For the love of Teeth

It has arrived, Jacob's 6th tooth.

We've been battling a nasty runny nose and cough with a nasty fever since last Tuesday. Fresh off a snow day, Pat packed up Jacob and took him to see Dr. L Tuesday after lunch. We found out he had a very sore throat, red enough to test for strep, and just needed some TLC to nurse his fever and little body back to good health. By Thursday he ventured back to day care, and by 1:30 I had my first day care phone call...

Fever might be coming back, his temp is up to 100, can we give him motrin?

Sure, but do I need to come pick him up?

No, he's fine, just want to catch it before it get's too high and you do have to come get him. We'll take good care of your little boy.

Fast forward 3 hours and I get my second call from daycare. Temp's up to 103.2 and it's time to go home.

I brought Jacob home and held my little baby boy most of the night, he was ROASTING, but we got his fever under control and had an appointment to go back to the doctor the next morning at 11:00. Guess who had developed TWO ear infections since Tuesday's "perfect ears, just a sore throat and croupy cough" visit? Yep, the Little Guy. So armed with an antibiotic we went home for the weekend. Nannie called Saturday morning and said she was headed up, finally, after three weeks of planning on a visit. Snow had been in her way before, but the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day - reinforcements were coming!

Skip ahead to 7:30 this morning. I had just gotten dressed for work, Nannie was in Jacob's room talking to him about their big plans for the day to hang out and she asks me,

Didn't you say Jacob had 5 teeth?

Yes, why? Is one missing??

No, there are 6 now.

What are the odds that the fever, runny nose, cough, not eating, not drinking, ear infection fighting little guy had all of this for one little tooth?

It's Official, I'm Crazy!

I believe the exact text I received was

uve lost ur mind

:) And maybe I have. But I'm SO super excited about losing it!

Two words:

Be on the look out for more info, but I have signed up to be a slaes rep for this FANTASTIC line of kids clothes. No one thought I'd be able to stay away from selling clothes for the rest of my life. I had WAY too much fun at Express for 4 years. So, I've found a new brand to market - http://www.kellyskids.com/

On the Move...

Jacob's been busy learning new things the last few weeks. When we went to Florida (Jacob - just 7 months old) Pat decided he would work on teaching Jacob how to pull up on the ottoman. He was quite successful, the only hiccup in the plan was that Jacob could only pull up if you put him right next to the ottoman, and he could reach it. He then progressed to pulling up on his crib, again, if he was right on the edge. Jacob had been quite a good sitter for several months, and would watch the other kids in his day care crawl, and on a few play dates he'd just sit and watch while other kids his age crawled circles around him - but Jacob seemed to have NO desire to crawl like them. His pulling up skills didn't come in handy when playing on the floor with others his age... until this weekend!
Friday Jacob moved to the bigger baby room at daycare. I figured this might help his progression to crawling, and it did - or Jacob just decided he was tired of sitting still. He came home Friday and we were playing with his monkey and FINALLY Jacob decided maybe he'd give the crawling thing a shot.
the beginning of Friday night:


Saturday provided for a little bit of practice and it all finally clicked. His chosen technique is what Pat refers to as "gorilla" one leg tucked up under is body, the other out to the left - for easily getting into standing stance when arriving at a destination to pull up. Jacob can now get himself to the things he wants to pull up on and cruise around - mainly the ottoman and couch, and a dinning room chair here and there. While I thought this was great fun, I quickly realized we have a LOT of baby proofing to do QUICK! We had some friends over Sunday for a bit, and while we were all sitting on the couches talking he pulled up and went straight for the cup holders which had cups FULL of liquid in them. He thought it was GREAT fun to see us try to get to the cups before he pulled them over on his head - if you know his Daddy, you know what would have ended up on Jacob's head - cold beer.
We have quickly gone from having a child we could sit or stand in one place and not have to worry about him moving much from that spot to a mobile child.
Pulling up:


Crawling, pulling up AND cruising, OH MY!
And remember how he was taught 6 weeks ago to pull up? Well during the last 6 weeks he learned to cruise. So cruising the ottoman is quite a fun time... apparently so is reaching for the tablecloth that covers the side table next to our chair and a half in the bedroom... reaching and pulling it all the way down is REALLY fun. Did you know that? And it's all really fun when now you can get from one side of the room to the other and then get to that tablecloth all on your own. So, yes, we became QUITE mobile this weekend. We went from in one spot - to all over the place in 72 hours.
A little cruising:


He's still not too fast, but I'm sure that won't take long to change. And Jacob is MUCH more interested in being able to stand, climb and cruise around than crawl some where. So I'm sure this crawling thing will only be used as needed, and we might quickly have a walker. Did I mention he can stand for upwards of 20 seconds on his own? Yep... Our stationary lives are OVER, and we LOVE it!

