Journaling

- Thursday, I decided it was time to see exactly how many baby boy things I actually have.  We've gotten rid of a LOT of it over the years.  That happens when they start out as hand-me-downs to begin with and then get handed over to cousins and such.  I got out the big tote I've had sitting around and found out we have about 5 outfits he will be able to wear (including the cute little blessing outfit we had for Noah), and a TON of blankets.  So that was good to know.  Not near as much as I had thought, but hey, what can ya do.  We've bought a few things for Wormie already, so I think he'll be fine :).  As I dug deeper in the tote though, I noticed two boxes.  One had cards from our wedding gifts, that was fun to look through!  And the other had sentimental little knick knacks from our early years of marriage.  All the love notes and stuff that Nate gave me, and some of the ones I gave him.  It was really interesting to read through it all.  We sat and went through it for an hour or so.  Made me realize a few things.  As much as I feel like Nate and I have changed over the years, I really noticed that we're actually still the same.  A lot of the notes and things said things that we still say :).  Things that we still feel and things that we would still do.  Kinda funny to think that we are not that different from back then.  It's interesting to look back on a time when we didn't have anyone else in the picture.  It was just the two of us (and a prospective baby in some of them) and realize how much different life was.  I'm so glad that things have gone the way they have.  I wouldn't change any of it.  But looking back on those times feels good.  I love remembering a time when life was so simple.  There was little responsibility, little schedule, we just kind of floated through that time.  Kinda cool.  I'm glad we had that time.  I'm glad we have ways to look back on it too.  It's a good reminder. Helps me to re-focus where we are at now.  And helps put a new perspective.  I enjoy reminiscing, but I like to use it to make my future better as well.  I think Nate felt similar.  It was a fun time with him.    6-28-12

- Our first Sunday with Nate working went SO WELL!! There were a few hangups (aka: Noah forgetting his shoes and being to shy to go to his class! and then Erika getting too tired in Nursery and needing to be held by Charity in the back of the Primary as I taught Sharing Time), but we survived!
Charity wrote and gave her own talk.  She impresses me so much with her desire and ability to do those things on her own!  She did a fantastic job!  Read a story about a girl who told the truth at school about reading minutes, and then shared her testimony.  It was fabulous!
And Sacrament Meeting was PERFECT!!!  I'm not sure how they did it,  but my kids were SO reverent!  Erika was a pill, and needed to rock, so I did the unthinkable and left 5 little kids in the chapel all by themselves.  Erika fell asleep so fast, and I was able to peek in on the kids during the sacrament and they were really doing well!  I couldn't believe it!  They sat reverently through the whole meeting and Erika was sleeping, so really, I couldn't have asked for more.  I was SO proud of them!  And SO relieved that things we so well.  I know it was a blessing. A tender mercy.  Heavenly Father knows just how to show me His love.  He sure does love me too.  Not sure why, but SO glad he does.
Grandma Hatch came over that evening to visit and we let her have some of our gourmet dinner with us (we actually had frozen pizzas for dinner that night :)).  The kids ran around showing off all their tricks for her the whole time.  That was a fun change of pace for the kids.

- We went to the library for the first time in a VERY long time (mainly because of the fines we'd racked up-- sometimes I wonder if it would just be cheaper to go to the bookstore), on Thursday.  Just the kids and I.  It was a very productive little trip and everyone did well until the very end.  And that was mostly just Erika.  I am starting to think that it's the temperature in some places that tips her off.  I was starting to feel pretty agitated myself just because I was feeling really hot and sweaty in there.  So I'll cut her some slack on that one.  Even though I was pretty mad at her by the time we got home.  I only let the kids pick out 2 books each.  We'll see how long it takes us to lose them.  Or maybe we'll actually make our way down to the library again in a decent amount of time so that we don't have to lose them.  We'll see :).  Charity was ecstatic she and Kelly checked out the same book so that they could read it together and then one other.  Charity's already read both of them.  How nice.  Bradley spent a lot of time browsing.  He had to get the librarian to help him as well.  I think he settled on some cool chapter books though, and I was proud of him for choosing harder books.  Lukey likes Kitty books and that. is. all. right now.  Since they didn't have any books on Mario.  Noah had a hard time, put back about a million before settling on the I Spy book he found.  And some other random one.  But he was happy anyway ;).  And Erika needed a "Me too" book (aka: Mercer Mayer) and a Kitty book once she heard that was possible from Luke.  Funny kids.  I'm glad they like to read though.  I should really try to encourage it rather than being the way that I am.  7-5-12

