So, I went out to Granbury yesterday to see my parents. I asked my mom if I could take a picture of her foot for my blog, but she did not think that sounded like a good idea. :)
She is pretty much bedridden and the swelling was up past her knee. She went to the doctor today and he said just stay off of it and keep taking the pain pills. She told me the swelling was down. She got a little sick from being up and then a little carsick. This is from the poison, and is normal. My dad went to buy some snake killer at the feed store. Yesterday, I wore my boots to their house. :)

Update: I talked to mom. They gave her 2 rounds of morphine this morning and she said it is finally kicking in. (I could tell it was kicked in) :)
The doc asked her if she wanted crutches and she said she would just hop. HMmmmmm. The doc said that with the swollen foot, and the pain meds that "hopping" probably is not the best thing.
She said that being bitten a couple of times on the foot is like being stung by 100 scorpions all at the same time. FYI, she knows what a scorpion sting feels like. Granbury is kind of like wilderness camp, without exterminators.......
The did not find or kill the snake. Actually, they never even saw it (they assume it is a copperhead, b/c they have seen those near their house before...) My dad is concerned b/c he does not want his dog to get killed by a copperhead. What about your wife?????? :) Just kidding, it sounds like Robo is being a very good caregiver....

Carol and the Copperhead....

My mom got bitten by a copperhead last night around midnight and spent the night in the emergency room. At midnight, you might think.... Well, if you know my mom then the fact that she was getting something out of the flower bed to use as a centerpiece will not suprise you. Of course the get together they had going tonight is canceled, and her foot is swollen, and they spent the night in the ER. My dad left me a message this morning, and I knew something was wrong... The doctor said that she would be okay. They went the the hospital in Granbury, and my dad assures me they will go to the doctor in Arlington on Monday.

Night out

Brandon's mom so graciously offered to have Gates spend the night tonight. This is her 2nd night away from us, the first was when my grandfather died. I was so preoccupied that time, that I was not really sad, I was thankful that she was in good hands, and I could concentrate on what was happening... This time, I dropped her off in Plano and felt so sad. I will be going back tomorrow to pick her up, and I am am happy to have some time to catch up on things, but still, it is sad. Aunt Laura got Gates a present. An Auburn swimsuit! It is so cute with little orange ruffles. It prompts me to look to see if they make such a thing in Texas Tech fashion.... :)




This picture was taken just before she tipped over... Isn't she cute? Scrabble likes to have her picture taken too~

Lesson Learned... (well, not quite)

The world does not (for everyone else) revolve around my baby. Really????????!!! and why not????????? I jest, sort of. I mean of course my world revolves around this perfect, little bundle of joy, but sometimes it is hard for me to remember that she is not the center of everyone's world. I must remember that not everyone wants to hear each and every detail about my child. I also must remember that it is not necessarily a treat to babysit, change a diaper, hold, feed, etc.... I am not sure of a proper term for this quality. It is not selfishness, it is mykidishness, which I have developed in a major way. I am working thru it, though... God help me. :)

Kathy Griffin

So, at the end of July I am going to go and see Kathy Griffin. I have never been a fan of hers, not a nonfan either, I just never really knew anything about her. So, today on TV there was a marathon of My Life On the D List ... I tuned in for a couple of episodes to learn a bit about Kathy. After two episodes I found that Kathy and I have a few little things in common.
1. We both know Ron Jeremy. Now, by know him I mean that he was on my airplane one time and I tried as much as I could not to get very close to him because he is NASTY. Kathy got close to him in California as she went on a date with him. However, Kathy and I both agree that he is gross, and his fans are gross too!
2. We also both really like gay men. I already had heard that "the gays" love her. (Apparently, she starts out her show "where are all my gays") Am I being nieve (or presumptuous) to say that the gays love Mallie too? Mallie and Kathy another common ground. :)
I am getting ready to love her show!

