An auntie once again!

I can't believe I forgot to mention this. I have a new nephew! Kimberly and Joe welcomed baby #2 on the 28th. Joseph is such a beautiful little boy. Alisa will be a great big sister. That makes a total of 18 cousins for my kids. Plus 2 are coming next month and another in June! I love all my nieces and nephews!

Teeth are a pain!!!

I think I may have neglected to mention that Amy cut her first molar last week (that's tooth #9!). On the 23rd - right before the surgery. She'd had a runny nose for a few days, then it all made sense. She has continued to have a horrible runny nose, and that other molar STILL hasn't popped through. It is so close. Amazingly since my surgery she's has 3 or 4 wonderful nights of sleep. Last night wasn't one of them. She woke at 12:30 am, and instead of kicking Aaron out of bed like I have been all week, I decided I could find her lost binky and get her back to sleep. That worked pretty well. I stayed on the floor for a few minutes. And later heard the binky drop after she was sound asleep. I searched around for it so it would be easier to find later, but I couldn't find it, and I can't crawl on my belly to look for it either. So I just went back to bed. At 3:00 am she woke up again. Knowing I couldn't find the binky, I made Aaron get up He was having trouble finding it, so I turned on the hall light to help. He found it, but by then she was so upset, she wouldn't take it. I thought maybe I could help. She quieted when I came in, and laid down when I asked her to, but got up and cried when I tried to leave. So I stayed for a while. I don't think Aaron or I ever fell asleep.

At 3:45 I went back to bed, but I never fell alseep. She woke again at 4:15, and would not got back to sleep. Aaron eventually came back to bed, to try to get some sleep, and I tried to calm her down. She wouldn't calm down for me either. I eventually went out on the couch, so I wouldn't wake Aaron climbing back into bed, and listened to her cry herself to sleep. It was about 5:00 when I went back into my bed. I must have fallen asleep, because I had a very strange dream. By 5:30 she was awake and crying again. Aaron suggested it might be her tooth - why didn't I think of that?!!! I went back in there, and gave her some infant drops. She did quiet down, but didn't really sleep, and neither did I. I had a terrific headache. She cried off and on and at 6:30 when her crying was waking up Timothy I asked Aaron to take her out of her crib and hoped she'd snuggle with me on the couch. After a couple minutes she did settle down and we both fell asleep until 7:30.

Aaron went to work for a few hours this morning, so I got up swallowed some Tylenol and took a shower before he left. Since she's been fighting her naps so much I decided not to give her a nap this morning. It's now after lunch, and she's starting to get whiny. I think by 1:00 she'll be ready for a nap. I hope she sleeps for 3 hours, I certainly want to!

Getting out of the house

Today was the first day I got out of the house since the surgery (well except for the trip to the lab on Christmas day - but that doesn't really count does it?) Aaron was going to take all the kids shopping. I decided to come with them and split up the work. We started with Christmas Clearance as Target. It went to 75% off today. We found some great deals, but after 45 minutes of walking around I needed a break. Next stop was dropping off donations at Deseret Industries! It was nice to get rid of a lot of stuff. We even gave away our old fake Christmas tree. We plan on cutting our own tree again next year - and in the years to come, so it didn't make sense to keep the 6 ft - really 5 ft - tree.

The boys agreed to this shopping trip because they really wanted to buy something at the Dollar Store. So I dropped Aaron and Amy off at the grocery store, while I took the boys to the dollar store (where they got some really cheap foam dart guns that probably won't last a week), and then to Grocery Outlet - love that place! Aaron was just about done when we arrived in the parking lot, perfect. He used a ton of coupons and ended up getting $99 worth of groceries for $32! Actually after the store discounts it was really only $45, but we still saved $13 with coupons. We are stocked up on cereal and crackers and cheese for a while.

Then it was time to head home. I was tired. Amy too. She took a nap - I didn't. Aaron took down the Christmas lights today, and we finally got all of the Christmas decorations put away. Oh, I forgot to post pics of our new ornaments. I didn't get pics of the ones my sis Eva sent the kids, but I do have ones of the new White House ornament - from my Aunt and Uncle in VA and one we got in a gift basket from one of the interview trips.



