Great Grandpa & Great Grandma

We had an eventful day yesterday. I was trying to be wise last night and put blogging to the side and get some much needed sleep. On pre-school days, I feel totally tapped! Lynn had fun dressing-up as a mom, yes, I forgot to snap a pic... she did get a treat for filling in her reading chart. It was mostly B.O.M minutes. After getting her from pre-school, we went to see Grandpa and Grandma Wallace. They haven't seen Peyton outside of a picture. I thought it might help Grandma, she hasn't been doing too well. We got there around noon, and mom had just managed to get her out of bed, she was eating her breakfast, and scaring the girls. She thinks that the girls should want to kiss and hug her immediately... she was looking pretty scary, that's why her pic isn't posted... ahhh!!
Grandpa was so cute with Peyton! I have felt like this is really important, that they see her... the blessing might be just a couple of weeks away, but that might be too far.
I love Grandpa! Even though he knows the girls look just like Mer, he tells me what beautiful girls we have. He looks for me in them!

And three days later...

Yes... it took me 3 days... One to get the pics ready, one to do the sewing (by hand...), and three to do the journal spot and to glue it all together. I've had one cute distraction the whole time...
Today we had the homework to do. Pre-School homework... the "c" sound bucket. The triangle project. The reading chart. The career day scrapbook page (which is really just an old one with new journaling...). And a career day costume. Lynn wants to be a mom for her dress-up day. You'll have to wait for a pic tomorrow to see how creative we were. I asked her who she wanted the scrapbook page to be about, me, Mer, or both. She got really sassy. She told me that to do the page on a parent with a job, it has to be a parent that leaves the house, and goes to another place, like a building. So I was basically told that being a mom isn't a "job". Mer told her what was up. She got even more sassy when I told her that she said that was what she wanted to be. She told me to "Shhh... Zip it." Merrill told her to go to her room...
So I thought it was even funnier that Ash prayed this morning that they would "be acceptable today"...

Notable happenings of the day...

Somethings of interest that have been going on...
Like the muffin? This is a much more appetizing version of me... I can fit into my jeans! One pair is much more flattering than the others... either I'll make you insanely hungry or ill with my muffin top...
I printed off my blog entries from the beginning of the bloggin' times to the end of January. I feel like I should have the physical record, since I am keeping it as a journal.
I also got the pics all organized and burned to cds before my fear comes to life and my computer crashes and I lose them all!
Lynn had a good day at pre-school. We have three homework assignments though, all to complete before Thursday...
Poor Ash... she was begging to go and get Lynn by 10 am... then they bugged each other to tears for the rest of the day.
Peyton is just getting chubbier...

All about Lynnie...

We had homework for pre-school. Tomorrow is Lynn's turn for the "all about me" poster. She had to write her own name... extra backwards "N"... Draw a picture of what she wants to be when she grows up... a mom, aawww... Draw a picture of her mom and dad... Merrill got bonus lines on his "E"... I have spiky hair... I really fixed my hair today... Her favorite food, broccoli and corn... something she loves, she first colored a leaf and then decided that wasn't exciting enough, so she drew bread... Her favorite color, black, white, and pink... and she had to include at least one picture, so she chose on of her and her sisters. I think she really chose it because Freddy was in it... I had to help her write their names, she was sick of writing all by herself at that point.
A miracle took place in our home today...
I got a nap!!!
I was woken by the call of the child... "Mom! Come wipe my buummm!!!"

Ahhh... Sunday...

Peyton's first Sunday at church. It was quite exciting getting all of us there, and then, she is the star, of course...
I didn't post last night, Peyton couldn't get enough of anything! Pooping, eating, playing. I just couldn't leave her to come play on the computer, although, Mer would have been happy to have gotten all the fun... He did tease me about not posting...
"You're not posting tonight? Won't everyone think you are in labor if you don't post?" He's such a smart alec...
We had a fun Sunday evening together. We made soft-serve ice cream. By far, the best birthday gift Merrill has ever gotten from me! We all love it. He loves making us all the perfect cone, and he loves eating them. I love having weekends when it's slow, and he doesn't have to go to work. I love the springtime, and I hate it. I feel like we just don't get enough time together when everyone is thinking about their newly exposed backyards and how to best spend their tax return. On Sunday nights, like last night, I feel sad. I don't want him to go back to work! I love us all being together.
I have to say how much I love my presidency. They took care of leadership meeting. They planned it and carried it all out. They even planned the next activity! What a nice thing to do. I should relinquish power, relax, and let them do more, more often. I love 'em!

Saturday is a special day...

