I had a few days where I really felt yucky, but I'm almost all better now. Thank goodness! I can stand having a cold for a week, and it sure beats throwing up any day.
My other 4 kids were really easy to wean, but Samantha is giving me a run for my money. I have successfully gotten her down to 4 feedings a day, but she won't take much from a cup or bottle. I am determined, though, because I have NO desire to breastfeed any longer. 1 year is long enough, and this is my 5th year, so I deserve to be able to get back into shape and not worry about accessible clothes. Whether she likes it or not, I'm taking a 2-day trip at the beginning of September, and I am not taking her with me! Though I might sound optimistic here, the weaning process has caused me a lot of stress and worry so far. Aren't I supposed to be better at this by now? Apparently not.
James started school on Monday and the boys yesterday. I can't believe I'll have 3 in school in a week. Katie goes in for Kindergarten testing today and starts next Wednesday. The past few days have been a little rough. I don't know why I expected things to get so much easier when school started. So far, Katie has been really bored with no one to play with, so she invents things to fight about with Lewis. Samantha, of course, has been a bit cranky due to the weaning process. Ugh. This will pass, but it's not very fun right now.
I thought I had fixed our dishwasher, which has been giving us trouble for a few weeks now, but I was wrong. The motor died, so we got a new one and will install it in our spare time. (Ha ha.) James still has to do mosquito abatement, so that will take up Friday/Saturday. We'll get it done, though. We have unfortunately done this before.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Thursday, August 8, 2019
Parties, The Lair, Sick
Saturday, Joseph and Kenny went to a birthday party. Katie was really bummed about not being able to go since it was at the Rec Center, but she eventually got over it after taking it out on me.
We've been working on our ancient trailer. I don't know if I mentioned it before, but it was 300 bucks, so that probably says a lot for how dilapidated it is. We got a lot done on it this week, though. James and I worked together to prime and paint the cabinets and some of the walls. I put the boys to work on cleaning out the cabinets with disinfectant wipes. I put on another coat of paint today, so it's almost looking nice enough that I don't feel like I'm going to catch some disease by going in there. (Yes, it was that bad.)
James and I have both had nasty colds this week, so he took Tuesday off to take care of me. Because of our illness, we missed the neighborhood party on Monday night. Oh well. I felt really weak and tired all of Tuesday, so I could barely do anything and just wanted to be alone. I'm still on the mend. This cough is keeping me awake at night and annoyed during the day. Still, it's been a while since I really got sick.
Grocery Pickup at Walmart includes school supplies! I'm really excited about not having to go in the store for any of that stuff. The kids find out who their teachers are today and get to meet them on Monday. School starts next Wednesday! Hopefully, I won't spend the rest of the summer sick.
We've been working on our ancient trailer. I don't know if I mentioned it before, but it was 300 bucks, so that probably says a lot for how dilapidated it is. We got a lot done on it this week, though. James and I worked together to prime and paint the cabinets and some of the walls. I put the boys to work on cleaning out the cabinets with disinfectant wipes. I put on another coat of paint today, so it's almost looking nice enough that I don't feel like I'm going to catch some disease by going in there. (Yes, it was that bad.)
James and I have both had nasty colds this week, so he took Tuesday off to take care of me. Because of our illness, we missed the neighborhood party on Monday night. Oh well. I felt really weak and tired all of Tuesday, so I could barely do anything and just wanted to be alone. I'm still on the mend. This cough is keeping me awake at night and annoyed during the day. Still, it's been a while since I really got sick.
Grocery Pickup at Walmart includes school supplies! I'm really excited about not having to go in the store for any of that stuff. The kids find out who their teachers are today and get to meet them on Monday. School starts next Wednesday! Hopefully, I won't spend the rest of the summer sick.
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Belcher Reunion, Guns, Splash Park, Weaning
We spent Saturday in Heber for the Belcher reunion. It was pretty fun, but a tough day. It's always really hot by afternoon, and there's nowhere to sit and cool off. That means I leave feeling kind of crummy, though nothing like last year at 8 months pregnant! The kids really had fun getting candy, bidding on stuff in the auction, and playing in the sand. There is always really good food, too.
James met with people to sell one gun before and one after the reunion. It worked out great, and he was able to buy one better gun from the money he got (and then some).
Since it's the almost last week of summer, I took the kids to the splash park in Naples. They all loved it except for Lewis. He wouldn't get anywhere near the water! I thought he would have changed his mind since last year, but nope. Samantha even crawled out into the water for a little while.
