Thursday, May 31, 2018

First Week of Summer, Joseph's Birthday

School officially ended for Kenny last Thursday and for Joseph and James on Friday. I went to Kenny's program and sacrificed both my and Lewis's naps. It was tough because I had a headache for the rest of the day, but I survived. James brought home Chinese food for lunch on Friday to celebrate.

We watched the first Harry Potter movie on Friday since Joseph just finished the book. I'm glad that he loves to read.

Saturday, we went to a few yard sales, but no luck, and then went exploring in the woods near Steinaker. I stayed in the car because I was too tired. James went shooting in the afternoon while I rested.

Sunday was normal. I found a sub for the music this coming Sunday! That is a hard thing to accomplish. Not many people like or want to do music for Primary. (Heck, I didn't when they called me, and I still struggle to want to go to Church every Sunday.)

Monday, James didn't have work, but he had to finish up some stuff at school. The kids and I worked hard at home to clean up the house and yard. James went fishing during my nap. We let the kids play with the hose in the sandbox for FHE and had cookies.

Tuesday, we went to the park. I took Kenny out for his little pizza from Book It.

Wednesday, Joseph turned 8! He got a new bike, a Harry Potter video game and jelly beans, a scripture journal, and additional money that he'll get to spend today when I go grocery shopping. I made a lemon-lime pound cake. I though it was all right, but I always prefer chocolate. The kids played with bubbles in the afternoon.

Today: doctor's appointment for Joseph and Kenny, library activity, and grocery shopping after dinner.

I am almost in the 3rd trimester, and I can tell. My tiredness has kicked up a notch in the past week. My feet hurt more than they did. I also can't sleep past 5:30 a.m. because I get kicked a lot. I would be lying if I said I enjoyed it. I really haven't enjoyed anything about this pregnancy except for the prospect of a new baby. I've had some good moments but very few good days, and the good days I did have seem to have been replaced by tons of anxiety about everything coming up this summer. First stressor: this weekend's family reunion. I'm worried I'll forget something, that the room we're in won't have a bathroom, and that someone will make a rude comment about either my size or Lewis's size. I also dread the 6 hour drive there. I dread how much more tired I'll be because of having to chase kids up 3 flights of stairs, interact with 80 people when I'd rather be alone, and share a room with all the kids. I don't sleep well anyway, so being away from home makes it that much worse.

This will be our 8th time going to a family reunion. I have been to 1 reunion that was more fun than stressful. 2010: I had a small baby, and people always give crappy advice. 2011: I had a toddler and was pregnant, and James wasn't there for the first day or two. 2012: Small baby again. 2013: Pregnant with a toddler again. 2014: Small baby who had an ear infection and cried the WHOLE TIME. 2015: Actually super fun! 2016: Just had hand surgery and had a splint, so I had to do everything one-handed (and not with my dominant hand!) Also, pregnant. 2017: Didn't go because James had a hurt leg and needed to heal. Got guilt tripped constantly for the next month. 2018: Pregnant with a toddler.

I can't wait to be done with pregnancy.

Thursday, May 24, 2018

New Car, New Schedule

We got the car! It's a 2001 Yukon XL Denali, or in other words, an older, slightly beat up, big SUV. We were able to pay cash, which is exactly why James has been looking for cars for several months. It takes time to find an older car with relatively low miles. I went in on Friday to register and title it. Despite a long (45 minute) wait at the DMV, I got home in plenty of time for the boys to come home from school.

Friday, James and I went on a date to dinner and then to a board game group. It was really fun, but I felt super crummy from eating too much at dinner.

Saturday, he took the kids to Little Brush Creek cave while I went to a women's conference. I really don't have any big problems! The women who spoke were dealing with challenges like stillbirth, drug addiction, eating disorders, mental illness and death of a spouse, and wayward children. I have nothing to complain about! It was a very inspiring meeting. James worked in the afternoon, hopefully the last time he will have to on a Saturday!

Sunday, we were all well and went to church together for the first time in 3 weeks.

Monday, we had FHE with Cherissa and Tayson. I did a lesson on setting goals and made a weekly schedule for fun things for the kids to do each day. We will have a very general morning and afternoon activity for each day of the week so they have something to look forward to. I am not planning on being outside unless I have to be, so no hikes. I feel extra tired when I'm too hot, and the summers here are killer! I know it's dry heat, but 100 degrees is still hot, and it goes over 100 every single summer.

Tuesday, James worked till really late, so the kids and I just hung out. They play outside a ton, and Lewis loves to join them. The house is a little quieter and cleaner when everyone's outside.

Yesterday, James took the kids to his school and the library so I could have a little alone time. It was really nice.

Today is the last day I have to walk Kenny to the bus stop and the last day I have to babysit Jonah. Hurray! I'm ready to just be responsible for my own kids. Also, walking to the bus midday is a huge pain. I am grateful for half day Kindergarten. I think it's more age-appropriate than a full day. The Kindergarten program is this afternoon, so hopefully I don't suffer too much from skipping both my and Lewis's naps.

I'm working on my last sewing/craft project for a while, a rag rug. I should be done by the second week in June even if I take it slow. My main projects for the summer will be staying cool and cooking some new recipes. We always have to try new stuff after a while because we get tired of the old. Being pregnant is not helpful. My fatigue seems to be getting worse and I am now heavier than I've ever been in my life, but I am going to make it!

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Finally Better, I Think

Last Thursday, it was Katie's turn to throw up. She seemed fine until Saturday, and then she threw up again and missed church. Kenny gladly gave her talk in Primary.

