Bye Bye Birdie

He won't take a pacifier but he'll devour his pet bird



The Victim
Note: the top little feather is made of felt and the wings are his handle bars




Got It!




Look Ma, no hands




The bird is toast!

P.S. he doesn't neglect his other toys, no way, but as soon as he can see his bird in his peripheral vision he turns towards it and in the mouth it goes.

A Hard Lesson to Learn ... Twice

Babies need to come with manuals. Period. 

Read what you need to read and skip what you need to skip but right before you leave the hospital after you have that love-filled butterball, the staff needs to do give you one so you won't go insane by assuming all that can happen and then some.

I know, I know, parenting is a learning experience but please, I have learned and I don't like making mistakes twice which I did this past weekend.

Back in April, Easter weekend, we took Andrew to a luncheon at Clay's step-sisters house.  On the way there Andrew hadn't quite finished the bottle he had started so since he was in the sitting position in his carrier, I just assumed that it would be alright to let him finish the bottle that he had started, which he did.  Of course I was not able to get him out of the carrier to burp him as the vehicle was in motion so I just made myself a mental note to burp him once we get there.  After about 20 min. we arrived and with everything going on, saying our hellos, getting his stuff all set up etc. etc. I forgot to burp him.  He was doing really well, napping and just being Andrew when all of a sudden he started wailing!  I mean WAILING!  This was not any "I am wet" cry or " I am not being paid attention to" cry.  This was "THIS IS HURTING ME!  WHAT IS IN MY BELLY" cry.  We knew all too well what that cry meant, with him just going from one formula to another for his milk allergy.  It was not easy to hear him cry like that and it makes you powerless to know that you can do nothing for him but just be there, cuddle him and pat him so that he can burp out that gas.  After about an hour of crying (the longest hour ever!) he finally did burp out the gas and began to feel better.  He was 3 months then. 

Fast forward to this past Saturday.  All was going well, we were on our way to the 1st birthday party of Andrew's cousin, Bella, and he didn't finish his bottle while we were at home so I brought it with us.  We had just gotten onto the highway when he started to act hungry.  Against my better judgement and recollection of what we went through at 3 months, I fed him in his carrier.  It think it was me trying to convince myself that he was older now, he turns 5 months on Sunday, and can handle the gas because sometimes he burps on his own.  WRONG!  He drank the rest of the bottle and fell asleep until we arrived at the party.  It was deja vu all over again.  Everthing was great for the first 30 min when we got there then all of a sudden the wailing started.  We had to leave the party early because he was soo miserable.  We got maybe 5 min into the drive back home when I asked Clay to pull over so we could assess the problem and see if he needed to burp.  Mind you the whole 5 min we were driving, Andrew is letting out this blood curdling painful cry.  I have had gas bubbles in my belly and they are not fun nor is it a pleasant view.  The only way I know how to get rid of them is to lie down on the bed or couch with my butt in the air.  I told you the view is not pleasant.  I tried that with Andrew and nothing.  We tried to give him Colic Calm, gripe water drops, to see if that would help subside the gas but when we gave it to him he started to cry and almost CHOKED on the drops!!  It freaked me the blank out!!! (Insert whichever word you choose).  Oh Lord, we are trying to help our child and all we are doing is choking him!!  He finally swallowed a bit of the drops and it was starting to help.  We put him back into the carrier and got back on the road.  About 10 min after we left, we had to pull over again because during one of his crying spells he threw up and was starting to burp out the gas.  I pulled him out of the seat, sat him on my knee and patted him.  He burped about 5 times in between cries and felt better.  A little throwup on mom and the truck but who cares, he is better! 

The rest of the way home he was all laughs and coo's like nothing ever happened.  He got extra playtime in the tub and slept like a champ that night.  I think I got more grey hair during that experience!  Hopefully they are just buried where I/noone can't see them.  

Lesson #452, NO MORE FEEDING IN THE CARRIER IF YOU CAN'T GET HIM OUT TO BURP!!!!