I had a bit of a rough week without having quite enough to do. I decided to start working toward my weight goal and to complete two denim quilts. The quilts will be done by the time school starts, but I won't reach my weight goal for a while, the earliest by the end of this year.
I've just barely started weaning Samantha, and it's really tough so far. I can't tell if she hates the sippy cup or what's in it, but I am determined to get "my body" back. Breastfeeding is great, but I'm done with it after nearly 5 years. I want her weaned by the time she turns 1, so we are on track for that whether she likes it or not. The first few days are always rough.
James met with people to sell one gun before and one after the reunion. It worked out great, and he was able to buy one better gun from the money he got (and then some).
Since it's the almost last week of summer, I took the kids to the splash park in Naples. They all loved it except for Lewis. He wouldn't get anywhere near the water! I thought he would have changed his mind since last year, but nope. Samantha even crawled out into the water for a little while.
I had a bit of a rough week without having quite enough to do. I decided to start working toward my weight goal and to complete two denim quilts. The quilts will be done by the time school starts, but I won't reach my weight goal for a while, the earliest by the end of this year.
I've just barely started weaning Samantha, and it's really tough so far. I can't tell if she hates the sippy cup or what's in it, but I am determined to get "my body" back. Breastfeeding is great, but I'm done with it after nearly 5 years. I want her weaned by the time she turns 1, so we are on track for that whether she likes it or not. The first few days are always rough.
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Staycation, Pioneer Day
The girls and I had a really fun staycation (mostly mermaid-themed). Some things we did:
library activity
reading mermaid books
mermaid art
playing Barbies
bubble bath
"oyster" cookies from Nilla wafers and chocolate pearls
dinner at Denny's
shopping
yard saling
sewing Barbie clothes
making/wearing mermaid shorts and a skirt
It was hard to sleep alone, and I ate way too much ice cream, but it was a fun time. Katie really needed the one-on-one time. She only had one small meltdown the entire time, which was great!
I didn't love Pioneer Day. I never love holidays that are just one day. I somehow forget that I don't really get holidays anyway, so when I have to do all my normal stuff, it feels a lot like drudgery. We tried going on a drive to get some wildlife pictures, but I got a little carsick on the dirt roads. The kids were also whiny and irritating, and at one point I really didn't know where we were. We kept trying to get back to the main road, but none of the shortcuts worked out, which was really frustrating and cost us extra time. Oh well. I got to sort of relax during the afternoon.
A couple things have been really frustrating the past week. All of them together have made me irritable. 1. The stupid duvet cover keeps bunching up, and it's too warm. James wanted to try one instead of a quilt. I hate it. I want my quilt back. In the mean time, my sleep has suffered. 2. One of my eyes is dry, which means I have to wear glasses. I do like glasses, but I like having the choice of contacts, and right now I don't. 3. Lewis and Katie constantly fighting ever since he came home.* 4. Samantha is teething and grouchy. She's also not very gentle with nursing, so she leaves tooth marks on me and IT HURTS. But it takes effort to teach her to use a cup, and I haven't done that yet. 5. It's freaking hot outside. Though that is normal for this time of year, I don't like feeling sticky all the time. 6. I still feel fat and gross, even though my weight has been very stable for the past few months. It just bugs me that not all my clothes fit well yet.
I'll make it, though. Right now I feel like I'm in a rut, but what I really need are some new goals since I have already finished most of my summer projects. August 1st in in 1 week, so I'm going to get there! One more week or being lazy and eating whatever I want. :)
*Joseph and Kenny stayed in Rexburg. We get them back on Saturday at reunion in Heber.
library activity
reading mermaid books
mermaid art
playing Barbies
bubble bath
"oyster" cookies from Nilla wafers and chocolate pearls
dinner at Denny's
shopping
yard saling
sewing Barbie clothes
making/wearing mermaid shorts and a skirt
It was hard to sleep alone, and I ate way too much ice cream, but it was a fun time. Katie really needed the one-on-one time. She only had one small meltdown the entire time, which was great!
I didn't love Pioneer Day. I never love holidays that are just one day. I somehow forget that I don't really get holidays anyway, so when I have to do all my normal stuff, it feels a lot like drudgery. We tried going on a drive to get some wildlife pictures, but I got a little carsick on the dirt roads. The kids were also whiny and irritating, and at one point I really didn't know where we were. We kept trying to get back to the main road, but none of the shortcuts worked out, which was really frustrating and cost us extra time. Oh well. I got to sort of relax during the afternoon.
