A week just being Mom.

About a week since my last post, and boy are things getting exciting.

BK3 had his 6 month pictures, attended his first LSU Basketball game, his first LSU Football game, and enjoyed his first Thanksgiving.  I was blessed to have the entire week off, and boy was it great.  I never would have thought that being a "house-wife" would be something that I'd like to be...but this week showed how much I'd love to not work, and just be a mom.  Did I really just say that?  Too bad the bills need to be paid, and it helps that I love my job.  A few more years of unruly dance moms, and I just might re-think it though...Above all, I love being a wife and mother.  It truly is the best thing in the world. 

6 month pics - I was in hopes that BK3 would be trying his best at redemption after the newborn session, which lasted 6 hours filled with non-stop crying, peeing, crapping (all without a diaper on) and pacing (on mama's part).  It all started out fine, with a good set of family pics, then we started on BK3 alone.  After the 2nd pose, BK3 took a li'l tumble onto the concrete and bumped his head.  AND CUT.  End of photos for BK3.  He was fine, and I was patting myself on the back for not being too worried.  I have a boy.  I should train myself to know he's going to get hurt.  Right?  Luckily, Katy is going to come back in a few weeks and get more of BK3, and the family shots came out great! check her out :  www.katymarshallphotography.com 

1st Basketball game - Tigers played the U of S. Alabama, and even though we're not huge basketball fans, we were excited about it....hello, it's LSU.  We're game.  BK3 loved it.  Stayed awake, alert and happy the entire time.  He even got on the "small fry cam".  We lost in overtime, but all I could think was "please this can't be an omen for Friday's game against Arkansas, or else we won't bring the kid".

Thanksgiving - I loved waking up on Thanksgiving day and going into B's room to tell him it was his first Thanksgiving.  Sure, he had no clue what the hell I was saying.  But it was special to me.  I scolded myself for not having some sort of cute Thanksgiving pajamas for him.  But I quickly got over it.  There's always Christmas... We did the normal "Webb-run" on a Holiday and hit up 3 places before 4:00 p.m., 3 dinners and we all felt like weeble wobbles, including BK3.  In fact, he wouldn't even sit up and play.  The second I'd sit him up, he'd start coughing as if he couldn't breathe, then lay back.  So I did what we all do - unbuttoned his top button on his pants, and let him lounge.  Cured.

LSU v. Arkansas - Boy was it a day.  BK3 was bundled up and ready.  And what a day it was.  Thanks to Mr. Timmy Fontenot, my son got to get eye to eye with a real life (or dead and cooked) hog stretched across our tailgate table.  He grabbed it.  Gross, and thankfully I had hand sanitizer waiting...He loved the game.  Thankfully #2, we had noise-canceling head phones in li'l tike size.  It was LOUD.  But BK3 just got to enjoy the view.  Geaux Tigers!

The weekend ended with Christmas Decorations and house cleaning.  Oh what fun.   You'll see a video below, hopefully it's clear.  BK2 plays with BK3 while Boss tries to get in on the action.  Notice the sound you hear a few seconds in...that's Boss getting body slammed into the wall, so that Daddy can effectively play with BK3.  And he just comes back for more...all outta love.

It was an incredible week.  It makes me look even more forward to the Christmas break, which I know will be full of many more amazing moments with my hubby and our li'l man.  I see how quickly time passes before your eyes, and of course I'd like to put it on pause.  But it's life.  And life goes; you blink and it's all gone.  If it were on pause, there'd be no journey.  So I'm excited to buckle up, and see the many amazing things God has in store for us.  Have a great week back to work/school/whatever it is that you do!

Hot Bubble Baths cure the world's problems.

Ever since I can remember, I've always been a fan of hot bubble baths...now more than ever.  It can be 97 degrees outside in the humid Louisiana August, and I'll still crave the hot bubble bath at the end of the day to just RELAX.  Can I get a HELL YEA?  Today, it was needed.  Let's see.  BK3 turned 6 months old on Thursday.  It's already been 6 months....just seems like yesterday I was balancing smoothie cups on my belly in between dance classes... Each day that goes by proves to me that women are unbelievable creatures - moms especially.  I saw a handkerchief in the DS Antique Village today that said this "Three Wise Women", The 3 wise women would have...asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, brought practical gifts, and there would be peace on Earth.

