A change

This may come as a huge surprise to most of my friends online, but I'm just not that 'into' music. Actually, that would probably come as a surprise to a lot of people. I used to be. For years. Sure, I still listen to music, and I still love music. But I don't really care to learn anything about the people who created that music. I learned that the hard way. For years, I was downright 'obsessed' (someone else's term, not mine) with the Beach Boys. I still love them and listen to them all the time! But anyway, I searched and tracked down just about everything I could about them. And then, once I had everything I could find...I realized, 'Why did I do this?' It wasn't really what I wanted. I bought all these items and spent all this money just so I could say, 'Hey! Look over here, I have a huge collection!'. I spent years of my life learning about other people's lives. It honestly almost ruined the music for me. I probably would like many of my favorite bands more if I didn't know everything I do know about their personal lives. I now know who did what drugs, who slept with whom, and who got arrested for whatever. The music was so much more innocent before I knew all that stuff, and it's taken me years to realize that I don't need to study their lives to enjoy it all. My friends that I used to chat music with probably think I've forsaken them, but truth is, I just don't have anything to talk about with them. I'm at loss for conversation. I don't care to chat music anymore, it honestly bores me. It's a huge shame, I guess. Music brought me so much happiness through the years, so I guess it has served its purpose. I don't know why I changed. It happened before I got pregnant, so I know it wasn't because of my child. I haven't told anyone online yet, I honestly was afraid they would be disgusted with me. I spent over 15 years of my life in search of everything rock and roll. What now? Well, I could get new hobbies. Or I could just enjoy life as it comes. Anyway, just had to get this off my chest. Hopefully my dad won't be too disappointed in me. He loves music, and it's always been something that connected us.

Judgement

Why is it that mothers always seem to feel the need to judge other mothers? I've run into quite a few women online who are downright rude about the choices I make for my daughter (and the choices other mothers make, as well). Yes, I formula feed. I couldn't breastfeed. I ran out of milk about 3 weeks into it. So sue me. What, am I supposed to let my daughter starve, rather than feed her the dreaded 'poison formula'? Whatever, ladies. Get your heads out of your behind and grow up. There was actually a group of women recently who boycotted Old Navy for selling a baby onesie that said, "Formula Powered" (a take on Formula One racing). Are there really people out there who are so bored that they just HAVE to create a boycott about something so dumb? I don't care what a mother feeds her baby, so long as the baby is healthy and happy and growing properly. Anyway, now that I've spoken my piece about that...on to other things.

Courtney figured out how to play with ALL the toys on her Exersaucer now! She can flip the pages on the 'book', turn the flowers and make them shake, take the toy cake apart, etc. She really enjoys playing with it, and she learns so much from it! She also rolled over a few times yesterday, which is nice...because she rarely rolls! Still hasn't rolled from back to tummy, we're working on that.

I'm still trying to decide what to do about Halloween. Costume for Courtney? Or not? No, we aren't taking her Trick or Treating, but it would be super cute to have her all dressed up when we hand out candy! There are some SUPER cute (and fairly cheap) baby costumes out there. We're going to have so much fun with the holidays from now on!

Here are a few new pics of my little princess...just being cute.

 

 

So goes another day...

Today was a sad, sad day. My computer decided to reject my memory card reading drive. That means no more pictures until we get it fixed! I took a super cute video of Courtney and Daddy last night, and can't even share it with anyone. Sure, I can upload pictures and video at my parents house since I go over there several times a week, but it's not the same. Oh well, we need a new computer with this next years' tax return, anyway...this just gives me one more reason to buy one. So yesterday, I made Courtney get her first boo-boo. I am the absolute worst Mommy ever. I dropped my little girl!! Granted, she didn't fall far...and accidents do happen, but I made her hit her head on the changing table and she got a little red skinned up spot on her nose, and a little bump on her forehead. She screamed and cried until she almost got sick, and I did the same. I can't believe it! I'm always so careful with my little princess, I don't know how it happened. I guess even perfect mommies make mistakes, I'm just glad she's ok. She forgave me within an hour (and most likely forgot about it after her nap), but I'm still scarred for life! On the upside, Clint should be getting his first paycheck at his new job this week! I'm so thrilled that we will actually have money in the bank again! Courtney really enjoyed Clint's day off the other day, they spent a lot of time together. She loves her Daddy!

