Derek-Brittney-Mason-Max

Once Again...

2010-11-04T09:36:00.002-04:00

I am a horrible blogger! I always forget about doing this. I mean I have two kids and a full time job so you would think I would have plenty of time (insert sarcasim here). We are always so busy. Between church and get togethers and kids, we have hardly had time to sit down here lately. A few weeks ago we went to Ohio to see my dads side of the family. Derek wasn't able to join us because one of his good friends passed away. Anyway, while we were there, my grandmother noticed that Max is extremly bow legged and is walking on the side of his left foot. So of course I get to hear about my dads brother how he was the same way and how he had to have braces and I really need to get it checked out. Well, I shrug it off and don't think anything of it until Mimi, mom and Derek all say the same thing. Not that I didn't notice, I guess I was just a bit in denial. I didn't want to except the fact that something may be wrong with one of my boys. You want to tell me I have a kidney problem, gallbladder issues and cysts, go for it. I can handle it, but when it comes to my kids, I would never want anything to be wrong with them. So I took him to the doctor and PRAISE THE LORD! My babies legs are fine and will continue to be fine! He will grow out of it and all will be fine with him! You have no idea the relief that came over me when Dr. Wiley said this to me and to God be ALL the Glory!

Long Time No Blog

2010-08-17T20:04:00.002-04:00

Well hello fellow bloggers! It's been a while since we last spoke, well almost a year! As you can imaging, so much has changed since then, so I will give you an update on all of us.
Derek: Derek is in the final stages of being hired on a VW. We are so excited about this opportunity that could happen soon. There are 3 process to it and he has one more and that's on the 30th and they will let him know if he has the job. The first process is a 8 hour work day where they test you to see your strong points. If you score well, the second process is to have a one on one interview. They must have loved him because the papers say 6- 18 weeks to allow them to review everything for you and they called him the next day. So the final process is blood work, a physical and a background check. They've already called him with the benefits package so keep your fingers crossed.
Mason: Mason is a talker! We have learned quickly that he likes to talk and that he is doing great at it. No more passy for him either which I think is why he has opened up so much. Some things are a little hard to understand, but for the most part he is doing great. I also have to thank my mom who reads to him everyday which is mostly to thank for this. He also has an amazing memory. I'll give you an example: back in May we went camping and we went and saw the ducks over in the creek by the Pancake Pantry, well we went again this past weekend and as soon as we turned onto the road where the creek was, he said, "Daddy, can we go see the ducks." He knew that's what we did last time so he wanted to do it again this time. He also had a birthday! HE'S 2!!!!
Max: What can I say about my sweet Max? He is so loving and smiles all the time. Food always makes him happy! He's walking now and climbing stairs. He's been walking now for about 3 weeks and I think Mason is partly to blame for this. Max loves to follow Mason around and do whatever he is doing. It's so sweet to watch them play together. We are getting ready for Max's first birthday! I can't believe a year has gone by. It seems like it was yesterday we were preparing for Mason, now we have 2 of the sweetest boys in the world. Max definitely makes our days brighter and we can't wait to watch our boys grow up.
Me: I wish that the post about myself was full of good news and accomplishments, but there has to be a "Debbie Downer" in ever group and today, I am it. Back in January I had a 10 centimeter cyst removed. Thankfully I have an amazing doctor who instructed me to do what was best for me at the time. Then in March, I went to my PCP for severe back pain. I had x-rays and nothing showed up and the back pain got better, so I didn't think anything of it. Then, I started noticing a severe weight gain, and my legs started "pitting" which means they were retaining water and when I pushed down on them, they would stay in a pit and not come up for several minutes. So, I went back to the doctor and she ran some tests and called me back the next day and said that I had the early stages of kidney failure. Well I lost it! Hello my name is Brittney, I'm 23 years old, have an amazing husband, 2 precious boys and oh by the way, I also have kidney failure. She said I would need to start seeing a Nephrologist. So I went to the doctor and it's not even close to kidney failure at this point. PTL! It could eventually turn into that if not treated, but we are treating it now and hopefully, this medication will work and we will see a significant change in my health soon. But I also have to have my gallbladder taken on next Tuesday. Not really looking forward to that one, but I am looking forward to being able to eat without getting sick

So in conclusion, please continue to keep my sweet family in your prayers! And I promise not to keep you waiting another 10 months for an update!

The Bounce House

2009-11-22T15:13:00.011-05:00

This weekend we went to Knoxville to see our good friends that FINALLY moved back to Knoxville from Oklahoma City! And we also went to celebrate Derek's cousins Haden and Hudson's birthday! We had such a good time visiting with Matt and Mandy and Saturday at the twins birthday at The Bounce House Mason had an amazing time! He was such a silly boy and did not want our helping climbing he inflatables or coming down the slides! He thinks he's such a bog boy! Welcome Home Matt and Mandy and Happy Birthday Haden and Hudson!

Apple Farm

2009-11-01T21:03:00.007-05:00

Sunday we went with mom and dad and the Ridge's to the Apple Farm. The apple fritter and apple pie with ice cream are reason enough to go up there, but they we had a good time and finally got some good family pictures.

Daddy and Mason

Mommy and Mason

Not real happy

Halloween Night

2009-11-01T20:57:00.006-05:00

We decided not to take Mason trick or treating since A. He can't say trick or treat. B. He can't eat much candy. And C. It makes me nervous so we stayed home and let Mason hand out candy which he loved. So Happy Halloween!

Mason's pre- costume was John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever

He loved giving the kids candy

Yelling at the kids

The Annual Pumpkin Carving!

2009-11-01T20:48:00.009-05:00

Cutting the top offOur scary pumpkin

Mason got to clean it out this year!He wasn't real sure about his hands being nasty!
Derek cutting out the faceSo cute!
The finished product!

Trunk Or Treat

2009-10-31T12:22:00.013-04:00

Wednesday night at church we had our annual Trunk or Treat. Last year, Mason didn't show much interest and I wish I could say that this year was different but he was more interested in riding in Cooper's play car than getting or handing ou candy. Max, well, he did what he does best, jus looked around and slept. Here are my precious puppy and my plump pumkin!

Enjoying some pizza before candy!

Max just looking around wishing he didn't have something on his head!

Mason and Derek just love them some Vivi, aka Hannah Montana!

I always wanted a puppy!

More interested in throwing candy that walking around and getting it.
Our family of 4!

Mad because he had to get off of Cooper's car!

Daddy and his pumpkin

Finding Nemo

2009-10-25T21:48:00.010-04:00

Saturday night, after a very long week for my parents, mom treated us to Disney On Ice Finding Nemo. I must confess that I wasn't as excited to see Mason's reaction to Nemo as I was just to see Nemo myself. I am a huge Disney fan so when anything like this is going on, I am a 5 year old all over again. I have come to realize that nothing I do comes without drama and this was no different. We bought the tickets in mid- September and me being the crazy wife that I am a.k.a. a normal woman, I didn't think to check the Vols schedule and bought our tickets for the biggest game day of the year, but Derek being the wonderful husband and father that he is, gave up the beginning of the game to come watch Nemo with us.

Mason was not as interested as I wish he would have been, but what can you expect from a 16 month old. I think he did great considering his age. Next year if something like this comes to town, I think he will do great. It has made me a little nervous about our trip to Disney, but mom keeps reminding me that this doesn't have to be the only time we go. I am really excited to go to Disney because it will be Derek's first trip there and although he may act like it's no big deal, I am really excited for him. Anyway, here are some pictures from Finding Nemo!

Keeping him occupied until the show starts with what other snack than Goldfish!

When Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy came out to introduce the show

Scuba Goofy!

He thought they were hilarious

I don't remember the birds name, but I loved how he was actually flying around!

Our favorite part... the turtles

More turtles!

Getting very tired and bored towards the end

2009-10-13T10:17:00.003-04:00

Since Max has been born, we have had no time to do anything with Derek working a lot and every Saturday and with the flu hitting our house. So we had a free weekend before I went back to work so we decided to go to Knoxville for the weekend to visit Derek's family. So we left Friday night and about the time we hit Sweetwater we hear " Tornado Warning for Sweetwater, Lenoir City and Knoxville." Me in a panic starts crying thinking about what I am going to do with a 16 month old and a newborn if I see a tornado and I am on the road. Thankfully, we made it to James and Kristie's before it got too bad. Mason thought he hit the jackpot when we got there with 2 boys and all their toys to play with. I have never seen him play that hard. So Saturday morning, we ate at Cracker Barrell and headed to Maynardville to see the Bates and Listers. Mason also played hard here and ate more food than I have ever seen him eat. Max just enjoyed being held and fought over! Sunday we saw Perry and his parents and came on home. We had so much fun and we were so glad that we had a weekend to go visit since we won't have a chance to go back until Christmas. Here are some pictures from the weekend!

4 Generations- Derek, Mason, Max, Derek's Dad- Danny, and PaPaw Bates

Mason thinking he is one cool kid

Mason eating- he did it all day!

Derek's cousin- Julie and Max

Eating again!

Derek's Aunt Debbie, Julie and Max and a little bit of Justin

Max and his Great Grandfather- PaPaw Bates

Happy Halloween From The Bates Family... And Will Smith

2009-10-09T08:58:00.001-04:00

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Halloween Poll

2009-10-02T16:26:00.005-04:00

I have had the hardest time trying to figure out what Mason will be for Halloween. So, I need your help! I have posted the possible costumes, but to the right you will see a poll. Take your pick to help us decide what Mason shoudl be for Halloween!

My Two Little Frogs

2009-10-02T09:55:00.008-04:00

Sunday at church, while burping Max, Miranda made the comment that he looked like a little tree frog the way he was sitting. It was so funny that she said this because I was looking back in Mason's baby book and I had made a comment about how he would sit like a frog. So of course I had to break out their frog pajamas and take their picture! Sorry, Derek's were in the washer:)

My Two Sweet Boys!

Max
Mason a.k.a Linus

Max probably wondering why we use our camera so much

Looking for Mason!

Mason being silly!

Just before he turned the TV off!

The County Fair

2009-09-28T10:16:00.008-04:00

Yesterday, we decided since it has been raining and nasty outside that our boys needed some fresh air. So Justin and Miranda invited us to go to the County Fair with them after church. We had such a good time, well, most of us. Kaitlin was mad because they didn't have rides like the Mississippi State Fair. The first thing she said when we got off of the bus was, "This is lame, can we go?" Oh high school kids! Anyway, we had a great time looking at all of the animals, especially the 2,800 pound cow! It was enormous! Mason loved the animals and petting them, me not so much, but I enjoyed seeing him so excited although he would have stayed on the cheese wagon that we had to ride and rode in circles!

Loving the Cheese Wagon!
This was his favorite part!
The 2800 pound cow!
Trying to figure out if he wants to touch the sheep or not!
The smaller the better!

A Murder, A Mystery and A Proposal

2009-09-20T16:20:00.011-04:00

Last night, Derek and I (alone thanks to my parents) went to the Vaundeville Cafe Murder Mystery featuring A Redneck- Italian Wedding. We went with a group of about 40 honoring what Courtney thought was a graduation party. Little did she know that all 40 of us knew what was really going on. Props to Michael for an amazing proposal and we were so thankful to share this special time between you and Courtney.

Michael probably a little nervous!

The future Village People!
Michael and Courtney being "investigated" for the murder!

The Officer finding a ring in Michael's pocket and

Courtney figuring out why she was really there!

Right before the question was asked!After she shook her head yes, she didn't and couldn't say anything!Congratulations Michael and Courtney!

Brotherly Love

2009-09-12T10:53:00.002-04:00

Until last night, Mason has not paid much attention to Max. If Max cries, Mason just looks at him and he will kiss his head on occasion, but last night it was like all of a sudden Mason realized that Max existed. After telling Mason about ten times not to touch his eyes, Mason started rubbing Max's head and kissing him. It was very sweet although I was extremely nervous the entire time, but I think Mason is finally starting to notice that the thing in the bassinet, carrier, and that everyone is holding is an actual living thing. So after rubbing his head all night, both boys wiped out!

Maxwell Reese Bates

2009-09-02T10:14:00.012-04:00

Hello to all of my blogging friends! Please excuse me for not updating sooner... we've been a little busy with birthing babies and all. Max arrived on September 1, 2009 at 4:18am. He weighed in at a whopping 8 pounds 14 ounces and was 21 and 3/4 inches long! He's a big boy! So many things about him and Mason are similar! With this delivery we decided to have my mom and sister in the room with us. Kaitlin was a trooper! She had asked if she could come in and I was slightly hesitant because A. I want nieces and nephews one day and B. She's slightly dramatic, but there towards the end she was right there catching a peek every now and then and seemed very excited to watch. I was also very glad to have my mom in there with me. It was nice just Derek and I but I also think that moms and daughters share something special that I hope if I ever have a daughter I can share that experiece with.