Polyvore

Me by lbmckew featuring Victoria's Secret

My political side for the day... Scott Brown

Yes, I am a Republican and I'm a health insurance agent, you do the math...



An old high school buddy of mine has worked her way to DC and has helped with many Republican campaign's in recent years, bragging rights to John McCain's presidential campaign. She had this video on her facebook page, and I just couldn't resist.

And yes, I have decided that this relates to Jacob because my financial well being (as a health insurance agent) is directly correlated to his upbringing, and the health care reform bill isn't looking so good for my future.

In other news: Pat (Mr. Handy Dandy) fixed my car. All by himself, no expensive mechanic labor fees in our house! My water pump had come loose, completely, so much it fell right off when my belt was removed (for those not so car savvy like me...this is NOT supposed to happen). It was so loose that it was causing my belt to slip, which was causing the alternator to lose it's ability to charge, which was causing the battery to not charge. Water pump replaced, belt replace and Lady Liberty is back in business. No new car in the near future, but in the distant future - say this summer??? On this week's horizon though, is a new car seat for Jacob that will squeeze into the back seat.

Also, in exciting news: Brownie #3 is moving back to KY. It is officially public news and I couldn't be more excited! Not that the travel time from Lexington to Bowling Green is much different than Lexington to Indianapolis, but I have more reasons to make a trip to BG than Indy (as has been pointed out) and I do believe there will be more visiting to Jacob's Godmother in the next few months than there have been in the last 2 years. I'm also excited for the opportunities this move brings for our friends. New starts, new possibilities. It's going to be a great start to a new year for them!

For the 100th Post

I started this a while back, so it wouldn't be so hard to do when the time came... but now, I have struggled to complete it.  However, without further ado...

100 true things about me...

