bittersweet.

Well today marks July 2nd, which was the deadline for many things. It was the deadline when we were supposed to be moving into an apartment. We were supposed to have sold the truck by now. And it was the day I had to go to the school to talk about daycare. I don't really talk about my future plans all that much, because honestly, I am doing what I've always wanted to be doing, being a mom, specifically a stay at home mom. Since, I was a little girl, all I wanted to do was take care of babies, cook, and grocery shop. It's what I love doing. I am so thankful to be able to be doing it right now. But as we all know, in the economy, it's selfish for me not to go to college. Although, I do not want to. Hunter's really smart. He's going to a university on a full ride (we got lucky). He's majoring in mechanical engineering. That's his thing, scholastic's, science, books. Me, I'd rather take care of a home. But while he's in college and grad school, I need a job, a good enough job to support us for a few years, so I'm going to a 2 year tech school. I'm not ashamed of that, so many people are, I'd just rather not go. But I know I have too. But anyway, I had to go today, because my adviser told me about this program, that helps low income families pay for childcare while the parent attends school. Which is something we need, since I'm about halfway thru college, I have to go Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-3:30pm and Wednesdays 9-11am. Hunter has no control over his schedule, and will most likely go every single day. Therefore it's gonna be pretty hard to alternate, even though he's requesting to only have MWF classes. So we applied for this program, but since my parents claimed me on their taxes last year, because I didn't have a child yet, we have to include their income on it, even though, they pay nothing for Emerson (they shouldn't) or us, we pay our groceries, and such. But we still have to count their income, which means we probably wont qualify for the program. So that means Emerson probably wont be going to daycare this fall. Which I'm happy about, but we're not sure what the plans are for the fall. We're hoping and praying that hunter will only have MWF classes, and his sister (She's an ER nurse so she only works 3 12-hour shifts each week) can keep her on Wednesday morning until I get out of class. So cross your fingers! But we're still applying for the program, but probable wont get it. But I know that whatever happens will be what is best.

Her favorite toy at the moment, she rolls all over to chase it if it rolls away.

Social.

I stay home with Emerson, and she's never really been around other babies/children. I mean she see's her cousins like twice a month and she goes to the nursery at church on Sundays. But other than that it's really it. Well last night, we went to our bible study at Choices PRC and most of the girls their are still pregnant, but there are about 6 of us who have already had babies. Well 2 of the babies were sitting in the floor playing so we tried putting Emerson with them, one is 9 months old and the other is 6 months, Emerson is 5 1/2 months. We sat her down and the other babies were trying to give her toys/take toys from her. Then, She turned around and reached for Hunter to pick her up. He did. Then He sat down in the floor with the other babies and Emerson in his lap, the other babies kept trying to give Emerson toys and play with her, but nope, she'd turn away and want her daddy. It's probably dumb to worry about this so soon, but could Emerson not going to daycare and being around other babies effect her social skills? I've never really thought of it, I just stay home with her, because it's cheaper right now financially. She may be too young still to interact with other children, but i'm afraid she wont ever want to play with other kids, she'll always just want to play with me or hunter. When did yalls babies start 'socializing' and playing with other babies? For the moms that stay home, do your babies get interaction with other children?

Where we are.

Still living at my moms. On the waiting list for apartments. Trying to sale Hunter's truck. I still don't have a job. My car broke down. Hunter's truck wouldn't start. Hunter's working 6 days a week. Emerson's teething and waking up a ton at night. It's been a rough week month. I just keep telling myself, this will eventually pass. Eventually.

But! On the plus side we did buy a convertible car seat! It's the Graco MyRide 65 Safe Surround. It was on sale at Target.com and we still had gift cards from our shower so we decided to go ahead and get it, we only paid like $70 out of pocket. Which is pretty good for a car seat that Rear faces until 40 lbs and Forward faces until 65 lbs!
Here she is in it! She falls asleep every time we put her in it! Must be comfy!

5 months!

Food: 4 oz of formula when she wakes up, and then usually a jar of baby food, then 4 oz, then some times another jar, then 4 oz, then some cereal and 6 oz. 

Weight:14 lbs!

Height: not sure, probably around 27 1/2 or 28 inches.
 
Active: she can sit up! she loves sitting in the floor to play!

Favorite Toy: your race car walker, and a stuffed toy duck, and of cours you baby einstein jumper.

Favorite Sleeping Spot: in your crib! It's the only place she'll sleep now! But I don't care I'm glad she's finally in her crib!

How long do I sleep: usually you go to sleep about 9:30 and wake up about 8 or 9. 

Day Trips

Lately, Hunter has been taking us on these day trips to all sorts of places, It's so fun just to get out of town. Today we went to the unclaimed baggage store in Alabama.

