Father's Day & Mom turns 31

We were in Albia this weekend for Fathers' Day and my birthday. We had a wonderful lunch mom & I made (tenderloins, potatoes, pasta salad, and birthday cake and ice cream).

William had a great time being entertained by Sutton (10) & Rowan (6) as they caught toads (and showed them to William) and built a fort for their army guys (with the handy skills of their Dad [Rob] and Uncle Dave).

William got to see Great Grandma Frances and Great Aunt Lue again. Lue enjoyed meeting us again (as she does every time) and by the time we left everyone in the building should know William's name, birth weight, and age as we had to repeat it so many times for her. The sad thing is she is more coherent than Grandma anymore. Grandma doesn't speak much and when she does, she doesn't make much sense, like she's talking gibberish most of the time. She's such a blessing to us, and she's had a wonderful 95 years, but I think time has definitely caught up with her.

When we got home William passed out, he would barely wake to eat. I guess he had lots of fun!

Up coming age increase

Going to Albia this weekend for my birthday (31) and just haven't been there for about 2 months. I'm looking forward to it. Get to see my brother's house since he has re-claimed it. I'm sure it will be a more peaceful place since it's just he and the boys, not that there still won't be caios - but such is life. I have lots of plans for things to do when we get to Albia - I wonder how many of them will actually get accomplished? William hasn't seen Great Grandma Frances in a long time, so we'll have to go there for sure! Although with all the rain - I'd like to stay home and work on the yard - we need to mow so bad! And the weeds in my yard and garden are going to take over soon! Our strawberries are really producing this year, but they don't seem to last once we pick them. By the end of the day many had mold on them and were soft, if not most of them. Please leave a comment if you can offer any suggestions on this. Thanks!

Our Memorial Day Weekend

We got our sidewalk in and it took ALL DAY Saturday, right up to 10pm when we were smoothing out the spots where Buddy Too walked into it, then when we called him - bless his little-four-legged-heart - he came to us back through it. Then we were up at midnight covering it with tarps to protect it from all the rain. Doesn't look like a pro did it - but it's pretty darn nice in my book. We'll plan on taking the forms down this weekend (if Dave isn't doing it as we speak). William sat in his bouncy chair in the yard and supervised us part of the time (when he wasn't sleeping).

Sunday we went to Betsy & Nick's for a cook-out but after WD threw-up for the 3rd time we decided that it was time to go home as something was going on. We still aren't sure what happened but think it may have been a combo of WD getting a little soy formula that maybe his system didn't agree with in conjunction with how disgustingly HOT and muggy it was Sunday. Regardless of what it was - he'd better now.

Monday Mom, Dad, Rob, Sutton & Rowan came up for lunch and Dave smoked a pork roast and we had a picnic lunch and played w/ Dave's PlayMobile toys from when he was little (Sut & Row enjoyed that). It was very nice to have them all up.

Last - but not least - I'd like for all my readers to take a moment to reflect on all the freedoms and rights that we have and may take for granted. Take time to pray for and thank all the Servicemen & Servicewomen who gave us those freedoms and stand here and abroad to continue to protect those for us. Regardless of how you may feel about the Iraq War - SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! They are doing things that neither you nor I could/would want to....THANK YOU ALL! GOD BLESS!!!

14 Weeks + more

William is 14 weeks today. He's becoming quite the ham, grinning and giggling...until I get the camera near. Oh well. I managed to get this pic last week. Things are going well here. I'm working on decreasing production in order to "dry up", but still producing some. I have to admit - I'll miss the time bonding with him while breastfeeding - but it was finally just getting to be that way. Up until the past 3 weeks - it had been a chore. More-so to pump than to breastfeed, but they unfortunately go hand-in-hand. So we have been slowly introducing William to formula by adding a little to his bottles about every-other bottle. That's when he's home. At the sitter's he gets breast milk straight-up. Work is really busy for me right now, not sure why. Dave describes it as "feast or famine". Dave is keeping busy with his work as usual. Our Memorial Day Weekend will consist of putting in a new sidewalk in front of our house (continuing on an existing one), so that ought to test us.

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Mastitis - again!

William is doing well, up to 10oz each feeding. He has not rolled over since the night approximately 2 weeks ago when he did it 3x in a row (see post below William Defies Mother). I however have been better, as I have mastitis again in my Right breast. It was very painful yesterday and I was thinking I'd have to go to the doctor today - but I got up and it felt tons better. It however - looks much worse, with a red area the size of my fist. I went to my doctor and got an antibiotic again, so I should be all better in about 10 days. Still breastfeeding and pumping (yeah - so much for stopping May 1st), but this bout of mastitis makes me reconsider how long I'll continue. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILLIAM

He's 3 months old today, and getting pretty full of attitude! Officially an infant now, no longer a New Born, and giggling and smiling all the while. The babysitter had a death in the family so William is at home celebrating with Grandma & Grandpa Forsythe so Dave & I can work. I am actually jealous...as it's soooo nice outside I'd rather have taken time off work to be home with him. But had I done that I'm sure Murphy's Law would have kicked in and it would be raining. Oh well.

William defies mother

I keep telling him he's not allowed to grow up, but William once again deifed me by learning how to roll from his tummy to his back! I scolded him and told him not to do it again but he went on to do it 2 more times before I refused to let him lay on his tummy anymore. He hasn't figured how to go from his back to his tummy yet - I'll keep my fingers crossed on that one. It must have been the influence of all the "big kids" at the birthday party (Bella Taylor's 1st birthday) where WD was the youngest.