Aaron also started going through all of his papers in our room and in the office. He's almost done, but he took a break to take the kids to the Science Museum. But I still need to work on the budget and other things. So I'd better get back to work.

Ahem

Playing with the snake David gave Timothy for Christmas

Amy's new way of getting attention:
Amy: Ahem (kind of sounds like uh-hum)
Me: Yes Amy?
Amy: Dat! (as she point to what she wants)
If I guess right she will nod her head emphatically. More often than not she wants either a) butter b) a cookie or c) salad dressing.

Other new things:
She is getting good at going down the stairs backward. I still don't trust her to do it by herself. Since I can't carry her down the stairs she has complied with our requests to "turn around", and we guide her down. Usually I have to put her hands on the step, since she wants to take the step without using her hands.
"Ot" is now used for three words: "light", "hot" and "write".
She loves to write on paper, and she usually sticks to paper. I've been playing with my handheld electronic Sodoku game my sis gave me for Christmas a few years back. Amy thinks it's great to write with the stylus. She even knows how to take it out and put it back, not that she always does though.

In other news David did the dishes today! Aaron asked him to help with the dishes, and eventually Aaron let David take over. Way to go David!

And a picture of Timothy for good measure!

Being silly before bedtime last night

Progress

I'm making progress in my recovery. I can now kneel on the floor without hurting - getting up is another thing. I can also lay down and get up from laying down by myself. I can also roll onto my left side - the right side has the incisions. I can go up and down the stairs although, slowly. I'm still not allowed to lift things, so I can't get Amy into her high chair or crib. I got through yesterday without a nap. I went a little overboard on the sweets yesterday and I'm paying for it today. I woke up with a headache - probably from all the sugar. And my tummy is a bit upset, probably from too many fatty foods, like chocolate, cookies and ham.

We are also progressing with our winter cleaning. Yesterday Aaron went through the play room with the boys, and threw away a lot of junk. Today we went through our storage and threw away more, and now have a huge give away pile. We have a very big garbage can since most everything is either recycled or put in yard waste. So we'll have to put an extra grocery bag or two of garbage in there every week until it's gone. I think the biggest project left is the office, and Aaron's corner of our room. There is a lot of paper that needs to be sorted through, new files to be made, paper to be recycled or shredded. Lots of publications that Aaron needs to decide which to read or keep. On my end there is a lot of scrapbook type stuff that I need to through and decide what to keep and where to put it. I haven't scrapbooked in a long time. And there's a lot of memorbilia just stashed away that needs to be organized. I'll have to get to that later.

Christmas videos and a picture I forgot

Timothy measuring things with his new measuring tape.

a video of the kids playing with the marble set


a video of Amy "putting away" the kitchen towels

Pictures from Christmas 2009

I finally ventured downstairs to get these pictures uploaded and resized so I can post them. Here is a bit of what we did this past week.

Playing Uno on the 23rd

Amy decided to empty the kitchen towels while I was making dinner on the 23rd.

Eating Christmas Eve dinner in front of the fire

Christmas morning before the kids woke up

Yeah, the kids are up - don't mind my post surgery frumpiness
that was pretty much where I stayed all day, unless I was in the bed.

Amy getting her doll ready for the stroller
(everyone in the pjs I made)

I think it's a hit!

My new shirt!

David very excited for his new Legos

Timothy excited even before he opened his present

Eventually kids did get dressed, and played with the marble maze set

David put together his Legos behind the couch, so that's the best picture I could get since I couldn't turn around.

Amy opening her present from Auntie Eva

Yesterday we again got out the marble maze set, and put it together

Amy throwing a fit for some reason

Pretty cool!

She's not asleep, but she did think the box was a great place to play, jump on, and climb on.

I'll have to post some videos later

Christmas Day 2009

I'd have to say, this Christmas was much better than last year, although just about as laid back. Last year we were snowed in and spent 4 hours in the hospital. This year I got tired of waiting for the kids to wake up. Aaron and I went out on the couch and I had some cereal so I could take my meds. Eventually the kids woke up, close to 7:00 am! I guess after staying up too late with excitement they were too tired to get up. They rifled through their stockings, and opened presents from Santa. Amy got a new doll stroller - which she loves. David got a new Lego set (with 1,154 pieces - he reminds us often). And Timothy got a marble maze set. After a breakfast of Capn' Crunch for the kids we headed over to the hospital. I had to do some labs because of the unexpected stones in the bile duct. We were gone less than an hour, and parking was free for the holiday! All results are normal, no other procedure is needed!

