Treasure Island

Today I had so much fun with my little man. Ace and I went to Treasure Island. Treasure Island is a tiny water park in the big town of Sunray, Texas. It is perfect for little kids and Ace loved it. We went with Michelle and Emery and our other friends from Strollacize. Ace and I stayed in the water for at least an hour. He just splashed and splashed. Here is a short video of him having some fun in the sun and a few pics!!!! I love summer!!!!

6 months!!!!!

Wow!  Our tiny little miracle is 6 months old!  It is hard to believe.  He is growing SO fast.  I remember being scared to death the day we brought Ace home from the hospital.  Was that yesterday?  I look back at pictures from when he was born.  Is that even the same little guy?  It is amazing how he has grown and changed in 6 short months.  He can now sit.  He can roll both ways like a little pro.  He LOVES to eat.  He eats cereal, oatmeal, fruits, veggies and meat.  He is not a huge fan of the meat though.  He babbles like crazy.  He can say dadadadada!  He is starting to squeel, so funny!  He is always happy and he laughs all the time.  He even laughs at himself!  Buster and I have enjoyed these past 6 months.  We love watching him grow and learn new things.  We love loving him!  We are looking forward to all the new things he is going to learn.  Here are some pics from his 6 month shoot. LOL

Ace can roll over!

It's true!  He can roll front to back both ways.  Sandy, his sitter, said he'd done it at her house but we hadn't seen it.  Unitl today!  I put him on his tummy for some tummy time and went to take off my shoes and jewelry.  When I came back into the living room he was on his back.  He is growing so fast so soon.  Here's a video so you can see for yourself!

Yummy! Cereal!

Ace is 4 months old!  We started him on rice cereal.  He really seems to like it.  The first night we made quite a mess.  He was trying hard to figure out how to get that yummy stuff out of the spoon and in his belly.  After a couple of minutes he gave up and wanted some milk.  

The next night was a little better.  I think he actually got some down.  The look on his face was like he was surprised to be getting it down.  He even tried helping me with the spoon!  

By the third night he was an old pro and ate all the cereal I had made, a whole tablespoon! 

 After a month of cereal we can move on to vegetables!

A Bunch of Stuff

My friend Bailey did this on her blog.  I think you are supposed to tell 100 things about yourself and your life.  Bailey told 50 things.  I'm going to tell as many as I can.  Then I'm going to try and make Buster tell a bunch of stuff about him.  Here goes...(in no such order)

1.  I am almost 30!!!

2.  Buster and I have been together for almost 9 years!  We met right after high school on July 4th.  We had classes together at WT and we became friends.  A couple of years later we started dating and made it exclusive on July 4th.  3 years later he proposed on July 4th and we got married a year later on July 4th!!!!

3.  I was born in raised in Amarillo, TX.

4.  I have only lived in 5 different homes in my 29 years of living.

5.  I don't think I would be able to live in another place.  I need my family too much!

6.  I love to play sports.  I started playing basketball in 5th grade.  Aunt Mel was my coach.  I didn't know you were supposed to switch goals at the half and I scored for the other team in our first game!!!!  I played basketball up to my Jr. year in high school, a couple of years on varsity.  I played volleyball from 3rd grade to my senior year.  A couple of years ago I started playing in a women's city league for volleyball.  I still play in the winter seasons.  I started playing softball in 3rd grade I still play today, competitively. 

7.  I was a cheerleader in Kindergarten and in the 5th grade!  Ha!Ha!

8.  I LOVE to sleep.  I think I need more sleep then the average human being.

9.  I am a horrible typist.  Everyone thinks I can't spell, really I can't type.

10.  I love my job.  I am a Reading Recovery teacher.  I teach the strugglers in first grade how to read.  It is very challenging but very rewarding.

11.  I think my son is the most adorable baby, ever!  

12.  I try to sing in the shower.  I only know part of the chorus of most songs.

13.  I am proud of Buster.  He loves to sing and started his own band.  They are so good.  I secretly like the fact that they practice at our house so I can hear them every week.

14.  I wish I could go to work whenever I got up!  It would be about noon.

15.  I only keep secrets when I'm told to do so. If not, I tell everyone!  A bad habit I know.

16.  I love to take pictures.

17.  I love weddings.  I would have another one in a heartbeat.  I would have to marry myself.  I don't think I could pay Buster to have another one.

