A year ago...

As Dawson's first birthday approaches I can't help but think about where I was a year ago especially after reading Nikki's blog post today. Her due date is very close to mine (only a year apart). Anyway I remember I was due on the 21st (a Saturday) and when I went into my appointment on that Friday Dr. V said if I didn't go into labor over the weekend they would induce me on Tuesday.

I was desperate to go into labor on my own so we tried just about EVERYTHING to bring it on but Dawson wouldn't budge. I was sooo uncomfortable and super swollen. I was scared to death but everything worked out all right in the end and now I have a beautiful baby boy who is almost one. I can't believe it.

Me on the way to the hospital to be induced.

I remember being so worn out from labor and the surgery (Nikki I won't share those details until after you have your little one, k?) and trying to breastfeed Dawson, which is unbelievably hard -- who knew! and he was fighting me with his little tiny hands and I was struggling to get everthing working when I said something to him. I don't even remember probably something like 'hey bud, just calm down" and he stopped fighting me, his little head snapped up and he met my eyes with this pure look of joy on his sweet little face, like there's my mom. And that was it, that was THE MOMENT when I just fell completly in love with my brand new baby.


That was probably the first time he heard my voice after he was born because I was like the 50th person to hold him. At first I was all bummed out because I never got to push and I wasn't the first one to hold him but it didn't matter because I was the one he was looking and listening for.

Wide Stance

When TW and I lived in Arkansas we loved to hang out at Barnes and Noble because we could pretend like we weren't in Arkansas ( you know somewhere where people actually like to read j/k, kinda). Anyway one Saturday I was in the bathroom at B&N when the lady in the stall next to me started waving toilet paper at me under the stall partition.

I decided to ignore this strange behavior because I had nooo idea what she wanted. Next thing I know she's sticking her foot under the divider and over on my side. I was like oh my better hurry up and get the heck out of here. Then she starts rubbing her shoe against mine and I was like get me outta here! And she says, "Sorry, I have a wide stance." As she giggles hysterically in her stall.

I responded with a gasp, I think. And then silence.

Then I hear, "Charlotte?!? Charlotte?!? Charlotte where are you," panic streaked through her voice.

"I'm over here mom," Charlotte responded.

"In the stall next to me," mom asked hopefully.

"Nope over in the corner stall," she said.

"Oh."

This was followed by nervous laughter for all of us. By this point I was coming out to wash my hands and Charlotte and her mother apologized profusely and explained she was making fun of the Sen. Larry Craig bathroom incident. I laughed and laughed. I thought it was great, strange but very funny.

TW was waiting for me outside and thought it was very strange when I walked out with these ladies all of us laughing. And he got a kcik out of it too when I explained.

So this one goes out to Charlotte's mom whoever you are, wherever you are, you made my day with your strange bathroom behavior and good sense of humor. Thanks for the foot rub!

T.W.

I must have the BEST HUSBAND in the world! Find out more about him here.

Greeting the Day

My sweet pea's birthday month is here! A year has really flown by so quickly. Dawson has changed and grown so much in such a short amount of time. He was 8 lbs 12 oz at birth and has quickly grown to 27 lbs at 11 months! He wears size 5 diapers and 18-24 month clothes. He is a BIG boy. He has 7 teeth and two more about to come through.


And he has learned so many new skills. One Sunday morning (May 3 -that's for me to remember such an important date) I came in to get him up from his nap and there he was laying on his stomach with the bumper pad pulled down so that he could watch the kids jumping on the trampoline outside his window. His bedroom is on the second floor and both windows look down at the play area, a trampoline, swing set, etc. Anyway, I thought this was probably the cutest thing ever. So I stood him up and helped him hold onto the crib so he could see them better. He got so excited and started yelling and smiling at the kids.

I opened the window and got the kids' attention. Caleb, Patience, Josh and Brys saw him and got all excited too they waved and yelled hello to him. He LOVED this. (He LOVES his older siblings very, very much and they feel the same way about him) And then it all began. His crib, once just for sleeping became the best toy ever. Patience and Brys and then Josh too came up to see him and Dawson thought this was awesome. Grandma Gina and Rita came to watch too. This kid is at his best with an audience. He took off falling and bouncing in his crib, kicking his legs, pulling himself back up only to fall all over again. The more people laughed and cheered him on the wilder he got. He had a blast. And when he hit his head on the bars he would just laugh and get back up. I marvel at what a tough little guy he is.