When we got back, we started on the presents from family. We needed a break at one point because Amy needed a nap and I needed to rest and take more meds. So the kids played with what they had opened already, An hour or so later we resumed opening presents. We had to stop again when it was time for the Christmas dinner at the church. Aaron took the kids while I stayed home and rested. I discovered that as long as I was propped up sitting on the bed I could get up if I needed to. I had a phone nearby, along with the computer and things to read etc. But mostly I napped, and watched Miracle on 34th Street on hulu - thanks Sara! After the dinner the kids finished playing with their toys. and eventually all the presents were opened.

I don't even know how to recount the highlights. The boys got a LOT of books, a few games, art supplies, cars, and some clothes. Amy got a Fisher Price sea horse that glows and plays soothing lullabies - she loves it! She just hugs it and rocks back and forth to the music. She got some books, movies, a little ball that she loves, a handmade doll blanket, and new pajamas. The boys also loved the money they got $3 -$1 from 3 of their aunts. Aaron got some new flies for fishing, new socks, pajamas, candy and books. I got a new BYU shirt, just what I asked for, some shirts (I had picked out), books, chocolate - I'll have to eat it slowly over the next few weeks, warm fuzzy socks from David, new measuring spoons from Timothy, and a beautiful new necklace from Aaron.

I made pajama bottoms for everyone this year, in addition to getting some at the store - everyone needed new ones. Everyone got some candy, and a clementine in their stocking. We had a nice relaxing day, with only a few squabbles. Mostly when it was time to clean up and put things away. Aaron and I played one of the new games after the kids went to bed.

I am healing pretty well. I don't have to take my meds as often, and I'm able to get up and walk around a lot. I am still careful not to lift anything, and Aaron refuses to let me help with dishes, or cleanup or anything. At least I can still do Amy's hair, and snuggle with a kid by my side. Hopefully within a week I'll be back to normal with the exception of the lifting restrictions. I might not be able to leave to house if I can't get Amy in and out of her seat. We'll see. I'm just so blessed to have a wonderful family, a husband who is taking great care of me and the family, and friends who are bringing dinner, and helping with the kids. It's a great reminder of the Spirit of Christ, and his example to all of us.

Oh, and pictures later, when I get them off the camera.

Christmas Eve

I'm not sure where to begin. The last few days have been a whirlwind of event. I guess I'll start with the surgery and see how far I get. Thursday morning came early for Aaron and I. I showered at 4:35 am. The first babysitter arrived at 5:10 am. We showed him a round a bit and then headed for the hospital. We arrived right at 5:30 - check-in time. I was surprised at the line of people checking in. I had brought things to read, but for some reason wasn't really in the mood to read - or perhaps I was just tired. Aaron and I got called into the pre-op area around 6:30. After meeting several people who asked me the same questions over and over again, they finally got the IV started. The nursed joked about giving me a gin and tonic - the anti-anxiety, anti-nausea meds. I told her I wouldn't know what that was like. Although after a minute I felt very relaxed, and apparently got a really goofy grin on my face as I said, "Oh, I see." And that's the last thing I remember. I don't remember going into the OR or meeting my surgeon or anything.

The next thing I remember is opening my eyes, with everything all blurry, and wondering whether they'd done the surgery or not. The nursed asked if I could move my feet, and my head and I did so. Then they asked me if I wanted Aaron to come in, and I said yes. Within a few minutes he was there, and I was starting to get cold. I loved the hot air bear hug blanket. As I became more aware of things I found out what had happened while I was out. I didn't get into surgery until about 8:15, after the initial x-ray they discovered 3 stones that were in the bile duct. They had to "milk" those back into the gall bladder before they removed it. So I was under about 3 hours, rather than the expected 1 1/2 hours.

