4 years ago....

I can't believe 4 years have come and gone. It seems like yesterday that I was standing in a firework stand, watching my due date come and go.

So here's the story of how Trevor came into this world, 4 years ago (well on July 6th & 7th). We were working our firework stand and hoping that Baby Hill (we had not settled on a name yet) would wait to make his arrival until after the 4th! July 3rd came and went (my due date) so I had to go back to the dr on the 6th. My mom came with me and watched me endure a stress test to ensure Trevor was ok. I had to click a button every time I felt a contraction... I don't think I ever truly felt anything -- I just clicked when he moved!

I was only like 1 1/2 cm and 80%, so we figured no baby tonight and went home. I thought for sure the stress and exercise of working the stand would have done it, but not really. We settled down after dinner and as I lay on the couch I had that feeling...ya know- like I peed myself (not some huge gush, but a leak). Called the nurses hotline and they said come on in. Mind you this is July 6th evening around 7 pm. My mom even beat us to the hospital.

After 2 tests they confirmed - YES my water had broken and I was admitted, IV hooked up and pitocin running - cuz I had like NO contractions!!!! Well instead of a quick labor (like my mom had once her water had broken with us girls) it drug on and on!!! I SLOWLY dilated as people slowly came up to the hospital to visit. I even took phone calls during it all.

Finally around 8 pm the 7th I got to start pushing....after an hour of unsuccessfully dislodging him off my pelvic bone, the dr on call decided c-section would be best! I had never anticipated a C-Section and quite honestly did NOT pay attention to this part of the birthing class! It scared the bejesus out of me and crushed my spirit that I would not have a "normal" birthing experience.

After getting prepped, rolled into the O.R. I was having a horrible reaction to the anesthesia (oh yeah- I had gotten the epidural -- now talk about a crazy feeling for your lower half!!!) and swore there was something wrong with my feet!!! Justin joined me and tried to keep me calm (I was scared $@*tless). 10:39 pm the doctor delivered his 7th baby of the night -- I had given in to naming him (I wanted Caleb Wyatt) and decided that since Trevor had been SOOOO stubborn in coming out Trevor Wyatt would be his name (as Trevor meant prudent in Welsh!) Wyatt is my grandmothers maiden name.

After asking the Dr for a tummy tuck (being denied a tummy tuck) and recouping almost an hour after,I got to see and hold my baby!!!

He was born on the 7th of July 2007 (7-7-07); the 7th baby Dr Cowan delivered; we were sent to the 7th floor to reover; 7 years between grand kids and born on Saturday - the 7th day of the week....add them all up that's seven 7's associated with him!!! Crazy eh!??!

Totally unplanned for the 7th - but there he was. Trevor Wyatt Hill 8 lbs 10 oz 21 inches

So that's how my sweet Trevor came into the world.

Bed time Blues

So despite my ECE background; you know "the right and wrong way" of doing things per a young child, I made one of the biggest NO-NO's. I let my child co-sleep at the tender age of infancy.

He's always had a hard time sleeping, especially napping on his own. My mom can attest to that, he would never sleep in his pack'n'play for her. His typical sleep was snuggled up next to someone or in your arms. So for momma and daddy to get any sleep at night (especially when nursing) he would just sleep with us.

I promised my self at age 1, he'd move to his crib. He did for a bit, then he learned how to climb out, scaring the be-jesus out of us. Toddler bed came, and I tried the baby whisper technique= not so comfy for momma, so that idea bailed and back to our bed he came. Age 2 I swore, now with his big boy bed we'd do it and stick to it! A few nights here and there, but with me being a heavy sleeper, I never really noticed when his cute lil body joined into our bed so that I could divert him. Age 3 came and went, but not with out trying a few new tactics. Currently we are working slowly, getting him to enjoy his room a bit more.

Lately we have been encouraging him to fall asleep in his bed and not ours. I tried bribery and moved onto incentives. He would get a star for each night he fell asleep in his bed; if he stayed all night a smiley face. 5 stars = treat we hadn't even talked about what a smiley face would bring! The first few nights - he really wasn't into it, but with our coaxing and encouragement he'd lay down, solemn faced and do it...just crawling into our bed in the wee hours of the night! Then night 3 came...coaxing=fail, encouragement= fail, bribery=epic fail He stated "you know what momma, I don't think I want a treat. I'll just sleep in your bed!" This boy is tooooooo intelligent!!! I still made him go to his bed.

