Alabama to Texas to Home

A couple weeks ago, we went to Alabama, made a stop in Louisiana, then to Texas.  

We drove to Enterprise, AL first to lead worship and have a concert at Crossroads Church.  This was our third time to be with them and it's always a joy.

Have I ever mentioned I read out loud to Trent while on the road?  Well, I do.  And this is where Oliver was looking at his book, too.

We got to the hotel at a decent hour and The Odens (the pastor and his wife) had left us a gift basket.  Ask me how long I waited before I opened the Oreos...

There's always a little uncertainty on the road with Oliver, but he slept great and woke up happy on Sunday morning.

The church meets in a movie theater, which is always so cool.  Oliver hung out with a nursery worker, Harley, and he did great.

The services were wonderful.  One of the pastors and his wife had just had their first baby, who they named Oliver.  Maybe one day, they'll meet =)

We rested that afternoon.  (Well, we rested and dozed off right when Mister Man woke up.  Isn't that how it goes?)

We went back to the church for sound check.  Oliver hung out in an exercauser and bounced like crazy when we played.  Awesome.

Thank you to Gene (Crossroads pastor) for taking some cool pics!

We introduced a new song, which is always kind of scary.  For me, anyway.  At one point in the song, I had to hold up lyrics for Trent, ha!  They were all gracious and complementary.  Whew.

Sunday night es no bueño with the little guy, so he and I went down early for breakfast and let Trent sleep.  How can you get upset with this face?

We left and headed to Texas.  But first, we stopped in Denham Springs, LA to split up our drive to Texas.  We know a church there with an apartment and they were gracious enough to let us crash for the night.  (Again, every church needs an apartment.)

We left the next morning and made our way to Salado to stay a few days with my parents before heading to Houston.  One day, we drove to Waco (it's still weird that my parents don't live there) to see Nana.  It was so cute to see Oliver play with toys I played with as a little girl.  And can we discuss this Nana?  She'll be 96 on Christmas Eve and is still kickin' butt.

I went to Caleb's JH pep rally with Julie and so that meant we picked up Noah.  

The joys of trying to get a decent pic of all the kids...

We left Friday morning (Oliver's 9 month bday) and drove to Houston.  SOOOOO glad the Road Grammie was able to come for that night.

 Check in =)

Hanging out before the show

Oliver was playing with my makeup brush.  Trent called it the "Merle Norman Brush of Justice."  Haha!

Our friend, Robin, orchestrated the night.  We played at Clear Lake Church of Christ in the youth room, which was awesome and gave us some pre-show activities.  (Yes, apparently there are Churches of Christ that allow instruments!  Who knew?)

Robin took some pictures with a real camera and here are some of them!  (To see the rest, go to our Facebook page.)

Sweet Grammie and Ollie.

                      

We can't remember what was going on here, but it makes me laugh.

I wasn't saluting.  I was looking for the boy.

 

 

Robin, the one who put it all together!

                          

We had so much fun and everyone was just as precious as can be.  Once merch died down, I nursed O and he passed out.  Bless it.  It was a looooong day for him and he didn't have a 2nd nap.

The night was rough.  So he didn't wake up (or keep up, rather) Grammie and Trent, we hung out in the bathroom from about 2 AM to 3 AM and I nursed him in the shower, which had a seat.  When he woke up at 6:00, I checked his temp and it was over 101, so I gave him Motrin and he went back down.  It seemed the virus was back.

The next morning, we had to take my mom to the airport (she was flying to Memphis for Blake's party) but first we needed some guitar strings.  Some people were waiting for the new iPhone.  We waited for Guitar Center to open.

After we dropped Grammie off, I called our Doctor's office at home and explained Oliver's symptoms.  Fever, bad cough, runny nose and then labored breathing and wheezing.  They told us to take him to the ER.  So THAT was fun.  