A couple things have been really frustrating the past week. All of them together have made me irritable. 1. The stupid duvet cover keeps bunching up, and it's too warm. James wanted to try one instead of a quilt. I hate it. I want my quilt back. In the mean time, my sleep has suffered. 2. One of my eyes is dry, which means I have to wear glasses. I do like glasses, but I like having the choice of contacts, and right now I don't. 3. Lewis and Katie constantly fighting ever since he came home.* 4. Samantha is teething and grouchy. She's also not very gentle with nursing, so she leaves tooth marks on me and IT HURTS. But it takes effort to teach her to use a cup, and I haven't done that yet. 5. It's freaking hot outside. Though that is normal for this time of year, I don't like feeling sticky all the time. 6. I still feel fat and gross, even though my weight has been very stable for the past few months. It just bugs me that not all my clothes fit well yet.
I'll make it, though. Right now I feel like I'm in a rut, but what I really need are some new goals since I have already finished most of my summer projects. August 1st in in 1 week, so I'm going to get there! One more week or being lazy and eating whatever I want. :)
*Joseph and Kenny stayed in Rexburg. We get them back on Saturday at reunion in Heber.
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Princess Party, Fishing, Separate Vacations, Weaning
James and I went to see the new Spiderman movie on Thursday. We really enjoyed it.
On Saturday, I took Katie to a princess party. A couple of girls in my ward are starting a business to do princess parties, but this one was free. Katie loved it! We had treats, danced, and did makeup. I mostly talked to the other moms because I'm not much of a princess myself. ;)
James went with Devin to look for crawdads on Saturday night, but no luck. For Scouts on Tuesday, Joseph went fishing, but no luck there either. Oh well. There are some brand new little ponds especially meant for kids right near our house.We might have to visit more when we get the chance.
James and the boys left today for Rexburg. I thought about going but decided against it this time. It will only be the 2nd trip they've done without me. The last time was 4 years ago when I painted and carpeted the house. This time, I'm not alone. The girls and I are doing a mermaid-themed staycation. We're starting today by going to the library activity for some mermaid books. Later, we're going to make a mermaid skirt. The girls already have mermaid shorts from the leftover fabric from the sheet/curtains/pillowcase.
It's time to start weaning Samantha really soon! I've determined that I am going to lose this last 25 lbs. by my next birthday. I've really been "stuck" (or not trying) since my last birthday, so I've stayed the same for almost 4 months now. That is okay! I've realized that getting over my issues is THE most important thing to do before I can really let go of this extra poundage. I don't have any weight left from Samantha; this is all from Lewis. However, Lewis's birth and NICU stay left me traumatized for a while. I'm going to have to completely let go of it before I can let this weight go. It sounds silly, but I know that's what holding me back more than anything.
Did I mention that James is quitting mosquito abatement at the end of the season? I'm so excited! Two-ish more months to go!
On Saturday, I took Katie to a princess party. A couple of girls in my ward are starting a business to do princess parties, but this one was free. Katie loved it! We had treats, danced, and did makeup. I mostly talked to the other moms because I'm not much of a princess myself. ;)
James went with Devin to look for crawdads on Saturday night, but no luck. For Scouts on Tuesday, Joseph went fishing, but no luck there either. Oh well. There are some brand new little ponds especially meant for kids right near our house.We might have to visit more when we get the chance.
James and the boys left today for Rexburg. I thought about going but decided against it this time. It will only be the 2nd trip they've done without me. The last time was 4 years ago when I painted and carpeted the house. This time, I'm not alone. The girls and I are doing a mermaid-themed staycation. We're starting today by going to the library activity for some mermaid books. Later, we're going to make a mermaid skirt. The girls already have mermaid shorts from the leftover fabric from the sheet/curtains/pillowcase.
It's time to start weaning Samantha really soon! I've determined that I am going to lose this last 25 lbs. by my next birthday. I've really been "stuck" (or not trying) since my last birthday, so I've stayed the same for almost 4 months now. That is okay! I've realized that getting over my issues is THE most important thing to do before I can really let go of this extra poundage. I don't have any weight left from Samantha; this is all from Lewis. However, Lewis's birth and NICU stay left me traumatized for a while. I'm going to have to completely let go of it before I can let this weight go. It sounds silly, but I know that's what holding me back more than anything.
