Merry Christmas

This was Gianna's first Christmas. We went a few days beforehand to John's parents in Temple for a Ludlow Christmas. Then we went to Galveston to be with Charissa's family in Galveston. It was actually a little cool on the beach but did not prevent us from enjoying ourselves. We had cajun seafood, Christmas cookies, and a whole lot of little girls. There was Gianna and then our three nieces, 9, 7, and 4. Lots of pink, high shrills, and lots of fun. We had a fantastic Christmas and hope each of you did as well. We have more pics on our photo albums if you want to see. Merry Christmas.

Happy Birthday!

Well, Happy Birthday to me! It has already been so great. John took the day off to celebrate, and to fix the shower with my dad, but mostly to celebrate ME!
I love my birthday, but don't like it being so close to Christmas. December is like a month long celebration anyway. I feel like I get to enjoy my Birthday Season. So when someone says Happy Holidays they are not just referring to Kwanzaa, but to Charissa's birthday as well. It's a known fact. I know and now you do too! :)
John is so good at celebrating. One year he had a surprise party for me 2 weeks after my birthday. He took down all the ornaments off the Christmas tree and wrapped it in streamers and a balloons for a "birthday" tree. No July birthday has that!
One year I did get to have my birthday at school- 4th grade (even though I'm older I still have a mind like a trap!). My mom wrote a letter on each cupcake that spelled out- Happy Birthday Charissa. My friends got to pick out the letter they wanted. She made the coolest cakes: circus ones, shape ones like a bear, and my favorite of all- She actually made Cinderella's coach- the one that took her to the ball with horses , glass slippers, mice and all!
We used to (my brother and I) pick the restaurant we all got to go to on our birthdays. I picked TGIFridays and they tied balloons in my hair and sang happy birthday. I got wished well by some strange men in a bar. Sadly, not the last time!


How old you ask- UMMMMMMM you guess!!!!!!!!
This was going on in my birth year- http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,911945,00.html


What's your favorite birthday memory?
One of mine has to be that this year I get to hold my baby that just one year ago was still inside my tummy.

Who Does She Look Like Now??

You have done this before. Do it again. Do you agree? What is your vote? Or whose personality do you think she is more like and why?

11 months

Time got away from me, but here is her photo of 11 months!
I can't believe she is almost a year old!


Her Granny and Grandpa are here with us from Alaska and she is so enjoying time with them.

I'm done!!!!!

I'm done grading my papers! But it never ceases to amaze me the mystery of college students.
Yes, I am an easy professor. I really feel that the most important thing for students is to do the activity and learn the things that I want them to. So I do accept late papers, I do give a review sheet, and yes, I round up.
I really try hard to remember what it was like as a student. Maybe I haven't been a professor long enough to be burned by the students yet. I'm sure it will come, but hopefully it won't! I did have someone say- "I didn't know it was a test today, can I take it later?"
Yes, because folks- in grad school, that's right GRAD school- yours truly forgot to study for a final. I kept having those dreams that I was forgetting something and lo and behold. Well, the professor was kind enough to let me take the test the next day. So I HAVE to remember that kindness and let my students do it too.

Matthew 18:33-35 (New International Version)

33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

So here is what I am truly amazed by. That some students still choose NOT to do the work. There was a paper that was worth 30% of the TOTAL grade and I had 3 students not do it. WOW. And there was one student who came to class all semester and got A's on the tests, but because of not coming to class for 3 times she was dropped from the class as WF. That's an F.
So sad.
But I had 14 students with A's! So yea for them and all the hard work that they put in. And I know that they leave me with a not only some more info on special education, but a new found love of it as well!
Thanks to my wonderful husband and his wicked smart excel skills, and to my darling daughter that let me leave her one night a week and let daddy put her to bed! Thanks my family for another great semester!

