Walking

I'm not going to even dwell on the fact that it's been so long since I posted a blog.

Price is WALKING!!! That's right, after 3+ months of cruising and a month or so of being able to pick up his "mower/walker" and turn it around, Sunday night he realized that he could walk. And quite well, I might add. He's such a stud!

Kentucky Trip

That's right, after FIVE years, Tyler, Price, and myself just returned from a wonderful and eventful trip to see the Kentucky folk. Believe me, we will not wait another FIVE years to do it again either. Price was a gem on both plane rides, so he's passed that test with "flying" colors.

Price and I arrived Wednesday afternoon in Nashville to meet Uncle Don for a wonderful drive back to Hoptown. After dinner with the entire Kentucky crew, I took the opportunity to catch up with Aunt Bev and Uncle Don, which was wonderful. The next day Price and I hung out with Bev and took Price for his first experience of Ferrell's hamburgers. HE LOVED IT!! He's definitely my baby. That night we drove to Fort Campbell and watched Elizabeth play the District softball championship against Christian County High (24th ranked in the NATION). UHA lost 5-0 and played them a good game...did I mention that Christian County was 24th ranked in the NATION!?! Price spent the evening laughing and playing with Layton, which was sight. Two of the goofiest people I know playing together, so you can only imagine.

Friday Tyler flew in, which took up most of the day, but Liz and I were still able to squeeze in eating at Roundie's with Uncle Don and a meal at Lake Barkley with Don and Bev. Layton sung at graduation so she missed the festivities.

Saturday Tyler, Price, and I chilled at the Kevin Atwood home with Tracie, Kevin and the girls. Price swam for the first time ever, which he loved. That evening we went to watch Layton ride. That girl can ride a horse my friends. She won first in youth poles AND barrels. Price got a little one-on-one time with Liz during the rodeo, and was enammored with all the horses.

Again Sunday we all kind of relaxed and enjoyed eachothers company. Price rode his first horse with Layton and took an adventure to an old tobacco barn behind the farm. We stopped off at my mom's best friends house to show off Price and catch up a little as well.

Needless to say, Price was spoiled and loved all week by everyone. Like it always happens, he was completely warmed up by the last night, but was pretty clingy most of the week. Considering how many new people he met, I think he did great, but I was really tired by the time we got home Monday afternoon.

Here are some pics of our trip:

Kentucky Trip

Bum Crawling!

Price made a monumental step this week as he began to crawl!! And, just like everything else he does, he's modified the traditional crawling technique to fit his lifestyle. I'll have to admit my son is slightly lazy, so dragging one leg behind him as he crawls did not surprise me. In fact, he's actually quite smart for keeping it where he does as it allows him to quickly drop back into a sitting position at any given time.

He's also big into dancing though I haven't yet caught it on tape. He'll stand at the ottoman and bend his knees back and forth when a catchy song comes on. Whether it be Phil Vassar or All American Rejects, he's a fan of anything with a catchy tune.

In other big news, Price is officially completely weaned!! As you will see from one picture where his teeth are shining VERY brightly, it's not a moment too soon for mommy. Price was a champ through the whole thing, never a set-back one. His awesome demeanor and laid back personality still surprise me for such a little baby boy.

Here are some new pics and videos of Price and a couple of the landscaping Tyler and I did a few weeks back (those are for Aub).

Early May 09

Weaning Woes!

When the beautician told me last Saturday that I was the biggest transformation she had made in a long time, I figured I needed to really examine my life. After making excuses for the reason I hadn't cut my hair for 8 1/2 months, gotten a pedicure in 7, been clothes shopping in over 2 years, or been out with my husband alone but twice in 8 1/2 months it all came back to the intense dedication I have put towards breastfeeding Price. Apparently when I put my mind to something that is as time consuming as breastfeeding I can become quite a committed individual.

Don't get me wrong, I have thoroughly enjoyed the emotional bond Price and I have built trough being his primary source of nurishment, but I have to stop fooling myself. Chalk it up to inexperience, but unlike wonderful friends of mine who are also mothers, I have not been great at multitasking breastfeeding and life. I say life because I can't think of a better word for the neglection I have had towards anything personally satisfying or emotionally rewarding for myself, my husband, or my SON for that matter!

Needless to say, Price and I both are going through what I have entitled "weaning woes". I have decided to begin weaning Price from "the boob" as Tyler has so appropriately named it, and Price is weaning me from...well...the downward spiral I was letting myself fall in to. Now understand I am ABSOLUTELY NOT blaming Price for any of this, it is completely MY FAULT here. In fact I believe Price has been trying to wean me for a long time, I just haven't been paying much attention to his signs. You'd think his mastery of table eating and bottle taking since he was 4 months old would have tipped me off to begin learning how to relax a little about HAVING to breastfeed him. Not so much.

Four months later, 8 FULL months of giving my baby the best thing for him, I have decided, in order to wean myself I have to wean him. I think it will be better for us both in the long run. And if the past week has been any indication of how we will both deal with our weanings, things are looking up already. Steady as we go though, we're definitely employing the "gradual weaning" method.(He's such a good baby!)

March Madness!!

