5 things I plan to do this weekend:
Friday, February 29, 2008
Friday Five
Posted by Varner Party of 3 at 7:35 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Flu
Ok - so if Gavin's double ear infection wasn't enough, now we're fighting the flu. No, not Gavin; but Jason. He said it came on so fast yesterday afternoon when he was leaving work. He said all of a sudden he got chills, and his neck and back started hurting. By the time he got home last night, he said he felt so weak and terrible. He went to the doctor this morning, and he said it was definitely the flu. So, we have shipped Gavin off to spend the night at Kelli's house tonight, just to make sure that he's out of reach of flu bugs. This is Gavin's very first night of being away from home at night - and my heart is broken. I miss Gavin so much right now. First of all, I'm a routine kind of person. I don't like anything to mess up my nightly routine (or any routine). And second, night time is mine and Gavin's most important time together. After I feed him, I rock him to sleep real tight in my arms. I get to hold him for a while and smell him, and kiss his sweet little cheeks before putting him down for the night. I'm missing that right now. (You moms know what I'm talking about.) So, I would say to say to a prayer for me - that I survive this "woe is me" pity party. But really a short quick prayer that Jason would get well soon, and even more...that Gavin doesn't get it, would be better. Good night, sleep tight.
Posted by Varner Party of 3 at 9:37 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Redneck Baby
I have a redneck baby!
Jason went to the Bass Masters Classic weigh-in this past weekend and they gave all the people 2 Triton balloons to use to clap with. (Triton makes fishing boats.) Jason gave one of the balloons to Gavin to play with. You'd think Gavin had the most expensive toy in the world! He hung on tight to it and wouldn't let it go.
Jason bought Gavin a camouflage onesie in just about every size imagineable. Jason said he did it just to make sure Gavin had one to wear no matter what size he was. Here it is - while Gavin is feeding his bellly.
Posted by Varner Party of 3 at 8:34 PM 3 comments
Breakthrough!
We've had breakthrough! After months and months of profuse drooling and knawing, a little tooth has finally poked through those gums! I was burping Gavin after a pretty big bottle, and when he burped, I was talking to him, "Good boy. I bet that belly is so full." (of course I'm talking in baby talk when I did this) I had my hand on his chest helping him to sit up, and then he leaned forward and bit my finger. I was like, "ohh!" Surprise! I rushed to mom's house for dinner, and told her to feel his gums. She thinks it's been there for a day or so. It's sharp! I'm so excited! But on a sad note, it's a sign that my little boy is growing up! Why can't he stay like this forever? I'm really enjoying this stage!
Posted by Varner Party of 3 at 8:28 PM 0 comments
Sunday, February 24, 2008
What I am Thankful For
Just this past week, I have heard of several trials that people around us are facing. My heart pours out to these people. It made me thankful for the blessings in my life. I have so much to be thankful for. Here are a few of them: 1. I am thankful that Gavin is a healthy baby. 2. I am thankful that God had enough confidence in me to give me Gavin. 3. I am thankful for a husband who works hard at what he does and is a good provider for me and Gavin. 4. I am thankful for a mom who is a fantastic cook! 5. I am thankful for a home that is warm on cold winter days. 6. I am thankful that I don't have to guess where my next meal will come from. 7. I am thankful for the relationship that I have with my sister. Even though we are COMPLETE opposites, she is still my best friend. 8. I am thankful that my parents are still married and I don't have to worry about whose turn it is to visit on Sunday and trying to keep it "fair". 9. I am thankful for a job that I enjoy and for how easy God made it for me to get a job at Chandler Creek 4 years ago. 10. I am thankful that God gave me another day to live - He hasn't given up on me yet. 11. I am thankful that God has kept his angels around us and kept us safe from major injuries, accidents, and illnesses. What are you thankful for?