Nervous Nelly here with a baby in the ER who ended up having to get a breathing treatment that, to him, was the most terrifying thing ever.  Talk about heart breaking!  All the fussing and fighting wore him out, so he napped while we waited for the news.  Guess what!  Just a virus.  Thank God it wasn't that bad one going around.  They gave us an inhaler to use, just in case and sent us on our way.  Now we had a sick baby and a late show Saturday with an early morning Sunday.

He fell asleep on the way to Conroe for Faith Fest and stayed asleep for a long time.  This was us no knowing what to do.  We woke him up and introduced him to the sweet OliVolunteer and he did amazing!  Not a peep.

By the time we played and got back to the hotel, it was waaaaay past his bedtime and he fell asleep during books.  That has never happened.  Sweet boy =(

Sunday morning was spent with Walden Community Church in Montgomery.  We were supposed to be with them at 9:30 and 11:00, but after the ER trip, we cancelled the 9:30 so Oliver could rest more, which he did.  He seemed a lot better.  Yay!!!

Pastor David and his wife, Joanna (who willingly kept Oliver in a separate room so he didn't get any babies sick) were so nice to let us come in last minute.  They enjoyed our worship and special music, and so did the congregation, and that's always nice to hear.

We left right after church and drove to Texarkana to stay the night.  Then home the next day.  And this face pretty much sums it up:

We were so tired.  It was a GREAT run and a great weekend, but it was hard.  Now, we're home and are enjoying a little time off.

Oliver is 9 months!!!

Dear Oliver,

You are a little over 9 months old and we are in shock that it's gone by so quickly.  Wasn't it just yesterday we met you for the first time?  Each month brings more and more milestones and we are incredibly thankful we both get to experience them as they happen.  

You had your well baby visit yesterday and had to get 4 shots AND blood drawn to check your iron levels!  You screamed and cried, but were easily calmed with us and a quick nursing sesh.  Your iron levels look good, by the way.  Here are your stats:

30 inches (98th percentile)

20 lbs 10 1/2 oz (65th percentile)

You are our long and lean machine!

Crawling is still your method of mobility and you are really quick.  Now, you even like to crawl while holding something.  You've also started to pick up a foot while doing so.  It looks like you're trying to stand up.  You have started to stand by yourself for a few seconds at a time.  We clap for you and act like fools when you do.

When we go to the grocery store, all the workers love you.  I guess since they saw you grow in my belly and now before their eyes, they feel like they know you.  It's pretty adorable.  We call you the Publix Mascot.  You have mastered picking up Cheerios and Gerber puffs as well as bites of banana and yogurt bites.  Sometimes you head butt me.  Luckily, it doesn't hurt; it's funny.

I've mentioned before that you stop what you're doing and listen to certain commercials.  This song for an Alzheimer's commercial is a favorite.  We think you also sing in the car with us.  It's babbling but definitely more singsongy. You like Norah Jones, Twin Forks, Nickel Creek and the CDs Aunt Rachel sent.   We're practicing waving and we think you're getting close.  You've kind of waved a couple times and you light up when we wave to you, so it's only a matter of time. 

You are obsessed with Daddy's amp.  (And his guitar, but we don't let you play with that.  It's quite fragile.)  We've pretty much baby proofed the apartment so you can crawl everywhere.  We close the bathroom and bedroom door and have pillows everywhere else and it seems to work.

It ain't pretty, but it does the job.  

When we tell you "No," you stop and look at us and we remove you from the situation or distract you with another toy, so maybe you're learning what it means.  When we pick you up, especially after a nap or in the morning when you wake up, you pat us.  It pretty much melts our hearts.  You also laugh and smile real big when your daddy and I kiss.  

You are constantly on the move, hardly EVER sitting still.  You love phones and remotes, water bottles and bags…straps and zippers are so fun!  Grabbing your spoon while you eat is a new thing that sometimes gets food everywhere.  Now I just give you one to hold to make you feel like you're doing something real special! 

You've started to copy some things we do.  One day, Daddy had his phone to his year listening and you put your remote up to yours.  So cute!  While we won't know which hand will be your dominant one, you definitely favor your left.  Every now and then, you'll dance a little when you hear a song.  Just wait 'til I teach you some fancy moves, Mister.   