- Saturday, Charity, Kelly and I went to the baptism for the girl up the street, Cassy Barker.  The girls were so sweet to make her a bracelet before we left, and they were very excited for her.  It was a nice service.  I was the pianist (the missionaries had forgotten to get one, so I stepped in... I was actually relieved to have something to do).  I hope things go well for her and that she is able to get the guidance she needs to fulfill her covenants.  She's such a cute girl, I just think she will do great things if she has the help.  There was a BBQ at the park afterward that we made our way to.  We didn't know anyone else there, so that was a little awkward, but I was glad the girls could be there to support her.  7-7-12

- Sunday went okay, not as well as I had wanted, but really, it was mostly Erika and Noah who were causing the problems and they're so little, it's hard to be disappointed in them.  The big kids did fabulous as usual.  I'm so proud of them!!
Noah did have the opportunity to say the prayer in Primary, SO CUTE!!  He had "written some things" on a piece of paper and so before he said the prayer he made sure to pull out his folded up piece of construction paper.  It was adorable.  I love that kid.  He keeps having a hard time sitting with his class... not sure what this phase is all about.... hopefully we can figure out some kind of reward or something to help him be a big boy.  7-8-12

Some more fireworks :)

So, a few days before the 4th, Nate was driving to the store to get a few things and heard on the radio that they were doing a contest to win free fireworks at the place in Smith's parking lot.  He figured, "what the heck" and made his way over there.  I guess he was really close.  They asked him a bunch of questions about the Jazz and he ended up with a few hundred dollars worth of vouchers to buy fireworks that were also discounted.  He picked out a whole bunch, and came home with 2 bags of really nice fireworks!  We were so excited!

I think Bradley was the most excited :).  He's been thinking and talking about fireworks for the past month (at least).  Planning which ones he wanted to get Nate for his birthday, watching the demos online, reviewing all the ads in the mail... basically just obsessing over them :).  It was actually really cute to see him get so into it all.  I was happy we were going to have some fun ones for him to be a part of.

Our plan: to light these ones at Grandma Hatch's house on Saturday night (since all the other nights were taken with other firework shows and Nate working).

Of course it wasn't til the last minute Saturday night that we got the okay from Grandma and then also invited Brent and Sarah to join us.  (we invited Steve too, but he chose to watch them from up on the hill in the comfort of his own porch)

I think we had fun :).

We had plenty of snacks, water courtesy of Simon and Grandma, Kambree had come along.  Pop-Its were first, then the Sparklers, then we crowded right next to the street (let me tell you how much that stressed me out! to have everyone so close to the action) to watch the Nate and Bradley Fireworks Show!

There were a LOT of really cool ones!  Bradley enjoyed being front and center and even lighting a bunch of them himself (brave Daddy!).  The finale was the really huge "Big Fat Hissee Fit" HUGE aerial fireworks right there in the street :). The Missile ones were pretty cool too.  Lots of fun!  Steve texted me to tell me that he had been able to see them from up at his house, so that was cool too.  

I think we were all pretty amazed with how spectacular they were especially teh last few.  I was glad the trees didn't catch on fire... or any other crazy disasters.  Charity and Erika ended up in the house at the end, and after a huge meltdown from Erika, which Charity rescued her from, but they had both done really well through most of the others.  We had a lot of quiet ones which seemed to benefit Erika.  Noah, Luke and Kelly just enjoyed the show.... and all the food.... 

