Posted by Lindsey

on Thursday, May 16th, 2013 · Comments (0)

This isn’t going to come as a surprise to anyone who has been around me since Caloway was born. I am a really bad baby sharer. I want other people to hold him and love on him, but I can’t seem to offer him up. If anyone has ever asked I have handed him over, but I don’t really offer. I can’t help it, I don’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings. It just feels natural for me to have him in my arms while he is being admired.

I know I am ridiculous, I am laughing at myself as I write this. But this is my therapy…getting it out in the open. This way if you know I struggle and you want to hold Cal, just ask! Then as long as you wash your hands/use antibacterial gel, pass a physical and background check (you too grandma!) I will gladly hand him over

I also will try not to hover over you telling you things he likes and what he doesn’t. Again, this isn’t meant to be rude if I slip up and say to turn him facing out because he likes to look around. I think it comes from a good place. A place where I am his mom and spend 24 hours a day with him, and I know what he likes and what makes him comfortable. I want to save you the “figuring it out” time so you can enjoy him too. Now that I think about it I am pretty thoughtful. Because I am saving my friends and family the agony of not knowing what Caloway likes best. You’re Welcome.

Please be patient with me. I want you to hold him, but I have a hard time giving him over. So just ask if you want to hold him and I will gladly share for a little bit.

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Categories : Baby, Mommy Blog

My Baby Toolbox

Posted by Lindsey

on Thursday, May 16th, 2013 · Comments (0)

There are a lot of things you learn as a new mom. For me, I had to learn it all. Playing with dolls and occasionally my niece– hardly ever unsupervised –was my experience. You hear that it is tough work and although I believed it I still wasn’t totally sold. How hard could it possibly be??

Well, I learned my lesson quickly. Breastfeeding, baby sleep cycles and trying to take care of myself were all a bit overwhelming. We also had the unique situation of a dog named Scooter.

Don’t let this picture fool you. He’s cute, but a handful!

Scooter added to the difficulty level because he is a jealous little dog. He didn’t do any harm to us or the baby, but he did (and does) steal everything. And not only does he sneak up on us and take pacifiers, but also breastfeeding guards. If you are not familiar with these they are very important when used. They are these little soft plastic things that fit over a mother’s nipple and help babies latch on and nurse. I used them for Caloway up until he was 2 months old. If I didn’t have one he couldn’t nurse. On top of how important they are, they are about $10 each! Right?! They were Scooter’s favorite thing to steal. AND I forgot to mention what he did with his prizes, he buried them in the backyard. No joke. More than once I would chase after him trying to see where he was burying his loot. Cory and I also went on a few treasure hunts in the backyard where one of us would find something and then hoop and holler in excitement.

That is where the baby toolbox comes in. I hide everything in my bra. I know, this sounds super hillbilly, but it works great! Maybe it is part of my ancestry. My great-grandmother Helen would sew pockets in her bra for her money. Here is an example of all the baby related things you can put there at one time: pacifier, breastfeeding shield, baby washcloth, cell phone. I am sure I could have fit more, but it’s not a competition just practicality.

And the moral of the baby toolbox story is I win and Scooter loses. Since I started carrying all of the most important things on my body, ie shield and pacifier, he hasn’t stolen any.

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Categories : Baby, Mommy Blog

Caloway’s First Beach Adventure

Posted by Cory

on Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 · Comments (2)

We’re in San Diego this week, staying with some friends, and working and playing … so yesterday we decided to take Caloway to the beach for the first time.

Well, although we enjoyed it … we think Caloway thought differently. Here’s our retelling of the beach adventure from Caloway’s perspective:

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Categories : Baby, Caloway

Another Reason I Love OKC

Posted by Lindsey

on Wednesday, April 17th, 2013 · Comments (0)

Today started with our country processing a national tragedy. What occurred at the Boston Marathon is devastating and we are still waiting to see the true effects. In Oklahoma we are mourning the loss of a brave officer named Chad Peery. We have all watched and cheered him on during his injury and recovery and our city is heartbroken with his loss. At home I woke up to a sick baby, on his 11 week birthday.