- My initials are LEM not LBM - in Bowling Green, KY in 1983 it was cool to shorten Elizabeth to Beth AND to have a double name... so, Laura Beth is the name I go by, not my real name.
-I cringe when people call me Laura, that's not my name, you obviously don't know me.
- I am married to the man I met and dated all through college.  We will celebrate 5 years of marriage in March.  10 years of togetherness this month.
- I have one child, Jacob.
- Jacob was born May 31, 2009. He walked 9 months later....
- I have brown eyes (almost dark brown eyes), my husband has green/hazel eyes.
- Jacob has blue eyes. BLUE.
- I am a year round professional sunglass wearer. If they're not covering my eyes, they are a hair accessory.
- I met my husband when I was 17, on a trip to visit the college I later graduated from.
- No, I did not like him immediately, we went on our first date 8 months later.
- I have a wonderful husband, he does the laundry every Saturday morning before I get up, and other days in between
- I work for my father Monday - Friday from 8:30 - 5:00, I work for my son all other hours, and sometimes during the 8:30 - 5:00 day too.
- I bleed Blue.
- I am the oldest of 4 children, my siblings are Robert (Uncle Bob), Sarah Jane (Sissy) and Gracie.
- Us girls were all basically born 10 years apart - 1983, 1993, 2002.  That's some strategic wedding planning!
- I am a Kappa Delta.
- I am a Brownie.
- There are 5  of us from college, in the same sorority, that have remained a tight group of friends.  At the last "brownie" wedding the youngest "brownie" got REALLY drunk and kept talking about her brownie snacks.  We still don't know what this meant, but dubbed ourselves the brownies after that night - it just stuck.
- I share the same first name as one of the brownies, and we were born in the same hospital within 24 hours of each other.  She always says God knew the world wasn't ready for the two of us together... so we didn't meet until Bid Day our freshmen year of college. I too am convinced, the world was better this way.
- My other closest Brownie grew up an old soul in Horse Cave, KY and knows half of my family better than I do.
- The Brownies try to go to the River in Alabama every year since being named the brownies.  As of August we have succeeded twice.
-We do not go to the riveR, we go to the riv-ah.
- I lived in Baltimore, MD for 2 1/2 years after college.
- Baltimore and I don't get along, beyond sight seeing.
- When I moved back from Baltimore my husband and I lived with my mom and sister for 3 months, it was cramped!
- We bought a house that was being built.  The walls were white.
- The walls in the house remained white for 2 1/2 years until my son's first birthday party - when we decided IT WAS TIME. The entire house was painted in 1 week.
- I have had 4 vehicles is the last 10 years.
- The first 3 were Jeeps.
- The first one died after a year and a half (oh the stories)
- I flipped and totaled the second a year and a half later...
- The third I drove for 6 years and named Lady Liberty.  She was good to me and my little family.  I now have a Dodge.
- We were a one car couple/family for 4 years.
- I have a big freckle on the bottom of my left foot.
- I have had plastic surgery.
- No... not that kind.  On my forehead, ask me and I'll tell you all about it.  It was during my first 3 weeks at a new high school, how's that for timing?
- I LOVE Law and Order, all of them - I got this from my grandmother
- I began swimming competitively when I was 4.
- I was a very good at butterfly.  I quit when I was a freshman in high school and had to have surgery on my shoulder 2 years later. 
- I was a member of the WKU swim team my freshman year of college until we realized I was unable to recover fully from surgery.
- I am a retired Phi Delta Theta Carnation.
- My entire immediate family is greek.  Mom- Kappa Delta, Step Mom -Delta Delta Delta, Dad - Sigma Chi, Brother - Sigma Chi, Husband - Phi Delta Theta. SJ will be headed to greek life in the fall of 2012.
- I worked at Express all 4 years of college and was offered an assistant management position during the fall semester of my senior year.
- The store's lease was sold to another retailer 1 month later and the store closed before I could take my new job.
- I was a compliance officer for a mortgage broker for 2 years.
- I think having a puppy is harder than having a newborn baby.
- When I sing along to Carrie Underwood's Temporary Home, I cry. Every. Time.
- I was 22 when I got married.
- I was 2 days shy of 26 when J was born.
- I have yet to go on an entire vacation with just my husband other than our honeymoon.
- I sleep with a blanket.  It was made by my great grandmother before I was born.  It's a wonder it hasn't fallen apart just yet, but it is close.
- I have the MOST thoughtful sister-in-law.  She had someone else's great grandmother make another blanket JUST LIKE MINE before Jacob was born.  One for him, and a surprise second one for me... for when mine does finally fall apart. Truly, THE. MOST. THOUGHTFUL. gift I have ever received.
- I was born at 4:12 am, my brother was born at 4:12 pm - weird???
- I love J Crew 5" chino shorts, and try to buy a new pair each summer.
- My husband has pointy eyebrows.
- I wear two bands with my engagement ring.  One is my wedding band, the other is a first year anniversary band. Most of the Brownies hate this.  One loves it, and I appreciate her for that more than she will ever know.
- Since pregnancy I have reacted to my wedding and engagement rings and get blisters on my finger from them.
- I am a licensed life and health insurance agent.  I also have another license, but I'm not allowed to disclose that publicly without having to be monitored where I disclose that information.  Being monitored requires a monthly fee - and I REFUSE!
- I shut down my facebook account for the same reason.
- My husband and I both work full time, therefore J goes to daycare.
- I pay more annually for daycare than my college education cost per year.
- I refer to all carbonated beverages as Coke, not soda or pop.
- My preferred Coke is Coca-Cola, not Diet Coke or Diet Dr. Pepper - those were previous favorites.
- I LOVE fudge rounds. 
- I haven't eaten ONE since we found out J has an egg allergy.
- I am right handed. I can not do ANYTHING left handed except drive a car and hold my son, on my left hip.
- My father taught me to drive with my left hand only so I would be able to shift gears.
- I have only driven a manual car twice in my life.
- I clip coupons.
- I always wear a watch. If I forget to put it on, I still look down at my left wrist and check the time, out of habit.
- I am always late. I overextend myself often and underestimate how long it takes to get places, I get this from my mother.
- I sell Kelly's Kids clothes.
- It's my retail fix, without the crazy demanding holiday schedule.
- I love college basketball.
- I specifically LOVE UK basketball.
- My favorite time of year is the beginning of school/football season... that flows into basketball season and ends with March Madness.
- Starting in September we watch football all weekend long - most girls hate it, I think it's FANTASTIC!
- My oldest sister-in-law and I have given ourselves a title that we share.
- She is the Queen, and I am the Princess EDIL.
- I have 7 nieces and nephews.
- I have a psychology degree from Western Kentucky University.
- I have yet to officially use that degree.
- I am an advisor for Kappa Delta at UK.
- I have been a co-chair for the last 3 years at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event Merchandise Tent. We raise money for the Kentucky Children's Hospital.
- I am a Notary Public.
- I have thought for years that I am 5'8.  This fall I did a DEXA scan and was told I am actually 5'8 3/4 - that's some crappy posture on my part!
- I do not like that taste of coffee but I'll drink carmel frappuccinos and french vanilla cappuccinos (from the gas station) all day long.
- Recently I have been obsessed with peppermint white chocolate mocha at Starbucks, but I just ran out of gift cards from Christmas... so I might have to go through withdrawal.
- I do NOT like being told what to do and how to do constantly.  I am a big girl, and can figure it out myself.
- I enjoy Excel spreadsheets -- a few brownies would say I'm known for them...
- I love a good wedding.
- If money and time allowed (and I wouldn't get made fun of) I would get married every day of the week and have a different wedding each time - I'm sure this would get old after a little bit, but a girl can dream can't she?
- I'm still trying to figure out how to win a blog giveaway.
- I have clothes in my closet ranging from size 6 to size 14.
- I'm not a very good housekeeper.
-I'm NOT and never claim to be an Interior Decorator, that's what I have the Brownies to help me with.
-I do my own taxes
-I love love love to look at other women who have really great makeup techniques and fix their hair all pretty... and aspire to look that good myself. Then I hit the snooze button at least 6 times and that all goes out the window...
- Recently I have become intrigued and developed a spot in my heart for some families adopting children... mainly twins - and it's crazy how things have been put into place for them, and I love that... and look forward to reading their blogs each and every day.
- I love my Nannie, she is my favorite person; and I am so glad that Jacob is getting to meet her and love her too.
- My favorite color is pink.

