All About Denise & Co.

I can take a hint...

2007-12-04T17:41:00.001-06:00

I know, I know. Nobody cares about me and Chris, just Caroline. And I've been thinking allaboutdenise isn't an appropriate name for a blog that's all about Caroline. So I've created a new blog: babycarolinesmine.blogspot.com. It's all about her.

NOTE: This blog will no longer be updated. It will be left as is for your perusal, but please check the new blog with just as much loyalty as you did with this one, and maybe a porn star named Caroline won't decide to do a website with a similar address!

Thank you so much for checking the blog. It makes me happy.

This and That

2007-11-20T18:22:00.000-06:00

Several things have happened since the last post. Caroline can say, "Mama, you are my favorite person in the world and I want to snuggle with you all day." Well, not in so many words. She has become increasingly clingy, although she still expects everyone (strangers, included) to want to hold her. We walked in Scott's Seafood the other night, for my birthday, and she went straight into some old man's arms. I didn't know what to do! Today we visited my mamaw and papaw at the nursing home in Homer, and Caroline went into the arms of almost every passerby. Thankfully, I knew most of them.

I graduated from Louisiana Tech this past Saturday! It's all over. Now I need to find a job. I was turned down for the position I interviewed for the other day. They gave it to a lady that had experience. I won't let that keep me down. I have graduation moolah! Not so much of it is left...I finally own my very own video camera (which I've wanted for years) and I have a Kitchenaid mixer in a box with my name on it somewhere in the mail. We made an overdue stop at Books-A-Million and picked up a few new things. And I bought a few Christmas presents. So, yes, it seems money can buy happiness. (I really hope no one thinks I'm serious.)

Before I post the picks, I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for you.

Caroline with her "great" Papaw Burgess. He told everyone, yes, she is beautiful, and she gets it from him!

A snapshot from the zoo today. My favorite exhibit (although the lions put on a real show today--knocking barrels over and batting them around!).

Biting the [hand] that Feeds You

2007-11-08T19:00:00.000-06:00

Last whatever day that was, maybe Tuesday the 30th, Caroline and I were at the Calhoun Middle/West Ridge Middle soccer game. She was biting my fingers when all of a sudden----a tooth popped through! I know this because her gnawing wasn't painful at first and then suddenly she scratched my finger. I took a peek in her mouth and there it was: the first real sign that Caroline was not meant to be a boobivore all her life. Thankfully, because no matter how much I love to nurse (and two weeks ago I would have told you I would do it all day), the once sweet bonding experience has turned into a "let's bite mama, look surprised when she yelps, then smile on purpose" game. Anyway, she has the cutest two teeth I've ever seen. Even though they don't completely rise from the surface. You just see the little ridges.
In other news, graduation is approaching. I'd better find my instruction sheet. I went to my last student teacher meeting today and my last day at Calhoun Middle will be this coming Tuesday-the day before my birthday. I will really miss those kids. It makes me sad to think about it. I like them a lot. And I've been having bad dreams about the job openings out there.
Time for some pictures:Caroline started throwing out gang signs the other night.

Vote for your Favorite

2007-10-27T12:32:00.000-05:00

We opted not (or rather our checkbook refused) to go out and buy a really expensive Halloween costume this year. Luckily, we have people looking out for us, supplying our options. Look for the Poll on the left and place your vote to let us know what you think she should wear on Halloween. Here are a couple of pictures of each:

Well, student teaching is almost over, which means the quarter is almost over, which means my 472 class is almost over, which means I have about seven assignments to turn in including a six-page paper, but I'M GRADUATING IN THREE WEEKS!! That's my update.

Chris is doing well, still loving West Ridge Middle, starting to coach soccer. Caroline and I will have fun going to soccer games. Their first game is against Calhoun Middle (my school), so we'll definately be there!

Anyone who knows me well knows that I don't cuss. It's very unnatural coming out of my mouth. However, and I'm serious, no one has ever made me want to cuss so bad as Caroline. She's so **** cute. I'll leave it at that.

This just in:

2007-10-18T16:36:00.000-05:00

Chris, Wesley, Sam, and Mrs. Linda have all heard Caroline say "mamamamama!" She hasn't said it for me yet.

Da-Da!

2007-10-15T16:23:00.000-05:00

Saturday night right before bed Chris said, "Denise, I know you won't believe me, but Caroline just said Dada. Very plainly." Then she did it again. So Sunday, it was "Dadadadadadadadada" all day long! She loves practicing her new word, or sound. I added a video to the side bar to prove it. You have to sneak up behind her to get anything on video.

Also, she threw up a few times this weekend, for the first time ever. Dr. Bimle thinks she's just swallowing a lot of snot and its irritating her tummy. Gross!

Caroline attended her first Tech game Saturday! As the pictures show, she was super cute as always. Aunt Karen held her ears so the cannon wouldn't bother her. Then she slept through part of the game.

Above: This is what she does after she tells a joke.

She's Everywhere, She's Everywhere!

2007-10-11T18:30:00.000-05:00

Caroline is not crawling on her hands and knees yet, but she can cover every inch of the floor in a matter of seconds! She loves moving out of her designated blanket area. I think I actually heard her singing her version of "Don't Fence Me In." She's doing really well at Mrs. Linda's, which makes me kind of jealous because that leaves me as the only person who can't get her to nap without nursing. Her daddy has that special touch, too.

She has a fascination with shoes. That is, she likes to try to eat them. Especially the ones with big clods of dirt on the bottom. She's also taken a liking to sweet potatoes, as the following pictures will show.

Sixteen WHAT?!

2007-10-04T14:29:00.000-05:00

Caroline went in for her 6 month well baby visit today. She weighs 16+ pounds! And she's perfect, says Dr. Bimle. Hey, I've said it all along, but she's the one with the medical degree! Caroline also had to have her little finger pricked. This is about the time babies start losing the iron they have stored up from birth, so some of them become a little anemic. All the numbers came back fine, though. (Oh, Chris, we need to start remembering to give her the multivitamin everyday...) Caroline got a kick out of sticking her tongue out at Dr. Bimle. She's discovered that people smile when she does that, I think. Yeah....well, we're claiming she's said her first word: "hey." Plain as day. That is the very first word she hears every morning. As soon as her eyes open, we say, "hey, baby!" So it would make since. Tomorrow night we'll start giving her some sweet potatoes.

I hate school. My school (LA Tech), not Calhoun Middle. I hate writing papers, that's all I'll say.

UPdaaate!

2007-09-29T18:13:00.000-05:00

Before I tell you what's been going on with Caroline, let's talk about me. I was born first. Be patient. I am currently student teaching under a great teacher at a great school, but man, this job is tiring. I have been working on this computer for almost 7 hours straight trying to finish my portfolio which is due Friday. This Friday. I'm just throwing all kinds of things in there, probably in the wrong places, but I don't care. I got observed Wednesday and the lady (not the teacher I'm under) said I didn't ask questions correctly. I asked the class, "Who remembers which organelle is the site for photosynthesis?" The lady said the correct answer to my question would be "I do." But the class knew what I was talking about and said, "chloroplasts." Even if a kid had said "I remember," I would have asked him to elaborate, I wouldn't have thought he was being smart-alecky. Well, I promised I would work on my questioning skills for her next visit.