Here is a pic of Courtney and Daddy playing around the other night:

Still love at first sight

A blog about my life wouldn't be complete without a post about my wonderful husband, Clint. So if you don't like mushy love stories, feel free to close this window now! Ok, now that that is out of the way...on to the love story. Clint and I met in high school, in January 2000. We were in gym class, and I spotted him sitting behind me on the bleachers. I thought he was cute, and he sounded really sweet (I eavesdropped on him a lot), so I started talking to him. Yes, I tricked him...I ran beside him, wearing my loosest bra, and said, 'I hear you have a fast car, want to tell me about it?'. Now, if you know me, you know I know NOTHING about cars at all. I'm lucky to know the steering wheel from a tire. Somehow, I guess he got the impression I actually cared about cars, and he started rambling about his Trans Am (I had very little clue what a "Trans Am" was, but I listened). I had him caught on my hook, now I just had to reel him in! Everyday, we jogged together, and we would chat (and I'm pretty sure he would stare at my chest). We got closer, and finally, he asked me if I wanted to go to the mall after school with him and his friend. Of course I accepted the offer! After the mall, we went to a western wear store to look at boots and hats. In the parking lot, before he exited the truck, I said, "I can't make out with you with that gum in your mouth!". I was shocked at myself! Never had I made the first move, and certainly not a bold move like that. He immediately took the gum out of his mouth, and we kissed for the first time. The rest is history!! We started going steady, and were inseparable. We were married on June 15, 2002. We've had our ups and downs (what couple hasn't?) but our love has grown stronger with each time we kiss and make up. I look at him now and am more in love with him than ever. I still fall in love with him over again every time I see him. He's a wonderful husband and a wonderful father. Most people think I'm insane because I 'baby him' so much...I refill his drink when it's empty, I take his shoes off and rub his feet when he gets home from work, and I always make his lunch and dinner for him (and mostly breakfast, too). I can't help it, I guess I'm just a 'nurturing type'. Sure, he's spoiled rotten, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love him and would do anything to make him smile. If you ever read this, I love you sweetie :)

a short photo history:

          us, a week after we started dating (age 16)

prom, 2002

kissing, 2004

a week after finding out we were about to be parents! 2009

Courtney's Milestones

Two days ago, Courtney rolled over for the first time. I'm so proud. She's 5 months old, and most babies seem to do that at about 3 months, but she is a little bit of a late bloomer, and that's fine by me. She didn't show any signs of rolling or wanting to roll and then *poof*, rolled over. And over. And again, and again. It's like she waited until she was absolutely sure she could do it, and then she went for the gold. I'm thinking she might be like me. My mom said I didn't really talk until I could practically do full sentences. And apparently, I hated potty training and hated the baby potty, so I didn't use it...just one day went right to the big toilet. Heck, Courtney is so smart she'll probably skip crawling and go straight to walking! She was born a month early, and I was told she may have later milestones than other babies her age because of that. She smiled right at 6 weeks...perfectly normal. Raised her head right on time. Somebody is an overachiever! That's what they called her when I was on bedrest at the hospital while pregnant. I had very low amniotic fluid, and all the nurses couldn't believe Courtney's heartbeat was so perfect (apparently most babies are in distress with such low fluid). Courtney had no clue that something was wrong...she was just busy kicking up a storm and being perfect. It's hard for me to imagine life before her, honestly. It's like I've known her forever. One of my good friends online just had her baby start walking...and another of my friends just had her baby girl start crawling. It won't be long...and my baby won't be a baby any more. But she'll always be my baby! 

Just because...

I started this blog 'just because'. I'm a homemaker...meaning I either make or break the home, literally. Trust me, you don't want to come over if I slack on cleaning for a few days! My husband is the 'breadwinner'. He's the head, I'm the shoulders. Our 5 month old daughter, Courtney, is the heart. She's our little princess, the child we never thought we would have. Right now, she's playing in her Evenflo Exersaucer, smiling and dancing around...actually, I think she may be laughing at me! Her smile makes me melt, her coos make me giggle, and when she cries, I cry. I never thought being a mother could be this difficult or wonderful. I am still sleep deprived (she doesn't sleep through the night yet), but she is worth every second of missed sleep. Anyway, I guess I'll wrap up my first blog. I'm kind of rusty at 'blogging'...I haven't done it in years, and I actually have never had an 'official' blog of my own before (just a myspace blog). I'm not going to try to be 'intellectual' or win some stupid blogging award...I'm just going to post about my life and my family. Maybe someday I can look back and show my daughter this blog and she can enjoy watching herself grow up. I know I will enjoy watching her turn into a little lady...but right now, it just seems like my little princess is growing up too fast!

Our family...Clint, Melissa and baby Courtney (June 2010)