Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Some cute pictures of my amazing kids

I just uploaded pictures from my camera, so now it's time to put them on the web.  Since my house is getting closer to being in order, I can spend some time with my computer.  Duplex pictures are to come soon.

 My little stud-muffin watching a movie.


Boston loves to play with her feet. This is her at bath time.


Valin playing with the curtains at our new place. 

And he static hair that follows. 



Sometimes he reminds me just how small he is.

He's intensely watching a movie, with his fingers in his mouth.

Here Valin is singing "Popcorn Popping." Well, I'm mostly singing it while he does then hand motions.

Here is the one of the first times Boston actually laughs, which isn't like her normal giggle. 


Thursday, December 2, 2010

Snow!!!!

Our weather is making up for the mild winter last year, inch by inch of snow.
   Usually I am all for it.  But now that I have kids who get cold easily, I hate to take them out in it.  So I'm pretty much stuck in the house all day.  If I do take Valin out to play, what do I do with Boston?  It's be better in our new house because we'll have a real backyard.
   But the worst thing is that I'm planning on moving this Saturday and guess what the weather plans on doing then?! Snowing!!! Ugh!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Halloween

We went up to Pilot Rock for Halloween because it was a Saturday and we had made plans before we moved.  Valin was a Knight and I tried to put together a kind of flower costume for Boston.



We went to the primary trunk-or-treat.  Valin had a mixture of confusion and utter joy as we went from trunk to trunk in the rain.  It was as if he would say, "I have no idea why you are placing candy in my pumpkin, but I am loving it!" I had Boston in my front pack, one hand holding the bottle to feed her, and the other one on Valin's keeping him in line.  It was one of the many times I was glad that Boston was bottle feeding because it would have been hard for me to bring Valin around the indoor carnival while nursing her.  So it was fun.

Four generations

Here is Valin with his stickers. He loves to place them all over his face and hands.  It's the cutiest thing!

 My Grandfather (Dad's dad) came up for a visit during the first of November.  We had to get a Four Generation picture.  We didn't get one with Boston because she was sleeping through most of it.

 But at the last minute, she woke up and Dennys got to feed her.

  

A crazy quick trip to visit the love of my life!

To kind of set up the story, about a month ago Patxi called me to ask if I was planning on coming down for a 4 day pass he was granted for the beginning of November.  At the time, we had just moved to La Grande and I was dealing with that stress and the apartment mess.  Plus, I was stick and my kids looked like they were getting it to, so the idea of me traveling alone with my two kids under the age of two made me cringe.   Plus, he said, if I were to go, he wouldn't buy my earlier argument about not wanting to drag my young kids all over Europe. (For Patxi's mid tour leave he wanted to spend those two weeks in Europe) So, needless to say, I said no, we wouldn't go down, even though I wanted to be with Patxi more than anything, I hated to imagine him alone in his barracks while everyone else was with their families.  He reassured me that it was okay because they were planning on taking trips with others whose families wouldn't be coming.  So I didn't feel too bad.

Then, Sunday the 7th- the first day of his pass, during our usual phone conversation, Patxi tells me that his trips had been cancelled because there wasn't enough people.  I could tell he was bummed.  And that picture of him reading a book in an empty barracks entered my mind again.  That picture and the desire to be with Patxi ate at me for the rest of the day until I found myself looking online for plane tickets.  I was still torn between the wanting to go and knowing that it was going to be a huge hassle.  Finally after a phone call from my sister, Jen, I pushed the "book tickets" button, and went crazy with the preparation.  My mom came over and we stay up til 2 getting everything ready.  With the help of my friend, Jamie Law, I felt pretty confident about the plane rides, but not about Patxi's reaction.  If you know Patxi then you know that he shuns hassle like the plague and doesn't appreciate anything spontaneous or expensive.  And as you can imagine, this decision was a huge hassle, rash, and pulling from our savings.  But I was bringing his kids to him, right?  He was sure to forgive me.  Late into the night, after I swear I was getting an ulcer,  I continued to repeat to myself, "The tickets are non-refundable, there's nothing I can do now but choose to make the most of it."  I texted that to Patxi and hope he would do that too.

So soon, I find myself, numb from only 3 hours of sleep, driving to the Pasco, WA airport, not knowing the way because the printed directions fell out of my pocket.  I franticly call my dad and find it.  We race to check in, then back to the car because i forgot Valin's car-seat, and then through security (which was a huge ordeal, even with the help of three different officers). I had just enough time to text my mom that we made it before they started to board the plane.  The ride was nice because Valin was quiet and observant since it was a new experience.

