January 2013

This has officially been the longest month of my entire life.  No joke.  Since we left Arizona on December 28th or so, someone in our family has been sick.  Like stay-in-your-house-and-don't-share-the-germs sick.  It's getting a little old.  The past three weeks have been at least 3 of of sick at once and as of this past Sunday, all four of us were seriously down for the count.  Now the boys are on the up while mom and dad try to finish up flu and ear infections.  I'm ready to be in the real world again.  The weather is a joke.  There's something not right about running errands in 5 and 9 degree weather!  We've been hibernating and cooped up and playing more games than I can count.  When the weather finally gets good we are going to have to do some serious television/video game rehab.  But what else do I do?  TV has been our best friend lately.  I'm so excited to see our bikes again.  And the park.  And our friends.

I've hit the 29-week mark with the pregnancy and that makes me feel like I'm getting closer.  I am itching to get down in the crawl space and wash clothes and organize a baby boy closet.  And I keep thinking about a twin bed for McKay so I can put the crib back together.  There's something about a crib set up to the highest setting for that brand new baby that does it for me.  I'm excited.  Although just yesterday I had my first sad thought of leaving these snuggly days with my two boys behind me.  I remember feeling exactly the same way with Gavin - that I thought I would never be able to be alone with just him ever again once McKay was born.  But of course, we found our 'new normal' and everything was right in the world once again.  I'm know the same thing will happen again.  But the vision of my two boys - one on each side of me - has been in my head and I wonder how and where this third child will fit in.  He will.  But I am so grateful for these two little boys who will now be the big boys - for the time that I've been able to spend with them.  As parents, I can see one of us taking the baby while the other takes the other two, since they go so well together.  It will all work out.  But three kids...wow.  I keep wondering what that will be like for us!

Gavin has missed a load of preschool days this month.  He's finally back to school and McKay takes a breath of fresh air once we drop him off and he knows he gets his time with mom.  They do love each other, but McKay really thrives on that one-on-one time and behaves like a different kid.  I think he is a total cutie lately and find myself saying "Isn't he cute?" more often than "Isn't he a little monster?"  (Because let's be honest, McKay - you have been quite a piece of work...)

And - oh yes!  In our hibernating month McKay was finally potty trained!  We started on Dec 31 and have had two pee accidents total.  Here's to three months of a diaper-free world.  I don't know why a kid peeing and pooping on the toilet gets me to scream and squeal and dance, but it does.  And pinching those undie buns is about my very favorite thing in this world.

Had a few fun weekend get-a-ways with friends this month.  I was sick both times (obviously), but I've gotta say - I love good friends and am grateful for all of the wonderful people in my life.

For the record - Funny things the boys say these days: (McKay says them too because he's learning from Gavin)
freckles = frackles
chopsticks = chapsticks
sheriff = sherliff
piano = pliano (Gavin just let go of this word recently...kinda made me sad!)
ambulance = ambleeance (also a word he recently figured out)

And that's a wrap.  January 2013 - I'm pretty much over you.  I don't like feeling gloomy and sad and sick.  Looking forward to better days in February!

Back in Business

Okay - so I've been hiding.  For a few reasons, but apparently some people actually want to read this sometimes, so I'm caving.

You may see a whole lotta crazy in the last few months on here, but I'm just keeping it real.  The reason behind me going private was because of a comment that someone made about what I was writing about that bugged me enough to say, "Fine.  I don't care if you read it anyway."  I sure showed them, didn't I?!  :)  And the truth is that I'm not interested in having a blog with the most traffic or comments or whatever.  I just want to write about my life and keep it all - the good, the really good, and some of the bad and buggy - recorded for posterity.

I just want to write about what I want to write about and not worry about what other people are going to say or think.  So just be nice to me.  I am usually good about letting things just roll off my back, but these days it's a little harder.  I'm working on it.

And so I've said my peace.  Goodness - I sound sassy.  And depressed.  But I'm really ok.  Just pregnant is all...so that pretty much explains everything, right?

