What's That Smell?

Luke and I both caught a stomach bug while out of town this past weekend. To make matters worse, when we got home it smelled like something died in Bailey's room. For almost two days, we kept going through all the possibilities of what the smell could be- a dirty diaper that Bailey had hidden, something dead in the attic, or the new chair we just moved to her room from the attic. It was so bad that I couldn't go to that part of the house without getting nauseated. Well, when the smell started to permeate the whole house I finally remembered that Wednesday and Thursday before we left for the weekend Bailey had pooped in the tub during bathtime. In my hurry to get Bailey and the toys out of the tub some of the poop made its way down the drain. It had just sat in the pipes for 4 days. Oops. When I told this to Luke I almost got a talking to, but luckily he had pity on me since I am not feeling well.

Besides getting sick, it was a really fun weekend. We went to Tori's pep rally. My mom made Bailey a cheer suit to match Santo's, except that this week was a black-out pep rally so Tori wasn't wearing her uniform.

We also went to the Aledo High School homecoming game until half time and then met up with about 20 of my classmates at a local restaurant. The next day took us to Aggieland where the Aggies did not "Beat the hell outta K-State". We used the opportunity to start college recruitment for Tori- doesn't she look good in maroon?

The Adventures of Captain De-Clutter and the Explorer Kid

Starring Melissa as Captain De-Clutter and Bailey as the Explorer Kid


So I bet if you are a mom or have been around kids enough, you can already guess how this story goes, but I have found that a little humor makes a hard day easier. So here's a piece of how my day went yesterday. Captain De-Clutter hears Explorer Kid sweetly talking to her on the monitor after her mid day nap. Captain De-Clutter leaves her folded laundry in a basket on the coffee table although she knows she shouldn't. Captain De-Clutter then goes and gets the Explorer Kid, and they head for adventures in the playroom. However, when the phone rings Captain De-Clutter leaves Explorer Kid alone in the playroom (BIG MISTAKE!!). Explorer Kid decides to follow Captain De-Clutter to the kitchen, but gets distracted at the bathroom where she unrolls the toilet paper and starts playing with the stuff in the trashcan. After Captain De-Clutter is off the phone she promptly washes Explorer Kids hands, puts Explorer Kid back in the playroom, and then proceeds to pick up the toilet paper and trash. After doing that Captain De-Clutter finds that Explorer kid has moved to her bedroom and has pulled a drawer full of clothes out on the floor. Captain De-Clutter then sits on the floor to start folding and putting back the laundry. This time she gets smart and shuts Explorer Kid in the bedroom with her, and then also takes Explorer Kid with her to the kitchen the next time the phone rings. Well if any of you have been to my home you know that the kitchen isn't far from the living room which is where my folded laundry was. Yes, Explorer Kid wanted to know what the big white thing on the coffee table was, so she pulled it down. She also had to pull out half of the folded laundry. While cleaning that up, Explorer Kid saw an opportunity to get her hands on Blue's food. I could keep going, but I bet you get the picture. It was just one things after another. So at this point I decided to use a trick Franny taught me, which is to take Bailey outside, find a patch of grass that needs watering, and let her have fun with the waterhose.

Lessons Learned:

1. Keep Explorer Kid with you as you clean up after her or shut the door of the playroom

2. Put the downstairs trashcan up on the countertop

3. Under no circumstances should folded laundry be left in Explorer Kid's reach

4. If all else fails head outside.

Meridian High School Reunion

The inevitable happened this weekend for Luke... he had his 10 year high school reunion. We arrived with enough time to look back through his old yearbooks. Mr Best Dressed got ready and we headed to dinner, and then the game. Franny had fun showing off Bailey, while Luke enjoyed trying to catch up with old friends. I think the only sad thing for Luke was that not very many people showed up.

I finally got the classic Mezger homecoming photo in front of the fireplace.

Bailey loved the half time band performances. Here she is showing off her dancing skills: the knee bend with head bob, and the beginning of the twist. It's good to know that she has some rhythm.

It's hard to really catch up with people at a noisy, crowded football game, so everyone got together for a Saturday night cookout. Here is the Meridian's Class of 1998 plus myself and a few kids. Top Row, Left to Right: Luke, Chad with Caleb. Bottom Row, Left to Right: Me, Brandi, Bridget with Payton (Brandi's daughter) and Connie.

