Gratitude

When people ask me how I'm feeling, "large" is usually my answer.  I'm not used to carrying around an extra 30 pounds.  Therefore, I get warn out easily.  Add that to The Lime always wanting to be on the go and I'm pooped.

34 weeks

Last week was a hard week.  Sleeping is a joke, getting ready each morning makes me feel like I'm going to pass out, Braxton Hicks are happening all the dang time, and this boney little guy is taking after his older brother and jabs me in the same spot. Add that to my fears and anxieties about having two kids and you get a basket case.

I've tried to keep everything in and I attempt to have a positive attitude but I broke last week. It didn't last long but I didn't get to get everything "out" that I needed to. My sister-in-law must have known because she text messaged me from Utah the following day to see how I was doing. She has five kids, two of which are twins, so I trust her advice when it comes to adding another kiddo to the bunch.

President Uchtdorf's talk on Sunday morning made me realize, even more, that I need to be extremely grateful for the baby that is growing inside of me, especially since we waited so long for him to join our family. The aches and pains will only be around for a few more weeks and then we can squeeze and kiss the little dude to our hearts' content.

So the next time I feel like my stomach is going to split open, or I waddle to the bathroom in the middle of the night, for the second time, I'll remember President Uchtdorf's words: “We can choose to be grateful, no matter what.”

Grab a Tissue

When I had my 20 week ultrasound, the technician mentioned that there was a chance we might receive a phone call from the Radiologist or my doctor, but not to be alarmed because she didn't see anything (even though I think she did). Prior to the ultrasound, I denied having the tests done to see if the baby had Down syndrome. When I was pregnant with The Lime, our insurance wouldn't confirm whether or not they'd cover the procedure until the claim was submitted. I figured the same situation would take place this time around. Plus, if they did find something, it's not like we would terminate the pregnancy.

I had my ultrasound on a Monday and that Friday, I was making dinner and my phone rang. I didn't get to it fast enough and the person didn't leave a message. I Googled the number and saw it was from my medical group but since I didn't know who specifically called me, I didn't return the call.

About an hour later, I checked my e-mail and saw the results from the ultrasound. I briefly scanned it and then came across some unusual notes: "Fetal bilateral choroid plexus cysts. Left fetal renal borderline pelviectasis of 4.2 mm. Further evaluation with level II sonogram should be considered."

"Cysts" stood out to me since I've had them since I was little, so I initially thought they saw something regarding my body. Then I, again, turned to Google and realized it was the baby who had the cysts, and they were in his brain. Big mistake, that Googling was. LaVor hates that I try to look things up on my own and insisted I call the doctor back rather than trying to come to my own conclusions. I told him I didn't know if it was the doctor who called me since the number was for the switchboard. I ended up calling the number, just to end the argument, and didn't get anywhere. The office was closed and I'd have to wait until Monday before finding out any additional information regarding my baby. I spent the next three days reading anything and everything, and came to the conclusion that because of what they found in the ultrasound, our baby either had Down syndrome or trisomy 18.

That was the longest weekend ever. I cried, a lot. Thankfully, it was also Fast Sunday, so we asked our families to remember our babe as they fasted. My sweet brother wrote me a note and gave me the comforting news that three out of his five kids had the same cysts and the cysts were gone by the next ultrasound. I was hoping for the same results!

My doctor did call the following week and told me the specialist would be calling me to set up an appointment for another ultrasound. While I knew I'd have to wait for things to clear up, I wanted answers NOW. I had the second ultrasound two weeks later and the doctor confirmed that everything looked great; no cysts and the baby's kidney was of normal size.

Even with the happy news, I still didn't feel like I had a 100% confirmation that nothing was wrong with the baby.

Let me backtrack to many years ago. I've always felt like LaVor and I would have a child with a disability. I'm not sure why, it's just always been in the back of my mind. When we found out the results from the initial ultrasound, we were lifted up with words of encouragement, that our baby would be loved no matter what, and if there was something wrong, we'd be the best parents for that baby. Those weren't my worries, though. I know we would love that baby to death and that The Lime would be the best big brother. What scared me was thinking about the challenging life he would live. Would people make fun of him? Would he be able to take advantage of the same opportunities as other kids? How would he handle his disability?