Caroline is perfect. Yes, I said perfect. What? You didn't think that existed? Well, it does, and its name is Caroline. I'm adding a new video to the left, but it will take several hours to show up (google pre-screens it). She has been jabbering to her sitter and rolling everywhere she wants to go. Today, I tried to get a cute video of her, but she stops doing what I want when I start recording. She used to use a soothie pacifier that you could stick your finger into. Now she won't take it unless she gives it to herself, but she sticks her thumb in it and sucks her thumb that way. She was so cute. Chris had to come get me off the computer to see it. Oh, and she sits in the buggy when we shop now! Okay, so maybe she falls to the side a little so I have to stick my purse beside her. She swings her little feet out of the holes.

Chris is still lovin' Westridge...

Is that cleavage?

So much for getting gas

2007-09-19T21:57:00.000-05:00

I'm mainly writing this post to preserve a memory for myself. After picking Caroline up from Mrs. Linda's the other day I stopped at Jmart to get gas (I wouldn't leave Chris with an empty tank in the morning, would I?). Caroline was crying like crazy because she was ready to eat and she was strapped into her car seat. As I start pumping gas I press my face against the window to check on my girl, which I shouldn't have done because she sees me looking in and thinks I ought to be getting her out. So she cries as hard as she can...then looks at me. Then she cries as hard as she can...then looks at me. She does this a few times until I decide to look at her through the back glass. (It tears at my very heart muscle to just stand in her view doing nothing when she wants me to get her out so badly) She catches on fast and finds me in the back glass, too. I couldn't stand it. I stopped the pumping at ten dollars and rushed home where I promised Caroline she could nurse as long as she wanted to.

Then we went to the West Ridge vs. Calhoun Middle football game, of course! Caroline wore her "My Daddy is a Patriots Coach" shirt, and people loved it. I spent a little time on the CMS side, too, since I'm student teaching there. All the girls went crazy over Mrs. Cavin's baby! Now you can go crazy over this baby bootie:

And in her pretty pink polka dot dress!

Do it for Daisy

2007-09-15T13:18:00.001-05:00

This morning we made a family trip to the local animal shelter and found Daisy, our new Beagle mix. Mally had been asking for a little sister for a while now...well, not in so many words. She was so sweet from the minute we walked in. She beat the competition in bark-lessness (a trait we were looking for since we live in a neighborhood), size, demeanor, and just plum sweetness. Chris went back to get her after hitting an ATM and she rode with her head resting on his arm and her tail wagging all the way home. She looks at him with the most love I've seen in a poopy-dogg's eyes in a while. She and Mally sort of hit it off. If hitting it off means not snarling and barking at one another. It took Daisy a minute to come out of her shell while Mally kept running around her trying to play. I think Mally understood this new puppy wasn't just here for a playdate, also. Well, as for the title of this entry, I urge everyone to never pay for a pedigree dog again. There are SO many perfect pooches in the pound that need-and deserve-a good home. Our hearts were breaking as we explained to all of the other dogs that we couldn't fit ALL of them into our backyards. Did you know there were over 1300 dogs dropped off at the shelter in June alone? We were the first to adopt one this morning and already there had been 20 dogs surrendered to them. It really ticks me off that someone would have a dog or cat and have it TAKEN AWAY from them because they refuse to take care of it. People know better. These animals don't. They take the crap that their owners dish out because they don't have an option. (Excuse my language on thispreviously G-rated blog) Every one of these animals deserves to be treated better than that. So please consider giving a donation to or adopting your next pet from your local pet shelter.

Other things we're up to: Caroline is doing really well at Mrs. Linda's. She had one bad day when she refused to eat out of her Avent bottle and wouldn't take a nap. Another mom brought a Dr. Brown's bottle the next day for her to try and she guzzled it down in no time! Now she's eating and napping like a pro---at Mrs. Linda's. She's growing up way too fast.

Calhoun Middle is great. I was worried about losing my milk supply, so I went to ask Mr. Aswell, the principal, if I could pump at school. He said yes before I got the question out. I taught Friday and the lesson went really well. However, what I had planned was completely changed by seventh period. I had to reteach Atoms to these kids, and that's not one of my GLEs! Oh well. Thank the Lord I remembered the basics about atoms. Although CMS is good, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with all the assignments I have. I have to turn in a case study and my whole Portfolio in a couple of weeks and I haven't started on either one. I'm also taking another class and, after reading the syllabus, my stomach started hurting. There are so many assignments with so many components. Let's just say I might not see or talk to any of you very often in the next couple of months.

Chris is having a ball at Westridge. It's a great school and a great parish to work in. Their football team is winning games, and his classes are pretty good. They LOVE seeing pictures of Caroline. Speaking of people loving to see pictures of Caroline, I've included some for you. I think they all begin with her daddy getting her ready for church and end with her and Abby in the rocking chair.

Oh no she didn't...

2007-09-06T16:43:00.000-05:00

Yes, she did. Caroline (you know, MY daughter) took a TWO HOUR nap for Mrs. Linda today. Last week, she wouldn't leave my arms to nap for twenty minutes. That shows the power of the boob. They're like magnets. She is so distracted by the other kids at Mrs. Linda's that she forgets to fuss, too.

Anyway, my first day at Calhoun Middle...yes, Calhoun Middle, not West Monroe High was good. I really like the principal and my teacher. They originally placed me at Westridge with Chris against their own rules. When I informed them of his employment we had to scramble to find another placement and luckily, CMS took me on. They couldn't (or rather wouldn't) put me at WMHS because there were no other Tech students there. Oh well, I'm excited because I get to teach reproduction to junior high kids...

Carolines crying, gotta go!

Fine!

2007-08-31T14:07:00.000-05:00

I don't want to spoil you all with frequent posts, but my husband is bugging me to update! Update! He gets pictures off my blog to use as his background on his computer at school. The students see the background projected on the tv when he minimizes their bellringer, and he wants them to be able to see a new picture EVERYDAY! Chris, there's, like, 180 days in a school year!A new way to dispose of junk mail.

"Why am I just now wearing this awesome shirt? Because Sir Wesley and Lady Sam just brought it to me from the Georgia Aquarium in Hotlanta!"

You can tell she enjoys her new tee. Thanks Wesley and Sam!

Give me a P!

2007-08-29T19:15:00.000-05:00

P! You got your P, you got your P! Go West Ridge Middle School Patriots!
Chris' school beat Good Hope Middle (their big-time rivals) for the first time ever! Man, that new defensive backs coach really knows what he's doing! They'd better keep him! So inspired was I by their win that I made these for Caroline to wear to the games:

I don't normally take pictures of Caroline with her shirt straps hanging down (risque!), but when she came up with this idea to wish her uncle Phillip a happy birthday I had to snap a pic.

Anyway, next week Caroline starts going to a sitter and I start student teaching (although I don't know where. If they tell me early, they "have to tell everyone else, too.") But I need to know if I'll be allowed to pump at all or if I'll have boobs the size of small watermelons by sixth period. Oh well, maybe the boys will pay more attention that way. I'm just kidding! But here's what's serious: Caroline has an eye doctor apointment next Wednesday morning, and although I haven't noticed any problems as of late, we would still appreciate prayers. Other prayers that would be appreciated include those supporting our attempts to get Caroline to take naps or go to bed without the aid of nursing. Last week we were doing so good. I could wrap her up (while singing my "Wrap You Up" song) and rock her to sleep (singing my "Whose That Baby's Mama" song). Then I could gently put her in her crib and have about 30 mintues to myself...or the bills...or lunch. THIS week she refuses to take her pacifier, even when she's happy. That pacifier was crucial in the wrapping up/rocking deal. She'll fall asleep while nursing, but every move I make, no matter how small, is going to wake her. I swear she knows what I'm trying to do and she's fighting it with all 14+ pounds she has! However, her daddy was able to come home and get her to take a nap without nursing on him. She knows what I have, and I'm being used. Anyway, advice and/or encouragement is welcome. I'd be fine nursing her all day long, but next week things are going to change a lot, and I want it to be smooth sailing.

