Tooth #7

I woke up on January 26th with a dream that HG had lost another tooth in her sleep (like tooth #6 in July). She has had two loose ones, the two teeth up top on either side of the middle ones, but none were just hanging on by a thread. I asked her about it when she woke up, and she said the one on her left side was really loose. While I was getting ready for work, she came back in my bathroom to show me she had been wiggling it and it had started bleeding. She was a little teary (blood scared her) and wanted me to help her. I couldn’t make any better progress and suggested she let Mrs. Barksdale work on it (she loves pulling teeth), but as HG worked on it, she got braver and more determined. The tears dried up, and she eventually turned it. One more pull, and it popped out in her hand. That girl danced and danced all over our bathroom! She was so proud of herself! I told her that since she pulled it herself and saved Mama from having to do it, she could have whatever she wanted for breakfast- she chose a cupcake! (For the record, she gave it a few licks and then decided it was too chocolate-y.)

She came home from school talking about how there was a Chapstick/ Lip Gloss Fairy who would give you new chapstick if you left plain, boring, unwanted chapstick under your pillow. Within minutes of HG sharing this news with me, our class moms’ chat group LIT UP with people asking about what in the heck was a chapstick fairy??? Apparently, Evie was the first one to hear about her (ahem), and she has visited some of HG’s classmates (after much angst toward their parents). Last night, HG had her usual list of questions for the Tooth Fairy (Lily Starshimmer) and was pleasantly surprised that in addition to Lily’s letter, the Chapstick Fairy left her a new chapstick too. I told her that must mean that she only comes along with the Tooth Fairy! She was happy as a pig and danced out the door to school with her new chapstick in tow. Whew!

2016 Snow Day

We had our first (and hopefully not last) snow day of 2016 on Friday, January 22nd. Up to 3-6 inches were predicted, but sadly, the storm went north of us and left us with just a dusting. (Roads ended up being totally fine.) Fortunately for HG though, the threat was enough to cancel school as early as dinner on Thursday, so we were able to put aside the challenging spelling words and enjoy staying up a little later than normal.

She woke up in the early morning hours hearing the sleet hitting the windows and was up again as soon as the sun came up to see the ground barely covered in a light coat of snow. I was suffering with a terrible head cold and was able to hold her off until 9:00 or so before going out to play. It was still coming down pretty good at that point, and we felt like we were in a snow globe. She ran around with the neighbors for a while, trying to put together snowballs as best she could. After 30 minutes or so, Mama came inside- it was cold! Helen Grace and Addie (from across the street) came over to play inside for a while, and after one more venture out in our backyard, they were done. We had a nice and relaxed long weekend- just what the doctor ordered!

Cressey Update

When we were in New Orleans, the waiter at Mother’s asked it was just the three of us, and HG said, “Uh, no, it’s four of us counting Cressey in your tummy!”

HG has taken to telling everyone that Cressey tap dances on Mama’s bladder (which is true but slightly embarrassing to be shared with strangers). She was excitedly telling me that at school she tells her friends- and I panicked- but she sneakily smiled and said, “I tell them she dances on your belly!” Well, thank you, child.

Mid-January has brought leg cramps and restless leg syndrome, and within the last week, three strangers have asked me when I’m due! On January 19th, I could feel some kind of bone (an elbow, maybe?) sticking out of my tummy. HG thinks it’s awesome that she can lay the remote on my tummy.

January 9, 2016, 26 weeks 5 days

January 12, 2016, 27 weeks 1 day: My coworker, Katie, took this pic of me at my desk the other day. That was the first day I noticed that the bow of my belt laid on top of my baby bump.

