Let's Build-a-Bear

What do you get your daughter, who doesn't really need anything, for her 1st birthday?
I came up with the idea of Rex and I going to the Build-A-Bear Workshop and making her a special Teddy Bear. I thought it might turn into a special keepsake for her if it was made by her Daddy.
I ran the idea by Rex. I waited for his response, cringing a little. I expected him to balk at the idea. Instead, he said "sure, whatever".
Hmmmm. That was easy. Maybe he hadn't heard me right. Then again, when it comes to his little girl, I think he would do almost anything. For those of you who know Rex, I think you'd agree, the thought of him in the Build-A-Bear Workshop doesn't seem quite right.
I continued to think about the bear project. It was going to be a good gift. We could even dress the bear as a princess and display it at Kayelynn's princess birthday bash. My plan was coming together.
So, on Saturday we made a quick trip to Evansville to make this bear. Rex was a very good sport. I think he was glad to be doing something special for Kayelynn. I handed the reins to Rex and let him choose everything. (For those of you who haven't been to Build-A-Bear, its quite a process!)
First, is the picking of the bear body. There were probably 20 bears to choose from. Rex chose a beige colored one with scruffy fur that looked sort of old fashioned (but cute).
Then we came to the audio section. Here, (after listening to every single option) Rex put a giggle box in the bear's paw. After that Rex helped put the stuffing in the little bear. We each added a heart for Kayelynn. Rex kissed his heart before placing it in the bear. (Melted my heart) We even added a beating heart. This bear is totally loaded! Only the best for Daddy's princess.
So, once the bear was stuffed and sewn up, it was time to find just the right outfit. Right away I saw a cute little princess outfit, with tiara and all. I pointed it out to Rex who seemed to be a little overwhelmed with all of the clothing options. Rex gave me a funny look. "He's a boy. " Rex said. He held the bear out where we could both see it. (As if I was going to look and say," oh yeah, I see it now, it is a boy")
So there we stood there, in the middle of the store, staring at a naked bear. I felt my cute princess idea evaporating. But, I did want this bear to be from Rex, what HE wanted to give to our daughter. "Okay", I said. "He's a boy. We'll just find some boy clothes then."
I got another strange look then. I sighed. "What?"
"He's a teddy bear. He doesn't need clothes" Rex seemed pretty adamant.
"But this is Build-A-Bear! The bears here wear clothes." I explained.
I think a sales lady had over heard us and she intervened, showing Rex oodles of other options for our bear. I went to work on the bear's birth certificate. Rex joined me a few minutes later with a still naked bear. I just shook my head and smiled.
"We need a name for the birth certificate" I told him. Without missing a beat he told me the name.
"You're kidding, right?" One look told me he wasn't. Oh well. Its a naked bear anyway. I finished typing and headed to the counter. Rex met me there with a tiny, bear sized shirt in his hand. We both grinned. "I still don't see what's wrong with the way he is" Rex mumbled.
So, we don't have a princess bear. But, Kayelynn is going to get a bear that no one can deny is 100% her Daddy's creation........

I present to you................ Biff the Bear !

For Jill and Marcy

Just yesterday I was driving to Jasper. Its been a while since I've gone to Jasper for any reason but I found that I slipped back into the drive very easily. You see, I was driving the same route I used to take to and from work. It just so happened that I was also driving at the same time I would have been headed to work (back in the day). The kids were both being very quiet in the back seat (which is very unusual). But, it allowed my mind to drift. I thought mostly about all of my Jasper friends. I wondered how work was going, who was on their way to work, were they dreading their drive, what was waiting for them at the hospital when they got there? I thought also to experiences I've had with my (ex) co-workers. I seem to have a vivid memory. Flashes of patients who made me laugh or cry went through my head. All in all, as I glanced in my rear view mirror to check the kids, I had an overwhelming feeling of peace with my decision to leave my job. The comfort in my decision doesn't make me miss my friends any less. It doesn't make the desire to run in to the hospital and deliver a baby go away. But, I know I am doing what is right for me and my family and that brings a smile to my face as I drive by the hospital.

