Ninjas, Monsters, and Witches...Oh MY!!!

Well, there has been a lot of "happenings" since the last post. We've all been settling in to our routine as a whole family quite nicely.

We did have a visit from a Ninja last week...It was quite the sneaky attack - of the 4-legged variety. It was Monday morning, and I was brushing my teeth getting ready for work. For those of you who don't know, Gatsby LOVES to drink out of the bathroom sink...it's her special little treat every day. Well, I look down and see THIS:


If you can't see it, there's some red splotches on her face. It looks a bit like dried blood. My first thought was, "my goodness...just what HAS she gotten herself into this time???" But, I couldn't find any wounds on her anywhere...couldn't find anything on Bosley either. So, then a thought hit me. I had hotdogs for dinner the prior night. I was thinking that she maybe got in the trash. So, I went downstairs to check - expecting a big ole mess. But, there was nothing. The garbage can was in its home...lid closed tight and everything. Hmmm??? I thought...maybe it's something else. Then, a little voice in my head told me to open the can and check...and, yep, the hotdog was GONE. I promptly turned around and asked Gatsby, "DID YOU DO THIS???" Only then did she start acting guilty...AFTER she first had a confused look on her face like, "HOW did she know???" So, yes, it seems that the Sneaky Ninja struck us...but at least the Ninja thinks that her Mom has some 6th sense for trouble...haha.

Oh...and don't think for one second that this guy: is innocent. I'm convinced that he's often involved in the schemes around here. I just think he's smarter than we give him credit for...perhaps the smartest of all...AND smart enough NOT to get caught!

We also had a visit to the dog park after Daddy returned. It was a nice treat for Gats and Bos.



Now on to the "goings-on" of the Monster :). Last week, he left the newborn room and moved to the crawler room at daycare. I thought that he just couldn't be ready...he's can't be old enough for THAT yet. But, the kind ladies at daycare told me otherwise. Here he is on the last day (and the door to his old room) with his first teacher, Ms. Sveta...she was so good for him.



Luckily, he still gets to see her every morning when we drop him off. Also, he was familiar with the teachers in his new room too, so the transition was MUCH smoother for him, than his Mommy :).

He also has been eating new foods a bit better. We sometimes get the sour-lemon shivers, but he will at least eat more after it happens :). Here he is at Red Lobster checking out the mashed taters for the first time...


He's also starting to sit up better, and trying to scoot around more...although, he does it with his face pushed into the floor. One of these days, he will figure out that face planting is probably not the best way to be mobile...one of these days...

And, finally, the "witches" part of the post. Last night, Karson and I had some girl time. We went to see the I-Max/3D version of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. We had a GREAT time!!! And, as a good, new Mommy...I had a camera handy to document our dorkiness:



...yes, Karson does have on her glasses UNDER her 3D glasses, so she was even more dorky than me - teehee. It was awesome to be able to spend some time with her, though. I'm glad that she was feeling up to it :).

He's Baaaccckkkk!!!

So, I'm a little late on updating. Dennis has actually been home for a week, but I got a bug (perhaps the lesser known 'hippopotamus flu', since I felt like I had been run over by one), Dennis then got sick, oh...and Lachlan got a stomach bug over the weekend. Nonetheless, the Menagerie is all back together again!!! Wahooo!!!!

Anyway, on to my story. Last Thursday afternoon, I sprinted out of work a tad bit early and went to pick up Lachlan to go get his Daddy from the airport.

Here Lachlan is as we are loading up to go...can't you tell that he's full of anticipation???




Here we are walking into the airport...



And I am here to tell you that THIS:


....is about the most awesome sight EVER when you haven't seen Daddy in a month!!!

Those are two of my most favorite guys in the world (we're just missing Bosley). I just get warm fuzzies all over thinking about how cute they were together that day.

It was quite a day! I was worried, since Lachlan has started to know when he doesn't recognize someone and will often scream his version of, "STRANGER DANGER!" But, it went quite well!!! He studied his Daddy for a few minutes, but pretty much took right to him...no screaming at all.



On the way home, Daddy started out in the front seat with me...



But QUICKLY, jumped in the backseat to play with the little man...I CLEARLY know where I now rank...but, hey, who's complaining...it's AWESOME!