Derek and I are so thankful for our new edition! Mason... well he will get used to Max! But without further ado... Ladies and Gentlemen, Maxwell Reese Bates!

This one is Max!

This one is Mason!

Waiting.... Waiting... Waiting On The World To Change!

2009-08-29T09:24:00.002-04:00

Yes ladies and gentlemen, we are STILL waiting on Max. I must say I am at the point of miserable! I thought I was just miserable with Mason, but this is bad. Tomorrow is my due date and I went 6 days early with Mason. So by now, I am thinking that I should have a 5 day old especially since all I heard with this pregnancy was, "Oh I bet you will go early." Yeah right! There is no light at the end of this tunnel! We did go to the hospital last night. Jaime, such a trooper, was so great and encouraging, but all I did when I got in the car was cried. I am walking around at 5 centimeters and no chance of going any time soon. I am convinced this baby will have a strong will. Hey, who knows, maybe he'll never leave me! I better not say that! It's rather discouraging and disappointing, but I know it's just the Lord's way of not only preparing us, but making sure Max is as healthy as he can be before he gets here and when I look at it that way, I really can't be disappointed. Although I do feel bad because MiMi and Pop came down last night just knowing that I was going to have him last night. No pressure huh?
On a lighter note, we are almost done moving out of our house. Well, Derek is almost done moving us out of our house. It was such a spur of the moment thing that we decided to move in with mom and dad for a couple of months. Did we want to? Not really! It will be a major adjustment for us all, but they will also be helping us out tremendously especially with a new baby and a crazy Mason! We should be done moving this afternoon so maybe that's what Max is waiting on. For us to get somewhat situated amongst all of out chaos and then make his grand entrance. Either way, I cannot wait to see him and kiss those sweet cheeks that I have wanted to squeeze since our first ultrasound picture. Keep me, well us, in your prayers. Derek has probably had enough of his moody wife and I've had enough of well, I've just had enough!

Preparation

2009-08-06T17:15:00.002-04:00

Max is a matter of weeks in getting here. I must say that I am very anxious and very ready to have this baby. Especially since I have been in some pain here lately and the most agonizing, I found 3 stretch marks on my stomach this morning. I didn't get any with Mason and as far as the pain goes if I sit down or stand up for a long period of time then change my position, I must say it hurts and sleeping, well, you can pretty much guarantee there isn't a comfortable way to do this. I don't remember it being this bad with Mason, but then again, this baby already weighs as much as Mason did when he was born! So as the stress of moving here in the next week or so comes, I just hope I can hold him in for at least two weeks in order to have not only a healthier baby, but a good mindset and a place to put him!

Mason has been sick for the past 2 nights. It's his teeth and teeth have always given us a hard time, but this time is much worse. He is running a fever anywhere between 99- 102 and is extremely fussy at night. Tuesday night, I think we all got a total of 2 hours of sleep and last night, Mason decided that he wanted to play until midnight, so it has been rough, but I told Derek this morning when Mason woke us up at 5 that this has to be the Lord's way of preparing us for the weeks to come. When I look at it that way, I have to look at it in a positive way.

Just keep us in your prayers these next few weeks that we all make a smooth transition to a new house and a new baby! And a little bit of sleep in there somewhere wouldn't hurt!

Where Do We Go From Here?

2009-08-04T16:32:00.002-04:00

Ok, not as sappy as it seems. My dad sold our house! It's a wonderful blessing to him and we are so very thankful that we were able to stay there as long as we did. It's so much better renting from your dad! But he sold it this past weekend which means we have 30 days to find somewhere and get moved. No stress at all huh? BTW... in case you forgot I'M 8 MONTHS PREGNANT! I am measuring early so we might have a baby in the next 2-3 weeks. So to all of my blogging friends, we need help. If you know of any houses in the Hixson/ Soddy area that anyone is wanting to rent, please let us know! We would really appreciate it!

Work Shower

2009-07-29T10:37:00.010-04:00

I am so blessed to work with such amazing girls! They were sweet enough to throw me and another girl at work a baby shower! I thought that was so sweet considering the fact I have only been here since March and they were willing to do this for me! Max and I got so many great things including lots of diapers and a lot of the girls went in together and got us the pack and play that we registered for! I am so blessed to work with these girls!

Me and Mom- She Only Came To Show Off Her New Cinnamon Rolls- Just Kidding

This is Sweet Beth's Daughter Kaylee- Her Sister Kendall (she calls her Candle) will be here around the same time as Max!

Opening Presents

Pajamas From LisaOur Pack and Play

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

2009-07-28T11:11:00.004-04:00

We celebrated Mom and Dad's 25th Wedding Anniversary a couple of weeks ago! It was a lot of fun and Derek and I were very thankful that we got to do something for mom and dad after all they have done for us!

Mason's First Birthday Round 2- Pool Party

2009-07-28T10:58:00.018-04:00

For Mason's BIG birthday party, we decided to have a pool party! He loves the water and so we thought it would be a great treat for everyone! We had a great time eating, opening presents and swimming! I'm so excited for my sweet boy and we are loving watching him grow!

Very Late, But Here They Are... Mason's First Birthday Round 1- Chuck E' Cheese

2009-07-28T10:35:00.008-04:00

For Mason's first birthday, we decided to take him to Chuck E' Cheese the day of his birthday! Kim, the kids, and Pop were there to help us celebrate! He had so much fun and his favorite part was riding the Bob The Builder tractor! However, Derek enjoyed it more than anyone as he wracked up on the cheap toys by playing 3 hours of ski ball and earning over 1000 tickets. I'm so proud!

Davie/ Mason Crockett

2009-07-27T11:39:00.003-04:00

This past weekend, my mom and dad took Mason camping in Gatlinburg. I must say it was very difficult being away from my sweet precious for more than one night, but I did get some rest that was much needed. Saturday morning, I woke up to this picture message. See, Mason refuses to wear hats. We have tried many times, and he hates them. He doesn't even like for Derek or my dad to wear them. He takes them off of their heads every time he sees them in one. So Saturday morning, they went to the Pancake Pantry (Derek and I were very jealous) and Mason finally found a hat that he liked. Or he liked to look at himself in the hat. He liked it so much so that not only did my parents buy the hat, but he walked down the Gatlinburg strip with his "Coon Skin" hat. And of course when we went to pick him up yesterday afternoon, he was sporting his new found friend. See for yourself...

Officially A Slacker!

2009-07-21T11:57:00.002-04:00

Ok, I admit it. I have been a major slacker when it comes to my blogging, but we have been crazy busy these past few weeks. First we had Mason's First Birthday and all of our family was in for that, we had Brittany's baby shower for Sweet Luke that will be here soon, we had mom and dad's anniversary party when more family came in, and we just had a baby shower for Max today at work, so we have been crazy so I promise to post pictures soon.

As far as updates go, we are still waiting on the letter to tell Derek when to report for the agility test. Me, I am huge and sleepy because I am not sleeping well at night mainly because I am in some pain when I sleep. I will be moving to the couch soon! Mason, oh my where do I begin? He's a crazy man! Mom had the "Thinking Chair" down stairs from Blues Clues and he jumps off of the back of it, so now we just have a bean bag. So when I say he's crazy, he's crazy! He's starting to talk a little. He cries for Derek and I saying momma or dada. I think he mean Ya Ya or Paw though. He says "Ah Bull" thanks to Scott and Jeff we have learned that one. He also says Heidi, bird, and No No! Yes, he tells Derek and I no no! I am so proud! I laugh so some of it is my fault! And Max is growing like crazy! I can't believe we will meet this precious baby soon! I will post pictures as soon as possible!!!!

The Results Are In...

2009-07-13T12:10:00.002-04:00

It has been a crazy weekend for us! We celebrated my parents 25th Wedding Anniversary on Saturday night, but not without a small celebration on Friday night. I got off of work on Friday early to begin the decorating for the party. Derek was already off of work, but had to run to the bank and meet me at the house before going up to mom and dad's to eat dinner with all of the family. Derek was acting normal when he walked in the door and handed me his phone that had the following email on it:

Derek Bates
6170 Tuscany Place
Hixson, TN 37343

Dear Derek:
You scored 86.25 % on the Chattanooga Firefighter written exam which was administered on 06/17/2009.
A score of at least 65% must be attained to be considered for further processing. If you scored at least 65%, you will be scheduled for the physical agility test at a later date.
If you wish to retake the written test, contact our office.

Sincerely,
Janice Suttles Personnel Technician423-757-0900

So as you can see, Derek made an 86.25% on his written test for the fire department. I was so happy for him that I started crying. He worked so hard to study and prepare for that test. It was probably harder than I have ever seen him work for something before and it completely paid off for him! So mom went and got him a cookie cake and we celebrated Derek's high score on his test Friday night. He still has a long way to go, but this was the most nerve wracking part for all of us. Next is the Agility Test which we should be getting in the mail in a couple of days letting us know when that starts. So please continue to send your prayers our way as we continue this journey and thank you for the prayers that have already been sent for the first part.

1 Year Wellness Visit

2009-07-07T11:44:00.002-04:00

Mason went to see Dr. Wiley today for his one year check up. It never ceases to amaze me how much we love this doctor. He is truly amazing and always takes time to answer our questions and plays with Mason so that he isn't terrified of the doctor. Mason weighed in at 24.6 pounds putting him in the 70% and 33 1/2 inches long which makes him between the 99- 100% for height. Dr. Wiley always says that Mason needs to be practicing his jump shot because he is going to be a BIG boy. I wonder who on Earth he gets that from?

Our BIG concern with this visit was milk. Last week we tried Mason on whole milk for the first time and he loved it but his tummy did not. He had a stomach ache for about 4 days and that made for a few sleepless nights. We weren't sure if it was the milk or a stomach bug because that was also going around with Kim's kids when they were in and Pop was also sick. So we knew it was either the milk or the bug. So Dr. Wiley suggested Silk Soy Milk Vanilla flavored. It sounds disgusting to me, but if Mason likes it and it agrees with his stomach, I guess we will have a Soy drinker on our hands. He loves water and doesn't show much interest in drinking anything else so we will see. Derek and I both had issues with milk when we were younger so I guess it's just a part of life.

Mason also had to get 4 shots today and that didn't go over very well. He normally does great with shots, but this time was different and the nurse said it was because these shots sting on their way in and have more side effects to them and he's liable to be in a bad mood for a couple of days! Awesome! Just what I wanted to hear with tons of our family coming in this weekend for my parents party. So I just hope its all over by Thursday when people start getting here.

So Mason is doing great and got an A+ on his health! I am so thankful for a healthy baby! We go back at 15 months with Max for his 3 day check up! Hopefully I can time them just right and we can all go togehter! We'll see! Max already seems to be a little stubborn so he may have a schedule of his own!

Next Time You Think You Are Losing It...

2009-07-01T10:37:00.002-04:00

I am posting this for all the mothers out there who, every once in a while, think they are losing it. I have come to the conclusion that the day you give birth to your first child, you lose half of your mind. So the more kids you have, the more you feel like you have lost it sometimes. So just in case you are having one of those days, remember one of our Mammogram patients today. As she was signing a consent form, she very ecstatically exclaimed, "Oh, it's April Fools Day!" I looked at her thinking, maybe she was kidding or looking for some sort of smile like it was an inside joke between her and her friend that was standing behind her. Nothing! I said, "Ma'am, it's July." She looked at me in some what disbelief and said, "Well, I guess I am running a little bit behind." Bless her heart! She wasn't the youngest patient we have ever had! So remember, just when you think you are at the worst of it, there is always someone out there who thinks it's April Fools Day!

Happy Birthday Mason!

2009-06-24T08:33:00.017-04:00

Today is a bittersweet day at my house. I have been looking forward and dreading Mason's first birthday! And I almost feel bad for saying that I have been dreading it. I am so excited that Mason is here with us but to say that he has been here for a year is hard to believe! Everyday with him is a new adventure and everyday with him, I am more thankful than the day before that a year ago today, Derek and I welcomed this precious boy into our lives. He has made us happier than we could have ever asked to be. So to keep with the traditions of my fellow bloggers and posting their birth stories on their blog, here goes ours:

Tuesday June 23rd seemed like any other day. I got up, got ready for work, drove to work, and left for a regular visit with Dr. Hobgood. My boss Julie teased me and said that she didn't expect to see me after my appointment. I thought that there was no way Dr. Hobgood would tell me to stay so I took it with a grain of salt and went on my way. I got to Dr. Hobgood's office she checked me and expecting to hear 2 centimeters like I had been hearing for 2 weeks, I about passed out when she said "4 centimeters, we are having a baby tonight or tomorrow." I think she saw the shocked look on my face and she said, "Here are your options, you can stay and we can get in you in now, or you can go home, take a day to relax and be back at midnight unless your contractions start heavy then you need to come one back." Knowing that my husband would have a heart attack if I told him I was staying not to mention, I wasn't ready, I said I would come back.

