A Day in the Life

Honestly nothing too exciting is going on other than trying to figure out how to make our sweet little Jackson stop crying! We think he has colic. Based on what we've read, he has all of the symptoms. So we have been trying any and all suggestions (within reason) in hopes of soothing his pain...lots of patting, turning him on his back, turning him on his stomach, gas drops, gripe water, warm wash cloth in baby oil, massages, laying him on my chest, laying him on Jeremy's chest, bouncing him up and down.... Last night he pretty much cried for two hours before we finally got him settled down. I'm just so thankful that Jeremy is willing to help me out. All of that crying can make you go crazy! Plus it's just so hard to see your sweet little baby in pain. Last night we were the most successful with having him sleep on his stomach on Jeremy's chest.  We will see how it goes tonight. Each day is a new adventure...the little king likes to keep us on our toes!

I've started back walking. The weather has been pretty nice here the last couple of days. I'm up to about two miles and Jackson really likes the ride. I think he likes the bouncing in the stroller, the sights and sounds, and fresh air. It's great for both of us. Plus we have such awesome neighbors! I always run into someone who stops to chat and who wants to see the baby. They usually invite us in for a bit. So today me and Jackson chatted with Bobby and Maxine and they gave their suggestions about colic...lots of burping! I agree!

In other news, tomorrow is a big day in the Isley house. Jackson goes back to the dermatologist to get a final check up. We've been praying for only good news. I really think everything will be fine, but prayer never hurts! Then Thumper is going to the vet! YIKES!!!! I'm feeling really sorry for the little guy. He's staying over night and getting fixed in the morning. They say he should be back to his old self in three or four days! I really hope so. He's been hanging out inside today before walking the green mile.

Other than that we are starting to work on our yard. We are having someone come and spray next week. All of our neighbors have it done and their yards look great.  After we get it sprayed we are going to plant some seed. Hopefully our yard won't be the eye sore on the block!

I thought I'd post some of our pictures we had taken back when I was pregnant. Just for fun. It's hard to believe that was just six weeks ago!

 It's a good thing Lianna sent us this jersey before Manning stopped playing for the colts!

Isn't he so sweet! Anyone know any other colic remedies?!

Sacrificial Love

I have the best husband! Yesterday was a bit of a rough day with baby JAI, so when Jeremy got home he took the baby and I went to the store to get out of the house. (I never thought going to the grocery store would be a welcomed event.) Anyway, when I got home Jeremy had picked up the front room and organized my stuff on the coffee table, then he made dinner and cleaned up the kitchen. Then the best thing of all...he took all of the night shifts so I could sleep from 9pm-6am! It was the best gift ever! I just hope he can make it through the work day today. He said last night wasn't too bad... thanks to the suggestion of a friend, we've started using gas drops at every feeding. JAI's poor little tummy hurts a lot, so that results in lots of crying. Last night we started using the drops and Jeremy said it was better. Here's how I found them this morning...too cute!

 

Sacrificial love is self-sacrifice with the pure motivation to alleviate the suffering of others.

Mission accomplished! 

5 Weeks!

I can't believe that Jackson is 5 weeks today! The time is really flying by-in one big blur! Jeremy and I are trying to take turns at night to take care of him so that we can get a little bit of continuous sleep. We are definitely trying to enjoy the snuggle time with baby JAI, but sometimes it's rough when it's 4:00 in the morning. Here are a few of Baby JAI's tricks: pooping, peeing through lots of clothes and on his dad, tooting, burping, trying to hold up his head, crying whenever his parents do something other than hold him, looking around, and making some cute little cooing and sighing sounds! He really is super cute, and every day I thank God for our miracle boy!

I think he looks like his daddy. We found some baby pictures of Jeremy at around the same age, and they were both born with a lot of hair!

Here are a few of Jackson's first experiences during his five weeks of life in the cold, hard world outside the womb:                   

  

First walk

 

   First Bath        

                                  

 

First trip home

 

   

First hug from Grandma Jean

 

 

Snuggle time with Daddy

                             

First time at the Dr.

   

Meeting Grandpa Isley 

 

 

    First Photo Shoot

There are so many other things that he has been exposed to! It really makes me realize how much he is learning and my eyes are being opened to things that I've taken for granted. I think God has taught me so much through my pregnancy and these first five weeks! The theme I'm picking up on the most is the importance of trusting God. I like to be in control. I want to be in control. But I am not in control. I have to trust that God loves my boy more than I do. That is so hard to believe, but it's true. I'm constantly worrying about our sweet little guy, but why? I just need to sit back, pray daily, and trust in the creator God.

