Is The Grass Really Greener On The Other Side?

Last Wednesday we had a celebration to say 'Bon Voyage' to one of our co-workers who is moving on to bigger and better things: becoming a housewife. Yes: newly married, no kids, and getting to stay at home to clean, socialize, and travel at her leisure. Her husband works for a major airline company, so they will be doing a lot of the travel thing. First on the agenda? An Alaskan cruise.

I found myself incredibly jealous of this lady. Ever since Brylee came into our lives, I have wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. Watch every moment of my child learn and grow, keep the apartment clean, have dinner ready when the hubby gets home, go out and spend the day with other stay-at-home moms.

Yeah, right.

In the last 20 weeks I have realized that this is very much a hit-or-miss reality, especially the clean home and dinner ready scenarios. But what an amazing dream, right? Or is it?

Whenever I find myself off in this dream world, I have to remember some very important, specific things, besides the fact that I don't wear dresses, aprons, pearls, and live in the '50s (and just why not?!?!):

• Brylee is doing amazing at daycare. She is socializing and making friends. She is learning how to not be number 1 all the time, to share, and enjoy other's company. Even at 4 months she is learning this, and hopefully will continue that in her growth through her life.


• I would go crazy. During the 8 weeks I was off for maternity leave, I got lazy and even a little cabin fever. Sure, I was also recovering from a major surgery and learning how to be a mom. Now I'm not afraid to put my kid into the carrier and run off to go somewhere just for a change of atmosphere. But what I think about doing and what I actually do can end up being 2 very different things.


• Not to mention, work is currently my social place (which I need to work on). Would I really go to Mommy's Day Out with the church, or would I end up locking myself indoors, not talking to anyone? Conversation is so much easier to have with your husband when there are actually things to talk about besides what was on tv that day...


• We can't afford it. No. Let me rephrase that: we can afford it. Just not live with the comfort of knowing I like to spontaneously buy little things for our little one (and us). Not unless Cary can get a pay increase at his job of at least what I am making now. Anyone willing to do that for us so I can be lazy? Is it worth putting that kind of stress on Cary? (no)


• I am now looking into potentially getting my psychology degree for counselling. My job would help pay for that education. Without this job, it just becomes an added bill.

As much as the stay-at-home life seems to be so appealing to me right now, I have to realize that I would find negatives in it, just as I do with every job I have ever had. I have to remind myself that I am truly blessed to have a job with a steady income, that is 5 minutes from home, a daycare that is just as close to both work and home (that I have to write a bragging post about), a healthy baby and husband (as well as myself and the mutt), a nice roof over our heads, and cars that work.

Maybe someday in the future the watching-my-kids grow opportunity will come to me and I'll know that I can do it right. But until then, I'll have to stare at the greener pastures that lay in front of me, just out of reach.

Brylee's First Easter

And what a 1st Easter it was! This child is truly blessed (and not because of all the candy and gifts she got, but because of her family).

I started off the holiday weekend by taking off on Thursday for Spring Cleaning. Now, growing up, I despised cleaning. I kept everything somewhat tidy, in hopes that I wouldn't have to do more than needed. Now I blame my mom for passing on some kind of disease, some kind of cleaning illness. I bet she wrapped it up in some tiny box and gave it to me as a wedding gift. I HAD to go through and clean the apartment, head to toe, with no one else there. Just Chester and me. I am happy, though, because I got everything checked off of my list, except for dusting. Whoo hoo!

On Friday, what was originally going to be a trip to Sulphur Springs to visit family, turned into a day of semi-lazy fun. Breakfast consisted of eggs, maple sausage, biscuits, and orange juice (a vacation staple for Cary's family that I made as an Easter 'gift' to him). We then visited the Observation tower at DFW airport, where even Brylee watched an airplane land. We took a couple of trips to some stores, and then just lazed around the house for the evening, enjoying a movie and no where to be.

On Saturday, Cary and I dropped off Chester at my parents' house and then met his parents up for the drive to Sulphur Springs. Brenda and Gary gave Brylee some of the cutest Easter gifts: rubber duckies, one with Bunny ears and tail on it, and some books for her to look at. Needless to say, I was more entertained by the gifts than she was (for now--she is getting more alert everyday!)