I am leaving the doctor's office shocked and scared. I call my boss and let her know what's going on. I call Derek and say I am coming back at midnight, call my mom, call Brittany, and the call Courtney. I had to make sure everyone made appropriate plans! So I go home, pack the rest of our bags and head to the pool to relax.

At 11:35 Derek and I left our house and headed to Women's East. There wasn't one word spoken the entire trip there. My contractions had started about 10:45 and they were at the point of every 5 minutes. So we get to the hospital and we check in. They hook me up to the IV's and tell me to try to get some sleep because I won't get any the rest of the day or evening. YEAH RIGHT! What were they thinking? A. I was having contractions and B. I had to pee every 30 seconds and that was a chore because Derek was having to unplug me and walk me in there and come back to hook me back up. Jennifer the nurse came back in around 4 and said that the anesthesiologist got called into an emergency c- section and it was going to be a while before the epidural but she could give me something else to ease the pain. I agreed and she gave me a shot, I can still remember her words when she said "This is going to hit you fast" and before I could say what do you mean, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt like I was on laughing gas. By the way, I am still 4 centimeters. Dr. Hobgood and the anesthesiologist come in around 6 and Dr. Hobgood says to start Pit and give me an epidural. So, as soon as I get my epidural, my butt goes numb and I let everyone know about it. We all laugh and about then, we start getting our visitors. My mom, Pop, and Anna Beth were the first to arrive! They said Anna Beth had been up for quite some time and couldn't wait on Kim and the other kids so she decided to come on. By then, it was time for a shift change and I get a new nurse. She wasn't the greatest. She checked me at 8 o'clock when they broke my water (which Derek made a huge deal out of to the point that he got the needle out of the trash can to show all of the family what they just stuck inside of me) and that was the last time she checked me until 2 o'clock when my epidural bag ran out and I thought I was going to die. I know what Jamie and Veryll are thinking, but I was in some pain ladies, I give you props for being a lot stronger than me! So I told her that I had a lot of pressure and she checked me. Sure enough 8 centimeters. I was well on my way, but one side wasn't dilating as well as they would have liked, so they had me turn on my side until that side dilated. STILL NO EPIDURAL REFILL! So my nurse comes in at 3:15 and says that she has to go next door that I am going to have a new nurse for the rest of the day! THANK YOU JESUS! So Barbara my hero comes in checks me and says 9 centimeters, fills my bag back up just in time for the important area to become numb by 4 o'clock when she called Dr. Hobgood. They check me at 4:00 and she said, "Ok it's time, 10 centimeters, let's have a baby." Derek and I just look at each other and Barbara goes and tells all of our family and friends that are there to come on in that I am about to push. As soon as my mom crosses the corner, I start to cry. They all kiss me and say that I will do great and that they will see me soon. At 4:05 I start pushing. Sweet little Mason gets stuck on my pelvic bone and I think that I am going to die because I can feel almost every bit of it. Barbara asks me if I would like a mirror and I say "No, because I am scared that if I see what I am doing to myself I will stop." Everyone laughs and I keep on going. At 4:44, I heard the most beautiful noise in the world. That cry that was heard by Derek and I that day was a better sound than anything we could ever imagine and they laid that sweet baby on my chest. This was my baby, the baby that I helped to create and the baby I was going to raise, he was mine and he was here. They take him away and clean him up just in time for the grandparents and K.K. to come in and welcome Mason Riley Bates at 6 pounds 15 ounces and 20 3/4 inches long.

Words cannot describe the way I felt at that very moment. An overwhelming amount of fear and love and excitement filled my body. I was fulfilling the purpose that I always knew God had planned for me. I had a beautiful baby boy and I got to keep him! We are so thankful for our sweet Mason! Happy Birthday Big Boy! Daddy and I love you very much!

Happy Birthday Mason!

Introducing Maxwell Reece Bates

2009-06-23T11:38:00.008-04:00

I thought since I haven't posted any pictures of Max, now would probably be a good time with an update. Max now weighs 3.7 pounds. Sumo Wrestler comes to mind when I hear this! I don't know about you but that seems huge to me since Mason only weigh 3 pounds more than that when he was born! I passed my glucose test and everything is going as planned! I am hot as Blue Blazes! Derek and Mason are usually freezing and in sweats at the house while I am in shorts and a tank top! Bless their hearts! Derek said the other night that his toes were going to fall off as I was wiping sweat off of my face! Oh the sacrifices as family makes for the pregnant woman in the house! We are so excited to meet Max!

Profile Picture

From Left to Right: Toes, Calf and Knee

A Butt View, these are the legs

And arm

Father's Day

2009-06-21T20:56:00.007-04:00

I'm sure Derek could tell you more about his First Official Father's Day than I can, but I just want to take this time and brag on Derek and my dad for being the amazing fathers that they are.First of all, my dad is amazing! He has been a wonderful protector to me, mom, and Kaitlin. I always said that leaving my dad would be the hardest thing for me to do when I get married and it was. My mom and I have a relationship that's the same no matter where I live, but the night before I got married, I remember laying in my bed and hearing that knock that I had dreaded hearing for 21 years! I wasn't ready to tell my dad bye and leave my trust in another man to protect me. My dad has been wonderful through the whole process of me getting married and having Mason. Lord knows I haven't made it easy on them with the situations that have crossed our path, but he has never failed to amaze me with his faithfulness to be there for me. I also have to acknowledge his love for Derek. Not many fathers can take another man into their home and show them the same amount of love that a father should be showing him. My dad did that for Derek and more. I often tease Derek that he's turning into my dad, but I don't think that would be bad at all! I could not ask for a better dad for me or a better "Pa" for Mason!
And now for Derek. Derek has done nothing but amaze me daily with his patience with Mason and his overwhelming love for him. I can still remember the day that I told Derek it was time to go to the hospital! Although probably scared to death, he still was there to coach and encourage me the entire way. Derek has talked about having children since the day I met him. He swore that he would be a great father because for a long time he didn't have that privilege. I must say he has out done himself. He's not a great father, he is an amazing father. He's an amazing husband! I am so thankful that I get to call him mine.
I'm sure there are fathers out there who had a big elaborate father's day, but to all of us, just being together that day meant more to us than all of the presents and celebrations in the world. Happy Father's Day dad and Derek.

I Wonder If He Thinks....

2009-06-16T16:12:00.002-04:00

By the looks of this picture, I think Mason already knows the family that he was born into! We are always on the go and it looks like he is ready for a trip! Don't worry Derek and I won't disappoint him! We are going on vacation on the 4th! I just had to share this adorable picture that mom took today!

This Is It!

2009-06-16T09:42:00.003-04:00

Today is the last day Derek has to study for his test in the morning. I am a nervous wreck, but he is doing well. He has been studying non stop and I could not be more proud of him. He read the entire book last night (again) and went through and highlighted things that he was having trouble remembering. There wasn't that much highlighted believe it or not. If we can get through the Standard Operating Procedures and the different kinds of strokes, he will be doing great! It cracks me up because he'll get to the point where that's all he talks about. His insults/ jokes all refer to something fire related. Pretty lame huh? I guess I need to be thankful though because all that does is prove his dedication to this. No matter the outcome of tomorrow (we won't find out for 2 weeks what he made) I am so proud of Derek and his determination to make something of himself, more than he already has! Please please please be praying for Derek tonight as he finishes up studying and tomorrow morning around 8:30 when his test begins!

This Time Last Year....

2009-06-12T09:42:00.002-04:00

I woke up this morning with a heavy heart! Not depressed or sad really, just thinking back on this last year and how much things have changed. I remember this time last year, my parents were on a cruise, Derek and I were "dogsitting" and Dr. Hobgood advised me to go ahead and pack a bag and keep it in the car in case I went into labor. So this time last year, although 12 days away from delivery, Derek and I got our bags together and packed one for Mason as well. I started off with making my list which I found the other day. Now of course there were some things that were going to have to wait, but as for everything else, pajamas, clothes to wear home, Mason's stuff was all packed and put in the car in case for some reason I went into labor at work. Little did I know at the time that I would be in labor for 16 hours.
So what am I doing this year, today I go take my 1 hour glucose test for Max, go get goody bag stuff for Mason's birthday party and continue planning for it. 12 days away from his first birthday. I feel like I should still have him in a carrier packing newborn diapers, not letting him hold my hand and walking somewhere and packing size 4 diapers. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love this time with Mason. He is so fun and we love being silly with him and playing and dancing around the house, it's just hard to believe that he's becoming more of a boy not a baby. I have warned the girls here at work that the Wednesday of Mason's birthday I may be laid out in the floor in depression. We are so thankful for our sweet boy!

Why I Deserve The Wife Of The Year Award!

2009-06-10T10:37:00.002-04:00

Just kidding.... but I should at least tell you why I am the runner up! Again, just kidding, but here is what my life has consisted of for the past, oh 4 weeks. As many of you know, Derek is scheduled to take his firefighter test on Wednesday the 17th, BTW, I am a nervous wreck and I think he is too, but he will never admit it. So for the past 4 weeks, I have made 400 note cards, 3 sets of 30 page notes and highlight points, 3 practice tests, countless hours of reading note cards and asking random questions as we travel, and the most important of all... encouraging Derek when he is mad, tired, and ready to give up on it.
Here is an update on Derek. He has been reading the 400 note cards and answering the questions as we go down the road, he has read the book, studied the notes, and taken the practice tests. He has really impressed me with all of his efforts with this whole process.
No matter the outcome of next week, I am so proud of Derek for the efforts he is applying to this. He has truly taken the initiative and tried his best despite the fact that he hates studying and he hates tests. I am so excited for him, nervous for him, all of the above emotions, but I know it's in God's hands and what happens is meant to happen.
Please keep Derek in your prayers this next week as his studying comes to an end and he takes his test on Wednesday the 17th at 8:30!

We Should Have Named Him Jack...

2009-06-08T08:36:00.002-04:00

As in Jack- O- Lantern! That's what Mason looks like right now. He is working on 4 teeth and of the 4, only 2 have broken through. So we have the two bottom center (we've had these for a while) and then we have the top left center and the top left "fang" tooth. Although I shadowed in a dentist office for 3 months, I am clueless as to what the real name of these teeth are. So Mason looks quite hilarious and oh by the way... HE'S NOT SLEEPING! Oh the joys of motherhood. He just wakes up in pain around 2 or 3 and he cries in pain. So he's pitiful! And I have also found that he only cries at night when he's with me and Derek and it's only when we have to get up and go to work the next morning. For example... he slept until 9:30 Saturday morning! Maybe this will be the extent of his rebellion!
Mason also had another small accident. I know... bad mommy and daddy comes to mind! I promise we watch him, he's just EXTREMELY clumsy! We went swimming with mom and dad Saturday afternoon. He was in the 6 inch with dad and slipped in the pool and bumped his eye. It's now a little bruised and scraped! He cried and acted like it effected him for about 5 seconds then he was ready to get back in. He is all boy despite what Derek says! So he looks like we beat him! I am amazed at the stories that people tell me about their children and what they have done... actually I am very thankful that I am not the only one who has a full speed ahead baby!

No More Stitches!

2009-06-05T08:52:00.003-04:00

I am so thankful to say that Mason's stitches are gone! He finally rubbed the last one out last night! I was getting worried because it had been a while since the stitches were put in and they were supposed to be gone. But last night they had finally itched him enough and he scratched the last one out. His head looks great! There is definitely a scar, but the nurse/ resident did a great job at stitching him up so hopefully it will start to disappear soon. I am so proud of Mason! He was such a big boy during this terrible process. He has a trooper! He never cried because the stitches were bothering him and never really touched them or got anything in them. He did great! As for Derek and I, I think considering the circumstances, we did a great job handling everything too. Were we terrified when it first happened? Yes, but we made it and so did Mason. No matter the scar, he's still precious! We are very cautious with him now. We watch every move and gasp when he falls. Most of the time he laughs! We just hope the clumsy stage is almost over!

6 And Counting!

2009-06-02T08:35:00.002-04:00

Although Derek and I have only been married for 1 year, today marks our 6th "anniversary" together. I can't believe it! 6 years ago, we went on our first date and 6 years ago, I knew I was going to marry Derek someday! We have had so many wonderful times and many horrible times, but I am thankful that the good have always out weighed the bad. We truly complete each other and we have a great time together. I can honestly say there is NEVER a dull moment with us. To this day, I can still remember our first date, or lack there of. I was a nervous wreck, but we had a great time, obviously a good enough time to be together 6 years later and married. So just in case you don't know, here's how our first date went:
Derek had been coming to church for a while now and we started to be good friends. Not "talking" per say, but our friendship was growing. We were both just coming out of relationships and Derek was recovering from some issues that he had:) We went to eat after church and for those of you who know anyone at our church, there is always about 30 of us who go eat and today was no exception. Derek had mentioned that he needed a hair cut but didn't know when he could go, so I graciously and stupidly offer to cut his hair. In the mean time, my mother is telling me that I should never have done that because I will have to shave it. So later that evening Derek comes up to the house and while I am shaking I start to cut his hair and about the third snip I yell for back up and my mom completes the job. I was too nervous and by the way, I DON'T CUT HAIR. And Derek hasn't let me since that day except to shave it. After that we meet Michael, Ashley, and Tara at Lupi's for dinner and then we all go back to my house for banana splits. I can still remember the conversations and what we were wearing that day. The funniest part of the evening: getting into Derek's red truck in the 98 degree weather, it's burning up and Derek pulls out Pepto Bismol and takes a big slug of it out of the bottle. HOT Pepto Bismol! I thought I was going to gag! By the way... he hasn't done it in front of me since. He says it was the food he ate, I say he was nervous. Happy 6 Years Together Derek!