This little girl LOVES to have her hair washed! I love to smell her after her bath... love that clean baby scent! (But breast milk poop is pleasant too...)
Today Peyton and I went to a baby shower and a baptism. Yep, we're out there now, and loving it.
We also went to the mall. The "boosies" found a new home. Mer's feet, sadly, did not.
We'll have to see about finding those hard to find steel toes without holes in the soles next week.

No apple juice = lots of sleep...

Here's my girl! We had a much better night and what a great day! Doesn't she look so "pretty in pink"? She really looks pretty in everything! Except for when she pulls her hair. She found it today with her little hand and pulled. The look on that face was so sad. Too bad she won't remember...
Sorry, no layout today... but you'll soon find out how much I did do today...
We went and did a Sam's run today, that is everything we needed from Sam's, and pics. Woo Hoo! I get to scrap those hospital pics! I am so excited! We also went and did groceries and then had a late lunch with Mer. All three of my girls were complete angels... Lynn and Ash were even better than if it were just the three of us... the only thing to be bummed about: I couldn't find a nursing bra in the right size. I did only look at one store... but a 34 D should be everywhere, right? Nah, not for some places. So that is my mission. I realized when I was putting on my current one the other day, as it was looking quite transparent, that it is 5 years old... yep, elastic is shot, there is no holding of anything up anymore, like it did much in the first place... I though I had other nursing bras, but they hovered over me, they really didn't fit. Then I found out why, they are a cup too small... they look a lot better than this one!
We went out to dinner for Austin's birthday tonight. That was fun. Kaitlyn stayed home with #1 & #2. Lynn wasn't too happy when we got home... Austin probably wasn't too happy when we all yelled "Happy Birthday" to him across the parking lot. Mer started to shout, "Yeah, that guy in the red shirt! That's him! That's Austin! It's his birthday!" And then the embarrassment was compounded by Dixon singing his Primary birthday song repertoire. Yep, all of the birthday songs from the Children's Songbook, loudly, across the parking lot. It was too dark to tell which shade of red Austin's face was...

Apple juice sucks...

Attention layout fans: the layout is at the bottom of the post now... Peyton has earned top billing!So this was last night, while I was posting (you can tell in the background), but I had to have a pic of ME with my little girl... Mer hogs her too much.
I'll say it every day... she's so sweet!
We weren't awakened by the earthquake today, I was too busy actually getting some sleep. I drank some apple juice last night with dinner, not good. Peyton reacts the same way her grandpa does to apple juice, gassy. She wasn't too happy for most of the night. Poor thing! She has been sleeping the day away, just like a newborn should, but is so happy when she is awake. Hopefully tonight won't be a party for her.
Another answered prayer: my cough isn't that bad! I don't feel 100%, but at least I am not coughing! My testimony of prayer has been strengthened so much! I didn't ask Heavenly Father to take it away, I asked Him to help me with it so I could sleep, not hurt, and be a mother.
This is the playroom now. I got so sick of the girls, making a complete sty of the basement, that I packed away the majority of their toys, and moving a select few up to their room. Lynn was so dramatic about it. She was crying, "Say goodbye to the playroom Ash... Goodbye playroom! I love you!" Like Ash really cared... It has been nice and quiet down here ever since. This darn "Rose Petal Cottage"... I know, it was my idea... is too big to pack away anywhere! Santa will be so disappointed that it didn't last quite two months. All the toys that live downstairs now fit into two baskets , that's plenty!
I got a funny phone call today from the hospital.
"Hi. Is this Mindy?"
"Yes."
"This is ______ from McKay-Dee Hospital. I see that you are expecting here pretty soon!"
(Tomorrow was my due date...)
"Uh, I actually had her a week ago..."
"Oh, sorry! Bye!"
That was the conversation... seriously...

Has it really been a week?!?

