Wordless Wednesday

Weekend Tryout

I haven't been able to blog yet this week so I haven't updated on Russ' tryout. I keep calling these "Russ' tryouts", but they are really our tryouts. Russ wouldn't get the job if the congregation didn't like me...though Chloe makes everyone smile and I'm usually holding her. Makes it easy for me.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. We drove to a congregation a couple of hours away to meet with them about the open preacher position. We loved it! We think it went really well and the elders said they would have an answer for us soon. They have about 100 members which is the size that we wanted, 2 elders and 5 deacons. A couple of the deacons were gone and the elders want their input before we are hired. The town is around 2200 people which will take some getting used to for me. They kept talking about steers and I have no idea what the difference between a steer and any other cattle is. I told them that I'm a city girl. At least I won't fall for the joke that goes "if a rooster laid an egg on the peak of a roof, which way would the egg roll?" I've heard that one. I really do think this congregation is the one for us. We got along with the members very well and we really enjoyed our visit and the feedback that I was able to hear/see was all good. We're just waiting for the call and Russ will be there with a contract for everyone to sign.

We are so excited about this job and we are really hoping to move there in the next month. I have collected a grand total of six -yes, six- boxes to pack in so far. I'll probably need a few more than that so I better get to it!

Took the Plunge

I turned in my resignation today. I am officially a stay-at-home mother. After two years working for -insert place of employment here-.... All I have to show for it is this box full of junk.....

Oh wait, that's not true. That gorgeous little girl sleeping in her swing is what I really have to show for the last two years. I am indebted to that job for making it possible to finance the treatment that led us to have our precious baby girl. My bosses were so understanding about all of my doctor appointments and now they are completely understanding about my desire to stay home with Chloe.

It was frightening driving up there to talk to my now-former boss about this, but I'm so glad I took the plunge and did it. I am now able to stay at home with the baby that we worked so hard to have. She deserves to have her momma with her.

Penny, if you are still reading my blog...I tried to see you today, but you weren't at your desk when I was there. Hopefully I'll catch you next time!

Well Baby Appointment

Chloe had her two-month check up today. She fell asleep on the way there so ended up being rudely awakened by having a rectal thermometer shoved up her hiney. Poor thing screamed like a banshee! Her weight is 10 pounds, 5 3/4 ounces which puts her in the 50th percentile. Her length is 22 1/4 inches which also puts her in the 50th percentile. Her head circumference is 37 1/2 cm and she is in the 25th percentile for that. Does that mean she has a small head??? I don't understand all of that. I'm going to google it after I post this. Dr. Freeman said that she was in the 25th percentile for weight and that she is likely overeating which is probably part of the reason she spits up so much. She said that I can't do anything about that, though. Then she had her first round of immunizations. Three shots and an oral vaccine. Poor thing was fine until the nurse started giving her the oral vaccine. She did not want to swallow! Her legs were kicking nonstop like they do and she was throwing a fit! But, it wasn't anything compared the fit she threw when she got those shots. YIKES! All I could do was laugh about it. Her face turned completely red and she started holding her breath gearing herself up for the big scream. And boy did she scream!!! After it was all over she griped for another hour. You know when a baby doesn't really cry...she just calls out to make sure you know they are mad at you. Yeah, that is what she was doing. I can't say that I blame her. Every one of the spots she got stabbed bled a little and then she had those stupid bandaids that I had to peel off of her sensitive baby skin. She has been fussy all night and has a fever from the immunizations. Poor thing. I hope she gets a good night of sleep and feels better in the morning.
Mom took this picture of us last night. I realized that we only had one picture of the three of us together so I decided that we needed to start taking more of them.

I picked this up from JCPenney a couple days ago. I'm so happy with the way it turned out. I'm not quite as disappointed with them after this, but I still probably won't go back.

Compliment? I don't think so.

This actually happened last night:

Russ: *rubs my tushy* "Mmmm...you have such a squishy tushy."

Me: "...."

Russ: *realizing what he just said* "I meant exquisite! It was word vomit. It just came out and I tried to get it back!"

Me: "Wow...thanks..."

This one's for you, Aunt Chelle!

Weekend Try-Out

Russ, Chloe Jo and I went to another state this weekend so Russ could try out at a congregation for the preacher position. We have been keeping our eyes open for a position for a while now, but didn't start seriously looking until Chloe Jo was born (for insurance purposes). So far he has tried out at two different places. One place just couldn't pay enough for me to stay home with the baby which is one of our requirements. The other place isn't really interested in hiring someone right now. They are totally dragging their feet about the whole situation. We would gladly go there if they would make a decision. Anyway, this weekend went really well and it is definitely a contender if they are interested in us. It seemed like they were. They have a few more men lined up to try out so it will still be at least a couple of weeks before we hear anything. We have another try out this weekend and we both really would like for this place to work out. We are definitely not counting out the place we went Sunday, though! Here are some pictures for your enjoyment!
This is what Chloe Jo does in the car which is nice for us...at least she did most of the way there and back. Is it just me or does this picture look more like me than Russ? I saw it on my computer after I uploaded it and just said "whoa" because I thought it looked so much like me.
Check out these gorgeous, long eyelashes. They could be on an adult and look right at home!
On the way to our destination, we stopped to see Aunt Chelle and Uncle Chris. She was wearing an adorable onesie that said "My Auntie hearts me" but she yakked on it so I had to change her before picture time. She did yak on Aunt Chelle twice in the hour we were visiting them, the little stinker!