We're Back!

2009-06-01T10:01:00.002-04:00

We made it home from Mississippi last night! We had a great time visiting with the family. Mason had a great time entertaining everyone especially Nathan and Natalie because they thought he was hilarious and cracked up about everything he did. Mason loves the attention and continues to do things when you laugh at him. He is growling a lot here lately! We think it's quite hilarious and so does he! MiMi and Pop were a nervous wreck all weekend because Mason is quite clumsy and falls a lot! So every time he fell you hear everyone gasp for air.
Highlights of the weekend:
1. We tried a new restaurant that MiMi and Pop frequent- Hamil's! It was amazing! I am not a buffet person at all. In fact, they make me sick, so I was very hesitant, but it ended up being one of the best restaurants that we have eaten there.
2. Nathan, Natalie and Mason riding around in the driveway in the wagon and car. Mason thought he was hot stuff and the kids thought it was so fun wheeling someone else around.
3. The new mall in Madison! It was amazing as well. So many cute stores! It's an outdoor mall so for a 6 month pregnant woman, it's too hot especially in Mississippi, so that was the only down fall.
4. Kim seeing a man that she graduated high school with. She was talking about his family and her family and she told him that I was Paula's daughter and that she is a grandmother now. You could see the shocked/ disgusted look on his face. I told Kim to make sure that next time she tells someone that Paula is a grandmother, that she also tells them that I am 22 not 14.
5. This is probably more of my mom's highlight, but I think I will write about it. Mom always stays at Kim's house and me, Kaitlin, and Mason stay at MiMi's. So Saturday night Nathan says that he wants to sleep with mom. So he gets in bed and tells mom that Heidi stinks. Mom says, well, I'll give her a bath when I get home. He waits a few minutes and says, "She really smells bad, can you give her a bath now." Mom explains to him and says that it's late and she will give her a bath later. Then he says, "Well, I can't hold my breath all night long." Mom laughs and he goes and gets in the bed with Anna Beth. Oh the things that kids say! I can't wait to hear what Mason starts saying to her! It will be very interesting.

Away For The Weekend!

2009-05-29T14:24:00.002-04:00

We are leaving for Mississippi today when I get off of work. I know, BIG surprise as to our destination! I am excited, but sad to leave Derek behind. Girls (and Mason) only! Derek and dad will be extremely busy all weekend with the VW Visitor Center, so me, mom, K K (or Tay Tay) as Mason calls her, and Mason are heading to Mississippi! We didn't want to sit at home alone! I feel bad for leaving Derek, but he's so exhausted by the time he rolls into the house around 9 or so every night that he probably will enjoy a little break! Pray for our safety and Derek and dad's while we are gone!

As for an update on Mason's terrible injury, he's doing great. It definitely hasn't slowed him down. He was jumping out of the "Thinking Chair" at Ya Ya's house the other day! He is fearless! A part of me is thankful for that, but the mother in me is terrified. He only has 3 stitches now instead of 5. He has either rubbed them out or they have dissolved. To save us a trip to the doctor's office, I had the nurse here at work look at it and she said as long as the wound is opening back up, it looks great. There will be a scar, but we are just thankful that it was just simple stitches. I can tell that it is bothering him because he tries to scratch it and that has been our biggest battle. But I don't care how many scars he has, he's still the most precious baby and we love him scars and all.

Happy Anniversary Part 2/ A Trip To The ER

2009-05-27T08:35:00.003-04:00

Derek and I are truly lame! For our anniversary, we ate at my parents house! LAME! We just had such a busy weekend, we just felt like doing nothing. So we went up there for dinner and decided to go on home around 8. So we get home to start our nightly routine. Derek shower, Brittney shower, Mason tub, Mason oatmeal and bottle, and everyone asleep! Well, Monday night, our routine was completely disregarded and we spent it at T.C. Thompson Emergency Room. What a great way to spend your anniversary or any night for that matter huh?

So here's the story. We are in the middle of our routine. Derek is out of the shower, I am getting in and Mason is playing. We have noticed that Mason is,well, clumsy. He is learning to walk and he often sees something that he wants at the other end of the room and doesn't care what's in the way as long as he gets there which often results in a crash. So Monday night was no exception, except for the fact that the bathroom wall got in the way. So he falls, he hits the wall, he screams, Derek jerks him up and I see the blood. Because I had to ask forgiveness for what I said, I will not repeat the words that came out of my mouth at that moment. I jumped out of the shower, didn't dry off, grabbed the first articles of clothing (minus a bra:), grabbed Mason a change of clothes and screamed, "Get him in the car, we are going to the emergency room." Derek BTW still doesn't have clothes on because he had just got out of the shower TMI I know but I had to paint the complete picture. So I take Mason, call mom and dad and tell them to meet us at Northpark. By the way, I am holding my favorite shirt on Mason's head to stop the bleeding. Mason is screaming and I am uncontrollably crying and the guilt of being the worst mother ever is consuming me. So we get in the car and I remember Courtney's adventure like this one with Jacob, Northpark won't treat infants/ toddlers. Remember that mom's and dad's! So I tell him to go to T.C. Thompson. We call my parents back and tell them to meet us there. Derek keeps trying to calm me down as I am wiping the blood off of my son that they will probably just send us home with some band- aids and tell us not to worry about it. I finally get the majority of the blood off as we are veering onto Amnicola Highway and Derek looks at the cut and says, "Maybe a few stitches or some glue."

So I go running into T.C. Thompson with Mason laughing by the way and check in. I am sitting there with all of the mothers looking at me like, "Great job woman." My mom and dad get there and they are trying to calm me down and Mason is playing with dad. So we go back in the back and they putting the numbing cream on Mason and he is still not acting like anything is wrong. And at 10:45, they come in to stitch him up which was terrible. I don't know if it were worse for Derek and I or Mason. He screamed for the first 3 stitches and cried so hard that he fell asleep for the last 2. So a total of 5 stitches on his head above his right eye. I don't even think he was screaming because of the injury because they say it doesn't hurt, but he was screaming because he was papoosed, Derek was holding his legs down, I am holding his arms and upper body down, the nurse, Kelly (she was amazing) is holding head down and he is still breaking loose.

Needless to say, we are a nervous wreck and follow him around even more than we did. I felt/ feel like to worse mom ever, but I am so thankful that God was watching over Mason and there wasn't more complications and it will be a simple scar and a memory for the baby book. I am still shaken up from it all and devastated that my precious baby was hurt. There is nothing worse than that. Thank you all for checking up on him and the prayers for not only Mason, but for Derek and I as well.

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-26T11:52:00.007-04:00

This past weekend, we went with Justin and Miranda and went camping at Chester Frost. We all had so much fun! Mason loved feeding the geese and playing in the swimming pool. Here are some pictures from the weekend!

Feeding the ducks with Daddy!

Plumbers Crack!

Happy Anniversary

2009-05-25T08:50:00.003-04:00

Today is mine and Derek's anniversary! I can't believe it's already been a year since we said "I Do." We have had many obstacles to over come, but with the Lord's help, we have done it every time. Of course we did things a little differently, but the Lord is never hit with surprises and he never gives us things that we can't handle. I have to be honest... the day that I packed (well Kaitlin packed) my things, I was devistated to leave home. Any time I had questions, my mom was right down the hall or down stairs and I always felt safe knowing that my dad was there. So now I had to totally rely on someone else to take care of me. Not that I ever had any doubt that Derek could or would do it, but I was still scared.

I am so thankful for Derek. He is an amazing husband and an amazing father to Mason and I know he will be to Max as well. He is everything that I could ask for and more! I never have to wonder if I will be taken care of! There isn't an option to him. He is the spiritual leader of our house, he is my comedian, my help, and my best friend.

Happy Anniversary Derek! I love you!

The Savings Hunter

2009-05-22T08:34:00.002-04:00

Ok, so Derek is obsessed with the show "Dog, The Bounty Hunter." Please do not ask me why because I do not have the answer to that question, but every Wednesday night after church, that's what we watch. Anyway, back to the reason of the post. I told Derek that I had to go to the store. I had been clipping coupons and glancing at the weekly ad all week and finally made my "savings grocery list." We all made a trip to Bi- Lo last night and I started piling up our buggy. I think Derek started getting nervous when I told him he would have to push because it was getting heavy. So off we go through every isle and I am loading it on. Derek kept saying, "Just cause it's on sale doesn't mean you have to get it, we don't eat that stuff." Well, yes we do I am just so cheap I never buy it unless it's on sale. So we get to the front to check out and the lady didn't ask for my Bonus Card. So she's ringing me up and hits total, $174.04. I looked at Derek with an "Oops, I'm sorry look." And she said, "Oh, I'm sorry, do you have your bonus card?" Bonus card scanned, total bill now $101.71 for a total savings of $72.33. GO ME! Derek was a lot happier about that and I could tell by his sigh of relief! I also went to CVS yesterday, just in case you are wondering CVS stands for "Chattanooga Imaging Vacationing Spot." It's where we break. I saved $21.86. Their make- up is buy one get one and I needed all of my make up so I stocked up! 2 mascaras, 2 eyeliners, 2 blushes, 2 powders, a bag of Funyuns, and a bag of cotton candy $22.03. So I was very excited and I don't have to buy make up for a while!

Savings can be done, if you just hunt for them.

Biggest savings of the day- Bi- Lo weekly ad 4 (12 pack) of Coke products for $9.88!

We have a big weekend planned, but don't think I am not going to take full advantage of the Old Navy sale tomorrow! $1 flip flops!

Ewwww That Smell!

2009-05-20T09:33:00.002-04:00

Sorry, I had to break out a little Lynyrd Skynyrd to title this one! You know you are singing along. Thanks to my fabulous dad, the smell in my house is not gone. And just like I predicted, it was a dead cat. Mom is sad and is going to give the cat a proper funeral service. Just kidding:) I am just so thankful that my house doesn't smell like rotten cabbage anymore that it's not even fazing me; not to mention, I hate cats! So here's the story and turn of events from yesterday.

12:45- I go home for lunch to find that I can't even walk into my house without the thought of gagging. The heat had made the smell worse.

12:47- I call Derek telling him the smell is worse. He still doesn't believe that it's a dead animal just the fact that our house needs another "deep clean." I almost told him that he could take care of that one alone since he was being a butt about it.

12:50- I call my dad infuriated because I know the smell and he and mom agree that there is something under the house. He plans to go over there when Derek gets off of work.

4:45- I call mom to check on Mason and they are about 5 minutes away from my house and she will call me and let me know what's going on.

4:50- I text mom to check the progress and dad opened the crawl space door to have flies in his face and to begin to gag. There is without a doubt something under the house.

5:03- I call mom to tell her I am on my way home to hear Kaitlin yell, "It was a cat." Then mom says, "Aw, that's sad it was a cat and your dad is gagging."

5:15- I walk into the house, all windows are open and the fans going full blast.

6:15- Start cleaning

8:15- SMELL GONE!!!

I am so glad that the smell is gone and I can sleep in a house that smells good. I am so glad my dad toughed it out for us! I felt horrible for him! I felt worse for him probably than mom did for the cat! So there's our nasty story in conclusion! Sorry to gross you out!

An Embarrassing, But True Story

2009-05-19T09:22:00.003-04:00

I have never considered myself a super neat freak. In fact, if you ask my mother, my sister and I did not get the clean gene passed down from the Scoggin/ Lang women (my mother's family.) My MiMi, my mom, and my Aunt Kim are all very neat and orderly people. In fact I have to give props to my aunt who's house always seems to be clean despite having 3 young children. But that is one thing that I have never been. I wouldn't say I'm nasty or dirty, I just tend to wait until the last minute to clean or I get in a mood and I don't stop till it's clean. I just had one of these spells last week. We moved all of our furniture and I cleaned baseboards, Derek cleaned out our pantry, and I really felt like I accomplished something and I slept better that night. Well, it's been a week and I must admit that our laundry is backed up and our house could use a touch up.