While cleaning out her house, Franny found one of Luke's pee wee baseball shirt and pants. Feeling nostalgic Luke decided to try it on to see if it fit, and yes they still fit. He then started hitting baseballs for Blue to fetch. Also found while cleaning out Franny's house was an old 3rd grade love note that Luke said I could share. Since the love note was found at Luke's house we don't think Connie ever got it, so we got to share it at the reunion. I copied it exactly how it was written.

Dear Connie,

I love you very much. I want to merry you. Can we go on a date on the 30. I hope we kiss on our birthday the 21 of march. O please don't merry Zach. I want to have you. And don't merry inibudy in your class. Do you know why I love you is because your smart and ateligent and you are pretty and your eyes twinkle and when I go bye you or see you I fell love inside. But why do you hurt me. I be nice to you thou.

Love,

Luke Mezger

A Report from Luke

Wifey decided that it was time for me to participate in the blog, so here I go...

One of the things I was not looking forward to when I found out we were pregnant was having to change diapers. I am here to say that it is not as bad when it's your own bundle of joy. That being said, Mel and I do have a "you sniff it, you change it" rule.

There is nothing sweeter than when she says dah-dah and lays her head on my shoulders. I love watching her change and grow up before my eyes. This has been my favorite time in her life because I can finally interact with her. Lately we have spent a lot of time with her newest trick of high fiving, or playing with her new birthday toys. Here are some of my favorite recent pictures.

This is a shirt that I made and wore as a child, it's of Pet Monster.

Chillin out with me in the Llano river.

Play time!

A Rose Marie Reunion & 1 Yr Appt

A dear couple from our Bible Study moved away this past May. Rose Marie's work brought her San Antonio this past Monday, so we decided to skip small group and meet her half way to have dinner.

Rose Marie, Bailey, and I. Bailey had made such a mess eating that I went ahead and changed her into her pajamas.

Picture of our small group. Can you guess the restaurant based on the rocking chairs? If you said Cracker Barrel you are correct. Rose Marie and Patrick moved to New Jersey, and we thought she might want some southern cooking.

Bailey Update:

Today she had her last bottle to my delight. I promptly cleaned that bottle, and put the bottles away until next time. Since last weekend we have been mixing her formula with soy milk and that has been going great. We decided to go with soy milk since she has been on a low lactose formula since she was born. We also had her one year check up appointment with shots (MMR, Prevnar, Hep A, and Flu) today. Here are the latest stats:

Height: 29 inches (50th percentile)

Weight : 17 lbs, 14 ozs (10th percentile)

Head Circumference: 45 cm (50th percentile)

A "Onederful" Birthday Party

Bailey's birthday was so much fun, and we feel so blessed to have had so many of our friends and family show up to help us celebrate. We tried to make the party one that all guests would enjoy. For the avid sports fan we had the Saturday football games on. And what would a night with friends be with out cards and dominoes? Guests included family, close friends, college friends, playgroup friends, and our small group. I actually did a terrible job of taking pictures. Thank goodness for Franny! Here are some of the ones we did capture.

Luke, Franny, Andrew, and the Readings enjoying dinner.

A rare picture of myself with Bailey.

She really liked the candle on her cupcake.

First taste of sugar.

The birthday girls chowing down. Actually, Bailey wanted to play with hers more than eat it.

Cleaning the cupcake off.

Here is Bailey trying out her new riding toy. It was one of the many awesome presents that she got. Emerson, the 2 year old in the background, was the MVPO- Most Valueable Present Opener.

