All Worth It

 

One night as I walked down the stairs in the middle of the night I simply wondered when I would ever get sleep. Now, I have never slept well, but 13 weeks of waking up two to three times a night for extended periods of times is sure hard! It's funny because moms across the world are doing the same thing. It's just normal to us.

Walker turned three months old this week! Time flies, yet time is forever. He's doing great and learning new things each day. I notice that almost weekly on the dot there is something very new. This week he laughs out loud as well as he makes angry noises, not crying, just mad talking when he is annoyed. I'm sure he is annoyed with me a lot! The doctor said his legs were so strong as if trying to stand like a five month old! He weighs 12.5 and is 24 inches long. I bet he will be very tall! He gets bored easily which so do Nick and I... uh oh. He isn't "chill" like I hear so many moms about their babies. Nope, he likes to be in on the action! He hates naps and fights with a passion. Even on our walks he wants to stay awake and hates when his eyes start to fall closed. I love to dress him like his my little doll... which, I know I know, will go away all too soon when he starts to have his way and wear what he wants! Even Nick hates when I dress him in certain things... like polos with pink in them! I love it! I've just always loved clothes, maybe not style, but clothes in general! My mother and I had a blast shopping. I know he won't want to shop with me because he's a boy blah blah, but it's fun right now!!! And Nick won't admit it, but he likes shopping sometimes and he is actually pretty good about picking out good looking attire.

Halloween is upon us and the weather is changing. It is so nice right now. Perfect since I hate to be cold. I just cannot wait to drag the space heater down the stairs for my feedings in the middle of the night.... Halloween for me means starting to Christmas shop which is so much fun! Dad was telling me a few things they went to get that Brenda needed at Bed, Bath and Beyond and my first thought was, oh man, those would have been great Christmas gifts for her! So I must start the lists for others!!! I hear my nieces are just too old for toys (9 and 6) ha... so the oldest still atleast likes Legos! She's way too cool for Dora and Hello Kitty like I bought her seemingly just yesterday. They really all do grow so fast. I'm so excited to watch Walker in every stage. It is definitely hard, but it's all worth it. Everyone says that... but, it's true.

Another thing most moms know about are hospital bills... unless you have a water birth in your pool... well, here I go to pay another one... We have great insurance, but it doesn't stop that random bill for a pediatrician that when I call they tell me she was the doc on call and I owe like $250 for the lady walking in to check on him for five minutes the next day. Ahhh so moms never regain the sleep chip nor do they regain the zeroes behind numbers in the checking account... and moms across the world smile knowing this and thanking those that raised them with more and more appreciation each day! I'm only me because my mom and dad were and are the best people and the best parents. Dad is 61 and I'm sure wakes up in the middle of the night and wonders how his baby girl is doing and Lord knows I've taken away a few of those zeroes through the years! And guess what, it's all worth it!

Visit Our World

 

We never get tired of visitors. We landed from West Texas on Tuesday and had one day to get ready for my stepbrother and his wife on Thursday. I was so excited to get to host Steven and Ashley in Las Vegas. They have never been here and it was there 10 year anniversary! Walker and I picked them up at the airport and we came back to the house to hang out. They had a good time getting to know one another! Disclaimer: The Corn Family have three children! My lovely nieces Rylie and Saige, and my nephew Rex. I cannot wait for Walker to get to grow up with them no matter the distance! We took them to our favorite place, Lakes Lounge and then to TJ's for dessert!

 

 

Friday we woke up and shopped a little before going down to the Strip. My friend, Anna was staying with us that night so I picked her up and we all drove by the famous pawn shop in town. I dropped Steven and Ashley off so they could have a day to themselves for their anniversary celebration. Anna, Nick and I all went to eat at Hash House! Walker went, too, but he isn't big enough for their chicken pot pie quite yet! We were so full!!! We went across the street at hung out at the Tullocks. The kids were getting baptized that weekend as well as family was in town to spread ashes of loved ones so they had a bunch of people over. Anna, Nick, Walker and I joined the party and hung out. Our neighbors are all such very special people. We are very blessed. After that, we decided to get in the hot tub for a bit just for fun. We don't use our hot tub enough, that's for sure!

 

 

 

Saturday everyone got ready for football!!! The Texas Tech game was really early so the boys all played on the back porch watching the game. The girls just sort of hung out with Walker! I was so sad to see Steven and Ashley leave. We had such a nice time with them. They are just genuine, amazing people. They are such great role models as parents and spouses. I am truly blessed to call them family. They were excited to get back to their own kids. I told them they could take Dubby until he sleeps through the night!!! Anna got to hang out a few more hours before she flew back.

 

Whew, we were exhausted! We had such a great time with all of our guests!

A West Texas Walker Visit

Walker went on his first real trip last week... and we all loved every minute! We headed to Texas on Thursday. The plane ride wasn't that bad as W cried a little, but overall did a great job! We rented a car and drove up to Lubbock on Friday for a weekend of football, friends and fun.

 

First flight

 We first stopped in O'Donnell to see Jodi at her school for a few minutes. W slept through the visit so he didn't entertain her much! Then we hit Lubbock and went to a boutique to meet Jana, Andrea and Shyloh. It was so good to catch up with all of them!