Anyway, the reason for the story. About 5 weeks ago, I came home from work and was talking to Derek and we heard a cat. Well, of course we think that the cat is in our house. We look everywhere for this thing. See there had been a cat roaming around our house for a few days and we had even caught it in our garage. So we thought that it may have snuck in while I was taking groceries in or something. We found no cat. So we decided that it must have been outside and there was nothing to worry about until Sunday. We got up Sunday and did our morning routine. Mason had a "muddy" diaper and Derek decided it put it in our garbage can in our kitchen. Please do not ask me why because I don't have the answer. So we come home from church Sunday afternoon and it smells really bad in the house. So we thought that it was the diaper. Derek takes the diaper out and I spray Lysol and continue with my day. We went to Justin and Miranda's house that evening and came back home to the smell again. I spray Lysol, clean up around the house, mop, and light some candles. Monday same smell. And finally last night, I came home from Justin and Miranda's again and thought that I was going to pass out. Not good for a pregnant woman. It smelled so bad in our house, I was thinking about going to my parents house. I woke up this morning to the smell again and when mom came to get Mason, I asked her if she smelled it. Well DUH! Of course she smelled it and she says it smells like something has died under our house. So my mind goes back to 5 weeks ago when we heard the cat. Come to think of it, we haven't seen that can in quite some time. About a week in fact. So needless to say, I called my old faithful dad and asked him to come by the house sometime today. He of course reminded me that I have a husband and that THEY will check under the house this afternoon.

I know it's disgusting! I am just hoping that some other women will share their stories or comments and that I am not the only one this has happened to. Hopefully they will find the "source" of the problem today and I can have a "clean" fresh smelling house soon! Sorry, no visitors until then, I don't think I even want to be there!

Update On The Bates Family

2009-05-18T10:40:00.002-04:00

Not much to report for the Bates family, but I will give you as many updates as possible.

Mason: HE'S WALKING EVERYWHERE! It's so cute to watch him walking around. My favorite is to watch him after he's had his bath and we have drenched him in his baby lotion and his hair is curling up in the back and he has his pajamas on and his little tummy sticks out while he's playing. It's too precious! I love when he's walking around playing with his toys. He entertains himself which is a blessing. I can remember Kaitlin being that way when she was little. I just hope he doesn't sneak off and eat dog food like she used to do. I guess I don't have to worry about it- we don't have a dog. We are also working on a tooth. No it's not the top middle ones, but as Derek likes to call mine, it's a fang tooth. So we will have 2 bottom teeth and two fang teeth. Just call him snags. I don't understand how that works, but it's starting to look quite funny. He's sleeping a lot better. I think the walking is making him tired. Thank you Jesus!

Max: He's a growing boy! He's getting bigger everyday and kicks and moves around a lot. He's not really to the point where you can see him moving, but you can definitely feel him. I get to look at him all the time here at work! Be jealous ladies:) That's a perk of working at a doctor's office! He looks a lot like Mason's ultrasound pictures. Derek got to come to the office and look at him and agrees that he looks a lot like Mason. We can't wait till he gets here!

Derek: Derek is working on getting on with the City of Chattanooga as a fireman. Talk about making me a nervous wreck! We have a study manual and he got a letter to take his test on June 17th. So please be praying for him. He's really wanting to do this and I think it will be great for him to be doing something that he is looking forward to. They didn't have any work for almost two weeks so he got to be a stay at home daddy for a few days and really enjoyed it. He got to spend some quality time with Mason and it gave my mom a break for a few days, but I think she missed Mason:) But thankfully the Lord provides and Derek had some side jobs that he was able to do and he did an amazing job on a couple at our church's house. I don't mind to brag at all!

Brittney: Not much going on with me. I am for the most part over the sickness part of the pregnancy, but there are things that tend to make me queasy still, but I am so thankful that I am on the ladder part of it. I must say that I am huge. It's all belly, but I am pretty big. They say you get a lot bigger with your second than with your first. I believe it. I am really looking forward to mine and Derek's anniversary coming up this week. I'm not really sure what we are doing just yet, but I am still looking forward to it. It's hard to believe that I have been married to my best friend for almost a year. We have had a few bumps in the road, but everyday I look forward to being at home with him.

That's all that's really going on with us. Stay tuned for more!

Let The Cravings Begin...

2009-05-11T13:41:00.002-04:00

It's not like me to post 2 times in one day, but I had to let the world know that I am starting to get over my sickness... Thank You Jesus! And my cravings have begun. Today's items include but are not limited to: Orange Kool Aid, Subway turkey sub with mayo, pickles and black olives and McDonald's french fries. Last night I was craving Raisin Bran. Sorry if that makes you nauseous, I'm just so thankful that it's not me that nauseated, I have to share it with the world! Have a great day!

My First Mother's Day!

2009-05-11T09:09:00.002-04:00

I cannot believe that yesterday I got to celebrate my first Mother's Day! As lame as it may sound, I have waited for this day to come for many years. I have made the comment before that I knew the day that I had Mason I was fulfilling part of my purpose. Some people have no desire to have children, I on the other hand have always wanted children even as a little girl playing with baby dolls and even when Kaitlin was born, I wanted a baby. So yesterday was very special to me even though Mason had no idea what was going on, Derek made it special for me. I went and got a manicure on Friday as part of my "present." I always enjoy being pampered. Saturday was CRAZY busy, but I enjoyed it. Derek came home early from hunting (which by the way is a huge deal because it was the last day of turkey season) so that I could go to the Mother/ Daughter lunch at church. I look forward to this every year, but this year was extra special because my Mimi got to come in for the weekend. So it was mice us all being there together. Saturday afternoon we went to Ansley's party. Mason really isn't in to all the party scene, but he did like the swings at the park. Then we met the family to eat at Olive Garden to celebrate Mother's Day. It was wonderful! Then everyone came to my house to watch Mason's favorite, Tigger and Pooh. Then Sunday morning, I got to wake up with my sweet Mason! Derek told him to tell me Happy Mother's Day and he just smiled so that was good enough for me. Then we ate breakfast ( I cooked pancakes) which have become a Saturday and Sunday tradition in my house. I put Mason in the car heading to church where I found a sweet card from Derek and Mason and Max. Mason and Max of course can't sign or even pick out a card, but the fact that my husband went out of his way to make sure that he got a card from them, meant the world to me. Then we went to church. Every year, our church gives out roses to the ladies in our church who are mothers and I was honored to get a rose this year. Then we went out to eat and went to mom's so I could do some paper work for dad.

As you can see... there is absolutely nothing special about what I did or received for Mother's Day. It wasn't diamonds or a spa day, but most importantly, it was from the heart of my husband and from my sweet Mason. It was a day that they celebrate mother's, but I feel like every day I get celebrated when I step foot in the house to see Mason smiling at me or say Momma. There is no greater reward than being a mom. Although at times, I want to pull my hair out or just get a simple full night's sleep, I try to sit back and think about those women out there who can't have kids or have lost a child. How they long to not have that full night of sleep just to have a baby there to call them Momma.

Also it makes me realize how wonderful of a mother I have. We always get asked around Mother's Day what is the greatest memory of our mother as we were growing up and every year mine is the same. My mom had the wonderful privilege of being a stay at home mother and every day she was there to tell me to have a good day at school and ask me when she picked me up how my day was. I didn't think about it until I had children of my own how special that truly is. I can only hope that I can follow in her foot steps and be a wonderful mother. So to all the mother's out there, Happy Mother's Day!

The Official Announcement...

2009-05-06T13:17:00.004-04:00

As a majority of you know Mason is going to be a BIG brother in September. He can hardly contain his excitement J/K! He really has no idea what's going on. So to answer all the questions here are the following answers:

1. What is it? IT'S ANOTHER BOY! Derek was sort of depressed at first because he wants a girl so bad, but I guess there's always next time... in about 3 years!

2. Do we have a name? Yes we do. Maxwell Reece Bates. Max for short.

3. Due date? September 17th, but I am measuring a week early. I am huge! Thank God for scrubs that are forgiving.

4. Have I been sick? ABSOLUTELY! I hope I am on the down hill now, but I have my moments. Restaurants I can't eat... once again Ichiban, Formosa, or Amigos! I can't think about these places much less eat them. I have gotten sick every time I eat them. In fact that's one way I knew I was pregnant. Derek and I went to Ichiban one night and I have never been so sick in my life. I knew something was off. I couldn't eat there when I was pregnant with Mason either. I pretty much have it down to a routine of how to not get sick so if I stick to the plan, I am doing good.

On a lighter note, I am so excited about my first Mother's Day! I can't believe that this year not only do I get to spend it with my mom and MiMi, but with my own child. MiMi and Pop will be in Friday night in time for dinner then we will spend the day together on Saturday going to the Mother/ Daughter lunch at church. Then Sunday we will go out for lunch on the boys! I have waited for this day for so long and now it's finally here. I always dreamed of being a mommy and now I am to the best baby boy in the world and about to have a second one! It's a dream come true! Stay tuned for more of our incredible journey with Mason and soon to be Max!

Planning For Our Prince

2009-05-06T10:27:00.002-04:00

It's hard to believe that I have started the planning process for Mason's first birthday! It seems like yesterday that I was starting the process for him to be here and now a year later, we are planning his birthday party. I must say that I am on the ball when it comes to planning his birthday. We have the date, location, the menu, and we have picked out cakes. Well somewhat picked out cakes. Mom has graciously offered (or I offered for her- depends on who you talk to) to make Mason's big birthday cake and his personal (hopefully I'm going to make a big mess) cake. I am so excited about his party. It's going to be a blast! I got the cutest outfit for him to wear until he eat his cake. We can't get it messed up you know!

Here are some updates on Mason... he's a full speed ahead walker. There is no stopping him now. He walks/ tries to run all around the barricaded living room. By the way, our house will never be the same because of our furniture all connecting to try to keep him in. He thinks (well and so do we) he's really something. We make sure we praise him completely when he walks. Mason walked across the room the other night to my dad and if Mason was old enough to ask, he would have received what ever he wanted from his Poppy at that time. By the way... he's still all about my dad. Mason has also extended his vocabulary. He now says Mama, Dada, K K, and Ya Ya. Although Poppy is his favorite, it make take a while to say his name. He's also mimicking sounds and learning opposites. Like when I say "Uh Uh" he says "Uh Huh!" Don't tell me kids don't know. So there is an update on Mason. Stay tuned for more.....

A Little Late, But Here Are Pictures From Easter

2009-05-02T21:42:00.012-04:00

We got to go to Mississippi for Easter! We had a blast and I wouldn't have done it any other way. Derek and dad went hunting Saturday morning so we took Mason and the kids to the Easter Egg Hunt for Kim's church. Then Sunday morning we got (well everyone else) got to go to church while I sat in the foyer with Mason then we went to Kim's for lunch and to hide Easter eggs again! Mason was able to participate in this one a little better!

Mason, Anna Beth, Natalie and Weston!

Swinging With Ya Ya!

Playing with the Easter Eggs Sunday Morning!The Easter Bunny Came!

Discovering that he has presents!

Only interested in the eggs!
Mason acting very interested in taking pictures with me!
All about the fake smiles!
Not a great picture but I will take it!

The start of the egg hunt

Mason finding his egg!

To All My Blogging Friends...

2009-04-30T11:11:00.001-04:00

Hey guys! I just wanted to let you know that my mom has started a blog for her and my dad! Make sure you check them out and add them to your Blog Friends!
www.donandpaulaoscai.blogspot.com

Let The Savings Begin!

2009-04-28T13:56:00.002-04:00

Some friends of mine at church have started cutting coupons and have really been saving quite a bit of money here lately. I am all about saving money so I thought that I would give it a try. I have never been one to cut coupons because 9 times out of 10 I forget that I have cut them and they expire. Then, instead of just wasting money, I have also wasted time. But I have been thinking a lot about it and I have a strategy on how to do such things and thanks to Claire and Beth's inspiration, I have already saved $20. So my plan goes as follows:

1. Cut coupons throughout the week and on Sunday.
2. Sunday afternoon, gather all of my coupons together and make my grocery list.
3. Plan out my meals for the week keeping my coupons in mind.
4. Monday, head to the store/ stores for major savings.
Now Claire and Beth are hosting a class at church on Sunday night about coupon savings so I know they will have some more tips for me, but until then, this is how it's going to go in the Bates house!

BTW... just in case you were wondering what I saved my money on (I am sure so many of you are) I bought 6 steaks (we had company last night) and 8 fresh pieces of corn (with the shuck) regular would be $40.42, but I got everything for $20.63. I was so excited. I have also started writing it down when I save. I am big on when I am starting something, I like to see the results of it.

Playing Around

2009-04-25T13:00:00.005-04:00

I have finally found some time to post some pictures of Mason who turned 10 months old yesterday! Can you believe it? He will be one in 8 weeks!

Looking out the window at Ya Ya and Poppy's!

Playing in the grass at K K's tennis match!