18.  I HATE to clean.  It would be so bad if you didn't have to do it over and over again.

19.  I don't deal well with death.  Sometimes I just don't deal with it at all.

20.  I miss Rod.

21.  I like to rife on the back of Buster's Harley.  Only when it is nice weather.

22.  I have a pick 4 wheeler.  I wish we had more time to ride.

23.  This summer will be the first summer in a long time that I am not going to teach summer school!!

24.  I think Jamie McMurray is hot.  That is why he is my favorite driver.

25.  I would rather watch sports live then on tv.

26.  I have a big group of friends.  I never knew how hard it would be to stay close when you all have your own lives and families.

27.  I am addicted to Toot-n-Totum Dr. Pepper.

28.  I love George Strait.  He is my all time favorite singer.  (after Buster of course)

29.  I love to read.  I have read all of the Harry Potter books and I loved them all!

30.  I am not a huge fan of going to the dentist.  I don't like metal  to touch my teeth.

I really have no clue as what else to say about me.  We'll see if Buster will post some stuff about him...

Before I was a Mom

My mom sent this poem to me in an email.  I'm not sure who the author is.  I thought it captured many of the feelings I have as a new mother.  I'm sure all the mothers out there will enjoy it.

Before I was a Mom, 

I never tripped over toys 

or forgot words to a lullaby. 

I didn't worry whether or not 

my plants were poisonous. 

I never thought about immunizations. 

Before I was a Mom, 

I had never been puked on. 

Pooped on. 

Chewed on. 

Peed on. 

I had complete control of my mind 

and my thoughts. 

I slept all night. 

Before I was a Mom, 

I never held down a screaming child 

so doctors could do tests. 

Or give shots. 

I never looked into teary eyes and cried. 

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. 

I never sat up late hours at night 

watching a baby sleep. 

Before I was a Mom, 

I never held a sleeping baby just because 

I didn't want to put him down. 

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces 

when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small 

could affect my life so much. 

I never knew that I could love someone so much. 

I never knew I would love being a Mom. 

Before I was a Mom, 

I didn't know the feeling of 

having my heart outside my body. 

I didn't know how special it could feel 

to feed a hungry baby. 

I didn't know that bond 

between a mother and her child. 

I didn't know that something so small 

could make me feel so important and happy. 

Before I was a Mom, 

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night 

every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. 

I had never known the warmth, 

the joy, 

the love, 

the heartache, 

the wonderment, 

or the satisfaction of being a Mom. 

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, 

before I was a Mom.

Busy, Busy, Busy!!!

Well it looks like I will blog about once a month.  We are so busy!!

Buster's band, The Buster Bledsoe Band, (original, I know) are playing all the time.  This weekend they will play in San Angelo and here.  Next weekend they will be in Borger.  They have booked shows up into July.  Buster loves the band and enjoys playing for anybody.  He has a blast doing it so it's all good.  I try to get out and see them when I can.  If only Buster could sing on stage and dance with me at the same time...Check them out on myspace: www.myspace.com/busterbledsoeband 

I went back to work (YUCK!) a couple of weeks ago.  I'm glad to be back with my little ones but I miss Ace everyday.  He is staying with Rita.  When everyone is well there that works out.  Softball practice has started.  Newt has us old women out there doing drills!!  Season will start in April, I think.  We play on Monday nights so that is going to be Daddy and Ace night.  Volleyball started this Monday.  We played at 9:30 and 10.  It was so late and I'm so out of shape.  It was fun.  I guess it was Buster and Ace's first of many Monday nights together.  I left them watching wrestling together!

Ace is 3 months old tomorrow (the 19th).  He weighs 13 pounds and 8 ounces.  Mickie will be doing his 3 month photos this weekend.  Look for those to come, probably next month!  I don't how but he gets more adorable everyday.  I just want to eat him up!  He laughs out loud now.  It is so sweet.  I spend most of my time with him making funny faces and sounds trying to get him to laugh.   I wish I knew what he was thinking...

We wish everyone well!  Until next time...

2 months already!

Wow!  Ace is 2 months old.  I can't believe it.  It really does seem like yesterday when I was counting down the days until he would be here.  And now, he's been here for 2 months!!!!  He has grown and changed so much.  He is now 11 pounds, 13 ounces and 24 inches long.  In his short 2 months he really has done a lot...