This morning he jumped out of (our) bed to see how many stars he had earned....it had been 5!! "I get a treat! A candy is a treat. Can I have a candy?!" Needless to say we are excited about this progress. We hope that soon he'll just get used to his bed and stay.

Well tonight he amazed us again...Simon the class guinea pig is staying this weekend - in Trevor's room. He played in there all afternoon, reading stories, watching movies and acting out superheros with Simon. It got quiet around 9:15 so I wen to check on him (since it was past his bedtime) and low and behold there he was.... In HIS bed, with his yellow blankie, ASLEEP!!! without coaxing, without encouragement or bribery -- or even a bedtime reminder!!! WOW!!!

What can I say... I just Love this kid! He amazes me with his brilliance and maturity!! (well he does have his moments of pure 3 year old behaviors and tantrums) When he does things like this I just want to freeze time and keep him little forever!!

But yes - I know they have to grow up, to be the person they are to be. But in the same aspect we want our children to grow up too fast sometimes, sometimes before they are truly ready. I can only hope that he treasures his youth as I do, and allows himself to enjoy it as he is now!

Modeling

SO --- I have "listed" Trevor as an online model with some pages on Facebook. ABove are some of the photos I used. I will need to do some photo shoots to get a few better ones!

It all started with a co-worker talking about how she listed her daughter and how she already had a "booking". I was intrigued and began asking questions and investigating it all on Facebook. So the deal is you list your child with a Modeling Placement Agency (page). They network and obtain Boutique partners to join them and the boutiques use the models listed to show off their stuff. Typically you only pay for shipping, model the items, send back 10 photos and BAM you're child is online as a model for the boutique (especially on their Etsy page -- which I hear is a BIG deal in the boutique world!)

So - after researching I found 2 sites... one offered a deal for a year; the other a FREE listing for 2 months. Noticing that many of the more successful models had their own pages - I created one for Trevor! Just to see if it would help!

My thought was he is so animated and cute (I am baised!) that if we can get some goodies, exposure and have some fun - what's the hurt?!!? IF he really likes doing it we'll try to pursue it more passionately, if not - nothing lost. Plus there are not many boy models--- both a hinder and positive.

I will admit - I've gotten a bit obsessive - looking at numerous pages and models, just to see what I can do to help Trevor's "career!" But if you want to check him out and "Like" him there are 3 places you can go on Facebook -
1) Trevor's modeling page
2) Simply Blessed Models
3) Ellie Kate Models

Sad heart

Today we gathered with family we rarely see - Justin's paternal father's side. His )Justin's) grandmother's sister had passed away and we knew that this visit would mean possibly seeing family we hadn't seen in years.

Without digging too much into Justin's history here's the short story. Justin's parents divorced when he was 2 (ish) and his dad remarried almost instantly, having 2 more boys. Their relationship became estranged over the years, however at one point in his teen years he did live with his dad, but after that the communication ceased. In fact he hadn't talked to, no letter or cards, or seen for years until his brothers graduated from college and high school in the same year. I believe it was around 1999. I got to meet the infamous Step-mom, "Prodigal Father" and brothers. It wasn't a warm gathering but it was civil.... much like today's.

Despite this strained relationship I chose to never give up; to be the bigger person; to know I tried to connect (cuz I knew Justin's hurt and pride wouldn't let him). Each year they got a Christmas card; a birth announcement of the grandchild; and still an annual Christmas card of their grandson. Today they meet for the first time (well Trevor met his uncles and grandpa). Again it wasn't the warmest of gatherings since it was funeral. But this was the first time he saw his grandson in person!!! You'd think a bond might have been attempted, a talk about how and what he was up to; maybe even a picture taken of the two?!!? But no.... perhaps he felt guilty looking at Trevor -- seeing his own son he abandoned years ago (for whatever his reasoning was.) I don't know what was going on in his head or heart.

I just ached for my son and my husband. He will never get to meet the cousins we see in photos (his grandmother sends us - cuz they sure don't!); he'll never know his "other" grandpa. Perhaps it'll never really affect Trevor cuz he'll never know any different. perhaps he is better off not knowing a man like this - someone who could walk away and refuse to utter more than Hi to his grandson. You would think at a time of mourning a life lost it would make you grab hold of your family. It does for me.

I only hope that "he" is sitting at home kicking himself for not knowing my precious, smart, loving and joyful son! Cause by God, he is the one missing out -- my son is so lucky to have the people in his life that love him and care about him. Maybe one day we can add the "other family" to that list....but I'm not holding my breathe!

