On Friday, our little girl graduated from kindergarten. I told myself that morning to keep it together and not to cry. I was very proud of myself because the only tears I shed were earlier this morning when Shaye and I were looking at old baby pictures of her.

She looked so big (yet small at the same time) sitting up there on stage. They sang us songs of everything they had learned. Counting by 10s, counting to 30, colors, months, & alphabet.

I can’t believe how fast time flies. Just yesterday she was starting Kindergarten. Tomorrow, she is starting summer school and before I know it, she’s going to be in junior high.

On Tuesday, July 27, 2009 at 5:23 p.m., we welcomed Gage Anthony into the world. I was really nervous that last hour waiting at the hospital before they took me back to the OR. All those ‘what ifs’ were going through my head and I was making my self freak out.  But, of course, everything went fine. I got into the OR a few minutes after 5. After some prep, Dr. Raja finally made it in and not even 10 minutes later, Gage was out and they were starting to close me up.

I started crying when they told me his weight. Just all those worries about him being small or having to go to the NICU, I guess. I don’t know why I thought he might be really small because I could tell by how big my tummy got, he was already way bigger than Shaye was. He came out weighing 5lbs 13.2oz and was 18 3/4 inches long. With some big feet and hands too

 

Yesterday, Shaye had her very first day of Kindergarten. Her teacher is Mrs. Ratliff and Shaye really seems to like her. She has a couple of friends that she already knew in her class so I’m happy about that. The only bad thing that I found out yesterday was since she’s now in school and not daycare, there are no naps. That girl was so tired and whiny when I got home from work, I thought I was going to strangle someone. Other than that, she was ok. She told me all about her getting to color an apple, and that it starts with an “A”.  And that she got to play outside 3 times instead of just once. Which is a big deal, of course!

Yesterday was also Gage’s first day of daycare and my first day back to work. I know, I’m sorry I still haven’t posted a blog about his birth but everytime I sat down to start a post, I got distracted or someone needed me so now that I’m back at work, I have time to blog lol. Just don’t let my boss in on that. hehe  He went to the Dr. last week and got a good report. He is (was at the dr appt, anyway) 7lbs 1oz, 20 inches long and 13 in head circumference. I think in weight, length and head he is in the 5th percentile, so he is still low but oh well, he’s healthy so that’s all that matters. He had a good report yesterday which I’m really happy to hear. In the month that he has been with us, I have kind of spoiled him (lol) so I was worried about him crying alot for them. But nope, he ate, slept and pooped for them which is what is expected. It did make me laugh though when I got his daily report, that it took him almost 2 hours to drink 3 oz, so I’m guessing he kept falling asleep. That little fart loves to sleep. More than eating, which is way weird for a boy. lol 

We haven’t heard anything from Dani yet. I’m not sure if she ever got called yesterday because it was kind of hectic at our house, but I’m sure everything went real well. Next Thursday is Dani’s first football game to cheer at, so I’ll make sure to get some pictures of her in her Admirals uniform.

I’m hoping sometime today I’ll finally get you a ‘Gage post’ so everyone can meet the little one. Until then..

On June 15th we had another sono done. The “guesstimation” is that he was weighing in about 3lbs 11 oz and about 17 inches which is right around where he should be.  Sandra (the sono tech) also told us that Gage has a head full of hair. And showed us where you could see it. I never would have guessed that that was hair, but ok If you want more information on that doctor visit, you can go to the baby blog post here.
32 week sono:
 

We went again yesterday for my ‘final labs’ appointment. Testing for Group B Strep and all those other things they test for We got our preregistration information and also he told us to choose between July 26th and 27th for the surgery date.  That’s an iffy choice. Yes, Jeremy & Grammer get their leo, which is what they wanted. BUT, July 27th just happens to be Jeremy’s birthday. I’m ok with either date. And everyone I ask says go w/ the 27th. It’s easier to remember since we already have Jerm’s bday then, yada yada yada… But I really want to get his opinion. I know he won’t mind but still, think it’s safer to ask.

I’m really getting scared now. Well not technically scared. I would say freaked out? We now know the date that Gage will be here so I know I HAVE to be ready for this baby in a little less than 3 weeks. AAAH! There is so much to get ready and I’m freaking out that it won’t get done. We just now got to order a carseat, so that was a huge weight off my shoulders. We have a place for the baby to sleep so thats good. It’s just now getting his room ready, clothes washed and make sure we have all the little things. We’ve really put off getting his room ready because of our air conditioning  not working for the past month. But it’s down to the wire and it really needs to get done.