I've tried not to think about it since there's nothing I can do, and LaVor and I don't talk about it. But the thoughts are still there, lingering in the background.

I came across this video today and seem to have had my questions answered. If this baby is born with Down syndrome, his life will be hard, just like everyone else has trials. But he'll be happy, successful, helpful, and loved, no matter what.

Telephone Line Trenching

It's Spring break in our city for the next two weeks and I noticed a few older kids at the library/park this morning. I was also reminded of an activity I used to participate in during my breaks from school - telephone line trenching.

You might ask what that is. Let me tell you.

Back in the day, most homes only came with one of two phone lines. If you wanted additional lines, you needed to either dig a ditch yourself, so the phone company could put in the new line, or you hired my dad, siblings and me to dig the ditch for you.

My dad lost his job when I was 12 and did his best to find other ways to support our family. Digging ditches was one of them, even though he joked that his mom told him to go to college so he wouldn't have to dig ditches for a living. He has his Bachelors, just for the record.

Because many hands make light work, my dad recruited the kids to help him dig said ditches, despite our complaining and refusing. Digging in the dirt was not how we envisioned spending vacations, especially when it was hot outside.

While I hope I never have to dig another ditch in my lifetime, it didn't kill me. We experienced several things growing up that most kids didn't. If anything, it taught us to work hard and gave us confidence that we could pretty much do anything.

So when we got to the park today, and The Lime asked me what the worker men were doing, I was taken back to my youth. I could almost see our heads on these guys' shoulders. Someone would loosen the dirt up while the other person dug it out. It would take us most of the day (we'd start digging right near the house, down the driveway, to the street) but these guys were crankin' it out. Except for the one that kept taking water & sunflower seed breaks.

The Lime asked if he could help them but I told him he was wearing his nice cowboy boots and needed work boots. So instead, we gawked for a good chunk of time. Well, The Lime gawked. I just kept thinking how grateful I was that I didn't have to dig any ditches this Spring break.

30 for 30

I can remember my 10th birthday like it was yesterday. My mom was taking me to school, like she did every day, and we were stopped at the intersection of Santa Maria and Alvarado Niles. "You're two whole hands now!" she said.

My 20th birthday doesn't stick out to me. It was before I started culinary school, LaVor and I weren't together, I believe I was working for the school district, and I might have been taking classes at Chabot. It was obviously nothing special.

Now my 20's are a thing of the past and I've entered a new stage. I've known LaVor half my life, I've been able to travel, I'm a mom and wife, and my hair is its natural color for the first time in about 14 years.

My day started off with three text messages before my alarm went off (aka The Lime was still asleep) so I actually got to watch the news rather than "Curious George". The Lime and I spent the day running around; lunch with LaVor, play time/present opening at my sister's, a tiny bit of shopping at the mall once LaVor got off work, and then dinner.

Since that's not exciting enough, I thought I'd take the show title from ESPN and share 30 things about me for my 30th.

1. I never realized how much I would "suck in" until my belly was too big to do so. I still find myself trying to suck in for pictures but it's useless.

2. It takes me two hours to get ready every day. Don't ask me why or how because I really don't know where all the time goes. And if you looked at me, you wouldn't think it took two hours to look like this.

3. I made cookies the other day and had four the first day, one yesterday, and have had three so far today. I'll be awake for about 8 more hours so that number will probably increase.

4. If I could, I'd drink iced tea. It looks delicious and refreshing.

5. I watch "Teen Mom" every week and cried during this Tuesday's episode.

6. I still have a flip phone and refuse to get a smart phone. I know my tendencies and don't want to be glued to a device 24/7.

7. Grocery shopping is one of my least favorite things to do. I'd rather clean toilets.

8. I wish I could paint my nails but I wash my hands too often, the paint always chips in less than a day.

9. Part of me is enjoying the year off from the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (especially the fundraising) but another part of me is extremely sad. The Lime is well aware of the walk and points out anything pink or even semi-walk related (at least in his eyes). I'm thinking I might need to cheer people on this year, just so I get a tiny fix.