I think I can speak for most of BOTH SIDES of my family in that this is one of the best times of the year! It's starting to get warmer outside, spring plantings are about to transpire, it's the downhill slide of the school year, the NCAA tournament is on EVERY weekend, and Price surprises us all with new tricks each and every day. It just makes the long, cold, boring winter feel like it may FINALLY be coming to an end!

Since my last post, Nana and Grandpa Price have been to Cancun, Mexico for their 29th wedding anniversary, Price, Tyler, and I have planned a trip to Kentucky in May, and Grandma and Grandpa Locke have officially decided to move back to the Tuttle area and rejoin their home church of True Oak. Though we are all sad to see them go, we are excited to have another link to the much more exciting Oklahoma City area, and are happy they are pumped about getting back to their old church. Tyler and I will miss them something terrible, but I'm afraid Price will probably miss them the most. He has become SUPER spoiled getting to see both sets of grandparents at his beckon call. I guess both the Jetta and the Maxima will just have to burn up the roads between Clinton and Tuttle most weekends.

That's right you heard correctly, after a 4 1/2 year drought of my Kentucky fix, Tyler, Price, and I are leaving for a nice long 5 day visit in May!!! WOOOHOOOO!!! I can't hold my excitement back! The boys are ready for the trip too, but they have no idea how much of my childhood I associate with Kentucky. Even though we were only there about one week each year, many of the highlights of my youth center around summer Kentucky trips. Let's reminisce, shall we (this won't mean much to some of you reading this, but the Atwoods and the Prices will definitely get a few laughs and maybe a few sighs):

1. The tire blowout on I-40 between Memphis and Little Rock the summer after Aubrey turned 16.
2. Ferrel's hamburger trips after a long day at the golf course.
3. The super cute lifeguard at the Country Club swimming pool who kept hitting on Aubrey. His father had apparently went to school with my mom, we realized later. (She knows everyone there.)
4. Sitting on the back porch in the evenings eating dinner with the entire Atwood clan, trying to keep the dogs from joining in on the meal.
5. Kara's early moring wipe out on the dewey sidewalk at Bev's as a HUGE bumble bee chased her.
6. Afternoons down by the old library creek/river.
7. Driving and inevitably getting lost in Hoptown trying simply to get to the country club.
8. Buying the goofy straw hats at Food Lion and actually WEARING them.
9. Jazz on the Lawn and the wonderful drive home.
10. And finally doing anything and everything because "it's vacation!"

I can't wait to get there. I've made myself even more excited as I've written!

Here are some pics of Price. He's going to love KY as much as the rest of us! I wonder what Kentucky experiences he'll look back on at 25 and love to remember.

FebruaryMarch 09

My warm weather baby

So Price is officially his Nana's grandbaby. I've never seen a happier baby than Price is when it's warm outside. Aside from the sniffles and little cough he got when the weather went from 86 degrees to 34 in one day, he is absolutely LOVING getting to be without pants and the occassional onesie. He and his daddy (who's on spring break) are laying in front of the sunny windows and playing everyday. Needless to say, when I get home from work, they are both in great moods. There's a lot to say for quality "boy time".

Price isn't the only one enjoying Tyler on his spring break. Tyler being home makes my life so much easier. I'm convinced that one of us needs to be a stay-at-home parent if at all possible. Or maybe we should both just up and move to Mexico and play with Price all day long. Kind of like Nana Kate and Grandpa who are in Cancun enjoying thier 29th anniversary.

Price has learned a few new tricks here lately. He went from pulling up on my fingers to insisting on standing up by the ottoman every minute of the day. Tyler said that today he looked and Price had scooted down the ottoman to obtain his beloved tape measure. CRAZY!! He's also developed the funniest courtesy laugh ever. All of a sudden he'll look up at you and break in to a breathy laugh and squinty-eyed smile. Goofy goofy boy.

Getting it Down

I know it's been a long time, but get over it. Price is now almost 7 months old and having a ball in life. He's got his two bottom teeth and is trying to crawl every day. He's sitting up spectacularly now, and he beginning to eat Tyler and I out of house and home already.

We all have so much fun together, and each day just gets more and more exciting as little Mr. Price gets more and more personality. Tyler is finally finished with basketball season so we all feel like we get to see one another again. However, Wednesday nights are still devoted to getting his masters at SWOSU. He's enjoying school a lot and is already nagging me about going on to get his Doctorate. How did Price and I get so lucky to have such a wonderfully brilliant husband/daddy?!?

Since the risk of RSV is still so prevalent, I am home Tuesday and Thursday mornings with Price. Carol, Price's Tuesday and Thursday nanny has been a blessing for us, but more for Dusty (my employer) I think. Dusty, Dan, and everyone at the dealership have been so understanding and flexible with me due to Price's heart condition it's amazing. Regardless, it's really hard for me to get up and go to work each day and leave my little baby.

Aubrey, Nick, Ella, and little Kate have made it to Germany, so they're getting settled there. Rachel is deep into another semester of college at Mesa State in Colorado. Chris & Kathie are working their booties off with school, work, helping my Grandma Price get settled, and spending as much time with Price as they can. Chris & Denise are wonderful as well enjoying the church, life, and Price as usual.

Below are some pictures from January and February, but there are more albums from December and such once you get to the Picasa online site. Enjoy the pictures and videos of our beautiful baby boy!!

JanuaryFebruary 09