Walker's 1st Razorback Football Game

Somehow I got this crazy idea in my head that I just had to take Walker to a football game this year.  I really, really wanted a picture of him with one of the mascots...but not Big Red because that one is sort of creepy rather than cute.  I kept waiting for a home game that was scheduled for the afternoon but they were all evening games.  However, Marcus had a wedding in South Carolina to go to this weekend, which meant that I had an extra ticket...and could also have a little more flexibility with game time (he has to see every second of the game, which is great, but not with a baby).  I decided to ask my mom to come and that this might also be a good time to bring Walker.  That way if we did have to leave early because he got cranky it that would be ok. 
Everyone was telling me that it was not a good idea to bring him and that I should just get a sitter... and then when I read the weather forecast for game day I started to get even more nervous about taking an 8 month old out at night.  We had pretty severe wind and it was chilly.  So, of course, I came up with three plans.  Plan A, was to go to the tailgate and the game.  Plan B, was to go to the tailgate and as much of the game as Walker was in to.  Plan C, was to go to the tailgate and then go out to my parent's house to watch the game. 

My mom came over to my house and, once Walker woke up from his nap, we got ready to go.  I had found this cute razorback outfit at Walmart awhile back and thought it would be perfect because it was warm and protected his little ears.  I also put on an extra layer of clothes underneath. 

Walker was in a good mood at the tailgate and we found a cheap (relative term when it comes to tickets) ticket for Walker so I decided to proceed with plans A and B.  I packed up the diaper bag with snacks, blankets, and pretty much anything else you can think of and crammed it in there :) .  I strapped Walker into the baby bjorn and made our way to the stadium.  Now, I haven't really used the baby bjorn much in the past few months...holy cow, Walker is much heavier than I remember, but it was definitely more manageable than holding him and he loved being in it. 

Walker absolutely LOVED every minute of the game.  He talked and flirted with the people around us, got his picture taken A LOT, and even cheered for the hogs.  At the end of the second quarter and during half time he took a power nap and then cheered some more.  I made the executive decision that we would leave at the end of the third quarter (a newly formed Plan D, where we leave because I am ready).  Walker wanted to stay, but the last thing I wanted to do was breastfeed in a bathroom stall somewhere!  So, we went back to our car, fed the baby, changed him and then drove home. 

Cheering on the hogs!

Sandy brought us this super cute bib that she got that day

I think I was more excited about Sooie than Walker

Loves G-Mama more than the hogs

Power nap

And he's back

The trio

Maybe a little scared of her

On the way home we got a pizza and then played some more.  For a kid that is on a strict routine and goes to bed by 7:30 every night, he loved staying up and playing with his G-mama.  I think he had a wonderful day.  The only thing that would have made it better is if Marcus would have been able to come too!

My D.D., just kidding!  We were waiting on the pizza

Jury Selection

I just had to stick my foot in my mouth this weekend!  I was telling Marcus last Saturday that I have been so lucky to not be selected for any jury trials this term.  I had made it two months without any phone calls from the circuit clerk...but then Monday afternoon they called and notified me that I would need to be at the courthouse Tuesday morning at 8:15. 

Since I stay at home with Walker I had to get somebody to watch him, but this proved to not be easy.  I had never really thought about it much before, but 99.9% of my friends work and are not home during the day.  Dany, our usual baby sitter left for Miami so she couldn't watch him.  However, I have the best dad ever!! He said that he could take off work and come and watch him until I got finished.  This was so helpful for Marcus because he had meetings, but would have taken off if absolutely necessary. 

So I got up early...but not as early as Walker since he does not realize that we ended daylight savings time...and left Walker with my dad, plus a detailed schedule and plenty of instructions.

Now, let me tell you how jury selection works just in case you ever get called or are just curious...
You go to your selected judge's court room and sit with about 40 other potential jurors.  The judge reads the general case description, introduces the attorneys, and lists the potential witnesses.  They make sure that you have no relationships with any of the parties.  After that each attorney asks everyone questions about any biases or strong opinions they may have.  This took about an hour and a half.  After that, the computer narrows the potential juror pool to 24 people.  And yes, I did get picked for this 24 group...another disappointment. 

After the 24 are picked, the attorneys walk outside and then bring back their list.  During this time I just sat there, convinced that they would want a mental health professional on the jury and being pretty bummed.  The judge got the list and then read out the 12 jury members and 2 alternates.  As each name was called there meant one less spot for me.  And would you know, I was not picked.  The other counselor that I knew was not picked from the 24 either.  I guess we were not what they wanted, fortunately. 

I was able to go home by 10:00 and let my dad go back to work.  I was so excited to be back home and play with Walker. 

Now I just have to wait until the end of December to see if I get called again.  On the plus side I get $50 for going in today.

Once A Month Cooking, 2nd attempt

My neighbor Alexis and I got together on Sunday for our second round of freezer cooking.  The last month cost us each about $150 and lasted me about a month and her at least two (she still has a couple of things even).  We wanted to have some meals planned for the colder days and during the busy holidays when things start to get kind of hectic.  Our plan is to have this food last until about January, when we will probably do another round.  This time however, it was only $110 per person and we made more food.  I think since we did more chicken meals and less produce it was cheaper. 

Each recipe makes 2 meals worth.  Our menu was:
Harvest Pancakes (made with butternut squash)
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (this made so much!)
Taco Soup
Chicken and Stuffing Bake
Ham and Cheese Quesadillas (perfect for lunch)
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf
Chicken Enchilada Lasagna
Ground Beef Stroganoff
Sausage and Potato Casserole (Diet)
Baked Mac & Cheese (Diet)
Chicken Taco Chili (Diet)
Baked Potato Soup (Diet)
Butternut Squash Soup (Diet)

I also made a few of the recipes for 6 and gave 2 of the servings to my parents so that on days when my mom is tired she won't have to stress about dinner. 

