reason we fought was our inability to share.  Ironically, now my sister is one of the best "sharers" I know.

2)  I love to sing.  If I could read music, or at least carry a tune, I would be in some sort of choir.  Instead, I reserve my singing for the car and little Al.  It's become one of our special things.  I sing to him at least twice a day and usually throw in a rap somewhere too.  Don't worry, I change the words to make it "baby friendly".  Oh, you can't wait to hear this?  Here you go:

• "Eeny Meeny Miny Mo...How many babies to the crib gonna go?  I knooow you see it.  I knooow you see it."  (If only Young Joc could hear what I've done to his song).
• "I like big BOTTLES and I cannot lie..."

But, truthfully, Al's favorite song is "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" by Whitney Houston.  LOVES it!  

3)  I hate to cook.  Mark and I cook MAYBE once a week.  Don't ask what we eat the other nights...it's just embarrassing.

4)  Politically, I'm very...moderate.  I always thought this meant I was indecisive, but I don't think I am (see what I did there?).  Instead, I typically have very set opinion about things: our economy, equal rights, national defense, the environment, and even religion (because, let's face it, religion and politics are VERY intertwined).  In truth, about half of my opinions align with the Republican Party and the other half with the Democratic Party.  Voting is a nightmare.

5)  I absolutely LOVE Birmingham and Alabama in general, but sometimes I feel like I was supposed to live by the water.  Not the hot Florida beaches.  No, no.  We're talking north Atlantic, north Pacific, or the Great Lakes.  Sitting in an adirondack chair, wearing a knitted sweater, sipping coffee, watching boats.  Mark has agreed to take me to one of these places for my 30th birthday/5 year anniversary.  He has no desire to travel somewhere cold.  That's true love!

Half a year as a Mom

I had no doubts that I would love being a mother.  I grew-up babysitting, working in the church nursery, and spending my summers as a camp counselor.  And while having your own INFANT is harder than watching someone else's KIDS, being a mother has exceeded every expectation I had...so far (don't worry, I'm aware of the fact that I have yet to experience potty training, temper tantrums, sibling rivalries, and worse).

These past 3 months have been VERY different from the first 3 months...

Gone are the days of being Al's sole source of food.  I breastfed for 4 months, patted myself on the back for making it THAT long, and switched to formula.  Did I feel guilty?  Definitely.  Moms today are being defined by how long they breastfeed, and it's hard to argue with the health benefits (for both mom and baby).  But guilt is my new normal.  And I'm choosing to not let my life be defined by something so simple.  The trade-off: Al has a happier mom.  Double win: Al can now hold his own bottle.

Tummy time no longer results in meltdowns.  Al will officially push-up on his arms and roll from his stomach to his back...sometimes.  While this progress is months behind some babies, he's a rock-star in my book.

We sleep.  All three of us.  And I don't take one of those nights for granted, because I know a lot of moms still aren't (and I probably won't be with baby number 2).  Al goes to bed at 7:30 and Mark & I go to bed at 9:30...because you never know when you WILL be up at 3am.  Side Note: 3am always results in a little Matchbox 20 sanity song*
*And I said "baby, it's 3 am, you must be lonely"

Speaking of "sanity songs"...Al loves music.  I'm sure most babies enjoy music, but I think his joy exceeds what I would consider "typical".  He can go from full meltdown to laughing or sleeping just by hearing one of his favorite songs.  It soothes and/or energizes him.  And since I love to sing, rap, hum, or just listen to music, there is no shortage in our house.

Smiles and laughter cover a multitude of sins.  As Al's personality starts emerging, the worst tasks seem almost enjoyable.  I find myself looking forward to the next dirty diaper...because Al LOVES it.  He smiles, laughs, and kisses me* for a job well done.
*Kiss = putting my cheek against his mouth calling it a kiss...po-tato, po-tAHto

It's hard work having a baby.  I don't recommend it to everyone I know.  Really, I don't.  But it works for Mark and me.  Al completes our family (for now), and we LOVE being around this little guy!

Happy 6 months, Little Al!