Chloe was a big hit with the ladies...and the men at the congregation we visited. She looked so beautiful in the dress G-Jo bought her.

I'll update about our job search when new information comes in. We just keep praying and hoping something works out for us!

Touchdown!

I couldn't decide which picture to post so I posted them all for you! Chloe loves to have her arms in the air. We either say "touchdown" or "Yeah Chloe" everytime she does it. Too cute!

And More Pictures

This picture was taken in the hospital when Chloe was only 14 hours old. That sleeper doesn't fit her anymore and I had to pack it away with most of the rest of her newborn outfits. Tear.

I had her pictures taken when she was 6 weeks old. I am disappointed in the photography studio, but that is what I get for going to a chain with a coupon! I had made the appointment for 11:15 a.m. I had her fed and happy when I got there, but they had overbooked that day and she didn't get back to get her pictures done until 11:45 a.m. and by that time she was hungry and cranky. I had even put in the notes that she is a newborn so they would be aware. I guess they don't care as long as they get their money. I did give them a bad review and I probably won't be going back there anytime soon.
I felt like I could have taken those pictures. They aren't horrible, but I do think they are mediocre. Oh well...like I said, that's what I get for going to a chain with a coupon.

I am seriously irritated. I know. Big shock there. Lisa's irritated. No way. I'm having problems getting a social security card for Chloe. I was told in the hospital that I could apply for one after I got her birth certificate. I had to wait 6 weeks before applying for the birth certificate, but did do it as soon as I could and did get that in the mail. During the time I had been waiting, I put her on my insurance. My insurance can't process any of her claims until she gets a social security number. So everything is in limbo until she gets a soc. I printed the form off of the internet, but I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed before I went to the office to apply for her card. So I called them. And got a busy signal. I called again. And got a busy signal. And again. And again. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. I finally got through and they told me that a birth certificate won't work to get a soc. Sigh. So they said that insurance documentation would work. I can't get insurance documentation because she doesn't have a soc! They finally told me to get paperwork from the hospital that shows the day she was born, her name and my name....ummm....like a birth certificate? Of course, that isn't from the hospital so it doesn't count apparently. I just don't understand why everything has to be so difficult. Actually, I do. Thank you to all of you idiots out there that steal identities. Those of us who are actually honest appreciate you sooooo much!

Chloe has really started to grin and smile lately. She has been so good this week. She slept from 10:00 p.m. to 7:45 a.m. Sunday night and slept from 11:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. last night. When she woke up this morning, she just laid in her pack-n-play until I picked her up at 7:45 a.m. She normally will cry first thing and demand breakfast, but she was completely happy to just lay there and play. So cute! She definitely loves her Momma which makes me so happy. I had laid her on the floor to play yesterday and she started crying. As soon as I picked her up, she was happy again. She just wanted to be with me and was content to sit on my lap. She has decided that she is not thrilled about the bottle anymore. None of that fake nipple stuff for her anymore! I am going to pick up her professional pictures tomorrow and I have to go by the hospital to pick up the documents I need to get for her ssn.

This is what Chloe did when I took a picture of her and Daddy.

Then she cried when Daddy took a picture of her and Momma!
This is Chloe's new toy. Mr. Seahorse. He lights up and plays music. She loves him!
Here they are without the flash.

Chloe is asking to be fed so I have to go!

My Favorite Pastime....

...is taking pictures of my sweet baby! Here are a few from this past week.

Snuggling with my Munchkin.
She is starting to smile a lot more...I just can't get the really cute ones with my camera!

Lovin' my boppy and my tummy time. She scooted herself forward a tad the other day with her crazy legs!This is how I roll, yo! Her shirt says "I can't wear PINK everyday."
Momma and Chloe Jo. Lovin' our black shirts...of course they stayed black for all of 5 minutes. Just enough time to take pictures before she spit up all over the both of us.

Hello. I'm Murphy and this is my Law.

Chloe decided to wake up at 2:45 last night. Ugh. She then decided that she didn't want to go back to sleep until 4:00. I guess I spoke too soon. Though, I still feel rested from all the sleep I got a couple of nights ago. Maybe she'll do better tonight. Fingers crossed!