And, OF COURSE!!! Daddy brought us home souvenirs:



Lachlan got a cowboy hat and sheriff's badge from Texas...how appropriate...and oh how do I hope that if Lachlan is going to involved with "the law" when he gets older that it's on THAT side and not the other - haha.

I got a BEAUTIFUL ornament...he knows me SO well!!!



Gatsby wanted to know where the HE(double hockey sticks) HER present was???



At least she had fun tearing up all of the paper that the presents were wrapped in :). Let me just say for those of you who have not witnessed it...Gatsby knows how to rip into a present and with gusto!!! I fully expect her to show Lach how to have a good time come Christmas this year, because I'm sure they will BOTH have more fun getting into the presents than anything.

And finally...remember me mentioning my favorite boys??? Well, here they are together at last:



It just warms my heart...an even Gatsby is in the background :).

That's about it for us. We're all doing MUCH better after our war with the bugs. I will say that with Lach's stomach bug, I was initiated FULL force on Monday morning into Mommyhood...I won't go into great detail, but I will say that Lach's new nickname is "Squirter McGhee!" Yes...and THAT wasn't the only end I got it from that morning...

More to come soon!

6 Months and Counting

6 months ago today, I received the greatest gift EVER! I knew that my life would be changing, but HOW it would change...well, that was unfathomable!!! My, my...how time does fly!




February 3, 2009...I woke up to what seemed to be Niagara Falls entering my bed at about 2am. I jumped out of bed with a, "Dennis, MY WATER JUST BROKE!!!" I've never seen someone (Dennis) shoot out of bed so fast in my life. We got ready - trying to be calm, but knowing that this little man was coming WAY too soon...he had 6 weeks of cooking left to be done. He couldn't be coming THAT early...but he was.

A few short hours later, following me begging for an epidural, an "uh-oh, let me get the doctor" from my nurse (that was her realizing that she was feeling a foot instead of a head when 'checking me'), and a talk from an OBGYN about what could go wrong with him being born so early (and pretty much scaring the begeezus out of me); Lachlan Grey Menefee was born via c-section at 6:16am. I remember laying there on the table say ing over and over again, "PLEASE let me hear him cry...PLEASE let me hear him cry..." It was my little mantra, because I knew that if I heard him cry - just a little, that his lungs were working and there was a good chance that everything would be okay.

Well, let me just say that my little 'preemie' son outdid himself! As soon as we heard the doctor suction him, we heard a scream of which any full-term baby would be proud...and he continued the screaming while the nurse from Children's man-handled him (okay - so sh e was checking him and cleaning him up). Let's just say that there was NOTHING wrong with those lungs! They made him spend a few hours in 'observation', and then the FINALLY brought him to me. THAT'S when life as we now know it began!



Since then, it has been a whirlwind 6 months, and I've loved every minute of it...okay, so there have been times that I've wanted some more sleep, but other than that - I wouldn't change it for the world!

Some highlights of the past 6 months:

• His rolley, poley ears that did n't have quite enough cartilage (that's what happens when you don't finish cooking)
• The little squeaks and gurgles that newborns make
• The way he smells
• Watching his Daddy change that first "tar poo-poo" diaper
• Watching his Daddy with him PERIOD
• Listening to the songs his Daddy makes up for him
  
• The way he stares at us and studies our face when he's eating his bottle
  
• First smiles - even if there wer e due to gas :)
  
• First smiles that were on purpose
• First laughs that sounded more like Beavis or Butthead than a baby laugh
• First REAL baby giggles
• Watching him take his first bites of cereal - how it looks like he's sucked on a HUGE, SOUR lemon - it sends shivers all through his body from his head to his little toes...and how it STILL happens more often than not...
• Speaking of toes...nibbling on them...which now makes him laugh
• Listening to him babble in the morning (telling us ALL about his dreams)
  
• Watching him learn to roll from his back to his tummy...and then getting mad because he HATED tummy time
• Watching him learn to roll from his tummy to his back, which made life ALL better in his eyes...and ironically, turned the page on his dislike for tummy time - now he sleeps on his tummy every night...but only if it's his idea
• Going into his room first thing in the morning, all sleepy eyed...and seeing the biggest, cutest grin spread over his face when he sees me.
  
