BUGS and INSECTS and SPIDERS

My residing state of Georgia has its good points - the average temp is about 85 degrees, its people are courteous, its luscious shrubbery is abundant, and of course these southerners fry just about anything. Oh, and boiled peanuts (I can't get enough of those salt laden pieces of mush).

But Georgia also has a few bad points - the average humidity is like 100%, its people are top of the list in the nation for obesity rates (probably due to that yummy fried chicken, fried pickles, fried Twinkies, fried, fried, fried...), and its luscious shrubbery brings with its great beauty big BUGS and INSECTS and SPIDERS and BUGS and INSECTS and SPIDERS and... Seriously, cockroaches the size of your middle finger... in our house... with a baby.

When we first bought our charming 1940's BUG and INSECT and SPIDER infested home, we weren't aware of the BUGS and INSECTS and SPIDERS that resided in the swamps of South Georgia. Older homes = more BUGS and INSECTS and SPIDERS. Oh, and the bigger the trees the more, you guessed it, BUGS and INSECTS and SPIDERS.

So when I woke up with a bite from an obviously HUGE and DEADLY spider, I got a little worried. But I tried to play tough guy; even taking the dog and baby out for a run in the morning. But as the day progressed, I quickly thought I was dying a slow death from the HUGE and DEADLY venom that was in my body. I convinced myself I couldn't even eat. Too sick, going to die.

So after a night of no sleep due to watching for spiders that were going to get Hadley, and to the fact that my leg felt like it was going to fall off, I convinced myself to go see a doctor bright and early in the morning.

"So did ya get a meskeeder bite?"

This was no mosquito bite. "Really? Could a mosquito cause this much pain?"

"Either that or an ingrown hair. It looks like you just shaved your legs."

I knew I wasn't going to win with this guy, so I didn't tell him what I had dreamed up in my mind.

"In all my 20 years of practice I have NEVER seen a spider bite...." Never is a very strong word, and I doubt anyone who uses it.

He gave me a shot on my butt, handed me some antibiotics, and told me to come back if the ingrown hair gets worse.

Yes, I will be back to show him his FIRST spider bite in all his 20 years of practice.

Here is a roach I cleaned up just TODAY. They are always dead and they flip themselves over. Our monthly extermination does not keep the roaches from coming in our house, it just kills them once they are in our home. Lovely. Don't you want to live in the swamp lands?

On another note, little miss Hadley has been sleeping for 12 hours most nights and has been for about a month! This happened thanks to a wonderful book recommendation by my friend Holly called Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.

No stories needed.

I'll give you two guesses.

Who is the pacifier thief? I'll bet four out of five of you (I picked-up a reader recently) got it correct. Damn dog.

Our toddler dog has eaten eight pacifiers in the last month. 12 onesies. ALL of the burp cloths. One bottle. Six pairs of my undies. And two full loaves of bread. This dog puts Marley to shame. HOW IS HE STILL ALIVE?

Next question: What will Hadley's first word be? Now this one is tricky so I'll bet nobody got this one. Sarah. Not mom, dad, no, Albert, or anything else you'd expect. But Sarah.

Why Sarah, you might ask. Because Sarah takes wonderful care of Hadley while we are at work. And Hadley grins the second she sees this super woman. Sometimes I feel like Hadley would rather stay with Sarah than come home with mom.

I feel great about being at work because Hadley is in great hands all day long. She has three other infants in her "class". The two-year-olds frequent the infant room and they love to visit Had-d-ley. They think her name is Had-d-ley in a box, not Hadley Fox. Silly kids.

Back in the classroom...

Well, I am back at work. And, naturally, my six-year-olds are very curious about babies now -- where they come from, how they're made, and today's topic: how babies get out of their mom's bellies.

"Mrs. Fox, how did your baby get out of your belly?" I quickly told this student to ask her parent when she gets home.

Then another student chimed in and said "they just fall out." When I heard this I decided to keep my mouth shut and let the students converse for a bit (I needed some humor).

