Graduation weekend didn't go so well. My family was here starting on Friday afternoon, and coincidentally Marley's fifth and sixth tooth decided to start stabbing through at about the same time. We went to my mom's house for dinner, which went okay. But her sleeping schedule had been all screwed up, so about 6:30, she was really really tired. Since graduation was at 8, I figured she could take a little nap to reboot, sit through graduation, and then pass out around 10.
So, we go home and she sleeps for about 30 minutes. Then we get ready and show up to graduation at about 8:30. To waste some time, Asa let me go in and he walked Marley around the garden on campus. Then, around 9:00 they came inside. It was okay for a little while. She was bored, but I figured we had enough people to pass her to. But then the crowd clapped. And Marley screamed and cried real tears. I tried to calm her down, but it just didn't work. She was crying and people were looking at me like, "What are you doing to her?" So, we had to leave.
She was still crying after we got out of the coliseum, so I stopped on a bench and nursed her. That got her a little calmer, but not enough for a car ride. She cried all the way home, and all the way inside. I went straight to the bedroom to put her to sleep, but she just kept crying. I think it was just a combination of being tired, scared, overwhelmed, and in pain. I felt so sad for her, so I just nursed her and rocked her until she finally fell asleep. Then, i left her with Asa and hopped in the car and called Emily. He had walked across the stage five minutes ago... so, I missed it. But everyone was headed back to my mom's house, so I went there to tell him congrats.
Asa calls when I get there and says that Marley is awake and in a bad mood. When everyone finally came and we all talked for a little while, I excused myself to go home. When I get there, Marley is crying and Asa looks defeated. He said he had walked around Windhill, rocked her, fed her, tried everything, but notohing had worked. I took her, sat down in the rocking chair, nursed her, and she fell asleep without a peep. Poor Asa. He needs boobs.
So, overall it didn't go so well. But she was in a better mood Saturday morning for everyone. She smiled and charmed them most of the morning. And now she is passed out in bed! She has had a tiring weekend. Hopefully in two years, when I graduate, it will go better. I want her to see me!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Lullaby, by Dixie Chicks
They didn't have you where I come from
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear your laugh like a serenade
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
I slip in bed when you're asleep
To hold you close and feel your breath on me
Tomorrow there'll be so much to do
So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
As you wander through this troubled world
In search of all things beautiful
You can close your eyes when you're miles away
And hear my voice like a serenade
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Is forever enough
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear your laugh like a serenade
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
I slip in bed when you're asleep
To hold you close and feel your breath on me
Tomorrow there'll be so much to do
So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
As you wander through this troubled world
In search of all things beautiful
You can close your eyes when you're miles away
And hear my voice like a serenade
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Mommy- 1, Marley- 0
I have started cutting Marley's nails outside. When I do it inside, she is trying to yank them out of my hand the whole time. So, I got the super cool idea to do it outside, so Asa and the trees could distract her. It actually worked pretty well. She did get bored with Asa, since he wasn't as excited about the idea as I was, but I still totally won this fight!
"What's wrong with you people?"
"What's wrong with you people?"
"You guys tricked me..."
"Eh, that wasn't so bad."
"Thanks Mama!"Marley Doing Something Adorable
Today, we went out to lunch with my mom. Marley kept doing this when we gave her a new food to try and we kept laughing. Well, she caught on and kept doing it knowing we would laugh. And it lasted all night! I recorded this during her dinner. Don't mind the annoying noise I am making... she was laughing at it before I hit RECORD.
Our plans change again.... That's what happens with plans.
Well, Asa doesn't think he would like being a city fire fighter. One of my mom's friends, Bobby, was a fire fighter for a long time. He talked to Asa about what it would be like, and we both think it would involve too much EMTing. Bobby works for the US Forest Service and said he could help Asa get a job working as a fire fighter for the Forest Service. That is totally up Asa's alley. Bobby said things like "You would be outside all day" and "You would be working in the woods" and I saw Asa's face light up! Those are dream jobs for Asa!
So, we have been in touch with Bobby over the past few days. So far he has applied for two jobs, both about 2 hours away from here. If he got either of them, he would probably stay there during the week and then come home on the weekends. Marley and I can't move until I finish school in two years. Bobby said that he would need to get a job somewhere in the Forest Service. That could be in Texas, Louisiana, California.... wherever there is one. Once he has a job, they will actually pay for him to go to Wildfire Academy and get certified for that job. Then, he could get a job with the Forest Service! Since he would already be working for them, he would be able to easily get a job when they had an opening. The only downside is that for 2 or 3 years, he has to work where they want him. He can't really choose to work in East Texas until he has put in some time with the Forest Service.