I'm glad we were able to do that night!  It was fun to spend time with everyone, and it was fun to have our own fireworks.  I LOVE these holidays!  So fun for kids, so thrilling.  Good times.  

Pregnancy Journal

7-7-12
I had a prenatal check up two days ago.  Things were less than desirable, so I chose not to post about it that day, but I've decided I need to now.  Nate wasn't able to come with me, which is totally fine, but it was the first visit he hasn't gone to with me, and I missed him.  I have so much fun with him when we go together.  Maybe that set me off on the wrong foot.  Anyway.  There was a new nurse this time.  Erika was still there, but she wasn't processing me, it was someone new.  She annoyed me.  I still hate the whole peeing on the strip thing and carrying my pee strip through the hall with me to show the nurse.  It's annoying.  Then when she put me in my room she announced that she had "read your chart and noticed that you have SIX KIDS!  You have your hands full!"  Duh.  Lame thing to say.  I'm not sure why I thought it was so stupid, but it bugged me.  And at the same time it was a little funny.  I kept thinking, "WOW!  You got all that from my chart!  You detective you!"  Like she couldn't just ask me how many kids I have.  She's obviously a new nurse.  If you're going to snoop through my chart unnecessarily, don't tell me what you found unless it's something I don't already know.  Genius.  I'm getting off track.  See how easily annoyed I am.  I need to work on that.
Dr. Thackeray came in, asked how the 4th of July was, asked if we have any other plans for the summer, we talked about Payson Lakes, and our camping trip next week.... the usual.  Then he informed me that my glucose test results had shown that my sugars were really good!  I was at an 80 and he said borderline was 140 (? I may have gotten that wrong).  But either way, I was happy to hear that my sugars were good.  It's been weighing on my mind for a while now how that would all turn out.  I'm relieved.  Then he informed me that I am "slightly anemic".  Big surprise.  My iron is always low this time of the pregnancy.  Time to start taking the iron.  I hate that part.  It's sort of nerve racking for me because I know how difficult it can be for your body to absorb iron from a pill.  I know that I lose a ton of blood in the c-section, always have, and it's always an issue, so I really do want to make sure my iron is good to start out.  But with the pills.... well, I guess I just stress about whether my body is absorbing it, or if I can just get enough extra iron in my body from more natural sources.  I'm not sure why I stress about it so much.  I just hate the thought of needing a transfusion.  Anyone who's ever worked a blood drive would have a hard time wanting to accept some random person's blood.  Even in an emergency, I think I would go into shock or something if I found out I had someone else's blood in me.  I never want to have to do that.  ANYWAY.
THEN, Dr. Thackeray asked me if I'd thought of a date at all yet, to schedule the delivery.  I decided this would be a good time to ask him about my idea to deliver at 38 weeks instead of 39.  He suggested that we not.  And said that it is recommended for the baby that we not go any sooner than 39.  I'm okay with that.  I really don't want to do anything that puts my little guy at risk.  I was just slightly bummed.  There are good things about the following week though, and I really do think it is meant to be, but I was disappointed.  Then I told him we had thought the 23rd would be a good day, avoiding the birthdays in the Maynes family and such.  He seemed okay with that, but needed to look at his calendar.  Come to find out, the next day, he called and informed me that the 23rd is too soon and that we need to wait until the 25th.  SO STRANGE!!!  He has NEVER been like that!  Makes me wonder what things have happened since at least Noah, for him to be such a stickler for the date!  It's annoying for me to think about having to be pregnant for 2 days longer, but mostly I'm just surprised.  It IS 39 weeks.  I remember figuring that when I was looking at it myself, but when I saw that the 25th was a Saturday, I assumed it was out.  So I chose the 23rd based on the fact that one of Beth's boys is on the 24th.  I totally would have been planning on the 25th had it not been for the whole Saturday thing.  I just have to keep telling myself these things so as not to get discouraged.  Nate said it too though, it's probably just meant to be this way.  Maybe Wormie is going to need a little more time.  Who knows.  Ya never really know.  So anyway, I will not be having him early.  That's the bottom line.
I must say that I spent most of the last 2 days in tears.  Mainly because of the pain I've been having in my pelvic bones and hips.  I'm not sure how it happened.  I remember having it feel really sensitive when the Doc was feeling for the bottom of my uterus to measure me, and it's been hurting there (and everywhere for that matter) ever since.  It's weird.  I've never experienced anything quite like this.  My left leg feels like it is dislocated or something.  It feels like it's rubbing weird, like bone against bone, and it just feels really awkward with every step.  It's almost unbearable when I have to put all my weight on that one side.  It's so weird.  I find that after I've been sitting Indian-style on the floor for a little while, it feels normal for a minute, so maybe it gets in the right position, but it never lasts long.  It's so painful.  It's funny how many new symptoms can show up with this pregnancy.  I'm not sure how to handle all of them.  I might have to go see a physical therapist or something if it continues.  Hopefully I can do some stretches or something to fix it myself though.  It's weird.
So there ya have it.  My update :).  Baby Wormie is looking good.  Nothing out of the ordinary for him.  He moves ALL THE TIME!  Which is very good for this worry-wart.  In fact, he went like 2 hours without moving today and I just about lost it.  He never does that, so it was strange and I poked him and moved him around enough to get him going again for the rest of the day.  The more active, the better, for me.  The contractions are minimal.  I rarely have them anymore.  Not sure why, but it's a good thing :).  No signs of preterm labor.  Hopefully he's growing and developing just as he should :).  I can't wait to meet him!!  He's going to be so handsome, I just know it!  Charity wants him to have dark brown hair like her, right when he's born :).  Gets me curious.  I really can't wait to see him!

INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Nate and I were in charge of the Maynes Family's get together this year, for the 4th.  We had already made plans with Chris and Stephanie to watch their show, so we thought a breakfast/brunch (for all the early risers that didn't want to wait til 10:00 for breakfast) would be a fun idea.  It ended up not being the best time for a lot of Nate's sibs, but we did have a lot of fun with those that were able to come.  We had yummy food, then headed on out to the field across the street and played a grueling game of Kick Ball.  I hadn't planned on playing, but it just looked too fun to not.  I probably shouldn't have though, my hip joint is just not connected the right way or something.  It was painful BEFORE I ran around in flip flops, so you can imagine how it felt after.  Still fun though!

After Kickball, the 4 oldest went over to the pool with Grandpa and Grandma (they had 5 guest passes at a time, so the kids got to take turns swimming), and Noah and Erika stayed back with Nate and I, I read books to Erika, Noah ran around the yard.  Then when the big kids came back, we got our turn.  I wasn't in the mood to put on a non-maternity swim suit, so I let Nate get in the pool with the two littles.  I sat on the side in my jeans (like a dork!) and took pictures.  It was pretty relaxing actually.  I had a good time.  Erika and Noah were having the time of their lives :).

Kinda looks like she's gonna drown in this one.  Probably not the best moment to snap a picture.  But this is the face she had when she came up:

She thought it was hilarious :).  

It was funny when Nate's mom offered up the waterballs and Erika goes, "Yeah, me need a ball."  All matter-of-fact like.  And grabbed them and ran off.

Noah liked crawling around (aka: swimming) and had Nate "dare him" to do it over and over :).  Cute stuff. 

Erika kept yelling, "Somebody watch me!!!"  For all her cool tricks.  We thought it was funny that she didn't really care who, just "somebody" :).

She's such a tease, getting her Daddy all wet with the ball ;).

Meg showed up with her boys a few minutes later.  It was fun to talk with her a little before we had to go.  

We drove home, I totally konked out on the couch for an hour and then we hurried and got our treat and dip ready for the party that night and headed out to Sandy.  

