Arkansas + Texas + Louisiana = October.

We were on the road (shows, family) for most of October.  Here's your warning… LOTS OF PICTURES.

Our first shows were in Arkansas so we broke up the drive and stopped to see the Barlow clan in Collierville.  Oliver loves to play with the steering wheel.   Mr. Man had big fun with Blake and all the fun toys he has and even played his first game of tag, which caused lots of belly laughs. 

                          

We left the next morning for the short drive to Van Buren.  BUT, we ended up being stuck on I-40 for 6 hours.  SIX hours of no movement.  There was an accident involving a HAZMAT truck about 7 miles ahead of us, so both sides of the highway were closed for cleanup.

All I have to say is thank God for snacks, a nursing baby, and empty cups.  Know what I'm saying'?

It was about as much fun as toilet cleaning or ripping off your toenails.  We made it, though.  But we had to cancel the show that night.  Major bummer.  First time in 15 years that Trent has ever had to cancel!

We got to the hotel (in time to watch Nashville…hallelujah) and got all settled.  Oliver had a terrible night, so we did too.  We made it through that, as well.

So Oliver could nap, we had a picnic of sorts in the car at a park.  If we look tired, it's because we were.

That night, we played at Larry's Pizza in Fort Smith.  It was super fun.  Plus, we got to eat pizza.  Lots of pizza.  Baked potato pizza, quesadilla pizza, regular pizza, dessert pizza.  One could assume I was in Heaven.  Also, Oliver likes pizza.  Duh.

Our friend, Kerrie, watched O for us and they did great.  At one point, Oliver was sitting in a high chair facing us and clapping.  Adorable.

We left the next day for Amarillo.  And Santa came early.  PawPaw and GiGi took us to "the baby store" and they hooked our boy up.

Toys, diapers, and the now titled, Oliver Cave.  He digs it.

Sunday, October 19th (I remember the day because it was Oliver's 10 month b-day) we shared music at  First Baptist Church.  Everyone was so, so kind and helpful.  And it was a fabulous morning.  (And the sanctuary is beautiful!)

The nursery took amazing care of our boy and we got to sneak down there and peek at him.  He stole puffs from a sweet little girl.  Eeeek!  But we were told she was stealing, too.  All's fair in nursery snacks, I guess.

(Look at his wittle hand on her chair!!!  I can't even deal.  So sweet and mischievous.  It looks like he's pleading his case.)

Also, they have a hand rail in the hall, so I did some ballet.  

Funny story, an older woman walked by our table, looked at our CDs and said, "I have 300 cds at home and I don't need another one."  We cracked up.  Our feelings?  Not hurt in the slightest.  Seriously one of my favorite stories.

We played that night as well and got to leave Oliver with the grandparents.  We fantasized about checking into a hotel and sleeping.  Waking up to eat.  And sleeping again.  One day...

Mama Pat and Papa Tuck were in town and it was great to spend time with them!  I think they're pretty smitten with the boy.

We left Amarillo and drove to Salado to see the Wenzel/Self clan.  We were able to get there on Caleb's 13th birthday.  **Let's pause for a sec**  Caleb is 13.  How did that happen?  In my mind, he's still lining up cars and trucks and calling me TaTee.  It's exciting and sad all at the same time.  (Dear Oliver, stay little, ok?  Ok.  Good talk.)

Oliver gets smothered in the best way and he LOVES those kids.  Makes this mama/aunt heart happy.

Some Baby Einstein before bed… (and laundry folding)

Grammie watched Oliver and we had a date.  A sit-down-and-talk-while-we-eat-then-walk-around-Target-without-rushing date. It was bliss.

We did an outdoor home show in Austin alongside Redeemed Ministries.  It was a great night and Oliver slept upstairs the whole time.  (Until we got in the room, of course, then he thought it was time to get up and nurse again.  Stinker.)

We left the next morning and stopped to get our #RoadGrammie to head to the Dallas area.  

We played the Sock It To Satan Festival in DeSoto.  Trent played there in 2010 and it was nice to see some familiar faces.

Oliver had the nursery all to himself.  And he made sure he put everything in his mouth.  Like a dog marking his territory.

(The foot.  Kills me.  So cute.)

After we played, we met up with our friends Billy and Rachel (and Max) for some BBQ.  It was fantastic.

I forgot the diaper bag so Oliver had to snack on pickles before the meal.  Lots and lots of pickles.  (He was a fan…which is no surprise due to the amount I ate while he was in my belly.)  He and Max sat by each other and I wish I got a picture of them looking at each other and touching each other.  Seriously the cutest.    

The next day, Sunday, we went to Community of Hope in Mansfield to lead worship and have a concert.   Amazing time.  The sweetest people.  And turns out, the pastor had seen Monk and Neagle years ago in Salado.  Small world.

(Oliver had a nap on Grammie and this picture is one of my favorites.)  

He loves to watch.

The hotel had a Texas waffle iron because of course they did.  So, Oliver and I shared it.  (He didn't get butter or syrup.)

We left and went back to Salado for a couple days and this is what Grammies do while mommies and daddies pack up:

We left for Shreveport, LA to play at New Life Tabernacle.

After the show, while I handled merch, I was chasing Oliver around and a Nana of 9 grand babies commented on how active he is.  I felt some validation.  Like, "Yes.  Yes he is.  He doesn't stop.  Thank you for noticing."   