January 19, 2016, 28 weeks 1 day: I had been to a work meeting that night, and all kinds of men noticed and asked about my baby bump. No more hiding her! (And my jacket is way past the point of buttoning)

January 20, 2016, 28 weeks 2 days: 3D ultrasound at Dr. Neblett’s. Also, the same day of my three-hour glucose test (failed the first one by 10 measley points) and Rhogam shot (due to my negative blood type). It was a very long day, so it was extra special to get to see this sweet little face! Her heart rate was 153, and I’ve gained 16 pounds so far. Also, my blood pressure was great, so I was relieved to hear that. With the start of the third trimester, appointments now occur every two weeks. I passed the baseline and the third hour glucose test, but I failed the first hour (by just a smidge) and the second hour test (by a lot). They’ll let my high risk doctor decide a course of action, and I’ll see him in a few weeks.

Front Row Grizzlies Game

On Martin Luther King Day, Helen Grace was out of school and got to experience yet another ‘bucket list’ experience before her mama did! John and HG enjoyed a friend’s tickets on the front row of the Grizzlies game, just to the left of the goal, complete with a parking pass in the players’ garage (they parked next to a Bentley).

They got to the game early and explored the floor and all the behind the scenes perks. As game time approached, he took her to the restaurant under the stadium to avoid the fireworks when the players are announced. She had some delicious clam chowder- “It must be good because it’s already gone”- and then was ready for the game!

She got to hold the game ball and caught a tshirt (with the help of a nice cameraman), sat on the floor for the halftime entertainment, and even enjoyed a run in with a very polite Pelican player! (I thought she would freak out as he careened toward her, but John said she was thrilled.) Those of us at home could see snippets of her on tv, but the goal mostly blocked her from the main camera shot. You could still see her bright yellow Growl Towel shaking at all the appropriate times though. She was into the game until the very last second, and people behind them told John that she was the most well behaved child they’d ever seen at a game. (Which was great because the Memphis mayor and a state congressman were sitting behind them!) What an awesome fan and big girl!

Toohig Tidbits: January

A girl punched a boy in one of her shows. She said, “That’s what happens when you mess with a girl!”

If you thought I had road rage, you must see HG in the car with me. While I was trying to explain to her about why we can’t make faces at cars in traffic when we don’t like what they do, she said, “Well, why do you have a horn if you’re not supposed to use it?!”

John told her, “I am so going to embarrass you when you’re a teenager, Helen Grace. Does that worry you?” HG said, “No, because I’ll just kick your boo-tay.”

John said, “Baby girl, your mama is going to be a little crazy these next few months.” HG responded, “You mean, even crazier than she normally is?!”

At Bubba’s before dinner one Thursday, HG and Granddaddy were playing out in her front yard. It was really cold, and GD finally told HG he was going inside- and she was NOT interested in going in. As he turned to walk toward the house, she said, “You can’t just leave a kid out here!”

This is what happened when John was trying to take down the Christmas tree…HG thought it was the perfect time for a sneak attack!

Disco party, thanks to the Eskrigges’ gift

This is very very rare. They were obviously very sleepy.

Visiting with Darby and Mary Mason

Spiffer getting to meet Mary Mason for the first time

HG LOVES to get the first spot by the door in carpool line.

Where’s Blue Cat?

Crazy girl about to hop out for school

As GD says, she’s about to outgrow Beanie.

Well, that escalated quickly! Cat was NOT happy that Billie Jean found her hiding spot.

Rainy Saturday morning activity: Making bongos with this little inventor.

One of the moms recently shared this silly pic of all the moms and daughters that went to the GenerosiTEA last February together. Perfectly represens our crazy crew!

Yet another  time I’m so thankful to have my girl- she loves watching red carpets! (This time, the Golden Globes)

Doesn’t she look so grown up? This was the only time that morning that she quit talking!

Excited girl!

Another Byhalia sunset

Shopping for sister with mama. “One thing for Cressey, one thing for me!”

When your mom forgets your winter coat and it’s 40 degrees in the barn… #babybrain  For the record, she refused to wear my jacket. My sweatshirt was our compromise.

Bowling for Mary Kate’s birthday

HG is learning about magnets in science. “Mama, just wait- you’re about to be mind blowed.”