Last night, everything going through my mind was, "A week ago..." I want to stop time! I look forward to growth and development, but I absolutely love this, right now... I am remembering to EMBRACE...
Today I took Peyton in for a one week check-up, yes, the doc wanted to see her at one week instead of two. He didn't even ask about the weight check I was supposed to do Friday... so I guess that was really important... She weighs 8 pounds 10 ounces now, and everything is great, well, except the umbilical hernia. They left the clamp on at the hospital because we were discharged before the magical 24th hour... so since it was left on, her little umbilical cord stump has dragged-down the skin that will be her belly-button, and has made this funny little lump. He said that back in the day, they used to wait for the stump to fall off, and tape a quarter over the belly button to weigh it down and pull it back in. He said it should pull back in on it's own. He took the dang thing off... and then offered to let me keep it, since I paid so much for it, he was kidding me. We have this kinship about the ridiculousness of insurance...
She did a flukey sleep-through-the-night thing last night. I kept waking up whenever she would growl. She didn't want to eat, she didn't really want to wake up! I know it happens just once in every new babyhood, you know, you usually wake up in a panic, because you realize they haven't gotten up to eat... she is the sweetest thing!
I have decided that when I do a layout, I will post it at the bottom. Peyton is getting cuter by the day, her pics will take precedence over pics of layouts...
So since I do have other children...
Lynn discovered how to use the remote control... not a good thing for me. This far, I have had total control over what she views on the TV. Now, she has this new-found freedom. A whole world has been opened to her. For me that means commercials. We will have to better educate her about the difference between needs and wants. She is so proud of herself! Thank heavens at the time, she chose to watch UEN (Utah Education Network).
Ashley is turning into quite the comedian. She has been telling knock-knock jokes all day.
Here's a sample:
"Knock-knock..."
"Who's there?"
"Me."
"Me who?"
"Orange... (or insert any other fruit or Disney princess' name here...)"
"Orange (or other option) who?"
"Orange will be watching you!"
See, hilarious!
I called sown to SLC about this whole kernel bill. The local business manager over the office would not return my phone calls. I also had another question for them concerning a new vaccine... anyways... I told this nice guy about it all. He was going to have me call him tomorrow morning so we could have a conference call with this lady and get it all cleared up. The bill was due this past Sunday... So after I got off the phone with him, he called back like two minutes later. He told me that he managed to get a hold of her, and she would be calling me. I didn't count on it, it was four to four, and you know those "convenient business hours"... well, she did call, a little after five. Very friendly, and so was I. I told her the situation, how when you wait for TWO HOURS on New Years Eve, you kind of EXPECT the doctor to be able to resolve the situation, and have SOME confidence. I told her all about his two attempts, and then the possibility of being sent to a specialist. I told her about my vacuum comment to Ash and how he bit onto the idea, and IT WORKED... so she said how badly she felt that I had had a bad experience and that I hadn't been able to talk to her in a timely manner. She took half off. The kernel removal cost only $150.00. BLESSING. Boy am I glad I was nice too... she caught me at a good time in life, I am way too happy to be mad at anyone right now... well, maybe not... (nyj)
We are back to square one. Pain wise that is... I was feeling so good. Now, I have this cough. It hurts to cough, and it hurts "down below", as Dr. Bierer would say, when I cough. Sitting is a real fun time again. Hence, no layouts tonight...

I think my mailman is on crack... or just blame it on the snow...

I am catching up one day at a time.
I had the best of intentions to do it this weekend, until I got a stomach bug. And then, those plans got moved to last night, until Lynn got the bug, all over the basement floor, the bathroom floor, and the toilet, but most of it in the toilet. Mer and Ash are dealing with a cold... it could be worse!
Peyton is so fun! She is doing so good. She is quite the nurser. Yesterday, she was quite smiley. I got an actual grin out of her when I was talking baby talk about eating. Mom got a good shot out of her right when she woke up. Even her eyes were smiley.
I am trying to stick to the positive. So just a few short rants. Insurance. $320.00 to remove "the kernel", I am fighting that one all the way. My doc wanted me to take Peyton in for a weight check on Friday. I couldn't get an appointment in with the other doc (mine wasn't in town), and he expected me to take her into InstaCare... so speaking of people on crack... I NEVER got a wedding invitation to one of my Beehives weddings that was Saturday. She called me and told me when it was, like I could make it... I felt bad. So, I think my mailman is on crack... or maybe it got lost during all of those crazy snowstorms.
So on to the positive! There are no postpartum hormones, coming from me anyway. They have all gone to Lynn and Ash. They are wacky, but they love their sister. Ash is drawing people! I will have to post one of her pics. Tonight, she drew a pic of the family plus Jaclyn, thanks for dinner, and chocolate, by the way! We loved it ALL! I haven't taken any ibuprofen since yesterday, I feel great! I packed away all the maternity clothes last night, with the exception of the maternity jeans. I can get new my size 12s on, just not done up. I have this five month along belly still stuck to me. But this is better than I've done in the past! So I have a new wardrobe. There are still many shirts I am not able to wear. These boobs cannot be contained by many of my favorites. See, I have a GREAT nurser...
As if I didn't have enough blessings to count, I realized yet another one. I was reflecting on how fast Peyton got here. I am still amazed at how fast everything went. Then it hit me. That was another blessing. To think about how nervous and anxious Mer was, her coming as quickly as she did, cut down on that time that he would have been stressing and being uncomfortable, worrying about everything being okay. Instead, she got here, he had nothing to worry about, and could enjoy her and the moment. I am so blessed!