How fitting?  Saturday morning, this idea was proven completely true.  I had to work 1 hour on Saturday morning.  I woke up early, fed the baby his bottle, made sure Daddy was up, then kissed them both and headed out.  "I'll only be gone an hour and a half!".  That was at 9:10 a.m., and as I was driving back around 10:45 a.m., I called Daddy B and asked him what was up.  He had just laid the baby down to nap.  All within 3 seconds, I made a realization.  Carrie - you didn't leave Daddy B with instructions....Here is our dialog-

Me:  Babe, did Brannan eat breakfast? (He's eating 3 solid meals a day now, like humans do)
BK2:  Um....wasn't that his bottle that you gave him?
Me:  No...babe, he has to EAT.
BK2:  Well, I didn't know he was hungry.  And you didn't leave me a schedule.
Me:  Ok.  -____-

I'm sure whatever Mamas that are reading this are saying "Been there, done that, and it doesn't get any better!" lol.  But it proves the handkerchief truth. 

This weekend was busy.  Full of exciting "non-work" related events, which is awesome.  I didn't get any extra sleep, which is not awesome, but it leads me to my awesome hot bubble bath.  I've been looking forward to it all day.  Just a chance to relax and not have to think about anyone's schedule, who needs to eat, burp, nap, poop (has he pooped yet today?), teethe, take the garbage out (cause it runs tomorrow), clean out the pantry, clean the bottles, sweep up the dog hair....ok I'm getting carried away.  But you get the picture?  It's beautiful how just a chance to "not think" can put you in a better mood...not to mention the bubbles, and super hot water.  NICE.

And to finish off the awesome experience, I exit the bathroom to hear Daddy B saying "Good Catch DUDE!" to BK3. I'm wondering...what the hell?  The kid can barely grab a toy, much less catch something....Peek around the corner to see BK3 perched in Daddy's recliner.  Daddy B standing 6 feet away with BK3's plush football, tossing it to him.  I would've let them enjoy their Father - Son time, except Boss kept trying to ruin it by grabbing the football before BK3 could figure out to grab it.  I mean, I also didn't want Boss's saliva all over it too, but oh well.  So I say "Hey Hey, Boss...no" when I immediately get cut off by Daddy B, who pleas "BABE!, Let him play....Boss is the defense..."


Good Night!

Word to the wise.

I was driving home from Revolution tonight and I was meditating on a few things that had crossed my mind.  All of the situations gave me negative feelings, but I kept on thinking about them.  Until I saw a giant flash of lightening that covered the sky for a split second.  "Knock knock Carrie...God here.  Stop allowing the negative in.  Focus your thoughts in the right place, and things will change..."  That lightening was beautiful.  Scary, but beautiful.  And it's amazing how God's creation slapped me in the face like that.

So it reminds me.  I am a dance teacher.  I own a dance company.  The show "Dance Moms" makes me cringe for several reasons:
1.  It portrays the dance community in a way that isn't very likable to parents who may want to think about dance for their young children.  Soccer is looking better and better...
2.  It shows other parents of dancers that people actually act this way.  You'd think it would turn them off right away because the behavior is just down right ridiculous...but no....it gets people thinking.
...thanks Abby Lee.

I deal every day with the joys and the craziness.  Like everyone, there are things that I LOVE about my job, and things that I hate.  Mostly...the things that I hate all have to deal with the first paragraph of this blog:  the negativity that people cannot get away from; the same negativity that will change an attitude, bring out the worst in someone, and ultimately ruin the opportunities for your child - all because people just love some good gossip, or a little sweet revenge. 

And really - is that what we're in the business for?  Cause I sure am not.  My job is to teach a kid to dance.  Because I love it.  And can't live without it.  And I love that it's my job.  I don't sit at a desk.  I get to move, stay fit, listen to music, and create.  Be an artist...and teach others how to.  Too bad the amazing part of the job also has to come with the crap.  And honestly, there is no crap specifically right now (because I'm sure anyone reading this will be like "WHOA WHATS GOING ON" and then no telling what will spread like wild-fire, again refer to first paragraph). 

