Moment

Well today I had a moment. One of those moments where you look back when you first became a Mom and realize you had NO idea what you were doing.  As I was going through old pictures of Ross today, I was SHOCKED to see how skinny he was at his 1 month mark...Let's go back and I will explain why this is such a moment for me.  When Ross was born I had decided that I was going to try breastfeeding and had sworn my whole life I was never going to do such a thing. But when Ross was born and they put him in my arms it was a different feeling. I felt it was my duty, and it was such a bonding experience while we were in the hospital both learning at the same time! I had no idea what the heck I was doing. Well you go home and your baby drinks around 2 oz. of breastmilk and let's just say that is all I was producing. I'm not your Mrs. Duggar (if you get my drift). No Elsie the cow here! But anyway I fed Ross 2 oz for the longest time every three hours on the dot.  Well we go to his first doc appointment and we are met with an over the top doctor who LOVES I mean literally has an obsession with every mom breastfeeding. So from that moment I was a little intimidated and knew he would be greatly disappointed if I quit breastfeeding, so I kept it up 2oz. every three hours. Ross had not lost much weight by his first check-up so I was really excited and knew he was getting enough to eat.  Well we go home and Ross keeps eating his 2 oz.  and acts full and does not fuss a lot.  Well skip several weeks and we go to our 1 month check-up and they weigh Ross and he has only gained a few ounces past his birth weight! It didn't hit me, and I didn't notice because I see him everyday and you know when you are around something you don't notice a change.  Well, the doc wants me to start breastfeeding 24/7 to get my milk production up and get Ross's weight up as well. Let's just say that I almost fell out of my chair when he told me that Ross was in the 25% range with his weight! So as many Mom's know you feel so helpless because you have done everything you know you are supposed to do and can't believe you were starving your child. From the docs office I was going to visit my Mom, Dad and Chrisanna in Lewisville.  Well we get there and I had a breakdown. I told my Mom and sister what the doc said and they said "Ave, you have to feed that baby more!" So we start feeding him 3oz and 4oz and he does so well. (Yes, I was feeding him 2 to 3 oz still by his 1 month check up...Don't slap me now but HONESTLY I HAD NO IDEA).  My sister gave me the best advice ever. She said, "Either breastfeed that baby 24/7 or go to formula!" So I started feeding him formula and he did great!! After I left my Mom called and said "Averie, your Dad was so upset when you left because he was so shocked at how small Ross was! He wants you to feed that baby formula and quit that breastfeeding business!" Got to love your Dad.....So from that moment on we went to formula. And let me say it was hard to switch to formula, because I felt like I was giving up and letting Ross down by not giving him the best nourishment. But that was due to all the crazy hormone episodes I was having after he was born.  Let me tell you that I was so scared to go back to that same doctor, because I knew he was going to give me a lecture and be upset with me because I was not breastfeeding anymore. Well, I thought "How crazy! I am scared to go to the doctor because I chose not to breastfeed anymore!" I found a new doctor and Ross has grown by leaps and bounds.  I was really embarrassed to post the picture of him but you can't get the full effect of my story until you see the picture.  So please don't think I was neglecting my child. I was just a young first time Mom who thought she was doing her best, but had NO IDEA!! So share this story with other new Moms who might need a little encouragment.  Next time I will know what to do!!

This picture was at 2 months. This is what set off my moment today! Glad I didn't see a picture at 1 month!

This is 6 months and  "HUGE" change!

Now you realize why I LOVE these chunky legs!! He will kill me one day when he sees this picture!

Lounging in our new chair !

Worn out from his long day!

Ross is 6 months old and such a sweet baby. People keep telling me that they hope my second child is as laid back as Ross! But I have a weird feeling that the second time will be totally different. The Lord wants to test my Faith!! :O)

Until next time,

averie

Ready for Fall.....