So the other night, when I was feeling crummy, Mer just took over and told me to take the time to go take a sitz bath, take a shower, just relax. I asked him if he was really okay with it, and he said, "For me, this is what having babies is all about... getting to do this..." This is what he was doing when he said that. I love this guy!
Who could have the "baby blues" with all of this to be so thankful for!

Eat, sleep, poop... repeat...

oUcH... notice the cute hello Kitty band-aid? Yeah, I tried to clip a nail. Not quite ready. Glad I only did one!
My sweet girl got me up every hour with the exception of 4:30 am last night/this morning. It was actually a good thing though. Since my milk came in, it helped me from getting engorged. Now tonight though, I wish she would wake up as often!
I am not scrapbooking. It hurts a little too much to sit today... tears are still better than an episiotomy...
My sweet little girls, #1 & #2... my incredible husband too... They are all too good to be true!
Last night, while posting, Lynn came downstairs, out of bed, to tell me that Peyton was awake and crying. We went back upstairs together, and she told me about how she tried to comfort Peyton. It was so sweet! It made me cry! I had to explain to her that it was a happy cry though.
"Mom, I tried to cover her arms with her blanket, because I thought she was cold. And she kept crying. So I patted her head and then I got her Pooh Bear and laid it by her so she would be happy, but I just couldn't comfort her. So a voice in my head told me to go and get you."
I was so touched that she would immediately think to comfort her instead of running to me or Mer.
She also helped Ash this morning when she got upset. She couldn't get her blanket around herself quite the way she wanted it. She started crying and Lynn said, "I can help you!"
Ash said, "Do it like mommy does it, okkaaay?" (Brooke knows how that "okay" sounds...) So Lynn snuggled her all up, and then offered to share her apple and milk with Ash, but only after she moved Ashley's chair so it could be by Lynn's.
What a good big sis!
Merrill has been grilling Lynn about any lingering spirits in heaven that might belong to our family. She insists there are more, where he keeps asking her if she is sure, or if everyone is here now. He's so funny. He's been so good to me! I love him so much! Every time he sits and admires Peyton, I have to remind him of who's idea it was. I ask him if he's glad that "I talked him into it"... He answers, "There really wasn't much talking, was there?" Now I don't know if he means how I cried about wanting another baby, or if he means how we got her... either way, she's here!

Count Your Many Blessings...

I won't take the time to name them all one by one... I have to go and pump soon... Yes, the milk is in full flow.
I know that I am blessed. Today, I was just thinking about it a lot more. There have been things I have been so worried about, and everything is coming together. I have had to learn how to pray, and then let it go. Two such examples...
Peyton's birth. I prayed and prayed about it going well, no complications. I put it in the Lord's hands, and everything is fine. I know it is a blessing, my body was able to do things that I was told it would not be able to do. Faith and prayer... I was blessed. Mer and I were talking about it last night. How thankful I am to have the priesthood in my home!
The pic is my mom & dad. I have been so worried about his cataract surgery. He went in today, and I prayed... They stopped by after wards. He can see!!! Another great example to me of putting your faith in the right place, and you have nothing to worry about. I literally did just that, I prayed, and did not let myself worry about it anymore. He has never seen better. I didn't realize how bad it was until my dad studied my face for quite awhile today.
We have such a great family and great friends that surround us. We have gotten phone calls and visits everyday to see about our well-being. How much more blessed can we get?

Precious Girl!

Lynn helped me give Peyton a little bath. She was so excited to comb her hair and sang to her when she wasn't too happy about being cold...
Don't worry... I will watch the pink choking hazard in her hair!

Peyton Marie...

So here she is...21 inches long...

