One Love

Forever and 1 Year

2010-02-03T18:54:00.000-08:00

So, it has been forever since I have posted anything. What can I say this past year hasn't been to entirely post worthy. We Started out rough with no jobs, but ended fairly well with a lot more security. As always we we had Logan to keep our spirits high. Whenever everything seemed out of control and all hope had gone down the drain, we had our happy, smiling, silly, wonderful little boy to remind us that everything is worth it.

I can't believe it's been a year since we had this little guy. He is growing so fast. He has developed such a funny little personality. He loves to move around and use his voice. He doesn't speak much but is very capable of getting his point across. He has undoubtedly inherited mine and Phillip's stubborn side. He has also mastered the art of fake crying. He loves to explore the independence of mobility, usually by getting into everything that is not his. We are still waiting for those first steps which he is determined to not make. He is so ready to walk on his own, but is just lacking the confidence. However, when it comes to meal time he is all sorts of ready to feed himself. I have learned to deal with this fight by giving him a spoon to hold while I use one to feed him myself.

Logan on his new slide.

Eating with his and my spoon.

We both loving being parents and revolving our entire lives around this little guy. We are always planning new things to do as a family. It is so much fun being a family and spending time together. We can't wait to see how much more Logan grow over the next year.

The best face in the world.

4 Months

2009-06-16T19:24:00.000-07:00

Today my little Logan Butt is 4 months and two weeks old!!! He is growing so fast, at his last doctor's appointment he was 24 inches long and weighed 13.7 pounds. He is so fun to watch. He is more alert and aware of his surroundings. He smiles and laughs at funny sounds and faces. He can roll over from front to back and likes to sit in an upright position. he also likes when we stand him up. He still hates tummy time, although he does last a little bit longer without crying to be picked up.

The doctor also gave us the OK to start cereal and stage one baby foods!!! I love feeding time, it is so fun and messy. 8)

Since turning four months Logan enjoyed his first swim and picnic. He really does enjoy being outdoors, yeah we are so going to be that outdoorsy family!!!

Even though Logan likes his time outside there is still some of that little couch potato waiting to sneak out of him. He loves to look at the TV, especially when things are animated. We learned that the magic of Finding Nemo can keep him captivated for almost the whole movie. Those Pixar geniuses!!! Logan also likes being read to (I've kept my promise to Phillip and have held off on reading the Twilight books out loud to him) and listening to music. He loves Ska and reagge, it's gotta be the horns. They're all just so energetic and happy.

My McJob

2009-05-25T12:37:00.000-07:00

So, the most depressing thing to do right now is search for a new job. In fact it is so depressing that I finally gave up on the traditional 9-5 and started looking for anything that would pay enough. Even with the widening of options the job hunt was still not all that effective. Eventually I decided to swallow the pride and call good old Regal, and of course they were hiring mangers. So, joy I am back at the movie theatre with about as much enthusiasm as one has to go to the dentist for a wisdom tooth extraction. As much as I don't want to be there there is a little silver lining; such as getting to spend the days with Logan (so far I've been scheduled only closing shifts) and there is a definite paycheck coming in.

So I decided to call this post "My McJob" because I was talking to somebody who was in the same position as me and had to go back to working at McDonalds, which he called his McJob. I thought it was clever and appropriate for my position and decided to go with it. I'm still looking for other things and hope to find something better soon. I also like to add this to my list of why I want to leave NC.

We've been in Charlotte for a little over two years now and it still doesn't feel like home. I really wish it was easy to pick up and move to California, which still feels very much like home. I miss it so much and am dying to go back there. I miss seeing my family everyday and being part of their lives. I hate that I have a little niece and nephew who I don't get to watch grow up. It also stinks that Logan has cousins that he is never going to know all that well. I also hate that my dad and sisters are yet to meet Logan. Every time I see pictures of family events I get so homesick and wish so hard that I can be with them. I hate not being able to have my mom here, to help teach me how to take care of the baby. I never realized how much I would hate to miss out on that mother daughter bonding experience. It also stinks not being close to my sisters. Now that we are all at a place in our lives that are somewhat leading down the same path I'm not there to travel along with them.

