Sorry it's been awhile!!

Hello!!  I'm finally back... It's been a while, I know, but we've been really busy lately and we've had computer problems for the last few days, so I've been having serious withdrawals.  Tripp has been doing pretty good these days.  He has been smiling a lot more lately.   But he still has his bad days every now and then.  Nights have been OKAY.  Sometimes he will sleep for a few hours at a time and then after that, the suctioning will be like every 30 minutes.  He's so back and forth... I'll think things are turning around and then something else will happen.  But all around, things are going well.  Tuesday he had to get 4 shots!! So the last few days he has been really fussy.  We've been enjoying the cool weather, though we haven't gone far... just in the back yard.  For Thanksgiving, we stayed home and our family came to us.  It's just too hard to have to try and travel all over and see everyone.  He has too much that has to come with him.  So we decided to spend the holidays at home and whoever wants to see us, can come see us.  Just for this year.  Next year hopefully will be different.  It was actually nice not having to get up and get dressed and get everything packed up.  We got to just relax and spend time together.

Tripp's mouth is now worse than EVER.  I am still waiting for the dentist that we saw here to get in touch with Cincinnati and let me know what needs to be done.  I'm pretty sure that they are going to have to come out.  I just don't know where the surgery will be or how many teeth they can take out at a time.  I really would rather have the surgery done at Ochsner where everyone is familiar with him and where we can get the same anesthesiologist team.  I would hate to have to go to another hospital and have to explain everything again... unless of course we can meet with the whole team at Children's prior to surgery.  I'm just comfortable with Ochnser, nothing against Children's.  I'm just really nervous about pulling all of his teeth.  I know they are causing him so much pain... but he's going to get more teeth that are going to cause more pain.  The molars are the worst.  And he's going to continue to get the molars.  Do we pull the molars?  I don't know, it's a tough decision.  Once again.

But you know my changing table dilemma?  Another really awesome EB mom e-mailed me and showed me pictures of the changing table her dad made for her daughter.  It's really nice and Randy's Uncle Rickey is going to make us one and might have it ready by next week!!  I'm so excited!  Dressing changes are getting pretty cramped and crowded.  Tripp is growing like a weed!  He is at 16 lbs,  11oz and 24 1/2 inches long.  Here are some recent pictures:

Outside time...

Okay, so I know it's early, but I had my mom and my mother-in-law over rocking Tripp, so I figured I would put up the tree while I could... and Tripp helped!

It was exhausting... haha

His new "Lord of the Rings" small audience tee... I love it.

Small audience tees are pretty much ALL he wears.

Eating Rabbit...

This is what I found when I got out of the shower and Daddy was in charge.

Cute, huh?

Baby's First Turkey Day... he kept his shirt clean all day long!!

Amazing!

Check out those eyelashes!!

Uncle Ryan came to visit 3 days in a row!!

I'll probably update now whenever I get the chance since it's been so long!  Thanks again for all your prayers and all the continued love and support!!

Black Friday Giveaway! {Robeez}

Stop. The. World.

Do you know who contacted me to do a review and giveaway of one of my most favorite kiddo products? Ah! Robeez! Can you believe that?! I mean, we adoooooore us some Robeez at the Babbling household, so this was a pretty awesome gift. We now own SIX pairs, four of which are in current rotation - that's how much we love them. {See here}

They are the most fabulous, kid-friendly shoe, and are a way cool alternative to the standard Velcro easy-ons that most of us with children wrangle onto our squirrely toddler's tootsies. They have this great elastic design that cinches around the ankle, pretty much making them the easiest shoe to put on but also prevents their removal from prying little fingers. I can attest that Beckham has never ever been able to remove his Robeez. Furthermore, the anti-slip suede soles are perfect for scampering across hardwood floors when you're being threatened with a diaper change. They've aided in his successful escape on more than one occasion.

So, when a rep for this company asked if they could send me a pair from their Holiday 2009 catalogue, I all but jumped through the computer screen to kiss her nose. Do you even have to ask?!

She sent us the most darling pair of shoes you've ever seen - the Puppy Bootie. A combo of suede, creamy leather, and faux fur, I didn't even have to look hard into those puppy dog eyes to be sold on this pair of kicks. As previously mentioned, Becks' has had a pension for my Uggs as of late, so I knew he would be absolutely smitten with these bootiful booties.

And, he was. It was love at first sight. We put them on immediately after he gave them a thorough inspection, and he has only taken them off to sleep in the past 72 hours. This is not a joke. Ma boo, ma boo {interpretation: My boots, my boots!} he says repeatedly, holding his boot in the air to admire his fanciful feet. Here's the fun part: Robeez wants to give one of my readers a pair from the Holiday 2009 Collection! Super exciting, I know! There are so many cute shoes to choose from - even if you don't win, you can't go wrong gifting a little one in your life with a pair of these darling shoes. And, if you order by December 9th there is FREE shipping! Wahoo!

{Please note, Robeez offers shoe sizes up to 4 yrs, so this isn't a giveaway only for babies!}

To take part, you must do the following:

• Great Gift: One pair of Robeez from the Holiday 2009 Gift Guide. Only gender and size can be specified, specific pair cannot.
• To Enter: You must be a follower of babblingabby OR become a follower; then, comment on this post with the words "CUTIE WITH A BOOTIE."
• Giveaway Closes: Friday, December 4, 2009 at 12am EST
• Number of Winners: One
• Don't Forget: If you don't have a blog, make sure you leave an email address in your comment.
• Winner Selected by random.org and announced by Sunday, December 6, 2009.