Did I mention that James is quitting mosquito abatement at the end of the season? I'm so excited! Two-ish more months to go!
Thursday, July 11, 2019
So Done With Summer
The title explains it all. We have run out of projects, it's started getting hot, and there is no end to the whining and fighting.
Send help!
On the bright side, this will be James's last year at mosquito abatement. We both thought it through, and we don't need the money. Also, we'd like to spend more time together in the summer. James is hardly ever home because of how much fogging he's had to do. When he is home, he's tired, and I don't blame him.
5 more weeks! We will make it through. Some days are just like that, even in Australia.
Send help!
On the bright side, this will be James's last year at mosquito abatement. We both thought it through, and we don't need the money. Also, we'd like to spend more time together in the summer. James is hardly ever home because of how much fogging he's had to do. When he is home, he's tired, and I don't blame him.
5 more weeks! We will make it through. Some days are just like that, even in Australia.
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Wedding, Baby Blessing, Anniversary, 4th
Everything went smoothly with the wedding on Friday. I don't know if I mentioned that James's cousin married my sister's best friend's sister from NC. It's a small world when you're a member of the Church. We hung out at Aunt Michelle's house before the luncheon, then checked into our Airbnb before the reception. It was a really nice place to stay, even though the AC wasn't working 100%. It was really clean and had an awesome view of Utah Lake.
The reception was really nice. I crashed afterward while James watched TV.
Saturday morning, we went to the Museum of Natural Curiosity in Lehi, then had lunch at a place called Slapfish. It was delicious! Mara, Ricky, and baby Emma were able to join us. Right after, we went to Cabela's, then to Mara's to swim and play in the splash pad. After that, we got some stuff at IKEA and had dinner there. Whew! We definitely crammed a little too much in one day. Lewis and Samantha were extra cranky by this time, but it did make bedtime a lot easier. Mara, Ricky, and Carmel came over to play a game. I loved getting to snuggle Emma since Samantha was already in bed. I never really got the chance with my other nieces because I either already had a baby or they lived far away at the time.
Sunday morning, we went to Mara's and took some pictures. We enjoyed a nice brunch, went to Emma's blessing, and then traveled home. It was mostly without incident, except that Katie threw up in the car. Ugh. We never had an issue with this until about 2 years ago, and now someone always gets sick. I hate it.
We got dinner and dessert for our 10th anniversary last night! I'm sad that our babysitter is going to be leaving soon for a job in another city. She has been really great.
The rest of the week has been spent catching up, mostly. The kids are starting to get bored of summer, and we're only halfway through. I still can't believe we've made it that far. No one can agree if they want to go to the parade or not, but we at least have a few small projects to keep us busy today.
Speaking of projects, I made my own doll dress pattern based on a dress of Katie's that we love. If it works out well, I'm going to post in on my new blog. I'm crossing my fingers, because it took a lot of math and measuring to try to figure it out.
The reception was really nice. I crashed afterward while James watched TV.
Saturday morning, we went to the Museum of Natural Curiosity in Lehi, then had lunch at a place called Slapfish. It was delicious! Mara, Ricky, and baby Emma were able to join us. Right after, we went to Cabela's, then to Mara's to swim and play in the splash pad. After that, we got some stuff at IKEA and had dinner there. Whew! We definitely crammed a little too much in one day. Lewis and Samantha were extra cranky by this time, but it did make bedtime a lot easier. Mara, Ricky, and Carmel came over to play a game. I loved getting to snuggle Emma since Samantha was already in bed. I never really got the chance with my other nieces because I either already had a baby or they lived far away at the time.
Sunday morning, we went to Mara's and took some pictures. We enjoyed a nice brunch, went to Emma's blessing, and then traveled home. It was mostly without incident, except that Katie threw up in the car. Ugh. We never had an issue with this until about 2 years ago, and now someone always gets sick. I hate it.
We got dinner and dessert for our 10th anniversary last night! I'm sad that our babysitter is going to be leaving soon for a job in another city. She has been really great.
The rest of the week has been spent catching up, mostly. The kids are starting to get bored of summer, and we're only halfway through. I still can't believe we've made it that far. No one can agree if they want to go to the parade or not, but we at least have a few small projects to keep us busy today.
Speaking of projects, I made my own doll dress pattern based on a dress of Katie's that we love. If it works out well, I'm going to post in on my new blog. I'm crossing my fingers, because it took a lot of math and measuring to try to figure it out.
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