Rexburg Trip

We left on Friday for Rexburg and had a very good drive. There was no snow to speak of and our one stop took 1 1/2 hours but included Smith & Edwards, lunch, and getting gas. We made really good time and got there in the afternoon around 3:30. James and I went out to dinner with his parents.

Saturday morning, I met up with Mara and we went to D.I. just for fun. I forgot they actually have maternity stuff, so I got a few new shirts. I've been getting really burned out on the stuff I have. We relaxed during the afternoon and then went to Mara and Ricky's for dinner and games. We played a really fun one called Superfight. The kids loved it too!

Sunday was church. I hung out in the nursery with Lewis. He took a nap first, so he didn't even show up until the last 45 minutes, but that's okay. I was glad for the snacks. Mara and Ricky came for dinner and hung out for a while after.

Monday, we went to see Coco all together. I think everyone liked it a lot. I sure like that movie. It has a very strong message about the importance of families. We had dinner and FHE with the Lees that night. Pretty much every night, everyone played games except for me. I never felt great the whole time we were there, so I just did my best to get enough sleep. It would be better if I didn't have so many nightmares.

We had a good trip back, but I felt pretty carsick the whole time. We made one stop again for Winco and lunch at a Chinese buffet. We still made good time despite a little snow, and since we got back at 4:30, I got all the unpacking done and had time to start the laundry.

Yesterday I got all caught up. It was a pretty good day even though it was routine. Tonight I have a Relief Society meeting about preparedness. I don't know how much I'll like it because it's on the emergency prepper stuff that costs tons of money, but I'll go anyway and see what I can learn.

Finally, I've been waking up not feeling totally horrible. I still feel horrible about how I look. I hate the awkward fat stage. I'm at 13 weeks, though, so almost into the 2nd trimester!

Valentine's Day, Olympics

Saturday, James and I went on a date to the temple. It was really good to be there. I felt very calm and happy. I'm finally feeling at peace about this being my last pregnancy. I am not just giving up early because I think it's too hard. (Although, I do think it's too hard almost every day. I thought that during my last 2 pregnancies as well, but I kept on going because I knew I wasn't done yet.)

We went to a little craft fair in the afternoon. My OB was there and doing ultrasounds for 2 minutes, so I got another look at the baby. He/she was moving around a lot. I can't feel it yet, but I'm only 12 weeks along now.

We have been watching some of the Olympics thanks to YouTube TV. I think they comment too much and don't show enough of the sports, but I really love seeing the figure skating. I am hopeless at all sports, but I can't skate at all, like not even stand up without falling over. My sense of balance has never been great.

We had FHE Monday with Cherissa and Tayson. The kids have been so excited about Valentine's Day for a couple of weeks. They weren't disappointed to bring home lots of cards and candy. James sent me a singing valentine, which was really nice. I didn't cry during it like I did last year. Thank goodness, because that was really embarrassing.

I've been sewing a few small things like baby clothes. All I have left is cloth for doll clothes, then some scraps to make into a quilt eventually. I can't wait to start getting rid of baby clothes. The old, gross ones are going to make a memory quilt, and the rest will get passed on the someone who needs them.

Today it's packing and cleaning for our trip to Rexburg. There's no school tomorrow or Monday, but we're staying until Tuesday. I have to get some cavities filled, my first in about 18 years, so I am kind of nervous. How silly is that? It can't be as bad as giving birth or even hand surgery while awake.

An Easier Week

We celebrated Lewis's first birthday by watching a movie together (Groundhog Day, of course) and eating homemade pizza. We also went to the library activity in the afternoon. Lewis got a few toys that he really enjoys so far. James is really good at picking out that kind of stuff.

Saturday morning, I went to Women's Day Out. It was pretty fun but not very long because I'm not looking for weight loss, new clothes, or makeup currently. I ended up winning a Subway gift certificate from the hospital! We went out for dinner Saturday night and tried something new at the Chinese place: some of the noodle dishes. They were delicious!

Only one person threw up this week, and it was Joseph on Saturday night. He made a quick recovery but we kept him home from church. I really hope by next week that we can all go together! I had a mini breakdown before church, but I made it only a few minutes late with Kenny and Katie. I'm starting to like doing the music. I still need work figuring out the timing, but it's going pretty well. Maybe next Sunday I'll wake up and not feel sick to my stomach.

The nausea has gotten a lot better this week, but the weird dreams have gotten even weirder. Thankfully, most are just weird and not scary. So far, none actually have to do with the baby.

Lewis is tiny one-year-old, only 16 lbs. 9 oz. and 28 1/4 inches tall, which puts him in the 2nd percentile. The doctor did not seem worried this time about his size and said he's just small. (I could have told him that, haha.) I gave him his first haircut so he looks really grown up now.

I've been trying to work on some sewing. I made a shirt yesterday and was able to follow all the directions, but I don't like how it turned out. I also picked the wrong size, so it doesn't look good on me. I have determined that I really don't like sewing for myself even though I love sewing for AG dolls and my children. All the things I've made in miniature have turned out pretty good and look cute on the recipients. That's strike 3 for me, though, so I think I'm going to stick to D.I. for most of my clothing needs. I'm okay with that.

Today I have parent-teacher conferences for the boys and then nothing going for the next few days. I'm okay with that too. I'm more tired than I was a few weeks ago, but at least it is still manageable.

Good Things

I'm still struggling to feel happy at all, but some good things have happened over the  past week. (Lots of crappy ones too, but I'm going to try really hard not to dwell on them since no one wants to read that!)

1. Dad came to visit! We had a lot of fun eating dinner out, going to D.I. and browsing for treasures, and hanging out. Lewis even likes him now.

2. Everyone is done throwing up. Finally. The whole illness took 10 days to make it through our house, and only James escaped. I didn't actually throw up, but I felt weak and terrible and stayed home Sunday.

3. Sunday was ward conference, so I didn't have to find a sub for my music calling. The stake was already going to take over.

4. We somehow avoided any throwup smell on the couch or carpet because we were always able to clean it up immediately. (No middle-of-the-night incidents.)

5. I feel a lot better overall now that I've reached 10 weeks. It seems that 7-10 are always the worst for me.

6. Lewis is down to one feeding, just at night! Basically, I can quit nursing completely whenever I want, but I think the last will be tomorrow.

7. Tomorrow Lewis turns one!

8. I failed at two sewing projects, but I was able to complete the third one I tried. I had actually messed that up too, but I was able to fix it and actually sew it together without the instructions.

9. I made it to the temple this week.

Here's to hoping for a better week next week!