Birmingham

The day after Christmas we made our first trip back to Birmingham since Ashley and Brandon got married 4 years ago!  It was obviously William's first trip to Alabama.  Lucky for us, William slept on the flight there and on the way back.  Every flight with him is different.  You just never know what you're gonna get.  :)
We had a great time with the Gooding side of the family.  We finally got to see Ashley and Brandon's "new" home.  The word beautiful doesn't do it justice.  I'm so envious of their great outdoor space.  Houston just doesn't compare. 
Ashley was prepared for the little mans arrival....she had lots of fun toys to keep him entertained during our long weekend in Birmingham.  During our stay Brandon did lots of grilling (YUMMM), the boys went duck hunting one day, we did some shopping and had a mini birthday celebration for Grant.  You can't beat a relaxing weekend away from home with family. 

• The Gooding guys
• Mesmerized by the leaf blower!
• Hanging with his mimi
• My little hunters
• Giving hugs (note the deer in his right hand....he's obsessed)
• The boys staying busy cooking on the Green Egg
• He loves anything that looks like a vacuum!
• Grant's 30th birthday celebration
• Sister In Laws!

Birmingham is such a beautiful city.  Hopefully we'll make it back to visit sooner than later!

Kentucky

Last month William and I took a little trip with my parents to Kentucky.  Kinda random, right?!  The  national APHON conference was held in Louisville, Kentucky this year so we headed north. 
Gordon has been traveling once a week for work so he wouldn't have been able to take baby boy to school and pick him up while I was gone....so, baby boy came!  My parents were sweet and offered to come along to watch William for me. 
The night before we left town my parents babysat William so Gordon and I could celebrate our 3 year anniversary.  The next afternoon we headed to Kentucky.  The trip there was pretty rough.  To be honest, it was actually awful.  William has flown 10+ times and done GREAT.  For whatever reason this flight hurt his poor little ears.  He screamed for 25 minutes straight.  stressful and sad.  By the time we got off our first flight (in St. Louis to change planes) we were worn out and I was terrified of how the next flight would go.  I'll have to do a post on flying with baby tips!  Long story short, we never got on the next flight.  Southwest delayed the flight to 12:40am.  Nope.  Not doing that!  So, we rented a car and my sweet daddy drove us to Louisville!  We finally crawled into a bed at 3am.

BYE Houston!

The APHON conference was great.  I love being around other nurses that do what I've been doing for 9 years.  It's a tough profession.  It's sad.  Getting to hear others stories and just be with people that understand is nice.  They get it when most people don't.  Being the emotional basket case that I am lately I cried a few time .  But, I learned a lot and I had a great time with my family and W.
Kentucky was beautiful.  To be honest, I'm ready to move there!  The weather was great and the homes were beautiful (and reasonably priced....yep, I checked it out).  I have no idea what people do for jobs up there?!?!  I do know that I was a tad jealous. 

So, what did we do when I wasn't in meetings?  Well, The Ohio river separates Kentucky from Indiana so they have lots of beautiful scenery.  We had dinner on the water one night and did a lunch boat cruise one day while I had a long break. 

These pictures describe William perfectly:

• oooooohhhhhhh!
• Always pointing and looking at you in amazement
• Rubbing those eyes when he's sleepy (Papa had someone draw W!)
• Walking with Papa looking at the ducks, bridges, cars, water....

 On our last night we ate at Hard Rock Café.  My meeting was held in the downtown area so we stayed down there and went to an area called Forth Street Live!  There were a ton of restaurants that looked fabulous.  Baby boy loved the Mac 'n Cheese and the music.  He danced the entire time we were there!

Being a mommy and wife will always be my first priority.  But staying educated is also important to me.  I want to continue to grow and learn.  I want to be a good nurse to the sweet patients and families I care for.  Knowledge is power.  For me, being well rounded in all areas of my life makes me the happiest.  I've always liked the saying "don't put all your eggs in one basket".   Most of mine are in the family basket but I keep a few reserved for my friends, work, my brain and body. 
So, thanks TCH for allowing me to attend this years conference!

A Little Getaway

When the boys play momma and baby will have a little getaway! 

 

That was the case this past weekend!  Since Gordon was heading to New Orleans for his brother's bachelor party William and I decided to make a trip out to West Texas.  Click here to see his first trip to Midland! 

After work on Thursday we headed to the airport for William's 6th (round trip) flight (and our 2nd flight without Daddy).  I'll spare you all the details....I'll just say it was a rough evening.  I realized Gordon had left his keys in my car when I drove up to the airport (...with a screaming baby in the backseat).  Getting through security wasn't too bad but we did have an explosive diaper as our flight was boarding.  NEVER a good thing.  They definitely called my name over the loud speaker!  "Last call for Lindsey Gooding."  What's a mom to do?!?!  Change a very stinky diaper (which can lead to a red hiney) or miss your plane?  I picked the clean hiney and happy neighbors on the plane.  Yes, we made our flight too.  Thankfully, William slept the entire flight.  When we got off the plane we were welcomed with a broken stroller.  Uhhhh!  I guess I kinda expected it to happen but wish it hadn't been when I was alone.  We didn't get to bed that night until midnight!  Baby boy slept like a champ in his crib but the late night came back to haunt us the next day.  