An Ode to Fondue

Last night we had some friends over for fondue. We had all afternoon to prepare and clean the house. Our friends played with Gianna for a short time and then as she went down to bed we began our party. Now this was not an ordinary fondue. No this was extraordinary fondue. Cheese dip with bread, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, etc. We also had meat with some amazing sauces Charissa put together. And then for dessert.... Chocolate fondue!! Charissa made a fantastic chocolate sauce and then cut up bananas and angel food cake. We were stuffed. It was simply wonderful.

I love fondue. Not only is it good food but I love how you have to eat it. Its a very slow meal. You have to take one bite at a time. Savor it. And ponder your next bite. With more time comes more conversation. It lends it self to the European meals I remember well from Paris. It was a chance to enjoy the company and actually felt like dining when you take your time.

I now blog this for the mere chance to encourage you to bring back fondue. Its up to us to carry the banner and recreate a culinary trend that should become an American fixture. Share with me in my passion. Together we will change our culture's palette, one bite at a time.

Baby Talk

My Other Job

All of you know that I'm a full time mom, but some of you may not know that I'm a part time professor as well. I teach class at the local junior college here in town Blinn College
I teach one class a week. It's an introduction to Special Education. It's right up my ally. That's the area I got my Masters in and I am very passionate about sharing my love of teaching with others. I REALLY REALLY enjoy it- except for this time of year. It's the end of the semester and I have TONS to grade. Some you you teachers can feel my pain. But when I was a teacher- I never GRADED!!!!! What how did I do that?
Well, I taught 3 and 4 year olds how to toilet. Not much grading there. I also taught them colors, shapes and how to join a group of friends in play. Still no grading there. If you are not familiar with 3 and 4 year olds- most CAN'T write yet. And I taught ones that were developmentally behind- so no writing. No grading!
The good news is that I only have one class left and then the final. But they all have a major project to turn in, the last test I was supposed to grade, the pre/post test and a minor project left to grade. YIKES!
So if you don't get many updates in the next two weeks (Grades are due the 12th for me!) Just think of me trying to grade papers and projects while Gianna sleeps.

Updates

Here are a few updates from us:

1. No decision on the new name for the blog. We appreciate all the input and great ideas. But I guess for now we will stick with our non original, plain ol Baby Ludlow.

2. My baby has SEVEN teeth! Can you believe it? 7!!!!!!

3. Guess what Gianna can do now. Click on the Picture link to find out!

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving. Lots of food and football. It is the perfect American holiday. We have so many great pictures for all to see. Click on the web albums link on the right hand side. Or if you are feeling super lazy you can click on the last pic below. Gianna already knows the secret to a great Thanksgiving.

First you eat a very big meal of turkey, potatoes, peas, and Great Gramma's homemade bread.


A few minutes after her first Thanksgiving meal she was falling asleep in her Grandfather's arms....

Thankful Day 2

Here are 5 more things I'm Thankful for:

1.

2. I have a good friend- JENNY- who lives around the corner and we get to go walking every single day. Our girls are only 8 months apart and it's so much fun to have a little mommy conversation every day.

3. I feel really blessed to be crafty. I enjoy it and really have a good time creating things. I'm Thankful that God has given that to me and allowed me to start a business doing it.

4. My dog, Scooter. No, he has not got the same amount of attention as he did this time last year. But he is overall a good dog and still only lets me rub his ears.

5. A car that runs. I never have to wonder if this car will start. I am SO Thankful for it!

Season of Thanksgiving

Our pastor challenged us to write down 5 things that we are thankful for and each day add 5 more things to it. I really enjoy this idea so I'm taking it to the Blog and inviting you to participate too. You don't have to leave it in the comments section (but Holly and Sarah- consider this a Thankful tag), but reflect and think about something that you are thankful for. Our pastor also said that thankfulness is the opposite of what we want. We are wired for selfishness and the only way to combat that is to be thankful. So to start to combat the "I wants" for the Christmas season here is my list:

1. My dear sweet husband. Who really loves me as much as he does? Only Jesus! He shows me how to be a better person, and we grow closer to the Lord with each other. I appreciate his ability to support our family, while I stay home with Gianna, and I love his inability to find any thing in the refrigerator. He makes me smile like no other and we just enjoy each other's company.