That's it!

Happy Black Friday - don't shop too hard!

{Disclaimer: This review and giveaway is sponsored by Robeez. However, my opinions and thoughts on this product are not. I have reviewed this product honestly and have posted my satisfaction accordingly.}

Party in the USA

Just wanted to kick off Thanksgiving Break with a happy dance. Please ignore my AWFUL singing. Please. Just watch the cuteness.

PS. Having a fun Giveaway over the Thanksgiving Holiday, so come back and check it out!

More Pictures

Ok, so I guess EVERY night can't be great.  Last night was rough again!  I saw the 2 o'clock hour about 5 times and then at least every hour after that.   He seemed to have a really bad cough last night and was making a lot of noise through his mouth instead of the trach which is unusual.  I'm hoping that it's maybe that scratchy cough you get when you're at the end of a cold.  Just being optimistic.  He was up a little more today than yesterday, so maybe tonight will be better.  If not, I'll just enjoy the good nights that I do get... even if they are once a month.  My whole family came over today.  It was nice.  MeMe and had to go pick up Paw Paw Carey from the airport, and they'll be over tomorrow.  Paw Paw Moose is coming to see Tripp in the morning too.  Then tomorrow will be the Saint's game!! How about those Tigers?  I think we were back luck because I put Tripp's LSU outfit on.  O well, it was cute.

Nanny, Mommy, Tripp, and Uncle Jason

We went outside for a while yesterday... the weather was so nice, but there were a lot of mosquitoes.

He got to put his feet in the clovers!

This may not look like a smile,  but it's his new smile these days...

Well, time for bed.  Hoping and praying for a good and restful night!

( P.S. Jonah, I hope you ate good again today, buddy! Keep up the good work! We love you!)

Update

The Shred = FAIL.

Apparently, the library only lets you check out a DVD for a week, so I didn't continue. I stopped at Day 3. Plus, it was really annoying to do it in my living room, on top of my squeaky hardwood floors that drove me insane as I pretended to jump rope in place.

I've always liked to run. It's free, easy, and invigorating. Lately, I've been craving a good run. Not surprisingly, the holiday season is encroaching and I'd also like a little wiggle room, per se, so I can snack on extra pumpkin roll and a second spoonful of mashed potatoes.

So, this morning I laced up my sneakers puchased B.C. (before child), and hit the pavement. At a slow jog. My chest was heaving, my lungs burned, and my hammies need a good stretch, but I feel so much better. There's just nothing like running. Now if only I can keep it up. I'm not going to put any pressure on myself or feel bad if I miss a run, but at least I'm doing something. {I miss the nursing diet desperately, though.}

Besides my ancient shoes, I was also sporting a long-sleeve tee from [gulp] TEN YEARS AGO!

Here's what it says on the front:

There's a million things more important than CHEERLEADING.

Here's what the back says:

But I can't think of one.

Ha! I think I need to upgrade my exercise wardrobe. And my iPod playlist whose latest adds were from late 2007 and included Gimme More (Britney), Stronger (Kanye), and See You Again (Miley Cyrus). This is the complete truth. The last time I consistently worked out I was almost nine months pregnant and probably offended the treadmill with the amount of weight I had it bear.

{SHUT THE FRONT DOOR - they are predicting flurries on Thanksgiving! Yay!}

And, in case you wondered, New Moon was excellent. I know completely understand the Team Edward vs Team Jacob dynamic.

Happy Saturday!

Cheers for Tripp!!

Hooray!     Praise the Lord!   God is Good!

Tripp slept from 11pm-3am, then I changed his booty and he went right back to sleep. Then slept from 3:15-6:30, I suctioned him and he went right back to sleep until 8am!! THEN, I laid him in my bed to play, and he went back to sleep until about 10:30! Of course, I was awake, so I got some things done around the house. It felt nice. I actually got to brush my teeth before 10:00... haha.

I felt so rested this morning, I didn't know what to do with myself! I even put on make-up!! I KNOW- crazy, huh?

He does have a WHOLE lot of junk in there this morning and I've been suctioning often, but having a night's sleep makes it a lot easier to get through the day. And that's just morning junk that he will probably have all the time... so it's okay.

Last night he was SO content we almost wanted to cry! He was just sitting with us, and he's never looked so calm and so content before. He wasn't smiling, but was just hanging out with Mommy and Daddy. Then, we laid him in bed and he went right to sleep. What an angel.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you God. And thank YOU for all of your prayers. Hopefully things are starting to get a little better and slow down a bit.

This morning when I laid him in my bed and he was passed out and he started smiling so big that you could see his little top teeth! Boy what I wouldn't give to know what he was dreaming about. It was so sweet. And yes, I caught it on camera. What kind of Mommy would I be if I didn't! Ha.

Oh, and I want to thank my wonderful husband for his very sweet blog. Without you, baby... I couldn't do it. You keep me positive everyday. And though we have had some rough months lately, we've pushed through and have both become better people because of them. I love you.

You're my hero.

Here's some more recent pics...

Here he is reading his first book.

Daddy doesn't believe that he is really reading... but we have practiced, he is reading... really. Ha.

Tummy Time... Get a picture quick because it won't last long!

His new Christmas friend, a Penguin-deer.