You had your first bad cold this month which included your first doctor visits that weren't just check-ups.  Then that cold turned into your first ear infection.  You were a champ, though, and we soaked up the extra cuddles. 

At one time, I took away pacifiers during naps and bedtime.  I then came to my mommy senses and let you have them.  We keep some in the crib and it's HILARIOUS to watch you change them out.  You even play with your wubbanub, too.  (As well as untying the bumper and reaching your hand through the crib to play with the laundry basket.)

You officially kicked us out of the bedroom so now we sleep in the living room.  It's for the best; you are sleeping better.  Naps are longer and some nights you only get up once or twice.  There are still nights where you get up more and there are adjustments we have to make on the road, but for the most part, you're doing great.  Putting you down is a breeze now (at home, anyway).  We do books (which you are really loving) and turn on the fan and you know it's time.  Sometimes you even reach for your bed without needing cuddles.  I'm glad to say that the majority of the time, I still get to rock you a bit as we sing our songs.

The funniest thing, I think, is how you occasionally knock on the wall by your crib and then look at the door to see if we come.  The first time we saw you do this on the monitor we laughed so hard!  We don't go in, by the way, but nice try and you really are precious.

When you're asleep at night, we talk about you and look at pictures and sometimes get emotional.  This whole parenthood thing is the hardest, most rewarding thing your daddy and I have every done.  Your heart is sweet, we can tell, and your personality is going to be one people talk about…in a good way.  We pray for you and with you daily and can't wait to see what you become.  You will be a world changer.

Just don't get in a hurry, ok?

We love you, love you, love you tons!!!

   

Rocky Top

*There seems to be something wrong with my phone's camera.  All my pictures  are foggy.*

*Like anyone would be upset that I don't have clear pictures.*

*But still, I felt the need to explain.*

Okay...

We hardly ever (and I've never ever) have shows in the actual state in which we live.  Strange, but true.  Within the last week and a half, we were able to stay close to home and share music in Lebanon and Dayton, TN.

It was great to be close, but a little strange.  We're so used to the rhythm of the road and not having that rhythm was different.  I mean, when we got dressed, we got clothes out of our closet and not our suitcase.  Weird.

Anyway, our friends, Chris and Caleb, lead worship for the youth on Wednesdays at Immanuel Baptist in Lebanon.  They were on the road and asked us to fill in.

Wasn't it nice of them to put up an 'M' just for us?  J/k.  It eventually said 'Illuminate.'

O had lots of room to roam while Trent got set up.  I'm sure the gym floor was clean enough =)

And I'm sorry, but when did he get so big?!?

Before the service, after the delicious church dinner, we got away and let the boy play.  He loves to bang on things.  Loudly.

 We had a great time and I'm glad to say the youth were very respectful and attentive.  I'm also glad to say Oliver did great in the nursery.  Except, I think that's where he picked up the virus he's currently fighting.  Part of it, right?

The following Sunday, we drove to Dayton to play at First Baptist Church.  I got no other pictures than these pretty ones.  The drive was beautiful.  Rainy and with a sick baby, but beautiful.

The church was having a night where everyone gathers to sing hymns.  Then we closed the night with a concert.  Everyone loved it!  It's always nice to be able to find common ground with a mostly older crowd, through music.  Oliver was kept in the nursery by a sweet lady.  By the time I got to him, he was not happy.  He did not feel good and was tired and we could not get home soon enough.

He slept pretty much the whole way.  Then we checked his temperature when we got home and it was 103.7 and I FREAKED out and was ready to go to the ER but then my calm husband who balances me (praise the Lord), said "let's see if we can lower it first." We gave him Motrin and I took a bath with him and it came down a little bit and then I was able to breathe again.

So that's that!  It was nice to be close and an even bigger blessing to be able to take Oliver to his doctor and keep him home to get better.  I pray he never gets sick while we're on the road.