Finding Out

When I called to schedule my ultrasound several weeks ago, they were pretty adamant that I be 20 weeks before they see me. When I was pregnant with The Lime, I think I was about 18 weeks when I had my ultrasound. We were hoping to find out before Christmas but it didn't look like that would happen.

So we saved our biggest Christmas gift for the Monday after.

I'm a big baby when it comes to going to the bathroom and I absolutely hate the drinking at least 32 ounces of water prior to the appointment. The drinking part isn't bad, it's the pushing on my full bladder and holding the heck out of it, hoping I don't pee everywhere that I dread.

The technician had LaVor and The Lime wait until she got all of the measurements before she let them in the room, which translates to they were only there for the gender reveal. That's the most exciting part but I still would have liked for them to be with me for all of it.

LaVor and The Lime both guessed it was a boy but I was scared to death it was a girl. And while I would love our baby no matter what, I cried tears of joy when the technician announced we were adding another boy to our family. As horrible as it sounds, I actually think it was causing me extreme stress (I woke up with jaw pain the other day, possibly from clenching at night).

It's fun to now be able to address it as he and imagine what he and The Lime will be like growing up. The first thing The Lime said when we found out it was a boy was, "I can't wait until he gets a big belly and I can muscle him!" The Lime says he's muscling LaVor when he punches him in the stomach. If the baby is smart, he'll stay in my belly as long as he can.

Christmas 2013

LaVor had to work on Christmas Eve as did my brother-in-law, and my sister's sweet babe was sick so the Christmas Eve Breakfast crowd wasn't as large as it normally is.  Since there was a smaller group, we opted to go out for breakfast to Mel's Diner.

The Lime would not sit still (what a surprise) and refused to eat his breakfast...at first.  It took some coaxing to finally get him to take a bite.  Why is it that he'll eat eggs, bacon, and potatoes when LaVor makes them at home but refuses when we're out?  Who knows.

After breakfast, The Lime wanted to go to Target and Toys R' Us, two places that I refused to go near.  We had been the day before and both were crazy, I could only imagine the chaos that was taking place the day before Christmas.  I can't remember what we did the rest of the day, though.  At least up until I put The Lime down for a nap and I got my second migraine in five days.  Thankfully LaVor got off work early and I drugged myself up and went to bed, too.  My Christmas wish was that this migraine wouldn't end up like the last.  I woke up a few hours later feeling much better and was ready to check out the Christmas lights in our area.

One neighborhood a few minutes away had several homes that went all out.  They lined the sidewalks with lights and several families walked up and down the street admiring everything.  We opted to stay in the car and soak it all in with the heater on.

We then drove to the next town over, where everyone else and their mother ended up, too.  These lights were neat and nearly every house had some sort of character, light, or Christmas item in their front yard.  We loved seeing our favorites, Lightning McQueen & Mater, Chip N' Dale (or Chicken Dale like The Lime calls them), Robin Hood, Merida (for our niece/cousin), Ratatouille for me, Up!, and Mike & Sully.

We ate a late dinner of frozen pizza and Carl's Jr. (the only thing open on Christmas Eve) and LaVor read from the scriptures while The Lime acted the Nativity out with one of our sets.

The Lime then opened his new pajamas and instantly transformed into Superman. We had to reel him back in, set out the cookies and milk for Santa, and try to settle down before going to bed. I remember the excitement of going to bed on Christmas Eve and tossing and turning all night, waiting for even an ounce of sunlight to poke through my bedroom window. Most of the time, my sister and I would make our way into our older sister's bedroom and wait out the night together.

I decided to sleep on The Lime's floor to prevent any sneaking from taking place. He woke up once around 6:00 to go to the bathroom. The first thing out of his mouth was, "Did Santa come?!" Thankfully it was still dark outside so I could play dumb and say I wasn't sure. He slept for a couple more hours and then we were ready to see if Santa really came.

The second The Lime saw that he had come, and what he brought him, he said, "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! It's exactly what I wanted! Oh my gosh!" It was perfect and I caught the tail end of it on camera. He was so stinkin' excited and appreciative of everything.

The rest of the day was extremely relaxed and casual. My parents, grandma, brother-in-law, and niece joined us for dinner that night. Unfortunately, we started steaming the tamales way too late and they weren't ready in time. Fortunately, we had plenty of beans, chips, salsa, guacamole, and LaVor's delicious homemade rice to fill our bellies. We might go back to a menu that we know how to prepare for next year's dinner.

After dinner, the two kiddos opened presents from Omi and GrandPop while we Skyped with my sister who decided to stay home with the baby.

And just like that, Christmas was over for another year. It always seems so far away but then it's gone in a blink of an eye.

In addition to appreciating the birth of our Savior, his life, and sacrifice for us, I was grateful for the time we were able to spend together as a family this year. LaVor was able to take several days off and The Lime and I just ate up having him around 24/7. It doesn't happen often but we're grateful when it does.

One Cent

My fascination with shoes is equivalent to LaVor's love for ties.  The brighter, classier, thicker tie the better.