2. Gianna Joy. What a privilege it is to be her mom. I have been there for each day, each smile and each diaper change. (oh wait- another reason I'm thankful for John- he does the stinky's!!!!!) She has changed my life in amazing ways. I have come to see God as the Father and how he loves me so much more than I love Gianna- AMAZING. She delights in small things. I strive to do that.

3. Being able to be a stay at home mom. There are sacrifices that John and I have made, but it is so worth it. I delight in cleaning my house (mom did you ever think you would see that in print from me?!?!?!?). I enjoy being good friends with new mommies, and I get to focus on one thing, and she is a JOY.

4. I'm also thankful for our struggle with infertility. Really?!??! Yes. Because I think that it has made me a more thankful person in general. I know that if we had Gianna 3 years ago- I would be a different person and life would be different and I know I would not have the same friends that I do now. God in His timing is perfect.

5. I'm thankful for this blog. What a great way to keep in touch with so many dear friend's and family who can't be here in College Station with us, and see Gianna every day.


Drop a comment and let me know what you are Thankful for!

International Fest

Yesterday we went to International Fest. We got to go with our friends who live around the corner from us, Kyle, Jenny and their daughter, Kylynn. Gianna and I go for a walk with Jenny and Kylynn every morning (Scooter goes too!). We enjoy a good festival and so do Kyle and Jenny. And we got to enjoy a glimpse of it. We enjoyed gyros, and pakdokas from India, and water from Polish Springs! :)

International Fest 2007- Where the "World Comes to Us."

And she'll have fun, fun, fun...

till her daddy takes the T-bird away!

10 Months

10 months can you believe it? Each month seems to go by faster than the last one. She just keeps growing and growing.
John and I were reflecting that it really does go by fast. So we have been trying to enjoy each and every little thing. This blog helps and the fact that I do think that she is one of the most photographed babies ever! Already we have put away her small preemie clothes, and she no longer wants to be rocked to sleep in our arms. She prefers her bed and her lovie. She is crawling and crawling fast. She has got LOTS of teeth. And we love her more and more each day.

Monday update

Saturday John took me shopping. AWWWWWWW What a sweet man!
Why shopping? Because as he said: It's like your body has changed every three weeks for the past year and a half. From gaining a unmedically advised amount of baby weight to now that I'm only 5 pounds off my pre-pregnancy weight- I needed new clothes. Grandma and Grandpa Ludlow and Aunt Lisa all came to watch Baby G. She had an off day. Not cause they watched her- but because she has been battling- lets just call it an unpleasant stomach bug. She had great time going for a walk with Grandma and playing with them all. But as Aunt Lisa left she said- Just one picture a day, that's all I need. So here it is:

a little late in the day, but hopefully it will help all you Gianna addicts get your fix!
Look for her 10 month photo tomorrow!

Look at her crawl....

Fast Crawl

New name

I've been trying to convince John that we need a new name for our blog. A catchy name that's cute and fun. He kind of agrees, but has already laid down the law-
Nothing that's a play on our last name. Like Ludlow's and Highs.
But you know what- I can't think of any thing. I know I know- Baby Ludlow is just fine. But I guess I want something catchy. What do you think? Can you help me? Or should we just leave it alone?
Cast your vote in the comments section!
I'll leave you with a picture of Gianna and her FIVE teeth!!!!!!!

Happy Halloween

For Halloween we went to our church's fall festival. They have a small carnival or games and jumping things for the kids. We had a great time with our Little Pumpkin. She was a hit and got to see lots of her baby friends dressed up as lions, cowboys, minnie mouse, and lots of pirates. She was amazed at seeing all the costumes, colors, sounds, and weird looking parents. And best of all for me, Dad, they had 50 cent hot dog night. mmmm

We have a few more pics on our web albums. Charissa did a great job making her costume and it was worth every minute of effort. Great Mom and great baby makes a heck of a fun Halloween.