and 8 pounds, 14 ounces...
So here's the whole story...
I wake up, 2:23 am, think I felt a pain, but not sure, because of the night before... do the bathroom thing. Get back to bed in time to have Ash come and tell me that she needs back tickles. I think, okay... I can pay more attention to what that pain was. She's asleep. There's another one. I get up, awkwardly, of course... go downstairs to see if this gets any better, or worse... I switch laundry that I didn't do before we went to bed. There's another one, worse. I turn on the computer to get some pics printed off for Lynn's pre-school project of Freddy. See, I'm thinking that this is pretty serious. I decide that maybe I should call mom. It's 3 am now. She is up, knows it's me, obviously... "Hi hon!" There's a smile in her voice.
"It's time."
"I'm on my way."
I go to get Mer up. It takes a little longer than I thought...
"Mer, it's time."
"Did your water break?"
"Nope, but this is getting pretty intense..."
He's up, Ash is still asleep in the bed. We are gathering last minute items. I forget my rings, which leads to some interesting questions later... He gives me a blessing. I'm feeling good.
I go get the pics to put them in Lynn's backpack. I am a nut... I post...
Mom gets here.
Last minute instructions. Some tears of excitement... Here we go...
Merrill stops at every stop sign and red light. What a good guy. These babies are getting stronger! As we drive down to the ER entrance, I tell him that whatever I said about going natural, I was crazy. The first person I want to see is the anesthesiologist (I spelled that right on the first try!) and they'd better not triage me! We get there and even the security guard knows this is for real.
"Let me guess where you need to go," he says while getting a wheelchair, "4, labor and delivery."
"No, I need stitches." gg (giggle-giggle) I am sooo funny!
I tease him as if he's all knowing, and ask if he knows which anesthesiologist is on call. He doesn't. He wheels me to the L&D desk. Three ladies are there, talking and laughing. He tells them I'm there, and they all turn and look at me, like, yeah, right. They start in with the questions.
"Name... Birthdate... DUE DATE..."
I got quite the look over the top of the glasses when I answered that one.
"Doctor..."
One of them takes me to pee into the awesome little cup, and change. I am having another contraction, I can't pee! I am having enough trouble just getting undressed! The gown has snaps on the sleeves, which are un-done. Yeah, I am ready to wrap it around my body and walk out, this hurts!!!
She has me lay on the little triage bed (yes they were going to TRY to triage me.) and she asks if my water has broken. A little something leaks out whenever I have a contraction. Could that be it? Just a small tear? She tests it, and it's not. She thinks I am crazy... UNTIL she checks me... big smile of satisfaction comes onto my face...
I am a 7 and 1/2.
She talks into her little walkie-talkie thingie. Once I am out, walking to my room let me add, the nurses are a little bit more receptive.
I get into bed, and it hurts. It's like five to four. They are asking questions. I am so pleasant when I am not having a contraction, and then have to answer with nods or shakes of my head when I am having one. I ask the nurse who's the anesthesiologist is, Doctor Silver... LOVE HIM!!! They go to call him and Doctor Bierer. They check me. I am at 8 and 1/2. The questions finally end, the "drug dealer" is there. I am hurting, but poor Merrill!!! I have him hold my hand. He's stressing. I tell Doctor Silver to do whatever he did on the day Ash came. He asks if he's done my epidural before. I told him yes, and what a good job he did. He asks if this is the same dad that was here with me the last time... see, questions...
I have Mer take a pic of me, after the epidural is making me feel good. He is just shaking...
It's 4:12 am now. The nurse checks me. 9 and 1/2 and she can feel my bag of water. Dr. Bierer gets there... boy does HE look tired! There's some chit-chat. Talking about his new pool table... was he playing pool or sleeping? The nurse updates him. He breaks my water, and we are pushing. It's about 4:20 am.
I can't feel a thing! He tells me I am doing so good. I tell him not to lie, it won't make me feel bad, I can't feel anything. He says I am really doing good. Darlene, Mer's mom gets there. Push!!! There's hair! Lots of it! She is so excited. We find out why it's slow go.... a couple of more pushes, she's face up! A couple of more pushes, and she's out! 4:47 am...
They weigh and measure her. I am still so astonished at how much hair this little girl has.
The weight and length come in.
I am shocked!
Two things I was told my body would not be able to do:
1- birth a baby over 8 pounds vaginally
and 2- birth a child who is face-up.
But I had a priesthood blessing. I can do anything!!! (If it's Heavenly Father's will, that is...)
Apparently, the umbilical cord is a record maker...Phone calls are made. (Brooke's was the funniest!)
The girls come later that morning.
They are too cute. Ashley is going to have to have constant monitoring... she thinks she is a little mom.
We leave that night but don't get out of there till this morning. Guess who's coming as we are leaving...
Dr. Bierer... poor guy!
When I am in a different kind of mood, you can expect a post that will be about insurance companies, and nice little "rant and rave"... paying before we are discharged is not as smooth and organized as one would think. Oh, and I got "the kernel bill" the day before we had our chunk of a little girl too...
Stay tuned! Same bloggin' time. Same bloggin' channel!

Ummmmm.... whoo-whoo-hee-hee...