I heard one student say the mom's belly is cut open, and another one say that it was like going to the bathroom.

But then one boy, who has seen a lot in his life, said "the mom pushes the baby through her belly button."

It's these conversations that make being back to work a little bit easier.

I'm sorry.

I think the real story is not my apology to all moms, it's that I am actually posting within one week.

So you know how going into parenting you thought you would do things different? Like letting your children only watch educational TV, or making sure your child gets some sort of “educational” time with you each day. Or how about keeping a log and photobook of the many milestones your child hits. And this one WAS a must of mine—not looking like a typical mom (hair in pony, sweats, t-shirt, roots showing, etc.).

Well, hmmm. So far these dreams just are not working out for me. Being a stay at home mom for the past nine weeks have been the hardest thing I have ever done. I have gained a whole new respect for ALL parents, but especially for stay at home moms.

Therefore I have a lot of apologizing to do…

First to my mom. Oh, I am sorry for so many things. First, I’m sorry for being such a mean child on so many levels. Specifically about your clothes (you know, the furry cat sweater). I now understand why you rarely updated your wardrobe. Just getting yourself ready is a chore when you have a child, don’t even mention trying to look tasteful. Second, I regret not taking in your wealth of knowledge. You would constantly try to help me with my homework, boyfriends, hairstyles, etc. I think much heartache would have been saved if I would have just listened. Well mom, I think my time is coming. I am in for it.

Next, I’d like to apologize to my dad. As a teenager I wore three outfits a day, no joke. My dad never complained of the amount of laundry I produced, but I can now understand what he was going through because even a two month old produces more laundry than I ever wanted to do.

Now to my friends who have kids. I want to apologize for (secretly) judging you about the amount of kid-friendly plastic crap that invades your homes. Yes, Hadley is only two months old. But our home might as well be a Fisher Price store. Sorry friends. Oh, and an apology for the eyebrow raise while being at your house witnessing the mindless cartoons you let your children watch. I have to admit that I have put my two month old in front of Scooby Doo for a full hour. I too mindlessly watch Scooby Doo for the full hour with a cup of coffee folding the loads of laundry that Hadley produces. Maybe someday Hadley can help me fold the laundry and I can educate her on the importance of only wearing one outfit a day. See, I am still getting my “educational” time in with her.

And finally, a big apology to my husband. Anyone who knows David understands that he is extremely easy going – almost to a fault. I, being a crazy uptight new mother, thought this was going to be a problem. I thought we needed to constantly entertain, take care of, and even hold our new little babe. But David, in his nonchalant even-tempered way, has shown me that my overbearing behavior is not necessary and even aggravates little Hadley. She actually enjoys being independent ... well sometimes (he, he, he).

So I get it now. I was (and sometimes still am) a foolish new parent who thought I had all the answers. Please go ahead and say it: “I told you so”. I deserve it.

If you have a moment - because we have so much spare time in our days- read The Test of Time, an article that claims stay at home moms have about 30 hours of LEISURE time every week... hmmm.

Hadley loves to nap in her Boppy, in the chair, looking at the flowers, with no blanket on her. I know, not safe.

You know it's cold when...

...you have to wear Patagonia in South Georgia.

This darling little number is from my friend Kelli. I honestly never thought Hadley would get a chance to wear it here in the tropics (sorry Kelli). Well, the tropics of South Georgia have reached only 45 degrees in the past two weeks and Hadley has gotten more wear out of this outfit than any sleep and play-thingy in her closet. It is way too cold!!!

On another note, I have to apologize to my four blog readers for I have not posted in a month. Okay, apologies to every mom out there because I thought I was a lot tougher than ALL of you. How the h*** do you have time to update a blog? It's not like I am a super mom teaching Hadley how to read. I am just trying to keep the little dwarf fed. Yes, go ahead and say "you are weak". I deserve it.

So here is my challenge to myself (so I can "toughen up a little, linds" as my dad would say). Another post within one week.