That’s something else I’m freaking out about. Air conditioning. I’ve been waiting for people to call me back for the last 3 weeks and we’ve still gotten no word. All we really need is more freon (sp?) but it’s like pulling teeth to get someone to answer. I’m calling back today and trying the ‘feel sorry for me, I’m 8 mos pregnant and I really need it’ spiel. Not sure if it’s going to work but with the forecast saying the next couple of days its going to be like 107°, I’m ready to try anything.

My next appointment is on the 21st so I’ll try and update about the baby around then. That is if I remember hehe.

That night we went over to Mom’s house to eat, pop some fire crackers and watch the fireworks at the park. It was a pretty good night. We got to see Jeremy for the first time in awhile. He seems like he is doing really good. I haven’t really posted anything about it but he’s about to go through a divorce. It’s a touchy subject so I’m not really going to go into it but he seems like he’s back to his old self so maybe it’s all for the best.

The fireworks ‘show’ that the county put on was ok. (I guess)  It seems like every year they spend the same amount on them or maybe even more, but they get worse and worse. Mom had a next door neighbor that  was shooting some off that looked better than the ones in the show. And they didn’t spend near as much as the county would have. I have some videos of us shooting off firecrackers and some from the actual show but haven’t gotten to upload them yet. When I do I’ll try and post them somewhere.

As most of you know, Mac is working as a tester at Well Testing in Colorado. Even though he is in CO, he was still considered a Monahans hand because that is where he was hired. Today the head guy in CO comes up to him and says that he has a choice, either get a transfer to become a Colorado hand or come back here and continue to be a Monahans hand. I know what he would do. He would come back in a heartbeat. It’s been hard on us with him being so far away. The bad thing about that is, as of today Well Testing in Monahans is laying off 60 people. So there was a huge chance that if Mac decided to come home, he would have lost his job. With the 60 letting go today, that is a total of 78 people all together this month. Considering our community size, that is a lot of people.  So, of course, Mac did the smart thing and chose to keep his job. This means that he will only work in Colorado now. He will be up there for months at a time and will come home every once in a while.. It stinks but we are just thankful he still has a job.

It’s worrying me when I hear about the oilfield shutting down. Unless you want to work at Pizza Hut or Dairy Queen, that is pretty much what this area runs on. I remember when we used to drive out towards Mentone and there would be 30+ rigs out there before you even left Winkler county. Now, you’re lucky if you see more than 5.

I work at a water hauling company for the oil field. It shouldn’t hit us too hard but there’s no promise in that. I’m not sure if you count Mac as in the oilfield, because he is doing flowback, which is with gas.. But still with gas going the way it is, they are having a hard time finding work. Jeff is a consultant for Cimarex. They have cut back their pay and hours. On top of that alot of their rigs are stacking out. Jeff is thankfully still getting to work but came very close this week to losing his job as well. I think someone must be looking down us and helping the family out a little because nothing too terrible has happened.   Yet.

I know Wink & Kermit have somehow made it through plenty of slow times in the oil business but with this being my first one of having knowledge about what’s going on, I’m worried about whats going to happen to us. I’m sorry I’m being pessimistic but when they cut pay to where Mac is making a third of what he used to, you start getting scared.  And I know this isn’t just in West Texas. Hard times are hitting every where right now. But this is all I know. My life is centered on what happens here and its all I can think about.

I pray that things pick up before they get worse. I pray that the changes that are promised to come with this election don’t hit us too hard and we still are able to make it out alive.

This past weekend when Dani was here, she had the bright idea of having a “photoshoot” with Shaye. Dani got her dressed up in her Christmas dress and made a ‘set’ on our front porch and was photographer for the afternoon. I have to admit though, many of the pictures did come out good. Here is a slideshow of their photoshoot, shaye taking pictures of herself and Dani’s pictures of the beautful West TX sunset. I hope you enjoy

My sister Sarah and I are sort of sharing roles lol.. She will be the maid of honor and i will be the matron of honor. Usually the maid of honor does the bachelorette party and everything but considering that Sarah is only 16, i’m not sure she’s going to be able to do that good of a job. I think I will have a lot more help on this bachelorette party than Tracie’s because just the simple fact that these girls are partiers lol..  We decided on a dress that I’m thinking that we all like.

The color is "pool" and is the dress to the left. The little clip will go on the back of the dress.. I think it clips on to a little sash or something.. Just trying to give us a little "bling" so Shanna’s dress who has total blingage won’t out do us hehe..

I didn’t get to try mine on because they didn’t have my size.. but I think it’ll all be good. We go back in November on the day of Sarah’s 17th birthday to try all dresses on and get alterations if needed.. I’m hoping I’ll go back around 10 lbs lighter.. i felt soo big compared to the size 2′s and 4′s there.. lol anyway, as soon as I get pictures from this weekend I’ll post them on the picture page!