SINGER!!!!

I'm calling it now...he's gonna be a singer!

Rebellious

Mario is telling Dalen to calm down and shhhh! As you

can see and HEAR he is doing the exact opposite!

He said it!

Poor Baby Pics

Getting his pulse taken on his Big Toe. He LOVED the red light.

Just gazing into space. He was so exhausted. With me at the hospital.
Chewing his teether.
His little x-ray to make sure he didn't have fluid in his lungs.
In his hopsital gown.

Dalen also cut two teeth. We forgot teethers so Mario let him

chew on a packaged tongue suppresser.
Dalen getting his breathing treatment.

Dalen sitting between my legs. He spend all day

after the night at the E.R. in a bath robe jsut staring into space.

Dalen looking around in the hospital room.

You can see his little hospital bracelets on his ankles.

POOR Baby

What an eventful week!  On Tuesday, Dalen was left a babysitter (Adrienne Hart) while I ventured out to Whitestone Inn in Kinston, TN for a marketing meeting.  He had been a little stuffy before leaving and throughout the day I guess he just kept getting worse.  His last doctor's appointment the Doc concluded he has allergies and possibly asthma.  The medicine they put him on has never given him relief.  By Thursday, I had had it.  To see your 7 month old son in pain and fevered (101.5) is just not something a rookie mom can take.  I was in contact with the nurses at Dalen's pediatrician office all day.  Being that he gets this "colds" or "allergies"  that seem to linger and not get better, I know what to do about it.  The nurses were repeating themselves all day.  

After, holding a fever all day they wanted Dalen brought to the E.R.  I was pretty ticked.  I was in contact with the nurses all day.  I was trying to prevent going to the E.R.  But I followed their instructions.  After vital signs, a little bit of poking and an x-ray we reached a verdict.  Dalen was in desperate need of a breathing treatment and antibiotic.  He also has an ear infection in each ear.  The right one is more infected than the other.  I must say he is a pretty good sport.  He barely whimpered through the whole process.  

After taking a few days off and keeping him in the house, he is feeling a little better.  Has has cut one new tooth on the bottom and almost cut his first on the top!  I must display my bragging rights....Dalen also said mama for the first time.  Oh yea, you read right!  I have a video to prove (will post pics of hospital visit and video on Monday!).  Please keep him in your prayers. 

The same night my sister Meredith was admitted to Bradley Memorial oh, exscuse me....Sky Ridge (all you Clevelanders get that sarcasm I'm sure.  She was really dehydrated and after pumping her with fluids she was good to go and Olivia was fine.  What a night!

Mother's Day

Yesterday was PERFECT. I mean literally perfect. I have not had a day like yesterday in a long, long time. Mario was up with the baby at 7 a.m. as I slept in. When waking up, I was being poked in the eye by 2 cards Mario left on his pillow for me. One was from him and the other from Dalen (which he signed himself). Dalen was in a great mood...life always. It was off to church with butterflies in my stomach because Mario had an afternoon planned but wouldn't tell me what we would be doing. Service seemed to drag on forever even though Pastor Maloney preached the shortest message EVER. We were out by 11:45!

Before I knew it Mario and I were pulling into the Bald Headed Bistro for lunch. If you haven't ever been there you must go. The food is AMAZING. My mom kept Dalen so that Mario and I could go out just us two. I am not sure that has happened since he has been born. It was an amazing day. There is something about being a mom. There is no greater feeling of fulfillment or love. I love being a mom. I want tons of kids and I praying the Lord will make it financially possible for us to have as many as we want. This mother's day was great.

CONCEPTION

Just a little side note. Every year our pastor has all of the moms in the congregation stand up so that they are recoginzed. Last year was my first mother's day...even though I was pregnant I was a mom. Something that drives me and Mario WILD is that as Christians we are all gung ho about being pro-life. However, when I stood last year for being a mom all kinds of people said stuff like you aren't a mom yet. If I would have aborted Dalen though that thought would change instantly! You are a parent at the time of conception. Just as there is a baby at the time of conception! Let's not contradict ourselves pro-lifers. To all you pregos out there you are a mom already. You have a responsibilty to the baby in your womb. I challenge you to get lost in the thought of your new role. Its truly amazing!

Choices

When you become one with your spouse, all selfishness should dissipate. You should think solely of your spouse as they solely think of you. Giving 110 % at all times. Although its exhausting I believe I believe Christ intended marriage to be this way; selfless, pure, and loving. When you give birth you should become even less selfless. It's really hard to lose yourself in others when it means considering others before making decisions or choices. Though at times your intensions and motive may be pure and innocent sometimes as a wife or mother or friend we must STOP. Stop to think how will others be affected by simple choices we make everyday. After all I don't think we were created for us. We were created to be the hands and feet of Jesus doing his working in the behalf of others lives. So before you make that small or maybe BIG choice just STOP. Stop and think of the consequences, repercussions or benefits not for yourself but for others. Choices are what pave the future and reserve our eternal residence.