The time I have had with my kids is already priceless. I have been able to help my husband with his dream of having an independent medical practice. And even though there are no babies to deliver at Stroud Medical, I still find myself enjoying my work. I feel satisfaction as I look at the 5 (soon to be 8), crisp, blue charts sitting in their box. Anyone who follows my facebook rantings knows that I am also enjoying our jail endeavor. Opportunities for work keep finding us (almost falling into our laps) and we are grateful. I am part of something. I am nurturing a dream. It isn't always easy. I don't always see eye to eye with "my boss". But still, it is a good job and I am happy.

Now, what have I been doing lately? It has been almost a month since I blogged. (Shame on me) I have had ups and downs during the last couple of months. I tried not to let outside circumstances affect my blogging but none the less I found myself uninspired. I still feel somewhat uninspired. But, if I'm going to be a professional blogger, I figured that I might as well get back on the horse. Thus, we have this post without a point.

I can tell you how I've spent the last month....

September started with shopping (which is always good in my book). My sisters, my mom, my mother in law and me (with both kids) headed to Edinburgh for some outlet fun. I had a good time and got lots of clothes for the kids but I don't think that I ever want to take both kids to the outlet mall again as long as I live. Kayelynn was a total grouch. Trey ended up soiling his pants due to his fear of automatic flushing toilets. Kayelynn cried to be out of the stroller. Trey cried because he didn't want to try on clothes. I almost cried because of the above statements. I think my brain turned to mush after only a few short hours of shopping. Oh, and on the second day, it rained.

I have seen many friends in the last few weeks that I hadn't seen for a very long time. I started out by spending a few days with my friend Lindsay. She has just moved in to a (beautiful) new house. We swam in her pool one day. The next day we tried to do some scrapbooking but found that it doesn't work well with 4 kids under the age of 4 in the house with you! (Lindsay, can I tell the peeing story????)

I spent some time in Texas too. This was one of the most ultimate surprises I have ever been involved in. One of my girlfriends from high school lives there now with her husband and kids. She gets home to Indiana to visit with family but doesn't see too many of her Indiana friends during short visits. Her birthday is in September. Her husband decided to surprise her by flying her closest high school friends out for a visit. Out of 10 of us, 8 were able to go. We flew from several different locations and met in Dallas. Her husband had everything arranged to pick us up and take us back to their place. He called to tell Michelle to go wait in their bedroom because he had a surprise. The eight of us girls (plus miscellaneous children) filed into their home and waited anxiously. (we were all about to bust!) Chris led his wife out to where we were waiting. We heard her say, "this better not be another dog...", then she saw us!!! We had a wonderful visit. There is nothing to compare to old friends.

Last weekend, I went with my little sis, Ashley, wedding dress shopping. My mom, other sister (Erica), niece, and friend of Ashley's went too. We let her rule the roost that day. She tried on lots of dresses that day. It was the first dress she tried on that caught my eye, (and Erica's and my mom's). The dress was beautiful. It looked like it had been made just for Ashley. And besides that, Ashley lit up when she walked out in it. She was almost as giddy as she had been on the night of her engagement. "That's the dress!" I whispered to Erica. "I know." Erica answered, "but remember, we have no opinion today. Its whatever she wants." We had a fun day of looking at dresses. We had a nice lunch together too. And when the day was over, Ashley admitted she thought she had found her dress. Which one? Big sisters' pick, of course!

Trey and Kayelynn continue to provide me with endless stories to tell. Just this morning Trey and I were outside working in my flower garden (since the flood finally seems to be over!) Trey picked a Marigold and took it in the house. I didn't think anything of it. He likes to pick flowers. Trey came back out later and I asked him what he'd done with his flower. " I gave it to Daddy. And he was quite delighted to get it!" I laughed. My little man is something. Kayelynn is in to EVERYTHING!!! If I leave her alone for a few minutes, I'm usually scared to see what she has gotten into. The biggest news is...... she's walking! Right now, she only takes a few steps at a time and then crumbles to the ground but I know one step leads to another. Her days as my baby are numbered. I am extremely proud of her but a little saddened that yet another baby has grown up (too quickly) right before my eyes.

Well, now you are caught up with the happenings here on the (funny) farm. I vow to do better at keeping Jill, Marcy, and all other readers up to date on the stories of my life. (although there's probably something similar, or better playing on Lifetime.)