I love that so many people want to spread the good news of dance.  All dance teachers are unique in their own way.  The one thing we all share is that we love this art so much, that we're willing to devote our lives to it.  And boy does so much come with that.  Coffee talk with dance teachers is like a freaking soap opera / jerry springer / monday night pokeno . The most amazing, shocking, and crazy stories you'll ever hear.  Down-right entertaining.  So I guess I speak for all dance teachers when I say this....

We're like Santa Claus.  We hear everything.  We see everything.  We know when you lie to get your way...and we can smell a "dance mom" coming from a mile away.  That rhymed.  And truly, if you're good, we give you great things.  If you're nice too...it's even better.  Kids love dance, and our dancers love this world of competition, conventions and solos (can't forget solos).  So, really.  Be nice to everyone.  Don't hold grudges.  Be positive.  And don't worry.  When negativity gets in the way, remember that it promotes nothing but negative.  Negative sucks....and so does a sickled foot.

...refer to first paragraph.

Toting the Tot....

The past two weekends have been super busy for us - last weekend was the first solo & duet/trio competition for my dancers. It was held in Lafayette.  This weekend was our first group competition, held in Biloxi.  Since August, we've been choreographing and rehearsing these pieces.  Needless to say the two weekends were two much anticipated events, preceded by endless hours of rehearsal, and lots lots lots and lots of stress.  BUT they came, and are done.  I'm a happy dance teacher, they're accomplished dancers, and the first two competitions are out of the way for the new season.  Onto January! 

Baby Brannan came with me last weekend, as Daddy Brannan was cheering on the Tigers at the University of Alabama.  I didn't even for once stop to think if I would be capable of bringing BK3 by myself to a dance convention / competition.  I just did it.  Yep, I'm a mom.  It's that mentality of "I'll make it happen" that kicks into gear when faced with a challenge.  Needless to say, packing with a 6 month old takes a bit longer than ever before (minus the tot).  Once I got to Lafayette, things were 90 to nothing, but I had amazing help (Thanks Dance Moms).  I love that BK3 cures their "Baby Fix" and allows me some time to take a deep breath.  Saturday, the game of the century: LSU played Alabama and I wasn't missing this for the world.  We had all talked about checking out a local family sports bar/restaurant down the road from the hotel.  I was ready.  We were ready.  Until BK3 decided he'd rather an evening of constipation and "I don't want to eat my veggies yet I'm still going to scream because I'm hungry" attitude.  It was 6:30 p.m. (the game was starting in 30 minutes) and I had a choice to make.  No sports bar for us.  Burgers and a cocktail turned into Prune Juice and Papa Johns for me and the munchkin.  Oh well...at least he finally pooped (yay for that!) and I was able to relax...do we see a theme here?

This weekend, we were fortunate enough to leave BK3 behind.  Brannan and myself, off to Biloxi for an entire weekend. HALLELUJAH.  Thought I'd feel bad leaving him behind...but nope.  This was needed.  Although it was a weekend of no sleep (but not because of a baby), work, and dancing, I was ready and excited for it.  A nice dinner at the Beau Rivage and a few hours in the casino was our Friday night.  Saturday and today filled with Dancing and GOOD dancing might I add.  My dancers received top honors at a competition filled with incredible talent, and I left a happy teacher.  Side Note:  a SORE and IN PAIN teacher I was...due to my quest to take classes for the first time in a year, and since having a child.  WOW that reality check was a quick one...Of course I missed my cutie-pie and was so excited to see him by 6:30 p.m.  His li'l face lit up when he saw us....made my heart melt.  Yep....life has changed. 

Hope everyone has a great week :)

GEAUX to sleep..

It's November 3rd.  In 2 days, LSU will travel to Tuscaloosa to face the Crimson Tide in what seems to be the game of the century.  I've been nervous all week.  My knees get weak at the thought of LSU possibly going in there and messin' up, giving Nick Saban the chance to capitalize on our mishaps.  My boy has sported purple and gold all week - even down to the wubby of choice, being his Mike the Tiger wubby (we have 2), and only when they were getting washed did he settle for something else.  Is it a coincidence that the Elephant immediately succumbed to a giant glob of spit up?  I don't think so.  It's meant to be.  We will win on Saturday.  And if we don't, well, I'll blog about it that day.