My contractins have begun... We're off!
*(Like the above misspell? I was really in labor!!!)*

Freddy the Frog

Ohhhh Summertime! Today really felt like it, compared to some recent days. I used some of my more recent purchases. I got the buttons from Target today, and I got the felt flowers and buttons from Heartland during last week's excursion.
My day began a t 2:29 am. I woke up during a crazy dream about scrapbooking and politics, specifically colors of cardstock and how they related to Hilary Clinton, Barak Obama, and John McCain. Mike Huckabee was not really a prominent figure in my dream... as in real life... So I woke up thinking, "that was weird", and then realizing why I woke up. Something had caused me some discomfort. I laid there for a few minutes, well, about 5 to be exact... and there was another hard Braxton Hicks. I began timing. They came 5-6 minutes apart and lasted about 2 minutes each. This is just a re-run of one of my last nights being pregnant with Ashley. Nothing happened then either. It was a little uncomfortable, but worse was Peyton, being an absolute wild woman between them. I ended-up going downstairs to watch something... nothing is really on at 3 am... (John and Kate got their little boys potty-trained... there is this crazy ladder that you can crank and move while you are standing on it... the early morning news people aren't nearly as attractive as the morning anchors... see, nothing.) I sat there, on my towel, trying to doze with Peyton break-dancing every 6 minutes or so. I was trying to be reasonable while I was tired and trying to decide what to do. I decided to wait until something really happened, i.e. water-breaking, or real contractions, or pain... so I am tired today.
Mom and I went to Target and walked all over. I found lots of yummy treats to eat! I got some super cute dish towels, which I should really go and get some for Jaclyn, all I need to say is cupcakes... Mom got the girls a prize, more Princess Polly pockets ( I hate them almost as much as Mer does) for when Peyton comes, and Grammy babysits... they keep telling Peyton to come now. They want those dolls! We went to the mall after, not to shop, to walk. My feet hurt and are swollen a little more, but nothing else.
Now Merrill has gone to a concert "Armor For Sleep" (listen to "My Town", I like 'em)... at the request of his two cute little sisters. (I had to remind Mer to not throw his panties at the band...) So I am here with the girls, debating as to whether I should hop on the treadmill and see if he can get here in time. Quiet night at home, with whatever I want for dinner...
Lynn went to pre-school again today. She got to bring home "Freddy the Frog". We are supposed to document everything that Freddy does with us for the next day, well, and today too. He ribbits, "Are you sleeping", and let me tell you, I can't get enough of it!!! She is happy, so excited, so I guess that I am too. Soon, I'll have pre-school homework to do. I got a calendar for the month. Thursday is her Valentine's party.
Maybe Freddy will visit Labor and Delivery with us!

51!!!!

So I just went to check out Sitemeter...
I guess I'm not the only excited one...
51 visits today!!!
Thanks for loving me!
Guaranteed I'll post the second I go...
Keep watching!

Nesting...

Can you tell I'm all about baby today??? These are my two nephews, born a little more than a year apart, my oldest brother's kids... BOYS... what are those like?
Today, I woke up with a slightly achy back. Merrill doesn't want to hear anything about it, it freaks him out. It has gotten worse all day. I am kind of crampy, some hard Braxton Hicks, but nothing else really... well, I guess more. The reign of mucus is over (oVeR-ShArE...), and I have an appetite, and I've been nesting. I got the house cleaned, the kitchen meticulously cleaned... I got my "to do" windowsill, with a lot of things that needed to be fixed, cleared-off, and I got all the Valentine's stuff finished.
Jen called from work to tell me that tonight would be great! There is only one other lady laboring, and I would get lots of attention... I told her I didn't want any attention. I really knew what she meant. I just want to experience the "Oh, my goodness, the contractions have started!" or the "pop" of my water breaking, on it's own. Just in case it really is the last time, as Mer would tell me... I don't want it to end, but I do... the anticipation is killing me!
I spent the day, 8 am to, what I was told would be 5 pm (but really ended-up being 6:30 pm), for the GE service guy to come. The water level knob came off the washer, which isn't even a year-old yet, the stem fell inside the washer... Since it's under warranty, you bet I called them out to come and fix it! I've been washing every load on what I am sure to be "Super Capacity"... way to save the environment Min... So while I was at home all day long, Jaclyn came over, we had a tutoring session... love that I feel so smart! And Brooke came over later for some last preggie pics... this is my fav... I even got my toenails painted! It took some experimenting, but I found a position that I was able to reach my toes! See, now I am ready! (Thanks Brooke!)

Kankles...

Here is as close as I got to a layout today... between Church, Sunday Meetings, and a birthday-birthday party (two nephews...), I really didn't have time! I'll do two tomorrow!!!!
This is my HOF submission confirmation.... eeekkk!

Please forgive the un-kept state of my toenails (little Hannah, where are you?), and the dryness of my skin, but these are my swollen ankles. They are not bad, but since they have only been swollen three times this whole pregnancy... this is the worst I've seen them this time around... I can leave an impression in them...

I think that maybe, just maybe, my body has subconciously been holding back until I submitted my entry... so maybe, just maybe, tonight? Tomorrow?