Chris and Stephanie put on a fun show, Chris had hours of fun planned, The Parachute guys were probably everyone's favorites.  Those are so cool, I wish they'd had those when I was little.  Then worms and Sparklers.  The Police showed up about that time, to check on what we were doing.  Apparently someone in the neighborhood had called in.  Probably made her laugh to pull up and see a bunch of little kids and old people.  She didn't seem worried at all.  Asked Chris what he was lighting, he offered to let her see it all, she refused, made some comment about how she loved the snakes when she was a kid, and drove off :).  Kinda funny.  

It was fun to watch Erika and Sophie getting along so well.  They were really good friends all night!  And look how cute they are together!

Kelly saw a photo op, couldn't miss out on it :)

Heidi and John didn't have any plans that night, so we invited them to the party.  I was really glad they were there because there were a lot of people there that I didn't know.  It was fun to talk with them and share that time with them.  

I wish Charity's legs were showing in the background, kinda looks like someone's got an extra pair of legs.

As it got dark, Chris started lighting off the really fun stuff.  Bradley was his big helper, and I was so proud of how well-behaved he was.  I was trying to figure out what makes my kids such good kids and why they don't try all the stunts other kids (and there were two that night who kept getting yelled at) try.  Maybe they don't want to be yelled at?  I don't know.  Either way, I feel very blessed to be their parents.  I couldn't ask for more (most of the time).  

This was a sweet moment when Sophie realized that Erika was a little scared, so she went and sat down behind her on the rock, and put her arms around her.  It was SO ADORABLE!!!  I'm so glad I got the picture.  Erika did a little better that night, compared to how she did the night before, but still scared.  Especially near the end.  We had to run inside with Charity and Buddy for the finale.  Buddy had been having some serious anxiety for most of the fireworks show.  The poor guy.  Charity took good care of him though, and he survived.  

Kelly made friends with Stephanie's neice, so she was pretty busy with her or Heidi and John all night.  Luke and Noah ran around collecting parachute guys.  Charity struggled with Buddy a lot of the night, but also had fun listening to Heidi and I talk.

On the way home we watched all the shows all over the valley from the safety and sound-proofness of our car.  The kids (who weren't tired and fighting) loved it :).  

It was a fun night!  Happy 4th of July!

FIREWORKS!!!!! At the WB

We knew we weren't going to watch a big show on the 4th, since we would be with the Bakkes, so we made our way down to the West Bountiful show the night before!  They had a fun little band that played mostly Beach Boys, some Beatles.... I loved it :).  When we got there, the kids talked Nate into getting them some cotton candy and popcorn, so Nate stood in line for the LONGEST time, while we waited for the fireworks to start.  In the meantime:

Our little friend Cambree came with us.  She and Noah have had a lot of fun together since we got to know her, these last few months.  I think Noah's the only one left who can really put up with her all the time ;).  The rest of the kids get kind of tired of her.  No offense to her, she's adorable.  She and Noah are total buds, I love this picture :)

The girls had a lot of fun dancing to the music, Kelly had the great idea of setting out a hat to collect money :).  Didn't make any money, but I thought it was adorable.

She did this just for the camera :)  She's hilarious.

As it started to get dark, we realized we were not in the best location for firework viewing and moved.  Then we found some little girls who were selling glow sticks.  Nate trusted them with a $20 bill, as they ran back to their Mom to get the $16 change they owed him.  I thought it was funny to watch Nate squirm, but I was SO impressed that the girls came back to tell us that their Mom had "gone back to the car" to get some change, and then they came back a third time to bring the money.  Very trustworthy little kids!  Very Impressive.

The show was fun, Erika learned that she doesn't wuv fireworks as much as she thought she would.  I felt bad that she had been so excited for them ALL day and then so let down by how scary they were.  She doesn't love the loud noises.  Just like her big sis.  She survived though, and lucky for her it was a fairly short show. Somewhat of a let down to everyone else though.   We really weren't sure if they were done or not ;).  But overall, it was a VERY good time.