One Year Ago

today I was preparing for what turned out to be the longest night of my life. March 31, 2005 was Andrew's due date. After FINALLY being admitted at 4:00pm, 3/31/05, I proceeded to spend the next 19 hours preparing and waiting for the biggest and most important job I've ever had...being a Mommy. Let me tell you it was worth it all (even the shots and surgery).

It's amazing how things change in a year. I started with a tiny little baby who depended on me for everything and now I have a walking, babbling, little man who doesn't want me to hold his hand or rock him to sleep anymore. If all of this happened in one year I cannot imagine what the rest are going to bring.

Did I mention he's trying to say bear? It comes out sounding like "burr", which to some more rural folks you may equate that to beer, but let me assure you my son does not know what beer is. Right now he's trying to figure out how to open Tootsie's kennel. He's almost got it down pat. He's figured you have to pinch the plastic pieces to open the door, but he can't quite push both of them at the same time. I told you he was smart!!!

Here are some pics of Andrew then and Andrew now. Enjoy!

Andrew now

Andrew - 6 months

Andrew coming home

Andrew now

TGIF

That's right, TGIF! Even though I don't go into an actual office M-F 9-5, I do love it when the work bell sounds at 5:00pm. I know I have 2 days of time to do "Amy" things.

This weekend we're helping my brother and sister in-law move into their house. Once we get them moved all of my family (immediate that is) will live within a 4 miles radius of us. Most folks strive to move far, far, far away from their families, but I really love mine and actually don't mind spending time with them. I've got a wonderful Mother and Brother (sister in-law too!)! Welcome to the "Peak of Good Living" Chris, Lauren and Baby Colin!!!

I've still got to do birthday shopping for Andrew. I don't know why this is so... hard, but it is. What do you get a child who has everything and most of the stuff he has he doesn't play with? We've got a small fortune of toys in this house and he may play with 5% of them. I probably should give them to underprivileged children.

So here's what we've been thinking of getting him. We're taking votes/suggestions (you can post under comments). Yours is greatly appreciated.
1) Little Tykes swing set
2) Sandbox
3) Basketball goal (Little Tykes)
4) Leapfrog games
5) Swimming pool
6) Clothes
7) Wagon

Add on any you think would be good for a one year old.

I bought the pan to make his cake for his birthday. I'm having someone make the cake for his birthday party. It's rather cute if I say so myself. Here's a pic of the cake. I had monkeys added to the cake and the smash cake with have a monkey instead of a giraffe.

Let me get back to Andrew before he kills himself. Have a great weekend!

TGIF -

The Perry's

Rainy Days and Flat Tires

always get me down. Rain rain go away and please don't come back any day! I was getting in the car this morning ready to go to school after being on Spring Break last week and I couldn't figure out why the cute little dashboard lights wouldn't go off. The one in particular I'm referring to is the one that shows you if a car door is open, but this time it wasn't a door but a tire symbol. I unhook my seat belt and get out to look at the back tire and sure enough a slow leaking FLAT! Arghhh! Now I'm missing both of my classes today waiting for Imperial Towing to come and change a simple flat. My sweet little mother (bless her heart) told me that an intervention took place this morning for a reason and that's why I'm missing class and having to deal with a flat tire. Of course my imagination runs wild and thinks of bombs, gun fights, wreck, etc. Guess I need to learn to be more optimistic, eh??? On a happier note... no class and more time with Andrew who is asleep like a good boy right now.

Do your rain dance so this weather will clear up!
Staying dry,
The Perry's

Napping like a sweet little angel!

More haircut photos

My First Haircut

We took Andrew to Snip Its for his 1st Big Boy haircut. Of course Robbie and I had our minds made up he was going to act like a wild banshee, but we were so... wrong. Shame on us! Andrew was very good getting his haircut. It could be we crammed him full of animal cookies, blew bubbles, let him chew on our keys and anything else he wanted. The only time he really cried was the very end when Ms. Nita broke out the electric razor. Holy Moses that set Andrew into a tizzy. He got over it once Robbie picked him and took him to get his prize. To commemorate his haircut he got a certificate showing his bravery. You know that's going into his baby book. It's amazing how this haircut has changed the way Andrew looks. He honest to goodness no longer looks like a baby, but instead a little boy. See for yourself.