Whenever The Lime and I go to Nordstrom Rack, he likes to pick out ties for LaVor (their tastes are very different) and choose a corresponding pair of cuff links.

We met LaVor there one night this week to pick up a final gift for The Lime.  While LaVor bought the item, I distracted The Lime in the Men's department.  He picked out a gift that he wanted to give LaVor for Christmas so when the coast was clear, we made our way to the register.

Earlier that day, when I was getting dressed, some change fell out of my pocket.  I never have change or cash so I'm not sure how it ended up there.  On the way to the store, I put my rings in the same pocket while I put lotion on my hands.  When I went to retrieve my rings, I felt one lone penny left in my pocket.

The Lime and I spent a few moments in line before it was our turn to be rung up.  The Lime handed the lady the gift and she scanned the barcode.  I turned my head to the screen to see the total but only saw $0.01.  I thought perhaps her register was having issues so I waited until I received some sort of indication from the lady before I gave her my card.  She looked up from the register and I handed her my card but she wouldn't take it.  "You don't by any chance have a penny, do you?" she asked.  Normally, I wouldn't, but for some reason that penny was still in my pocket.  "I do!" I said.  The gift was already marked as clearance but she said for some reason it was coming up as one cent and I wasn't going to argue with her.

The Lime felt like a big kid, getting a present for LaVor.  And I felt like buying a lottery ticket.  

Why Did We Move?

We just spent our third weekend, in a row, in the Bay Area.  Many people asked us why we left in the first place.  That's a great question.  We seem to be there a lot.

The first weekend there was for Thanksgiving.  We drove down Wednesday after LaVor got off work and came home on Sunday.

That trip included Thanksgiving dinner, the annual Black Friday shopping with my sister and mom, a visit to our old ward for their Christmas breakfast, a drive up to the Oakland Temple to see the Christmas lights, and a stop at the ice creamery for a Black & Tan.

After Thanksgiving dinner, we played a rousing game of "stand on one foot, bend down, and pick a grocery bag up with your teeth without touching the floor with your hands or your other foot".  It was amusing and some of us took it quite serious (me).  Too bad nobody grabbed the camera to capture my amusing poses.

Our second weekend there was just an overnight trip.  When I left my job in March, I was extended an invitation to the Christmas party, even though I am no longer an employee.  How in the world could I pass that up?!

It was wonderful to see everyone and play catch up.  We played the White Elephant game but with exceptional gifts.  I opened up a gorgeous piece from Pottery Barn and begged the other folks not to take it from me.  Unfortunately, it didn't last in my lap very long but I immediately won it back.  Good thing too, because then it was "dead" and all mine!  I love seeing it sitting on our kitchen table and I can't wait to fill it with different things throughout the year.

Mine is the one on the right

Lastly, The Lime and I drove down on Thursday so he could get his teeth cleaned by our favorite hygienist.  It's always music to my ears when we get a good report.  Even though he drinks soda every chance he gets and is still munching on Tootsie Rolls from Halloween.

Since we were already down there, and LaVor's cousin was getting married on Saturday, my sister let the two of us crash at her place.  The Lime loved loved loved being with his cousins and having a constant playmate.  I loved it, too.  LaVor drove down Friday night and we spent the rest of the time with his parents.

It's crazy to see the little girls in the family get married.  When LaVor and I got married, Kelli seemed so young (because she was...that's what almost 8 years will do to ya) and now she's heading off on this wonderful adventure.  We were lucky to be part of their special day.

The groom's family

While we thoroughly enjoyed our time with family and friends, I am looking forward to not having to pack a suitcase at the end of the week. 

And I won't miss the wide range of smells I-5 offers.

Christmas in New York

I've never really thought about a bucket list and I don't know if this necessarily qualifies.  It might just be a life long dream I've had and would love for it to come true...

Spending Christmas in New York.

The Lime and I are watching Home Alone 2: Lost in New York right now and it's making my desire that much stronger.

Ice skating at Rockefeller Center, browsing the ritzy shops on 5th Avenue, visiting the various Holiday Markets, perhaps even catching a show featuring The Rockettes.  And I would really love a cheese pizza like the one Kevin gets when he enters the limo at The Plaza.

And although I'm not a fan of being cold, I think that would just add to the experience.  I wear warm coats and scarves at home but I'd love to really need them, like in New York.

I would make sure to get out of there before New Years, or just avoid Times Square.  Not sure my claustrophobia could handle those crowds.

A New Chapter

When LaVor and I got married, I had a really hard time leaving my parents.  I would cry myself to sleep at night because I missed being at home with them.  Thankfully, we were only 30 minutes away and I could see them as often as I wanted.

After my sister moved and we found out we were moving to the same area, my parents also moved up here.  Once again, we are only 30 minutes away from each other.  I was pretty certain that would be the case for the rest of my life.

But things change and they're heading out of state shortly after Christmas.  It's safe to say I'm not looking forward to Christmas this year for that very reason.

While I'm extremely sad for myself, I'm much more sad for The Lime.