Cal was a little cranky today not feeling well. He was not keeping anything down and cried until he fell asleep on my shoulder. So off to the doctor we went. We were a great team getting to Dr. Dickman’s office on time and making it through the exam without a tear. Dr. Dickman wanted to take a nasal swab. This means putting a skinny straw into his nasal cavity and sending to the lab. To put it mildly Cal was not happy with this swab. I asked to stay in the office until he calmed down-which never really happened. One more step in this process is I have to take the swab to the lab, 2 floors down before I can get us home. It is supposed to be an easy process: walk into lab, sign my name, hand over bag and leave.

we walk into the lab and see 10 people already in the waiting room. I’m holding Cal, the carrier, and the diaper bag. I sign my name. Then Caloway has a complete meltdown. There is absolutely nothing I can do to soothe him. After 3 minutes in reality and 2 days in my mind a kind woman says, “honey, why don’t you sit down” as I look up and apologize to the room 2 others stand to give me their seats. Someone else grabs the carrier and moves it out of the way for me. I sit, totally embarrassed and still trying to soothe my very upset baby, now because something’s went up his nose and he’s very angry about it. I keep apologizing and all I heard was “it’s ok” and “no one here is bothered” from these complete strangers. They offered advice and antecdotes of their own. 6 year old Jaylon, tried very hard to make friends with Caloway and asked me all sorts of questions. He informed me that his baby (his 1 year old sister) cries a lot louder than mine. And he was utterly shocked he wasn’t walking yet. The woman to my right showed me a video of her great-great grandson giggling. A woman to my left assured me it would all be ok and no one but me could hear him. Eventually he went to sleep as one by one my new friends were called by the receptionist. As we waited Jaylon’s mother would grab the door so it wouldn’t slam and wake the sleeping baby And everyone continued to smile and tell stories. Eventually a man would tell the receptionist to give me his place in line so we could leave.

i know I’m tired and emotional with everything going on nationally and locally, but I was in awe as I left the building. In awe of the people around me this morning. I was Jan stranger to them all with a screaming baby. All I felt was love, compassion and understanding. Everyone in that room was waiting their turn eager to get on with their day, and yet they all stopped to help me. To make me feel that it was ok that my child was crying. To not feel embarrassed and to do what I needed to for him to calm down. I don’t know if this happens in other cities, but it does in Oklahoma City. It is one of the reasons why I love living here. We care about each other. When we see someone in need we don’t look the other way, we do something. I am so grateful I had this experience today. I am relieved I was able to go home feeling like we made it through, but not frazzled and in tears of embarrassment.

I am thankful that I live in Oklahoma City. Thank you to the strangers who helped me today I hope you all realize the impact you made on me today.

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Categories : Baby, Caloway

My Corymiller

Posted by Lindsey

on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013 · Comments (1)

I say this a lot…to Cory, to myself to anyone who asks about our relationship: I never thought a relationship could be this good. As we are waiting for the arrival of Caloway I can’t help but think back all those years ago when we met. A year or so prior to crossing paths with Cory I had made a decision. I wasn’t going to settle for just any relationship, just any man that came along. I even made a list with the help of my friend Rachel. I decided that if the next man I wanted to be in a serious relationship with didn’t meet the list then I wouldn’t commit.

With that knowledge I think back to when Amber England asked if her friend Cory Miller could join us for dinner that night. He lived next door and she hadn’t seen him have any guests so she wanted to check on him. I didn’t mind more company plus he was a tech guy and who doesn’t need more friends that can help them set the time on a VCR or fix their computer, right?

There was something about him. Even in the courtyard that night in the dark eating pizza…it was comfortable. Conversation was easy and I wanted to learn more about this guy who was living off of gatorade and cookie dough. **By the way, this is true. I saw his refrigerator it consisted of gatorade, cookie dough and bologna.

I was interested in getting to know him more, but I wouldn’t admit it to anyone. I am sure they could tell though, his nickname was “Your Boyfriend Corymiller.” Which I proudly labeled him as well. More to prove that I was in on the joke and that he obviously wasn’t my boyfriend or I wouldn’t call him that. Another side note, this is how he got his nickname: Corymiller. Because once he became my actual boyfriend we just called him Corymiller. It stuck.

So we continued on this path. Getting to know each other and toeing the line of liking each other, but remaining friends. We went to the movies…it was supposed to be a group, but everyone else bailed. I think I won him over that night when I took popcorn seasoning in the theater, hahaha. We went on long walks in Bricktown and would stop for yogurt and listen to music. We talked a lot in our courtyard. Really got to know each other and I really enjoyed all the time we spent together.

Finally I made a decision. He fit my list and I was all-in. He was leaving for Portland and I missed him. “My boyfriend Corymiller” really had become a part of my life. Upon his return from that trip forward we were basically inseparable. He became my best friend and the love of my life all at once.

And now here we are….so many years later. Not only did I not think I would be married right now I NEVER imagined I would be having a baby. (And all before I am even 30!) I wouldn’t be in this place if it wasn’t for Corymiller and the man he is. He is the kind of man I imagined when I made that list that I thought no one would ever live up to. The kind of man who will teach our son to be a real man. Honest, kind, hardworking, respectful, compassionate, loving and trustworthy.