So, Marley and I are for sure here for another two years, when I graduate. But Asa could be anywhere. We both feel like it is a great opportunity, and we are willing to make the sacrifice of being apart. He would be great benefits, make enough money for me to stay home with our kids, and it would be a job that he loves. Thinking about the time apart is a little sad. But it would be worth it.
In other news, Marley is down to two naps a day, we have finally gotten rid of the fleas in our house and on Kima, Uncle Chris is graduating on Friday, and I have the day off! Woohoo!
So, we have been in touch with Bobby over the past few days. So far he has applied for two jobs, both about 2 hours away from here. If he got either of them, he would probably stay there during the week and then come home on the weekends. Marley and I can't move until I finish school in two years. Bobby said that he would need to get a job somewhere in the Forest Service. That could be in Texas, Louisiana, California.... wherever there is one. Once he has a job, they will actually pay for him to go to Wildfire Academy and get certified for that job. Then, he could get a job with the Forest Service! Since he would already be working for them, he would be able to easily get a job when they had an opening. The only downside is that for 2 or 3 years, he has to work where they want him. He can't really choose to work in East Texas until he has put in some time with the Forest Service.
So, Marley and I are for sure here for another two years, when I graduate. But Asa could be anywhere. We both feel like it is a great opportunity, and we are willing to make the sacrifice of being apart. He would be great benefits, make enough money for me to stay home with our kids, and it would be a job that he loves. Thinking about the time apart is a little sad. But it would be worth it.
In other news, Marley is down to two naps a day, we have finally gotten rid of the fleas in our house and on Kima, Uncle Chris is graduating on Friday, and I have the day off! Woohoo!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
New Things With Marley
Marley is going to have six teeth soon. Right now, she has two all the way out on the bottom, two half way out on the top, and two just under the surface on the top. I can see the white little teeth about to stab through.
She has become obsessed with "k" today. She just crawls around going " kuh kuh kuh kuh kuh kuh kuh kuh kuh kuht." She has also started this screaming-squealing thing. She does it all the time! And she really likes it when I do it right after her!
Our new favorite game is hide-and-seek. She will be sitting in the living room and I will run into the other room when she's not looking. When, I start calling her name, she tries to find me. She is really good! She laughs the whole way in there to find me, and my favorite part is when she slowly peeks her head around the corner to see if I'm there. It's adorable. Once she sees me, she goes full speed straight to me.
She has become obsessed with "k" today. She just crawls around going " kuh kuh kuh kuh kuh kuh kuh kuh kuh kuht." She has also started this screaming-squealing thing. She does it all the time! And she really likes it when I do it right after her!
Our new favorite game is hide-and-seek. She will be sitting in the living room and I will run into the other room when she's not looking. When, I start calling her name, she tries to find me. She is really good! She laughs the whole way in there to find me, and my favorite part is when she slowly peeks her head around the corner to see if I'm there. It's adorable. Once she sees me, she goes full speed straight to me.
Today, I was laying on the floor while Marley was getting into something across the room. I had been trying to get her to come over to me for like five minutes, but whatever she was doing was way more exciting. So, I pretended to cry. She looked at me, dropped the remote, and crawled as fast as she could over to me and threw her arms around my neck. I almost cried, it was so sweet. A real hug!
When we were going through everything today, I found one of the first onesies Marley ever wore. Look at how much she has grown!
That pink one was even a little big on her when she was born!
That pink one was even a little big on her when she was born! Home Improvement
Today is home improvement/organization day here in the Vermeulen household. We have put things that we don't need anymore, like the Jumperoo and old car seat into my mom's attic. We have thrown lots of things away, some of which we hadn't used in years. We have a ton of stuff at Asa's sister's house in her storage area. We have been storing everything there that we did not need or have room for. They are selling the house, so now we have to be serious about what we really want and what we don't. This is easy for me, but very very hard for Asa. He is trying to hold on to things he has had since middle school that he didn't even remember he had.
Yesterday, we rearranged Marley's room. We both just wanted a change in there. We cleaned out our laundry hamper/Marley's crib and she is now taking naps in it. She has started to wake up completely silently. The only reason I know she has woken up is because I hear her laughing as she crawls to the end of the bed. By the time I get in there, she is always inches form the side of the bed, so it was important that she start taking naps in her crib instead of our bed.