This week...

This week Gianna has become a super fast crawler.
This week Gianna has almost eaten dog food 3 times.
This week Gianna ate 4 unidentified objects before mommy could fish them out.
This week Gianna is trying pasta for the first time.
This week we went into Gianna's room to find her on her knees and her hands holding on to the crib like she was in baby jail.
This week Gianna pulled to stand on Mommy.
This week we lowered the crib!
This week Gianna is trying very hard to get some more teeth- resulting in some crabby/upset times.
This week we put on long sleeves, pants, socks and shoes, a jacket AND a blanket for our morning walk.
This week we enjoyed a fire in the fire place.
This week it will get back up into the 80's
This week Gianna will dress up in her pumpkin princess outfit so look for some more pictures on Thursday!!!!!

It's finally Fall!!!!

That's right folks- It's fall. It was highs in the 60's yesterday and 71 today. The lows at night have been in the 50's! Wow cold weather.
My dear husband let me break the "Halloween winter clothes switch rule" because last year at this time I was wearing maternity clothes. Now I needed some warm clothes to wear!
Change is in the air. Leaves are falling. Crisp air is blowing. Here is fall!

More Pumpkin Patch

How can you not get enough of this? We went to Dallas this weekend to see our family. This pumpkin patch had a petting zoo, hay ride, horses, and of course a pumpkin patch. Gianna had a great time. She particularly liked the ponies and her cousins jumping up and down. Our little girl makes most things all the better.

Fall Part II

Today was hot again! 89 degrees. It's October right?????

Well I knew that it must be because Gianna and I had a playdate at the pumpkin patch.

The sun was very bright so we didn't "the" shot, but we got some very cute ones.

Gianna wore her tutu and her onsie that says" Little Pumpkin" that I made for her.

It was funny to see the babies crawl and walk all over the place. They liked the little pumpkins best.
All the boys were super impressed with Gianna's outfit.

My friend Sara said that she was glad that I had a girl. And you know what- I AGREE!!!!!!!

FALL!?!?!?!?!?!

What's up with the weather? It's 89 degrees right now!
While I enjoy the sun and outdoors, I'm ready for soup, hot coco, and some cute fall clothes!

We have a rule in our house-
No getting out the winter clothes until after Halloween, and even then you should wait until Thanksgiving.

My dear husband invoked this rule as I used to get out the clothes the moment it got under 90. I would then promptly complain that I was too hot and didn't have anything to wear! So now the rule. Plus, I'm always ready for a new season. I like to get out the next box of decorating things for whatever holiday it is way too early. I made myself wait until after John's birthday (9-11) to get fall out.

Our house is ready. You saw Gianna's fall outfit, so weather GET READY FOR FALL!!!!!!!!

9 month update

Here is the promised 9 month update:

Gianna weighs 15 lbs even. That's 5%
She is in the 20% for height and 40% for head circumference!

She is getting her upper teeth and is still working on crawling. She is definitely getting better and better at it each day.
We've finally been able to enjoy some outside time in the afternoon. We had our church playgroup over here last Thursday to enjoy our back yard.




Gianna is the only girl in the group. She is two weeks younger than one boy and another boy in the group was supposed to be one week older than Gianna. The oldest babies in the group are about to turn one this month. We have a few babies that are just a couple of months old.


And finally here is a picture of Gianna in her fall outfit. She didn't want to pose for me because she wanted the camera!

She is defiantly getting more opinionated. If she is frustrated when she can't get somewhere she will give us a cry. It's more like a fake cry. So we are working on helping her identify her emotions and then be patient.
When we are eating she notices and she lets us know she wants a bite too. Usually it's OK, but not when mommy has to share her Root Beer Float!

