Adrian's Half Year Birthday

Pumpkin butt is 6 months old today!

Halloween was fun! I took our Pumpkin Head' trick or treating with the neighborhood kids and moms and he waved his arms and kicked his legs and loved watching all the excitement. The other children got pieces of candy on his behalf (really for the mommy...hehehee) so we made out like bandits (at least I did)! He fell asleep on the walk home. Then I went and hung out at Molly's in my jammies and we played a game. Barry went out to the bar and won 1st place with his hill-billy costume, playing the banjo and carrying his blow-up sheep doll. 1st place prize was a Jagermeister machine that holds 3 bottles and keeps it cool and has a spout...I don't know the technical name. When Barry's done playing with it, maybe he'll sell it since it's worth about $400 new/$300 used.

Aunt Laurie aka Aunt Noodles is out here until Nov. 4 looking for a place to live. Uncle Wally is also moving out!! Hurray! Soon the whole clan of Schley will be here!

My friend's been watching Adrian on Wed but she will no longer be able to so I'm going to ask my new childcare provider if she can take on Wed also. She was actually looking for full time anyway so this works out nicely.

Barry and I were just looking at my paystub today and realized that at my 6 month review/pay increase, I received a $3.53 raise. Can that be right? Maybe I shouldn't question it!

We've decided that our kid is cute enough to enter into a cute kid contest. haha

Today I accomplished a lot. I got a new big wooden desk and moved my computer, organized the office, reorganized the living room, the tv room and added a table to the laundry room. Barry made yummy cheese fondue! YUM!

Yay..A real looking office!

The reading corner.

Rearranged the living room.

Rearranged the tv room/den so we can see/use the fireplace.

Added a table to the laundry room so the cat food can't be reached by the dogs...haha. Notice the cat using the 'potty'...perfect timing on the picture.

Where has the time gone?

The weeks are flying by. I can't even keep track of the days. Our friends left us on the 27th I think. I had fun with them here.

I've found child care for Adrian. She has 3 children, one Adrian's age, and lives near Adrian's Grandma Linda and Grandpa Tim. She's willing to do more days if I need which is wonderful if I need back-up sitters.

I have to testify in court tomorrow for work. My first time ever and I almost had to testify in two different hearings but one was vacated. I'm a little nervous...didn't sleep well last night.

Last weekend my friend's kiddo spent the night! That was fun...his first sleepover!

I'm so busy with work, it seems to be consuming my life and I'm fighting just to keep my house in a semi-orderly condition all while trying not to miss my baby growing up! It's a little overwhelming.

Adrian is doing great at sitting up! He tumbles easily but if I prop him up he can balance and is strong enough to hold himself up! He's a pro at rolling from tummy to back and has rolled the other way a couple times.

Aunt Noodles (aka Aunt Laurie) has arrived in Ft. Collins. She's staying until the 4th to find a place to live for her and Uncle Wally. Grandpa Tim also arrived this week and is living here now! Hurray for everyone moving to us!

<====Sleeping Baby

Baby Love

Abominable SnowBaby!

Babysitter Dilemma and Video

Our baby can roll! Only one way of course....

So on Friday my babysitter called me crying and told me "I tried everything..." My heart sank so fast. ....What had really happened was that she basically neglected the baby and he cried all morning b/c she wasn't willing to hold him b/c she 'already tried that' or maybe just doesn't know how to care for a baby. Who knows. Her feelings got hurt when my friend went up to rescue Adrian. Anyways we're done with her. She just left Adrian with my friends and didn't tell them she was leaving. She didn't follow my directions about feeding him. She stayed upstairs all day. She also disclosed to me that she was pregnant and emotional which gets in the way of professionalism obviously. She TOLD me that since my friends are here I should use my free babysitting until they leave but she won't watch Adrian until they're gone...yeah right...so she can neglect him again and who's she to TELL me anything. I may make mistakes about people but I'm not stupid.

I interviewed someone else today and she's my age, has 3 kids (3, 1.5, and 5 months). She seems very appropriate and child-friendly also a good price and nearby. She's a military wife and has a support network in Ft. Collins. I have a few more people to meet but hope to hire someone by next week.