It didn't really go so well. She slept about half of the time that she normally does and woke up really upset, having no idea where she was. Hopefully, that will change though. I really get worried these days about her being in our bed without us.Asa is off to Lowe's as we speak to buy the hardware to build some shelves in our bedroom and hallway. You can never have too many shelves, and with all the middle school memorabilia, I'm sure we will need them.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
A Trip to the Creek
This afternoon when I got off work, we all went to the park to let Kima run around in the creek. She had a blast! She ran and ran until she was moving really, really slow.
I let Marley stand in the sand for a while and feel that between her toes. Surprisingly, she liked it!
The only bad part about this family trip to the park was getting Kima back in the car. She really didn't want to leave and Asa spent about 30 minutes trying to catch her. Needless to say, she's in big trouble tonight.
Marley Eats a Vegetable... Willingly!
We have finally found a finally found a vegetable that Marley will eat: green beans! I don't know how to cook them the way my mom does, but she loves it. I need to learn, so she will eat them for me too. I think the secret may be that these green beans were home grown, organic, special green beans made by her Papa's hands. She loved chewing on the raw green beans, too. It probably felt good on her poor little teeth.
Happy Birthday, Uncle Chris
Ok, well his birthday might have been Monday... I'm a little late. He had to work, so we met at Schlotzsky's and he cooked dinner for us! Marley just chewed on her apple and helped us sing Happy Birthday. She was pretty sad she didn't get any cake...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Busy
I just started the "Maymester" on Monday at school. So, I have class everyday for 3 hours for the next two and a half weeks. I really like the class, but I miss Marley. Luckily, Marley doesn't miss me. She has been staying with my mom all morning and they have been keeping very busy!
Yesterday, they went to the DPS office, the dog groomer, and somewhere else I can't remember. Today, they planned a trip to Wal-Mart. When she got in the car, Marley fell asleep. So, my mom decided to keep driving, not wanting to have to wake her up. so, she thought "I'll drive around for thirty minutes until she wakes up..." An hour and a half later, she was still driving when Marley finally woke up. It was pretty cute that she was willing to drive around the loop that many times. And I'm sure Marley appreciated the long ride.
Today, she made it on only two naps. She took the big morning one and then a 30 minutes afternoon one. And she was surprisingly still in a good mood when it was time for bed. So, maybe she's gonna keep going like this. She has also been eating a lot better lately. Today, she had yogurt, cheese, banana, Cheerios, green beans, blackberries, and turkey. I was impressed with all that variety.
She has also gotten really good at waving! She doesn't really do it when I ask her to, she only performs for other people. Now, we are working on blowing kisses. That will be harder, but she's smart. She can do it!
I promise to be better blogger. I have just been really busy! But I have tons of pictures to post and I don't work on Wednesdays! So, I should get to it tomorrow!
Yesterday, they went to the DPS office, the dog groomer, and somewhere else I can't remember. Today, they planned a trip to Wal-Mart. When she got in the car, Marley fell asleep. So, my mom decided to keep driving, not wanting to have to wake her up. so, she thought "I'll drive around for thirty minutes until she wakes up..." An hour and a half later, she was still driving when Marley finally woke up. It was pretty cute that she was willing to drive around the loop that many times. And I'm sure Marley appreciated the long ride.
Today, she made it on only two naps. She took the big morning one and then a 30 minutes afternoon one. And she was surprisingly still in a good mood when it was time for bed. So, maybe she's gonna keep going like this. She has also been eating a lot better lately. Today, she had yogurt, cheese, banana, Cheerios, green beans, blackberries, and turkey. I was impressed with all that variety.
She has also gotten really good at waving! She doesn't really do it when I ask her to, she only performs for other people. Now, we are working on blowing kisses. That will be harder, but she's smart. She can do it!
We found out that Asa can't take EMT class here until October 1st. That sucks, but we will be able to save money until then. They have had commercials all over the radio today about a Medical Transcriptionist seminar in Lufkin tomorrow night. I think I might go to it and just find out more about it. It is something relatively easy that I could do from home while Marley is napping or in the evenings when Asa got home for a little extra money. We'll see how that goes.