"Baby" Weight

Lately, the mirror has been my WORST enemy. I barely gained any weight at all with Dalen. I lost ten pounds from being so sick and gained that back and then an additional ten pounds. Ever since about mid October it seems like I have packed on pound after pound. Its been amazing how fast my body has gone downhill. I have more stretch marks than I did when I gave birth. Its really frustrating and confusing. When this topic comes up around friends they always say things like, "Megan! Give yourself a break! You just had a baby." But now seven months later that just is no longer in the equation. I need to stop being lazy and stop listening to people make excuses for myself. Yes, I did not too long ago give birth but I still eat for two and never take into consideration what or how much I am eating.
I guess this is really surfacing the most because on Sunday a very considerate and wise and intelligent girl (excuse my sarcasm) asked me when my next baby was due. Fighting back tears in front of about 12 young adults I said there is no next baby. I am not expecting. Maybe that rude and ignorant question is the drive I should use to motivate myself into losing all the weight I can. I do know I want to lose about 30-40 lbs. so that I can be super skinny and get pregnant again and not run into this problem again. Oh and if you haven't noticed there is a moral to this personal and embarrassing story.....NEVER, EVER, EVER ask a woman if she is expecting especially if you don't know her or haven't heard pregnancy rumors. Looks can be decieving.

PS...these are my thoughts. I am not writing this to get compliments on my body so please don't feel obligated to do so.

Shiner

It looks like he's holding on for dear life. I don't know if it was in fear of falling again or in fear of my driving :)

I don't think my family has ever been exposed to such an active seven month old. Especially now that Dalen is crawling. He is here, there and everywhere. He can not be left any where up high like a couch or bed because he rolls over so quickly. After leaving S.C. at 5 a.m. on Saturday, I was exhausted. Mario stayed an extra night. I decided to leave Dalen with my mom overnight to get some rest. My phone was ringing by 7:30 a.m. for me to come get him. He had slept well...of course. My sister volunteered to take him to the nursery while she attended church and I played hookie. After church she planned to keep him throughout the afternoon.

At about 12:30 I got a call. I was informed wiggle worm had rolled off the couch and hit his head pretty good on the coffee table. My sister is nearly 8 months pregnant and I think it scared pretty good. So I was off to be mom to the rescue and with a small bruise and and little irrritability Dalen is just fine.

It was his first real accident, so it was a bit scarry but with babies these kinds of accidents are inevitable. I know my family is TOTALLY responsible with Dalen. These things just happen. Gran asked Dalen, "Did you get your first shiner?" Grump informed there would be many more to come.

Home Sweet Home

Stretching Dalen's Cousin Davian (carolina in the background)
Grandma helping Dalen stand
Carolina
Aunt Kristen




Wild Wings

On Thursday we headed to South Carolina for the funeral. It was a really peaceful trip. Dalen did AMAZING on the four hour drive home. We stopped for him 2 twice to get out of his car seat and stretch. South Carolina is home for Mario so it was a true delight to take our son where so many memories still linger.

Thursday night was skate night for Devon (our 6 year old nephew). The more people that represent his class the better chance they have at getting a pizza party. So, the 3 of us packed up to attend this little event. It was GREAT fun. Devon's dad had to work but we had a nice time catching up with Kristen our sister-in-law. After a while of Devon skating on his own he FINALLLY talked Mario into skating. Oh my what a sight!! He put on a pair of rollerblades and glided around an around the rink. He got the bright idea to take Dalen around a few times in his arms....IRRESPONSIBLE, DANGEROUS, REDICULOUS...yeah I know, I was thinking the same thing.





After a few times around the teen d.j. comes on the speaker adivising anyone with a child in their arms to exit the rink. It was quite humorous! Enjoy the video.

After skate was over we headed over to Wild Wings to see Ques (Mario's brother) at work and get a bite to eat. Needless to say my little one was worn out. We looked over at one point and he had propped his feet up on the table. It is probably my favorite pic yet.

On Friday, we had a beautiful celebration of life as we laid a beloved woman to rest. It was a great time of fellowship with family as well. Dalen got a lot of quality time with his grandmother and cousins. He loved getting to "pet" our old dog Carolina who now lives with Mario's family.

My favorite memory of the trip was visting his family on Friday night. Dalen began to get fussy as he ALWAYS does when he gets tired. Everyone wanted to know what was wrong with him and we began all kinds of tactics to get him to sleep. None of them worked. Mario encouraged all to join in and sing Jesus Loves D (Dalen's remix to jesus loves me) and before we knew it the Hood Quartet had sang him peacefully to sleep.

For the first time every visiting Mario's home, South Carolina, I left saying Home Sweet Home. It was a peaceful visit filled with lots of laughter and fellowship.