Stay tuned for an apology post where Lindsey admits to being over confident in her parenting abilities. And her large blog following offers her much needed advice...

Hadley is here!

Well, we did it! We are actually parents. Forever. 24/7. WOW.

Hadley arrived after being in labor for six hours on November 23rd at 10:56 A.M. She weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces and was 19 inches long. It was a great labor and we had no problems while at the hospital.

For the last three weeks David and I have been in a fog... several sleepless nights, countless hours of feeding, changing mustard diapers, entertaining family, assuring our other child (Albert) that we still love him, laundry, Christmas preparations, and of course adoring Hadley. We knew life would change but we really had no idea.

For example, since Hadley was born all I wanted was to get a shower before lunch time. Between feeding, laundry, washing bottles, and pumping (yes, that is all) I can not get it done. I don't know what I am going to do when I start back to work. For the first week I think Albert was worse off than David and I. My perky, happy dog was an honest zombie. He was blindsided by this life changing event. And David has never been one to lounge around the house, but he has no problems doing it now as long as his little girl is right next to him.

Our home now feels more like a "home" if that makes sense.

Thank god she is a wonderful baby! No fussiness, healthy as a horse, and very happy.

True Southern Hospitality

As a lot of you know, I am a first grade teacher in South Georgia. These wonderful women are the first grade team (yes, we have nine first grade classes in my school...huge school).

They threw me a baby shower at school! These women have been so nice to us since we arrived in South Georgia. It feels like we've lived here forever and have been a part of this town since we were young.

Only three weeks five days left until little ????? arrives. We have a new name.... Olivia. We still like Ainsley and Samantha, too. If it was my choice we would call her Reese and be done with it.

Family Time!

We recently went to my cousin Johnny's wedding in Burlington, Vermont! It was a BEAUTIFUL wedding with the leaves being at their peak before they fall.

My cousin Kristy as a beautiful bridesmaid.

The happy couple right after they were married.

My happy Aunt Sue.

Another highlight of the trip was going to Ben and Jerry's national headquarters. Yummy!

Here she is!

Here is the little tike at 31 weeks. She weighs 3 pounds 8 ounces, and is 16.8 cm long. She is on track to be about 7.5 pounds. She is head down and getting ready to come! I go to my epidural class tonight (9/23/09), so anytime after tonight would be just fine. Well, maybe a few more weeks.

"Wow! Look at those extra long toes..." said the ultrasound tech. A lot of my side of the family has these abnormally long toes and fingers!
I realize you have to really use your imagination with these pictures (and these are pictures of pictures), but I think her profile looks a lot like David.

That blob is her head and near it is her hand. I have about ten others, but they are just as hard to distinguish.

Do you like the name Samantha Reese Fox? or Ella Grace Fox? or maybe neither...

I love coupons!

Want to learn how to save $money$ quick? First, get pregnant. Second, use coupons!

I have recently been introduced to couponing by a friend. After she gave me a few Pampers coupons for $1.00 off, I was hooked. I used that dollar and went straight to Starbucks because I felt I deserved it after saving a buck! This is a great way to save money, huh? I have to admit it was a lot of work to find the best deals, looking for a certain coupon, comparing prices, figuring out a store's policies, then having to go to Wal-mart (in South Georgia, enough said) to save a few bucks.

Then thanks to the addicting online social networking that goes on now days, my couponing world is now limitless. I kept reading status updates of "saved 60% on my groceries today" or "got $75 off of $100 at Old Navy today". I quickly contacted this friend and she introduced me to www.southernsavers.com

Here is how it works: A group of women will go to several stores weekly, finding what is on sale and a coupon to go with the item that is on sale, and then they post all their great finds with links to get the coupon. And no, the deals are not for places like Wal-mart, or dollar stores. They are for nice, honest grocery stores. Now this site is just for the Southeastern part of the U.S., but surely there are some for your area of the country.