I promise to be better blogger. I have just been really busy! But I have tons of pictures to post and I don't work on Wednesdays! So, I should get to it tomorrow!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Regret
My memories are quickly leaving my head. It makes me cry to think about how much I have already forgotten. I don't remember how it felt to hold my 7 pound baby in my arms. I don't remember what I was thinking when I met her. I don't remember what happened in the hospital or the next day at my mom's. I can't even explain how much that breaks my heart. Some of that can be attributed to the fact that I was on drugs, but not all of it. I should be able to remember things.
We didn't videotape enough. I don't have any video from when I was pregnant, and we only have a few videos from Marley's first month. The only video we have from the hospital was taken by Asa's family and does not really show our moments together as a family of three. I don't even remember that now. And we certainly don't have enough pictures. I should have taken more pictures of our newborn at home and I should have videos of her moving around in my belly. Why didn't we? I breaks my heart.
I feel like I am missing some major part of her life, and it's not like I can go back and look at it again to remember. I want to remember so bad. This is the most important thing that has ever happened to me and I can't even remember how happy I was when it happened.
Unfortunately, I can't do anything but regret it. I can do better from this point on and make sure that everything will stay in my memory, but that doesn't help with earlier. I know it doesn't have any reflection on how much I love her and care about her. I am thankful for that. I just miss all those memories.
We didn't videotape enough. I don't have any video from when I was pregnant, and we only have a few videos from Marley's first month. The only video we have from the hospital was taken by Asa's family and does not really show our moments together as a family of three. I don't even remember that now. And we certainly don't have enough pictures. I should have taken more pictures of our newborn at home and I should have videos of her moving around in my belly. Why didn't we? I breaks my heart.
I feel like I am missing some major part of her life, and it's not like I can go back and look at it again to remember. I want to remember so bad. This is the most important thing that has ever happened to me and I can't even remember how happy I was when it happened.
Unfortunately, I can't do anything but regret it. I can do better from this point on and make sure that everything will stay in my memory, but that doesn't help with earlier. I know it doesn't have any reflection on how much I love her and care about her. I am thankful for that. I just miss all those memories.
Marley and Her Mimi
They love each other. In fact, for the past few days Marley has not been letting me take her away from her Mimi. Teething Sucks
Last night was rough. It was a combination of the four teeth and not enough sleep during the day. She was over-tired and in pain, poor little thing. And today is just as bad. She's fussy, tired, whiny, and stubborn about everything. But she's still as cute as can be, somehow.
For the next two weeks, she will be staying with my mom in the morning while I have class: for three hours! So, they can eat, swing, nap, and play for three hours. And then hopefully she will be ready for a nap when I pick her up! My mom went to the store today and stocked up on plenty of things to feed her, and I think they are both excited. I will miss her, but it will be axtra sweet to see her at noon!
We still haven't made any progress with the fire fighter and EMT training. The only lady who knows about the EMT training seems to be out of town and no one knows about it. Because she is NEVER in her office. So, we wait.
For the next two weeks, she will be staying with my mom in the morning while I have class: for three hours! So, they can eat, swing, nap, and play for three hours. And then hopefully she will be ready for a nap when I pick her up! My mom went to the store today and stocked up on plenty of things to feed her, and I think they are both excited. I will miss her, but it will be axtra sweet to see her at noon!
We still haven't made any progress with the fire fighter and EMT training. The only lady who knows about the EMT training seems to be out of town and no one knows about it. Because she is NEVER in her office. So, we wait.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Plans
Marley is in a good mood today, despite the four demons coming through her gums.
Asa is looking into becomming a fire fighter! I am so excited about this, I can't even explain it. He would have to go to the Fire Academy at Angelina College in the fall, and get EMT certified at the hospital here. I think the most exciting part for me is how excited Asa is. We still have to work out the logistics, but ata leaast we have a basic plan. I will not be working anymore during the week starting in July, so I am also excited about that. Marley and I will be able to hang out all day!
Asa is looking into becomming a fire fighter! I am so excited about this, I can't even explain it. He would have to go to the Fire Academy at Angelina College in the fall, and get EMT certified at the hospital here. I think the most exciting part for me is how excited Asa is. We still have to work out the logistics, but ata leaast we have a basic plan. I will not be working anymore during the week starting in July, so I am also excited about that. Marley and I will be able to hang out all day!My First Mother's Day
I'm done with finals, so now I can blog.
In the afternoon, we went over to my mom's house. We ate, talked, and played. I gave my mom some pictures that we took at Easter and gave her some frames for them. So, she can have pictures at her office!