Peek-a-boo Tootsie, I see you.

Ah-choo!!!

It seems the pollen floating around has got Andrew's nose in a mess. Who'd have thought he'd have allergies to pollen?? Bless his sweet heart he's been sneezing and smearing snot all over his face today. He throws an absolute conniption fit when I wipe his nose, and I even use Puffs Plus tissues. We'll just have to drug him up with Sudafed and hope the pollen goes away soon.

We've got a big weekend planned. Andrew is going to get his first haircut. Now this can go one of two ways. 1) According to plan - haircut accomplished with minimal ruckus OR 2) Not according to plan - haircut still accomplished 30 minutes later with lots and lots of ruckus and a hair technician (you like that don't you???) who pays us NOT to come back. While I have my hopes set on #1, I have a feeling we're going to get a little more of #2, but not to the extreme. I do pray we get an angel tomorrow.
We're also supposed to go to tumble class tomorrow at The Little Gym, but with his snot issues I rescheduled for another Saturday. I know how I feel about snotty kids, therefore, I will not do that to someone else.

Off to bed I go. It's been a long day.

Enjoy the weekend!
The Perry's

Reminiscing

I was working on our website today (http://www.perry-apex.com/) and I looked at the pictures we have on the archive page. It's amazing how much my little monkey has changed over the past year.

Here are some of my favorites. Hope you enjoy!

Playdate

I'm not sure who is more excited about our playdate today with Rachel and Kirby, me or Andrew. I know Andrew has no clue what I'm talking about when I get giggly about going to see Rachel and Kirby, but he sure knows it's a good thing by my expressions. He'll smile and give his one of a kind laugh, which lets me know he's got some sort of idea. He's smart I tell you, 100% pure genius!
I've got lunch packed and ready and the camera is fully charged. Don't fret, I'll be posting pictures here and on our website.
Gotta run... I've got a diaper bag to pack and a car to load.

Love,
A&A

Winners of the Weekend

My first reference would be to the Duke Blue Devils. Way to go guys! You made the Perry family very, very proud to be displaying not one BUT two Duke flags in our yard.

Secondly would be to my boys, Andrew and Robbie. This weekend was my annual "Mom and Me" weekend in Williamsburg. Robbie was left to take care of Andrew all by himself and I swear I think he did a better job than I do. Every time I checked in they were either playing, watching basketball, or Andrew was sleeping. The big surprise for weekend... Robbie finished Andrew's bathroom for me. What a complete surprise! Hands down I'll have to give Robbie and Andrew the "Winner of the Weekend" award.

Talk about nice weather, too! I don't think you could ask for nicer weather. I'm hoping to get outside today with Andrew and Jake. Is it possible this warm weather is here to stay? Yeah, that's what I think too... nah.

Birthdays are lurking in the air. Ah birthday time!
Happy Birthday to:
Me - March 15th
Auntie Heather - March 16th
Auntie Rachel - March 28th
Andrew - April 1st

Enjoy the sunshine -
The Perry's

102 Degrees and Rising

Betcha can't guess what I'm referring to. If you guessed Andrew's temperature yesterday you would be correctamundo. My poor little mokey has been battling the funk, and yesterday was the icing on the cake. He wasn't acting cranky or pulling his ear (thankfully), but he was sleepy and hot to the touch. I gave him Tylenol and that seemed to be working. Last night Robbie was holding him and noticed the heat coming off his body through his clothes. We get home and sure enough, 102.6. Holy cow! For those of your wondering, it was a paci thermometer and not a rectal temp. Trying to get a rectal temp. would be like trying to train a wild animal. Impossible! Andrew probably slept a total of 4-5 hours yesterday and was ready to crash by 8:30pm. Scream, scream... what's that I hear??? Hark, it's Andrew hollering at 1:45 a.m. Robbie and I go into his room to check out the situation and Andrew is BURNING up. We take his sleeper off and put him in a thin onesie hoping to cool him off. Meanwhile, I've got the thermometer under his arm and homeslice is NO JOKE... he's got a fever of 103.8. Now I know there is a 1 degree plus or minus on an underarm temp., but you do the math. Either way my poor snooky is hot and has a right to be screaming. Usually Andrew likes to be free and not held, but last night he cuddled in my arms and let me rock him back to sleep. That's a sick baby for ya.
Robbie called the nurse at Apex Peds. and they wanted to see him since he had a temp. Fortunately he doesn't have an ear infection, his lungs are clear (they could have asked me that... I've heard him hollering every morning), and they believe he has a viral issue. It seems half of Wake county has high fevers b/c they've all been seen this week. The doctor called for rest, fluids, and Tylenol or Motrin. Check, check, and double check. Wish us luck!