Andrea and Dubby

Shyloh and Dubs

We had to have some authentic Lubbock food so we headed to Chimy's where we met Karen, Sean and Guinnie along with my cousin, Sara.  

Walker and Guinevere meet for the first time

The kids just had to see where we all graduated as Red Raiders so we took a trip to the campus!!! It has really grown so it was neat to see all of the new things.

 

 

 

After all of this excitement we headed over to the hotel where we were staying and to meet Brandon and Sara with their girls at Rosa's for more authentic Lubbock food! The girls are so adorable and had fun with the babies.  We went to their house afterwards where the girls had a dance party for us. We stayed in a hotel room with Karen, Sean and G who is 10 months old. The babies did really well together. I was scared Walker would be crazy, but I always got to him before he started to cry. It was like a huge slumber party. 

The Texas Tech game was a blast! We met Chandra and Michael to go to Ashley's little tailgate. I was so excited for Walker to meet my lifelong best friend! He laughed and talked to her! The first part of the game wasn't as fun because it was just hot. W was mad, I was mad... so we all decided to go to the other side of the stadium in the shade up high. Best decision as the kids calmed down and we could just enjoy the game. We won by a lot so that was fun, too! 

Chandra

W, Ashley, Chandra

G, Karen, Jules

Nick, Anna, Me

Julie, W, Brandon, Kendall

After the game we all went to One Guy from Italy and had some calzones! We told the guys to go out, but they decided to just make themselves at home in the lobby! Karen and I just hung out in the room with the kiddos then I took W when he was asleep out to the lobby with the boys! We also asked Karen and Sean to be godparents to our Walker. They are very special people in our lives. We are godparents to Guinevere. They are just pure, genuine nice folks. No matter the distance, we stay so close in heart. I pray we can each guide one another's kids in a daily walk with Christ.

Daddy makes him ghetto

Guinnie and her godmother

 

On our way to Midland to visit my parents we stopped in Lamesa to see the family. This was my little slice of Heaven. My most favorite people in the world! It was so wonderful that Walker got to meet all of them. They passed him around... they didn't care much about us, just him! We enjoyed so much the short visit just laughing and talking. Family is so important to me. 

 

Sara, Vanala, Molly, Robin

Jodi

Donna, D'Layna and Dubs

Donna and Vanala

D'Layna, Julie, Dubby

We finally got to Midland and W got to hang out with Papa Mark and NeNe! He is more fun and smiles a lot more so it was fun to see him interact with them. I can't wait until Dad can tell him stories he makes up and just enjoy him more. I have so many fun memories of my Dad growing up. I also have great memories of my Grandaddy and get excited they can have those memories. Grandaddy and I would take walks and just talks, or he would read to me... or I remember playing in his garden with the tomatoes and him. Brenda had such a nice time laughing with him and having quality time. They are going to have a blast as he grows up! She is such an angel and I'm so glad he will have her.

Dad, Nick and I with W took a trip to Big Spring to visit everyone Monday. We stopped by the Stewarts and they got to meet their newest "family" member. Walker had a blast with Grammy, Aunt Stephanie and Papa Howard. 

Stephanie and Walker

 

We went to lunch then headed to the spring! The spring of Big Spring is pretty sad, but Nick wanted to see it. It was very muddy and dirty. We went to my old street, Cecilia, where I grew up and got to see some of the neighbors. We stopped at Joe and Frankie's then Jessica and Ben came over. I haven't seen the inside of my house since Dad and Brenda moved out of it a few years ago. I would love to see it, but also I love the memories in my mind of how it was. Such a special place to me. Lastly we took a drive up on Scenic Mountain so Nick could see the town. Big Spring holds a very special place in my heart. 

 

Jessica and W

Mrs. Nutting, one of my best guy friend, Blair's mom and a lovely family friend wanted to teach me to bake pies as a belated wedding gift. She and her husband were already having my family over for dinner so we decided to learn to bake a few pies! She taught me the art of the apple and chocolate pie. We had a nice time while I learned! I got to learn little secrets of baking! It was so neat! I truly enjoyed it. The family then joined us for dinner. The spread was beautiful and everyone had a great time just hanging out and enjoying one another. 

Mrs. Nutting

 

 It was now almost Tuesday, a day to leave... I wanted to hold on tight to the house and just not let go. I had such a good time and wanted to be with family and friends in West Texas! We knew it was time to get back as we had Steven and Ashley arriving in town that week. Dubby got dressed up in his new boots from Grammy Vicki and dressed in his Texas garb. He did really well with each person he met. He was never freaked out and laughed/talked to all of them! I think we all had an eventful, great time! He will be a good little traveler! Nick and I love our trips to West Texas, especially when we get to feel the air of Lubbock and just absorb being a proud Tech Alumni. My slice of Heaven as I said is always being with loved ones. We return to Texas around Christmas and count down the days! We love our land and our friends in this land, but nothing can take the place of our roots in our hearts. Walker will grow roots that extend across the states. We are blessed with such a special life.

I feel ya, I feel ya. It's hard to leave.