Well, before I go, I want to say goodbye to our friends Will and Jennifer who are moving to the Dallas area. They are a really cool couple that Texas is lucky to get. Remember, folks, to take advantage of the friendships you have while they still live close by. Will and Jennifer, this was Caroline's reaction when I told her you guys were leaving:

The Return of Tuttle and Bad Mothering

2007-08-24T10:01:00.000-05:00

Every time I see Tuttle I think, Will he come back? I'd like to pretend that he loves us and considers us his new home, but I figure we're just his convenience store where he refuels on kitty food on his way home from work. BUT, Caroline and I were hanging out on the couch yesterday and I saw something pass the window out of the corner of my eye. That Chloe, I think, "she's so silly," I say (because Caroline likes to hear it). So we get up I peek out the window and who do I see? Tuttle! But this time he doesn't need me. He's helping himself right on top of the kitty bowl:
(By the way, if you're wondering, we use a plastic salsa and chip dish for kitty food. TIP: Fill the chip ring with water so ants can't cross to the food. That was Chris' idea.)

Anyway, Bad Mothering? I was arranging some fake flowers into two hanging baskets and Caroline was watching. She started getting bored so I let her play with a set of the flowers. So...I didn't know that the dye from the flowers would come off all over her face and clothes, with the potential to cause some kind of skin reaction. Luckily, I got her cleaned up so fast, I didn't even have time for a picture. That's too bad-she was really cute with her first real mess.

Oh, the joys of motherhood...and the not so joyful days of stay-at-home motherhood. Don't get me wrong, I do love it most of the time, but we have our ups and downs. The downs primarily being me going crazy at the house all day watching the second hand tick away on the clock. I would continue my painting hobby or make some cards or something, but Caroline (bless her napping little heart) wants to be played with 59 of 60 seconds of every minute! I look forward to Chris coming home all day. The first couple of months I thought, It's time to nurse AGAIN! Now I think, When do we get to nurse again? I'm just one of those people who needs a job. But I desperately want to witness everything she does this fall. I got a sick feeling in my belly thinking about leaving her with a sitter (although we have a great one, I think). My heart aches thinking about it. So, yes, I do go crazy during the day, but here's what makes it ALL worth it:

For Your Viewing Pleasure

2007-08-22T12:20:00.000-05:00

The videos in the sidebar should be updated periodically! So enjoy!

Tuttle the Turtle Takes Tidbits of Taurine

2007-08-21T08:15:00.000-05:00

A while back, we backed out of our carport to find a box turtle hanging around underneath our car. Oh! How cute! We had to get out and see him. He scuttled along and we left. Chris continued to see him every now and then just hanging out with the kitties, Chloe and Oliver. So we named him Tuttle the Turtle. I hadn't seen him in a while, so I thought Tuttle had moved along to the next Soup Kitchen. But yesterday, Caroline and I walked out to water our tomato plant that will never bear fruit (we need to get him in to hear Dicky's sermon on that), and to our surprise, there stood Tuttle the Turtle! We brought him a special treat-kitty food with the amino acid taurine essential for kittywitties-and he gobbled it up. Here you go:

And to those of you who are SO glad we've "started solids," we haven't officially started solids. That runny cereal mix can hardly be considered a solid. And really, we just give her a little bit before she nurses around suppertime. I'm afraid to stop now, though, because I really think she might get mad. She wants our food SO BAD! But, Michelle, if you are around the house at "feeding time," you are more than welcome to help. Just don't put your hand inside the cage.

Here is a pic of her napping. The easiest way is to wrap her up really tight while singing a "wrap you up" song.

We are in serious need of some video on this blog. Someone tell me how to do it please, without going through photobucket...

The Return of Happiness and Faked "Firsts"

2007-08-18T18:48:00.000-05:00

We had to do it. Chris and I both NEED reliable internet access at home, so we got DSL again, which is great-we couldn't be happier!-but we have to pay for it, too. Yes, we really do need it. Chris needs it for work outside of school and I'll be needing it for my classes this fall. So lucky for you ducks, you get Caroline pictures more often!

We've all been doing wonderfully. Chris LOOOVES his new job, and everyone loves him. He's had two sets of parents request that their kid be in his class, just after meeting him, not even knowing his teaching capabilities. And I've just been hanging out with Caroline all...day...long. New babies are fun, especially Caroline (!), fun to hand over to her daddy when he gets home! No! I really do enjoy it, but I'm excited about working, too. She can be a handful and the cause of a little back pain.

Caroline is set for her first eye doctor visit on September 4th. We're going in to check to see if her little eyeballs are developing correctly. The camera flash takes her by surprise sometimes (can we say googly), but lately I haven't noticed it as much. In any case, we want to make sure every thing is okay early on. In other Caroline news: a friend recently gave us a Johnny Jumo Up that her baby has outgrown. I was skeptical at first, but it is some kind of sturdy! Check out how much she likes it.

We also gave her a little cereal recently. Partly because she shows the signs of being ready and partly because I was super jealous when our friend Natalie announced that her little cutie, Isaac, had started on it. I also wanted to see how she reacted to being spoon-fed, since she'll be getting a little bit of it from her sitter come September. She loved it! She grabbed the bowl at one point. I guess I was holding it a little too close! Here is a picture of her "first spoon feeding." Actually, it's not a true first. The camera went dead on her real first. So this is the second day.

I also said I'd never put a headband on Caroline, until I played around with one. She is the cutest thing ever. Evidence:

I want to send a shout-out to my faithful readers. Milton. Thanks!

I'm typing REALLY fast...

2007-08-07T11:14:00.000-05:00

to get this in before I lose my connection and/or Caroline starts fussing! SO many things have happened:

Caroline is now 4 months old. She weighs 14lbs and is 25 inches long! That’s the size of a six month old! She is doing great, smiling and laughing, especially in the mornings. She definately knows the difference between naps and bedtime (bedtime requires our presence, apparently). She LOVES to be told she's cute (what girl doesn't?) and that she's a silly...billy...goat! She's a master nurser, now, and can get the job done in 5 minutes sometimes. She has become really social and wants interaction during all waking hours. And she was wounded on the battlefield the other day. The Civil War battlefield in Vicksburg to be exact. Just a small scrape on the foot. I will be posting more pics, but it ain't easy on this kind of connection...

Chris and I completed our first real home improvement project yesterday, replacing a couple of warped boards on the back of the house. And I succeeded in spilling an expensive gallon of white paint on our back porch, on which Mally insisted on running and leaving white doggy prints! Luckily there was enough left to paint the boards.

Being at home all day with Caroline gave me a hankering to start a hobby, so I've been painting little things for Caroline and Abby. And I convinced Chris to listen to the last Harry Potter book with me so I could hear it in the car, and now we've gone to listening to it while eating lunch. Oh, and Chris loves his job at Westridge Middle, and I’ll be student teaching in the fall.