SLEEP:

The little man takes after his mom in the sleeping department.  He is a great sleeper.  By two to three weeks Ace was sleeping through the night.  He usually sleeps 5 to 8 consecutive hours at night!  I know, we're lucky.  He naps throughout the day and always in the car!  When he is asleep there is little you can do to wake him up.  He will sleep through anything; band practice, HOG meetings, gatherings at the house, a noisy restaurant, and even his first concert!!!  Anytime his dad holds him they BOTH go right to sleep.  What is the deal with that?

AWAKE?:

He is awake more and more everyday.  When he is awake he is quite active.  He started smiling on December 30th.  It is so fun to make him smile, too cute!  He coos and talks to us all the time.  I love to watch him try and figure out how to get the sounds out.  He loves to listen to his mom read him Dr. Seuss books.  He likes his rainforest gym.  He will lay there and kick and coo and check everything out.  He really watches his mobile when we change his diapers.  I think hi favorite thing of all is to look at the ceiling!  If there is a fan, even better.  We love watching him learn and explore this big new world.

BATH TIME:

When Ace's umbilical stump finally feel off after almost 5 weeks he got a real bath.  We have this cool little rainforest bathtub.  It has a hammock in it for Ace to lay on so we can wash him easier.  Well, the hammock isn't actually in the water so it gets really cold, really fast.  Ace is NOT a fan of being cold.  He did not enjoy his first bath too much.  The next time we bathed him Buster constantly sprayed him with the sprayer.  It was like a mini shower.  Ace was ok with his "shower."  Now that he's bigger he lays in the tub and I hold his head.  He loves bathtime now!!  He smiles and kicks and coos.  He's even ok with the water getting on his face.  And, he is SOOOO cute in his little robe!!!

FAMILY:

This little guy has so much family that loves him.  He is the 5th generation twice, the fourth generation once and the last boy Bledsoe.  I think he has two real Grandmas and about 50 other "Grandmas." We will never be short on babysitters!!!  His Aunt Linny loves him so much, (she tells me all the time)!  She is learning how to take care of him.  I think she is preparing for her first babysitting adventure.  His Daddy, his grandpas, uncle Brandon, and uncle Clint are waiting on him to grow some more.  They want to teach him how to ride bulls, play the guitar, drive a racecar, ride a four wheeler, ride a Harley, go fishing, and cuss.  I better enjoy my time with him now!!!

HOLIDAYS:

Ace has celebrated 3 holidays.  He was barely a week old at Thanksgiving.  I think he was awake for about 30 minutes.  We had a ton of friends and family in to meet him and enjoy the yummy food.  Our house was full of oohs and awws.  Ace got to meet a ton of people.  I wonder if he'll remember?!?!  

I was amazed at how many Christmas presents Ace got this year.  He was only a month old and already needed a huge toy box.  I opened all of his presents while he slept.  I can't wait for him to get to join in all the fun at Christmas!  We had a great Christmas this year and enjoyed all the time we got to spend with our families. 

He got to spend New Years with his Grandma Ronda and Grandpa Charles and they rang it in!  Buster'e band played in Hereford so that is where we were.  I really thought Ace would sleep into 2009 but he didn't.  When I went to pick him up at 2 am he was wide awake.  They were up watching tv and having a good ole time!!!

HAPPY TIMES AND SAD TIMES:

We celebrated his Great Great Grandpa's birthday.  We went to Albuquerque to celebrate Jim's 80th birthday.  I can't imagine the stories Jim could share with Ace.  

We suffered a great loss this December.  Buster's cousin Rod had a heart attack and passed away.  It came as a huge shock to us all.  It makes me sad to know that Ace will never get to know Rodney.  He was a great guy.  He loved to spend time with his family, ride his harley and cheer for his favorite NASCAR driver, Tony Stewart.  We are all going to miss Rodney so much.  I will miss the phone calls I got from him everytime Jamie McMurray wrecked.  I wish I were better with words so I could truly express how much Rod meant to us all and how much he will be missed.  R.I.P. Rod, you are loved and missed.

We went on a mini vacation a couple of weeks ago.  We went skiing in Los Alamos.  (The guys skiied anyway.)  We stayed with Stevie and Jeri which is the best place to stay.  Jeri is an excellent chef, we had tons of great food!  We got to hang out and enjoy each others company.  Ace just hung out with the rest of us.  He is such a good baby!!!!  (Sorry, no pictures.)