You got it!  Lesson learned the hard way for both Andrew and myself. 



It is black as tar but it helps sooo much!
Relieves the gas in baby's tummy very quickly.



Just Another Day ...

Yesterday I turned the big 3-1.  I am officially in my 30's.  So far ... not feeling too bad.  Give me a couple weeks, then I'll get back to ya. 



What my office looked like when I came in this morning




Mums from a Dr. I take care of and Roses from my wonderful husband
The candle is Bali Sunrise and just smells delicious, from my best girlfriend MaryBeth.




Lemon Bars (my favorite) from my co-worker/friend Betty
the candle is too cute but couldn't light it due to policy




One of the roses in the arrangement .. so beautiful

My mom and dad called yesterday to wish me a happy birthday and ask what I wanted to do.  I told them not too much and don't worry about it because it's just another day, no biggie.  No sooner had I said that, my dad stated, Don't say stuff like that, you're starting to sound like your mother!  Have I become my mother?  In some ways yes.  And in others, not so much.  I think my birthdays have become a little lax in the celebratory area but 1) I just had a baby and 2) I just had a baby!!  By this time next year, I will be back to crazy Jenn again, out celebrating like I just turned 21 and acting stupid (maybe not too stupid).  For right now, being at home and doing the routine that we have settled into is fine with me. 

P.S. I did, however, get my birthday dinner courtesy of my parents.  It wasn't at a restaurant or fast food place.  It was a nice home cooked dinner of Egg Rolls a-la-daddy, Fried Rice and Chicken Stir Fry.  Mmm mmmm!  It was soo good!   

Daddy's Day and Water Baby

This Father's Day was extra special for us here in at the Ochoa house, Clay got to really celebrate Father's Day.  This time last year we already knew we were expecting and for us, it doesn't count to celebrate the day until you actually have your child in your arms and can squeeze and snuggle him until he squirms to let loose.   We are very blessed and grateful that we get to celebrate with all the dads in our lives: Bill, Dan, Clay and my daddy, Roger and we remember those amazing fathers and grandfathers that have gone to look over us in Heaven.  We miss you Papu, Papo, PawPaw and Grandpa Ochoa! You are always in our hearts!

Father's Day started with Clay waking up to Andrew laying close to him on the bed (which is becoming a regular occurrence) and smiling at him. 

 

Happy Father's Day Daddy!  Nose pinch!

After a breakfast of champions from Shipley's (Sugar/Chocolate glazed doughnuts and Kolaches) we headed out to Sam's to pick up a few needed items.  Of course I was on cart duty since I tend to wander off and it didn't help that my sister Stephanie was there with us because when we are together we also tend to cause problems, amongst ourselves not with others. 

A full shopping cart (meaning whatever we could place around Andrew's carrier without falling) and a few samples of food later, we were on our way home.  If you haven't been to Sam's on a Saturday or Sunday, I would recommend you go.  Not only will you have achieved your quota of toilet paper and paper towels for the year but they have little food sample stations every other aisle.  You don't even have to eat lunch after that they have everything you need to eat ... your entree, sides, fruits and even dessert.  I know, I know, I am tacky but hey if it shuts my stomach up for at least an hour I will keep doing it.

We got home just in time to greet Clay's dad, Dan and Ciera, Clay's half-sister.  A few minutes after they arrived my parents and sisters arrived.  Full house and everyone wanted to dote on Andrew and he was just eating it up.

