OcalaMom.com

My name is Katie Rhea (pronounced “ray”), a full-time stay-at-home mom. I am married and have one precious boy named Campbell who will turn four in April - and I am currently expecting another baby boy named Cash in June.

I feel like we just emerged into the glorious time with Campbell – he’s potty trained now (such a big boy!) and loves playing pool, soccer, basketball, baseball – and now with baby Cash coming soon, we’re about to be thrust back into the infant days (daze) with bottles and diapers and all-nighters again! Yikes! Lord, brace me!

I think what I can bring to this site is some insight as somewhat of a newcomer to Ocala. I have lived here with my husband Dave for three years, and during that short time I have experienced what it is like to find friends and activities from scratch.

It is a daunting task, but it was not impossible. Now, I have a great circle of friends and schedule of activities (preschool, play groups, book club, etc.) I will be glad to tell you what I have found out about how to find interesting and cost-conscious activities (i.e. story time at the library.)

I am looking forward to meeting a lot of Ocala moms and helping our community bounce great ideas off of one another.

Katie

This message has been edited. Last edited by: OcalaKatie,

Katie,
What are you in school for?

And when is Campbell's birthday? Jodi's is April 17th (due date was the 3rd. I worry I will cook all babies super long times. )

We are starting potty learning now, too. We were doing so well the first day and you know the Parenting Rule -- once you brag or feel smug about your kids, they always have to prove you wrong? Yep. But we're getting there. Jodi's not even 2 yet so I think we have some time.

Hey Elizabeth!

Sorry, had to edit my post. Campbell will turn 4 on April 28th! My due date was May 12th with him, so he was 2 weeks early! And with this baby being another c-section, he will also be 10-14 days early. My actual due date is June 26th, but they think they're going to take him around June 17th or 18th. YAY!! Can't wait!!

I was in school to finish my teaching degree, but with this new baby on the way, I decided to take yet another break. I'll probably get back into classes in the fall.

Potty training was alittle harder for us. Boys are almost always later than girls, especially first boys. Campbell was 3 yrs. and 1 month when he finally got it! Good for us b/c they have to be potty-trained in order to start preschool!

Way to go, Jodi!! Not even 2 yrs old and potty trained!! WOW! Now that's awesome!

Well, she's not PTed yet -- we're just starting, but she *knows* when she goes and she is very verbal so we talk about it and we sit ont he potty. She had a naked day (I got tired of racing to clean up pee before the dogs got it) and then a couple of days in cloth trainers and she was starting to not want to go so I've backed off a little -- but still pester her w/ my questions.

When I taught preschool in college, though, there was a girl at our school was was fully trained at 18 mos -- she was reliable. She never had an accident that I heard of, whereas a couple of the boys in my class (4 y/os) had multiple accidents a week still.

Yes, baby and school mix aren't so easy.
That's why we're waiting for #2 to see if I'll start grad school in May or not (it's just a year and then the doctoral program has a lot of online components and is far more flexible w/ scheduling.)

Hi Katie,

Well I finally found someone who is 'new' to this area as welll! I've been in ocala since 2005 and it's been kind of an adjustment but I have made some really good friends since being here... congrats on your baby!!! Are you excited or what?! I am already wanting to have another but I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon! Michael keeps us SOOO busy! Anyways, what are you going to school for?

Take care!

Andrea

Hi Andrea,

I was in school to try and finish up my teaching degree, but with the new baby on the way, it was all just tooooooooo much! I'll probably start taking classes again in the Fall or even next Spring.

We moved here in 2005 too! It was a huge adjustment for me b/c ALL my family lives back home in Oklahoma, but like with anything else, it just gets easier with time. We really like it here and LOVE our new neighborhood. We lucked out with school districts, too..... Campbell will go to 8th Street Elementary!
Right now he's at Happy Hearts preschool 3 days a week and LOVES it!! We do too!

Hi Katie...

I just thought that I would let you know I am a big fan of the name Cash. We had decided when we first found out we were having another boy (#3) that would be his name. I am due at the beginning of April and can't wait. I have 2 other boys who are older 9 and 5 they both are in school. When we found out that we were pregnant for the 3rd time we were happy and shocked all at the same time. We were hoping for a little girl and are just as happy with another boy. I like odd names and had thought that we were the only ones who had picked it out. Glad to know that there are others out there like me. If I may ask how did you come across the name. Any special meaning behind it.

Katie:
Campbell's pool video is just TOO CUTE! He's really good -- better than me for sure. How long has he been playing pool?
Robyn

There's really no special meaning behind the name Cash for us. We have a little boy, Campbell, who will be 4 in April, and thought that Campbell and Cash sounded cute together. We LOVE Campbell's name and felt that baby boy number 2 deserved a "just as good" of a name! We couldn't just name him any ol name,..... it had to be something........ special. Any special meaning behind Cash for you? We were also hoping for pink this time, but we will just have to try again! We are absolutely thrilled that it's another boy, tho! A little brother for Campbell! It just doesn't get any better than that!

Also, Robyn,......Campbell's been playing pool for a while now,.... probably about 9 months or so. How did it start? Well, every night before bedtime he gets in "mommy's bed" dad sleeps there too, go figure... and watches some kind of sport, like football, baseball, tennis, just whatever is on, for about five minutes or so. Well, one night pool was on! It started that night and has yet to end! Now we have a pool table at home and every Friday for lunch we go to the ALE House just so he can play a couple of games. haha

No we didn't have any special meaning behind it either. I mean we like Johnny Cash and all but that isn't were the name came from. It was just one that we agreed on finally and I wasn't about to let it go. It was harder coming up with the middle name than anything. Nothing seemed to go with Cash. Did you have that hard of a time there too?

We decided to use a family name as the middle name. Cash Matthew Rhea. But, yes, it was difficult. Can't have a middle name ending is "s". It just doesn't flow well.

Yeah that sounds good. We chose William as for that is one of my husbands middle names and was also one of his late grandfathers name. A lot of my friends don't really care for the name say it is to country. Though I think it is growing on them...We chose Baby Snoopy as his nursery theme. And that is something else we are having trouble with too. I am so freaking out...Only have less than 7 weeks remaining and I feel like it went to fast. I don't feel completely ready for another one. I am happy and excited all the same. How about you?

We're at a hotel in Orlando w/ L today and finally got to watch the movies.(highspeed,finally) The picture video turned out so great. Cooper kept saying that he was on TV. We showed him the pool video too and now he wants to go. I think he finally understands that Campbell isn't talking about a swimming pool now!

Well, I have about 15 more weeks to go, but I am NOT ready! I room is NOT ready! The crib isn't even up yet. I feel like it's gone by pretty fast, but then in another way I feel like it's going slow, too. I just try to take it one week at a time and enjoy our little family of 3 before we become a family of 4!

Erin, that's too funny! Cooper can come to the ALE house with us for lunch anytime for practice! Campbell would love that!

Hi Katie, thanks for helping this forum get off the ground. All the best to you and your new edition.
Warmly,
Melinda