The card, the card

So do you remember the TV show Fantasy Island? I used to love the beginning sequence where Tatoo shouted, "the plane, the plane." That's how I'm also feeling about Christmas cards this year. I've never really been into them before, but I find myself stalking the mailbox waiting to see what heart-felt greeting will find its way to us that day.

I've lost that shopping feeling

My feet are tired. I can't believe I said that out loud because I've never had this problem before (and if I did have it ... I would never admit it). I love to shop ... live for it. My friend Melody almost refuses to go shopping with me anymore because she knows when we go ... we're in for some serious "shopping."

Since everyone has been so sick lately I have fallen behind on my Christmas-gift-purchasing duties. So today, as soon as Shawn darked the door around 3:45p I bolted out the door to see if I could make a dent in an enormous list. Six hours later and I still have to go out again tomorrow. I'm tired. Maybe I should ask for a foot massager.

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Yeah ... so they say. But not around my house. We've had ongoing competitions between the kids and Shawn to see who can be the sickest the longest. Okay, not really ... well, maybe really.

• Truett came home sick on Monday and was finally diagnosed with RSV, double ear infections and pink eye on Wednesday. It's been a marathon of antibiotics, steriods and breathing treatments.
• A few short weeks ago both Mallory and Shawn had a competition between the two of them to see who could throw up the most times in a single day. Verdict is still out.
• A few weeks before that Mallory went through a terrible coughing spell. So much coughing she'd (you guess it) throw up.
• I could go on, but you'd be even more bored than you already are.

How I escaped all this sickness is a mystery to me. Maybe it's mind over matter (which is what I choose to believe). Because if I got sick who would take care of everyone else?

New Addition to the Family

According to Mallory I have another child besides her and Truett. Who knew? Did I miss nine months of being pregnant and the joys of giving birth? I know I've been busy and distracted lately but I'm not sure how I could miss that!

It started a few nights ago when Mallie was taking a bath. She kept telling me that Coco liked to take a bath. I'm thinking, "cuckoo for coco puffs?" After a series of insane questions it turns out that "Coco" is Mallie's new imaginary friend. Where the child came up with the name Coco is beyond me.

Whatever the name, Coco sounds like the type of girl I like to hang out with. Mainly because she works (e.g. makes money) and spends A LOT of time at the store shopping (e.g. spends the money). She's also very into purple, as that is what color she is, and is not worried about her weight or size because apparently she's a dinosaur. Yep ... loving me some Coco. :) She eats her veggies, goes to bed on time without crying ... my new perfect child.

Pillsbury Dough Boy

I've taken to calling True the Pillsbury Dough Boy. It's better than Amazon Baby, which is the other adjective that I can come up with. Seriously, I don't know what to do with a kid that is this big. Well ... big to me anyway only because I'm used to living with a munchkin (aka Mallory) the likes you see in The Wizard of Oz. He's got so many cute rolls that I just want to eat him up.

Where is all name calling coming from? Surely a good mother would never come up with such monikers for her child. I must be in the running for the *worst* mother of the year then! True had his two month checkup on Thursday. Funny how I dread getting on the scale, but I revel in getting my kids weighed. Anyway ... he clocked in at a whopping 11lbs 12oz and was 22 3/4" long. How did I end up with such a big baby? I thought that Shawn and I only produced midgets, but apparently not so.

Sip and See, a Southern Tradition Continues

This weekend was our "sip and see" for Truett. We had quite a few of my friends show up and fun was had by all. Especially Mallory. She was the belle of the ball. Pics to come later. I'm too lazy to download them from the camera right now.

In the meantime, let's get an update on Truett. He's getting so big! And, it's amazing how much he looks like Mallory did at this age. I pulled out a picture of Mallory at three weeks and held it up to Truett - carbon copies is all I can say.

He's starting to smile (did that for the first time when he was about 5 weeks old, and no it wasn't gas!) more often and tracks my voice with his eyes. He's even starting to try to hold his head up high. Solid as a rock (football player in the making?).

Last night was another milestone. Maybe more of a mommy milestone. He slept in his crib for the first time. I know in my mind that his room is only across the hall and I can peek into his doorway from our bed if I contort my body in just the right way. But, in my heart the distance of that hallway feels like the Grand Canyon.

New car smell

Can't beat the smell of a new car, can you? It's so fresh and clean. And I love it in my new 2007 HONDA PILOT! Okay .... I didn't buy the car because of the new car smell alone (although I can admit that the scent did sway me!). I bought it because it has three rows of seats, with the third row optional as up or down. Now I can get two car seats in the center and even still have room in the back to carry around friends. This will be so much easier when family is in town. And I think I look like a pretty cool mom driving it around.

Liar, Liar Pants on Fire

So two weeks ago I made a solemn promise to pick up blogging again. And, what I have I done to fulfill that promise? NUTTIN. I do have good excuses though, as follows:

1. I have a newborn. Seriously guys ... this should be the only excuse I need. But, I feel the need to expound.

2. I've been moonlighting. Literally. Why did I let my boss talk me into doing some work while I've been on maternity leave? My office hours have been midnight - 4am.

3. Family time. Shawn's parents were in town this last week. We had a good time but I think everyone can understand when I say I'm glad to have the house back to myself again.

That about sums it up. Send me to the corner. Slap me on the hand. I'll try to do better.

Just Because

This is one of my favorites ....

Copycat

I wonder what she is thinking in this picture. One will never know ... but they do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

Welcome Truett Joseph Tinkham

Our little man made his way into the world on June 5, 2007. We made it to the hospital at 5:45a to be induced, but actually didn't get started until just after 8a. At 9a Dr. Hays broke my water, by 10a I had an epidural (hey ... you don't get a medal, right?!). There I lay for hours and hours and hours with no progress. Finally, at 3p I felt some changes and by 4p we were about ready to go ... just needed Dr. Hays to arrive. Good thing her office isn't far because all the laughing I was doing was pushing him out (yep ... you are jealous of this birth story, aren't you?). It was amazingly easy (only three pushes) and I'd do it again in a heartbeat if each birth could be like that. Anyway ... I'm not the star of this show anymore ... baby brother is.

The stats:

• June 5, 2007


• 4:23p


• 7lbs 12oz


• 19.75"

Mallory is in love, but is a little green with jealousy. The longer Truett is around the worse it gets. Resistance is futile though and eventually she'll accept it!

Blame it on Beth

So, in one of my last entries I crossed my fingers and hoped to die that I would keep up this d**n blog. But, here I am weeks and weeks later and still no update. Until today. Until I got an email from my friend Beth telling us she started her blog (360.yahoo.com/bobeth4ever). Now I feel ever so guilty about not keeping this thing up. So, again I will cross my fingers that I make it back here sooner than later.

Long time no blog

Well, life has been crazy. No excuses for not blogging besides being sick and tired. Here's a run down of what's happened.

1. Our house sold the first of November 2006. Yes, we were all surprised.
2. We had to RUSH to find a new one. Yes, we were tired but we made an offer on our new house just before Thanksgiving 2006.
3. We had holidays. Thanksgiving was in Gilmer, all while trying to negotiate a deal on the house!
4. We moved to a hotel for 10 days while we were waiting for the houses to close. I can safely say that I will be put in a mental institution before I will do that again.
5. We moved into this house 10 days before Christmas. MESS!
6. Pregnant. Need I say more?

There have been so many things that I've missed writing about. So, my pledge to myself is to try to remember to pick this back up and keep track of everything that's going on. No promises though! The baby is scheduled for indiction on June 5 ... two very LONG weeks away. Until then I think I can keep up. After that all bets are off. :)