Phillip is good but trying to understand how I feel. It's not as hard for him since his whole family followed him up here, but he does try. He has offered to try out a move in a couple years, but we'll see. It won't be to easy to move to a place where the cost of living is double of what you're used to. Logically and financially it would be best to stay here so I'll keep trying to make it "home."

MIA????

2009-05-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

So it has been awhile since I've updated anything. So many things have been going on. Mostly I'm just going to try and update with videos, because well they're more fun to watch anyways!!

Logan is starting to get so big!!! He is more alert and making tons of noises. It is so fun making him laugh and watching him grow. He is definitely developing his own little personality.

We also just recently returned from a week long trip in Miami, where we were able to show Logan off to a bunch of friends and family.

I love this video, it is so funny to hear all the background noises that make him laugh.

In other news, my job hunt is over. I finally conceded and decided to go back to the theatre. Its not something I'm to excited about, but hey at least they are willing to pay me more than anybody else has offered so far. I'll keep throwing my resume at anything that looks better, but for now at least I know I'll have a pay check coming in. As for Phillip, he is still looking. He has a couple interviews lined up this week so lets just keep our fingers crossed.

Visitors

2009-03-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

Last week we had a few guests, well actually Logan did but it was nice that they wanted to hang out with us a little bit as well.

First to arrive was Phillip's aunt Kathy. As soon as she pulled up Logan was in her arms. It was so fun having Kathy up here. I know Phillip and I sure had fun hanging out with her. She not only kept us all company, but she fed us as well. Almost right away she got started making her yummy fudge, and her most delicious sugared walnuts!!!! Yummy, my mouth just waters thinking about them. The best part is she taught me how to make them as well. So of course Phillip and I came home Sunday night and made a batch, which sadly is already gone.

Aunt Kathy taking a walk with Logan

Also while Kathy was out here we went with her and Patti to Ikea, which is just the best store in the whole wide world. I'm so glad they finally built one up here. It is so nice to go into a furniture store find something I like and know that I could afford it! After Ikea we had Lunch and next to the restaurant there happened to be a tattoo parlor.

Well, Kathy and Patti both made the mistake of saying that they would both like to get a tattoo and that it would be fun to do it together, they said this all in front of Phillip. From that point on Phillip made it his mission to "help them DECIDE that they should get a tattoo." Pretty much this week I learned that Phillip was that peer pressure guy in high school. It was really funny because they both wanted to do it and Phillip was happy to be that little nudge in the "right" direction.

The next day he drove his mom and aunt to a few tattoo parlors to help them "decide" what to do and a place they felt comfortable doing it at. We walked into a couple that just didn't feel right. Then as soon as we walked into the third one, we knew if they were going to go through with it, it was going to happen there. This was the only place that looked cozy, they had their reception area set up like a living room unlike all the other places.

After about an hour's deliberation and Phillip's support they decided to go through with it. The best part was watching them decide what to get. They both knew what they wanted but not an exact image. Kathy was torn between a shamrock, African violet, and Woodstock. Every time she saw a picture of something she liked it made that decision a little bit harder. Finally she decided on a couple shamrocks. Patti was a little more sure about what she wanted, but not exactly sure where to put it. There was a scary moment when she almost backed out because they wouldn't let her put it where she wanted it, but no worries. Phillip was there to help her figure out a new place to put it. She decided on a butterfly just above the ankle bone.

To commemorate their tattoo experience and to thank Phillip, Logan, and me for moral support (;0) Patti and Kathy presented us with a little green friend christened TATTOO, he way cool and has little shamrock tattoos to match Aunt Kathy's.

Kathy, Tattoo, and Logan all sporting their Shamrock tattoos.