Posted by Varner Party of 3 at 8:45 PM 2 comments
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Sick Baby
Ok - so last night was the night from Satan - to put it nicely. Kelli had already told me that Gavin had a rough day at her house yesterday. When we got home, the screaming began. Gavin cried until he went to sleep last night. He wouldn't play, he wouldn't read books with me...nothing. All he wanted was for me to hold him and walk him around the house. He usually likes to sit in his bouncy seat (when he's not wiggling out) and watch me cook dinner. He wouldn't even do that. When I finally got him to sleep, he slept really well through the night - only coughed just once, and went right back to sleep. He was still asleep even when I left for school this morning - which was unusual, but good I thought. I just assumed he was so worn out from having a bad night - a bad night that I thought was just a bad case of spoiled-rotten-itis. Kelli said he had a tough morning today, so she made a doctor's appointment for him (and Karis was running a fever too). The doctor said Gavin has a double ear infection; so that explains the screaming fit he had last night. And even better...Karis has the flu. She's been around him and in his face everyday! Can life get any better?
Posted by Varner Party of 3 at 9:05 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Wiggle Worm
Gavin is quite a wiggly boy, but we never buckle him into his bouncy seat. For one, he doesn't like being strapped in. And two, I really didn't think he'd go anywhere. If he does jump out, he's not too far from the floor, right? So yes, he's wiggled down to the end of the seat several times, but that's all. This morning, Jason walked away to go into the kitchen to get himself a bite for breakfast. When he came back into the living room and saw him, Gavin was almost out of his seat. Jason grabbed the camera:(And yes, Mom, I know you've told me over and over that I need to start buckling him in.)
So, are we bad parents for letting our child wiggle out of the bouncy seat - and take pictures while it's happening???
Posted by Varner Party of 3 at 5:41 PM 6 comments
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Scrapbook Retreat
Ok, so I had the BEST weekend ever! I went on a scrapbooking retreat with Scrap Happy in Greer. Fourteen ladies went - including Kelli and Jessie - and we stayed in a house on Lake Hartwell. I was so excited to be away because this was my first time being away since Gavin was born. Of course, Friday night I was awake several times - thinking that I heard Gavin stirring in his bed...then I remembered I wasn't at home. And I woke up at the crack of dawn like I do every morning now. It has become automatic. But on Saturday night, I took a Benadryl - and guess what!!! I slept all through the night - didn't wake up one time - and woke up at 9:00 in the morning. I haven't slept that long since I was pregnant! Holy cow! I was a new woman! And to be honest, I came home looking forward to seeing Gavin and Jason - I felt like a better person from having some time away. For any of you that scrapbook or make cards (Meredith, I know this is too far for you) or do any paper crafting, Scrap Happy in Greer is a small scrapbooking store near Belks on Hwy 29. It's on Middleton Way, in the shopping strip up from Capri's, next to This-N-That. If you're ever in the area, check it out. Right now, everything in the store is 1/2 off. The owner, Laura, just moved her store into this building, and she's deciding to scale down what she carries in the store and be more selective of what she sells. So, there are some good deals going on. Happy Tuesday.
Posted by Varner Party of 3 at 10:59 PM 4 comments
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Learning to Eat
For the past few days, Jason and I have been trying to get Gavin to eat cereal and fruit from a spoon. Here are a couple of pictures from our attempts.
(Yes, he's wearing a Halloween bib. Cut me some slack. As long as it does the job, right?)
(Gavin kept turning around and looking at everything in the kitchen. Jason had to get his head and turn it so he could get the spoon in his mouth.)
(Jason is going to freak out when he finds out I put this picture on my blog; but I just couldn't help it. I love Jason's face.)
Posted by Varner Party of 3 at 10:26 PM 3 comments
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Just for Jackie Mac
I went to church with my parents this morning and saw Megan McC's mom. We were talking about our blogs. She said that she saw mine, but said I needed to do more. She said she didn't want to read about stuff - she wants to see pictures! So, this is for you Jackie!

