6 months later...

6 months ago today, my life completely changed. I was blessed with a once in a lifetime chance to meet an amazing and extraordinary child who would change me in ways that I can't even put in to words. Andrew Grayson Walker brings such joy and excitement to anyone that he is around. I realize that I'm completely biased because I'm his mom, but I can honestly say that I've never seen such a happy baby. From 6 weeks on, he was constantly smiling and from 11 weeks on, he was constantly laughing. He is a child that seems to be able to find humor in every single situation. Being around that kind of happiness is contagious. That type of happiness makes you excited to live life to the fullest, use each day to make something of yourself and touch the lives of others in a good way. All of this is due to that little boy. I love so much about him and enjoy watching as he transitions in to each new phase of life. Thank you God for giving us such an amazing gift that I will love with all that I am, forever. I love you Drewster!

November 25, 2009 at 1:33pm - We Finally Meet!

5 Days Old and Sleeping With Daddy

One Month Old - Christmas Day & "The Rash"

2 Months Old - The Smiles Have Arrived

3 Months Old - "The Balding Phase"

4 Months Old - The Exploring Begins 

5 Months Old - Planning His Takeover

6 Months Old - Life Does Not Get Much Better Than This

Happy 6 Months Andrew! 

Mommy and Daddy love you so much!

Family Picture - Sort of?

We were at the doctor's office today for Andrew's 6 month well-visit (more information about that to come soon) and the nurse asked us if we wanted our picture taken while we waited for the doctor. Here it is...

Our kid is practically naked, I have no make-up on and horrible roots (explains the hat) and Jeff was about to play basketball. Not exactly the kind of family picture that you frame, but definitely one you can put on a blog!

The Celebration of 4 Years

Jeff and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary on May 11th. We've had a great 4 years and a lot has changed since our wedding day in Florida back in 2006. Jeff is now a full time student heading towards a Nursing degree. We are now the proud parents of what we consider to be the best baby in the entire world. Our partying ways have slowed down to almost a crawl and we now consider a fun night to be one that ends before midnight.

With as much that has changed, I tend to look at the last 4 years and think about our relationship and here is what I know...

1. I still love Jeff with all that I am and all that I have. He brings a balance to my life that gives me the strength and courage to take on anything.
2. I still get excited each day to wake up next to my best friend, my partner in life and the funniest person I've ever met.
3. I miss our going out and late night adventures but in exchange get to watch him with Andrew and that's a wonderful trade off in my opinion.
4. I have witnessed a young twenty something partying guy become this amazing man who has a positive outlook on life and an ever-growing desire to improve himself.
5. I still hate our fights and how mean we can be to each other - but the "I'm Sorry's" come a lot faster than they used to and the fights are fewer and fewer as the years go by.
6. After 10 years, he knows everything about me and I know everything about him. It is very comforting to have someone that close to you and to allow yourself to be that vulnerable with another person.
7. I love that we share the same interests and that we do this on purpose. It's a way for us to ensure we spend time together, while still getting to learn new things.
8.  I love that after dinner he will bring me a Hershey Kiss because he knows that I like to end my meal with something sweet.
9. I love that he actually brings me 3 Hershey Kisses because he knows that I can't eat just one.
10. We both know that marriage takes work, takes time and takes patience and we are both willing to give it all we have to make it work. That is all I can ask for in a marriage.

I have loved the last 4 years and look forward to our future together.

Jeff, I love you!

Lake House - Stat

Jeff and I decided that we needed to take a little vacation to get away from the house and spend some time with the family. Anyone who knows us is well aware that we have a house full of people all of the time. Our guest bedroom is like a hotel room with people coming and going all of the time. We absolutely love it, but sometimes we just want to get away and relax a little bit.

The next few weeks are going to be extremely hectic and today and tomorrow are the only days that we had available for a little get-away. I asked my wonderful, fantastic and awesome tennis partner and great friend, Stephanie, if I could use their lake house for 2 nights and she graciously said absolutely. So, we packed up the car and here we are.

Jeff and Andrew are taking a nap and I'm drinking a glass of wine and looking out at a beautiful lake. It's so relaxing and calming that when I'm here, I never want to leave. And, the greatest thing is that her lake house is only an hour from our house. It's perfect!

Here are a few pictures of our visit so far...

The rest of our trip will consist of the following...
Tonight's Dinner - Steaks on the grill with asparagus and mushrooms.
Some working by both of us - by the lake, of course.
Tomato and Mushroom Omelets for breakfast.
Maybe some jet ski time and some swimming off the dock. 
Good quality family time with no phone, no tv, no interruptions.
Tomorrow Night's Dinner - BBQ Ribs, Sauteed Peppers and a great Salad
Little bit more work
Early to bed!