Patti's & Kathy's ankle tattoos

Just a random picture of Logan making a funny old man face :)

Later in the week a couple of other visitors showed up to spend some quality time with Logan, Phillip's cousin Joey and his girlfriend Christina. It was exciting because it was our first time meeting Christina (we were also excited to see Joey). She is really sweet, and her a Joey make such a great couple. We had a lot of fun hanging out with them and hopefully they can come visit soon. Maybe next time they come up we can go visit Dawson's Creek, A.K.A Wilmington, NC (Christina like me is a Dawson's creek fan).

Logan taking a walk with Joey (Logan loves his walks)

The cousins: Phillip, Joey, and Logan

Joey, Christina, Logan, and me

The cute couple.

It was really nice being able to see everybody. In couple weeks we'll have a couple more visitors and hopefully soon enough Logan will get to meet his Aunt Kerry, we hear she is just dying to see him.

Updates, Quiet Time, Rants, and Tons of Pictures

2009-03-04T13:57:00.000-08:00

Well, Tuesday little Logan was officially one month old!!!! I can't believe he is already a month old. It does not feel like it's been four weeks since I had him. I guess its true when everybody says time sure does fly!!!

Since Logan has been born a lot has happened.

My mom finally got to visit!!!! I love when my mom is in town it feels as close to being back home as it can get (at least for a little while). It was so great having her here, she ran errands with me and kept me company during the day. Not to mention help with the baby. I wish she could have stayed more than a week. As always I was sad to see her go, but there are two more cute little grand kids back home waiting for her. She also was able to help celebrate Phillip's 25th birthday.

Grandma Laura & Logan

My hubby is a quarter of a century old, you know what that means? Lower car insurance rates. We don't have to pay extra fees when renting a car. Then there is the fact that in only five years he'll be the ripe old age of 30!

******disclaimer: I don't really think 30 is old, but Phillip does, so its fun toe remind him that it's not that far off for us*******

Phillip celebrating his Birthday (Tyke seemed to be in every picture that night)

Another thing that occurred this past month is my new found appreciation for QUIET TIME. Oh, how I miss being able to pick up a book and read for hours whenever the urge hit. I somewhat resolved this by just reading my books out loud to Logan, He is currently enjoying Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (poor little guy is getting started early on the wonderful world of Harry Potter). Phillip thinks its cool that I read to Logan but already told me that I'm not aloud to read the Twilight books to him because "they are for girls."

Phillip has been pretty good at helping me get a little time to myself. When he gets home he takes the baby and lets me go upstairs to take care of important matters such as blogging, checking facebook, and catching up on celebrity gossip.

Speaking of Phillip helping me out, well he's about to get more time to help me out a lot more. Unfortunately he was told last week that he will be laid off at the end of this week. So, that means we are both jobless bums. I have to admit I'm scared and a little upset. I was really hoping to stay home with the baby through May, but now it is looking like I will have to get to work sooner. That is unless Phillip finds another Job before I do.

As soon as Phillip told me he was getting laid off I called my friend up (the one who wanted to hire me after having the baby) and asked when she would be able to hire me. Well, she had assumed that I would take more time off with the baby and said she won't have an opening until June, then she let me have the bad news that she would be able to only pay me $10.00 an hour. $10.00 an hour after taxes pretty much equals to what I bringing in through unemployment, so I might as well stay home and continue looking for something better while simultaneously spending time with Logan.

I hate sending out resumes. It's so depressing to only get one response for every fifty resumes sent out. Actually now with this economy the ratio is more like one for every hundred. When will things get better? Every time I turn on the news it seems that another company is going out of business. It's even harder trying to find a job with benefits, most companies have chosen to forgo them to cut back on costs.

It really dose suck that we will probably have to pay for health insurance out of pocket. It is so expensive and we are all perfectly healthy. I couldn't imagine what it would be like if we had any major health issues. I've spent the last few weeks getting quotes, not mention arguing with my existing policy (through cobra) trying to get Logan added.

If one company should be hiring its Blue Cross Blue Shield, because everybody working for them at the moment seems to come from the bottom of the barrel.

Well, I guess that is enough complaining for today. I really was trying to not sound like to much of a downer. Hopefully I'll have better news by the the next time I find time to post.