It was a beautiful day, HOT, but beautiful and breezy so we decided to make the most of it and head out to the community pool in our subdivision.  Not too many people were out there, surprisingly.  Andrew was out there with us but didn't get into the water, at least not yet.  My mom had offered to stay out with him while Clay and I along with my sisters and dad got in the water.  I cannot tell you how long it had been since we were in a pool last.  Too Long!  It was amazing.  I heard Andrew starting to get a little fussy so I asked my mom to bring him to the edge of the pool where the steps were and we sat him there in the water, shaded so the sun wouldn't beat down on him and he loved it!  Splashing and kicking his feet, he sometimes splashed the water in his face and would look around at us to see who the culprit was who did that to him.  He didn't stay in too long since it was hot and the chlorine was starting to dry out his little skin.  But I think its official, we have a water baby.  Soon after we got him out, Clay and I took him home and gave him a warm water bath to wash off the chlorine and sun. 

My parents stayed until around 9:00p in which we enjoyed ice cream and cake for the special day.  My mom and I catching up on the patio with Andrew and everyone else inside watching a movie.  I asked Clay at the end of the day when we were already laying down if he had a good day, and he said it was great!  It wasn't much but spending the time with your family makes it all worth it. 

I love you Clay, you are an amazing father and husband.  I can't wait to see you and Andrew growing together and creating trouble together, even if I am the guinea pig.

A Lesson in Shaving



I knew I was doing it wrong all along!

This is Megan Mariah Barnes, Florida's first bikini line shaving traffic offender. Read the article below (hilarious!) for more info on this gift to mankind with a face (and root regrowth) that only a mother and or at least two Floridian men could love.

From Popstar.com

Have women become so pressed for time that they can't even shave in thier own bathrooms? 
Good Lord!  I wonder if she at least finished the job?  I would hate for her to go to jail with it half done.

Celia Rivenbark, you are hilarious!  You are my favorite now for using HooHah in the newspaper!

Target Time

Yesterday I had the pleasure of going to Target by myself and Clay stayed home with Andrew.  I really didn't know what to do with myself.  I told Clay that I would return soon and left, no looking back because if I did I would get sucked back into the mainstream of "the home".  It felt great!  I walked in with a purpose because I was just there to get items for a friends birthday and nothing else.  Yeah .. right!  First place I stopped off at was the baby section.  I have to see what new things they got in ... it is a moral imperative.  After about 20 minutes browsing, I finally came to my senses and needed to focus on the task at hand.  And I did it, not only did I just get things I originally came in for (+/- a couple items) but I left in record time, something I have never done when Target is involved.

I came home and as soon as I opened the front door, I see Clay and Andrew like this ...

only not so happy and standing in the living room looking exasperated with his hands on hips.  I ask him what is wrong and he says he and Andrew have been strapped together for a while now.  I asked him how long is a while and he said An Hour!  AN HOUR??!!  Apparently Andrew didn't want to play with any of his toys and he only wanted to be held facing outward so he could see his surroundings.  Well, the only practical thing that Clay could think of was to put him in his holder so he could see and so Clay's shoulder could get a rest.  That worked for about 10 min. and when Clay tried to get him out ... no go.  He tried sitting with him in the holder .. nope.  He tried to lay with him in his holder .. nope.  Everything he tried didn't work ... that is what I came home to.  So to rectify my being away, I made Clay his 2nd favorite cake ... The Watergate Cake.

Recipe below:
 
WATERGATE CAKE
1 box yellow cake mix
1 box instant pistachio pudding
4 eggs
1/2 c. oil
1 can 7-Up
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend all ingredients together in bowl until well blended, about 3 minutes. Pour into greased and floured tube pan. Bake for 1 hour. Let cool and frost.

WATERGATE FROSTING:
1 tub of Cool Whip
1 box instant pistachio pudding
1 c. milk
Beat all ingredients well until thick. Frost cooled cake.

Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,176,144172-247192,00.html
Content Copyright © 2011 Cooks.com - All rights reserved.

The day flew by very quickly and soon we had two cakes, a sleepy baby and a full daddy ready for bed.  I think back at days prior to Andrew and at what might we be doing if we didn't have him with us and it looks boring.  A day like yesterday would have been like this for example, getting home, having a quick dinner, making the trip to Target (both of us, which is fun but not fun because Clay keeps a tight reign on me in the store so I won't saunter off), coming home and watching TV until it was time for bed. 