Blog Stalking

Do you Blog stalk? I do.
I love to read blogs. I read the blogs of friends I know as well as some of their friends too. All of the people I stalk I do know. Just not as well as the person I am actually going to the blog for.
Partly I do this because I love to read and catch up even if it's just a small snippet in to a life. Partly I do it out of habit- I don't have solitaire on the new Mac so I HAVE to do something as a time waster!
Then do you get upset when one of the friends does not post anything new? In over a month?
I know I am not enabling you all to be blog stalkers because I can't figure out how to add you all as links on the blog yet. But just wait- once I get John on it and you have links to others- Watch out!

9 Month info for MISS G is coming soon. Check back in tomorrow- I know I will!

Quote

This is a quote I'm thinking about today.

Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than death.
- James F. Byrnes


Um... I guilty. Especially in the: "I want my baby to be safe" kind of thing. How do you balance security and safety with learning and pain? I know I can't prevent the pain, but can we just tone it down a bit?

What do you think? Are you settling for security instead of opportunity? Are you more fearful of the living?
I'm reminded of my mom's favorite movie- Auntie Mame (the good one with Rosalind Russell- NOT Lucille Ball)
She said "Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!"

Who can relate?

Hey even if your not a mom, you had one. Laugh at this!!!!

She's Mobile

That's some Hair

Have you seen Gianna's hair? I'm thinking it's from the 12% more on her father's side!

Google and me

So have you heard the new apple nano advertisement? I have and I begged John to look up the song. Because well, it was catchy and I liked it. So your welcome because here it is!

Feist

Gianna woke up exceptionally early this morning- 3:30 and 5:30. But today she did NOT go back to sleep! Why is it when you think that babies will "make up" for sleep that they don't? Gianna is a solid 1 hour napper. It is a RARE occasion that she will go longer. So today I'm trying to convince her that she needs more sleep.

Here is pic of Gianna and a friend that's part of the co-op. Yes, it's going great.

Proud Papa

Going to church is always a big, fun, exciting time. I really love worship, the sermon and now I can add one more thing to my Sundays. Charissa dresses Gianna so well. And with this well dressed, pretty girl, I get to run around church and show her off. How does this all work, you ask... I shall describe to you pride in its purest form......

I am in the lobby of our church talking to a friend when this vision of beauty catches my eye. Its clear from the smile, graceful walk, and radiance it is my wife. She too is always gorgeous. In her arms is a baby. No, no, not just a baby. This is the always smiling, ready to party, everyone is a friend kind of baby. She is in her sailor suit her grandmother bought for her and looking quite nice.

Now as she enters the lobby not only do I feel excited about the two beautiful women in my life approaching but my ears pick up whispering. "Look at that cute baby." "Awwwww. " "Now that is adorable." Soon the whispering is matched by pointing and gawking. She is the buzz. Strangers now come up to tell us how cute she is. "The cutest outfit ever." "She always looks so good." "Can I hold her?" Gianna now rewards her onlookers with a smile gift to each of them as a 'Thank you' for there compliments and well wishes.

But the admiration train does not end here. No, Dad must get more out of this. So onward to Sunday School we go. By passing the nursery with quickness we go to where our friends are and hopefully more oncoming traffic of enthusiast. One class leaves as the other enters. A perfect spot to perch, as if by coincidence, and await the gazes and drooling. For she is a little girl. And even her toes send people into putty. With this personality to compliment the dress she is officially the worlds perfect baby. And I, I hold the proof. They now pour out of the room "running into us" and saying how lovely she looks. The masses now began to grow and we are the source of the blocked hallway. Praises rain down and what she does not soak up I then gather in. Charissa is catching up now, for she is in the middle of real conversations. But not I. No this is the highlight of my week.

Sadly it is now time for Sunday school to start. So I hand Gianna back to Charissa to go to the nursery. I know my show off time went very well and with my smile as big as the door I step into the room.