One Year Ago Today

On Thursday, September 13th, 2007 I (Melissa) woke as usual in the wee hours of the morning. I was unable to go back to sleep and headed for the couch to watch a movie. At 6 a.m. my eyelids were finally getting heavy as Luke woke up and quietly made his way to the office to check his email. Surprisingly Luke had received an email that a vehicle meeting our criteria was available in Dallas. Although I was in my 39th week (of the 3rd due date), we decided to make the road trip because we had been looking for the right vehicle for 2 ½ months. There was really no discussion about going because if for any reason I thought I was in labor we would simply turn around. My birthing class had also made me believe that I would I know when I was in labor. I had been having what I thought were Braxton Hicks contractions since 7 a.m., so I decided to go for a walk before we left, because that usually helped. This time it didn't help and that should have been my first clue that these were not Braxton Hicks. Also before we left, we put Blue in her crate, and discussed whether we should bring the hospital bag, but decided against it. We left at noon and our plan was to buy the vehicle and then to have dinner at the Tacketts (Melissa’s parents). It was going to be a surprise for Tori and Nana (Melissa’s grandmother). We didn't tell anyone we were making the trip besides Brenda (Melissa’s mom). Luke and I talked about the Braxton Hicks contractions a couple of times on the way up, but again I had been told that I would know when I was in labor, and we always ended the conversation with that. So, we arrived at the dealership, and test drove the vehicle. It was when we were signing the paperwork that I started to suspect that this was the real thing. I called my mom, and asked her what labor feels like, and she responded with “Well, (pause) why?”. After getting off the phone, my mom called Franny (Luke's mom) who didn’t know what’s going on, and asked her if she has talked to Luke. My mom called Franny again a little bit later and tells her that Melissa thinks she is labor, but not to head to Austin. We left the dealership in rush hour traffic and were headed to Weatherford. Luke was driving the new vehicle and I was following in the old. As we were leaving I called my insurance company to figure out what I needed to do, and called Tara to take care of Blue who if you remember was in her crate. At this point the contractions were 2 minutes apart, and had been since we left the dealership. I finally called Luke and as he was looking at me in his rear view mirror, he saw me crying and laughing at the same time as I told him it's the real thing. He asked if we had enough time to get to Austin, and kindly I told him NO. Our new plan is to make it to Campbell Hospital in Weatherford. However, while in standstill traffic in Fort Worth I called Luke and tell him that I don't think I should be driving anymore. We decided that we would park my car, but before we could do that I decided that I needed to stop driving ASAP. As Luke and I were talking, he sees Harris Methodist Hospital off to the left. In an “Ah-Ha” moment, we decided that’s where we are going to have our baby. After parking, he wheeled me to the labor unit, where they told me that they don't have a room. Luke and I looked at each other and laughingly said- “no room at the inn”. I don't care as I am just glad to not be driving anymore. I labored in the hospital hallway for some time before they put me in a spare room that I remember being the size of a closet. I personally think the only reason I got a room was either because I was obstructing the hallway with my laboring positions or because they realized that I did have insurance. About that time my mom and Tori arrived. While they stay with me, Luke lets our friends and family know what’s going on. This is when he finally calls his mom and let’s her know to head to Fort Worth. I changed into their gown and got an ultrasound. They begin asking questions like "Have you seen a doctor?" and "Are you taking prenatal vitamins?" They finally decided to admit me when I was 5 cm dilated. After I got to my labor room, my brother and dad arrived, and I remember barely opening my eyes and nodding my head at them to let them know I saw them. Franny also arrived around this time. Later around 9 p.m. I got my epidural and Luke and I decided to take a nap. My dad left with Andrew and Tori to get some sleep. He has been through this 4 times before and wisely knew that the baby was going to be awhile. Around 3 a.m. I begin pushing, and Brenda and Franny had to wait outside anxiously the room. Around 5:15 a.m. they tell me that the baby has dark hair. Thinking that both Luke and I had blonde hair when we were babies, I was starting to get curious about what this baby is going to look like. I didn’t have to wait much longer because at 5:53 a.m. Bailey arrived!

While Dad is Away, The Girls Do Play

Luke has spent the last week on the Appalachian Trail hiking with his brother. Meanwhile, Bailey and I have been keeping ourselves busy. It has been quite the adventure- from cleaning the house (the kind you only do once or twice a year) to MOPS to catching up on chick flicks to playdates to training for my Adventure Race. And as much fun as it has been, our week alone is over and Luke comes home tonight!!! Here are some videos and pictures I took this week.

Have I mentioned that she is fearless?

Logan was so sweet to push Bailey around in his car. I think he is going to be quite the ladies man.

Bailey training for the Baby Olympics. Sorry you will just have to turn your head sideways.

Pre-Race Photo of Team Tiramisu. Get it...Tara and Melissa Sue.

Crossing the finish line!!!

These feet were made for walking, and that's just what I'll do.

She is still a little wobbly, but moving past the Frankenstein phase as I call it when babies have their hands out in front of them like Frankenstein and just barely make it to whereever they are walking to.