9 Months Ago...

...Michael Dean was pulled into this world, and mine and Donnie's lives changed for good, for the better. I love that little man more than words can express.

Happy Birthday my sweet baby, my sweet "BIG" baby:

--> 23 pounds, 6 ounces (90th percentile)
--> 31.4 inches (112th percentile)

Tonight: Donnie's Big Movie Debut

** Update ** We saw Leatherheads Friday night and yup, we saw Donnie! (Though my sister said she didn't see him. I guess we were just looking hard.) Before the big, muddy football game towards the end they show a shot of some guys hanging out by the scoreboard...and there he was! He got a good 2-3 seconds of airtime. Donnie also said he saw himself in a press conference scene, but I missed him. Guess we'll have to buy, then pause the DVD to see him :) The movie was cute, but a bit slow. We'd still recommend it.

The day's finally here! It was supposed to be back in December but it didn't happen then. So, it's April 4. The day Donnie becomes a big-screen actor. Well, at least we hope!

We're headed out tonight to the opening night of Leatherheads. Remember? This is the movie that George Clooney, John Krasinski and Renee Zellweger filmed right here in our little town of Charlotte, NC...and Donnie was an extra, with hair, costume, make-up and all! When we find out if it's good (or not), we'll recommend it (or not) then. I'm sure, either way, Donnie will recommend it.

We Love our Aunt Merissa!

(Check out Merissa's blog, too, to see another tribute of love to his Aunt Merissa)

So Far So Good...

Well, we made it through yesterday, with mommy's eyes glued to the clock. I called Shannon only 3 times! She told me I could call more but I have to set my limits, ya know. MD was a trooper. He took 2 good naps, ate his food and was entertained by 2 little 3-year old girls all day. Besides mommy missing him horribly, all-in-all, a success.

He was wiped out, though, when I picked him up so he sacked out in the car. He slept about 20 minutes more after we got home so when he woke up he was sporting this great hairstyle.


This was MD on mommy's last Friday at home with him...making sure I smiled. I did.

Watching the Clock

Well, I've not been a clockwatcher at work for some time now (I guess since I worked at Norman. No offense, Norman. It wasn't you. It was me.) However, I'm finding myself glancing at my phone clock about every 5 minutes today. Why? Because today is MD's first day with Shannon, his new caregiver on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

I start back full-time next week so I had to find a 2nd person to watch MD. My mom is still watching him 2 days, but both she and I agreed that watching him 4 days a week was just going to be too much for her. So, I found a very sweet SAHM (for you non-bloggers out there, that means Stay At Home Mom) to take care of my sweet one for me.

Now, of course, I trust Shannon as I wouldn't have chosen her if I didn't...but, I'm still a mommy. And I still worry. It was in my nature before and it's really in my nature now. And, I'm not worrying as much as I am just being curious as to how he's doing. I called Shannon right after MD's breakfast and I could hear him toddling around in the background in her walker. She said he was having a good time...and no tears so far. So, I'm going to try real hard to not call her too much today (even though she said I could!) But I will be counting down the minutes to when I do get to call her next. And especially to when I get to leave to go pick him up.

Ah, MD, I really miss you. Our 3 days a week together just aren't enough. Don't you go sprouting any teeth or taking any 1st steps without me. Mommy (and daddy) deserve to get those firsts from you. I love you, stinker man. OK, I can't cry at work so I'd better stop...