Whew!

2007-07-16T17:01:00.000-05:00

Chris took Caroline to the doctor Saturday and they were sent to the hospital for bloodwork. It was just a precaution. Turns out she had a little virus that caused a fever and a rash, but the fever is now gone and the rash is fading. That girl never complained (she gets that from her mama). It broke my heart not being there for her first bloodwork (since birth), but her daddy was able to comfort her as the nurse squeezed her foot to get every last extra drop of blood she had. Oh! Maybe it's a good thing I wasn't there.

...

2007-07-14T08:42:00.000-05:00

Pictures will come, I promise, but Tech's stupid server must be messed up and I can't get on the internet at home!

Caroline woke up with a fever this morning: 101.3 F

What's the deal? Several factors could contribute to her hot-headedness. She was sleeping beside me (which could raise her temp a little), she could be teething (we thought she was the other day), and she could have a little cold (which would explain the boogery nose). Let's pray it's that simple. Chris will take her to the doctor this morning. Gosh, I hope she's okay. She was still smiling at me this morning, so her demeanor's not shot. My GOODNESS she's so cute!

More Than Meets The Eye!

2007-07-05T08:19:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Chris and I had our first opportunity to go to the movies since Caroline was born. Mom, Dennis, Phillip, and Abby watched Caroline while we saw Transformers! It...was...SO...Good! Spectacular special effects, Shia Whatever-his-last-name-is, a cute little baby (that I can really appreciate now), and more! However, we were without our little girl, and I was worried about her for a second, until Phillip sent me a picture message of Abby and Caroline sweetly laying on a blanket. Thank God for technology! She had a great time and was well behaved!

Go see Transformers-there's "more than meets the eye!"

Here's What's Going On:

2007-06-30T08:42:00.001-05:00

I'm back at work for a while. It hasn't been so bad, besides the fact that I have to leave my beautiful baby girl at home with her daddy, who-I have to admit-takes good care of her. She's been taking a bottle just fine, and pumping hasn't been bad at all. It allows me a break from work every now and then. I like being at work with all the familiarity and my great coworkers, but being a stay at home mom was the ultimate job. Just a few more weeks...

We are down to a one animal household now. Mally is a backyard dog and Chloe is a front porch kitty. Chloe is in high heaven. Mally has adjusted somewhat to being an outside dog. She held a conversation loudly with the next door dog,Lucky, last night. Oliver requires a bit more attention inside now, but there is a 90% reduction in pet hair in the house.

I have to go--time to work!

Last Video for a While

2007-06-26T21:22:00.000-05:00

You may have to copy and paste. And it SO doesn't sound like me.

http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/DeniseCavin/?action=view¤t=MOV03404.flv

Watch Me, Says She

2007-06-24T16:01:00.000-05:00

Since Comcast couldn't pick up our modem, we have an extra week of internet. So, I thought I'd better post a video, because there's no way I'm wasting my time trying with dial-up! Here's Caroline after a bath one night, laughing and screaming (with joy)!

http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/DeniseCavin/?action=view&current=MOV03398.flv

We love toys!

2007-06-14T13:34:00.000-05:00

Even though Caroline's little bouncy thing said 4+ months, I put it together anyway. She's ahead of her age, right? But she was so small in it, we had to stuff a pillow in with her to keep her upright! Look how much she loved it...for about a minute!
Great News! Chris is hired at a middle school here in WM!

A Picture Presentation

2007-06-13T18:28:00.001-05:00

of our most recent events.

Caroline is saddened by the news that she will have to get her 2 month shots.

However, she behaves wonderfully and impresses the nurse. She has her wounds dressed in Charlie Brown bandages.

Mama gives her a big kiss for being such a good girl!

As a reward, Caroline goes swimming for the very first time! She's looks a little apprehensive here, but she LOVED looking at the water.

Her daddy helped her float. She was slathered with about a quarter inch of sunscreen.

Now, why is it that they can't make a hat to fit my baby's little head or a swimsuit to fit her little butt?

In other news, in an effort to save a little cash, Chris and I are getting rid of broadband internet and going with the free Tech dial-up. Most of you know what that means: too slow for frequent posting. However, I promise to do what I can to ensure no one is hospitalized due to Caroline Withdrawals. And if you don't see pictures, just remember that she is the most beautiful girl in the world. OH-praise God! We found someone to keep her when I start back to school! A lady a few miles from us keeps teacher's kids and so I contacted her and we went over to her house this morning and we LOVE her! We think Caroline will love her, too. AND, Chris has quite a few job offers now in the area, and we're leaning towards one here in WM just about 5 minutes from the house! Just look at the answered prayers!

Notice the New Look?

2007-06-06T08:37:00.000-05:00

How could you not? I'm trying it out for a while.

We had a busy day yesterday! We called all the daycares in West Monroe and asked around about home sitters. We are on several daycare waiting lists, but we really, really, really, really want-NEED-to find a home sitter. Preferably one that doesn't keep more than a couple kids. We stopped by one of the daycares (with a good reputation) and were impressed at first, until we went into the baby room. None of the babies were having any interaction with anybody, unless they were being fed, silently. During our visit, a baby started crying in a crib and Chris and I were the only ones who acknowledged it! I kept looking around and thinking, I can't put Caroline in here with all these other babies-she deserves so much better! She deserves the best, in fact, but we both have to be away from home starting this fall. I just can't deal with it...but I have to. What do I do? Look at this little girl and tell me she needs to be left alone in a daycare with those babies with vacant eyes. It's true, they all looked drugged.

Everyone keep an ear out for Wonderful Women in West Monroe who would love to keep Caroline in their home and give her the interaction and care that she needs!

Anyway, we went for her two month checkup, also. Dr. Bimle didn't sugarcoat anything. She said she was "perfect." I said, "I know." She weighs a whopping 11 lbs 6 oz (can we say, "Whoa, Nelly!") She's 23 inches loooong. Booby juice does the body good. We go for her shots Saturday. I hope her daddy's ready for that! I'll be having my eyes closed.

Finally!

2007-06-04T17:47:00.000-05:00

Blogger let me back on! I tried a million ways to trick it into letting me in and then today it just lets me through! I was going to post about the things Ive learned as a mother, but I can't remember the main thing I wanted to write about (isn't that sad?). Here's what's been going on otherwise. Caroline has just been the greatest thing Chris and I have ever been involved with. There is a section in her baby book where Chris and I can each write a letter to her, and I've been waiting to find the perfect thing to say because I want her to understand just how wonderful and perfect she is and how much I love her. But I keep thinking, "No! That's just not good enough," and the page remains empty. When she's a teenager and thinks that we don't love her, I want her to know what a ridiculous idea that is. Impossible. Those of you with kids understand, and now I see how my parents must have felt about me (because I was wonderful and perfect, too, right?). Chris and I are both home with her until I go back to the OWB for a month and we constantly exchange "She is the most enter complementary description here in the world" all day long. I don't know how I'm going to make it back at work... and finishing school in the fall... and teaching after that. She needs her mama! Anyway, she's two months old today and time is just-a-flyin' by. We go for her checkup tomorrow. Oh, and we are having a baby dedication at church in which Caroline will be the most beautiful girl on the 17th. Chris and I are promising to do all we can to bring her up in a godly way. I realized yesterday at Toys-R-Us, looking at a very provocative, fishnet stocking wearing, bling-bling advertising "my scene" doll, that our promise won't be an easy one for her generation, but it's one that we most definately want to keep.

