Memorial Weekend

The long weekend was a nice surprise to 2 busy weeks back and work for me, and for David it was a welcomed night without a work or football committment. David's been coaching for a few months now - this is his 5th year to coach little league football. During the past few months, we've gone through 2 ink cartridges from all the plays/playbooks he's printed over and over again. There's also no telling how many post-it notes surface on a daily basis that are covered in x's and o's! Yes, my husband LOVES football and has dedicated countless nights and 7 Saturdays to games, even driving to and from Austin twice the weekend of Amy's wedding just to be at the game with his kiddos! Harrison and I attempted to see his team take home the gold a few Saturdays ago, but that didn't exactly go as planned. My hands were full and this time, instead of busting my eyebrow open running UP the stairs like I did last year, I ran down the stairs and fell on my tailbone, almost blacking out, sweating, etc... you catch my drift... I crawled up the stairs with my cell phone and called my neighbors, who rushed over - Harrison was in the crib and I was scared I'd pass out and he'd be left there for hours. But, after some ice and an big fat Ibuprofen leftover from my postpartum days, I was able to walk again. I'm still feeling it, 2 weeks later and have a golf ball size black bruise to show for it. But, at least there was no blood or stitches this time!

So, yes, I am getting to a point... This Saturday Harrison and I finally ventured out to see David's final games. It was so much fun - and I really mean it! I guess I'm finally learning football, even after those years of cheerleading where our coach had to hold up the sign "defense" or "offense" - did I really just admit to that!!!???? Anyways, the games were CLOSE and I loved watching. It did get a little hot, so we had to save ourselves and get to AC ASAP, but it was great seeing David in action, having so much fun. Now, if Harrison decides to play tennis, we're going to be in big trouble!!!!

David and I took Harrison to the beach on Monday. We drove down to Galveston and were expecting to see a lot more damage, but they've really done a great job cleaning up and rehabilitating the city. David bought a little beach tent that was perfect for the morning - we ate lunch, stayed out of the sun, and Harrison even took a nap in there! He was hilarious in the waves, as he loved seeing them splash and anticipated their breaking. He also loved the sand.... We won't get into detail, but after snapping the "sand" picture below, turning to put the camera up, and saying "watch out for sand in his mouth," you can only imagine what happened next!!! :0 I guess I can say, at least it wasn't rocks like my girlfriend's baby ate - and they even resurfaced! It was a good time and we're definitely doing it again soon.

Now, back to the grind. I'm not even going to discuss work in this post because we are not friends right now.

Such a fun day at the beach - I'm pooped!

What? What are you laughing at?

I could eat this tail forever and be happy.

What's on the tube, Dad?

Now I've got 2 tails to gnaw on! Woo hoo!

I still LOVE my bongos!

Looks like oatmeal to me!

More, More!

I LOVE this stuff you call turkey!

More DAD!

Hey look, Mom, I'm crawling!

This is a HUGE bathtub - not so sure about it!

Waaaay too much fun! Nothing like a clean, dry diaper and napping in the nude to fit right in on the public beach!!!

I have no idea what you people are doing chasing a ball around.

Fun Weekend

We had a busy weeked playing and catching up on some zzz's. Saturday we took Harrison to the pool for the first time. It was a bit cool for him at first, even though it was 84 degrees, but after a few minutes and some Daddy rough-housing, he was having a good time. We knew it was time to go when David walked toward me while still in the pool, saying Harrison had decided to take a big gulp of water. Harrison was gagging a little and as we are exiting the pool, out came a few spoons of the sweet potatoes I had fed him 20 minutes prior! Ooops! The lifeguard that was teaching a swim lesson next to us was probably so grossed out and we didn't even look back - just gathered our belongings and jetted!

Harrison had a playdate with his buddy Brandon on Saturday afternoon. Lori Ann and I sat them next to each other and Harrison immediately "yelped" in excitement, which startled Brandon, who started crying, which startled Harrison who then started to cry, too! By the end of the play date, they were warming up to each other and we look forward to doing it again!


So curious about his new buddy Brandon!

"I love Harrison's bongos, too!"

Right before the "head dive" into the water for a big gulp!

"This is SOOO Cool!"

"What are they making me do now?"

Playing with Mom's ab ball that she's never used!

My Dad is the BEST!

....He wrestles with me all the time and I LOVE it!

One down, who knows how many more to go!