Today alone on my grocery bill I saved $62.89 by matching a coupon with what was on sale, knowing the store's policies (which was all posted on this site...no research on my part), and knowing how to work a coupon to its fullest potential. And it's not just for grocery stores either. These ladies find sales and coupons for retail, online sites, home stores, and one of my favorites...Target. I got some Glade candles, which I never buy normally, for .16 cents thanks to this site. I loaded up and now I have 10 in my linen closet.

Now this last point brings up an issue David has with my new found passion. He claims I come home with stuff I normally would not buy. But in my defense I would never buy it because it was a big waste of money. And if I can get it for only .16 cents it is not a waste of money. It's a great .16 cents to spend because now I know if it is worth buying again. Everyone loves smelly stuff for their house, right? But it is okay if I find a deal on his Doritos and Mountain Dew and come home with a ridiculous amount of them. He actually asked me today "Are there any deals on Pepsi products?" Because he is almost out of the five 12 packs I found him a month ago. Hmmm...

Regardless, couponing has become a game with me. I feel like I am beating these stores at their own game thanks this wonderful website.

Now if I could just get over my coffee habit (decaf right now, of course) I think I could find another extra $62.89 in our bank account.

"It's the subject that makes the picture, not the photographer," said David

Me: David, will you take my picture?

David: Why?

Me: Because I asked you to.

David: (rolling his eyes) Is it for the stupid blog?

Me: Who cares if it is.

David: (click, click) Could you just not smile and look forward? You don't take a very good picture. (click, click, motioning as if to be a professional photographer. click, click, flash, flash).

Me: (not smiling and looking forward) You're not a very good photographer.

David: It's the subject that makes the picture, not the photographer. (click, click)


Here is the bad subject taken by the great photographer( approximately 7.5 months prego).

Me: (grabbing the camera from him) So if you're the subject and I am the photographer, will it be a good picture?

David: (nods yes, with his smart a** smirk on his face).

Here is the great subject eating his frosty with dirty feet on the coffee table that a terrible photographer took.

Okay, so neither of us take a good picture, whether we are the subject or the photographer.

I can feel that life is beginning to pick up in our house. The school year has begun for me again. I am over halfway through the first quarter with my 14 first graders. Yes, only 14... it's great! Our "no worries" newly married days are coming to a quick end. The baby is constantly on both of our minds. "Do we need this? Do we need that? Oh, we forgot..." Unconsciously I have found I am trying to get every type of appointment in before the baby comes (dentist, hair, veterinarian, locksmith, alarm guy, insurance, pedicure, pediatrician, OBGYN...every other week now, baby classes, epidural class, breast feeding class).

David has settled in nicely with the football season; however, work has been uncharacteristically busy for him this time of year. Several meetings and some tournaments are taking up his time. Not only that, but he cleans a lot too. Is there such a thing as "nesting" for the dad?

I am certain Albert knows there is a baby in my belly. And he is just as ready for it as we are. He is still the happy go lucky dog he has always been, but he has developed some behaviors we have never seen before. A lot of "happy" whining (if there is such a thing). When other people or dogs are around, he whines and his tail is going 100 mph. Previously, he would just jump on them and want to play. And he is obsessed with licking himself. HE LICKS ALL OVER HIS BODY ALL THE TIME. The vet said he has probably developed some allergy over the past year. Lovely.

Only 11 more weeks until little (blank) arrives! Anyone have a name for us?

Some people should not own dogs

Every day I take Albert for a walk on the same route. Every day Albert and I see the same dogs and a lot of the time the same people. Albert loves to go for walks, and yes, I do spoil him by taking him most days.

Albert and I also see the same dogs EVERY DAY in the same back yards (or cages, kennels, pens, etc.) getting the same lack of attention. These dogs run to the fence to visit Albert and I as if we are the only human being it will see all day. We always feel guilty walking away from them because they will be sitting waiting for us to come by again tomorrow. Yes, these dogs have food, water, and shelter. They are safe. And their owners probably pick up their waste too. But what is the point of having a dog if it is just there to occupy the backyard (or 5 x 5 area they designated for it). Even if it is a hunting dog, it is not fair to the dog.