Caloway is going to be a wonderful human being because of his father and I am the luckiest woman to have the pleasure of watching him be a dad and a husband.

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Categories : Celebrations

Wondering and Waiting

Posted by Cory

on Saturday, January 19th, 2013 · Comments (0)

The anticipation of our baby’s arrival in this final countdown of pregnancy is like knowing the best present you’ve ever wanted is FINALLY on its way … only you really don’t know when it’s really going to be here.

***

Hey little man, it’s your daddy.

You must know what I sound like because you get still when I touch your mama’s belly and talk to you before bedtime. I hope my hand and voice are a soothing peace of protection and love for you … and a glimmer of what awaits you in this world.

You come when you’re ready, but we’re here, waiting, rather impatiently, with the love of a thousand lifetimes for you, and so ready to wrap you warmly in it.

You are my miracle, my dream. I never knew I’d be this close to being a father … to having you. And so I’m rather eager for your arrival. But I’ll keep waiting because you are infinitely worth every second of my time …

You’re not even here yet, and I can already feel the surrender of my soul to do whatever is in your best, as I’ve been enlisted on the most sacred of missions and will fulfill my duties at all costs, to my last breath.

See, your mama and I had both kind of crossed it off our list of possibilities for our lives to ever be in this very place, in this countdown of a baby … until we met each other and knew … because of how much we loved each other … that we wanted you, to share you, together.

We have waited all these months for your arrival but it has seemed so far off into the distance, until now. We’re anticipating you any day. And so we just giggle in excitement, anxiousness and tears thinking about you. Every day. Wondering and waiting. For you, my son.

We are dying to meet you, hear your voice (even in a cry), touch your hand, kiss your face and feel the riches of love and joy we’ve only heard about from others …

In the meantime please know your room is all ready for you.

All it and we need … are you.

Love always and forever,
Dad

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Categories : Baby

Caloway’s Hiccups

Posted by Lindsey

on Thursday, January 17th, 2013 · Comments (0)

I heard from many of my mom friends that the favorite feeling they had amidst the kicks and rolls were the hiccups. Some felt them often, others once or twice. I on the other hand have a hiccuping child. The books and blogs say that babies will get hiccups because they are practice breathing and with that comes some of the normal things we all encounter like hiccups. Caloway must really have some great lungs. No less than 4-5 times a day he is going at it.

Baby hiccups for those of you who haven’t had the pleasure feel like little balloons popping one at a time in a pattern. Caloway’s hiccups are at all times of the day…and night.

All I know is I hope that it really is a sign of a great set of lungs! And I can’t wait until he joins us on the outside and I can watch him hiccup instead of feeling them.

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Categories : Baby

It’s a BOY

Posted by Cory

on Tuesday, November 27th, 2012 · Comments (3)

They say there are few surprises in life. I disagree. Every new day is a surprise to me.

I never know what each day holds. I can plan and plan and plan but it never fails something ALWAYS surprises me.

So after 7 1/2 months of waiting, we finally found out that we’re having a BOY.

Caloway Jesse Miller is due to arrive into our lives on Feb. 5, 2013. And we’re ridiculously happy and overjoyed to welcome our new little man into our lives very, very soon.

Not knowing for so many months when we could have and having so many people ask, I told Lindsey it would be so amazing to dream about our baby “in color,” meaning if we knew we were having a boy or a girl then I could either know I would be having a new best buddy to pal around with … or needed to buy a gun and shovel.

By the way, I have had my adorable princess Rainey (aka Gummy Bear) in my life for the last 7 years (and now I have Triniti, Rori, Elizabeth, Sailor and River) but anticipated helping their daddies and grandpas bully the boys who attempted to date them before they were 20 (or 80).

So I’ve been dreaming in color about Caloway (aka Cal and CJ) and all the cool things we will get to do together. But I must say my brothers and dad I think are already dreaming in REDNECK! It’ll be my luck that I’ll have an uber-outdoorsman son, but it doesn’t matter … I’ll still tag along and carry the decoys and freeze with him by the pond.

I can’t wait to have a son. (And next a girl or mini-Lindsey!)

Cal is of course kicking Lindsey’s lungs and as she puts it “training for the Olympics” as she finishes the final leg of pregnancy. But she’s absolutely adorable and compulsive in the baby stores buying plaid onesie’s and socks and shoes and looking online at crib sheets and materials.

She’s already such a great Mama Bear to her new “little man” as I see it glowing in her eyes and smile. Joy and thankfulness fill my heart for her and to have such a best friend and partner to share life together with.