I went in for my glucose test Friday morning and I passed! I didn't even come close to failing, which is surprising. I'm fatter than I've ever been, so I thought for sure I'd fail. I've come close 3/4 times and had to retest for 2/4 pregnancies to get a passing score.

We went to the Dino "soar" festival on Friday and Saturday. There were hot air balloons, vendors and bounce houses at the library, and free admission to the dinosaur museum. We also went out for dinner on Friday night. It was a lot of fun to spend time with the family.

James worked on Saturday after repairing our sprinkler system. The grass is finally starting to turn green now. Our neighbor's lawn is picture perfect because they take really good care of it. We are both too tired and don't care enough to even try to keep up. Not this year, anyway.

Sunday, I had a pretty good Mother's Day even though Katie, James and Lewis stayed home. I think the kids did pretty well with their song in Sacrament meeting even though it was kind of quiet. James kept the house clean, and I got lot of goodies and some movies.

Monday, we had a really good FHE. We did giant bubbles, turned on the sprinklers, and worked on teaching the kids to ride a bike without training wheels. Joseph picked it up immediately! We're still working on Kenny, and I hope to also teach Katie this summer. James fixed up the bike and got helmets for the kids. I'm so happy that Joseph learned so quickly. I was feeling like a huge slacker for not teaching him before. Maybe it's like potty training, where if you wait longer it's a lot easier to do.

James worked mosquito abatement Tuesday, so I took the kids to Kenny's open house at his school. I think it went well. The rest of the day was tough because I felt extra tired and drained.

Wednesday, I also felt really drained, but I pushed on through and went grocery shopping after dinner. I found out I have babysitting 5 of the 6 days left of school, so I wasn't thrilled about that because it was sort of last minute, but oh well. It's almost over. James had the kids in bed and the house clean when I got back, so that was amazing!

I'm feeling a bit better today. We are looking at a car to buy, and so far I actually feel peaceful about it. Every other car has made me feel really stressed and terrible. Maybe this one will actually work out. We will see.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Even More Sickness

Poor Lewis also had an ear infection when the doctor checked him out. Poor little guy is feeling a lot better already, though. He perked up a lot by afternoon and was back into mischief.

We had a good visit with Nash. He and James went shooting and he made some croissants. They were really yummy even though the bottoms burned. I blame my oven. Gas ovens just aren't as good. Nash actually left around 8 p.m. to keep driving. I started feeling really yucky.

By Friday afternoon, I felt awful. I ended up throwing up a couple times. James got home a bit before bedtime, which was great because I felt too weak to do anything.

Saturday, he went shopping for me so I could recover. I barely ate because I had little to no appetite, but I started feeling a lot better by dinner. He worked mosquito abatement in the afternoon while I slept.

Sunday, I felt well enough to go to church. James didn't, so he stayed home with Lewis since he can't go to Primary with me and still isn't old enough for nursery.

Monday, Joseph stayed home from school because he wasn't feeling well. He never did throw up. I put him to work so I could catch up on some things that didn't get done when I was sick. We had a good FHE.

Tuesday, James worked mosquito abatement, so we didn't really see him.

Wednesday, I went to the open house for the new women's center at the hospital. It looks awesome! I almost cried when I saw the new NICU. I really hope I don't have to go through that this time.

Today I have a doctor's appointment. Hopefully that goes well. I'll have to do the glucose tolerance test really soon. I'm worried I'll fail because I always feel crummy if I eat a big meal or anything sugary. My heartburn is starting to keep my awake at night if I don't stay on top on the drugs. Pregnancy is the worst sometimes.

I finally a couple of small sewing projects and one big one, the latch hook rug. It took forever to get the binding in the mail, but it was really easy to finish. It's hanging in my dining room. Time to take a break from sewing for a while since I'm out of material, but I do have one more rug to make when I feel like it.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Heads Visit, Sickness Again

The Heads got here on Thursday, so everyone except for me went on a hike to Moonshine Arch. I made dinner for the people staying home, and the adults went out to dinner. I like mine okay, but I always prefer Chinese. :) We played some games when we got home.

Friday, we hung out during the day and the kids went swimming at the hotel while Lewis and I napped. We met up with the Tidwells (Rex's first cousin) at Remember the Maine park for a cookout. It was a lot of fun! The kids got to meet and play with some of their third cousins.

Saturday we hung out in the morning until everyone left around 11. We went to a couple of yard sales, but no luck. I don't remember the rest of the day, so I guess not much happened.

Sunday after Church, Kenny started throwing up. He didn't keep anything down until that evening, but nothing ended up on the floor, thank goodness.

Monday, we had FHE at McDonald's because it was cold and windy, which ruined our park plans. We then had the kids pick out treats for dessert.

Tuesday, James worked mosquito abatement, so we didn't see him till late.

Wednesday, he had a meeting after school and we went straight to the movie theater for our date. We saw the new Avengers movie. It was very long and kind of depressing.

And today was supposed to be stressful already, and Lewis just threw up all over the carpet. That means no wedding for me tomorrow and probably not the kids. Nash is possibly coming to visit. I warned him about the puking baby, so I don't know if he will still come or not. I have to take Lewis to the doctor already this afternoon. If Nash comes, I don't get a nap.

Not going to the wedding is okay, or at least I will get over it. I have been extremely stressed about it all week. Last time I went on a trip, I hurt for a week afterward. I just didn't want to be dealing with puke again. Every time we deal with a bug like this, no one throws up for enough days that I get overconfident and think everyone is well. I shouldn't say that until it's been 10 days. Baking soda and scented candles will be my best friends today.