All in all it took us from 2:00 in the afternoon until 8:00.  I was completely exhausted and my back hurt but I felt super productive.  It is totally worth it to not have to worry about getting dinner on time and getting a bunch of groceries at Walmart each week  Plus, there is no clean up!

Walker had plenty of awesome baby sitters while I worked on the food.  Marcus, my mom, Jetty, and Sandy, all took turns playing with him.  I doubt he even noticed I was gone :)

8 months old

I am loving this age.  Walker is so interactive and playful.  He laughs all the time and is constantly exploring.  He rarely stays still except to sleep.  He is very efficient at rolling or scooting to get to something that he wants...usually my phone, his pacifier, or the remote. 

New firsts:
-pulling up and holding onto something by yourself
-scooting by yourself to get something
-cried when I left you at mom's day out (but only for a second)
-baby food with chicken and turkey
-Halloween
-trip to California
-plane ride
-saying "baba", "mama", and "dada"
-pop your mouth open and shut to hear the noise
-first cold
-mom got sick and grandpa watched you

Your schedule is still the same.  You wake up at 7 and nurse, eat breakfast with mom at 8, play until 9 and then take a morning nap.  Then you nurse again at 11, eat lunch with mom at 12, and play until 1 or so.  You take an afternoon nap usually 1-2:30.  You nurse again at 3 and then we play until dinner.  Then if the weather is nice we go for a walk.  You nurse for the last time at 7, take a bath, get your bedtime massage, and then go to bed.  We rock for a couple of songs and then our prayers, and then I put you in your crib.  You usually fuss for a few minutes and then fall asleep.  Some nights you cry more than others, but dad and I will check on you and help you find your pacifier if you have lost it.  You are great at sleeping and usually sleep all night long.

Still no teeth or any signs of teeth.  I am hoping that they all some in at once so we only have a couple of bad days and then it is over :)  You are also much more clingy to me these last couple of weeks.  If I am not around you will let others hold you and play with you, but if I am in the room your just want me to be with you.  When it is the two of us at home, you usually fuss or whine until I sit with you and play.  I still try to give you some time by yourself to play so that you won't expect me around all the time, but it is hard because I love playing with you and I hate hearing you cry.  I think this is just a phase and soon enough you won't even care if I am around, so I am trying to enjoy you acting like you need me. 

I am so proud of you and absolutely love watching you learn and grow.  I have started working with you on baby sign language and going to a mommy and me gym class.  The sign language will hopefully help you communicate with me easier and the gym class is a fun time for the two of us to socialize and play with other babies. 

I am still very hormonal, I'll admit it :) I cry at anything still and feel big ups and downs.  I used to be a pretty consistent person emotionally so these highs and lows are new for me.  It is not like they last long, and it is probably good for me to have them...I just have to get used to them.  So much about me has changed these last eight months and I am still adjusting to them.  I was talking to Marcus the other day about how I feel so different than I did last year.  Walker was an amazing surprise for us, so sometimes I feel like I was rushed into these changes of becoming a mom, but more often I feel that even if I had been prepared for a child these changes would still be hard to get adjusted to.  I have so many new and wonderful joys, and so many new and crazy worries that I have to (really, get to) pray about.  My daily routine is completely different and my purpose is completely changed.  Before my focus was on helping my clients and on my marriage.  Now it is on growing my family.  I still enjoy my work and love the days I get to see my clients, but somehow it is different now.  I feel like I am on this crazy journey and each month it is interesting for me to look back and see how I am doing at adjusting (guess that is the counselor in me). 
(I am having issues with loading pictures :( , but I think most of them are on the other posts anyway...)

Walker's first Halloween

So we survived Halloween and I actually had fun.  It is much more exciting for me to dress up Walker than to get myself into a costume.  It is like the parents get a 'pass' if their kid is dressed up. 

Our weekend was not too busy, but we did find some time to do fun fall/Halloween things.  My awesome neighbors, Joel, Alexis, and Chayce, went with me to the corn maze.  We walked through the maze, went to the petting zoo, and then rode the cow train.  I probably should have felt ridiculous on the cow train but instead I felt proud and excited to share it with Walker.  I also am a pretty silly kid at heart, which is why I think I play for a career.

 

We had fun, but wish marcus didn't have to work.  Hopefully next year he can come too.

On the cow train

After the corn maze, we met up with my parents and Marcus for the Halloween Festival at my parent's church.  I remember going to this when I was little and now I am taking Walker...kind of a crazy thought.  Walker was obviously too little for the games but he loved watching all of the other kids run around and play.  He is such a people person. 



I wish I would have put his NASA sticker on his hat, but I forgot it at home

worn out from all the playing/watching other kids play

On Monday, Walker went to mom's day out.  He wore his special Halloween outfit from Alexis (my neighbor, not me :) ) and had a lot of fun.  That evening we went trick-or-treating with Joel, Alexis, and Chayce.  It was super cute to watch Chayce go up to the houses and say trick or treat.  We didn't stay out too long because Walker got tired...and I keep him on a pretty set schedule :)...but Marcus and I sat out in the drive way and handed out some candy once Walker was asleep.  I know next year will be fun because Walker will be more into it, but my guess is that in two years he will understand Halloween and be totally into it.  

his owl "whoooo's got treats shirt" and his favorite thing to play with

ready to trick-or-treat

I think he had a pretty good time

(The outfit was from a Rhea Lana's sale, brand new for only $5.  I got the cap at hobby lobby for two dollars and then used poster board, trash bags, duct tape, and print outs from google to make the space shuttle)