The trip was changed to this day because storms were supposed to be in on Friday, and we didn't want to travel during that. Brenda and I rode in the backseat, pretty much watching Brylee sleep the entire time (thank goodness-she slept going to and from!). We ate at Mema's, and then went outside into her back yard to take pictures of Brylee in her cute Easter dress. We got some cute pictures of her, but unfortunately the sun was shining pretty bright in her little eyes.

After driving home (with a quick stop at Mary's at Puddin Hill--Brylee isn't the only one who is spoiled--thank you Gary!), we headed over to my parents' house again to drop off Brylee for the night.

Mom was so excited about having her little grandbaby over for the night, and couldn't wait to give her all the Easter gifts she had. Her rewards? Chocolate, chocolate, more chocolate (yay me and Cary!), some quarters (time to get a piggy bank!), and some Easter books to read through. Cary and I were even spoiled with (yet more) chocolate. Ahh...the life of having a young one who can't eat solids yet!

Cary and I took an evening to relax and saw a movie, How To Train Your Dragon. It was a good movie--I enjoyed it!

After the movie, we went home to make Banana Pudding for the Easter gathering on Sunday. After that? zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.............

On Sunday morning, Cary and I went to church (excellent service) and then to my parents' house again to pick up the kid and help transport things to my uncle's house. Only, they had already left! With everything! (including our kid, some of her toys, and our food!). So Cary and I drove to Bill's house and joined in the fun and entertainment.

Bill cooked a delicious ham, mashed potatoes, pork ribs, steamed veggies, and mom made broccoli rice casserole, Grandpa brought rolls and potato salad, and topped it off with banana pudding. What a meal!

The afternoon was spent watching everyone bowl on the Wii, having Brylee watch the fish in Bill and Ivan's saltwater aquarium, and catching up with family (Grandma Jarvis joined us for the delicious meal as well).

Needless to say, we went home tired. We did whatever we could to just hang out at the apartment all evening so that we could relax a little.

Brylee also managed to get from her parents some sidewalk chalk (I know, still a little young for it), some chicks for the egg game (putting them on spoons and trying to not drop them as you head for the finish line--still a bit young), and a silly snail that wiggles when you pull the string. And...candy. Yes, I know. We have enough for a while. No, no. We don't need anymore. Do you want some? We'll be glad to give it away...

Now for the post(s) I wanted to write regarding this most beautiful holiday:

I hope everyone took a moment to remember what the significance of Good Friday and Easter is. It's not about dressing up in your prettiest frocks, hunting bunnies hiding eggs, or eating lots and lots (and lots) of chocolate. Those are all fun, wonderful ways to spend a gorgeous day outside in Spring, but it is more than that. So much more.

Good Friday and Easter are what determined that even though we live life, it gave us the opportunity to LIVE.

Hallelujah--He is Risen!!!

Brylee's Gift For Easter

Here is what Brylee did for her grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousin for Easter:

See the purple one on the far right above? That's Chester's paw print--the other side has Brylee's hand print. My parents loved it!

Does Anyone Else Find This Disturbing?

Spring Beauty

Look at the gorgeous tulips my parents sent me!

At work on Monday, I was called by one of our security guards at work to come see him at his station. On the way down, I wondered if something had happened to my car. I mean, why else, would I be called?!

When I got there, he pointed to a vase of beautiful flowers--for me!

Thank you so much mom and dad! They light up our apartment beautifully, and I love to look at them all the time!

New Adventures In Brylee-land

Look at this face! I love the ears in this picture. This was taken last Friday when I picked her up from daycare.

She has continued to sleep through the night, with the last feeding at around 10 and then we do not hear from her again until 6-ish when we start to stir. Also her fussiness in the evenings has died down.

She is happy most of the time now, except when hungry or when we put the Aquaphor on her head (her skin is looking great btw). Other than that it is all smiles, which makes life around our house so much more pleasant.



This past weekend, my parents found an exersaucer for sale and jumped right on it (not literally--it would not look like this now). This one will stay at their home, or perhaps travel, while I have a friend who is letting me borrow theirs, as soon as I find room in the apartment (tomorrow is the big Spring Cleaning day!)