He loves getting the royal treatment at "Nana's Bath & Spa"
Posted by Varner Party of 3 at 8:09 PM 11 comments
Friday, February 8, 2008
Wonton Chicken Salad
One of the best parts about my job, now that I'm in the science lab and not the regular classroom, is that I get to eat with adults instead of 20 children. Once a month, the related arts team has a Friday Feast. Each of us brings in a food item to share for lunch. The art teacher brought in the best salad EVER! It was sooo good that I just couldn't stop eating it. I wanted to share it with you because it is so simple. Here's the recipe: Wonton Chicken Salad -chopped lettuce (iceberg or romaine hearts) -chopped up cooked chicken -slivered almonds -fried wontons (She actually fried them herself with wonton papers. I'm thinking that I'd just get them already fried from the local Chinese restaurant.) Dressing: -2 tsp salt -1 tsp pepper -1/4 cup sugar (maybe use splenda?) -1/4 cup vinegar -1/4 cup olive oil I hope you'll try this salad. It is delicious. I promise!
Posted by Varner Party of 3 at 12:23 PM 2 comments
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Venting Session
Ok - so this post isn't going to be really positive. I'm using my post as a venting place, for a moment. Thursday, Kelli and I noticed that Gavin wasn't acting himself. He was real clingy and didn't want to play much by himself. On Friday, he was ok. Then, he woke up yesterday morning with a congested cough. He's had a cough before, but it was small. So, I thought he'd be ok. I gave him some medicine the doctor gave me the last time he had a cold and then went off to the Upward basketball games at church. He was in a pretty good mood the whole time. The only time he got fussy was when he was tired. There was so much noise, and nowhere for him to take a nap. He was coughing some there, but no too much. When we got home yesterday afternoon, we had a difficult time. He wouldn't play, he wouldn't swing, I couldn't rock him, or bounce him in his bouncy seat...nothing. He screamed, and screamed, and screamed. He finally gave up and went to sleep. And ever since then, his cough has gotten worse and he has acted more and more sick. This morning he woke up, and when he started coughing, it was a more yucky congested cough. . He whined every time he coughed, so I knew his throat had to be hurting. And when he whined or made noises, it was like he's lost his voice. He had a 101 temperature last night and then again this morning, and that's with Tylenol in his system. So I thought it would probably be higher if he didn't have Tylenol. (We took it rectally b/c we were told that's how the doctor would do it b/c it was most acurate.) So Jason and I went to the Mary Black Urgent Care. (DON'T EVER GO THERE!) We got there as soon as it opened and there were already like 20 people ahead of us. We waited for 2 hours before they even got our insurance and information. Meanwhile, Gavin is screaming, well trying to scream, because he doesn't feel well. When the lady finally called us back, she looked at us with no expression and asked us what we were there for. I wanted to grab her face and make her look at Gavin and say, "What do you think?" It was clear why we were there! Could she not hear him coughing and trying to breathe? Duh! When she took his temperature, she took it in his ear and it said 98.7. Bull malarky! You can't tell me that his fever went back to normal that fast! She took us to a room to wait for the doctor and we explained to him everything that we explained to the dumb nurse. I wasn't worried about the runny eyes, runny nose, and some of the cough. We've done that before. I was worried about how much junk was in the cough and that he was losing his voice - more of a sore throat thing. I wanted to make sure he wasn't getting strep throat or something. Plus, Gavin has been tugging at his left ear for several days. The doctor barely looked at him - barely looked in his ear, barely looked at his throat. We were done in 5 minutes. He said it was a cold. We already know what to do with a cold! So then the nurse brings in a paper and says that it's something I can read about upper respiratory infections, but it was for adults and not children. First of all, an upper respiratory infection is not the same as a cold! So which is it? What does he actually have? Second, the paper was for adults, not babies! How in the world is that supposed to help me???? So basically, we wasted 3 hours of our time today! It was not helpful at all to go to that place! Ok, I'm done.
Posted by Varner Party of 3 at 6:06 PM 7 comments