(Dinner in the hotel desk chair.  Fancy.)

It was another great night and we finished our run of shows feeling loved and blessed.  And it could not have been more timely.  He always does that; God is good.

Then we went home after stopping in Collierville one more time.  We're staying close to home this month and it's wonderful.  Except that we miss sleeping on a bed.  

Oh, the sacrifices we make for our babes. =)

  

Oliver is 10 months!!!

Dear Oliver,

My, oh my.  This month was a BIG one.  You have changed so much!!!  Lots of growing going on…

This month started with your first trip to the ER.  You were wheezing with labored breathing and we were told to go.  So we did.  It was very sad and you cried/screamed/bucked like a bronco during the breathing treatment.  Broke our hearts but thankfully, it wasn't anything serious and you are a BRAVE boy.

You are eating very well!  You're not picky, eating pretty much anything we give you, and we hope you stay that way.  You like to eat outside when it's nice and really like to pick up your food.  You are very independent.  Bananas, cheerios, cheese, black beans, peas…you like it all!  You've even tried steak, pizza, and rib meet.  You like those, too.  You'll even grab the spoon and feed yourself sometimes!  Such a big boy.

We have the apartment super duper baby proofed and now have a gate.  A gate that you love to pull up on and throw balls over.  You can play peekaboo by yourself, putting a blanket or towel over your face then pulling it away.  So cute!!!

You sometimes reach through your crib and grab clothes out of the hamper and pull them into your crib.  One time I came to get you after your nap and one of my socks was in there!  You little stinker.  Now, I move the hamper for nap time.

You can copy us a little now!  You love balls and usually have one in each hand.  You can throw them (and fetch, ha!) and you really like to bang stuff together.

You let Daddy cuddle you for a little bit in the morning while I make coffee.  But then, you are off to the races.  All. Day. Long.

You went to a pumpkin patch for the first time and adored it.  You've started waving a little and walking sideways while holding onto furniture.  We can't believe it!

You're very distracted while you nurse, so I have to stay away from noise/TV/Daddy.  You went through a phase where you'd high-five me repeatedly while nursing.  It was hilarious.

You yell with joy while I vacuum, which is waaaaay better than crying, so thank you!  You don't cuddle much at all, so when you let me, I soak it up.

You've done the sign for "more" a couple times and it usually is accompanied with a grunt.  Like, "fine woman.  I'll do it, but you better feed me."

You have your top two teeth and another bottom one coming it!  That might explain the sleepless nights for us.  But as I type this, you've had 3 good nights in a row and we're hoping it stays that way!  If I have to change your diaper in the night, you scream.  I don't know what's going on with that, but I know you won't always do that.

(This was during a 6 hour traffic jam.  Poor baby.)

You laugh at some of the strangest commercials.  A lawyer commercial, one with a giant stuffed mouse, and some car salesmen.  There's also an annoying furniture commercial that you are quite fond of but we do not like.  You also think it's funny when we repeat the GPS lady.  Such a funny little boy.

Oliver, you are the hardest, most rewarding thing I've ever done.  I had always heard that prior to being a mama and now I truly know what it means.  You are our world and we love you the most!

A Quick Trip to Mississip

Tuesday of this week, we played at Itawamba Community College Wesley Foundation.  It's only 3 1/2 ish hours away (in Fulton, MS), so we were able to leave that day, spend the night, and then come on home.

*O has officially reached the point of snacking in the car*

One would think packing for one night is easier than packing for a month.  Wrong.  For us, it is way easier to pack up for longer stretches, simply because that's what we know.  That road rhythm I've mentioned before is all out of whack when we're gone for a day.

For example, this trip, Trent forgot his belt, I forgot Oliver's eating utensils and his sheet for the pack 'n' play.  Nothing major, but just enough to mess us up.  

Luckily, Trent found a cheap belt at Fred's Pharmacy (insert laughing emoji here), Oliver can eat with his fingers and a plastic spoon, and the hotel had a sheet.  

We got to the hotel early and I was so glad.  That way, Oliver could take a nap and so could we.  Wrong.  When our boy gets to a knew place (especially hotels) he gets jazzed and he is ready to paaaaarrrrty.  So, we left for the show a little earlier so he could nap in the car and Trent could get that fancy new belt and Fred's.

We had a blast playing for the students.  They were polite, sweet, complimentary, and hilarious.  My favorite traits =).  Also, Oliver sat in his stroller, up front, for the whole show.  He would wave his hands, bounce his legs, and "sing," too.  Hilarious and precious and it seems we are in a new phase.  (Yay for no screaming.)  

When the director, John, emailed and asked us to come, we were so glad it worked out.  Fulton, MS has a special place in our hearts because the hotel where we stay, is where we found out we were pregnant.  (Maybe we should've gone with Oliver Tuck Fulton Monk?)  Anyway, we always document our trips there.

April 16, 2013 

September (maybe October?) 2013

September 30, 2014 (John's son joined us!)

After the show, we grabbed a quick snack and drove back to the hotel.  Oliver went down with no fuss and slept great.  We got up, ate breakfast, and hit the road.  

The End.  

Now we have a couple weeks off and I'm really hoping for fall weather to happen.