Even as we speak, I am making me some Broccoli and Cheese soup, with rolls... yum... I have wanted soup, and Milk Duds, all day long. I got home from correlation this afternoon, to scour the cupboard, trying to find something chocolate. The Milk Duds got slipped into my church bag...

The birthday party was so fun tonight! Cade and Evan... how cute. To think that next year, there will be a 3, 2, and 1 year old!!! Bet everyone is excited for their budgets that month! I heard for the third time today, about walking with one foot on a curb and one foot on the ground, how it's supposed to put you into labor... I tried it. My in-laws have one long step to go into the music room, like 10+ feet long... I went back and forth, countless times. I did have one great big long Braxton Hicks, and my niece and daughter laughing at me... I almost went and jumped on the trampoline (indoors, no snow on it), but I thought about how I pull muscles just rolling over in bed, and thought it not a wise idea.

I have plans, emphasis on the s in that word, for tomorrow, just stuff that needs to get done... we'll see how well the opposite thing works out...

P.S. I haven't had to take one antacid today.... weird...

Reasons...

This is all that I can show you... I did a lot today, but this is all that I can show you. In fact, after I post, I have to go and put this image in the place of a few others, because they will hopefully be going with my H.O.F. submission. That is if I can get it sent off before I... well, you know...
So as I got in the shower today, I noticed that my belly button is no longer visible when I stand in front of my bathroom mirror, I have dropped, and keep dropping. It hasn't been fun getting my tummy scraped every time I get into the shower, so since that is my best place to think, I came up with reasons why I am excited about having this little girl, and reasons why I'll be sad to not be pregnant anymore.
Reasons to embrace a non-prego state:
- I will be able to wear more than 2 pair of shoes.
- Lynn will no longer have to find those scrapbook embellishments that I drop on the floor.
- My toenails will get some much needed TLC.
- I will no longer pull muscles when I change positions in bed.
- I will be able to stand closer to the sink, the stove, get into the cupboards, etc.
- The front of my tummy will no longer get soaked while washing my face.
- NO MORE HEARTBURN!!!
- Bending over will be fun, since I will be able to and for the previous reason... nothing will be working it's way back up my esophagus...
- While nocturnal potty trips will turn into nocturnal feedings, I would rather be snuggling a cute baby instead of snuggling a roll of Charmin.
- I will be able to fit into the shower... now if I'll get one regularly...
- Loading three kids into the car, no problem... Now getting in and out of the car won't be a problem either!
- My "underbelly" will be covered.
- My tummy won't be scraping the magnetic-latch-thingie in the shower anymore! (For a couple of years anyway...)

Reasons to shed a tear or two... all of you moms can relate...
- No more little kicks or bumps.
- The hiccups will never be that cute anymore...
- I'll not have an excuse of why I am allowed to have a root beer float for lunch, and every snack that I feel like...
- No excuse to be a glutton.
- The "monthly visitor" will make an appearance soon...
- I'm never really alone as a mom, but having a buddy there, no matter what...
- "Ben and Jerry's", the whole pint all at once...
- Those late nights when I can't sleep because someone has the wiggles... I will miss that.
- The monthly excitement to see what's been going on behind my closed cervix.
- Peeing into a cup.
- Kisses on my tummy from two sweet little girls.
- The anticipation. While it kills me now, I will miss it.
- Being able to rest a bowl or plate on my own personal TV tray.
- Watching my tummy go crazy when I am in the tub...
I know that there are so many more...
I feel like it's so soon... but then I don't want it to end quite yet. But I can't wait to see her....

Still...

We had a fun day today, out and about. I got lots of fun things to scrapbook with... I was too stingy to use my favorites tonight, that and I didn't have the pics I really wanted to use printed off.
I am sooooo tired... I am wondering if I am supposed to get a really good night's sleep, and then it will happen...
I did bring a towel with me today, just in case nothing happened...
So who's still in the running, you might be wondering...
Ashley (has less than 3 hours...)
Nat & Chrisite - 9th
Jen - 10th
Ally0005 - 12th
Kelly - 13th
Brooke & Rachael - 14th
Jenny - 16th
Jaclyn - 17th
Good luck...

Opposite... Day # 2... oh, and Lynn's first day too...