Gates and I went to a fun get together at Ruth's house yesterday! It is so exciting to have this little group and it is so much fun! I was thinking that we should name our little group... I was thinking this last night as I lay awake thinking of the risks of SIDS... (I know, but remember I am a worrier)... Anyways, I thought of a name, and at the time I thought it was great, but it has escaped me now.

I was glad to be around the moms yesterday, they were reassuring about Gates's phase of fussiness, and it made me feel much better. She just wants to be held, and I am going to enjoy holding her! Let me share some cute pics.

Hudson and Keelan

Keelan and Gatesy

The gang. Callie, Hud, Keelan, G, and Leo

Perfect Purple Pal

Cause and Effect? Best Friends? I am not sure, but this ol thing is no longer hiding in the utility room! It is out and used, very frequently!!!!

2 month check up.

The doctor's appointment went well. And by well, I mean Gates screamed the entire time from the waiting room on!!!! Acutally, that is not fair, she was quiet for a few minutes when the WONDERFUL Dr. Wheeler was holding her and rocking her... I was so jealous of him. :)
She weighs 11 pounds and 6 ounces and is in the 60th percentile. She is 23 1/4 inches long and in the 75% for height. Her head is good and growing, and in about the 35% area. There was no mention of having to wear a helmet, although I did not ask, b/c I was VERY sidetracked by the screaming. I would say crying, but since all the staff was commenting and her face was a tomato, and real tears were coming out of her eyes and the wallpaper came off of the walls, I will refer to it as screaming. She did okay with the shots. I was VERY happy my mom came along. All of this said, I am typing now and she is sound asleep in her swing. The doc checked her out and said that the crying is probably normal, nothing seemed to be the matter, but maybe a cold was coming.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to All!!! The last few days have been a bit trying over here at the Oaks. Little sweet, perfect Gates has been crying soooo much. I know, babies cry. I just can not figure out what is going on?? Is it a growth spurt? Is she hot? Is she sick? Maybe God is just preparing me for tomorrow when we go to the doctor and get her 2 month shots. I hear that it is heart wrenching.... I wish I could just figure it out. I guess I need the baby whisperer. Wish us luck at the doctor, and say a quick prayer that this crying all day stops!!!!!


My little nephew CJ. He is a pretty cute little turkey!! I think he has a mouth full of Mexican food here!!!

Rhylie and Raedyn. Raedyn is sporting my mom's glasses... Rhylie really wears them, and I for one think she looks super cute!!

This is my cousin Russell and his wife Elizabeth. Does she look familiar to you??? If so, maybe you are a fan of What Not to Wear, she was on it!!!!

Hello everyone!! I am 2 months old and as cute as can be. I was not smiling in this photo, but I wasn't crying either!!!!

Angel Gates. She was sleeping so peacefully here, that is... until the flash went off! When will I learn? who knows....

And yes, I know the photo is upside down, I am not savvy enough to turn it the right way...

Daddy and Gates this morning before church. Are they cute or what?????????????

We went out to Granbury and I remembered to take all of Gates's stuff!! What a success. We had such a good time, and she even was able to sleep in the pack n play at my mom's house. She is getting pretty good at sleeping 6 hours. Maybe she will drop the 11 feeding soon?? I think that is me being GREEDY.... I am glad that it is Friday, sad that it is SO hot outside.

2 more quick things...

So over the weekend we had some stuff to do. On Sunday we went to 2 parties (was supposed to be 3, but we just could not attend the 3rd... 1 reason coming up...) Brandon made bottles and put them in the diaper bag. I told him to go ahead and load them in the fridge. Well, we got to Frisco and I totally FORGOT all of my baby's food. I felt bad, but luckily Jenny's house was our first stop so she hooked me up. Yesterday, we went to Garland to MawMaw's house. Not only did I forget her food, I forgot her entire diaper bag. No food, diapers, wipes, NOTHING. BAD MOM.... at least I felt like it...

the other thing. My brother in law, Tucker is a baseball player. He will be a senior in high school next year. He was invited to an area code tryout in Weatherford today for the Texas Rangers HS baseball team. Now, I am a nonathlete (I would have said Mathlete but that is not true either) so I do not know too much about sports. However, Tucker made the first cut, and this is a big deal! Yea for Tuck!!!! It is an invitation only tryout with 100 + kids. The second tryout thing is happening as I type. So, keep your fingers crossed!!! Regardless, he accomplished a lot by even being invited to tryout!!!!