I think our friends are leaving this weekend, but they've offered to watch Adrian for a small fee on Thur/Fri. They are wonderful with him. They play music to him and tell him about sex, drugs, music, literature, and traveling. Someone's got to eventually I guess!

Video: Adrian Laughing Hysterically

BABY
Our babysitter, April, started today. She took Adrian on a nice long walk on the trail and to the park. I came home for lunch and he seemed happy! He also drank two bottles this morning for here which is wonderful to hear since he can be finicky with bottles sometimes and rarely drinks that much before I get home for early lunch!!!

Anyways, You Must See This Video. Click Play! So Cute! Melissa making Adrian laugh!

LIFE

My bff is coming down for Friday and we're going out!!! No kids attached. My friends are still staying with us. Just trying to get their car fixed before they're ready to head out. I'm still having fun with them here though. Uncle Judah came to visit today and to do laundry.

WORK
Well...working full time is kicking my butt. It is so much harder to leave work at work and not think about it at home. Not to mention that I have some really difficult cases. A majority of my cases are going to termination of parental rights and I battle with helping parents but also knowing that no matter what I do, I cannot change their attitude or way of life without them being motivated to change in the first place.
Isn't it ironic that I work with unmotivated parents to get their children home, while the only place I want to be is home with my baby. All I know is that I get a lunch break and get to visit my baby and enjoy every moment I have with him not at work and wouldn't give that up for any drug/etc.

Uncle Ty

Adrian sure likes his Uncle Ty! Uncle Ty likes to make his little arms dance and his whole body wiggle while he sings.

Officially Full Time Working Mom

All is well if not a little overwhelming right now. I'm officially full time today although I've been working full time since last thursday. It went by quickly actually. I still feel like I'm running in circles since I don't know my schedule yet and have soooo many new cases, people, and routes that I have to learn.

Adrian is doing pretty good with solids...doesn't like sweet potatoes, loves frozen avocados in his mesh self feeder, frozen bananas in his feeder, and does ok eating cereal with bananas mixed in. I think the texture of eating cereal and sweet potatoes will take some time getting used to. Sometimes he gags on it. Tonight we gave him a chicken bone to gnaw on. It had cooked all day for chicken soup and he grabbed it and drooled all over one end, then held both sides and sucked on the middle, then twisted it to the other end making sure he got all the flavor out.










<---- The Boy Likes Meat







Adrian rolled over today for our friends who watched him and then for Barry. He was so giggly today when I came home and went to say hello. I love when he's so happy to see me he laughs! That makes me feel loved and happy to be home.


I am hiring a girl to come to my house. Her name is April. Barry still needs to meet her and plans to this Saturday. I want his opinion about her before we definitely hire her despite him saying he has no idea about these things. She will charge $30/day which is a great deal. I looked into her background and she has her driving record for me, although she probably won't have to drive with Adrian. I have a good feeling about her and love how honest she is. She's had a good amount of experience and I had a good feeling about her from the first message I heard. It's amazing that the people I had a feeling wouldn't work out from their first phone message alone didn't work out due to weird issues like messy homes, open cases with the dept! My biggest advice to anyone in any situation, especially regarding your children or your own safety, is to follow your instincts/feelings/first impression.

My brother and friends have been awesome to watch Adrian for us while I have not had childcare set up. It takes a village and I'm glad I have so many caring people in my 'village'.

5 Months

Today Mommy, and our friends, Jeff and Alana, went snake hunting. Jeff saw 1 but we didn't catch dinner tonight. First we went to the Poudre Canyon for a little drive. We went to the fish hatchery and it started raining on us. Then we went to Bingham Hill Cemetary and it rained on us again. We also stopped by the Poudre River Overland trailhead and walked a little. Then we came home and I ate a frozen avocado snack in my new mesh feeder. Before we went out I enjoyed an ice cube in it. That felt good on my gums.

Now that I'm 5 months old I weigh about 17 lbs. Mommy had to go through all the clothes today and boxed up the little ones and pulled out the hundreds of outfits that I will hopefully will not grow out of too quickly during the next couple months.