^There is is! It's the place where if you loose your luggage and don't ever claim it at the airport, they send it to, and sale it! We left about 10 this morning and got to the town, about Noon, and decided to stop at a little Mexican restaurant to eat, it was pretty yummy! Then we went to the unclaimed baggage! It's so big! The best part is that most of the clothes and such are brand new, from cargo planes loosing, or from people buying new stuff for vacation! But we really didn't find much it was still fun to look at all the finds! They had Grovia Cloth diapers, like 12 of them for $8 each which is really cheap! And they even had baby formula from Japan (of course we didn't buy it) lol  but it was really cool to see. The sad part is they even have a wedding dresses section, where brides lost their dresses (I would be sooo sad if that happened to me). The only thing I didn't like about it was that they look at brands, (like carters, gymboree, ect.) and price their children's clothes higher because of that. If your ever looking for strollers they have a ton there! They also have a lot of car seats and such, but I would never buy used. They have a lot of just random stuff too, it was just fun to look thru. Then we drove home, and got stuck in the river bend traffic downtown, then hunter decided to take me to the mall, because I was trying to find a swimsuit at the Unclaimed Baggage store, and didn't. Lets face it my stomach is just gross since having a child. But we went to all the department stores, and I found a few but I can't justify spending $30 on a swimsuit when we don't even go to a pool that regularly. So I didn't buy anything for myself today, and I  realized I hate buying stuff for me, especially clothes! I'd rather buy things for Emerson or just buy groceries. It was still a really awesome day!

I know I've been on a rant...

but people are getting on my nerves.

I can't log on to facebook anymore with out seeing ignorant comments with the things people do with their children. I get it. It's their children, so they have the right to do what they want. I just wish people who do more research on why they parent the way they do.

This morning I logged on to facebook while Emerson was still asleep, and saw a girl I went to middle school with post this.

I hope y'all can see this well, It really made me mad. Because I'm planning a VBAC for our next baby and really looking into the choice of an HBAC. I just hate to see ill-informed parents judge others who have done their research. Home births typically have way less interventions and consequently better outcomes than hospital births. While I understand VBACs CAN be dangerous, It really depends on your situation, but I believe doctors usually just don't want to deal with the mother, and just automatically make them have another c-section. (I know my doctor does. My 6 week prenatal appointment I had to sign a release form saying if I had a c-section once, I would have to have them for the rest of my children(I will be switching doctors)). Another Ignorant, (I use the word ignorant because their not stupid, they just haven't done all their research (well any for that matter) and therefor they just don't know any better) comment this girl makes is "If you must "go hard". go natural at a hospital" Have you ever tried natural labor at a hospital?  Obviously not. It's nearly impossible. Nurses are constantly bombarding you with "When do you want the epidural" "your not getting an epidural" epidural, Epidural, EPIDURAL. Your on constant monitoring, strapped to the bed, you get judged if by chance you want to just squat on the floor, or sit on the toliet. You can't eat, meaning you have no energy when the time comes to push. It really is nearly impossible to "GO HARD" at a hospital. At least around here it is, I've heard of great hospitals other places. But really this post just hits home and I know I will be facing more of this ignorant judgement when we decide to have another child. But the fact that it's appropriate for people to judge other peoples choices, is just sad. Though yes, I do judge people who choose to get induced, have elective c-sections, or not even have the will to try to for a VBAC. It's not because I hate those people or think their selfish, it's because I know they haven't done their research. They just don't know any better. When you know better, you do better. But as a parent, it's your responsibility to know better, to research, stay up to date with the latest medical advances, and to question your doctor, your doctor gets a lot more money with a c-section than a vaginal birth, so no wonder many don't suggest V-BACs. My rant is over, and it's just sad that people do not have enough intelligence to go back to nature, and look into alternatives.

Did you know? 10 things you may or may not have known.

1. We got pregnant at 17.

• Yes. 17. We are TEEN PARENTS (but please don't stereo type me with the girls of 16 and pregnant). I was 18 when Emerson was born, and Hunter was 17.

2. I'm 1/2 way to completing my Associates Degree in Health Information Technology.

•  Hopefully (cross your fingers) I will graduate in Dec 2013! 

3. We regularly attend a Pregnancy Crisis Center.

•  Choices PRC (former AAA Womens). We go to bible study there every Tuesdays. This place has been the biggest help and blessing to us. We went to parenting, birthing, and baby classes there thru-out my entire pregnant. Without this place we wouldn't have been able to offer Emerson all we can. 

4. We live with my mom. But we 100% take care of our daughter.

• I read on someones twitter the other day that her mom had a monitor in her moms room, so she can wake up with her baby. I didn't get it. My mom doesn't take care of MY kid. I DO. It really angers me to see grandmas raising grand-kids. 

5. I'm obsessed with coupon-ing!

•  It's really how we afford our groceries! I love saving money, and pairing sales. I try to make the most of what income we have. 

6. I'm a stay at home mom, for now.

•  While I do go to school. I don't have a job. It's been a mess trying to find another job. But I know it will come in time.

7. I'm a car seat safety Nazi.

• It saddens me when parents don't even read the manual, or strap their children in tight enough. It's a chest clip (not a belly clip). I'm pro- extended rear facing.

8. We go to concerts all the time.

• Emerson's 5 months old and she's been to over 15 concerts. Granted, her daddy is in the CSOYO and UTC's band. But she's definitely a music baby. 

*I'm really trying to update often and blog more!