St. George getaway

It's a lucky thing to have a free condo at our fingertips. We are very grateful. The four of us headed down to southern UT to escape the snow and have a minute away. Highlights included McKay's first totally successful movie theater viewing at Wreck-it Ralph, 2-on-2 basketball, and swimming at Sand Hollow. The boys were feeling a little cabin fever, but a change of scenery is never a bad idea...

Halloween Festivities - Star Wars Style

The Halloween party at Grandma's is always a hit. She doesn't leave one detail undone. A parade, Games, prizes for everyone, dinner, cookie decorating - the kids loved it.

After the party, Brian and I went to a couples party at Justin and Lindy's house. It was a blast. We always have a great time with this group of friends.

Halloween night the boys sat patiently waiting for us to finish getting ready.  The weather could not have been better.  We had a great night and I tried to watch closely and soak in the cuteness.  Brian and I realized that this year the boys were at the perfect ages - in their prime.  They were excited, they were grateful, they were happy, they stayed close to us.  It was perfect.  I asked McKay if he would hold my hand and he said, "No, Mom, I gotta wun."  And off he ran.  He ate a piece of candy at pretty much every house and didn't have much by the time we got back.  Gavin showed me his loot periodically and came home with a haul he was proud of.  He ate the entire thing the next day and paid for it that night with a few hours of throwing up.

Potty Training

So although those are cute buns, this potty training episode was a fail. Neither of us were ready. We'll try again when I am patient and McKay is willing...

Our Day Today

The boys are playing so nice right now.  The house is quiet except for the sound of McKay and Gavin talking quietly (a miracle!) to each other and the fire engine going across the floor.  It's going to be a good day.

Yesterday I woke up grumpy as can be.  I don't know what my deal is, but I am feeling so impatient and irrational.  It comes and goes, but it's getting old.

This week is 15 weeks pregnant - glad to get the first part over with.  My nausea is gone.  I am indeed getting bigger and the hormones are still raging.  We will get a gift that is totally worth it in the end, but man, this feels long sometimes.

Gavin is saying so many funny things.  I've been meaning to write them down.  I have been keeping this list since last month...

When we were at Bear Lake for the Snedigar reunion Gavin was sitting on the beach indian style for quite awhile.  He turned to Brian and said, "Dad, my foot feels like a pretend foot."  We have laughed and laughed about that one.

I asked Gavin if he was ready to eat.  He said, "Mom, I'll let you know when I'm hungriling."  I think that meant his stomach was grumbling.

On the first day of preschool I was picking out his clothes.  He said, "Mom, that is cute - not cool.  I'm going to be the only one who doesn't look cool."  I didn't know he was aware of 'coolness' but apparently he's pretty concerned about it and what the four-year-olds at preschool thing.  Oh dear.

A few weeks ago he was eating his oatmeal or cereal or something for breakfast.  He was pretty sincere when he slowly said, "Sugar is the BEST!"

Gavin has been really into drawing.  On paper and the magnetic sketch board.  Just a few days ago Gavin and I had this conversation:
Gavin: Mom, can you draw me a sweet picture.
Me: Like what?
Gavin: I don't know.
Me: Like candy?
Gavin: No.  Like a flower or Darth Vadar.

He's cute.  And a good boy.

Random Thoughts on a Friday Night

Brian is off camping with his friends so the boys and I went up to Melinda's for dinner and a movie.

1. The last three days I have felt better than I have in a long time.  There is something to be said for productivity.  Cleaning out closets, wiping baseboards.  Who is this person???  I have missed her.

2. Potty training is the worst.  If McKay poops in his pants one more time I may slit my wrists.  Not really, but I don't remember it being this hard with Gavin.  We are so so so close.  I need to stay focused and pay attention so I can get this kid on the pot in time.  Tomorrow.

3. I am a little nervous at the thought of packing up this house so we can stay at the parent's while they are on a mission.  I hope we can find great renters.

4. I fall asleep and wake up thinking about details of Enrichment dinners.  I find that annoying.

5. I am going to finish up Papa's history.  I am struggling getting started.  I hope I really can do it and get it done sometime this year.

6. Could this baby possibly be a girl???