Hopefully the warm weather this weekend will cure whatever Andrew has. Pull for the Blue Devils. They sure need it!

Until next time,
The Perry's

3:30 a.m.

is really FREAKIN' early! This is the time Andrew has decided to wake up and scream ( for a minimum of 30 min.) for the past week and now it looks as if he's going to start this week the same way. What in the world has gotten into him? Robbie checked on him this morning and he was still lying on his side and his eyes were shut. If he's having a nightmare I do wish he'd quickly forget what it is b/c it's disturbing the whole house. We finally caved in and gave him a small bottle (4 oz.). I know, I know, don't start a habit I don't intend on keeping or wanting, but I wanted more sleep and Andrew wasn't going down without it. As soon as I gave him the bottle he put it in his mouth and shut his eyes. Talk about magic! He's still asleep in his room, which is where I should be, but Jake is here and I had to be ready for him.

Speaking of Jake... HE HAS GROWN! Holy schmoly! I haven't seen him in 2 weeks and I promise you he is almost as big as Andrew. He's sleeping right now too b/c he got up early for his mommy and now he's tuckered out. I love sleeping babies! Jake's daddy was away with his job for 3 weeks and he got a BIG surprise when he came home. I know it broke his heart to realize his little man had grown so... much in his absence. It's true babies do grow up so... fast.

Andrew's b-day is quickly approaching. We've got 25 days until his 1st b-day. So much to do and too little time to do it. Robbie and I still aren't sure what to get him. He needs NOT ONE TOY! We already have Toys R Us in this house. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Well let me map out a schedule for today. I'm trying desperately to get back to my old running schedule, which is proving to be extremely hard. We bought a "nice" jogging stroller and Andrew hates it. Figures since he hates his normal stroller. Hopefully the neighbors will learn to tune his screaming out as I run through the 'hood. I'm sick of the treadmill and the videos are getting old. Wish me luck!

Ta ta for now,
The Perry's

Countdown is on

Until Andrew turns the big O-N-E! Today my boy hit 11 months. I find myself saying every day, "I can't believe he'll be a year old next month!" People always tell you the days seem long, but the years seem short. These "people" are right on the money. Where did my baby's first year go? Pause. I can account for the first three months... they were spent screaming in agony and pain. Got those, but where did the other 8 and soon to be 9 months go? I've enjoyed every day of watching my little monkey grow into a cute and loveable little man. He's brought joy to my life that I didn't even know existed, which brings me to say, "God is SO... Good!" He knew exactly what he was doing when he created life. Many thanks to HIM for giving me Andrew. I know I speak for Robbie as well.

We've got big plans for our little guy. I'm excited I've been given the honor of watching him grow into a fine person. Hopefully I'll be able to share these milestones with all of you. In the meantime I've got to get his 1st birthday party in order. Robbie thinks I'm going overboard, but you mothers out there know there is NO such thing as going overboard when it comes to your little ones. You'll move Heaven & Earth to ensure the happiness of your child. Andrew may not totally understand the pomp and circumstance of his 1st birthday party, but at least I will and I can rest better knowing I went "all out" for him.

We're fine tuning the walking. He likes to get up and go more often and leaves the crawling for when he's tired or really wants to get somewhere fast. I'm sure by his 1st b-day he'll be really motoring. This could be a good or a bad thing. Depends on how you look at it. I choose to be positive about it. This means my right arm and back will no longer grow tired within 2 min. of carrying him around. Twenty plus pounds is a lot to haul when you're my size. I can already feel the muscles relaxing. WOOHOO!

Let me get back to my multi-tasking. I've got wallpaper to strip (arghhh), toys to clean up, dishes to wash, a shower to take, and homework to do. Have a great day ya'll!

T-minus 30 days and counting!