After we come home we talk about what we learned. I put Gianna down for her nap and then realize I have to wait 6 and 1/2 more days to do it again.

Thoughts on infertility

This one has been brewing in my head for a while and I'd like to dedicate it to my friends Holly and Justin, who show humility and joy and sensitivity all at the same time.

So, as many of you know John and I had a 3 1/2 year battle with infertility. (I know it looks silly to put the 1/2 in there, but when you are in the middle of it the 1/2 can seem like an eternity.)

Last year John and I got to give a talk to the Young Married/Newly Wed class that we mentor on family planning and infertility. What we tried to impress most were helpful hints and suggestions on how to love those who are struggling.

#1 Please do not suggest adoption to us. Adoption is not something we have not already thought of and it is NOT a quick fix to get us a kid right away.

#2 Did you know that 1 in 6 couples have some kind if infertility issue? That's a lot of people. More than you really think. So be sensitive when discussing fertility and pregnancy issues in public.

#3 I want to hear about your news. I am excited for you. It is also a sad reminder of my own infertility issues, so it might be helpful to tell me prior to your announcing it so I have time to grieve privately. A couple of my friends did this for me and I will ALWAYS remember that kindness.

#4 Don't say "Just relax." If I had a nickle for every time I heard that one....

#5 Do be a good listener. We don't need someone to solve our problems (that's what we pay the doctors for), but we do need friends and listeners that love us and just listen.

#6 It's OK to go to counseling. Sometime it's too big and you need some help to remember that God is a good God.

That was just some of the highlights of the talk, but you get the idea. Infertility is real and it is really painful. But, I also know there was no sweeter time, that John and I leaned on each other, and it really challenged us to look to Jesus to be our comfort and not anything here on this earth.

Who does she look like?

Leave a comment with your vote.

Football with my Girl....

We had a great time together watching the Cowboys beat the Dolphins. And to my pride and excitement, I caught Charissa holding her in front of the TV explaining to Gianna the wishbone formation. (slow tear) It was a great Sunday.

This video is one Charissa took of the two of them developing rhythm.

Sticks and Stones

Did someone ever say something to make you sad?

How about now as an adult?

Someone said something to me and it cut me to the quick. I was caught off guard and surprised. I was even embarrassed to the point of shame.
Some people I know don't let things like that bother them. They are able to externalize the problem and rationalize it. I, however, am not able to do that. I take things personally and obsess over them.
You know that part in You've got Mail, when Meg Ryan's character says that she always thinks of comebacks, but only after the situation is over. I usually feel like that too. But not this time. I'm at a loss. I know confrontation will bring no resolution. And avoidance is well... Avoiding.
So here I sit typing on my computer, letting time go by as a healer.

new link

Take a second to look at the new link "Because I said so" It is HI-larious and I love to read it. It's a mom of six kids and how she does it!

And Look:

Gianna is EIGHT months OLD!!!!!! Can you believe it?

Warm Fuzzy

Do you remember in college when you had to fill out those bubble sheets on the professor when the semester was almost over? What ever it took to just get out the door faster? Did you take the time to fill out the comments part? I almost NEVER did.
I had to give them to my students at Blinn. I wasn't expecting too much from mine. Well, today I got to read mine from last fall, my very first professorship. And let me tell you I got all kinds of warm fuzzies! Most of them actually wrote something down in the comment section.
Four year olds don't always know how to say you are doing a good job. It does feel good to know that my 18 year old students did like the class and could tell I was passionate and excited about teaching special education to them.
So now Gianna is down for her nap and I am going to prepare for my next class.

Labor Day in Galveston

This Labor Day weekend we went to Galveston. This weekend, like most, we did our favorite things. We went to lunch at Bennos, good cajun seafood, dessert afterwards at Rainforest Cafe where we got a volcano and topped it off with dinner at Salsas. Next day we went to the beach, took a drive across the island, and of course showed off Gianna to all who took notice of our beach girl. Below are some pics of our great weekend.

New pics here.