We landed in Salt Lake were Jen was meeting us.  It turned out that we barley had enough time and I would have missed my connection if a pilot hadn't helped me to the gate.  We landed in Menphis and by then Valin was so tired that as we were walking to our next connection, he triped and wouldn't get back up. There I was with a 3 month old in a front pack, with a huge backpack, and holding on to the leash/backpack that was on the back of an almost 2 year old who would only crawl.  Finally a personnel came over with a wheelchair and Valin got to be pushed to out next gate; there was no way that I could have held him.


After a shot of sugar, Valin was his normal self and he would have crashed if his dad wasn't at the other end of the terminal when we landed in Mississippi.  I really can't describe how wonderful it was to see Patxi's brilliant smile, to be hugged and kissed by him, and see the smile he brought to our children.  We were all so happy to be together, that we stay up til 1 that night.  The next day, we mostly stayed in the hotel, napping and trying to get a rental car.  We had dinner at Red Lobbter which was fun.


Then the next day we decided to go the the gulf coast which was about an hour from Hattiesburg (town
we were staying at just outside Camp Shelby). 




 These are pictures of us on while on the road.  Once we got to Gulfport, Valin had fallen asleep, so we decided to drive to Alabama for lunch which was about an hour from there.  Then from there we thought, "well, why not, let's go to Louisiana." On our way back we stopped to wade in the ocean.  The weather was amazing and the beach was great except for the garbage.  On our rode trip, we saw these small restaurants called, Waffle House, about every 8 minutes.  They were more abundant than Mc Donald and Walmart!  The people of the south must love their waffles.
Then we got so hungry that we stopped at the first restaurant we found.  It was the saddest mexican restaurant we've every visited.  But as we changed our direction and got back on the interstate, we saw tons of wonderful places we should have eaten at.  As we drove back to Camp Shelby to drop Patxi off, we heard the song, "I'm Already There" by Lonstar and it touched me so much that I cried on Patxi's arm.  I missed him already.  We sadly said our good-byes and drove back to our hotel.

It was a long trip home.  We got back to Pasco at 10:30 pm and I still had 2 hours to drive.  During that drive I got to thinking.  I felt, deeply, almost to the over-powering of my body, that I loved Patxi.  I realized that I had gone on autopilot with my married, and wasn't striving to deeply love my husband like I should or had in the past.  But after this reflection, I truly felt that I deeply, passionately loved him. Since I went though "emotional" fire so that he could see his children and so I could be with him, I was able to realized how much I really loved him and was willing to sacrifice anything for him.  Was it worth all of the hassle just to say good-bye again...? Heck yes! I would never take back those long, expensive, and wonderful four days.  Thanks to everyone who helped. But I'm most grateful for my Heavenly Father who had blessed me with the ability to make this trip and the reflection I had afterward.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

So...here is a short update on this month


 Have you ever heard of the saying, "When it rains, it pours," because the author must of had me in mind when that phrase was created.  First off, my husband's deployed, so that leaves me as a single parent with two children under the age of two.  Then during the first weekend of the October, I decided that the best thing for me was to move from my in-laws, to a place of my own.  So in comes the stress from moving.  After about three days of living in the apartment I found in La Grande, I realize that it's not going to work.  Valin's bedroom is separated from the rest of the apartment and there's something in here that I'm allergic to because I have to use my inhaler more often.  So I stopped unpacking and started looking for another place.  Then this weekend, while my grandparents were up for a visit, my cold turns nasty and travels down to my lungs.  I was having a heck of a time breathing, even while using my inhaler.  After talking to my family physician, he deemed it something like bronchitis. Then, to tip it off, my milk supply, for nursing my two month old, started to dry up.  I'd try to nurse her but she couldn't get enough to satisfy her hunger, and what I do get out, is from an hour of much effort.  So I decide to bottle feed her, after a huge inter struggle with myself.  Of course, she doesn't like the taste of formula (who does? especially if it taste anything like it smells), but I force it down her throat, all the while wondering if I made the right decision.
     So here I sit, wondering when things were going to calm down.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