On a side note, I've also been learning that when the baby sleeps, I better sleep. And when the baby sleeps, I better shower and go potty. If not, I may not get another chance!

Well I hear the little king beckoning! It's a hard-knock life!

My Smokey Valentine

DISCLAIMER: Before anyone reads the following story and thinks to themselves "man, Jeremy sure is El Cheapo!!!," y'all need to know that Rachel and I are trying to follow a very strict budget.

I proudly admit that I treated my beautiful wife to a great Valentine's Day dinner at the iHop across from the Texas Tech campus...using a gift card that was given to Rachel as a Christmas gift. I suppose that technically means Rachel treated ME to a great Valentine's dinner at the Tech iHop. To take the level of "El Cheapo" up a notch, the Big Steak Omelette that we split turned out to be a very tasty choice and we were very satisfied to top off the pancakes that came on the side.

To top off this "stack of pancakes" of a story, the whole iHop experience was memorable. When we first walked in, a complete stranger asked about "which number of child" this made for us. We gladly said it was our first, and that we were due in the morning! Shortly after that, one of the servers took our name and began to clear a table for us. As the table was being cleared, another family walked in, and the manager took their name and promptly gave them our freshly cleared table as we sat in the waiting area! I looked at Rachel with a look that took place somewhere between "what the heck just happened?" and "I think I might hurt someone if I don't eat something very soon!" When the same manager tried to take our name again, my wife politely told her that we had actually been in line for the table she just gave away. After getting the biggest "skunk eye" from this woman ever, the first waitor came back and promptly seated us in the secluded and empty back section. I guess it worked out alright after all.

This Valentine's Day literally marks the last night we will spend together as a single married couple. Tomorrow morning at 7:30am, our boy is to be pulled out of my wife's stomach by the two best doctors in West Texas. Rachel and I have a healthy helping of excitement accompanied with a small side of nervousness as we are trying to enjoy our "last hurrah" before we officially become parents for the rest of our lives!

Rachel and I thought it would be nice to spend the night in a hotel to really enjoy our last evening together. Once we got up to our room, we walked into a room that smelled like the local bar with all the cigarette smoke that was infused to the drapery and bedding! This was one of those husband moments where the wife says, "well, it's up to you if we go ask for a new room," but it really means "there is no way I am staying in this room, so you need to read into this statement and have us ask for another room." So we did. There was no way that my Valentine wanted to become a "smokey" Valentine.

We were finally settled in our (second) room and THE FIRE ALARM GOES OFF!!! "Are you kidding me?"

In a mad dash...or really as fast as a pregnant woman at 9 1/2 months will move...Rachel and I nabbed up all of our valuables and went on a hunt for the stairs. "Luckily" we were moved up to the sixth floor after originally being placed on the smokey third floor. Maybe the smokey room was an omen.

Half of the hotel guests poked their heads out of their doors to see if it was the real thing, and the other half we met outside in the 54 degree weather because we took it seriously. Rachel and I went straight to the car and headed to Hastings. On the way down the road, I remembered that I had my fancy Peyton Manning Superbowl jersey up in the room...right next to my son's first Peyton Manning football jersey. I said, "I'm gonna be pissed if the hotel burns down."

So here we sit in Hastings, drinking Rasberry cream soda, reading about C-sections, and blogging about our night. Rachel just said to me..." I smell cigarette smoke..."

Happy Valentine's Day


UPDATE: We made it back to the hotel alright. It did not burn down. My Manning jerseys are still safe and sound. However, the main elevators were not operating when we got back to the lobby. My pregnant wife ALMOST had to walk up six flights, but the maintenance elevator actually still worked. We got to see the guts of the hotel...and hotels are dirty.

Lots of Projects!

I'm finally trying to get back into the swing of posting once a week. It's amazing how fast the days are flying by while we are trying to live life and get ready for our new addition! So this beautiful, sunny morning good ol' Thump and I are just chillin' around the house drinking coffee (for me) and taking care of our domestic administrative duties.

Here are a few pics of the on going projects at the Isley abode:

 

This is the start of the tree Jeremy is working on. He's still doing the taping. The crib will go on the wall where the boy is hanging from one of the limbs- like he could fall into the crib. Jeremy's dad is in the process of making the crib from red oak. He enjoys working with wood and wanted to do something special for his grandson! I'm really excited about it! We saw some of what he is doing, and it looks great! 

Below is a picture of one of the nursery rhymes that we have framed and put on the wall. It took a lot of time to find a nursery rhyme book that wasn't pink and purple! I wanted to use nursery rhymes in the baby room after I taught last year and realized how many young children have never heard them! I couldn't believe it! So here is one of my favorites:

 

 As we do more updating, I'll add pictures! I guess we need to get on it, only 6 1/2 weeks left!