Last week, we drove by the cemetery where my grandpa is buried and I reminded The Lime that's where Grandpa Ray is.  I was 5 years old when he passed away and I have zero recollection of what he was like.  My parents have a few pictures of us together but they don't bring back any memories.  I have to rely on stories from others to learn things about him.

I'm hoping that because The Lime has been around my parents for almost four years, he'll have a few memories to hang onto once they leave.  And even though I've told him several times that they're moving, I'm not sure he fully understands what is going to take place.  There won't be anymore digging in their yard with shovels, or picking oranges, or watching Cars on their DVR, or playing baseball in their front yard.  But what I'll miss the most, no matter how silly it is, is the goodbye The Lime and my dad do every time we leave their house.  I roll The Lime's window down and he yells out, "Bye Poopydoo!" to my dad.  Then my dad does his, "Why you!!!" and reaches in the car to tickle The Lime.  I drive slowly down the driveway so they can repeat it a couple times.  Then we say we love each other and head off.

This has been a year of hard things so it's no surprise we'll be ending the year with probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

And I might just cry myself to sleep for the first few weeks after they're gone.

Christmas 2012

Entitled

My visiting teachers came over yesterday and during our visit, we were discussing Christmas and our methods to gift giving.  One of the ladies mentioned how she knew some families where their kids got anything and everything they asked for.  She had asked her teen daughter if she ever felt like she was missing out and wished for a Christmas like those kids.  Her daughter said no.  Then the mom asked her why.  "Because it wouldn't feel right.  I would never learn responsibility or how to appreciate things if I was always given everything I wanted."  "Yes!!" the mom thought, "I am doing something right!"

While driving to the Bay Area last week, LaVor and I were discussing the situation with our country and healthcare.  I shared with him a story I read of a person who had been paying quite a bit for a medication before signing up for Obamacare.  They just recently re-filled their prescription and didn't have to pay a dime.

The whole thing confuses me.

LaVor has a job that offers health insurance that covers our whole family.  But we pay for it.  In fact, the cost is going up this next year.

We not only pay our premiums but we have a co-pay for each visit as well as a percentage we pay after the insurance pays.  I would be a happy lady if our prescriptions were free but they aren't.  When I picked up The Lime's Epi-pens from the pharmacy, both the pharmacist and I gasped for air as she rang up my total.

These are my concerns:

If people are receiving free healthcare, while they are receiving unemployment, what incentive is there to find a job?  Is it really my husband's responsibility to not only pay for our livelihood, but contribute to others?

It may seem like an extremely selfish attitude that I have, and I'll be the first to admit that it is.  Our family is my top priority, not yours, not the neighbors, or the homeless couple asking for money on the corner.  LaVor works hard for us so that we can go to the doctor when we need to and pay for those stinkin' bills.  He doesn't work hard so other people can scoot by without having to lift a finger.

I understand that there are people who are unable to work and should be receiving financial assistance.  My beef is not with them.  I'm weary of the people who are fully capable of contributing to our society but choose not to, because they're taken care of no matter what.

If a 16 year old girl understands how the world should work, everyone else can too.

For two months, we waited and waited to receive the hospital bill from The Lime's ER visit.  I almost pooped in my pants when I saw the charges billed to our insurance and nervously anticipated what our portion would be.

We finally got the bill a few weeks ago and it wasn't as horrendous as I was expecting, although it still was a financial blow, especially before Christmas.  It's a crying shame that even with insurance, hospital bills are as much as they are.

I wanted to call the hospital and dispute some of the charges but the woman I spoke to (twice) said nothing was individually billed, it was all sort of a big lump.  After speaking to her twice, I was too nervous to call back in hopes of negotiating the bill.  LaVor has big boy underwear and said he would call back but hasn't had the time, since their business hours are the same hours he's working.

I was feeling extra brave yesterday, after setting up the Christmas tree and finding a majority of our lights no longer work.  I also lost several ornaments to a certain three year old who couldn't keep his hands off of everything.  Decorating the tree is probably one of my least favorite Christmas activities but I did it and thought I'd continue doing things I don't like; negotiating.

I'm afraid of the word "no", even though I've grown up my whole life with my dad saying, "the worst thing someone can say to you is no."  "No" isn't the end of the world yet it feels like it is to me.  So when I had to see if the hospital would accept a lower dollar amount than our statement said, I was deathly afraid of their response.  But I borrowed a pair of LaVor's big people underwear and dialed the number I had dialed two times before.  Sure enough, the same lady answered.  I explained the situation and she put me on hold, came back and said her supervisor was out but that she left him a message and would call me back as soon as she heard something.

A few hours later, my phone rang and The Lime beat me to it, hanging up on the caller in the process.  I called right back and heard the following, "I just heard back from my supervisor and he said it would be fine to adjust off this much and have you pay this much." What?!?! You mean I postponed and sweated and feared for nothing? My crummy morning had simply been brushed under the rug and I was now hearing angels singing. Talk about a Christmas miracle!

So now The Lime not only got a trip to the ER but he'll get a Christmas, too.

I guess it was all worth it