Things To Never Say At Your Doctor's Office

2009-04-20T15:19:00.002-04:00

Now that I am in my new job, I am learning a lot of things not to say at your doctors office. Just in case you are ever in the following situations... just know that we will go in the back and talk about you if you say the following:
1. When you ask where the restroom is and we direct you to the facility, never say "Well, is there one in the back, I need to doo doo." This actually happened today and thanks to this gentleman, we are all nauseous!
2. When we ask you if this is a yearly mammogram, never say "Yes, this is my yearly tit smash." Very funny, but before we call you back, every employee will know about it.
3. Never go back for a HIDA Scan (checks to see the functioning of the gallbladder, it's also a 2 hour test) and get back there only for us not to find your gallbladder then you proceed to tell us that you had it out years ago. Thanks! I guess your gallbladder wouldn't be functioning very well then would it? Which leads to number 4.
4. ALWAYS TELL YOUR DOCTOR PREVIOUS MEDICAL HISTORY. It saves us a lot of time.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask. We would just like to save you some embarrassment!

Ode To Old Blue

2009-04-15T10:43:00.002-04:00

This morning was a sad sad morning. I got up, got in the shower and began to dry my hair. I kissed my husband good bye and talked to my mom while she got Mason ready for the day. I finished drying my hair and put my hair dryer in the sink like I do every morning. I stepped into my closet to get my scrubs when all of a sudden I heard my hair dryer turn on. I thought my mom was playing with Mason so I didn't think anything of it until I looked around the corner and saw no one in front of the hair dryer. That's right! My hair dryer in the off position turned on by itself. Then it proceeded to spark and smoke. I unplugged it immediately to avoid a house fire. The wire was hot and the smoke smelled terrible!

I have to bury old blue today in my sentimental box. It's a depressing day and I don't think I will ever find another hair dryer quite like this one!

We Have A Walker

2009-04-08T16:01:00.004-04:00

On July 20th, 1969, man first walked on the moon. On April 5th, 2009, Derek and I witnessed the first steps our son would ever take. Yes ladies and gentlemen, Mason is in the process of walking. And wouldn't you know it that he walked for food!

We were at mom and dad's house Sunday evening. MiMi and Pop were in so we were visiting with them. Mason has been getting brave these last few weeks with his standing up alone. Mom put some Sweet Potato Puffs on the chair and stood Mason up and wouldn't you know he took 2 steps alone to grab his new favorite snack. So of course we immediately get the video camera out and keep trying to get him to do it again. He just kept on walking for those puffs. He loved all the "YAY MASON!" feedback from the crowd so of course anything he can do for attention, he's going to keep doing.

Dad got all of it on film. Along with Mason acting silly and Pop laughing so hard at him he was in pain. Derek and I don't know if we were laughing at Mason or Pop more. He's got all sorts of new tricks but our favorite and greatest milestone is walking. We are going to Mississippi this weekend for Easter and I hope he pulls out all of his tricks for my family. We are so excited to see all of them. Yay for Mason!

The Beach

2009-04-05T20:58:00.005-04:00

We went to Panama City Beach for a couple of days during Spring Break and I must say that I wouldn't mind if I never went back there again, although, the house we stayed in was amazing. It was some friends of ours from church and it's gorgeous! Mason did not like the beach so you can see where we spent our time....
Mason thought that the pool was so elaxing, we almost fell asleep in his float!

Matt and Mandy's Wedding

2009-04-05T20:45:00.006-04:00

March 14 marked Matt and Mandy's wedding day! We are so excited for them and the new life they are starting together. Matt and Derek grew up together and Matt was the best man in our wedding almost a year ago so Derek had to return the favor! Although it was bitter sweet because Matt got transferred to Oklahoma City for work, we are so happy for them! We just hope they hurry home!
Daddy and his best friend!

Josh, Matt and Derek

Bye Guys! Congratulations!

Happy Birthday Natalie

2009-03-09T15:30:00.006-04:00

The Birthday Girl!

We have been so busy these last few weeks. Last weekend, we went to Mississippi for Natalie's birthday! We had such a great time and learned that we will be in the water with Mason a lot from now on! Happy Birthday Natalie!

He had so much fun!

Weekend in Knoxville

2009-03-09T14:58:00.004-04:00

A few weeks ago we made the trip to Knoxville to go see our friends Matt and Mandy. Mason has such a great time with everyone, especially Matt's parents dog, Buster. We are going to miss Matt and Mandy when they leave. They are getting married this coming weekend so stay tuned for those pictures. Here are some from that weekend!

I Have An 8 Month Old!

2009-02-24T09:25:00.004-05:00

Mason is 8 months old today and I am in total shock! Where has the 8 months gone? Everyone always told me that it goes by fast, but I never imagined this. There have been nights that I thought that the day would never end, but it does and they don't ever stop.

Here are some new things that Mason has learned/ learning!

1. We now have a baby on the move. Mason is crawling and crawling agressivly. He sees something he wants and in seconds, he is there to get it. It's so cute to watch him crawl, but the best part is when he has to travel some distance, he BIG breath that he takes afterwards! It's so funny to hear!

2. By far my favorite, he says "Ma Ma!" For all of you mothers out there, yuo know how precious it is to hear these words come out of your childs mouth! No granted it's normally when he's crying and needing something that he says it, but it's still my name and it was first! We are still working on Da Da. Right now it's more like Ba Ba, but that's ok.

3. Mason is pulling up on everything that is stable, and sometimes things that aren't stable. He's walking from one piece of furniture to another. He can also walk while we are holding his hands, so we may have a walker by the 9 month post.

4. And finally and probably my dad's favorite, Mason has really developed a personality. He talks to us and is really into reading books and watching movies. He is learning who people are. And here is where my dad comes in. If my dad is in the room, Mason wants him. It doesn't matter what's going on, he wants my dad. He would rather have my dad than me, Derek, or my mom. He loves my dad and that doesn't hurt my dad's feelings one bit. My great grandmother always talks about how my dad would always go to his grandfather "Pa" that way. So I know that's how they are going to be with each other. They are going to be tight as dad puts it.

Here are some picture of Mason! We are so thankful for him and love him more everyday!

Mason 6 weeks old!

Mason Today!

Update On Mason's Sleeping

2009-02-10T12:38:00.003-05:00

Well, I would love to get on here and tell you that things have gotten better with Mason's sleeping habits, but unfortunately, they haven't. Mason is a wonderful baby by day, but by night, he's a cranky little boy and today, we are going to the doctor to find out why. Mason was doing good for about 3 nights when it came to sleeping, but this weekend, he started coughing again and sneezing a lot. So after talking to my mom and a friend of ours that works at his doctor's office, we are taking Mason in at 2 today. I feel horrible taking him all the time, but I am a first time mother who is just a little on the terrified side. He is pitiful. This morning when he woke up, I hit my limit. He just looked like he didn't feel good.
I just hope we can figure out what's going on today because he are heading to Ohio Friday and that would be a terrible trip if he were sick. So keep our family, especially our sweet Mason in your prayers!

My Panic Button Has Been Pressed

2009-01-27T10:45:00.003-05:00

Last Sunday night Derek and I were folding clothes and chilling out around the house. Mason was sitting on the bed watching us fold clothes and playing with his toys. I had to run to the rest room and Mason has a bad habit of falling over and rolling around on the bed. I usually don't think anything of it. So I come out o the bathroom only to find Mason on the edge of the bed about to roll over. So I take off running and do a flying leap across our bed and I was too late. That poor baby fell off of the bed! So I scream and of course the scream scared him more than the fall did. I froze and Derek went to pick him up.
Mason is crying, I am crying we are all crying. I immediately told Derek to get my book, "What to Expect Your First Year," and I told Derek to take his clothes off so I could inspect the damage. Mason by this time is laughing at me making such a big deal out of this.
So I check for all of the obvious signs. Broken bones, dilated eyes, bumps and bruises. Of course he was fine, but I was still very upset so I call old faithful, my mom. Well she tells me to do everything that the book says to do. Go figure. So I check on him every couple of hours for the next six hours and still he's fine!
So lessons learned, never put Mason on the bed without us being there and always keep a copy of "What to Expect Your First Year" close by!

No rest for the weary!

2009-01-22T10:36:00.002-05:00

Every night, I pray "Lord, please let my baby sleep well tonight." Secretly I pray, "Lord, please let my baby sleep well tonight so that I can get some rest!" I am exhausted! Every morning, I lay in bed and wonder what I can do that morning to be able to get some extra sleep! It usually involves finishing my hair and make up at work and already knowing and having it ironed what I am wearing to work.
Mason is a wonderful baby and such a blessing in our lives and we love him dearly, but when I wake up to a crying baby at 2 and he doesn't go back to sleep until around 3:30 or possibly 4, I many nights find my self frustrated and crying. I feel terrible because he's healthy and here I am complaining. My parents try to give us as much relief as possible, but sometimes, I feel like I am a bad mom when I leave him there just so I can get some sleep. Kind of selfish huh?
Mason hasn't slept good the past three nights. We have tried everything! Last night we tried feeding him, putting him in the bed with us, letting him cry it out, turning on Baby Einstein, playing with toys, the ever faithful Tylenol and gas drops, changing his diaper, and nothing helped. He just cried and got mad at both of us. We know he's not hungry because he eats oatmeal and has a bottle before he goes to sleep and half the time, he doesn't want to finish the bottle. So we blame it on bad dreams and try to call it a night.
So if you have any suggestions on how to calm our sweet Mason, please let me know!

Six Random Facts About Me

2009-01-20T10:10:00.003-05:00

I got tagged by Alisha.

Rules: Write 6 random things about myself, link the person who tagged you & post the rules. Tag six people and link them. Let them know they have been tagged.

1. I could eat cereal every meal of every day and not get sick of it. I love cereal! I, like Alisha, hate soggy cereal so I always pour a big bowl of milk and then pour a little cereal at a time until my milk is gone. It seems like I am being a major pig because it ends up being like 12 bowls, but it's really only about 3 when you see how much I put in there.

2. Derek and I are addicted to Grey's Anatomy. We watch at least one episode a night. We started with Season 2 and then went back to 1. Now we are done with 3 and are ready to buy 4.

3. My favorite noise in the entire world is when Mason laughs. It's hilarious. He's the sweetest boy in the world and when he laughs you can tell it's a gut laugh and he loves to play and laugh.

4. I love going home and putting on my "fat" clothes. After being at work all day, I love to come home put on a pair of pajama pants and a t- shirt and lounge around. It's a great feeling.

5. I don't go or walk anywhere without shoes. I wear flips flops around the house even on the carpet. I hate feeling carpet on my feet. And I'm not really quite sure why I wear them every where else, but I don't get out of the shower or anything without my shoes. I'm a weirdo!

6. I just took my Christmas decorations down last night. I know, LAZY SLOTH comes to mind, but I enjoyed so much putting our decorations up in OUR house this year and I just hated parting with them.

I tag Brittany W, Courtney W, Lydia, Natalie, Kellie, and Veryll!

6 Month Well Visit

2009-01-16T11:36:00.002-05:00

Mason went for his 6 month well visit today with Dr. Wiley! He did great! He had to have 4 shots today but took it like a champ! He cried less this time than last time. Dr. Wiley did say that since these were the same shots as last time, that he was more likely to have a stronger side effect to them this time! I thought great! Even more reason for him not to sleep!
Mason is a growing boy! He is 29 3/4 inches long, yes that puts him off of the charts once again! He weighs 20.4 which puts him in the 60% for his height! And his head circumference is 75%. So Mason is growing and looking great! He said that we can start on some of the meat mixed with veggies or fruit baby food! NASTY! I think Chicken with apples sounds horrible! We can also start giving him so mashed up bananas at the table, so pretty much what ever makes a mess.
Dr. Wiley also suggested that we baby proof our house in the coming weeks. Locks on the cabinets, CD's and DVD's need to be put up, socket covers, and baby gates to keep Mason safe! So I'm sure you will see pictures of our baby proof safe house! I kind of feel like he's Tommy Pickles on the show "Rugrats." I am really looking forward to the Mobile Mason! He's getting to be such a big boy and an even more joy in our lives!

To Sleep Or Not To Sleep...

2009-01-13T09:26:00.002-05:00

I know at night when I lay down to sleep, I should be thankful that I have a beautiful home, a wonderful husband, and a very sweet and healthy baby, but the sweet baby has been hard to believe these past few weeks. I bragged so much on Mason for about a month on how he had been sleeping through the night in his bassinet for about 10 weeks, but the past month has been horrible in our house!
Mason had not been sleeping good at all. He would wake up around 1 and not go back to sleep until around 3 or 3:30! Now, it wouldn't be so bad if I were able to stay home with him and hopefully take a nap during the day when he did, but Derek and I wake up at 6:30 every morning and get ready for work, so we need as much sleep as possible! So when Mason wakes up, it's terrible and when he screams for an hour, it's even worse.
Last night was no exception. We tried everything. Feeding him, rocking him, letting him cry it out, and trying to get him to play! Nothing helped, he would cry, then fall asleep, and as soon as we tried to lay him down or even us sit down, he would start screaming again! So finally around 3, Derek gave him to me and he fell asleep on my chest where he stayed until 6:30 this morning.
Come to find out, this morning when I checked his mouth, there were 2 teeth poking through. So bless his heart, he was in pain. So keep up in mind these next few days as the teeth begin to grow that we will have a smooth transition!