Friday morning we had pictures with Kriti McKnight scheduled.  Kristi is my age and worked with my mom at Santa Rita.  She is now a fabulous photographer.  Poor little William had a breakdown.  He gave us zero smiles and just kept reaching out for me.  Kristi was so sweet and told us to come back the next day if he was feeling better.  After having a quick breakfast with his nana and aunt Skye we headed home for a long nap.  The next day this mommy got a much needed mani/pedi, laid by the pool for an hour while William took a nap and of course went by Le BeBe where we found a precious bathing suit for baby boy.  After a yummy dinner at Luigi's we had movie night in the new theatre room.  We watched This Is 40 and it was hilarious.  If you haven't seen it yet make sure it's next on your rental list (especially if you're married with kids). 

On Sunday we said our goodbyes and headed back home.  The broken stroller still caused me problems but people really are so sweet and helpful when you have a baby.  The captain of our flight helped us getting on and even waited for us to get off to help me get the stroller and carseat situated.  He said he had kids himself and knew how hard it could be.  William and I headed straight to the grocery store and then home to cook dinner and make baby food. 

 

• Dinner at Luigi's
• Going home with Nana & Papa after dinner at GT Country Club (mommy went and had grown up time with Dustin and Skye)
• Mommy & baby enjoying the beautiful (windy) weather
• Papa put his feet in the water....COLD!
• Movie night (puppies included)

As always, we were sad to leave but so excited to see everyone for his first birthday next month!

Gordon was in bed at 8pm last night.....guess that means he had a fun weekend too. I can see a girls trip in my near future!!!! Any takers ladies?

 



Sick Baby

Last week William started having a cough, runny nose and yucky diapers.  He refused to eat anything beside bottles and just wasn't acting like himself.  We had a trip planned to West Texas and were leaving on Friday so I decided to take him to the pediatrician last Tuesday.  I wanted to make sure his ears were okay before we made the flight to Midland.  At that point he hadn't had a fever.  Everything check out good.  No ear infection and his lungs were clear.  Baby boy just had a virus. 
Friday morning we packed up and headed to Midland.  William did great and he even ate some cereal and apples before we got on the plane!  We were going to Lubbock that night to see George Strait and Martina McBride kick off his last tour so once we were in Midland I started getting everything ready for my grandparents to watch him.  Gordon gave William a bath, he ate some cereal and sweet potatoes and all of his toys and other important belongings were unpacked and ready to go.  He seemed to be feeling better....which of course made me feel better!  Well, that's where it ended.  At 2am William woke up and had a 102 temperature.  He turned 9 months old on Saturday so I guess we should be thankful this was his first fever.  Luckily, tylenol broke his fever every time and he was still drinking all his bottles everyday.  He did stop eating food again.  Nighttime has been no fun.  He wakes up every 1-2 hours crying.  :(  We flew home on Sunday afternoon and I've been at home with him since.  He's been a sweet baby the entire time.  There's been a lot of snuggling, vicks vapor rub, cool rags, tylenol and saline nose spray!  Yesterday he had a fever at 4 am and again at 4pm but has has been afebrile since then.  Yippeee!  He still didn't sleep well last night but was able to eat some cereal and mangoes today for lunch.  Tomorrow is his 9 month check up...I'm curious to see what they say about his ears.  I don't think he has an ear infection but you never know?!?!
Being off work for the past two days makes me feel like I'm back on maternity leave.  It's been OH SO NICE!!!  I love getting up, drinking coffee and watching GMA while William takes his morning nap, doing laundry and dishes/bottles throughout the day, snuggling with my baby whenever I want and not feeling rushed to get everything done before an early bedtime because of work the next day.  I'm already looking forward to maternity leave with the next baby.  HAHA.  But, it's back to work on Thursday.  Hopefully we can get this baby's sleeping situation back under control before next week.  YUCK. 

Waiting for the doctor

Have a good day at work Daddy!

Feeling better today so we got some
fresh air and Vitamin D at the park!

Red Raider Weekend

Last weekend we had a nice 3 day weekend in West Texas.  Gordon hadn't been to Midland since February....I know he missed it terribly.  :)  Friday morning G and I had a little breakfast date at the donut shop while Nana watched William and later in the day we met my brother and SIL for lunch at one of Gordon's favorites, Burgers, Fries, Cherry Pies. After that the boys (minus William) headed to the deer lease while I enjoyed an hour and a half massage (thanks mama!).  We had a girls night with little buddy at Luigi's since all the boys were still hunting.  I had planned on checking out a new wine bar in Midland that night but Gordon and I decided sleeping sounded better!  The next morning we packed up and headed to Lubbock for a Red Raider football game. 

My sweet grandparents met us in Lubbock to watch William while we were at the game.  First we headed to Rosa's for a yummy lunch, did a little tailgating, watch a great football game and had dinner at Orlando's.  That night my parents watched William while we went with my brother and Skye to meet up with some friends.  It's always great to go back to Lubbock.  It's hard to believe Gordon and I met our Freshman year at Tech and now we are bringing our baby back to the LBK!  How cute is William in his Tech gear!?! 