For those few of you who still wonder how Caroline's parents are doing, we are great. Chris will not be working at Delhi Charter School next year. He was sad to go, but he is excited about finding a job closer to home, and his little girl. The prospects are looking good, so we are not worried. I am just hanging out at home these days, wondering if my pre-pregnancy clothes will ever fit again, and not doing enough about it to complain. If anybody has one of those ab rollers, or rockers, or whatever it's called, and you don't want it anymore-help me out! Okay, enough for tonight. Thanks for checking our blog, here's your reward:

It's a magic bib-it expresses her thoughts.

Her Papaw Burgess.

Rest In Pieces

2007-05-18T10:25:00.000-05:00

We haven't heard our neighbors rooster in a while...

Meanwhile, back in the Cavin household:

We think Caroline must be related to that evil monkey in Chris Griffin's closet on Family Guy. We also think she is the most beautiful thing in the world, so that kind of cancels out the mean look in her eye when she's nursing every now and then. Gosh, she can be so sweet, too!

Let me tell you about this lady named Mary Wilson. For months now we've gotten calls from this lady looking for a Lewis or something like that. We started out politely informing her that she has the wrong number. She would call, like, five times in a row. We started switching from answering and hanging up to saying "Don't call this number again!" A while back she said to me, "I don't have the wrong number, YOU have the wrong number!" (Oh, I'm sorry. I picked up the wrong number at the phone company. My bad!) She's not misdialing. She has OUR number. Now this is an oooold lady, so imagine her shaky little voice arguing with me yesterday. I answer and she asks, "Who is this?" I say, "This is Denise, and you've called here before, but you have the wrong number." So she hangs up and calls back. I just hang up on her. She calls back a third time and after hearing my voice she says, "I don't have the wrong number. THEY have the wrong number. I don't know why they would do that!" And she is MAD! I think she believes we still live in a time where an operator says "Oh, 555-5555? That's the Cavin residence, let me put you through." I just want to find out who she's trying to reach and give her their number...and then wait for a Lewis to call me cussing that I gave his crazy grandma his real number.

Now , here's "CaroLION" as Chris' little cousin Shanon says.

Oh, and I got my haircut! At least 10 inches off!

Mystery Solved

2007-05-15T18:51:00.000-05:00

While at my 6 week postpartum doctor visit today, I weighed myself with and without Caroline to determine what's been breaking my arm. Its her. She's a good 10 pounds now! Time to go up a diaper size! Here are a few new pics:

Gotta go. This kid's hungry.

Breaking News

2007-05-10T14:48:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to put a quick note in that Caroline is actually working on a 3 hour wait since the last nursing! I know some of you are excited for me. The only problem is she has to be asleep not to realize its been that long! I'll update later. I haven't got the time right now.

Ooooh, she's so sweet!

2007-05-06T18:40:00.000-05:00

That baby of mine. I love her. I gave her a bath Friday night and she did not cry at all! She just sat there the whole time and let me scrub away. Here's a picture of her after the bath. I played around with it on Photoshop and took the background out, but it won't let me post it because its not a jpeg or something.Anyway, Caroline and I went to Maddox's birthday party yesterday at the park and we had fun visiting with everybody! (I hope Maddox enjoys all his new toys!) We took her to church for the first time today. The nursery ladies said she was quiet the whole time (thank you, Lord). It was somewhat hard to leave her in there. Almost as hard as it was to leave her at home last night when Sam and I went to see In The Land Of Women ("mediocre film"). Chris and Wesley kept Caroline at home and had to give her her first breastmilk bottle. She took to it okay, but she loves her mama more (thanks again, Lord)! Here's that pic. Caroline slept well last night, allowing me to get a little more sleep for church! I hop she keeps it up. Can you believe she was a month old Friday?!

This is my Papaw Ware holding Caroline. She's so small in his arms.

Chris likes the other picture like this, where we are looking down on her, but its on his myspace so I won't put it here.

Carolines's "Target Practice"

2007-05-02T12:27:00.000-05:00

Caroline and I decided to go to Target today for a few things and she was good for a while. Then she started to get fussy and wouldn't take her pacifier, so I had to walk ninety miles an hour to get her to calm down. Of course, you can't walk ninety miles an hour through the checkout line, so I figured I would nurse her in the dressing room before we checked out. That went really well-the ladies didn't mind and we had a good, quiet nursing session. Then came the machine gun poops. And here's where I learned my lesson in patience: I wanted to change her diaper quickly and get out of there so I roll out the little disposable changing pad, get out the travel wipes, and get a new diaper ready. I asked her if she was done pooping and she didn't answer so I judged it like I judge microwave popcorn-if you haven't heard a pop in about 5 second, its done. So I undo the diaper and start wiping and she starts peeing. I wait for that to stop and just let her old diaper catch everything and then it happens. Before I can react, yellow liquid poop is SHOOTING across the dressing room floor! I can do nothing but sit there in horror. I regain my composure and start the cleanup. There is poop all over her travel wipes container and a 9 inch line of poop on the carpet. I do the best I can and hightail it out of there. Girls, watch out for the poop stain under one of the dressing room benches. Stay on the right side and you'll be safe. Next time I'll give her a few minutes to finish her business.

In other news, Caroline slept well last night in her bassinet. I changed the nighttime routine-I actually get out of bed to nurse her-and I like it better. She's growing like a little weed, she's excited about going to Maddox's birthday party Saturday, and she's still the cutest little turtle head ladybug that ever existed.

Look at that little Ethiopian belly.

Do they still do the Milk Carton thing?

2007-04-24T11:03:00.000-05:00

Chris and I were strolling along our street with Caroline and Mally yesterday, and we came across an old lady in her yard. She hollered at us to let her see the baby so we rolled into her driveway. She kept calling her "it" because her hearing wasn't so good and she couldn't hear us calling her Caroline! Anyway, she asks Chris in her little old lady voice, "You wouldn't know anyone who would want to help me get that inside, would you?" (She pointed to this huge piece of plywood she uses as a tabletop in her drape-making shop) After arguing with the lady and finally convincing her we could do it ourselves, we tie Mally to the fence, lock the wheels on the stroller, and proceed to lug that heavy thing into her house. All the while, she's talking WAY too much about kidnapping our little baby girl. You can't always trust old people, haven't you seen Dirty Dancing? So I start making excuses to leave, like I have a hungry baby who needs to be nursed (Caroline is actually crying at this point 'cause she's tired of this lady poking her in the face). We refuse payment but promise to call her if we need any custom drapes or a babysitter (she was adamant about that one) with our fingers crossed behind our backs, and we hightail it out of there. Next time out, we may need to take another route.

In other news, I think I have this kid figured out. Her clock is a little shifted where she doesn't go to sleep until after midnight. So the hours between nine and midnight, when we try to go to bed, she's wanting to cluster feed in preparation for her long morning sleep. I'll just try to shift my schedule a little until we can coax her out of hers. Here's the problem we have (and you parents will definately relate): nights would be such a breeze if you could nurse your baby to sleep, put her down, and then sleep yourselves until the next nursing. But what happens is you nurse your baby to sleep, hear the machine gun poops so you feel guilty if you don't change the diaper right away, so she wakes up. You coax her back to sleep and put her in the bassinet and she immediately awakes with horrible gassy cramps, so you pick her up, get rid of the gas, nurse her back to sleep this time and then she wakes up with hiccups. It's a never ending cycle-until you give in and let her sleep with you. (Don't act like you never did this!) We follow all the safety rules!