As I walk outside I am hit in the face by a wave of thick humid air! I can not explain in words how EXCITED I am about that one morning I walk outside and can actually breathe again.  It's about time for Fall to get here..And guess what this glorious season brings? RAZORBACK FOOTBALL, MUMS, PUMPKINS, AND WONDERFUL WEATHER!! It puts a smile on my face to think about all of those things, so I guess I will keep dreaming of Fall as the weather cooks my future MUMS in this HEAT WAVE A.K.A Arkansas weather!....I feel so sorry for my husband because he has come in two times today and change clothes because he was soaked from sweat as they prepare to start draining rice to harvest! When he was home on his last change of clothes I had to get a picture of him and Ross playing on the floor.  I guess I can't complain as I sit in my recliner and feel the nice breeze from my air conditioner! :O) Thank you Lord for my Blessings!!!

Today I remembered that I had bought Ross one of those things that you can put fruit in and they can chew on it without swallowing. (OK. The only reason I explain what it is for is because I can not, for the life of me, remember what it is called, so I will call it the "fruit chew toy for babies!" OK, let me just explain how NASTY that "fruit chew toy" can get when your son gnaws and sucks on it for a while! I mean disgusting...I had to get pictures so if you have a weak stomach refrain from viewing.  :O)

And this face shows the attitude I got after I took it away!!

And did I mention that I love a good glass of sweet tea with lemon!!

Just had to share this picture. I can already see him talking his way out of trouble.

"Mom, What are you talking about? I did not do anything!! I swear."

Until Next Time,

averie

Did I do That??

I spent the last two weeks traveling around with my little man  " Ross" visiting family.  The first leg of our trip put us in Summerfield, LA. My parents are living in their camper as they get their land ready and begin building their house.  We had a great time, even though we were crammed in their camper for two nights.  Speaking of crammed, if you have ever camped you understand the problem that comes with taking a bath or shower.  Well since Mom and Dad's camper only had a shower, we had to figure out how to give Ross a bath. Well Mom suggested the sink!! So we CRAMMED Ross in the tiny camper sink and he LOVED it!! It was just his size, but am sure next time he won't fit.  

We were able to visit the other set of Brown's and take some memorable pictures of Ross and his Great-Grandparents. If you don't know us you wouldn't know that Adam and I shared the same last name. NO we are not related, but Ross is going to be pretty confused when he learns that all of his grandparents will be known as Grandma Brown and Grandpa Brown... I can here it now "MOM, which one are you talking about?" So we are trying to figure out names that will not confuse our future children as much! :O)  Guess we will have to start numbering them!

Our next stop was Mississippi! We spent several days with my sister and her family. We had a great time! Ross was so entertained by the three boys, if he only could run around with them! Just kidding, I think I can wait for that moment ....At times it can get pretty wild, and that happens around 6:00 pm every night. So if you want to talk to someone who might be on the verge of a nervous breakdown then call my sister around this time!! :O) We went swimming to try to make the hot days more tolerant, but even the pool was pretty warm! Ross loved the water and relaxing as the cousins swam and entertained!

These trips get hard sometimes, because I enjoy visiting with my family and begin to wish we lived closer! But as they say "Distance makes the heart grown fonder!" 

Since my last blog a lot of things have happened and I think "I need to blog about that" then I forget! But I do remember this particular thing that happened .....A Foot in Mouth Moment.....