Mommy started working full time this past Thursday. Uncle Judah watched me on Thursday and Molly watched me on Friday. Our friends will take care of me on Monday and then Grandma on Tuesday, Molly on Wednesday, and maybe I will have a babysitter by Thursday. Mommy has been interviewing people and so far likes a 19 year old girl that is willing to come to our house for $30/day and play with me. That's a good deal!

HEE HEE HEE...I'm so big!
When we went to visit Cousin Cavyn, I wacked him and made him cry. Just had to remind him that I'm the big one. Mommy and Aunt Julie were not excited about that one though.










The Ol' Switcharoo













I like to eat, eat, eat...apples and bananas...er I mean carrots! Mommy gave me avacados today and maybe on Saturday I'll get to try sweet potatoes. So far I like bananas and sometimes I like my cereal...and I LOVE my water in my sippy cup.

Childcare Interview Questions

I'm interviewing for childcare today and here are some questions that I'm asking. If you have any questions that would be good to ask...let me know?

Are you licensed home center? If not do you have home/rental insurance?

Are you first aid/cpr certified? Where do you keep emergency info? What is your plan in an emergency?

Times offered for care?

For what reasons would you call parents at work?

Do you have experience with breast-feeding moms and feeding frozen breast milk to babies?

What if my child ingests something he shouldn’t whether food or nonfood?

What do you do if he is crying excessively and nothing you try can calm him?

How do you cope with stress?

Where do the children sleep/play/activities out of home?

What does a typical day look like?

Do you have your own baby gear or does parent provide it?

What does eating schedule/area look like? Other areas? Can I see?

Do you or anyone in house smoke?

Do you have Pets?

Daily Errands you might run?

What are your discipline strategies?

What if he won’t take a bottle?

What do you think about crying it out?

What is your policy on ‘dropping in?’

Who else is in the home? Background checks? Fingerprinting? Willing to do?

What if a child hits or bites my child? How do you deal with that?

What if my child hits or bites some another child or you?

What if my child chokes on a bead but you get it out in time and he’s ok?

What is your cancellation policy?

What is your sick policy? What if other child is sick and can’t go home?

How many children and what ages are in your home at one time? Do you make any exceptions in an emergency?

How do you manage age differences/needs of children?

How would you spend your time if the children are all asleep and everything is cleaned up/organized?

How do you minimize spreading of illness between children?

Do you have a copy of references/policies/etc? Email them to me?

HELP!!! CHILDCARE!!!

So if anyone has any ideas or childcare providers please let me know. My brother is going to help me out but...he is also trying to find a job and is being offered more hours at his Estes job so he can't help out as much as I need. I need Mondays until my cousin is off maternity leave (3 more Mondays) and Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30-4:30.
I have a few options:

1. Friday at a daycare I worked at (but that leaves thursday without care and 5 different placements) and that is only temporary.
2. Thur/Fri at a girl I know BUT she can't do Thur morning until 12.
3. My brother but his schedule is changing....
4. My friend can help out in Estes temporarily but I'd have to drive 25 miles there (and thats meeting 1/2 way) then to work, back to pick up and back home: 100 miles per Thur and Fri.
5. Hiring a random person or finding an in-home daycare that I don't know....which takes time that I don't have.

Please if you have any ideas or know anyone or any good/free websites to check out, let me know asap. I'd rather use someone who's been referred to me than someone I do not know. I'm also looking for something around $25-$30/day for Thur and Fri.
I know I've been lucky in being able to find someone to trade with for Mon-Wed!!! I appreciate those people very much.

Estes on a Sunday

Today we went up to Estes to my friends father's surprise 50th b-day party! It was good to see my friend again. We went out to eat at Penelope's afterwards. Adrian had fun too!

The girls love him! He's oblivious....

What is that thing up there?

What is this yummy thing in my hand?

Oh wait a second...When I put this yummy thing in my mouth, that thing up there moves! Oh joy!

Baby Wrestling

My Little Angel Baby










My mom's group had a fun little get together tonight. One of the mom's hosted a passion party... and there was wine and cheese. I invited a couple of my friends and only one was able to come however I think the others had all been to one. Just to let you know, Adrian thinks that vibrations are funny on his tummy! Then he fell asleep on the floor with his blanky. Another baby came too and Adrian and Greyson laid on the floor rolling towards and reaching for each other while cooing and smiling. SO CUTE! I wish I had my camera on me.