There was also a complication with a babysitter. One of the moms ended up with a sick kid. I have such wonderful friends, they worked it out between themselves and didn't need to call Aaron at all. The boys went over to where Amy was and then all three went to the same place in the afternoon. It made for a much easier pick up for Aaron. I still don't know the details about how everyone got where they went and if the timing worked for everyone, but I no one complained, they just took care of it.

I was a little dizzy the first time I tried to sit and stand. But after some cranberry juice and applesauce and another hour I was able to get up and walk around. The nurse asked if I wanted to go home, or if I wanted to get checked into a room, and be discharged later. I figured if I was able to walk why not just go home. So we got the orders, signed the papers, and headed home around 3:00 pm. Amy was still napping, so the kids stayed with their friends a little longer. I got settled into my bed, and Aaron went to get the kids around 4:30. Aaron had made dinner, but our former Relief Society President insisted that we come get some dinner from her. So Aaron took Amy with him to pick up the food. We all had plenty to eat, though I stuck to a few basic things so I wouldn't make myself sick.

I pretty much slept Christmas Eve away. I rested on the couch while the kids acted out a little nativity pagent and Aaron read from Luke 2. But I went to bed at 7:30 - before the kids. I woke at 9:00 to take more meds, and to help Aaron get the presents ready for the morning - I didn't get out of bed, just directed him from the bed.

Christmas morning - the first present I got was the realization that Amy had slept until 5:00 am! Aaron went in the give her the binky, and she fell asleep again. However I couldn't sleep anymore. My back ached from not be able to move all night. My meds had worn off, so my shoulders ached and my incisions were sore. After Aaron gave me my meds I still couldn't sleep. So eventually we moved out onto the couch and waited for the kids to wake up. Now I am getting a little tired, so I'll have to finish this post another time.

Getting ready

I feel like I've been so busy, lately. I'm sure most of you feel like that too. Here's a rundown of our activities that last few days:
Sunday:

• Church
• hometeaching for Aaron
• Dinner
• my knee started hurting
  
• early night
  

Monday:

• woke up with my knee still hurting
  
• cleaned
• visited Valerie and Christian
• the boys watched Disney channel while Valerie and I talked
• Amy ate too many cookies ;)
• had a great lunch and got to say hi to Christian as he came in and out
• stopped by the post office on the way home
• Amy kept running away and David was chasing her - I got out of there as fast as I could and said "That was fun" as I left - another customer laughed.
• I was grateful to be able to use the Express Lanes on the way down and on the way back. I will not miss traffic here when we move.
  
• Doubled my spaghetti sauce recipe so I could freeze some for next week, or whenever we need to have a quick meal.
• Went to a party hosted by some R1s house sitting a huge house on the Lake. The Christmas ships docked right outside, by the yacht club. It was fun to see all the boats covered in lights, and hear the choir. However it was quite windy and cold, so we didn't last long on the balcony.
  
• We enjoyed yummy food, ping pong, and David and another guest had a couple of great games of Jenga.
• Amy was intimidated by the dogs for some reason. Usually she loves dogs.
• Got home really late

Tuesday

• Knee still bothering me - Aaron says I probably strained my patellar tendon. He also said my warranty must have expired. I would have to agree.
• Went grocery shopping with all 3 kids - not so fun.
  
• No one called for co-op - good thing because I didn't quite make it back by 9:30.
• I finally got all the babysitting worked out for tomorrow.
• cleaned the kitchen
• Amy refused an afternoon nap.
  
• Made stuffed green peppers and froze them for a later meal.
• Made dinner
• started listening to the BYU - Oregon State game
• ate dinner while listening to the game
• cleaned up after dinner
• discovered that Amy cut her first molar - so that's what the runny nose is all about! The second one looks like it will follow soon.
• Got a call from my parents - how did I forget to tell them what day I was having the surgery?
  
• During halftime our home teacher came over to assist Aaron with a blessing for me. We didn't plan the timing that way, it just worked out since the first half wassooo long!
• Finished listening to the game while giving kids baths and reading to them (we turned it off for scriptures and prayers).
• Celebrated BYU's win over Oregon State. Hooray go cougs!
  

overnight

• David woke up about 12:30 am in pain. He hurt his foot a few days ago trying to climb on the top bunk (without using the ladder). The pain woke him up, and he couldn't walk on it. Uh-oh. I gave him ibuprofen and let him sleep on the couch.
• Soon after I got back into bed Amy wakes up. When I try to give her the binky she spits it out and acts like it is yucky. Like a hair on it, or something, she keeps wiping her mouth and spitting. It took a few minutes for her to finally settle down.
• I decide to take some acetaminophen for my knee since I am up.
  