Now to try to end things on a happier note, here are some random Logan pictures for all to enjoy!!!

Logan with Grandma Patti

Napping with Max

All my boys!

Grandpa Shuan trying to keep Logan awake, it didn't work :)

Not s o sure about that first bath

1 week old and i movie

2009-02-10T16:16:00.001-08:00

Today my little guy turned a week old...I honestly forgot everything that went on in my life before he got here. I seriously spent most of my day taking pictures and video of him.

Speaking of video, I found a new reason to love my MAC!!! iMovie, it let's you edit all the videos you make until your hearts content. So of course I spent the last hour (Logan is sleeping and Phillip is home, so I had an hour) making a little Logan Movie. The sad thing is it's about seven minuets long, and really all it contains is him laying down making faces. I also was able to drown out the t.v. in the background and add music. So, yes it may be seven minuets of Logan making faces but there is also some really good music to go along with it.

Logan Michael Crownover

2009-02-07T05:26:00.000-08:00

So, little Logan decided to make an early debut. I thought we had another week until he would arrive, but no he decided that he was ready and broke my water at 4am on February 3rd. The second it happened I jumped out of bed, it was really funny because it caused Phillip to wake up and jump out of bed as well, I forgot to mention this was all without me even mentioning what had happened. i called the doctor and had to wait a wonderful hour full of excitement and nervousness for him to call me back. Finally my nerves got the better of me and instead of waiting for him to call me back we just went to the hospital. I was so excited I was piratically skipping into the maternity ward, I don't think the nurses believed I was pregnant because I didn't appear to be keeling over in pain from the contractions I was supposed to be having.

The nurses checked me in and assigned me to a room, of course while I was being stripped down and strapped with the most uncomfortable "belts" the doctor called back. He told me we could have waited another hour to come in (doctors aer funny, they seem to forget that sometimes people are going through such things as pregnancy for the first time and that they me freak out just a bit and rush to the hospital when such things as water breaking).

So after I was finished being checked in the nurse checked all my progress. First she checked how far I was dilated. I was only a centimeter, great that's why my contractions weren't hurting. When she told the doctor this he said I would have to be hooked up to some stuff that would induce my contractions/ dilation. That stuff was the worst, and let me experience those very painful contractions. at about 2pm I couldn't take them anymore and asked for that wonderful drug called the epidural. i love the epidural!!!!

After the epidural it was just a waiting game. Finally at about 8pm they decided I was ready to push. Again I was excited because we were nearing the end. I was so wrong. I ended up pushing for two and a half hours. It was the most exhausting experience of my life and there were points where I just wanted to give up and go home. Well, at 10:38 pm it was all worth it. Logan came out weighing only 6.8lbs and 19.25 inches long. He was so cute and little. The first thing I noticed was he had my nose!!! The doctor thought he looked exact ally like Phillip. we were both surprised to see he had hair.

I didn't mention Phillip much throughout the whole labor process, but he was really great. I couldn't have asked for a better partner, He made sure I was comfortable and everything was going as close to my way as possible. Not only did he keep his eye out for me, but he made sure to keep my whole family updated with what was going on. He really did do a great job!!!!

Progress

2009-02-01T13:17:00.000-08:00

Well, I have this friend that calls me to come help out at her office once in awhile, so last week she called me in and since it doesn't feel like this baby is going to come out any time soon I decided to go in and make some extra money. Well, when I got there the first thing she said was that I look huge and like I'm starting to drop. I was so excited because I feel like I look the same and not getting anywhere with this pregnancy.

Then a couple days after that I had a doctor's appointment and received even better news...I've actually started dilating. Woohoo!!! I actually have only dilated like half a centimeter and in pregnancy terms that is nothing, but still I'm excited because I thought that no progress had been made and this poor little guy is doomed to be stuck in me forever (or at least two extra weeks).

As of today there are only 10 days left until my due date. I have a feeling this little guy is comfortable and will be in there for the long run, but just incase he is definitely welcome to come any day now. Im so excited and can't wait to see what he is going to look like. It's really cute because Phillip is getting really excited too!! He's always asking if I think today will be today? Oh my gosh the wait is killing me and I really just hope we get to see our little Logan soon!!!