Anyway, here's the pics of the post:

Look how small her legs are compared to my hand!

Mom, this is for you. Look at her fingers.

Mally still gets played with, we promise.

First Well Baby Visit

2007-04-20T17:42:00.000-05:00

We went to the doctor yesterday for Caroline's first checkup! The doctor said she was in great shape and confirmed that she does indeed have a turtle head. I don't understand. I mean...we were so careful...

But really, she's healthy as a horse (not the kind you see on Animal Cops Houston). Our little baby's not so little anymore. She's gained almost a pound and grew an inch! Booby juice does the body good. Wednesday, Caroline was fussy pretty much all day and night with what we can only guess was gas. She was screaming bloody murder sometimes and the Gripewater seemed to help. So I was afraid she would be fussy for our doctor visit, but she was okay. She just wanted to nurse every five minutes, which the doc said was normal 'cause she's going through a growth spurt. Last night was great, though! It wasn't too hard to get her to sleep! Pray that keeps on going.

NEWS FOR THE DAY: Her umbilical cord stump has fallen off!!! Time for a real bath!

Here's a couple pics, including one of Abby who wanted to pose with Chloe for like 300 pictures.

Abby Meets Caroline

2007-04-19T11:59:00.000-05:00

My brother's little girl Abby was at the hospital the day Caroline was born. She decided she didn't really want to touch her (who can blame her? Caroline was crying like crazy, that hungry baby!). But they came to see us at the house this past weekend and Abby warmed up. She kept bringing us toys from the nursery to give to Caroline and kept trying to wake her up by shaking a cat toy! I can't believe how Abby has grown up, and so fast!

Just the Two of Us

2007-04-16T11:30:00.000-05:00

Chris returned to work today and left me and Caroline all by ourselves. I think we'll do okay. I've planned a girly movie fest with Legally Blonde and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. We've spent the morning making videos on our camera, so I'll see if I can post one.

Well, I tried. Jamie, I need your help. How do you post a video?

Here are some pictures anyway. Caroline disliked her second sponge bath just as much as her first. Hurry up and fall off, Cord! We also had to run to Target one day and Caroline slept in her sling the whole time! Other updates: we're pretty sure she's got her days and nights confused. She can nurse and fall dead asleep immediately after during the day, but at night you have to coax her into a deep sleep before putting her in the bassinet. We've got nursing down, though. She does a great job. She is still the most beautiful girl in the world with her little turtle head.

Our Little LadyBug

2007-04-12T16:02:00.000-05:00

Caroline is as B-utiful as ever! We went for our first stroller ride this morning and she seemed to enjoy it. She wasn't intimidated by all the doggies barking at Mally! And here's a picture of her silly smile! (No, we don't let her sleep in her boppy!)

We've reached a few milestones during her first week of life: her first holiday, her first (gassy) smiles, and most importantly, her first "machine gun" poop! It makes me laugh every time! Her daddy has been reading Dr. Seuss to her (and keeping me up) and she's on Adanced Level 2 on electronic Sudoku! Just kidding, but Chris has taken every opportunity to read to her. It's really fun to see how she's developed this past week. Her focus is getting better and she recognizes our voices. We haven't gotten any pattern at night, though. One night she would have slept straight through, the next night she kept me up the whole time making noises, and last night she wanted to nurse almost every hour. She doesn't cry about it, though. Praise God! We can't wait to see her personality develop!

We're already there.

2007-04-09T18:21:00.000-05:00

She's at that rebellious stage. I glanced over this morning to find Caroline with a mohawk. Poking her lips out with an attitude.

Everything is smoothing out here at the Cavin household. Caroline is mainly just eating and sleeping now. She's adjusting well to life at home!

Roll Out the Red Carpet!

2007-04-06T18:27:00.000-05:00

Here's our baby girl (while I have a second to post)! She was born April 4, 2007 at 3:46pm weighing in at 6lbs 6oz and 18 1/2 inches long. Yes, she is THE MOST PRECIOUS girl ever born!

Bummer.

2007-03-27T18:55:00.000-05:00

I apologize now if this post gives a negative vibe, but, that's just how I'm feelin'. I went to the doctor today and there has been basically no change in dialation or effacement...I'M SO TIRED OF WAITING!!! Only God knows when this baby ought to get here, but I'm the mother. Shouldn't I have a say so? No? Well, I guess the bright side is that I can finish out my work week (yea.) and get some more areas of my house organized before this child 'o mine arrives. Caroline has been moving around in there like she's fixin' up the place. She'd better not get too comfortable, because I'm not, and she's not staying in there forever!

It won't be long!

2007-03-20T19:00:00.000-05:00

I went to the doctor today and she feels pretty confident that I will deliver before Easter! Maybe I'll get to put Caroline in a cute little Easter dress (even if we don't get to take her anywhere)! For those of you who do not like biological discussion, STOP HERE. Dr. Sheppard said my cervix has thinned and I'm starting to dialate. What does that mean? Well, nothing. Except that I could have this baby in the next few hours or the next few weeks. (The warning was for those who feel that talking about cervixes and the like is a little too personal. It doesn't bother me!) Chris says I never update, so there it is.

And just for fun, here's Chris with Abby (my niece) when she was a couple months old a few years ago. She looks like she's imparting some wisdom! Chris thinks Caroline will look like Abby.

What's that, Sun?

2007-03-09T08:14:00.000-06:00

You're planning on rising at 4:30am!?!

Saturday morning my husband and I are startled awake by a ROOSTER. I think, "what idiot neighbor of ours has a ROOSTER in a NEIGHBORHOOD!?" I may have said it out loud, I'm not sure, it was 30 MINUTES before my alarm was scheduled to go off. So Chris gets up to let Mally out and comes back to get me because there is something, he says, I shouldn't miss-and he's right... There is a dadgum ROOSTER on OUR fence. Mally and I go to investigate:

She chases the rooster around our yard until we make her come in and the noisy bird decides to take up residence in our neighbors yard. Sunday morning, same thing, except this time the rooster starts at 5am! Later that afternoon our neighbor tells us that the guy from the corner came to pick up his rooster, and we were thankful. But what guy? What corner? Turns out, that stinkin' rooster starts crowing at about 4:30 EVERY morning and we can STILL hear it! It's a little more muffled now and we've decided that our OTHER neighbor, who lives on the corner right next to us, has the "natural alarmclock" in his greenhouse. I guess it's better than what I thought he had in there. I was sure each night I saw that building glowing green or red that we had a meth addict beside us. Everyone else thinks he's growing marijuana, but I try to tell them meth is the new thing.

In other news, Caroline is estimated to weigh about 5lbs 1oz by ultrasound this past Tuesday. She insisted on having at least one fist in front of her face the whole time so we couldn't get a good pic, BUT we did see her little girl parts again, so it's true for the third time, Michelle, we're having a girl!

Also, we took Mally to Dennis' pond the other day and she had SO MUCH FUN! She ran around so fast, bounced all over us, ate treats ('cause she's such a good girl), and thoroughly enjoyed herself! We're going to have to do that more often.

I'm liking this shower thing!