Sophie

Sophie is a little giraffe toy that Kristin gave Gates over the weekend. Kristin lives in Houston, and brought this gift for her and said "all the kids love Sophie" That appears to be true. In our house we have two big Sophie fans.... Scrabble tried hard, I mean very hard to get this little giraffe....

New Shirt for my sweet GIRL

Is this cute or what?? I think this will be Gates's new favorite outfit! I am going to take her back to the bank in this for sure! Thanks DeeDee...

We had a fun and busy weekend. We went to a birthday party on Sunday, and got to see and meet lots of new friends... We then headed off to Phillip's graduation party. Phillip is Brandon's cousin heading off to A&M. We came home and awaiting us were Donna and Tucker. This was Uncle Tucker's first time meeting Gates, and he is a natural! Last night Gates slept her longest period so far. 7 hours! So, that is 5 mights in a row of skipping her 2 am feeding!!! Yeah for Gates!

Gates and her Uncle Tucker
Sleeping beauty!!!

Brandon's family. Laura holding Gates, Alison, Susu (b's mom) and Becca. They do not want to be called Aunt Becca and so on. I would kill for my nieces to call me Aunt and they just will not do it. To each his own, I guess....

Jenny and Keelan, at Lauren's party.

Gates all wrapped up after bathtime...

Where's Waldo? I mean Gates!!!!!!!!!

Someone called Gates a boy again. She said, "Is it a boy" I said, "no, she is a girl"... The woman was like "REALLY??!!?" Rude Lady... So, yes, I guess I will start to glue the bows to her head.

The Vitek Family!

Darius Vitek. Born June 1, 7 pounds 5 ounces. 20 inches long

Little Katherine Kiesling and Hayley

Duck swimming down our street during that downpour last week!!

Yesterday was the funeral. There is nothing quite like going through a house, through someone's personal belongings dividing it all up into catagories. All of our family was there together, which was nice. No great grandchildren, but the rest of the family. Mom is still there, with dad and Uncle Mike and Aunt Susan. Keep them in your prayers. Last night Brandon and I left Paris about 8:30. In tow we had TJ (remember that dog I was telling you about). Well, it is confirmed: the dog DEFINITELY knows that something has happened and he is depressed. He sat on the sofa, on Soft Hair's shirt all day yesterday. :( The good news... We took him to my great-uncle's house and I really think he will be happy there. My great aunt even cooked him some chicken, which he is used to eating... He used to have chicken EVERY day... It was very sad dropping him off though, and he cried. He actually whimpered for a great deal of the 2 hour car ride...

On to the service, it was so nice. My dad said a beautiful eulogy and the Army was there to fold and present a flag. They also had a bugle player (bugler??) who played TAPS. This was very emotional, but very fitting and nice.

A funeral service or memorial service, is about faith, and God and everlasting life. This morning we had the honor of attending a baptism for a dear friend's daughter. We were a tiny bit late and sitting in the last row. It was very emotional for me. Imagine that this little baby was being blessed and welcomed into her Christian life and family. She has her entire life in front of her. She has a wonderful family and friends that will continue to show and teach her about God. Yesterday, I went to a beautiful church service where we honored a man and celebrated his spirit receiving Everlasting life. Today, I witnessed a young life beginning her spiritual journey and walk with God. A spiritual journey lasts a lifetime, and according to John, that life is Everlasting, so the funeral is a celebration for the soul as much as a Baptism is a celebration of the soul. Peace be with Soft Hair and Hayley, for they are at different points, but both important milestones in their Spiritual Journey.