A couple of weeks ago we gave him corn on the cob. I took a bite to show him what to do and then let him try some. Dawson LOVES corn on the cob. He couldn't get enough. It was so cute and so funny. He went to town on that corn. I love his excitement for learning new skills and about new things in his world. He is so full of wonder for everything. Like TW says he can give me a such a fresh perspective on the world.

This morning when he woke up I came in to get him. I picked him up and was ready to hurry down the stairs to mainline some coffee but he cried when I went towards the door. Right now his vocabulary is pretty limited (mama, dada and a few other phrases we think sound like words but we're not too sure) so it's always a guessing game to figure out what he wants. I thought maybe back in the crib to play? Nope. Down to play with his toys? Nope.

And then I remembered. He loves for me to scoot his crib back so that he can stand by the south facing window and look outside. Once I did that he was happy. He stood pounding the window and smiling.

At bedtime I always hold him and we look out the west window and say goodnight to the day. "Night-night trees, night-night birds, night-night grass, night-night trampoline, etc..."
Then we read our stories, listen to music, rock in the chair while he nurses and then it's off to dreamland.

After he goes to sleep I have to confess I love to look at him. He looks so sweet. Booty in the air, his sweet little cherub mouth and those long lashes against his adorable chubby cheeks. I can't get enough of him. Before I leave the room I always look out the west window one more time. It has the best view of the fading day.

Our night-night routine is one I've established and his morning routine of looking out the window is one he has established. I guess that's just his way of greeting the day.

Harrison House

Goodbye Harrison House, I shall miss thee. . .

Your gleaming hardwood floors, beautiful old woodwork and the immediate charm you offer upon crossing your threshold

Spring evenings spent on your wide front porch watching the day fade and the abundant pink blooms on the trees swaying in the breeze

Evenings cooking in the kitchen sunlight streaming in the west windows, music blaring and the occasional dance with Dawson

Evenings grilling on the back deck nestled amongst tall maples

Greeting TW Everyday for lunch and after work

Waiting on the front porch to see my TW walk down the sidewalk home from work

We had many happy times under your roof little yellow house

My dear little Dawson this is the house we brought you home to from the hospital, so tiny and new, we were so proud ( and still are of course) of our sweet little man. This is the place of many firsts for you. Just so you know when you grow up...this was your first home.

Pesto, St. Paddy's Day, Sisters and Wine

Last week my sister Shauna and her two boys Vonn and Kingston came to visit us at Harrison house. It was great but all too short a visit. When they left I was sad and wished my sisters both lived closer!!

Dawson must have been sad too because he was super fussy after they left. And when it was time for me to leave for my Friends of the Library meeting he didn't want to be with anyone but his mommy. I think it was those darn teeth. They hurt him so. My poor baby was really fussy the rest of that week. : (

Shauna and I were super bad and had a glass of wine with our pesto quesadillas. YUM! This is a lovely creation I came up with on St. Paddy's Day.

Pesto + Tomatoes + Mozz Cheese in a quesadilla = sooooo GOOD!

I was feeling very Irish and festive after watching Meredith and Al Roker in Ireland. So I made corned beef and cabbage. We sat out on the back deck because the weather was unusually mild and so beautiful. We drank a little wine and I felt like we needed an appetizer so I whipped those up in a pinch. TW and Dawson shared a grilled cheese (this is D's fave food.)

And we listened to a great playlist Kiera10906's (All irish songs) http://www.playlist.com/playlist/2958298379

our fav was the one about the drunken scotchman -- very funny!

A LOVE Note To My TW

Dawson and I have missed you this week. Memphis has missed you too.

Dawson is waiting for you to rough house with him, the way only you can. And I am

waiting for a smooch!

We can't wait to see you!

I just wanted you to know that I am thankful for you. You are a great husband and a wonderful father. My best friend.

Just a few of the many reasons I love you:

The fact that I can't wait to tell you all the latest gossip and get your take on it.

I love the way you find me attractive no matter how I look.
Your ability to stay positive, even when things get tough.

You are great to me. So caring.

Your intelligent, quick mind.

You give GREAT foot rubs. (hint, hint)

You make me laugh.

Your outlook on life.

Your intensity.

You are you.

And the fact that you are just so darn cute!

Love you baby! We'll be waiting for you to get here soon.

You better be ready with my smooch!