i've never been stessed like this before

So, a lot has happened.  We moved to La Grande.  My in-laws were awesome, but it was time to have my own space with my own things.  We looked in La grande because Patxi wants to live there when we get back.  Anyway, we found a great 2 bedroom apartment. it has a fenced yard with a swing, great and safe neighborhood, all utilites are included in the rent which also includes laundry and internet.  But it's not perfect.  The one thing that's turning out to be a huge thorn in my side is the fact that its not self-contained. Meaning that Valin's room is separated from the rest of our apartment. I'll try to illistrate. The outside door opens out to a large room, i call the "common breeze-way." From there, there are four doors (not including storage closets).  Starting from the right, the first door opens to my apartment: living room, bedroom, dinning room, kitchen, and bathroom.  Next is the laundry room.  Then a  little bit down the hall is a studio apartment currently un-rented. Then, on the left side of the outside door, there is Valin's room. Do you see the problem? The reason why I accepted the problem and took the apartment was because we are hardly ever in Valin's room and the postives of the apartment, in my mind, would out way that negitive.  Now  that we are living here, it's become more of a problem and uncomfortable situation. Luckily, I sign a month-to-month lease, so if I find something better, we can move at the end of the month.  The stressful thing is that I've stopped unpacking so my house is a mess, I'm still trying to find something better, all the while trying to meet the needs of myself an my two children under the age of two. Crazy!!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Project: Fit within 1 year

I have a goal to lose all of my weight during the year Patxi is gone and will be blogging my progress.  Here is the address: http://fitwithinoneyear.blogspot.com/ Feel free to visit it, the more people I have to be accountiable to, the more successful I'll be. So please visit. Thanks 

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

7 weeks old!

We are all doing fine. It's been a week since Patxi left, and I am taking things a day at a time. So far things are managable and I'm not insane yet.  Valin had a little bit of a meltdown toady because he missed his daddy, but besides that he's been doing great.  Boston is great.  As soon as I stopped stressing about breastfeeding, it started to going much better.  Whenever anyone comments on how small she is, i really hear, "Aren't you feeding her enough?" And I need to get over that.  It's just a genetic thing and has no fault with me, right? Right.  Anyway, here are some updated pictures of Boston. I tried to get ones of her smiling, but this is all I got.




Thursday, September 9, 2010

We're still alive!

Sorry that I haven't posted much.  I've realized that breastfeeding a newborn and caring for a very active toddler is a full time job.  So when I do have some time, I usually try to nap, shower, make dinner, or try to fit in the mounting landry. But next week Patxi will be here for a short visit before he is depolyed, so I hope to have some time then.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Please welcome...Boston Claire Waite!!!

So, to start off the story of Boston's arrival into our family, I have to say that my induction date finally arrived, though I was both excited and nervous.  We checked in at the hospital at 6:00 am and quickly got settled into a labor/delivery room in St. Anthony's family birth center.  I took to the bed with an IV and hospital gown while Patxi settled into the comfy couch.  Then we waited.  The Pitocin was put on a low dose to begin with, but not much happened. Then my doctor broke my water at 8:20 and I started to feel some regular contractions.  So we decided to get unhooked and walk the halls.  After about 20 minutes, they stopped.  I was so disappointed. 

Then, around 10:30 I got hooked up again, with the same level of pitocin, and my contractions came back.  Then, they increased, so much so that by 12:30 I was almost a 5 and getting my epidural.  I got labor shakes then, which is my body shaking as if it had the chills as a way to deal with the drastic changes in labor.  Anyway, it took some time to dull the pain, but then after a while I noticed that my lower left side was still hurting.  The nurses tried to move me around so that the medicine would flow to that area, with no success.  Soon the contractions were getting stronger and closer together and my lower left side was feeling all of it.  I asked for different pain medication, but couldn't get some because I already had an epidural.    The anesthesiologist couldn't come to give me more, or fix it because he was in surgery.  So I was stuck with feeling the pain.  Oh man, it sucked.

 Finally at 1:40, my anesthesiologist gets there and pumps me so full of meds, it only takes a few minutes to feel the affects.  Seconds after that, my nurse checks me and announces that she can't feel my cervix anymore and rushes to get the doctor in time.  The room gets very busy as I concentrate on not pushing until the doctor gets there.  Finally, we are ready and her head is already starting to come through.  After about three pushes with contractions and a little cut from the doctor, Boston is out and laying on my chest.  She surprised me because she hardly made a sound, and she was smaller than I expected.

So Boston Claire Waite was born August 11, 2010 at 1:58 pm, weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces, measuring 19 inches in length.




Monday, August 2, 2010

The stomach flu, bladder infection, and "You're like a two"

To begin the story correctly, I have to start with Saturday night.  Patxi, Valin, and I ate at a local diner to mix things up a bit.  But later that night Patxi started to feel sick, which was strange because he never does.  But I thought that it might have been the prime rib he ate that night and prayed that a good-night's rest would set him right.  Well, 8:30 comes around Sunday morning (church is at 9:00) and he is still in bed stating that he still feels sick to his stomach.  So I quickly get Valin ready and off to church we go, hands full with my 18 month old and my primary things because I was teaching a new song that day.  Then halfway through sacrament meeting, I started to feel a little queasy.  Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew I was going to get sick.  So I said a little prayer that I'd get through Singing Time.  Miraculously, I didn't feel sick while I was teaching, in between those times, yes I did, but not during.  I was totally blessed.  I pretty much raced home and got Valin some lunch, just in time for me to re-encounter my breakfast in the bathroom toilet.