Tomorrow I'm going up to Estes. My bff is moving back to EP with her son and I'm so excited to see her again. She's been through a lot of crap lately but with the good comes the bad and visa versa and I'm excited to be living nearby her again!

Barry is out on the town with our friends. I dropped one friend off not knowing everyone else was out or else I would have stayed also. Why am I always the last to know???

Re: the new links to the snapfish group rooms: If you want to see the mommy's group ones, email me for the password however...here are a few!

Who's got the biggest thighs of them all?

I asked Barry the other day 'What is the most surprising thing about having a baby that you didn't expect?" He answered that he didn't realize how easy it was. He was afraid that his whole life would change drastically and it hasn't.
I think that was a good answer. We also have a very easy-going baby which helps.

Tattoo Anyone?

I left my camera at my cousins and her bf put it in his mom's purse. Consequently I have been without camera for a few days. I use that thing so much. We missed Adrian's first 'food'. Today we tried bananas mixed with rice cereal and he liked it so much it made him laugh. And he rolled over a couple times for g'ma the other day and once for Barry when he went to pick him up. He hasn't done it since for me at least but he's so close. Today he scooted about a foot from where I laid him on his tummy. He's been awefully talkative and a little grumpy today. Also figured out after much practice this morning how to pull on a little ducky that vibrates and laughed when it tickled his tummy and mouth. Very cute!
Later we're going to our 'last' mom's group since I will starting f/t at work. :( I hope I don't lose touch with everyone but I guess that'll be up to me and making time for keeping in touch. This is actually hard for me to do if it's not a regular thing in my routine.
Our friends are still in town and our garage is the new tattoo parlor. Barry's learning more about tattooing which is good and getting his wizard redone and colored. They are also designing a sleeve for him. Looks very cool so far! I may get my belly button turtle touched up since it has three little stretch marks in it from stretching with Adrian.

4 Months-Found feet and rolls to side

Busy Busy

My time these days has been consumed with many things. Adrian is doing wonderful.

1. Today Adrian ate cereal for the first time. He was so ready. He opened his mouth as the spoon came to him and swallowed most of it, not intentionally spitting any out. When he was done he wouldn't open his mouth anymore and made fish lips. We started with Organic Brown Rice cereal mixed with breastmilk. He is doing wonderful with his sippy cup also. He does not understand to tip it yet but he does know to bite it and let the cold milk dribble down his chin just for fun!

2. Our friends have been staying with us for a week now and we are having a great time doing a variety of things but mostly tattooing, eating a wide variety of lovely homemade food, making our own vegie/fruit juice, and reading wonderful books.

3. My cousin had her baby on the 19th at 2:25 am. He was an oz less than Adrian at 7.3 lbs. Adrian and I hung out at the hospital from 4:30-3:30am. They are doing well and went home yesterday. Barry, Adrian, and I went to visit last night. He's a cutie with dark hair!

4. Two more of my friends are pregnant now...one with twins.

5. I'm definitely going full time and will be working M-W 11-8p and R-F 9-6. I still am trying to figure out childcare. I have a few leads but only a week to set everything up.

Pregnant Belly Clip: April: 35 Weeks

Just reminiscing about being pregnant after checking out Julie and Christie's sights and hearing about all the exciting things they are going through that I had so much fun with. Here is an awesome clip of Adrian trying to dig his way out of my stomach...or maybe he was just dancing. I loved feeling him move. And it drove me crazy not knowing what he looked like or what he would be like. Now I know and it was all worth the wait!!!

4 Months and 10 Days!

Adrian has a cold...Daddy gave mommy and baby a cold...of course it affected the daddy the worst **as most illnesses tend to do***read with sarcasm. Daddy has been banned to the couch with his loud sniffly nose and mom and baby are enjoying a big old bed to themselves...hehehehee.

Adrian found his thumb and was sucking on it...when Mommy got excited about it...he gagged himself and spit up on her...hahaha.

He has been grabbing his feet and rolling to his side!!