Andrew makes everyday more exciting even when he is screaming in your ear that he is hungry and you better feed him now or he's gonna grab you by the face and pull your skin off.  He'll do it, he tried the other day but didn't succeed because I had already filed his nails down.  Vicious!  He gets it from his Momma .. so I can't really blame him, I know where he's coming from.

I cherish the days we have with him so tiny because I know the days of him running around and telling him "No" and "Stop that" are not too far away.

Sun-Bathing Beauty

Every chance Sophie gets to stay out in the sun, she takes advantage.

She loves her some sun.

Eureka!

We have finally found it .. I think.  This shampoo/body wash is the best we have found for Andrew's ultra-sensitive skin.  It is automatically foaming once you pump it out the bottle which is A-mazing!! 



yes and it comes in a 3 pack



Austin Engagement

For the past 4 months we have had Andrew with us everyday, all day, all the time.  When you have a free pass to attend an event that only consists of you and your husband, your initial response is "YES"!!  That was the case with us this past Saturday and I think it lasted maybe a whole 15 minutes.  We went up to Austin to attend an Engagement Party for our dear best friends Will McAvoy and Christine Rivas.  We had known about the party for some time and were basically back and forth in deciding whether to take Andrew or not.  The party would be at a local park under a pavillion (shade!) in the Texas 115 degree heat.  Needless to say our deciding factor was the heat ... not even we could stand the heat and it would be a nightmare if we would have taken the baby.  My parents had graciously volunteered to take care of Andrew and told us to "just go enjoy the day" on a mini-date.  Easier said than done!  We left Andrew at about 12:30p and started to make our way up IH35 and 5 minutes in, I couldn't help but start to think about our little boy.  I had to continuously tell myself the he is fine, and that yes, at 1:45p he did eat his bottle and he is probably taking a nap right now, hopefully in the same postition that I do it becuase he likes it that way, yada yada yada .. on and on.  Clay did his best in distracting me with brief converstation but as soon as it ended my mind went right back to Andrew and what is he wearing now (my mother is notorious for changing his clothing, not because he is dirty but because she can ... I think its cute), what is he doing now, is he playing in his exersaucer, has he been fussy, etc etc.  Finally I just couldn't handle it anymore and I called her as soon as we entered Austin (a whole 2 hours).  The first thing she said was "Wow, I can't believe it took you this long to call and check on him".  If you only knew Mom, if you only knew.  She said he was doing great and at the moment was asleep on Papa (my dad).  Good to hear, now I could relax .. kind of.

We made our way to the party and arrived right at 3:00p.  They were just setting up so we arrived right on time to help and unwind from the trip.  Gawd, I have missed our Austin family!  It had been a few months since we had seen them last and it had been a few months too long.  Big bear hugs, catching up, bringing out the photo brag book (IPod) to show pics of little man, and having a great time with everyone was the order of the day.

The Couple of the Hour

Chrisine Rivas and Will McAvoy

Binky, Kim, Scotty C

Look at those dorks

The Food Table

Will and his momma, Debra

All designers except my mom bag ... SMH

Cutie girl with her first water pistol

 

Sarandy and Kelly

Scotty C, Eric, Kim

Kara and Brad, Will's sister and brother-in-law

All the guys

The gals 

The gift table

The couples awesome engagement photos

We decided to leave at 5:30p to get home but leaving was hard.  Saying goodbye is always hard when you haven't seen your friends in a while.  The wedding is in October and I am sure that will come faster than we know it but its the in-between that we miss.

Love you and Congratulations Will and Christine!  We are soo happy to see you starting this new chapter in your lives together. 

Trumpettes!

I just had to share my love for these socks! Clay found them at the Hallmark store off of Huebner and IH10 and although we don't have these exact ones, they make getting Andrew dressed just one step easier and stylish.

http://www.trumpette.com/socks/socks-boy/socks-boy-baby-2