Here are some picture's taken throughout my pregnancy, do you think I've made any progress?

5 Months Pregnant

7 Months Pregnant

9 Months Pregnant

Ready for Logan...

2009-01-19T06:21:00.000-08:00

...Well, we're as ready as we could be. On Saturday we finished taking our maternity class, where we learned "how to have a baby." The class was actually pretty interesting, we went over a bunch of breathing techniques as well as received a little information on what to expect throughout the whole labor process (pretty much it's going to hurt). Even after the class I'm still scared to death of the whole upcoming event.

Other than the whole mental preparation, I guess you can say we're prepared. We finally finished the baby room. We decided to go with a Mickey Mouse theme. It was actually easy to agree on. I wanted to do something Disney and Phillip wanted to use the color red. It turned out Mickey Mouse was a hard theme to shop for, but after a lot of searching we found enough items to bring the room together.

Here are a few pictures of the room:

Now there are only a few more things and we'll be "ready." We better hurry though, there are only 3 more weeks o go!!!!!!

2009

2009-01-04T04:47:00.000-08:00

Since it's a new year and there seems to be a whole lot of things happening to us I thought it would be fun to start a blog. My friend Carrie has been suggesting it for sometime and since she never seems to be wrong, why not go with it.

We're starting off this year fresh. In February we're expecting a little boy, and we can't wait to meet him. Technically in two weeks I'll be "full term," so I'm starting to get really antsy. We plan on naming him Logan Michael Crownover. We have spent the last month in preparation mode, there are only a few things left before his room is complete.

So far my pregnancy has been going well, there really hasn't been much to complain about...oh wait except that I am uncomfortable all the time!!!! I stupidly asked my doctor if that was normal, he just chuckled and said, "Oh yeah!" I don't understand when women say, "I love being Pregnant" I really think they're on something, and if so I want some! Really though everything does seem to be going well. My discomfort really is normal, all my tests have come back with great results, so now we just get to wait (oh how I love waiting).

This year I also hope to be starting a new job. Unfortunately I was laid off my old job right before Thanksgiving. After about a week of being scared out of my mind I saw the silver lining and decided to just go with it. I have a friend who plans on hiring me after y maternity leave, and there really is no need to freak out money wise because we can make it until then. We also have great parents and grandparents who have already said they would help us it when we do need it. So really things could be a lot worse. I also now have time to actually prepare for Logan, when originally that wasn't going to happen.

All in all 2008 wrapped up pretty nicely. My dad came to visit after Christmas, so we were able to celebrate the new year with him. We had so much fun! On New Year's Eve we went to Uptown Charlotte for a bit , then headed over to my brother in law's house to countdown with the family. The next day my dad, Phillip, Krista(sister in law), and I drove down toe Charleston, SC for a nice little day visit.

I discovered that I love Charleston!!!! It was so pretty there!!! We toured the historical district which happens to predate the Revolutionary war!!! The houses there were so cool and we were actually able to tour inside a couple of them. We were such tourists that day, we actually took a horse and carriage tour which turned out to be pretty neat. The best part was when we were driving around we noticed a couple of the side streets were paid with cobble stones and my dad wanted to make a point of driving down the cobble stone street, "Like the old days." Well, since all the streets were one way every time we were able to turn the street was not cobblestone, so it actually took a little bit to make it down one of the streets. Afterwards my dad asked how we liked our little Butt Massage. He is such a goof, I love it!

Here are a few Charleston pictures:

Phillip walking along the beach

Krista in front of an old house with a tree intertwined with the fence

This Church predates the civil war

A cobblestone alleyway or free butt massage

A really cute picture of Phillip and my dad...check out the cool color feature my camera has...yes it is ok to be jealous ;)

Krista, Phillip, and me in front of the Edmonston House...I look huge here!!!

Phillip, my dad, and me stopping for a photo opp

It was so cold walking in the wind, I tried to cover as much as my face as possible