I posted this on facebook, but just had to write about it on my blog. Ok, Ross and I went to Wal-Mart when we got back from our mini vacation and we had to do some major grocery shopping. As I was in the baby section getting formula and looking through their baby clothes I noticed this nice young girl with BABY ITEMS in her cart. She watches Ross and I and I begin to think "Oh, she is having a baby and she is admiring Ross because she is due any moment!" The reason I think she is due any moment is because if I were a betting person I would bet that she was pregnant. She had the prego belly I mean it was rather large..Not a sagging belly but purky...You know how pregnant belllies look " Purky!"  And the other reason I figured she was pregnant is because I made a conscious effort to look her over pretty good and noticed her baby clothes in the cart, and I thought " How fun! She is buying baby clothes for her new arrival!" Well Ross and I walked by and she said "How old?" I looked at her and said " 6 months." She said " He is too cute!" Well, I felt bad and knew I had to respond with something so I did.... "When are you expecting?" She says,  " I'm not!" Ohhhh great ...Are you kidding me, I was thinking at this moment "YOU MUST DIG YOURSELF OUT OF THIS HOLE, IMMEDIATELY!!" And how do I respond during this most embarrassing moment....."REALLY??" Yes, that's right! I responded by saying "REALLY?" As if she was lying about being pregnant...I guess I expected her to say, "No I'm just kidding I really am expecting a child I was just pulling your leg!" FOR REAL, what was I thinking....She said " Guess I haven't lost the baby weight from the first baby!" Ohh and I keep talking " How old is your baby?" She says " two years!" I promise I just nodded my head and walked off....Rolling my cart with shame! I'm sure Ross would have kicked me in the mouth if he could reach my face...This wouldn't be such a big deal but this is the second time I have done this and I swore after that conversation with a lady at Larry's Pizza that I would never ask anyone again! But I wanted to be nice..Who knew my nice would turn into utter humiliation for me and I am sure this nice young lady...

After my most embarrassing moment, I was mortified and knew I needed to get the heck out of dodge before I run into this girl again. So Ross and I went and checked out!! As most Mom's know it is hard to load the baby and put up the groceries at the same time, and today was a little different because it was 110 degrees outside and I knew I had to hurry so Ross wouldn't be in the hot car. To top off my trip a VERY NICE LADY who works at Wal-Mart and was gathering carts walks up and says " Let me load those groceries for you, and you stay with the baby!" Oh my goodness, there are nice people left in this world!! I know now that one day when I see a young Mom trying to load groceries and putting baby in the car I will have to do my duty and offer help! The world would be a better place if more people were like the nice lady from Wal-Mart and not like me calling people pregnant who are not pregnant!!

Until Next Time,

averie

In Weighting* i know it's misspelled

I have had an epiphany today. Bear with me as I explain....When we were young I remember always wanting to have a boyfriend like everybody else. Everybody always said, " If you are looking you will never get a boyfriend, but if your not looking they seem to fall into your lap!" And pretty much that was always true....I believe that boyfriends are like "weight!" I seemed to work and work to get my baby weight off. Everyday I would count my points and feel guilty if I didn't go work-out. I was wanting to lose my weight so bad it was all I thought about. And for good reason, I didn't have any clothes because they were all too little! This past Fourth of July weekend I ate the whole time I was at my parents. I gave myself an "F" on my weight watcher attempt, as my mother-in-law puts it, on everyday this past weekend. That includes Friday-Monday!! I didn't even take running shoes to run while I was there. I decided I was going to take a break and not think about losing weight or working-out!! Well we get home and I eat like I normally do, and by golly if I didn't weigh myself today and I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight!!! This leads me to my point...Just like boyfriends fall into your lap when you are not looking, I guess my weight fell off my lap while I was not looking!! I know this sounds crazy but I had to blog about it!! I have stressed for weeks and weeks and the one week that I don't stress those last few pounds come off!! Wow......But now back to the day to day grind and stressing so I don't put those pounds back on again and get myself back in the same boat!!!!!!!!

In other news.... I thought about training to run a half marathon! Ok the key word here is "thought." Because it hasn't crossed my mind again!! :O) My sister has decided to run a full marathon in December at the St. Judes Marathon. I told her she was crazy, and that I would be waiting on her at the finish line all cool and refreshed after running my little ole' 5k!!! She is such a motivated person, but sometimes I think or I know that she loves to run because it is the only time she has for herself and the longer she runs the longer she is by herself and not chasing three boys around!!! Maybe her motivation will rub off on me and I can do a half marathon....But it will take a boat load of motivation to get me to that point.....Only if she paied me money! :O)

Ross is so fun right now. I hope he doesn't grow up thinking his name is "Bubba" because I catch myself calling him that all the time! He eats like a horse, and is already wearing 9 months clothes. Guess we could name him "Bubba" or "Hoss" if he keeps growing at this rate! I have to go buy him new clothes every two weeks it seems like!