2007-02-26T09:04:00.000-06:00

Baby showers are great! I hear from Chris' Aunt Angela that showers aren't how they do it in Spain, and I have to say: I'm proud to be an American! Yes, people bringing you..uh, the baby...gifts is quite nice. I've gotten some great things from the girls at the OWB and from Chris' family this past weekend. Thanks to EVERYONE! We're really blessed to have wonderful people in our lives! Here's a shot of the bugs I made for the nursery wall. Luckily, adding bugs makes the walls appear less radioactive!

Getting Excited!

2007-02-10T15:53:00.000-06:00

I went to Natalie's baby shower today and it got me to thinking just how close we are to having this baby. Soon we'll be getting baby gifts and stocking the nursery with supplies (even though I don't know what all those are at this point)! With this baby comes a huge transition in my life: not only will I be responsible for keeping this baby alive, but I will end my seven year run at The Olde Wheat Barn. I will also be taking time off from school, so this spring will be the first time ever that I don't have school or work, since I was five, anyway. Hopefully, being a stay-at-home mom will also give me the opportunity to be the awesome wife I hoped to be when Chris and I got married. Maybe I'll learn to cook something good and be KNOWN for it!...Denise's Famous Mystery Meat...Anyway, I've got school stuff to do, and I'd better get started.

Sweet Caroline, dunt, dunt, dunt,...

2007-02-04T20:19:00.000-06:00

Good times never seemed so good...Is that how that song goes?

It's been a year since I started this blog, and I haven't updated it regularly. BUT...since we are about to have a child, and I hate talking on the phone, I plan on keeping everyone in the know about Caroline and everything else using this blog! Thank goodness for the internet!

Caroline update: We had a 4D ultrasound last Wednesday and caught a glimpse of our little girl! The pictures were distorted, however, and we still don't know who or what she looks like, but we believe she has big lips! She was poking them out and making faces when we pushed her around. She wouldn't move her little face around where we could get a good scan. The lady said she is small for her "age," so we'll have to keep an eye on that, but everything looks great otherwise. We are almost done with decorating the nursery--it all just started coming together!

I've been having heartburn like it ain't nobody's business and Chris has put on a few sympathy pounds--that's our update! I'll try to be more diligent about posting in the future!

I need to bring some Scooby Snacks...

2006-11-28T07:41:00.000-06:00

So Abby can throw them on the stage! Today my brother and I are taking his daughter Abby (2 1/2) to see the REAL Scooby Doo LIVE on Stage at the Monroe Civic Center!!! I can't wait! I just have to get through 4 1/2 hours of wooorrrkk first. I will post afterward to tell you what Scooby's like in real life!

Thanksgivings Resolution, etc

2006-11-14T09:49:00.000-06:00

I thought I'd take this opportunity to list my Thanksgiving resolutions:
I want to keep the house neat.
I want to cook more often.
I want to stop procrastinating.
I want to pray more often, 'cause the Lord knows I need it!
I want to stop worrying.
I want to do all the nice things for people that I think about doing but never actually get to.

There. Now I want to list a few of the things I'm thankful for:
I'm thankful for the opportunity to start a wonderful family.
I'm thankful that I have a job, and I feel that I have job security.
I'm thankful that I have friends and family who are great people.
I'm thankful for Chloe, Oliver, and Mally who bring me great joy.
I'm thankful that God has control and doesn't leave everything to my fickle pickle brain.

Everyone, please remember that it's NOT Chirstmas yet, and Give Thanks on this overlooked holiday! It's not just a stepping stone to Christmas that allows us to prime our stomachs.

I'll try not to let you down...

2006-09-22T09:02:00.000-05:00

again. It's just that I have not made the time to work on this blog! Right, I could've made time, but I chose other things. I think I'm back on the right path. While I don't have anything great or profound to say right now, I will just leave you with a picture of Mally, who while continuously growing in size is NOT growing in maturity. But I hear that could take a few years. Look at that muddy face!

Good Times

2006-07-31T19:53:00.000-05:00

Chris and I recently returned from a trip to Houston to visit our friends Andy & Heather. It was one of the best vacations we've ever taken! Thanks Andy & Heather (and Mike!) for letting us stay with you guys, driving us around Houston, and introducing us to Sicily's Pizza and the dinner theater. We know it was all a ploy to convince us to move to the area! We caught a few baseball games while we were in town: one great 11 inning Astros game (and we saw the roof opening!) and two little league games to watch Mike's awesome baseball playing son, Clay. We also went to a HUGE outdoor flea market and only saw, like, one tenth of it. We went to Splashtown Sunday, and it was a blast! Sunburns aren't so great, though. MOM! I'm bringing you to an Astros game!! How about September?! Here's a picture of Chris and me at the 'Stros game.

Four years!

2006-07-20T22:05:00.000-05:00

Today is our four year anniversary and Chris left me the day before! Yep, just up and went...to a coaching clinic in Baton Rouge! Four years we've been married! Here's a picture of our wedding day and a more recent one. See if you can pick out the STRESS wrinkles. Just Kidding! It's been GREAT! I love you, Chris.

Oh liver!

2006-07-14T20:58:00.000-05:00

I spend so much time talkin' 'bout Mally these days Oliver and Choe are gettin a wee bit jealous. They are, and always will be, my number one kitty-witties. They don't believe me when I say it, so I'm posting pictures so they can see for themselves. Chloe (gray) was our first. She arrived on the doorstep at Chris apartment when we were engaged (pregnant as a pregnant lady, but hiding it well) and forced Chris to feed her leftover turkey. Oliver came a few months later with crusties in his eyes and a look that we couldn't turn away. He was just a kitten, and Chloe didn't like him. But she learned to-now she loves him! They are both fat, and I love 'em that way. Chloe is sometimes affectionately called "Chloe the Hutt." Oliver is my "witta man." He's a mama's boy and Chloe's a daddy's girl, no doubt! Oliver also likes to wear capes like a Superhero. In his spare times he goes by O. Liver, saving all the bugs Chloe wants to kill. She never guesses that it's him behind the disguise. Anyway, I could go on forever about, chlosey and oviler, Closet and Olivia, Chloseyoseyosenfree and Oleyolioxenfree, but I'll do that another time....

Miscellaneous

2006-06-17T11:41:00.000-05:00

I made Wesley a Batman cookie cake for his birthday. And Mally!

Mally-bu's Most Wanted

2006-06-11T18:35:00.000-05:00

Mally is growing up so fast! When we took her to the vet she weighed a little over eight pounds, but we know she's gained some weight since then. We had to go to Petco and buy her a new collar! She can sit on command, but she knows I'm going to ask her to sit every time she sees me get a cookie, so she just goes ahead and does it! She has to put her teeth on everything, including my hair, if I let her. And she loves playing outside and finding crawfish in the mud. One picture is of Chloe with Chris, who is her daddy--not Mally's, she says! Chloe and Oliver will swat Mally so hard she flies across the floor. They're getting use to her!

Oh, Mally!

2006-06-01T22:51:00.000-05:00

She's our new baby girl! We acquired this little angel pup Tuesday night, through a friend of a friend. We were told (by the person who was told by the person giving her away at Walmart [oh, the horrible Walmart pup giveaway] that she is full blooded black lab. We're pretty sure she's a lab mix. She loves her new toys and she's so smart! We're kennel training her and she hasn't had a single accident inside yet (cue: knock on wood). I'm having trouble working on the whole dominance thing because I'm not a very firm person (muscle included), but we'll get it down! Although the picture shows her razor-sharp, menacing teeth (!), she is really quite sweet. I've never had something fall in love with me so fast! We took her to the vet this morning and she was so upset in the car. We think she probably felt like she was changing homes AGAIN, but I let her sit on the floorboard and she was better and went to sleep, snuggling my foot. Our cat Chloe has informed me that she will not be speaking to this puppy, but Oliver has gotten a little closer. He still backs away when Mally tries to play, though. They'll come around. We welcome any training advice.