She loved playing on this thing, and I can't wait to get her into one at the apartment so she can watch us and hopefully be entertained until bedtime!

Mom and dad also bought her a high chair so that she can start joining us at the kitchen table for meals. She's still a bit small, isn't she? She wasn't too fond of it either, but once she starts associating it with food, perhaps that will change. If you enlarge the picture, you will see her eyes shiny from tears. Maybe its being buckled in that she doesn't like...

Also on the feeding front, we have postponed the cereal for a week. She just did not seem ready for it yet. The Doctor told us to try it and if she did not take to it to rest and wait a week. We don't want to cause her to associate the cereal with forced torture.

She is wearing more hats lately too. She was wearing her mittens 24 hrs a day to keep her from scratching her head up, but we felt like this may inhibit her developing her hand and finger skills, so we lost the mittens during waking hours and now she dons a cap most of the time. And now, those fingers go straight into her mouth, including anything she might be holding at the time!

And last, but not least, when I walked her into daycare this morning, a new friend was starting her first day. The mom started out conversation by saying that she was told Brylee was a preemie. Her little girl, Audrey, was born at 33 weeks and just over 3 pounds. She is now 11 weeks old!

I told Brylee that preemies need to stick together, so be nice and watch over her. Brylee's no longer the smallest in the bunch! I don't know if I'm happy, or want to cry because she has grown so much! (I'll choose to be happy-- I love this happy, smiley Brylee!)

The Post With A Lot Of Links

Remember this post?




I have the list right here of everything I have 'in the works'. Let's see what I've accomplished so far...

New adventures in working
Silly names for baby objects
Something I'm passionate about (besides the big one, little one, and hairy one...)
An upcoming change in our family...
2008 catching-ups
And a very defining discovery! (can anyone remind me of what this one is?)

And now....for the moment you've all been waiting for (haven't you?):




Something I'm passionate about!


(cue fanfare music)



Socks!!!

Most of you already know this little tid-bit, but why keep it in the dark for everyone else?


I know. Wah, wah, waaaahh......big disappointment. I mean, who cares that I love socks? Well, because if you ever want to send me a cheap gift, then you know what would bring me the most happiness! (just kidding by the about the gift thing...kind of...)


As I am writing this post, I'm starting to think that 'passionate' is not the right word to use. Maybe 'somthing that I really, really, REALLY enjoy' would be better. To me, passionate deals with animal rescue, finding a cure for cancer , speaking about the Lord...things like that.

But socks! Oh how I enjoy those silly-looking things! How I receive them from friends and family, and suddenly the world is a happier place.


Of course, I'm referring to the socks that have some kind of decoration, be it animals, holidays, writing, polka-dots, or stripes. The plain ones bore me now, but I have several pair for walking or iceskating...perfect for their thickness!


I didn't wear silly socks until I was in college. I was inspired by a lady I worked with who wore them with no shame. I looked at her and wished I could do the same thing--wear goofy socks and not feel embarrassed by them. So I decided to give it a try.


For a while, I would wear them, but wouldn't show them off. Today, I wear them, and if they peak out from under my jeans, I don't care. I even love to show them off, sometimes when they don't match my shirt at all!

I do hope that Brylee takes after me with the enjoyment of simple pleasures such as socks. Currently, I have over 40 in my collection. And once one of each pair wear out, I keep the leftover one, just in case something unique can be done in the future (quilt anyone?)


Silly socks, I applaud you. Thank you for making every day just a little bit more fun!

Chestmutts Resting By An Open Fire

Friday, we had an incredible evening, letting Brylee stay nice and warm with her T-Ma and B-Pa, while Cary, Chester, and I went out to Lake Ray Roberts, where we got a campsite and enjoyed the evening with a fire in an open pit and hot dogs.

For those of you who don't know much about Texas, there is a window of about 3 weeks that you can do something like this, beating the freezing cold (wind chill!) or burning heat.

Oddly enough, our plans were changed earlier in the week when we found out that there was snow in the forecast for Saturday (in March--extremely rare!).

