We were all perky and looking forward to the next night's rest because we knew that swing had already been worth every penny. Tuesday night came...little lamb just would not do! Hughes obviously had seen little lamb to much and wasn't planning on counting any sheep in this contraption! However, Hughes has taken many naps throughout the day in his new friend lamb...so I guess we won't take little lamb back.
Hughes met Aunt Diane and Apple Jerry this week! We have been telling Hughes all about his extended family. We try to tell him what to expect while hanging out with everyone in his future. For example, we have warned him that Big Daddy, Mike, Papa Sam, Ben, and Brad will probably tell him, "Don't tell your mom I let you do this!" I'm sure he will be riding in tractors, big trucks, four-wheelers, boats and so on...and I am okay with all of these activities. However, I better not hear that our sweet baby boy has not been sporting around in the race car...unless it is sitting still and just for a photo op! :) (This is your warning boys!) (The 21 car is Ben's.)
We have also told him about Aunt Carla's fried chicken and good southern cooking he will eat around Granddaddy Brown's table. He knows that MaLyn will bake the boys (Hughes and his daddy) all the brownie muffins an oven can make. Mama Jean will make him Papa Claude's famous pound cake and peanut butter cookies. He will taste the best turnip greens with cornbread and tomato gravy from Grandmother and my all time favorite chocolate gravy on special Saturday mornings from Granddaddy! (Sounds like we do nothing but eat...actually very true!) We also have told him about the McCreary death trap that he will experience when we go to visit Aunt Di and Apple Jerry at Piney Grove. We have told him about getting to run around all day without shoes riding around on his bike and coming in at dark to eat a bite of dinnertime...just to head out to the basketball court for a game of ball. You must know, anyone can be on the team good or bad...that's what makes it fun! If I can be on the team...ANYBODY can! Hughes has so many fun activities and experiences ahead of him during his visits with our families.
We also have introduced two new things this week...tummy time and bottles! Hughes raised his head a couple of times while Kent and I cheered like he was scoring his first touchdown! After a couple of tries, he just decided to lay down and chill out for a bit!
Kent gave him his first bottle yesterday! Hughes seemed to really enjoy the bottle and it didn't seem to confuse him at all. So here is a tidbit for Gran and MaLyn, next time you come stay you will be able to give Hughes a bottle! There is something about that special time of feeding a baby. You can look in their eyes, talk to them, figure out who they look like, sing lullabies, and rock them into a deep slumber!
Last night, we tried to introduce Hughes to his nursery. He has one of the nicest rooms in our house and has yet to spend any time in his bed. As you have probably already figured, the night wasn't too successful. He fell asleep on my chest on the sofa around 10:30 and stayed there until around 2:00. He seemed to be sound asleep...so I tip toed in his room and placed him in the crib. IMMEDIATELY, he started to cry. So, I fed him (thinking that was the problem) and tried to lay him down again. Now I am not saying he wasn't hungry, but I am telling you he wasn't fond of the crib after he ate. So we rocked and rocked and rocked...back sound asleep. Attempt #3 to let Hughes snooze in his plush bed...no luck. So I called in for reinforcements...daddy. I crawled in my bed, a.k.a. pallet on the floor, and daddy rocked and rocked and rocked and Hughes fell fast asleep...but, so did Kent! Around five, we tried to slip him back in the bed...no go! So we fed him...and guess what...he went down in the crib until 7:47a.m.!!! Any crib time is good time. We know that this is the beginning of many sleepless nights that won't end with infancy, toddler hood, or even teenage nights, but we are excited and can't wait for the fun times ahead!
We also have introduced two new things this week...tummy time and bottles! Hughes raised his head a couple of times while Kent and I cheered like he was scoring his first touchdown! After a couple of tries, he just decided to lay down and chill out for a bit!Kent gave him his first bottle yesterday! Hughes seemed to really enjoy the bottle and it didn't seem to confuse him at all. So here is a tidbit for Gran and MaLyn, next time you come stay you will be able to give Hughes a bottle! There is something about that special time of feeding a baby. You can look in their eyes, talk to them, figure out who they look like, sing lullabies, and rock them into a deep slumber!Last night, we tried to introduce Hughes to his nursery. He has one of the nicest rooms in our house and has yet to spend any time in his bed. As you have probably already figured, the night wasn't too successful. He fell asleep on my chest on the sofa around 10:30 and stayed there until around 2:00. He seemed to be sound asleep...so I tip toed in his room and placed him in the crib. IMMEDIATELY, he started to cry. So, I fed him (thinking that was the problem) and tried to lay him down again. Now I am not saying he wasn't hungry, but I am telling you he wasn't fond of the crib after he ate. So we rocked and rocked and rocked...back sound asleep. Attempt #3 to let Hughes snooze in his plush bed...no luck. So I called in for reinforcements...daddy. I crawled in my bed, a.k.a. pallet on the floor, and daddy rocked and rocked and rocked and Hughes fell fast asleep...but, so did Kent! Around five, we tried to slip him back in the bed...no go! So we fed him...and guess what...he went down in the crib until 7:47a.m.!!! Any crib time is good time. We know that this is the beginning of many sleepless nights that won't end with infancy, toddler hood, or even teenage nights, but we are excited and can't wait for the fun times ahead!
I look up to all Moms everywhere now that I know the super human capabilities that come along with Momhood. Where is the comic book SuperMom? Lately, I have been comforted taking care of another life. My whole life I have enjoyed and needed to be needed. Hence, my career choice, a first grade teacher, is very demanding in the needs department. Wiping noses, band aids for boo boos, shoe strings tied, teaching little ones to enjoy reading, encouraging six year olds to take less that 30 minutes in the restroom, and so much more. Then I married Kent. He needs me also. Allow him a little Kent time every now and then, hugs and kisses to let him know I care, keep clean boxers in his drawer, warm freezer dinners at night for nutrition:), and hopefully I do much more for him. Now Hughes has come into our life. He needs me for snuggling, changing those wet and dirty diapers, baths every other day, feeding him eight meals a day (at least), playing classical music during play time, and hugs and kisses to last an eternity. My cup runneth over and I am so thankful. I have always thought I was meant for 'something more' and maybe that 'something more' is our growing family. People have always said, "What I would do to go back to high school." or "I would love to live college all over again." I haven't been through any season in life that I would want to relive. Maybe this is the season that I have always been looking for? All I do know is that being a wife and mom has trumped every other experience thus far. So bring on the packed three hour stretches, loads of laundry, tears of joy, tears of pain, and all the hugs and kisses I can give out! 
Kent and I are a very predictable family. If it ain't broke don't fix it. We are a very routine kind of couple. During the school year, I can tell you every step that I take to get ready in the mornings. I hit snooze WAY too many times. After about 6 snooze slaps, I roll out of the bed. Turn the light on. Turn the shower on so the temp will be to my liking. Use the restroom. Grab a towel and wash cloth. Plug in the hair dryer and curling iron, straightener, or rollers...whatever I am feeling that day. Jump in the shower. Hop out. Throw on the housecoat (aka bath robe...Kent makes fun of my housecoat term. He said it makes me sound like a grandmother!). Anyway, the point is I have a defined routine in the mornings...and that is just the first 45 minutes of my day! However, I have a feeling my 'routine' will be topsy turvy as soon as we start going back to school. My old routine will be thrown out and a new one will be put into place to make sure that Hughes needs are met.