My Alter Ego

2006-05-28T15:23:00.000-05:00

I hope none of you meet her. My husband did, accidentally, when he forgot to type the .blogspot in my blog address. She's nasty. Yes, yes, I should have checked to make sure no one had an "allaboutdenise" webpage before I titled my blog, and now poor innocent friends of mine may be invited to do intimate things with a DIFFERENT Denise.
Anyway, vegetarian friends: I'm not sure if you've been introduced to a vegetarian frozen dinner line called Amy's, but if you haven't, I believe it's worth your time. Amy's has my top 5 favorite frozen things in the world: Spinach Pizza Pocket, Cheese Enchilada Meal, Pesto Tortellini Bowl, Mushroom & Olive Pizza, and Spinach Pizza. An added plus is all natural ingredients. In the dishes that call for meat a nice tasty tofu is added. You can pick these up at your neighborhood Olde Wheat Barn (and some other places that I won't name because I want you to come by The Olde Wheat Barn).

And now, the feature presentation...

2006-05-24T08:56:00.000-05:00

Our home. We love it! And we notice that we do not watch nearly as much tv now that we have a little back yard. I've kicked Chris' tail in Badminton a few times, but he's definately kicked my tail in bicycling! I think Badminton is a more honorable sport, agree?! Anyway, I want to send a shout out to the new babies in blogtown!

Don't Give Up On Me, Baby...

2006-05-04T11:15:00.000-05:00

I can't remember the words to that song.... I know most of my readers have probably stopped reading my blog (there's only so many times you can read the same post), but hopefuly I'm back on track. Chris and I are buying a house and hoping to close on it by next Wednesday. If you're good, I might just post a picture later.

Help Wanted

2006-03-26T18:04:00.000-06:00

Here's the deal: Chris and I are seriously considering looking for a house to buy, but we need encouragement. We feel that buying a house is a huge step that will determine our placement for quite a while. As you know, Chris is working in Delhi and I will be commuting to Ruston for another year. The most logical location would be West Monroe. Should we go for it? It makes sense to us in many ways and we're excited, but when we get excited we usually make impulse decisions. I know a lot of prayer is needed on our part to see if this is the step we need to take, but I'd like to hear what anyone else has to say, too, good or bad.

A Big Oversized THANK YOU...

2006-03-01T08:00:00.000-06:00

...to Dr. Campbell. I made straight A's! But I'm taking Genetics next quarter, so start prayin'.

On to another subject: The Delhi Charter School softball team won their game last night thanks to the girl's natural talent and my husbands good work! Congratulations!

Later to come: some pictures from our field trip to Sci-Port!

I know it's not failure, but...AARRGH!

2006-02-24T17:23:00.000-06:00

All I needed was a 90. That's all, just a simple little 9-0! My average in Cell Biology is an 89.3! A few little tenths of a point would give me an "A" in the class, and I was in class EVERYday! Professor says at the beginning, "there is NO bonus in this class." Come on...

Back from the Big "D"

2006-02-20T20:52:00.000-06:00

Chris and I were in Dallas this weekend for the annual NNFA-SW show (National Nutritional Foods Association). We stayed on the seventeenth floor of the Adam's Mark Hotel (loved the view). Although some of the seminars were pretty good, the highlight of my trip was eating at Chaparral on the 38th floor with the big wigs of a vitamin company (they have panoramic views of the city all around). I had Chilean Sea Bass in Bouillabaisse with peppers, mussels, and scallops (delicious!) and Chris had filet mignon (the best he's ever had). We tried a new wine, Reisling, and it was really good! Then we went to the industry party where the business folks let loose. I guess they save it for the weekend! I told my bossman that if he wasn't nice to me I'd post a picture of him in his costume on my blog. Blackmail at work--its how I get by! So keep your eyes open. Chris and I tried to go to this little courtyard/park/monumenty thing outside our hotel but it was so cold we only had time for one pic before our hands froze and we ran back inside. I know my outfit doesn't match. Oh well, I have finals this week, so I should probably dedicate some time to studying, or watching tv. Bye for now!

This is EGGcellent!

2006-02-16T08:57:00.000-06:00

For those of you wanting to learn about osmosis, I've got an EGGcellent experiment for you! Soak an egg in vinegar for 48 hours, then gently wash the shell off. Put the egg in syrup for 24 hours, then in water for 24 hours and observe it all along the way! Too lazy? Here it is:

See the second egg has gotten so small because it was placed in a hypertonic solution! The water moved out into the syrup to make the concentrations the same, and in the third picture it moved back in! You may not can tell, but that third egg is HUGE!

There's your biology lesson for today!

No real title for this one...

2006-02-12T15:46:00.000-06:00

Chris and I just left a Louisiana Tech baseball game. As I was watching the game, I remembered how much I love to watch baseball, especially at Tech. The stadium is much improved and the view is terrific. Bonus-the train can toot by a few times during the game! I love it! I love the announcers and the cold bleachers. I also love how some people bring their doggies, cute golden retrievery doggies that behave so well! I want a doggy...chris...

As an aside for all you anonymous commenters (and you know who you are), comments is the option to click, not criticisms. So Dennis, my hair color has been and always will be (until gray)brunette!

Chrenise Update

2006-02-07T09:09:00.000-06:00

Hey, if Brad and Angelina have Brangelina, why can't we have Chrenise?
Here's the update on us: Chris just got through with basketball season, so he's home free by sports for the rest of the school year. He's not coaching softball this year because he's going to concentrate on perfecting his LATAP portfolio so he can become completely certified to be a GREAT teacher. It's apparent that this is where he should be. God is opening so many doors; He's actually opening french doors that lead to verandas overlooking mountains and oceans--it's that obvious. We are taking his classes to Sci-port in Shreveport later this month (I'm a chaperone!), and we get to ride the bus together all the way! Chris will actually drive the bus, but I get to yell at the kids to "SIT DOWN while the bus is moving!" In my world, school is going fine but taking too long. I found out last week that I'll be observing in a library next quarter for 100 hours! It'd better be elementary school! I am also awaiting news of "special permission" to graduate next winter, which I would love, rather than in the spring, which I would almost be willing to cut off my little toe to avoid. The Olde Wheat Barn is super busy which, hey, is good for business, but not good for the little hours I work to get things done. Our little kitty-witties are doing fine. Websters dictionary defines "fine" as "sleeping until they get hungry and eating until they get tired." I actually stole that from our friend Andy who says that about his fat rat! That's enough update for today.

Jack Prelutsky

2006-02-05T20:10:00.000-06:00

author of Scranimals

Limited Time Offer Expired

2006-02-05T19:56:00.000-06:00

I've deleted my last post. The longer I left it up, the more embarrassing it became! Hopefully soon I will have more time to post, so keep checking!

2006-01-30T20:32:00.000-06:00

How do you do this?

2006-01-30T16:27:00.000-06:00

I have no idea what I'm doing. I didn't get online to make a blog!