SHOTS:

We went to Ace's 2 month check up and shots.  It was a sad day.  Dr. Maaytah said Ace looks great.  He is healthy and growing well.  His weight is average for a 2 month old and his height is average for a 3 and a half month old.  Not sure where the height comes from?  I predict he will stop growing by the time he is 5'8".  The poor little baby had to get 3 shots and take a vaccine orally.  He was ok with the oral vaccination.  He looked at the nurse a little crazy but was ok.  Then, she stuck him.  He was not happy with that at all.  His fists were clinched and his face was red, tears were coming out of his little eyes and he was screaming louder then I had ever heard him.  After she finished the next two shots I was able to pick him up.  He calmed down after about 15 seconds.  Yes, I cried too.  I felt bad for him.  I do not like to see him hurting.  He was pretty good after his shots most of the day.  His legs were swollen and sore.  They were hurting pretty good later that afternoon.  I gave him some tylenol and put cold rags on his legs.  That made him feel better.  We survived the day and slept well that night.  I think he has already forgotten about the shots!!!

I never knew I could love one little thing so much.  He has made mine and Buster's life a million times better.  I am excited for the next 2 months and beyond.  Hopefully he won't be walking by the next time I bog!  I wish everyone well.  God Bless!

The day Ace was born!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 was the greatest day of our lives. That is the day our son was born. It started at 4:00am. I was being induced because Dr. Appel was afraid I was getting pre-eclampsia (sp?). We had to be at BSA by 5:00am. By 6:00am I had my IV in and was started on the pitocin. I was afraid of the contractions, I hadn't had any yet and was not sure what to expect. I know that drug induced contractions are supposed to be stronger. They weren't too bad. My wonderful nurse, Janet slowly upped the dosage. Dr. Appel broke my water around 10:00am. Shortly after I got my epidural. I wasn't hurting that bad but Dr. Trehurn would be unavailable for and hour or two. I was afraid the contractions would get worse and I'd have to wait in pain. So I went ahead and got the epidural and it was nice!! By 3:00pm I was dilated to a 6. Janet couldn't tell which way Ace's head was facing so I tried different positions to make him turn face down. An hour later I was still at a 6. Janet thought Ace's head was turned to the side so we tried a position called the fire hydrant. I was turned way over to the left and my right leg was up in a stirrup. That was not fun. My epidural drained over to the left side and I could feel contractions on the right side, very painful. Ace didn't like that position so we quit that position. At 5:30pm or so Dr. Appel came by to check me and I was still at a 6. Dr. Appel said Ace's head was turned to the side and she wanted us to try the fire hydrant position again. Lucky me. This time it didn't seem to bother Ace so I was in that position for 30 minutes. I felt every contraction on the right side. I thought I might not make it. They hurt SO bad. All I could do was cry. I have NO idea how anyone can go through labor without an epidural. They must be very strong women. After 30 minutes Dr. Appel wanted me to go for another hour. I did not want to go for another minute. Janet talked her into checking me again. Guess what? Still a 6, no change. We decided to go ahead and do a c-section. I really didn't want to have a c-section but by then I just wanted to stop hurting and wanted Ace to be here already. So off we went to the OR and I was still feeling the contractions on the right side. Finally (after maybe 10 minutes) Dr. Trehurn pumped me full of some good stuff and all my pain went away!!! Then I could hear and sort of participate in everyone's conversations as they were getting everything together. Jalen had a cd in that she wanted to listen to. Michelle took the cd out because she said Ace had to be born to country music. I was trying very hard to feel Dr. Appel cut me. I didn't think it would hurt, but I thought I would know when she did it. I didn't. I only felt a lot of pressure when they were taking Ace out. And guess what was on the radio...George Strait. Can you believe it? Carrying Your Love With Me was on the radio when Ace was born. I couldn't see him because of the sheet and he wouldn't cry. Michelle said he was holding his breath. When he finally did cry I did too. When Dr. Appel pulled him out she said he was little. He was 6 lbs, 15 oz. Everyone thought he would be big, like 8 lbs. I also heard her say his cord was wrapped around his neck twice and there was a true knot in his cord. There was NO way he would have come into this world without a c-section. We are very lucky things worked out the way they did. When Buster got to bring Ace over for me to see him I was speechless. I had been dreaming about meeting my son and imagining what he would look like. It was an amazing moment. I was so happy (doesn't quite explain it)! Buster and I have been blessed with an amazing and wonderful son. He is the new love of our lives. We can't wait to watch him grow and to see the world through the eyes of our child! I love you Ace!