Congratulations if you made it to the end. Gold Star!

The DYNASTY is BACK!

Now, as I write this I fully understand that UK will lose Saturday - that's just the kind of luck I have.... but let me tell you, We're BBBBAAAAACCCCK.I'm a HUGE UK fan, even bigger UK basketball fan. Not quite as obsessed as my dear friend Alice is with Alabama Football, but a close second. When Pat and I lived in Baltimore I would watch every game. We bought special cable packages just so I could catch a glimpse of the Cats. I am not a fairweather fan - I love this team all the time. I have delighted myself in yelling at the TV and old coaches when I {and the rest of the state} was not happy with a sub-par performance. I participated in heated debates at my old office over why UK should still be considered the greatest basketball program despite coaching changes and {what a true blue fan considers} not the greatest winning seasons.

This year they have held their own. They've pulled off some close wins, gave us all UK2K, and now enter SEC play 17-0, just beat good ole Billy D and they're FUN to watch! Did I mention John Wall is on the cover of Sports Illustrated?? Oh, life is good as a Wildcat fan these days... And now.... I raise another one.Jacob is not even 8 months old and he has attend a UK football game. He watched most of the game taking a short nap just before half time. We refueled with a bottle and diaper change at the beginning of the third quarter and he kept going.
We watched Big Blue Madness from the comfort of our home, and Jacob stood in his exersaucer jumping and pounding his hands as the team was introduced. We dance to the starting line ups and cheer for Pat Pat and John Wall when they're introduced on the radio {yes, we turn on the radio just to listen to the starting line up, because they don't show that part on TV}. Jacob loves to watch sports, and the Cats are no exception. My child could care less about cartoons, but a good basketball or football game? He's glued! I love that I {and Pat, of course} get to share this with Jacob, and that he's taking to it so well. The hats, the bibs, the clothes and socks - he's such a good sport. He loves to listen to the band, and with any luck our friend {Uncle} Kyle will teach him the fight song shortly. Our Baby Wildcat has learned well how to cheer for his team and babble at the players during a game, but on this occasion - he was determined to mimic the Wildcat himself. Listen close, and Go Cats!

edit: chirpbit isn't working right, I've got to get the link above fixed...