10. I can't sleep face to face with someone. Breathing on each other drives me crazy.

11. I love getting personal mail.

12. I hate tomatoes but love bruschetta.

13. Swearing drives me up the wall, but especially when people do it around The Lime. The "D" word is just as crude as the "F" word.

14. Sundays are not a day of rest for me. I have to mentally prepare myself for church and pray that I make it out of Primary alive.

15. I will never share my chocolate chip cookie recipe.

16. I should have heeded the counsel of my bishop when I was a teenager and not chewed so much gum. I think the wrinkles around my mouth are a result of the constant chewing.

17. I lock my car doors constantly, including when I park in our garage. Old habits die hard.

18. I might have an addiction to polka dots, stripes, and gingham.

19. I rarely wash clothes after I buy them and before I wear them. It's gross, especially if someone else has tried them on.

20. Hash tags still make zero sense to me.

21. I never buy egg salad from a store or restaurant.

22. I would love a steam cleaner vacuum (vacuuming is one of my favorite chores). The rug we bought when we moved is getting dingy and I can only imagine the gunk that would come out of it.

23. The smell of a new car makes me nauseous.

24. Necklaces intimidate me, especially long ones. I don't feel like I would pair them with the right neckline so I avoid them altogether.

25. The laundry goes from the dryer straight to our dresser, where it usually sits for at least a week before I break down and fold it. I used to do the same thing when I lived at home.

26. I take great pride in being able to slice a standard 9 inch cake into three even layers without some sort of guide.

27. I would love to have fresh flowers in our home all the time.

28. I don't order something online unless I have some sort of coupon code (free shipping, certain amount off, etc.).

29. I would have loved to be a contestant on "Double Dare".

30. I hate taking my shoes off when I'm at someone's house.

The end.

It's a Twister

It's been raining off and on the last couple of days, preventing us from going outside to play baseball.  When The Lime woke up from his nap today, he looked outside and noticed the rain had stopped.  He couldn't get outside fast enough to start hitting some balls.

While the rain had stopped, there were still some crazy clouds in the sky, as well as the sun, and a rainbow.  We weren't outside for more than 15 minutes before it started raining again so we headed back inside.

When LaVor got home from work, he went in the backyard to check on some things and called me outside.  "Look at that," he said.

The clouds were spinning at an outrageous rate and a funnel cloud had formed.  You could see it was trying to touch down but then it'd go back up.  It was moving west to east and was making its way toward our house.  It wasn't too long after that LaVor got a notice on his phone that there was a tornado warning and we should seek shelter.

But did we?

Nope.

We went out to the front yard to get a better look, as did the rest of our neighborhood.  Everyone had their cameras and phones, documenting this unusual event.  A neighbor down the street, who has lived in this area her entire life, said she's never seen a tornado.  

Part of me was curious like everyone else but the other part of me was nervous that the cloud would change its course and come back in our direction.  And while it obviously wasn't a huge one, I still didn't want to find out what it could do.  

The warning was lifted about an hour later and things were back to normal.  A few homes suffered minor damage but it was nothing like what the Midwest sees. I can't even imagine the fear people experience while living through a tornado. And then to realize the destruction that has taken place. Man! I would get the heck out of dodge, for sure.

I've decided I prefer earthquakes, where there's no warning, as opposed to tornados, where you can see them coming and have time to freak out prepare.

Impromptu Picnic

We had to run to the post office this morning but before we left, The Lime asked if he could ride his bike. We were already running later than I had hoped so I told him we could eat lunch outside and he could ride his bike then.

We're expecting a little bit of rain this week and since this boy loves to spend most of his time outside, I thought we should take advantage of it while we could.

He needs a new bike (with pedals) desperately since he's mastered the balance bike but we haven't made that purchase yet. He's fine with his current bike and likes to pretend it's a motorcycle or dirt bike.