"Yo Mom! Do I look like Bubba to you?"

(Had to post..Guess you get good shots when your camera is too slow!!!)

I thank God everyday that I have such an amazing family on both sides. I can't imagine anything any better except going to Heaven......I lost my favorite Aunt Opal this past month but WOW she lived for 96 years! Can you imagine what she has seen and how things have changed in her lifetime... I know she is dancing around in Heaven waiting on all of her family and friends to meet her there!! I was really sad that she never got to see Ross, but know that she sees him now!!! . Aunt Opal was like a grandmother to me. She kept me for several years when I was younger while my Mom taught school.

Aunt Opal, Adam, and I (visiting her in the nursing home in 2007)

I am wanting to redo my kitchen cabinets, and am trying to find the perfect color!! For some reason I want to paint them green..NO not John Deere Green but a grayish green or really light sage green.. If anybody reading this has the perfect color PLEASE HELP!! I have been searching and found some pictures of cabinets I really do like but may find it hard to match the color...

until next time,

averie

In the Kitchen

Well, I have not blogged in more than a month so I think it is time to catch up. Lately I have found myself acting as "Betty Homemaker" eventhough I might not fit the bill!! From cream cheese pound cake to my great grandmother's tomato relish I have cooked it in the past week. I have been doing good losing weight but find it hard to stay on track when I spend my spare time cooking! But I did find that if you immediately put water in the bowl you were mixing your cake mix in you won't have the opportunity to lick it clean!! But to be honest I always save a little more on the spatula so not sure the water thing is helping me out at all!!

Ross is growing like a weed. Everyday I look at him and can tell he is different. He has found his voice and tries to talk to us all the time. He actually says a form of "Momma" at times, but am sure he has no clue what he is saying but I love it anyway! I love his little smile and facial expressions. I can't complain he is a wonderful baby!

I have posted some great recipes below.....Please try them out!!
Southern Living Cream Cheese Pound Cake
1 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups flour
1/8 tsp salt
1 tbsp vanilla

Beat butter and cream cheese until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Add egg 1 at a time, beating until combined. Combine flour and salt then add gradually to butter mixture beating on low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Pour into well greased and floured bundt pan.
Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour 40 min or until wooden pick comes clean. Cool in pan 10-15 min before removing. Let cool on wire rack.


Broccoli and Cheese Soup
1 (10oz.) pkg frozen chopped broccoli --I used fresh chopped broccoli.
2 potatoes peeled and chopped
1/2 cup uncooked rice
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 tbsp margarine
5 cups water

Combine the above ingredients and cook for 30 minutes on low to medium heat.

1 (4oz.) can mushrooms
2 cans Cream of mushroom soup
1 can Rotel tomatoes with chiles
1/2 lb velveeta cheese

Add the rest of these ingredients and heat but do not boil.

Mamaw Andrews Tomato Relish

1 Gallon ripe peeled, cored, and chopped tomatoes

1 large onion chopped fine

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 tbsp salt

2 hot green peppers to taste

1 1/2 cup cider vinegar

Cook down on low fire about 1 hor and 1 1/2 hrs until boiling. Pour into sterilized jars and seal. Place jars in boiling bath of water, then easily remove. Do not tighten lids on jars or you will not get them open!!

Last week Ross, Ms. Denise, and I went to see Kennedy ( my neice). I haven't seen her since March and she has grown so much. Ross and Kennedy are exactly 8 weeks apart. Kennedy is so animated while Ross just sits back and watches. Guess that is the difference between boys and girls! This picture tells it all!!