Dogs need just as much attention and interaction as humans need. Would you ever dream of sticking your kid in the backyard to live and entertain itself? Some of you might say that a kid is totally different, but IT'S NOT. Dogs are just like kids. They need to be talked to, played with, exercised, and feel loved.

If you don't want the mess or the fleas (yes, ALL dogs do get fleas) that comes with a dog, then please don't get one. Even if your child is begging and pleading with you. Get that child a fish.

Dogs don't deserve to be put in an area to live and entertain itself.

Back to the drawing board!

Well we have officially ruled out Ella and Hadley. They just weren't working for us.

What do ya'll think about Ainsley? Yes, we heard it from Ainsley Earhardt of Fox News.

I think I'll stick to fiction!

Summertime is great for catching up on reading! I have devoured several "mom" and "baby" books this summer.

But I've been asking myself "Do these books really help?" Because I feel more overwhelmed than knowledgeable. For example, should I let the baby cry, or go to her side? Let her develop her own sleep patterns, or try to establish one for her? Go back to work at six, eight or twelve weeks? What about our dog Albert? He is just as much my baby as this new baby is. And breastfeeding, where do I even begin? What kind of pump? Doesn't it hurt? How do you know how much milk the baby is getting? Oh and immunizations and vaccines. Wow! Now that was a scary book. Then there is all the CRAP that these books say goes with the baby. I think if I look at buying another plastic, yet necessary, gizmo, my husband's patience will run out.

I am sure these books have helped many new moms, but I am going to lay off them for awhile. I was very happy with the way my parents raised me and I will use that as my backbone to get through this thing called "motherhood".

So I put the mommy-to-be books away for now, and pulled out one of my favorites to finish off the summer...

Did you know it is coming to theaters August 14th?

Dear Ella/Hadley

Dear Ella,
I'd like to say your room is going to eventually look like this. But it's not. We'll try to coordinate as best as we can Ella, but can you really tell the difference between "dark cherry wood" and "cherry wood"? Because your mom and dad didn't know there was a difference. They just wanted to save a little money. And you can forget about the $500 bedding, bedroom chandelier, etc.


Oh, and Hadley, you can just erase the word "pink" from your vocabulary.


In the mean time, Albert is getting ready for a playmate. I really think you two will enjoy spending time together. Sleeping.


And your mom is happy your growing so well, but she is ready to be done growing herself. You have 20 more weeks until the fun begins...
Love, Mom and Dad

Back on the Blogwagon!

My friends blogs are funny (their lives are interesting too, of course). We enjoy keeping up with each other through this free communication tool. Well, I guess WE is not the right word, because I can keep up with them but they cannot keep up with me. Because I don't update my blog. BUT I AM BACK! I will no longer be the partial friend i've been.

To begin with I will let you know, briefly, what we have been doing since my last post of November 9, 2008. (David said "Does anyone care?")

Thanksgiving in SLC

Christmas in Kansas City

New Years in Jacksonville

February Ski Trip

2009 South Georgia Classic

Amy's Beautiful Wedding

10 year High School Reunion

It's a girl!

The big 30!

It was David's 30th birthday on FRIDAY! He chose to go to the local BBQ resturant, then to the Valdosta High School football game (yes, I did say high school. This town is nuts for high school football. The college rents the field from the high school. And the college is Division 2 football champions! Crazy! But, he does need his football fix). After the game we went to our friends house and played Monopoly and lost to the birthday boy. It doesn't take much to make this boy happy!


A couple of weeks ago david wanted to re-live his college days and go to a K-State football game. Manhattan, KS sure did miss this boy.


Fun was had by all...


there was purple everywhere! it brought me back to my high school days.


we sat close to the field. sometimes david thought he was calling the plays...


i think the wives had more fun in aggieville!