Bummer Story

Hmmm…where to begin?

First, my bummer story. Well, right now we should be on a plane to Hawaii. One night about 2 years ago, all of my in-law family was over for dinner. We decided that during the summer of 2007 we would take a full Strzinek family vacation to Hawaii.

Long story short…we’re not on the plane. The past 3 days or so have been a crazy and somewhat scary chain of events. Wade’s sister had to have emergency back surgery yesterday. So the full family vacation in Hawaii wouldn’t be complete without the full family. It’s a bummer that we’re not going, but her health and well-being are obviously the most important. We are so thankful and glad the surgery went well, and that she’ll be feeling much better soon.

A good lesson learned…when planning a big vacation that you’ve saved up for 2 years, definitely buy the travel waiver insurance. We got all of our money back and will be able to re-schedule the trip with everyone again next year. What a relief!

So instead of the beautiful Hawaiian ocean and sun this week, we’ll enjoy the beautiful…umm rainy…Fort Worth skies.

Gross Story

Now for a gross story. Did you know that even boys can get a yeast infection? I know, sorry, gross! I thought Tate just had a bad diaper rash the past 2 weeks, but after it was just getting worse and spreading, a quick trip to the pediatrician showed that it had developed into yeast. Yeah, just call me “Mother of the Year!” I feel so bad for the little guy.

Embarassing Story

Now for my embarrassing story. So the other day, I was desperate for an eyebrow wax. I am completely unable to take the pain of tweezing my own eyebrows. Instead, I have to pay someone to rip hot wax off of them. Makes sense, doesn’t it? So after the hot wax ripping, my eyes normally swell up and look like I have on 1980’s neon pink eye shadow. Sounds fun, huh? So I’m driving home from the torture and realize that I have to run into the grocery store to get something for dinner.

Wouldn’t you know it, standing there with my inflamed neon pink eyes, I run into a family friend that I’ve known for 20 years. I’m not really sure what I even said in that conversation because I was so embarrassed and was wondering what he was thinking was wrong with my eyes.

So later we’re standing in the check-out lane, and I’m talking to him and unloading my groceries. I somehow manage to turn in a way that my jeans slide across the side of the conveyor belt and come unbuttoned. Oh no, my face is now the color of my eyes! I could’ve played it cool and no one would’ve known because my shirt was covering the buttons. But no. Instead, in mid-conversation, I instantly drop my groceries and bend over. I pause for a moment, and to my relief, I realize my pants are not falling down. So I casually stand up and return to the conversation without mentioning what that episode was all about.

I’m sure this guy thinks motherhood has made me lose it in the head!

Seriously...Is this the same baby?

It cracks me up that this is the same baby. He looks SO different already in less than 6 months. I'll obviously love him no matter what he looks like, but this is just funny to me for some reason.

Then: dark hair, dark eyes, dark skin....

Now: light hair, light eyes, light skin...

First & Last

I just received this in an e-mail, so I thought I would start the blog tagging again.

First Memory:
Sadly, I don’t seem to remember my early days very well. The earliest thing I can remember is a vague memory of when I went to Disney World (age 4).

First Real Kiss:
Steve (summer after 7th grade). Yuck! I was not impressed…sorry Steve!

First Concert:
Neil Diamond with my parents (age 10 or 11, I think). He's still one of my favs.

First Love:
I know it’s kind of cheesy, but Wade was my real first love (junior year of college). I had said the “l word” before, but he was the real deal.

First crush:
I remember having a huge crush on a boy named Matt Phillips in the 7th grade. One day I was walking in front of him in the hall and fell flat on my face, which resulted in my skirt flipping all the way up and Matt getting flashed. 7th grade…can there me anything more humiliating?

First thing you think in the morning:
I hope Wade heard Tate waking up before I did.

First book you remember loving:
The Ramona books by Beverly Cleary

First pet:
Brandi, a golden retriever, named after Brandon from Punky Brewster.

First question you'll ask in Heaven:
What were you trying to teach me when…

First thing you think of when you hear the word vacation:
sleeping in, no schedule, beach, good food

First best friend:
Gina Gilland (1st -6th grade)

Last time you dressed up:
Hmmmm…these days dressed up has new meaning. Is make-up and blow-dried hair considered dressed up? Besides church Sundays, I guess it was a wedding a few weeks ago.

Last thing you ate:
Ironically, I had this for lunch.

Last CD you bought:
Assuming Tate’s Baby Einstein CD doesn’t count…I’m pretty out of the loop these days on the hip new music. I did buy Justin Timberlake’s CD several months ago.

Last book you read:
To Kill a Mockingbird

Last time you cried:
When listening to a voice mail my sweet friend Paige left for me. She is the world’s best encourager!

Last movie you saw:
Watched half of The Good Shepherd and turned it off. I was bored and confused. I'm half way through The Pursuit of Happyness right now. So far, so good.

Last time you told someone you loved them:
5 minutes ago when I put Tate down for a nap.