<----Hanging out in my nightgown playing with my turtle from Grandpa Leili this morning!!!! Mommy is going to work full time starting either the 25th of Sept or the 2nd of Oct. Still trying to figure out childcare for Thur and Friday. Aunt Julie will watch me on Mon from 11-5 when daddy gets home. Grandma Biss will watch me on Tue from 11-5 when daddy gets off. And our friend Molly will watch me across the street on Wed from 11-5. Mom will have to work from 9-6 on TH and F, and 11-8 on M-W. Weekends off with family!!! Mommy is sad and anxious about the childcare aspect and being away from her baby but excited to work more.





Sitting on Cousin Cavyn...hahaha... Hanging out with Aunt Julie on Monday when we thought **were hoping** to have to go to the hospital and meet cousin Cavyn. Not ready yet I guess...











Who's the cutest little boy in the whole wide world? What a goofball! Thanks Grandma Leili for the cute stripey shirts and white pants...aren't the cute sneakers a perfect match?














Last weekend was Tour de Fat. Daddy loves customizing bikes and riding around in costumes with all the other crazy people. Mommy and Adrian went to watch before mom had to go to work. Adrian sure had a lot to say to those riders!!!

Smartest Baby I Know: 4 Months and Reading Already

And Counting No Less!
Check out that brow furrowed in concentration.


















Contemplating...


































Turning Pages!











The End? Only 5 pages? What kind of book is this?

Family Pictures

Family at 3 Weeks

















Family at 4 Months

Full Time Job...

I am considering working full time since the hours are available. I am really stressed about what to do with Adrian and being away from him so much. I know he'll be taken good care of if I do this BUT I wanted to be the one to do it. It's a really hard decision to make especially with him still being so young. It's almost winter and everyone I know is always sick except for me. I don't want to exposed him to so many things that he will be if I'm not home with him. Anyways....I'm stressed.

4 Months

Adrian turned 4 months on Sept. 1st. He has found his voice and it is loud!

Talking to Dad!!! So very social.

Talking to Mom in the morning!

Laughing and Playing with Mom!

About Barry....

Julie tagged me, so I guess I better....

1. What is his name? Barry Robert Biss
2. Who eats more? I think we're about even right now. We both love to eat too!
3. Who said "I love you" first? Barry, it was Valentine's and we were walking into a restaurant he was taking me for a date in NJ.
4 Who is taller? Barry is.
5. Who is smarter? I am book smart and he is street smart as well as hands-on figure-it-out smart.
6. Who is more sensitive? I am. But he's very sweet just not in tune to emotions.
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Barry
9. Who pays the bills? I take care of that business.
10. Who cooks more? I do but he loves to cook and create.
11. What meals do you cook together? I think we made dinner together once this year so far...or he'll be in charge of the grill (or take it over when I'm perfectly capable) and I"ll get everything else ready.
12. Who is more stubborn? He is...that's what I get marrying a Taurus. But I'm pretty stubborn also.
13. Who is the first to admit they were wrong? I am, hence the less stubborn one.
14. Who has more siblings? I had 2, now 1. Barry has 4.
15. Who wears the pants in the relationship? Everyone thinks I do.
16. What do you like to do together? Camping, watching shows like CSI or Dexter, outdoors stuff, bike riding(although he usually goes without me I still enjoy it), watching people, playing with our baby, going to the river, hanging out with our families/friends, dancing high school style since I can't dance any other way, lots of stuff really....
17. Who eats more sweets? I have the sweet tooth.
19. How did you meet? 1st time was through ex-bf's best friend's brother's best friend, 2nd time at a party.
20. Who asked who out first? I think we just met at a party and then he walked me downstairs and kissed me goodnight when I had to leave. Just knocked me off my feet from day 1.
21. Who kissed who first? He did, but I let him. I never just let anyone kiss me.
22. Who proposed? Barry on Valentine's Day at the Butterfly Pavilion on his knee!!!
23. His best features? Everything. I really love his neck and back. I like his forearms and wrists too for some reason. His hair is getting long again too and that's awesome!
24. What is his greatest quality? He's smart and goofy. He can beat me at anything. I love his laugh. I love that he's so interested and involved with his baby son. I love that he's so romantic and I'm not. He remembers all our special days and events. He's very musically inclined also.