Another Tender Tennessee Christmas

2009-01-09T14:45:00.016-05:00

It's always fun when we get to spend Christmas at home. This is our 3rd Christmas in Tennessee and I love it. We have such a wonderful time. This year was extra special because it was Mason's first Christmas! Here are the pictures!

Mommy! Daddy! Wake up I'm ready!

This is fun! I love the paper and bows!
Hey Mom!
Ok, no more hat! Take it off!
HELP!
Oh a hammer just like Daddy's!
Can I go ahead and open these?
K K, What's that?
Aunt K K, are those Pop's or yours?
I love my Jump- A- Roo from Santa!
Christmas with Nanny and PaPaw Perry
I'm going to play basketball just like Daddy!
What a long day!

Our First Christmas

2009-01-09T13:40:00.009-05:00

2008 served as many firsts in our family! It was mine and Derek's first Christmas married and Mason's first Christmas. We had a blast. I was so excited to decorate my own house for Christmas. It was something that I planned out to the very smallest detail! I loved how our house looked.. ok ok, how our house looks. Yes, it's January 9th, and I still have our decorations up! They are coming down this weekend though, but I would like to share them with you!

Mason Loves Our Tree

Mommy, is this ok?

I bet you can't guess what this stands for!

Mason's First Ornament

Sing With Me... How Great Is Our God!

2009-01-09T09:53:00.002-05:00

I was going to wait until the fast was over to tell all of this, but this was so wonderful that it couldn't wait! Ever since our fast has started Sunday, we have had a blessing every day! Day after day we see the fullness of God's grace and yesterday, just like he always seems to do, the Lord blew me off of my feet.
One of the major things Derek and I have been fasting for is our finances. Being a newly married couple with a new baby doesn't always mean the easiest circumstances and we never really expected them to be, but since about November, it's been very difficult to make it.
We were talking Wednesday night and all day Thursday about our bills. They just seemed to overwhelm us. I always try to look at the positive, but here lately, it been difficult for even me to do that. I called Derek crying on my lunch break on Thursday telling him that I know we won't make it and we were trying to figure out our best option. Me get a second job, file bankruptcy (not really but I felt that was what we needed to do) I was completely in a panic. So Derek said that we could sit down Thursday night and get on a strict budget. I agreed and I always hate these conversations with anyone because it's depressing and hard on everyone to talk about the short comings of their finances.
I called Derek on my way home from work and he had picked Mason up from my mom and we would be home around the same time.
The first thing I do every day when I get home is check the mail. So Thursday was no different. Mason got a book, Derek got a letter from the church, and I got an envelope from SunTrust, my previous employer. Well, of course I think it's a bill, or my W- 2 or something and I almost don't want to open it, but something inside me was telling me to open it.
I pulled in the garage and opened the envelope and there was a check for $599.22! I just began to cry, almost uncontrollably. Derek pulls in the garage seconds later thinking that something is wrong with me. I can't even open the door to get out so he is trying to open the door to get in and he says, "What wrong, what is it?" All I could do was show him the check and all we could do was cry together.
Thursday night we started writing out the bills that equaled $599.22, the amount of the check.
God is forever faithful! We will make it because of his faithfulness!

In Jackson Mississippi

2009-01-07T12:25:00.018-05:00

Every year, we celebrate Christmas in Jackson, Mississippi. My mom is from Mississippi and all of he family still lives there. So, it wasn't much surprise that we headed up there to celebrate some Christmas with them. We left Friday the 19th after I got off of work. Derek, Mason, and I stayed at MiMi and Pop. Saturday morning, we went to my uncle Sammy and Aunt Dinah's house for the Lang Family Christmas. This is always one of my favorite Christmas festivites and it always has been. We have a ton of family traditions that day; first we talk about how there ha been a new baby born every year since my cousin Anna Beth 10 years ago and I was so thrilled that it was my child who got recognized this year. After that, my uncle Sammy tells the Christmas Story or as my cousin Emmeline says, "How God Was Born." Then we eat and watch the kids open their Christmas gifts. This year was bitter sweet. Sunday morning on our way home, my MiMi called us and told us that my Uncle Freddie went to be with the Lord that morning. Freddie had been battleing with cancer and diabetes for quite some time and his disease ran it's course. The Lang Family Christmas will never be the same without his shouting telling the kids to be quiet, his dry sense of humor and best of all, his talk of politics. Although it wasn't the best way to spend Christmas, I was honored to have our 2 new editions erek and Mason with me this year!
Nathan probably wondering what he could get into next
Natalie's serious face!
Anna Beth stayed by the presents looking to see which had her name on them
Pop slightly excited about his present!
The next Vanna White... yeah right!
Nathan and his camera, or in his words, "Crap, oh crap!"
Mason and his drum set

Playing by MiMi's tree

He pulled her tail, what can I say? Just kidding, she didn't bite him!I saved the best for last!

Derek's Birthday

2009-01-06T20:17:00.010-05:00

Derek celebrates his birthday on December 24th. Don't feel sorry for him, he doesn't get "skimped" on the gifts. He just gets double! So on Christmas Eve/ Derek's birthday, I got off of work at 12 so we met Perry and Sheila out to eat at J. Alexander's. It was wonderful! Then Derek and I went and finished up some very last minute shopping. Then we headed to my parents house where MiMi cooked Derek a birthday dinner. And then he opened his gifts from everyone. We had a wonderful time, we also enjoyed getting in our Christmas pajamas and watching Christmas Vacation and The Rocketts Christmas Show. Here are some pictures from the evening!

Oh mom, enough with the pictures!

And I wonder why Mason is such a ham!
Derek's clock for the "Man Den"
Typical male, money straight to the pocket!
Pop probably talking about politics! He gets so wound up!
Derek and his North Face
Mason and PaPaw Perry

My Two Favorite Boys

2009-01-06T20:12:00.002-05:00

As I look back at all of our blessings this year, I sit and look at this picture and think of my two greatest blessings. Derek and Mason bring such an overwhelming amount of joy into my life. I thank God every day for them and can't wait for the years to come.

Merry Christmas From The Bates Family

2008-12-16T16:33:00.001-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Christmas This and That!

2008-12-16T12:46:00.004-05:00

Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper! I love wrapping gifts and on Christmas morning looking at the piles of wrapping paper and then watch my dad put it into multiple garbage bags.

Real tree or artificial? Much to Derek's dismay, we have an artificial tree. I'm allergic to all grasses and when I am around such things, it makes it difficult for me to breath, so he chose an artificial tree over a dead wife! I love our tree! It's beautiful!

When do you put up your tree? The day after Thanksgiving

Do you like eggnog? I used to when I was younger, but now, I think it's nasty! I am a big texture person and it's much too thick for me!

Favorite gift received as a child? I don't even remember! Now as an adult, my engagement ring was my favorite or my cookware from MiMi!

Hardest person to buy for? My mother- in- law Sheila! I don't know why, but it's difficult buying for her! It's weird!

Easiest person to buy for? Mason or my dad! Mason doesn't care right now what he gets and you can never go wrong with a Sportsman's Warehouse or Bass Pro Shop gift card for my dad!

Do you have a Nativity Scene? No but I would love the Willow Tree Nativity Scene.

Email or mail Christmas Cards? Mail them if they would ever come in! I've been waiting about 2 weeks now!

Worst Christmas gift you ever received? My MawMaw Wanda got me a Hickory Switch and potato as a joke once.

Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Vacation or Elf

When do you start shopping? Whenever I have money, usually mid November!

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes and I waited a whole year and ended up giving it back to the person who gave it to me! Oops!

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? MiMi's cream cheese braids, sausage balls, Popcorn balls, and I love drinking apple cider.

Lights on the tree? Yes thank God for pre- lit trees!

Favorite Christmas Song? Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas or Mary Did you Know

Travel at Christmas or stay home? We do a little bit of both! Here is our plan for this year, we leave Friday the 19th for Mississippi and have Christmas with Sammy, Dinah, Casey, Christa, Elijah, Emmeline, Zeke, Brian, Stacy, Slayton, Freddie, Diane, Nick, Hope, and Weston at Sammy and Dinah's on the 20th in the morning. Then we will do Christmas with Milton, Kim, Anna Beth, Nathan, and Natalie on the 20th that night. We will come home on Sunday. Then, MiMi and Pop will come in on the 23rd, we will go out to eat for Mom's birthday (it's on the 22nd) that night. Then Christmas Eve, MiMi is cooking for Derek's 23rd birthday and Mason's 6 month birthday at my mom's house. Then we will open Christmas presents at my mom's Christmas morning and Pop will make breakfast. Then, we will come home and open presents with Sheila later that morning. Then we will enjoy a day of putting things together that Santa brought Mason. We will both go to work that Friday and after work, we will head for Knoxville where we will exchange gifts with James, Kristie, Ricky, Terri, Brent, Laura, Haden, Hudson, Bob, Angie, Matt and Mandy. Then we will wake up Saturday morning where we will meet Mom, Dad, Kaitlin, MiMi, Pop, Milton, Kim, Anna Beth, Nathan, and Natalie at the Pancake Pantry and enjoy the weekend in Gatlinburg until Monday night when we will come home! We are busy beavers!

Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? EASY... Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and of course the most famous reindeer of all. What was his name again? J/K Rudolf

Angel or star on top of the tree? We have a gold star on top this year!

Open Christmas present Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? We always open one present on Christmas Eve, we all open our Christmas pa jams, with the exception of Derek who opens a lot of gifts on Christmas Eve because it's his birthday!

Most annoying thing about this time of year? The traffic and the crowded malls and other shopping areas, who's up for shopping online next year?

Favorite ornament theme or color? Derek and I have decided to do a different theme each year, this year it's gold and brown! We are thinking purple and gold next year. We will have a different theme every year until Mason starts making us ornaments, then we will probably have two trees like my mom!

Favorite Christmas dinner? Probably not dinner but Christmas breakfast! I love when MiMi and Pop wake up at around 5 and start making us breakfast and we unwrap our presents to the smell of bacon frying and biscuits baking!

What do you want for Christmas this year? I've asked for mainly gift cards although Derek and I asked for a desk for our house. We are really just excited that we have a baby to share Christmas with this year!

Yes this is a tag! I tag Courtney and Claire! GO!

Home Alone

2008-12-10T11:49:00.002-05:00

Well, not really! I am at my mom's the rest of the week! Which by the way is totally weird, being back at my parent's house. Even though it's just a few days, it's weird because I haven't stayed there just me and Mason, well, ever! I forgot how uncomfortable my bed is! My back is killing me today!
Derek is in West Tennessee fighting the wind and snow to yet again, find us some decorations to stuff for the man den! I'm sorry but I would have to agree with Claire about the hunting thing. I have no idea why you would ever want to go hunting in weather conditions that they are in. Derek called me this morning and here were the weather conditions: cloudy, 26 degrees, and 20 mile and hour winds- prognosis for these blistering weather conditions, no ducks! So my point would be, stay home!
I miss Derek! Life is so lonely without him! I am so glad that my mom is around to help me with Mason! Derek will return on Friday and hopefully, completely for his sake, I hope he can bring something home!

Baby Food Good? I think not!

2008-12-02T18:27:00.006-05:00

Ok, so a few weeks ago, we got clearance from Dr. Wiley to go ahead and start baby food with Mason. He said to start out with the vegetables, do each veggie 4 days to make sure he wasn't allergic to them, then once all of the veggies were completed, go on to fruits. So our journey began with green beans. At first he wasn't quite sure what to do, but once he got the hang of it, he loved them. Then we went on to carrots which were a big hit, then we went to squash which he approved of as well. Then, to much of my dismay, we tried peas. Derek and I hate peas so we were praying that Mason didn't like them either, more like I was praying because I would be making a pot of peas just for him, but I think I would deal with it for my sweet baby! I want him to be a kid who will at least try anything and not be the kid that doesn't want to eat something just because his mommy and daddy don't.

So anyway, since he liked everything else, I thought for sure he would be a "weird- o" and like peas as well, so of course I stocked up on them. Well, Mason isn't the eater that I thought he was. The first bite of peas- which smell horrible I might add, he spit them out all over himself and me, and then began to gag. I thought it was just a first time reaction, so I tried again, and he did the same thing. So needless to say, if your kid likes peas, call me, I have plenty.

On the other hand, we have started the fruits now. Bananas were so so and applesauce? Well, see for yourself! Stay tuned for more.....

Starting up with some carrots! Applesause is next

Ah, what is this stuff?

Please do not make me eat anymore!

Still not quite sure about this!

Hey mom, I like baby food!

A little sour!

Mommy- I think I am done!

Mason's New Tricks!