Wednesday (so far)

• Dr. Daddy says David's foot isn't broken, probably strained. David isn't complaining about it, just limping about.
• got my pre-anesthesia call. Surgery still scheduled for early tomorrow. They'll confirm it this afternoon. That should mean I don't have to stay overnight.
• Ran to a couple of stores this morning - again with 3 kids - not so fun.
• paid some bills
  
• The boys have been playing card games together for the past few days, only a few have ended in tears. It's been great. They really want me to play with them. So I take a break from all my "stuff"
• Lunch

The plan for tonight is to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" during dinner, and get everything ready for the babysitters for tomorrow. You'll hear from me some time later. Not sure when. So Merry Christmas if I don't post before then!

fun, crazy and busy week!

This week has been very busy. Besides the normal household stuff, I did a lot of shopping, and spending time at the kids' school. Tuesday morning I babysat for co-op. Tuesday night I got to go to a baby shower. It feels like it's been forever since I have been to a social event, especially without Amy, or having to rush back to feed her. It seem all the activities I want to attend are on nights where Aaron has meetings, scouts, or works late or overnight. So Tuesday was a lot of fun. I had to be careful not to eat too much and risk having gall bladder pain. On the way home from work that night Aaron had picked up some flowers for me. I love it when he surprises me like that!

While I was at the baby shower he took some pictures of Amy.

Flower in her hair

With the Santa hat on

Wednesday morning was my surgery appointment, and Wednesday night was the Winter Music Concert at the school. It was for just for 2nd and 3rd graders, and the cafeteria was packed with families. My camera didn't take very good pictures from far away, and I couldn't leave the kids to take some closer shots (Aaron was at scouts). So here's the best of what I got.

Timothy loved looking at the program and telling us what song was next.

There are the 2nd graders up on the stage. I had a hard time spotting David in the crowd at first. After several kids waved to their parents, rather than continually trying to stop the kids the music director told the kids all to wave to their parents What a great idea! They sang about 8 songs. Very cute. I got a few video clips, I'll see if I get around to uploading them, probably a later post though. I was worried it was going to be a very long concert, however it was about 5 minutes to 7:00 when it was time for the 3rd graders to start, so we stuck around, and I'm glad we did. They did a great job, and I got to see my friend's daughter do a solo on the last song. She sang an entire verse alone, and was awesome!

Amy entertained everyone around with her cute hat, and dancing on the table.

Thursday I began my cookie baking. Gingersnaps, peanut butter cookies, and then sugar cookies. Timothy's class was having a little party at 3:00, and I volunteered to bring the plates. Luckily Amy went down for an early nap, and was up in time to come. We presented his teacher, and her ever present husband, with a matted card that the kids had all signed. Mrs. M* got all teary eyed, and we hadn't even given her the gift card yet! Mr. M* takes care of the garden, and we gave him a set of kid's gardening tools, and garden buckets for the kids to help with the gardening. It was great to be part of that. Then we let the kids gets some great treats - cookies, chips, fruit, and juice. And of course there was plenty for the parents and Amy too. Amy had way too many cookies that day. The party went so long I had to leave Timothy there and pick up David and come back. When we got home from school we rolled out and cut out the sugar cookies. The kids helped for about 10 minutes, and then they were done. So I finished the rest. After dinner we all got to frost some cookies. After the kids went to bed I made the fudge.

Friday - the last day before winter break. Timothy got to stay all day since it was an early release day. That helped me get my Skor bar chocolate chip cookies done. It was nice not to have to rush through lunch to pick up Timothy. When I did pick up the kids I brought a plate of goodies for David's teacher, and some to share with my friends. Mostly they ate the fudge - can you blame them? I was surprised by the will power of some of them, as they politely refused. One had just come from a work party, but others knew there were way too many goodies going around! Amy hadn't napped yet because of the early release time, so I quickly got her home for her nap. While the kids played, I dipped the preztels in white dipping chocolate and put fun sprinkles on them.