I had leftovers from dinner last night and we grabbed a slice of pizza for The Lime at Costco when we were getting some fruit (the apples and kiwi). He saw some blueberry juice and asked if we could get some. It's mixed with other fruits but I have yet to find out which ones. It reminded me of prune juice but he drank it all up.

We shouldn't be but we're big treat people. If we finish our meals, we get a treat. The Lime chose a blue Airhead over chocolate chip cookies and popsicles. As if treats weren't bad enough for our teeth, he tried opening the package with his chompers. Being the responsible parent that I am (ha!), I intervened and put my fingers to use.

The rest of the time was spent racing cars up and down the street, riding a scooter, and hitting some balls off the tee. Since I don't move as quickly as I used to, I set the tee up so he'd hit the balls into the bushes (so I wouldn't have to chase after them). Unfortunately, one disappeared so we're waiting for Daddy to get home and retrieve it for us.

Since the sun is still shining brightly and nap time is over, basketball is the next activity on our agenda. The Lime will be shooting one and I'll be carrying one around attached to my belly.

Sisters in Sonoma

My sister, Kari, and I were talking on the phone a few weeks ago, reminiscing about Fort Bragg and all the fun times we shared in that tiny coastal town.  Our Omi left Fort Bragg over 10 years ago and we haven't been back since.

Kari suggested we three sisters take a weekend trip to Fort Bragg before Doodlebug comes.  With a nursing baby in the mix, church callings, and money all factored in, we opted for a day together closer to home.  Sonoma is just about equal distance from Kari as it is for Amy and me so that's where we decided to go.

Our first stop was at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards where we sampled numerous flavors of olive oil and balsamic vinegar in The Olive Press.   Balsamic vinegar is one thing LaVor hasn't converted me to but these weren't your average vinegars.  My favorites were the cranberry, coconut, strawberry, and I ended up buying the fig.  Some of my favorite oils were the lime, roasted garlic & rosemary, and I purchased the limonato (lemon).  The fig balsamic mixed with the limonato oil was AMAZING!  I could have spent a majority of the day dipping the little cubes of sourdough into these fantastic mixtures.

After munching on samples, the baby needed some food of her own so we took a nursing break before we walked around the courtyard.  What a beautiful setting it was!

We had wisteria in our backyard growing up.  It smelled lovely!

Loved all the wood

It was soon time for lunch so we drove into downtown and opted for a bakery where we all got a different sandwich. This little peanut was such a trooper and went along with everything that we did.

After a bathroom break and a little bit of browsing through the shops, we went across the street to the most northern
mission in California. We opted out of the guided tour but ended up getting our own lesson from Amy. While we shouldn't have thought the information was so funny, we laughed the entire time. When we were walking out, the gentleman at the counter commented on our giggles and told us he's never had anyone come in that laughed as much as us.

We were now in need of a mid afternoon snack and saw that a restaurant across the street had pie. When we walked in, the place was empty aside from the employees. It was almost 4:00 and they didn't start dinner service until 5:00 but graciously allowed us to order some dessert. We felt awful (but appreciative) as other patrons came through the door and were turned away for the next hour. I got a chocolate/pecan pie, Amy got strawberry sorbet, and Kari got a berry crumble pie. There was, once again, no shortage of laughter and I was the one that finally broke down and cried (someone always cries when we're together).

There were still two streets of shops that we hadn't visited so we used the next cluster of time to browse through jewelry stores, home decor stores, kitchen stores, and a vintage candy/knickknack shop. With all that walking (joking!), our appetites were back and we stopped at Mary's Pizza Shack for bruschetta and cheese pizza, with another side of laughter. At one point, we were all singing along with Faith Hill to "This Kiss".

That was our last stop as it was approaching 7:30 and we needed to get home before the baby was to be fed again.

Before we departed, we tried to take a four headed selfie and attempted a timed photo on the hood of the car. It came out blurry but it works.

We wondered why we had never taken a day and spent it together (aside from Black Friday) before. We might have started something. And I can guarantee there will continue to be lots of laughter...and somebody will cry.