• Listening to his baby 'zerberts' and kissy noises
  
• His run of being sick...what an initiation for this new Mommy!
• Seeing him trying to learn to sit up and holding himself up in the 'tripod' position
• Watching our family with him
• Watching Bosley so gently try to befriend him
• Watching Gatsby come to terms with him...and even allow a pet or two every now and then
  
• Discovering his hands
• Discovering his feet...and trying to eat them!
• Late night snuggle sessions in his rocking chair
• Early morning snuggle sessions in the bed
  
• BATH TIME...from screaming like we were killing him in the beginning, to getting drenched by splash time now!
• And, most recently...how he has started staring at me again when I feed him...but now, he gently tries to rub my face...it just melts my heart every time.
  

Well, I could go on and on... I just love watching him grow and explore his new world! It all happens so very fast...almost too fast.

I thank God every day for allowing me to be your Mommy, Lachlan! You remind me to enjoy the simple joys of every day. I can't wait to see what the next 6 months...and forever holds for the Menefee Menagerie. I know that we may not always do the right thing, Lach, but know that we do everything out of love for you...wanting nothing more than the best for you. Daddy and I love you more than you will ever know. Here's to watching you learn and grow over the next 6 months...and forever!

Here are some pictures from Lachlan's "Half Birthday!" I know that I'm just a teeny bit biased, but I think that he's about the cutest thing ever!

Sick and Tired

"Sick and tired"...that's been the theme around the Menefee household over the past few weeks. Hence, my lack of updating my fancy, new blog!

Poor little Lachlan has had quite the run of it lately. He started out with a lower respiratory infection, then developed croup (which is quite scary for a new mommy to experience), and finally got a lovely ear infection. Welcome to the world of daycare, Little One :). I keep telling myself that this is all good, since he surely will get all of those childhood illnesses now instead of when he starts school. Anyway, he's still battling the ear infection - it's a resistant little bugger. He's just started on his 3rd type of antibiotics for it. Hopefully this one will work...if not, I will take him directly back to the doctor when fussiness arises again. Oh...and the tired part of "sick and tired"...well, our good little sleeper hasn't been sleeping so good these days. So, Mommy and Daddy have been quite tired. I'm pleased to report, though, that he slept through the night last night...YIPEEE!!!

I often joke around that Lach must think that God gave him to the stupidest mommy around (my mom says that all babies probably think that about their mommy's a time or two). I completely missed the signs that the ear infection was back...AGAIN. You would think I would have learned my lesson the first time, but NOPE - not me :). When he got fussy this weekend, wanted to be held all the time, wouldn't eat well, etc. (just like the last two rounds of this ear infection), I assumed that he must be teething or something. There was just NO way that he had an ear infection again after having the shot and 10 days of antibiotics that had just been completed 3 DAYS PRIOR...WRONG....so, here I am promising my little man that NEXT TIME, I will recognize the signs and take him straight in to be checked. We'll just hope that there isn't a next time; I would hate to be made to look like a big ole goober in front of my 5 month old - haha.

Other than dealing with the Lach Ness Monster (this is what we call Lachlan when he's fussy more than happy - figured we would embrace the nickname he is pretty much assured to be called at some point in his life), we've had some fun! Lachlan and I went to Montgomery to visit family over July 4th weekend. We had a great time there! The drive home was another story altogether. Lachlan turned 5 months old there...he's now 15lbs 11oz! He's rolling more frequently, laughing, and trying to sit up. He's jut growing up so very fast!

We visited this new neighborhood outside of town on July 4th. They had their own little festival in their little town square area. It's called "The Waters". Here are a couple of pictures, but you can also just click the link to check it out.


It is AWESOME. They have their own little world there...tree-lined streets with big sidewalks; big front porches (the yards are kinda small, but you don't need one when you have everything they have); their own town square with a market, gym, dentist office, etc; lakes all around with a beautiful boathouse and dock; a fancy pool; tennis courts; and a perfect little white church on a hill overlooking everything. I have visions of becoming a "Stepford Wife" there...we would tool around in our little personally decorated golf cart. I would wear cute dresses and have a tan....heck, I would even BAKE if that's what it would take - haha.