My parents were wonderful enough to make sure their plans included their favorite 2-legged grandchild so that Cary and I could enjoy the evening and not worry about how cold it was for a 4 month old.

The campsite was located just slightly into a wooded area, and as we prepared our dinner, we got to do some people watching as families and boy scouts walked up and down the walkway. Once it got dark, all we saw were flashlights, which Chester knows as 'spot', and wanted so bad to chase it down.

Part of the reason of our visit was to do some star-gazing, which is something we haven't really been able to do since we went to Maine because we are constantly surrounded by lights. The view was already a little blocked due

to the tree limbs, but still nice enough to see more than the suburbs allow. However, not long into looking at the constellations, clouds gathered.

One thing I really enjoyed about this outing was that it gave us a little one-on-one time with Chester, who has been very neglected since Brylee's arrival. He seemed to enjoy it, too, by walking as far as his extendable leash would let him, get tangled up in the trees, and wanting to visit with everyone that walked by. I hope we can do it again for him soon!

We were definitely not there long enough, packed up and leaving by 10:00. But I do hope to go back again soon, and hopefully the weather will cooperate. It was an amazing time, and Cary, with his thourough planning, made it the perfect date night.

Brylee's Big Day

The things this kid has been up to today!!!

First, she slept 8 hours straight on Sunday night through Monday morning. 10:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. What a big step! She woke up with smiles on her face, and all day there seemed to be nothing that could distraught our little one....until:

3:00--she had a 4 month doctor's appointment. She got great remarks from the Nurse Practioner, who says she is right on track with her size and development. The Nurse Practioner also said that she looks like she will stick with blue/grey/green eyes. Because they are as light as they are now, she doubts that a brown is in her future--yay!!!! (not trying to be superficial, but I love light-colored eyes, and Cary's are light, so she'll have the same beautiful eyes as her daddy!)--AND she weighs 11 lbs, 1.6 oz--officially double her weight at birth!

But along with the great remarks about how she is looking good (other than the concern of her super dry skin, which we are currently working on softening up), came 3 big shots. Poor kid. She wailed so loud, her face turned so red, and she kept crying until she nearly passed out because she forgot to breathe. Luckily, before the appointment, we remembered to warm up a bottle and put that in her mouth as soon as we had the opportunity. All better! She enjoyed a nice nap while her daddy and I enjoyed an ice cream cone.

With the evening time came our next big step--trying out rice cereal! It took a few times for her to start comprehending what to do, but she started opening her mouth up readily for the next spoonful. The picture is from her daddy getting a little over zealous with the amount on the spoon.

We were hopeful that the cereal would help her sleep well again during the night. If not that, then the combination of the cereal and the traumatic shot experience earlier in the day. But alas, no luck. She woke up about 1:45 a.m., talking and babbling away. After working with her for about 1 hour, I gave her a little more Tylenol, and she fell asleep, only to wake up again at 5:00 for a feeding.

I am eager to try out more cereal with her, and hopefully she'll learn to like it and eat it happily. Our little girl is growing up!

2nd Day Of Spring Surprise

This is how our Sunday looked early in the morning:


Of course it was melted by the afternoon, but what a beautiful way to start off our spring! We even dressed Brylee up to stay nice and warm:

More about our (awesome) weekend coming up!

Happy Spring From The McFaddens!

Now Areas of light rain or snow will be possible across North Texas through the afternoon hours. Locations north of an Eastland to DFW to Gainesville line will have the best chances of seeing snow this afternoon as snow showers move in from the west. Elsewhere across North Texas...areas of light rain or sprinkles will continue. Additional accumulations will be light...generally less than a few hundredths of an inch. Behind the cold front...northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph will occur.

	Tonight Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow. Breezy. Very light snow accumulations possible on grass and elevated surfaces. Lows in the lower 30s. Northwest winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts to around 35 mph. Wind chill readings as low as 19 to 24.
	Sunday Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Breezy. Total snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Highs in the mid 40s. Northwest winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts to around 35 mph.
	Sunday Night Mostly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Breezy. Lows in the lower 30s. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph decreasing to around 10 mph after midnight.
	For those of you who aren't from the Dallas area, this weather is most unusual this time of year!