Last really funny thing you did:
I’m sure there are too many to mention! If you asked Tate it would be when I made a goofy face and sang the Wheels on the Bus song. If you asked Wade it would probably be when I was laughing hysterically while talking about picturing him in a giant onesie.

Last thing you watched on TV:
The Today Show

Last Halloween costume:
I really can’t even remember the last time I dressed up for Halloween. Probably the most pathetic one was when I was in 10th grade (yes, that is entirely too old to be dressing up for Halloween) and three other girls and I decided to dress up as the characters from the movie Heathers. Sad, but true.

Last Concert attended:
Celine Dion in Las Vegas…love her!

I tag Wade and Shannon.

"I'm Going To Love Tickling You"

I knew Wade would be a great dad. In fact, I knew he would one day be the kind of dad that coached the little league team or went on the Boy Scout camping trip. But I figured all of his "dad greatness" would appear after a few years when Tate was older. I've been quite surprised, and also quite grateful, for how great of a dad he is already.

Today is a special day. Wade has wanted to be a dad the last few years just as bad as I have wanted to be a mom. Today is his day to celebrate and to be celebrated. Although Tate is still too young to communicate his feelings about his dad, I think this sweet video does it justice.

Watch out little Tate...as he says at the end of the video, your Daddy is "going to love tickling you!" Happy First Father's Day Wade!

Swimming & Sister Time

I think we may finally have a swimmer. We all assumed since Tate was such a maniac kicker in the bathtub that the transition to a giant outdoor bathtub would be a breeze. Not quite. But by the second attempt, he found his groove and enjoyed a swim with Wade and my Dad. Yes, I have him in yet another goofy hat. Sorry, but I'm super paranoid about him getting sunburned.

__________________________________________________

Since my brother-in-law was recently out of town for awhile, I headed down to Temple to spend a couple of days with my sister and niece.

We had a great visit, which included:

• a yummy home-cooked meal by Shannon


• my first time to leave Tate with complete strangers (it was in their church nursery and Tate and I both survived just fine)


• lots of fun cousin pictures in matching outfits (only 3 wardrobe changes...sorry Wade & Brad)


• a not-so-successful attempt at cousin pictures at the Sears Portrait Studio (why do those photographers have to yell so loud??)


• brainstorming baby names for their new arrival due in December


• a leisurely morning by the baby pool


• late night brownies


• making fun of each other's quirks (who knew until she told me that I have a Beavis & Butthead-like courtesy laugh)


• and even an in-depth discussion about politics and the immigration reform bill (are the Enright girls well-rounded or what?)

Good times!

Bad Dog Mom!

I was writing today's date on a check earlier and realized that I completely forgot to celebrate an important milestone yesterday...Macy turned 4!

How's that for falling way down the totem pole of importance in the family? We love our dog and for her first 3 years or so, we treated her like she was our kid. Things have changed a little since then. Her birthdays in past years have been pretty good at least in dog standards...an extra spoonful of peanut butter, a new toy from PetsMart, or even a nap in our bed. This year, not even a "Happy Birthday!"

Sorry Macy. We still love you...Happy Belated Birthday!

Here she is on the first night we brought her home.




She's a little more difficult to pick up and hold these days...all 65 lbs. of her!

Happy 6 Months Baby Tate!

Wow, Tate’s a whole half! This past month has been pretty fun to watch. Each day we hear more and more babbling, which is actually starting to sound more and more like some recognizable sounds. As many of our friends heard this past Sunday night, he likes to babble a lot...and as loud as possible.

The most dramatic change this month has been his hair. Yes, his hair. If you remember the little newborn with a full head of dark hair, you might not even recognize this 6 month old blonde little boy. He really looks so different now that the dark hair has fallen out and the lighter fuzz is growing back in. You can really see it in this picture.

He had rice cereal for the first time just a few days ago. As you can see, I don’t think he’s a big fan. In fact, he hasn't enjoyed any of the "solid" (which is really not that solid) food I've given him so far. I hope this isn't a sign of a future picky eater. :)





A daily dilemma and question for Tate…Is this toy worth taking my thumb out of my mouth?




He also recently attended his first wedding. It was an outdoor one on one of the few sunny days this month, so he got to break out the cool denim hat. I think it's cute...Wade thinks it’s a little too girlie.


Hence, Wade’s trip to Old Navy to buy him his own baseball cap.

Tate's a huge fan of our evening walks. And Macy doesn't seem to mind as long as the scary stroller doesn't get too close.

I love those blue eyes!

Have Your Cake and Eat it Too!

Could 1 year old birthday parties be any more fun? It's the only time in your life that it's acceptable, encouraged, and adorable to stick your face in your cake. Happy Birthday to my sweet niece Mallory!

Since Mallory is 12 months today, that means Tate is 6 months! Pictures and "Happy 6 Months" coming soon.

On my mind...

Nothing too exciting, but here's what's on my mind right now...

If you are one of the chosen few in this world who do not have the lovely privilege of getting fever blisters, count yourself as blessed! Seriously!