So we’ve been dreaming about our little Caloway (named after Lindsey’s great grandfather and his middle name is after mine and yes, my own middle name). He’ll also carry another name that means the world to us, Miller. My dad is the only son with three sisters, and he had three sons. And along with Hunter, my cute little nephew (who is my dad’s best friend in life), Caloway will carry on our family name as well.

I’ve been wondering … what will his voice sound like? What will he look like? What things will he enjoy doing? And dreaming of how great of a President he’ll be.

Fathers can dream, right … in fabulous color.

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Categories : Baby

6 Months Down, 3 To Go!

Posted by Lindsey

on Monday, October 15th, 2012 · Comments (0)

That is right. Today marks 6 months into pregnancy land. I am happy to report that I am feeling good and the baby kicks don’t even scare me (much) anymore! That is a big milestone. I have been feeling kicks since about 18 or 19 weeks and I would jump every time. I couldn’t help it. As reassuring as feeling our little one in there it still wasn’t a feeling I was used to. I guess baby picked up on my anxiousness because he (or she) made sure to move and kick A LOT so I could get used to it. Wasn’t that thoughtful? So now I feel baby all the time. And by all the time, I mean, when I wake up, every time I eat or drink anything, at night and while I sleep. Though the sleeping doesn’t last too long when that happens.

Cory has been able to feel kicks and movements for a few weeks now which is super awesome. AND now we can see my stomach move! So, boy or girl our little baby is a strong one.

The baby books say our little one is now around 11 inches long and weighs over a pound! The book also tells us that baby’s tastebuds are forming and the lungs are getting the important parts that will let him (or her) scream at us when baby is born. Oh, and the book says my stomach probably resembles a soccer ball. I like it when the book tells us what the baby should look like and not worry about me!

It is impossible to believe that we are already 6 months along and only a few short months from meeting our little baby. Time is really flying by!

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Categories : Baby

Adventure at the OKC Fair

Posted by Lindsey

on Thursday, October 11th, 2012 · Comments (0)

It all started when Char bought Cory, myself, Triniti, Rori, Travis, Lou, Rainey and Kalia tickets to see Disney on Ice at this years fair. It is followed by me getting the start time wrong, finding no parking lots open, us paying to get into the fair (even though our tickets would have let us in for free) oh and $12 cotton candy. Yes, you read that last part right $12 COTTON CANDY!

But most importantly we had a really great time. The 3 girls, Coco and I got to walk around the fair for about 1 1/2 hours before the show started. We took them to the animal barns where a really nice 4-H kid brought his lamb out for the girls to pet. We were absolutely the city slickers walking through dodging piles and the girls (and Cory) holding their noses We saw show horses and steers in the ring. Plus, the girls got to see baby chicks up close and little piglets that were only a few days old with their mama.

Cory took them through the “dinosaur” ride, while I had a snack, HEY I am pregnant! Triniti insisted on going even though we told her she probably wouldn’t like it. Halfway through she was ready to get back to Lindsey and made that known to Uncle Coco several times.By the time they emerged from the dinosaur, Travis, Lou and Rainey joined us. So Uncle Coco took the 3 older girls through the dinosaur ride again….only Triniti stayed behind this time!

We were still a little early and Lou and Travis wanted to look around a bit. So Cory and I took the 4 girls and made our way to the arena. Cory also left….so the girls and I played games. Like, “who can jump over the line the most times?” and “who can walk the straightest line” they had a lot of fun I am sure.

When we made our way into the arena for the princess show the girls could hardly contain their excitement. We immediately got Triniti some cotton candy, since it was the only thing she really asked for. All of the girls saw Travis and Cory flag down the cotton candy guy. And they realized that all of the people walking around with goodies would bring them some if they simply waved! Brilliant little ones, aren’t they? Rainey really really liked this specific aspect and really enjoyed waiving down all the people walking around. I finally told her if you flag someone down and don’t have money to pay them then they make you clean the bathrooms. I know, I am an awful aunt. BUT she didn’t wave them down anymore. Does that mean I am kinda good?

My favorite part was watching the girls as the characters were on the ice. They were 100% enthralled with the princess on the ice. At the end of the performance all the princesses with their princes skated around and waved at everyone. Including Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald. Mickey and Minnie did the last circle to go around the ice waving. All the girls were waving bye and when Mickey looked our way and waved…Rainey got super excited looked at me and in the most precious excited voice ever says “Lindsey! Mickey waved EXACTLY at me!!” It was awesome and made the day!

But here is what you really want to see: the super cute pictures of the girls…and of Uncle Coco.