This weekend I am finally getting the opportunity to go visit my parents. This will be one of the last few weekends we will be going to visit them in Lewisville because they are moving back home to Louisiana to be closer to my grandparents. I am really going to miss their home in Lewisville because it is so peaceful and is where Adam and I got married, but will really enjoy being closer to our other family in Louisiana. Especially during Christmas when we have to drive all over the country to see everybody.

The view from my parents windows and deck!! HOUSE FOR SALE....

until next time,

averie

WEBSTER KNOWS BEST!

For all who read my last post, it was brought to my attention that I need to check my spelling before I post. I promise as I was typing that post I got to the word embezzlement and thought "Ok, not sure how to spell this word, but I will spell check at the end and get the correct spelling!" Well, that didn't happen and I posted the blog with the worst spelling of embezzlement that was not even close. My brother-in-law made fun of me because I am supposed to be a teacher and obviously can't spell!! No excuses here.....I hate spelling, but I always check the spelling of words if I am unsure. Even if I am posting a status on facebook, I have to make sure I've spelled my words correctly!! There is nothing worse than publishing a status update or even a blog post (hehehe) and misspelling words...Spell check is my friend!!

Well, Ross and I are at my Mom's house with my sister and her gang. We are having a blast. Chrisanna and I ran this morning and I did pretty good!! I ran most of the 30 min., but was completely exhausted when we were finished. But man it's amazing how good you feel after you exercise!! I had to work extra hard today and work off the fish we ate at Doc's and the birthday cake and ice cream we had afterwards!! I have taken many great pics of our time together.....


until next time,
Averie

now time to spell check....:O)

A Change Will Do You Good

I was going through some old photos and came across pictures of Adam and I over the past three years. It is remarkable to think about how our lives have changed in 3 1/2 years. As I look back over these past few years I realize how blessed we are. When we met in 2006, I never would have thought I would get married a year later and have a baby before I was 30... It's weird to me but these last few years seem like a decade.....


2007

2008

1. Married Nov.4, 2006


2. Got a job with a so called non-profit organization, and later found out my boss was a molester and crook....(he is in prison now!) Long story.....But let's just say I am naive and gullable if anybody tells me they are a christian preacher..


3. Went back to school


4. My first teaching job in Pine Bluff...(SCAREY!!)


5. Second teaching job at a Charter school close to our home....(Naive again....Principal is now being investigated for embezzlement.....He told me he was a preacher too, but I was always suspicious of his WEIRD beliefs)


6. Ended my job at the charter school


7. Ross arrives

WOW...that does now seem like a lot of happenings, but it seems like years too me!! I guess through out our lives we experience so much, but never sit down and recall how we got to this point. We are normally so busy we don't even realize what special memories have passed us by that we will never remember...Because WE ARE TOO BUSY!! .....I say all of this because I have been really convicted lately. On Sunday, I always promise God "This week I am going to study my Bible and do my devotion every day!" and then when the week starts, I am too busy and forget my promise....Wow, how easy it is for me to sit down and type a new blog post but I can't sit down and read God's Word!! I'm feeling guilty right now.....I don't know if anyone who reads this has the same problem but know that most people including me always have the same excuse, I didn't have time!! Well, I am going to make time for the one person who gave his son, Jesus, to be brutally beaten and crucified for ME....It is so hard to imagine that He was thinking of me when he was being nailed to that cross, in pain and suffering for my selfish sins!! Isn't it AMAZING....

This post started as something totally different, but my mind was wondering!! I prayed that God would convict my heart to remind me to study my Bible...and I guess he is convicting me through this post....

For those of you who love Francine Rivers, they are making a movie based on Redeeming Love, and I can't wait!!

Last night I put Ross to bed and caught him smiling and laughing at me as I was trying to go to sleep. I picked him up and Adam and I put him between us in the bed and played with him until he got tired... I took the picture below and believe it is my favorite picture .......It is so sweet to see how Ross looks at his Daddy and just smiles!! If I am ever having a bad day or am really tired in the early mornings, his little smile makes my day so much better!!

until next time,
Averie