I tried to remember a layout Jaclyn had on her display rod... I loved the color scheme...
This was last night... Lynn picked-out her own outfit and had to have a bracelet. She wanted braids in her hair, so all the other kids would think her hair was so pretty.
First thing this morning, I woke her up and she said, "Oh, my heavens!" The day began. She did so well. I have to admit I cried while I drove away... She was so put-out later at our excitement, asking her all about her first day. I guess she grew up while we weren't there...
So the day of opposites began, again. I woke up early this morning with pains. I thought to lay there and see if anything happened, so I did the opposite. I got up. I have basically been doing the exact opposite of whatever my first thought is for the rest of the day.
Examples:
I washed my hair. I thought I should fix it, I should look cute for post-delivery pics. So instead, I didn't fix it. Just blow-dried it.
I vacuumed the basement. I thought to leave the vacuum downstairs in the laundry room, the girls would inevitably make a mess later... so I carried it upstairs and put it away, just to get it out again later, and carry it back to put it away again...
I wasn't really hungry for anything for lunch. A "handi-snack" and "kit-kat" sounded so good. I thought that would be too unhealthy. So in the spirit of opposites, I ate it for my lunch.
I thought I would be so comfortable if I would just sit and relax, so I stood and walked for most of the day.
I washed my sheets today. First thought, I shouldn't sleep in my bed tonight... what if.... so I will sleep in my bed, because I laugh in the face of... whatever the opposite is to what I am thinking....
I have also been craving a root-beer float... for three days now... I had the ice cream... Jaclyn was so sweet to surprise me with half a gallon of A&W root-beer, love her! My mother-in-law has always told me that root-beer helps to bring in your milk... maybe that's why my body is craving it... will I need breast milk soon?
This is my most anticipated birthday gift... Merrill is busting his bum to put it all together for me right now. It is a tread mill!!! (Is that a hint?) No, I love it. Maybe I'll hop on it tonight, just to try it out (wink, wink)...
Tomorrow, we have planned a trip down to Heartland Paper Company in Bountiful. I plan to buy a lot of paper...

Opposite...

This layout really does count... it's just waiting for a pic that shouldn't be too far out...
I am blogging early... I am doing it because I think that I should really wait until later, just in case something happens... so instead, I am doing it now, in hopes that something really will happen.
Just like I think to leave all of the details for Sunday alone, because nothing will happen, I am taking care of everything that I can now, so maybe something will happen.
Instead of leaving the rest of my week open, just in case something happens, I am making plans, so something will happen...
I made another appointment for next week , so something will happen. If I didn't, then nothing would happen...
You see, opposite...
So the appointment today... I didn't have to wait for 2 hours. I did get some reading done! "To Draw Closer to God" by Henry B. Eyring, really good read. It is a bunch of his talks and addresses, so inspiring. I love that I hear his voice while I read his words!
So on to the good stuff...
- 4 cm
- head WAY down...
- no more thinning-out will take place until there is a baby nearly in my arms.
- she is close to 8 pounds (high 7 at the least)
- he could feel my amniotic sac, he was wondering why it hadn't ruptured, yet...
- and lots more mucus! (I know, over-share for some of you, excitement to me!)
He "stirred" some things up while he was there. I've been feeling crampy ever since... He said that he wouldn't see me next week with a baby in my tummy, I shouldn't go that much longer, but that's what the doc said with Ash, I went around at a four, for another week... He told me to make another appointment for next week, cause that would just be bad luck if I didn't. We also talked a lot more about the VBAC. I asked him some questions about stuff I've been reading, augmentation of the uterus, placenta placement, you know, weird stuff that I really shouldn't worry about, but I do a little because of Merrill. I don't even tell him about half of the possibilities that could happen with a VBAC that I read about, he's freaked out enough. The good ol' doc was good about all of it. I am not worried. Besides, whatever is supposed to happen, will. Besides, I'll get a blessing before we go anyway...
So tomorrow, Lynn's first day of Pre-School! I get to take a "first day of school" pic! AND I'll get to scrapbook it! I am so excited! So I am planning a post for tomorrow, all about her first day, the outfit, backpack, etc., and then the opposite will happen... my post might end up being mostly about something else... See, opposite!

Pre-School Blues...

I went and signed Lynn up for Pre-School today. It is a new class that is starting Thursday. It's right next door to Mer, so at least that takes care of part of my anxiety... I am still having issues with the separation anxiety. I might just have to stay and watch her through the two-way glass for a little while, and cry! I also got the Kindergarten round-up sheet today. Lynn was so excited when I showed it to her and told her what it was. So Pre-School will help me... As Bill Murray's character in "What About Bob", would say, "Baby steps..." For me, baby steps to Kindergarten...
I went and did my civic duty tonight. You know what I got for doing it? A fall on black ice. It was mostly scary, not too hurty. And I was being so careful! Even the guy who was walking behind me said he couldn't even see it. Yeah, someone witnessed this big ol' preggie falling on her bum... I've been having some pretty hard Braxton Hicks since. But nothing else to note. The whole drive home, crying, Peyton kept kicking where I'd put my hand, like she knew how afraid I was. Mer felt so bad! Maybe I'll have more than just a bruised ego tomorrow...