We also had a marathon trip home from Alabama. I regret not documenting it for prosperity. I had my camera and everything. We left on Sunday afternoon, and our normal 5 hour trip turned into an over 8 hour trip. Lachlan did great - considering...although, now he's a little leary of his carseat. We ran into traffic just south of Birmingham (no surprise there), so after we got out if it, we spent some time hanging out in the Lowe's just north of town. Talk about an odd stop, but we both needed to walk...it was raining...and was after 6pm on a Sunday - our options were limited. Then, we ran into a terrible storm and horrible traffic around 11pm in Chattanooga. We ended up "camping out" in the patio section of a 24 hour Wal-Mart. The workers were very nice. I ended up making myself at home on some patio furniture. Lachlan got a late bottle and played on his blanket. I felt like the girl in the book/movie Where the Heart Is. Talk about hilarious...now.

Other that that little adventure, things are pretty quiet for the Menagerie. Daddy is away for work for a while...so, it's me and the monsters. Hopefully, they won't ban together to overthrow me while he's gone - haha.

Out of the shoot...

Hello there! Well, this is my very first blog! Why blog, you ask??? I never thought I would be a "blogger", but there's a good reason. You see, I'm TERRIBLE at keeping up with scrapbooks and such, but would LOVE to chronicle the goings on of my little family. I thought this would be the perfect solution! I can add updates, share pictures and videos...and have something for Little Lachlan to go back and check when he gets bigger...he's not reading quite yet, you know.

Besides, with our closest family members being 5 hours away and numerous friends living in far-away places, what better way to keep up...and they can do it their own leisure too!

Hmmm...guess I should start with the basics. The "Menefee Menagerie"...the name just popped in my head when I was prompted to come up with something. It's not very witty, but it does have a nice ring to it. AND, we do have quite the family...

Dennis - he's Mr. Wonderful wrapped up in a nice, dorky package that I love to pieces. He's the yin to my yang...or is it the other way around??? He's also pretty much the best dad ever!

Bosley - the world's nicest, most loving, big, black dog - he's a 'labradane' a cross between a Great Dane and Labrador Retriever. He's pretty much the heart of our house...an old, wise soul he is...









Gatsby - probably the craziest, most personality filled dog...correction: "4-legged, furry, person" you could imagine. She's the entertainment...always providing us with a good story, and ALWAYS costing us lots of dough! But, we wouldn't trade her for the world!




And, last but certainly not least...there's Lachlan...the newest addition to our little family. He's just about the neatest thing ever. He's 20 weeks old tomorrow and growing like a weed! I just look at him every day with new eyes. I'm continually amazed by everything: the way he bends his toes when he eats, the way he smiles real big and laughs his little laughs when we are "eating his tummy", and the way you can watch him start to figure things out. I wake up each day anxious to see what he's going to teach me...:).

So, that's our little clan. My lunch hour is just about over, so I better wrap it up. I think I should add our latest developments. Yesterday was Dennis' first Father's Day. He is really, truly the most awesome Dad. I couldn't ask for a better partner in crime...err...life :). We didn't do a lot for Father's Day, because we received some sad news about a friend. But, I do plan to have a more thorough celebration with him at a later date...namely Labor Day weekend at Atlanta Dragon Con (it's a comic convention...I did mention before that he is a dork, right???)

Lachlan is currently 15lbs4ozs....he's gained nearly 10 lbs in 20 weeks...CRAZY!!!! He's been battling a lower respiratory thingy, but doing much better. Besides that, he's smiling and laughing and rolling (but apparently only on Sundays, as he rolled the Sunday before last and then yesterday but not in between). He is also sitting up very well with assistance, and I'm convinced he will be reading War and Peace in no time :).

Bosley is doing well after having a 3.5lb spleen removed a few weeks ago. He's adding weight and has stopped the moaning and groaning that comes with having a spleen the size of a small baby in you (he had turned into quite a talker for a while there). I think he just can't wait for Lachlan to get big enough to play! And, Gatsby...well, she's growing more accustomed to not being the center of attention all the time. Although, I swear that she's just waiting to give Lach and BIG "talkin to" about his place in the family as soon as he's capable of understanding. She also has been having a lot of concerns about the near daily thunderstorms we have been having. They cause her to spend a lot of time "pretending" to be non-chalantly hanging out in the half bath downstairs...or all-out shivering like a chihuahua in somebody's lap if it's really bad. Talk about a funny sight for a Great Dane.

Alrighty, then...signing off...oh...forgot to add me. I'm just fine - still trying to learn how to be the best Mommy I can be...that's about it! More to come later!!!