Kitchen Re-model

So I have been talking about doing this remodel for over 3 years now!!! I think we are slowly getting it done. Not at all like I would like it to be done. My dream - we gather all materials together and bust it out in a weekend! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

So it all started 4 years ago when my mom's neighbor was remodeling their kitchen and had cabinets and a dishwasher they needed to get rid of. We jumped on it! Well there they sat in our storage shed - as a baby was on the way and many other household tasks came! Finally 4 years later - we have begun the process.

We moved the fridge to begin with over to the other side so that we could create an L-shaped counter top system. After much debate and measuring I was afraid I was going to have to spend almost $600 on cabinets so that we could have all the cabinets and pantry space we needed. Instead we will create a corner pantry system and NOT have to buy cabinets!!! YAY!!! That means no trying to match cabinet doors, or painting cabinets to match or spending $$ we didn't really have!

However, with each task comes a slight sna-fu!!! The fridge meant redoing the water line on that side. Moving the gas stove over one wall - requires trying to figure out how to cut the countertop to accomodate an awfully placed gas pipe! I can only imagine waht the electrical work will bring when we remove the wall this weekend! Thank goodness we have friends with knowledge or work experience in almost every facet this remodel will cover!

So here's to a speedy remodel, minimal costs and a beautiful finish! I'll keep you posted --- but feel free to stop by and help out!!! Especially come painting time! ;)

New Job = New Opportunity

So..... some of you may have already known but I am going to be starting a new job soon! I had been with the same place for over 5 years and had gone from being a TA to teacher to Site manager (of 2 locations) to site specialist at one location. Out of our 5 locations - I worked at all 5!!! I worked with phenomenal, headstrong, empowering women and teachers and some great families and kids! But with years of longevity behind me, some expereiences I'd rather forget, I thought it was time to do something else.

I activley searched for a new job. I wanted to teach but nothing seemed to open up for me that felt right. Then this came along and I jumped! I even interviewed to be a licensing rep and was bummed I did not get that opportunity, but I think this is what God intended.

I will be a Child Development Specialist for Workforce - Child Care SErvices (a nonprofit agency). In other words, I will train others, visit schools (daycare/preschool/childcare), help them become certified with our accreditation and assist schools in becoming providers of CCS (subsidized child care). I will be working with another phenonmenal group of ladies (many of whom I already know very personally). I am excited and nervous as this was a major decision that affects more than just me, my current job, and family.

It isn't more money or better hours. I don't get my summer off any more and holidays will be those govt ones the rest of the normal people get. So yes - I will miss all those things. But I was thinking about me and my personal and professional needs. It is a big jump but I am so thankful for the support of my family and friends and especially my awesome boss!!! I cannot explain how much this gal means to me. She is inspirational and empowering! She is head strong and so stubborn! She is compassionate and an advocate!!! I can only hope that I can be that for someone else one day!

I will miss by babies terribly and all of my staff and families. So thank goodness for social networking - right!?!?! My way to keep in touch! I truly hope that people understand that this decision was not made in haste... it was mulled over, cried over and debated for weeks!

So here's to it! I can finally talk about it and celebrate it! Much love to all of you for your thoughts, well wishes and support!!!

Let it Snow!

Can't believe it! For the 2nd year in a row Austin received snow. And enough snow that you could play in it! I got the call at 5 am that school was closed for a rare Texas Snow Day!

Needless to say that Trevor was super excited! He even remembers last year's snow and tells us all about how we played in it and had a snowball fight at his school! What a brain this lil man has!

So we bundled ourselves up - 3 layers of warmth - and headed outside. Our whole driveway was solid snow and so was the back driveway - so Trevor got to be the first to walk in it! It's like Footprints in the sand, but SNOW!!! Since we rarely experience this type of weather - Trevor trucked out in his rain boots!

After some initial walking around - snow angels and such; we all jumped on the 3 wheeler to see the rest of the neighborhood. It was so nice to see snow covered lawns all around.

After warming up for a bit - we headed back out to play some baseball and ended up having snow ball fights and throwing snow on each other! Some snowballs made us sad when they hit our face and others made us laugh. But mostly it was priceless fun with family! Trevor loved it all - especially making snow angels and throwing snowballs at us. "Momma please make me a snowball so I can throw it at you!" Daddy even got him to taste snow. At first he thought it was too cold; next thing we know he's scooped up a huge chunk and eating it!!!

Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snow!!!!