I'm keeping the camera close and will post more pictures as we introduce Andrew to the lake. He has a new hat, 100 SPF sunblock, swim trunks and a cool float with a cover to protect the "pasty white skin" he got from his daddy.

Thanks Stephanie and Marc for letting us use your great lake house!

Allergies - Booo

I grew up suffering each year with horrible outdoor allergies. So much so that I actually could get out of any form of yard work at my parents house. Everyone but me would be outside working in the yard and I would actually be forced to stay inside because the allergy attack that occurred was so bad. My constant sneezing would actually get on people's nerves. The nice response of "God Bless You" would turn to "Would you just stop sneezing!!"

Fast forward to 2000 when I moved to Dallas. No allergy attacks anymore. I was free from whatever was plaguing me in Louisiana. Until now. It's back. If not on some medication, I sneeze every moment that I'm awake. Sneezing in the shower, sneezing checking the mail, sneezing while drinking coffee (that one is especially not fun)...you get the picture. I woke up in the middle of the night last week, sneezed about 7 times then fell back to sleep. And it is not just the sneezing - my eyes itch so bad and get so red and cloudy that I look like I've been crying for 2 weeks. My nose is congested and red at the edges. I look like a clown - not a cute clown.


Allergy season is no fun. I'm not sure what this season has that has made me so susceptible to these attacks, but I'm really wanting it to end quickly so that I can get back to normal life. Now I must go - no medication in me and I've sneezed over 10 times while writing this blog.

By the way - why do sneezes come in twos?

1st Mother's Day

This is my first year celebrating Mother's Day. It's like having a whole new birthday - people send you cards, emails, text messages and my hubby gets me a present. I should have had a baby years ago!

We started our day with big plans to make it to church. Instead, we got dressed and in the car just in time to beat the 11:00am deadline for Taquitos from Whataburger. It does not take much to please me and I have a slight addiction to a Whataburger Taquito. I used to say that Andrew was made of Taquitos because we would eat them 2 times a week during my pregnancy. It was why I was able to easily gain 53 pounds and Jeff was able to gain 25. Since Andrew's birth, I can count on one hand the number of times we have been to get my favorite breakfast. It's much more rare now that I'm back to watching what I eat. So, this simple and inexpensive breakfast is quite a treat for me. No lines, no waiting, no tipping and under $10 for both of us. Good start to the day.

Now that I'm full of good-lovin breakfast - Here are some ramblings in my head...

1. As a new mom, I now realize why they have an entire day dedicated to Moms and Dads. It's a hard job, it takes up most of your time and for the most part, it's pretty thankless. But one thing is for sure - it's absolutely worth it. I remember, as a child, wondering why they did not have a Kid's Day since they have a Mother's and Father's Day. Now I completely understand that Kid's Day is pretty much every other day of the year. I also want to thank my mom for the enormous amount of time and energy she spent with me. Mom - you are the best! 

2. Life is so busy these days. I find myself constantly over-booked and running out of time to get everything done. I mentioned this to one of my best friends - explaining to her that I am just always under water and the wise, seasoned mom that she is told me "you just need to learn to swim better." She is so right. What I'm learning is that sometimes in order to swim better, you have to drop things out of the boat that you are dragging behind you. The non-essentials, the wants-not-needs and the controlling-everything-mindsets are being dumped from my boat. So, as I celebrate my first Mother's Day and the successful rearing of my child for almost 6 whole months (grins) - I'm also celebrating learning some very valuable lessons about life, time and what really matters.

Not to worry, I will still run my business(es), play tennis, work-out with my trainer, play volleyball, spend time with hubby, spend time with our child, interact with my friends, visit with family, manage our home and finances, plan a vacation and of course keep up with my blog - but what I'm dropping from the boat will make all of this much easier.

3. All day yesterday, Jeff and I were helping Jennifer move to her new duplex in Plano. We were finally headed home at about 10:30pm. Jeff and Andrew were in the Expedition and I was following them in Jeff's car. At one point along the ride home, I had this very surreal moment. I realized that in the car in front of me was my entire life. It was a very vulnerable feeling, yet also very calming. My life is very blessed. I have a wonderful family and support system, I have great people surrounding me on a daily basis and I get to spend time with some absolutely fantastic individuals. But, more than anything - those two fellas in the car in front of me are my world. I would not be the person I am if it were not for both of them. I thank God everyday that I was able to meet Jeff and we made such a fantastic little "Drewster". We made it home safe and I hugged my boys tight and we were all snoozing about 10 minutes later.

Those are a few of the random thoughts in my head as I celebrate my first Mother's Day. The rest of the day will be spent with Sybil, Mike, Jeff and Andrew. We will cook some good food, relax and spend some good family time together. Much love to Sybil for giving me my wonderful hubby and for being such a huge help to us every single day! You are a great mamaw!!

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Andrew & Boo