After dinner we assembled the plates, wrapped them and put tags on them. We delivered some of them last night and some today. Tonight we went inside to visit with the last 2 houses we delivered to. It was a great way to spend the evening, visiting with friends. We still have a few more plates to give out tomorrow. I wish I had the time and money to give out more.

Aaron is working tonight. He was on float call (back-up) yesterday and today, and last night was told he needed to work tonight. It's just overnight, so at least he got to spend the day with us, and will be home in time for church - but who knows if he'll get any sleep. He's also on float call on Monday. Those are all calls he traded into so that he could be home to take care of things here after my surgery, so I am very grateful to him! I have to best husband!!! And he has a real job now, that will pay above the poverty level!!! 6 more months!!! Then he can take call at home.

And the winners are...

My sister Becca- yes I know she won last year, but it was a fair drawing! And Jenny R. from my Wymount days! I think I neglected to mention that I was choosing two winners. But there you go! They goodies are all packaged and ready to go. Now I just need your addresses! Enjoy!

Last chance...

to enter my goodie giveaway. Either comment on this post or this one and you'll be entered to win. Drawing is tomorrow!

I've been waiting...

...to make this announcement. After a couple of weeks, of reading contracts, negotiating, and praying, Tuesday Aaron mailed his signed contract!!! Since I'm a little paranoid about giving out specific information, I'll just tell you that I'll be surrounded by orchards. Aaron's job is in a small town near a reservation, and we'll be living in a smaller town on the other side of the freeway, about 20 minutes from a larger city that will have all of our shopping needs. We'll be about an hour away from the temple. We are excited about the job. He'll be working at a Farm Worker's Clinic, and there will be lots of opportunities to use his Spanish. We've already met the Bishop of the ward, and we saw the new chapel that is being built in town - it should be ready in April.

We'll be moving sometime next July. It will be nice to have a few weeks off, to vacation and move. But not so much time that we'll be worried about waiting for our first paycheck. If you really want to know the name of the city you can email me or message me on Facebook.

Surgery Consult revisited

When we tried to schedule my surgery with Dr. F* he didn't have any openings until February. We asked if there was another surgeon who could do it earlier, say before the end of the year. I was told there were two other surgeons that might be able to squeeze me in. So I was put on a waiting list of sorts. I got a call last week, saying that Dr. P* had an opening on the 24th, and my consult with him would be scheduled for the 16th (yesterday). Not really ideal with the 24th being Christmas Eve, but what else can I do? I'd rather not wait until next year, because it would be at least March when Aaron could ask for some time off. Aaron has four days off for Christmas, and now has 8 days after switching a bunch of calls. So it seems as though I'll be spending this Christmas much like last year - at the hospital and on the couch. I just hope they get it done early enough in the day, that I can still go home. Otherwise hopefully the kids won't hate me if they have to wait until I get home on Christmas morning to open presents. Now I just have to figure out what to do with the kids while Aaron and I are at the hospital.

Gingerbread houses

Saturday after dinner we decorated our gingerbread houses. Aaron does the big one - with real gingerbread and the boys each get their own graham cracker house. I was put on the camera/icing for the boys/feed Amy marshmallows so she doesn't scream, duty. It was a lot of fun.

Someone gave Amy a spearmint gumdrop. It was a little spicy for her.

Timothy's creation

David's creation

The back side of David's

Back side of Timothy's

Aaron's masterpiece

l

David insisted on a family shot on Sunday afternoon

Cleaning House

It's really funny what my kids think is clean. I told David we were going to clean downstairs after I got Amy dressed this morning. When I was done he said, "It's all clean". I came down stairs and saw this:




Granted the middle of the carpet was picked up. However after we worked -mostly together -at it it was much improved. Still not perfect, but acceptable. Now for all of you neat freaks out there - I am not one, and this will probably make you laugh that I think this is clean. Like I said improved not perfect. And it is the play room not the family room. But I'm tired and it's almost lunch time.





As I look at the pictures, I see a few things out of place (a game, a magazine, a backpack etc.) that I now feel compelled to move. I wonder if there will ever be a time that the whole house will be clean at one time!