I had a great first Mother's Day. I spent it with everyone I love and got an amazing gift from Marley and Asa: a 60 minute massage! I am definitely using that this summer. But more importantly, I got to be with my sweet baby and my mom. It was a mom day.
My first Mother's Day was a huge success. I was able to sleep a little late while Asa got up with Marley. Then I took a long shower, spending as much time as I wanted to shampooing my hair. When I came out, this is what they were doing:
Watching the fish swim in the tank.
First, we went to Asa's mom's house to have lunch with her. We ate and gave her her present. We took a tour of the house they are building, and Asa and I dreamed about our future house.
In the afternoon, we went over to my mom's house. We ate, talked, and played. I gave my mom some pictures that we took at Easter and gave her some frames for them. So, she can have pictures at her office!I had a great first Mother's Day. I spent it with everyone I love and got an amazing gift from Marley and Asa: a 60 minute massage! I am definitely using that this summer. But more importantly, I got to be with my sweet baby and my mom. It was a mom day.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Little Monster
Marley has four (FOUR!!) teeth coming in. All across the top. It's going to be a long week...
And our laptop died. Like completely dead and never coming back. So, we have to buy a new one of those. Thank goodness we still have our desktop computer for me take my finals on!
My poor little girl is going to look so different. It makes me a little sad to think about.
And our laptop died. Like completely dead and never coming back. So, we have to buy a new one of those. Thank goodness we still have our desktop computer for me take my finals on!
My poor little girl is going to look so different. It makes me a little sad to think about.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Cups
One of Marley's new favorite things to do: play in your water glass. She rolls her hands around in the ice and looks surprised when it gets cold. She tries to catch the ice, and sometimes she's even successful. Last night, she did it forever. By the time the ice feel to the ground, her mouth, chin, and hands were bright pink and freezing. I made her stop, but she definitely wanted more! She gets a little mad that I am the one holding the glass and she can't do that herself, but she gets over it once her hand gets in the glass. She has also become a pro at drinking out of my glass. She pretty much has a sip everytime she sees me doing it. 
Saturday
Yesterday, we I got Marley all dressed up to have her first pool experience. We got the swim diaper on, the swim suit, the sun hat, and a towel and we were ready to go. I got really excited! She is going to love swimming. But, when we got there, a group of about six kids was there. They do not live here, so I should have told them to leave, but i just didn't feel like causing drama for some reason. And it ended up being too cold still for my little girl. So, we sat by the pool for a while and then left.
Then, we passed some time by taking pictures.
In the evening, we went over to my mom's house for another Crawfish Boil. (How many of these things has Marley been to already?! Three.) All the Geology people were there, my mom and Joel, some Chemistry people, and surprisingly no mosquitoes. Marley begged for crawfish, but poor little thing was unsuccessful.
Then, we passed some time by taking pictures.
In the evening, we went over to my mom's house for another Crawfish Boil. (How many of these things has Marley been to already?! Three.) All the Geology people were there, my mom and Joel, some Chemistry people, and surprisingly no mosquitoes. Marley begged for crawfish, but poor little thing was unsuccessful.
Two New Toys
For some reason, we had this big balloon at work last week. I think some salesperson brought it to us for something. Anyway, I blew it up and Marley had a blast with it. She chased it around the office, figured out how to grab it and throw it, and tried to eat it.
The second new toy is a diaper box. I put her in it and pushed her around the house for a while. She didn't really like it at all. She was just mad the whole time she was in there. So, that was a flop.
The second new toy is a diaper box. I put her in it and pushed her around the house for a while. She didn't really like it at all. She was just mad the whole time she was in there. So, that was a flop.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
9 Months Old
Mommy loves Marley.
Can you see that curl behind her ear?! It's adorable and I'm so glad she is going to have some wave in her hair!
Daddy loves Marley.
A "US Army" dress from Aunt Abigail and Uncle Brett. Thanks guys!9 months. It's hard to believe. They have been short and long at the same time. We spend our days excited about all the things that are coming up (walking, talking) but we are still sad about all the time that has already gone by. It is so important to enjoy it while it's happening, we can never get it back.
In her ninth month, Marley learned to crawl like a pro, started to climb on anything that sits on the floor, learned to stand and cruise along the couch, started saying "mamamama", tried tons of new foods (including grass), learned to dance, learned to wave, learned to actually play with thing instead of just throwing them around, got her first curl behind her ear, visited with all of her great grandparents, went on an Easter egg hunt, learned how to make a mess, and so many more things that I can't even remember. She's amazing.
I love you, Marley.
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