2008-11-25T12:26:00.002-05:00

Mason is cracking us up! He is hilarious! He has three new tricks, well, two actually, but they are different, but the same, anyway, you will understand in a minute.
First of all, I think Mason is Superbaby because everyone in my family has been sick with the "crud" but not Mason. He hasn't shown any signs of being sick at all (thank you humidifier) I recommend everyone to get one. So we have all been coughing and all that and Derek coughed the other morning, and Mason some what imitated him and coughed, well of course Derek and I made a big deal out of it with our "Oh goodness" and our "Bless you baby." So now Mason fake coughs. It's hilarious! He loves the attention!
Second and third all, we have a roly poly baby! Mason is rolling from his back to his tummy and tummy to his back! He's getting so big! We are looking forward to the holidays with him!

Doctor's Appointment

2008-11-14T12:09:00.004-05:00

Mason had his 5 month check up (well 4 month but it was closer to 5). We tried out a new doctor this time. We weren't really happy with our last doctor so we asked around church and Dr. Wiley came very highly recommened and I can see why! He really took time to talk with me and explained things to me. Derek and I had a major concern with giving Mason immunizations and our last doctor refused to see Mason if we didn't do them. Not that we weren't ever going to do them, we just wanted to space them out a little. Anyway, so we went to the doctor today and Dr. Wiley really explained the concerns and risks of not having shots and having shots. So we decided to have shots and just space them out which was fine with Dr. Wiley.
Mason is off the charts as far as height goes, but in the 90% for his weight which Dr. Wiley said since he's so long, he's really in the 75% which is great for a baby his age. He said he needs to be practicing his jump shot.
Mason also gets to start baby food. We are going to start with green beans tomorrow. He said to start things and do them for about 4 days at a time to make sure that there is no allergic reaction. I will have to post pictures tomorrow of our first experiences of baby food! Wish us luck!

Exer Saucer

2008-11-12T11:20:00.010-05:00

So Many Pieces!

Ok, so I have a really bad habit of posting pictures on one site but not the other. A few weeks ago, Derek's mom, Sheila (Nannie) bought Mason an Exer Saucer and he loves it! Derek put it together immediatly and Mason plays in it often. It's a life saver when it comes to showers and house cleaning!

Such a good daddy!
Such a good Mommy! My Contribution!A man reading directions! Who knew?Almost Done!

Wow! This is fun!

I Love This!

My Baby Is Not A Baby Anymore!

2008-11-12T10:30:00.005-05:00

Ok, so yes he is! He will always be my baby, but our sweet Mason is growing up so fast! I can't believe it! It seems like yesterday that I checked into the hospital to have him, and yesterday marked his 20th week with us! So to celebrate, well not really, it's just our Tuesday usual, we went to my parents house and ate with Scott, Beth, Ansley, and our new love; Cooper! We had chicken gumbo and chicken noodle soup because Beth and I don't eat gumbo. Anyway, we are sitting there visiting and Derek is on the floor with Mason and Ansley playing when I caught something out of the corner of my eye. MASON ROLLED OVER! I am so proud of my big boy! I can't believe he's getting so big! He rolled from his stomach to his back! I know this is the easy one, but it's still a big "step" for him! I made the biggest deal out of it which only made him laugh and want to do it more. I love our sweet baby so much and although it breaks my heart that he is growing so fast, I love these milestones in his life! Stay tuned for more!

The Fab Five!

2008-11-10T10:08:00.003-05:00

Ten Years Ago I:
1. Was in 6th Grade and my teachers were Ms. Grindle, Ms. Freeman, Mr. Scruggs, Ms. Chrisman, and Mr. Holland- he was new and wasn't there long.
2. Had Bangs!
3. Was making my enormous Christmas list
4. Had my first locker #121, combination, 21-32-75
5. Thought that Backstreet Boys and N'SYNC were way cool!

Five Things On My "To Do" List Today:
1. Work
2. Go to Bi- Lo
3. Cook spaghetti
4. Do the 9000 piles of laundry at my house
5. Watch "21" with my husband

Five Snacks I Enjoy:
1. Popcorn
2. Any kind of cereal- with milk (I eat a bowl every night before bed)
3. Cheddar Cheese Chex Mix
4. Homemade Rice Krispie Treats
5. Sonic Watermelon Slush

Five Things I Would Do If I Were A Millionaire:
1. PAY OFF OUR DEBT
2. Have 3 more kids and adopt one
3. Donate to our church- we need a gym
4. Build my mom's dream home- a bed and breakfast
5. Travel with my husband

Five Places I Have Lived:
1. 7930 Bill Reed Road Chattanooga, TN 37421
2. 1101 Gann Road Apt. 1024 Hixson, TN 37343
3. 1010 Harbor Landing Drive Soddy Daisy, TN 37379
4. 1105 Clift Cave Drive Soddy Daisy, TN 37379
5. 940 Brandy Way Soddy Daisy, TN 37379
There are a lot more!

Five Jobs I Have Worked:
1. Gymnastics Instructor- Garner's Gymnastics
2. Big Ridge Elementary- After Care Assistant- YAY for Lynda Hunt!
3. First Tennessee Bank- Financial Services Representative
4. SunTrust Bank- Financial Services Representative
5. First Volunteer Bank- Customer Service Representative

I have no one to tag once again! So if you haven't done this and you haven't been tagged, I TAG YOU!

My Thoughts On The Election!

2008-11-04T15:24:00.002-05:00

As the day is quickly drawing to an end, my thoughts have been racing. What will this world be like if McCain/ Palin win? What if Obama/ Biden win? Who will make the biggest difference? Will this country be in war over the outcome? As a Christian, should I be scared or thankful that my God is more than enough for me?
As a McCain/ Palin supporter, I would love to see them win because of my beliefs and because I think McCain and Palin would do an amazing job and I think they are great people, but a part of me feels that it's already done.
I am not one who really knows much about the candidates or the election. I guess my fear is, "Is this the beginning of the end?" i know many of my fellow Christian believers are saying, why are you fearful of the end? I am not fearful of the end in general, but how bad will it before it's the end? What if some of my family/ friends aren't ready?
I guess my main reason for the blabbering would be regardless of the outcome, the Lord has his people in his hands. We as believers should just BE READY! Regardless of who gets in office. I think many things are going to stay the same regardless of the winner, but one thing will never change is that God is in control. This country was based on those beliefs and that's what us as Christians should believe and pray for in these next couple of hours!

Tag, I'm It! Seven Random Facts About Me!

2008-11-01T13:35:00.004-04:00

1. The day I had Mason, although filled with excitement, nervousness, and thrill, I felt in some way, I was fulfilling part of my purpose that God has placed before me. Something about holding that sweet baby in my arms, I felt like this is what I was made to do. Derek and I love children and don't plan on stopping with Mason. We love Ansley and can't wait until Cooper gets here! Derek always gets mad because Mason will snuggle with me all night long and not Derek, but his time is coming if we ever have a little girl! He brings an overwhelming amount of joy to our lives. I can still not look at him sometimes without crying. Just something about his smile that melts my heart. He's so special to us and we can't wait to watch him grow. I love my life as a mommy and wife.
2. I knew on our first date that I would marry Derek one day! I can't explain it. Maybe women's intuition, but I knew. The funny thing is, the year before when our friends Craig and Meredith tried to "hook us up" we told them that we hated each other. We have many funny stories with Craig and Meredith, like the time that Craig asked us if we were "boyfriend" and "girlfriend"... by the way, it was only our second date! Very weird! Thanks Craig!
3. My favorite movies are Dumb and Dumber and Steel Magnolias. So much so that I can quote them line for line in both movies. I will spare you the fun, but I think I could watch these movies everyday and never get bored with them! Derek gets so mad and pretty much refuses watching these movies with me because I laugh hysterically at the same things, quote the lines, and say "This is the best part" about pretty much the entire movie.
4. I hate to shop! I am a weird girl I know! It just aggravates me to no end to walk into a mall, try on about 30 things and not find one that is suitable. I guess I am a little picky, but it drives me crazy! I would rather have my sisters hand me downs when she is over them after wearing then twice.
5. I am OCD about my bed. I may not make it before I leave for work, but before I get in it that night, even if it's for 5 seconds, my bed will be made. I cannot stand to get into the bed with the sheets all gathered and the comforter all over the place! AAAHHH!!! It's so nerve wracking. I have to have tight sheets and the comforter has to be even on both sides and tight.
6. There are certain words in the English language that if people don't say them correctly, it drives me crazy. So much so, that I have a list:

The Incorrect Pronunciation The Correct Pronunciation

1. nakin 1. napkin

2. pukin 2. pumpkin

3. Valentimes 3. Valentines

4. birfday or birtday 4. birthday

I'm sure there are plenty more, but these are my main ones.
7. I love clean sheets and shaved legs. May sound like a weird combination, but that's such a good night in my house. I love the feeling of ice cold sheets and smooth legs. I usually have clean sheets in my house at least twice a week if not more. The sheets get washed before my clothes:)

Since there is no one left, and I am the last one, I tag no one... maybe Meredith if she hasn't already done it or someone hasn't tagged her! Or if I could get my husband to sit down for 5 minutes, I tag him! Maybe that should have been one of mine, I am always the last to know and do everything!

Fall Festival

2008-10-29T08:55:00.019-04:00

We had our Fall Festival at church on Sunday night! I must say, Mason was adorable! Of course he had to dress up. Now on a babies first Halloween, I think they are supposed to be a pumpkin. I think it is written in some hidden chapter in "What To Expect When You're Expecting." But we went against the "norm" and Mason was a baby duck. And by far the cutest baby duck in the world! I was so worried that he wouldn't do good and would hate the costume, but he did great and really enjoyed the attention that he recieved! We had so much fun!

Bath Time Is A Family Favorite!

2008-10-28T09:48:00.008-04:00

Every night Derek and I look forwad to one part of the evening! BATH TIME WITH MASON! Mason loves his baths! He thinks that we are hilarious when we give him a soap sud beard and Alf Alfa hair! We love our baby so much and he is growing to be so big and Derek and I just don't know how to stop it! So every night after his bath he gets a rub down! Johnson's Lavender Lotion is the bomb and it makes Mason smell and sleep so good! So he gets a good rub down and the whole time he is kicking and talking to us! It's our favorite time of night when we all pile up in the bed and play!

Derek and I truly treasure these times and are looking forward to many more years of this!

New Sunday Traditions

2008-09-30T09:10:00.004-04:00

Ever since I was a little girl, my mom every Sunday morning made me and dad, and later Kaitlin Cinnamon Rolls. We woke up every Sunday morning to the sweet smell of Pillsbury cinnamon Rolls. so I decided that I wanted Mason to have a tradition that he could say that his (incredibly awesome mommy) did every Sunday morning. So I decided to continue the Oscai house tradition and I woke up early Sunday morning and made Derek and I cinnamon rolls. Mason just enjoyed watching us! It was nice having something to look forward to that morning.

As far as updates go- Mason hasn't stopped growing much to me dispair! He's becoming a young man and not just a baby anymore! He's sleeping great and has a great appetite! He's holding his head up and loves his baths! Every night when he gets out of the tub, we all pile up on our bed and play for about an hour! He enjoys it and Derek and I truly cherish the time with him.

I can't believe that Mason is 14 weeks old today! It's breaking my heart into a million pieces! It seems like only yesterday that I called Derek, my mom, Brittany, and Courtney and told them that they were taking me in at midnight! Words cannot describe how excited I was! Mason is a wonderful baby and Derek and I couldn't ask for a sweeter boy!

Starting a new blog!

2008-08-28T21:32:00.004-04:00

Ok, I am sorry if you have our old blog saved to your website, but we have a new one now since I cannot remember for the life of me what email address I used and what my password was, so here's a new one for you!
Here's an update on our Mason boy because Derek and I have come to realize that it no longer matters what happens in our life, only if Mason makes a funny noise or looks at you with those piercing blue eyes! Mason now weighs 12 pounds on the dot putting him in the 75% and a whopping 24 inches long putting him in the 100% for him age! Can anyone say Chicago Bulls? He's so tall that he is in the 3-6 months pants because the 0-3 months look like daisy dukes! He is so precious and Derek and I just eat him up! He has started smiling at you whenever you talk to him which has completely melted our hearts! We are now Mason puddles! We just love our baby so much!

On a lighter note, I start back to work Tuesday, devistated and loaded down with Kleenex! I cry about everything! I guess the hormones haven't worn off at all! I cried when we moved him up to the next size in bottles and even in diapers! It's terrible and I am sure I am drving my husband crazy. Monday morning, Mason woke up ready to eat, which by the way, he sleeps from 11 pm- 6 or 7 am, THANK YOU JESUS, but Mason ate his usual 6 ounces and was ready for more, so as I was crying while burping him, I very tearfully asked Derek to make 2 more ounces! My boy is getting so big!
He has completely spoiled us rotten because he's so good! I'm almost scared to ever have another one! Well, not really, Mason needs a sister!
We are heading to Ohio this weekend so we will update after!