Gordon and my dad went and shot guns once we were back in Midland while the girls got pedicures.  William seems to really enjoy Midland....or at least he's pretty entertained by my parents little puppies.  He thinks they're pretty funny.  

 

I had to say goodbye to the house I've called home since I was 11 years old.  I'm so glad William got to spend some time in the house before Nana and Papa move.  I know he won't remember it but at least we got some photos! 



 

 

Next month we'll be calling this home!!!  The new house is beautiful and going to be great for lots of grandbabies.  The backyard is huge which will be perfect for playing and swiming, there's a movie theatre room and "my room" is connected to the nursery by a bathroom.

 

 

We can hardly wait for Christmas in Midland!!

On another note...this weekend baby boy has been a little under the weather.  Poor thing has been coughing up a storm and has a yucky nose.  That didn't stop him from trying some new food today....CARROTS were a success!

West Texas

The weekend before last William and I made a last minute trip to Midland.  It was his second time to fly, his first time to Midland and my first time to fly by myself with baby boy.  I was a little nervous about getting through security and onto the plane without any help but I passed with flying colors!  Everything went smoothly and William did great on the flight there and back...not a single peep from the little guy. 

We had a fun filled weekend with my family and I really enjoyed the nice cool weather.  William got to meet lots of new friends (and family!).  He thought my parent's dogs were pretty neat.  He'd never seen little dogs like them before, so all the running around really intrigued him.  We went to my church's annual fair, ate at some of my favorite restaurants, went to Big Spring to see William's Great Grandpa and GG, and he got to meet his Great Grandad and my aunt/uncle for the first time!!!  Grandad H is about to be 94 years old.  WOW!!  I'm so glad I got a picture with four generations of men I love and respect. 

Monday morning this mommy went and had a much needed massage and then William and I went house hunting with my parents.....don't worry we aren't moving....my parents may be though. :)  Who knows, maybe one day Gordon, W and I will end up in West Texas?!?!  Gordon held the fort down while we were gone and got lots of R&R and boy time in. 

I'm already counting down the days until we go back "home" for a Tech football game.  Yippee!  Only a few more weeks.... 

Rosemary Beach

Last weekend we packed up and flew to Florida for our yearly Gooding family vacation in Rosemary Beach, Florida.  I remember being there last year wondering if I'd be pregnant the next time we were there.  I don't think I ever imagined we'd be back with our 3 month old baby!!! 
William was a wonderful traveler!  He slept the entire flight there and back.  I had to force feed him before we landed both times so his ears wouldn't hurt so bad.  Checking in at Hobby was a bit of a nightmare.  I have never seen the line out the door like it was that morning.  I nearly cried when we walked in because I knew we still had to get through security, find the family restroom for me to pump, check the stroller and board the plane.  Needless to say, we made it!!!   

First plane ride!

We weren't able to check into the house we were staying at until 4pm so after eating some yummy fish tacos at The Smiling Fish we went to a family friend's house to hang out.  Here we are enjoying the nice ocean breeze!  We even got to meet Mike Huckabee's super sweet wife.  They have a new grandbaby too so we had lots of fun stories to share. 

At 4:00 we headed to the place we called home for the next week. 

We had a wonderful time just hanging out and relaxing!  William wore his beach pajamas and did lots of cuddling with us every morning. :)

Two peas in a pod

A great way to wake up every morning!

William loved his Aunt Ashley!  This was the first time they had met and I think it was love at first sight for William.  He loved listening to Ashley sing to him. 

Mom and Dad got some much needed sun while baby boy relaxed under the umbrella!  The ocean breeze is SO nice....William slept like a baby while he was out there. 

I can't wait to get in that water next year!

Hanging out while Mommy drinks some coffee

Tuesday night, after Aunt Emily got into town, we all went to dinner in Seaside.  I had some yummy mac 'n cheese with shrimp and Gordon had the catch of the day.  I must say I love my breast feeding diet. :) 

Great Southern in Seaside

Wednesday night Ashley and Brandon put on a fish fry for everyone.  William wore his fishy outfit for the occasion!  Everything was delicious.  One of the best parts about the beach is hanging out with everyone in the evening.  It's even more fun with little William!!!

Sleeping in my swing

Gordon helping Brandon out

Thank you Mimi and Grandad for the great vacation!

I insisted on a few family photos of course.  :) 

July 19th, WJG's 3 month birthday

I loved watching all the little kids playing on the beach this year.  It's so fun to think about all the things we will get to do with William in the future.  It's crazy that a tiny little baby can make you feel SO much joy.  Life is a little brighter with him in it.  I feel like my heart has tripled in size since April 19th....it's made me love deeper, appreciate more and after our NICU experience I think I'm a better nurse.  Gordon and I have so much to look forward to!  I can see sandcastles, shovels and boogie boards in our future.  We are so blessed to have him in our lives AND to have such a wonderful family.  We're already looking forward to next year! 

See you next year Rosemary Beach!