Meanwhile, we have our first competition of the season this weekend.  I leave tomorrow morning for Lafayette, with Baby B in tow, since Daddy is going to the GAME.  Just me and pumpkin.  I come home late from dance to a house that needs quite a bit of attention, a baby who just finished eating his nightly bottle (arms stretched out saying TAKE ME MAMA) and a husband who was saying TAKE HIM MAMA.  I did.  Like I always do, but have a ton of things.  So after Brannan says "babe, I'm starving.  I need to eat something. " and poof is gone with the snap of the fingers, I look over to my bundle of joy who's been wedged between the Boppy and propped on top of 5 plush toys to keep him from falling from the newly not yet mastered Sittin Up position.  He tries his damn-est to grab everything he possibly can, at the same time, and shove it in his mouth.  You'll see the photo below.  My judges goody baskets could wait.  The laundry could wait and so could the house work, bottle cleaning, packing, and cd-finishing.  It's 10:00 p.m. and my son isn't asleep.  Brannan says "Babe, just put him in his Jump er roo.  Then you can get your work done"  Don't those husbands' know best?  MmHmm.  Brannan III jumped to his heart's content, despite being a loaded gun (on both ends).  Brannan was able to eat, and I was able to finish #1 on the list of 243 to do.  I was in BK3's room beginning to pack when I hear Daddy B bringing BK3 down the hall.  In my mind "Why has he picked him up out of his happy place?  That's weird".  Brannan says "Babe, does he have a dirty diaper?" as he's shoving his rear end into my face.  At this point, pause.  I should've known better.  CARRIE DO NOT SMELL HIS BUTT.  But no.  I'm stupid now.  My baby ate my brain.  What did I do?  Shoved my nose right into it.  BAM.  The traumatizing smell of Formula + Squash, digested.  And Daddy definitely did that on purpose.  After a few minutes of trying to convince Brannan that it was his turn....truly, it will ALWAYS be his turn in my book....I laid him down on the changing pad to realize that the shit didn't stay in his diaper where it belonged.  OH NO.  It was down his entire left leg.  Covered his foot.  In between his toes.  Seeped into his onesie.  And so damn close to his fingers it was scary.  Let's just say Daddy HIGH TAILED it as soon as I screamed.  Men have a funny sense of knowing when to run.  Brannan's excuse?  "Babe, you've already smelled it.  It's go time for you".  We won't go into the top o' the line Gas Mask that sits in the right drawer below the changing station.  It's there for a reason.  Don't believe me come check.   Hmm.  OK.  So it's 10:30, and now we need to take a bath.  All the while, BK3 thinks this is absolutely hilarious.  I couldn't be mad.  It was funny. 

We bathed.  Daddy's job was to spray off the onesie.  Miniscule compared to the task I was undertaking...but he still suffered, so it was ok.  Fast forward to the next hour that Brannan tried getting Baby B to sleep.  Nah, didn't feel like sleeping.  So we put him in his bed to talk with the Li'l Einstein light up sea thingy.  1/2 an hour goes by.  Still awake.  Another 1/2 an hour.  Still laughing mysteriously as if we were the dumbest parents on the planet and he was getting a kick out of keeping us awake.  I didn't mind.  I still had 123 things left to do.  I'm onto Laundry.  Putting it all away, at midnight and I notice NO SOUNDS.  Looked at the monitor.  The joker is asleep.  Couldn't last could ya li'l man!

Daddy's attempt at propping him up....

So I figured I'd blog about my very interesting evening coming home to my two boys.  Still have a slew of things to accomplish before 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, but I guess I'll hit the hay.  It'll motivate me to actually get up early.  Brannan gets to go cheer on the Tigers, and me and BK3 get to have a mommy / son weekend in Lafayette.  Praying for a few things:  Tigers Win, Mommy doesn't get kicked out of the hotel Saturday night yelling at the TV, and Daddy learns to take the reigns on poopy diapers, oh and Tigers Win.