We are also, finally, getting the master bathroom finished! We started it over the Christmas break, but have yet to complete it. Right now the shower is finished, the counter top is good to go, and the walls have been prepared for paint (which was no small feat)! I really hope we can pull it off before the end of January! (Pictures coming soon.)

In other news, the Christmas decorations are put away! Hallelujah! It's always so fun dragging them out, but putting them up is such a drag! We thought about just leaving the Christmas tree up and using it as a holiday tree for each month...kinda like the people who never take down their Christmas lights. Luckily, we changed our mind (that's one mind- the Isley mind).

Now I'm getting ready to do some batch cooking with my good friend Ashley and her little one! I'm excited to have someone come over, hang out, and help me cook! We are aiming to make the following recipes:

Morning Glory Muffins- very hardy and great for a quick breakfast or snack.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/easy-morning-glory-muffins/detail.aspx

Apple Baked Oatmeal

2 2/3 cups old fashioned oats (not instant)
1/2 cup raisins
4 cups milk, 1%
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsp butter or margarine, melted
1/2 tbsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
2 medium apples, unpeeled and chopped

Heat oven to 350. Mix everything together and pour into a 9 x 13 pan coated with cooking spray. Bake uncovered 40 - 45 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Serve with additional milk if desired.  Cut into eight squares, wrap each in plastic wrap and place in gallon freezer bag.  To serve, unwrap plastic wrap and warm in microwave for 45 sec to 1min or until hot.  Serve with extra milk if desired.

Sweet & Sour Chicken

1 8oz can pineapple tidbits in juice

1 1/2 lbs chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces

2 cups frozen bell pepper and onion stir-fry mix

1tbsp cornstarch

2 tbsp water

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp vinegar

Drain pineapple, reserving juice.  Heat skillet over medium-high and coat with cooking spray.  Cook chicken 5 minutes or until browned.  Rinse stir fry mix, add to pan and cook 2 minutes.  Combine last four ingredients and pour into pan when chicken is almost cooked.  Bring mixture to boil and cook 3 minutes or until sauce is thickened and chicken is done.  Serve over rice.

It's always fun to try out some new food! Plus we will be loading up the freezer before baby Isley arrives! 

 

Halloweenies!

The month of October is super busy for Jeremy because of marching band (they made it to the state finals!). Sometimes it's hard to find time to do anything but sleep, eat and work. However, he managed to find some time to celebrate Halloween with me. 

Mom sent us a link for easy, Halloween desserts. We tried out the oozing eyeballs and the graveyard.  I think we could have used some red, blood-shot eye gel, but I didn't feel like buying it. Maybe once we have kids.

Then the most frighteningly delicious thing...50 cent corn dogs (halloweenies, as Jeremy says) at the Sonic! One day only, October 31st! We had to go enjoy an evening at the Sonic drive-in. Jeremy felt like he was at the fair with all of his fried-up, goodness...cheese stix, corn dogs, pickle Os, and a slush! We lived it up and then headed home to hand out candy and listen to Halloween music (thanks to Pandora Radio...we love it). We had quite a few trick or treaters and all of our candy was gone by 8:30! We had several of our students come by, and whenever Jeremy would comment on their costumes they seemed to puff up like little peacocks...so cute.  It was a really fun time (this was our first Halloween to hand out candy together since we've been married. Normally Jeremy is out of town with the band). After the candy was gone, we settled in to watch Gremlins! We can't go much scarier than that or I won't be able to sleep. Plus, what's scarier than Christmas celebrations being attacked by mutant creatures! Yikes!

October Fun

Since it's already November, I've decided we need to update the 'big happenin's' (as Laura puts it) from October. Here are a few of the fun and festive things we did to celebrate the fall!

First we went to the corn maze in Shallowater. It was really fun. They had cut the maze in the shape of 'Buddy Holly'; we thought it was really clever!

We were in an out of the maze in under 50 minutes! That even included taking some time to explore the music notes that are cut into the maze and time to enjoy the view from one of the bridges.

On a side note, we worked really well together. I felt like we were on Amazing Race (without the screaming, fighting, and cussing).  Also, before we left Jeremy made sure we had warm outer wear in case it got cold. I was giving him a hard time about being a wimp in the cold, especially seeing that he is from a cold state, but guess who ended up wearing everything he brought....ME!!! It was cold! Sometimes the men are right.

We had a great date night at the corn maze. I really recommend checking out a corn maze while they are still up through November. We also took the time to look at the little farm animals they had on site and read some of the interesting facts about the animals.




                                              



I was gonna try out the outhouse, but I just couldn't get the guts. So I held it. A very long time.