I can admit that I'm pretty proud of myself... this week wasn't as bad as I had imagined it to be. My manager ended up calling me Monday morning at 7am to postpone our first meeting until 130p, so that definitely helped contain the tears that first day. It was the nighttime that was the worst - the "mommy guilt" feeling of working was in full force every evening this week. Harrison had some rough spots associated with not eating and not wanting to nap, but after Wednesday I was able to work from home and therefore got him back on track. By Thursday night we were both getting the hang of things and I know we can do it. I think Victoria also had a huge wakeup call - she was exhausted from walking up and down the stairs all day, and was getting acclimated to working full time again. (She'd been raising her 4 yr old and had not worked full time since he was born.) I just keep telling myself - paycheck, paycheck = cute clothes for Harrison and me!!! I will actually be very excited to start getting paid again and this is one of the incentives that keeps me going! For some unknown reason, the men in my life (David and Dad) have never understood my spending habits!

Saturday morning fun with Mom and Dad (after spitting up on my pajamas).

Final Friday night cook out with the Zorns

I love my bongos - I hear mommy's favorite actor loves them too!

Goodbye MommyLand

Tomorrow I leave MommyLand behind. Even though it only exists between the hours of 8am and 3pm, I've become very fond of MommyLand - strollers every 10 yards at the park; mommies stopping to wipe the spit-up off your shoulder for you; looking like heck, but going out anyways because all the other mommies will look tired just like you; meeting mommies in the babyfood ailse to get tips on feeding, clothing, and diapering; no lines at the grocery store; no traffic; looks of "it's okay, I understand, I've been there before" when your little one pitches a fit in a store.... Oh the days of MommyLand! I meet my boss at 830 tomorrow morning to start my new position. On one hand, I am extremely excited because of my promotion, and the fact I will actually be getting up, putting on makeup and fixing my hair every day. But, on the other hand, I am soooo sad to leave Harrison. He's so much fun right now... we've finally exited the acid reflux/gastroparesis stage and entered the squealing/laughing stage. And normally, I would be groaning at a 7am alarm, but I can honestly say that the moment when I first see him is the best part of my day. He's usually flapping his hands up and down, making some kind of noise with his mouth, and smiling... who wouldn't love that wake-up call!!!?! But, as Kimmie Burkett says, I'm just going to have to "wake up each morning and put my big girl pants on!" And ofcourse, a Megan Roberts quote: "Hold your chin up high, your shoulders back, and put some pep in your step!"

With that said, this weekend was definitely bittersweet. We threw the Zorns a going away party with some other couples at a mexican restaurant on Saturday. No one really had time to get teary eyed with the 20+ kiddos in our party that were crazily running around everywhere, however I cried enough for everyone today to make up for it! It was such a blast hanging out, but I'm sure after the 95 degree heat that day, they are ready to move to Colorado. So, yes, everything was fine until 730 this morning when I opened my "going back to work" gift from Lisa.... an engraged locket keychain with two pics of Harrison in it and a letter "from Harrison" about how I shouldn't worry about him and he'll be okay and he knows I still love him, etc.... WOW! Do I even need to say that the waterworks turned on at that moment and kept sprouting all day long!!! Not to mention after I opened my beautiful mother's day gift, flowers, and ANOTHER card from Harrison about what a wonderful mother I am and how much he loves me!!! BOO HOO! I mean, seriously... even though he didn't exactly WRITE them himself, the words just melted my heart and made the day completely bittersweet.

So, tomorrow will definitely be the beginning of a new chapter in the Slye book... and even though I will probably cry all morning long, I know I'll survive, and Harrison will too.



Captions below by the one and only David Slye

I dont always drink beer but when I do, I drink...wait a second...WAITER!!

Nathan: This is great, I can put all my tequil..er milk in here.


Harrison: Aww shucks its just a lil somethin I picked up for you to remember me by.

Howdy - You been farmin long??

Thems fightin words...draw mister.

Oh great Im thirsty.

This is not the margarita I ordered.

Nathan: Is this yours? What does it do..

Harrison: You break it you buy it.

Harrison - Nathan, I dont know how to quit you!

Nathan - Check please!

The Piggy Flu

Well, the past week has been so lonely for Harrison that I finally allowed his favorite visitor today - Nathan Zorn. He squealed with joy and excitement for the first 10 minutes Nathan was here.
Fortunately, the Swine Flu (or whatever the number/letter code they are calling it - this was totally named by someone from gatech.edu) has shown itself to not be as strong as they first had thought. Several schools were closed in Houston, but many have reopened this week, at the government's recommendation. We are being told to take every precaution we can - wash hands, stay away from busy places, but I have lifted the "quarantine" on Harrison. With only 3 days - yes, I said THREE DAYS - left until I return to work, we're going to have fun, but just be safe!