Well, of course after that I felt better and knew that I should at least try to eat something, for the baby's sake.  It didn't take long for the few pretzels and nectarine I ate to rebel being in my stomach and escape through my mouth.  The only good news was the fact that I was getting contractions, even though the thought of going into labor was the farthest from my mind at that point.  I did occur to me that this might be how Heavenly Father was going to help me progress to a 2 of a 3 cm.  Interesting how he works, isn't it.  Anyway, my next goal was to keep from getting dehydrated, so I sipped as much water as I thought was safe.  At 5:00 that evening, I threw that up too.  Man, I couldn't even keep water down.  However, I was determined to stay hydrated, so I tried eating saltines and chewing on ice next.  It worked.  Plus Nicki, my sister-in-law, offered to go to the store and buy me some 7up to help settle my stomach.  Since the "ox was in the Myer" I said, "heck yes!" It totally worked.  I still had stomach cramps and contractions, but at least I wasn't throwing up anymore.

So today I woke up hoping, praying, and worried about my doctor's appointment.  This was the one that would determined if I progressed enough for him to safely inducement me on the 4th or if we would keep the 11th.  Well, I woke up to a bladder infection brought on from the severe lack of liquids of the day before.  I usually throw back 96 oz of water a day and yesterday I was lucky if I keep down 16.  So, I was not feeling good at all as I walk into the doctor's office.  He did inform me that I had progressed to a 2, which was good news.  But, since I was feeling so sick (and Patxi too), he decided to stick with the 11th so I had time to get over this flu and infection before I would have to tax my body with labor.  Though I was some what disappointed, he was right, I didn't feel like going into to labor, especially since Patxi felt so crummy too.  But I was a 2, and that means when we do feel better and will try things that give contractions, I am more likely to progress into labor.  So, I'm not distrot, I just have a strong hope that I'll go on my own this week ,as soon as we feel better.

So, that's it for this crazy -long story.  Hope you enjoyed this novel of an update.  Hopefully the next post I'll do is of our daugther's birth!            

Thursday, July 29, 2010

"You're like a one"

So I just had my doctor's appointment.  He checked my cervix today to determine how close I was to going into labor so we could then decided when it would be best to schedule my induction.  Since I'm "like a 1" (1 centimeter in dilation of my cervix -10 is full dilation) and therefore far from labor, he said that it won't be a good idea to induce on the 4th, which is what I was hoping for.  But he said that he'll check me again on Monday (the 2nd) and if I've progressed to a 3 or 4 then he will strip my membranes and "sneak" me in on the 4th.  He has a problem with the 4th since I'm not close to labor because it's just a little too early (my due date is the 13th).  The next day that he can induce me is the 11th, which I have reserved now.  So if it comes to being induced, Patxi will have 5 days with his daughter before he leaves.  Sad story.  But at least he'll be there for the birth and to bless her in the 15th. But please, please, please pray for me to go into labor before then!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Two more weeks...well two/ three -ish

(Let me explain the post tittle: Since my doctor agreed to a week early inducement, I have two weeks left.  But I have three if we're counting to my actually due date.  From here on out, I'm going to be counting down to my inducement date.  Sorry for the possible confusion.  Anyway...)
Sorry that I didn't post last Friday like I promised, but here is goes:

So, for an update, everything is going great.  She's moving around like normal and her heart beat sounds good.  On the 30th, my doctor will check my cervix and schedule my induction (or is it inducement?).  But since I'm 37 weeks now, I'm trying to get into labor on my own.  I went walking this morning, 2 miles in 33 minutes with wrist and ankle weights on.  I've been having contractions off and on all day today, so hopefully something will happen.  But every contraction, I know, will help ripen my cervix, so it's not a waste if I don't go immediately.  Patxi and I have been having a lot of "honeymoon" time, which has been giving me contractions as well.  But if there is anything else we could do that might finally kick my body into labor, please share! We want Patxi to have as much time with his daughter as possible.  I've heard of raspberry tea and Castro oil, but I think the oil will be a last resort.    

My baby shower, that my mom threw for me last Friday, went very well.  I had a great time and got everything I wanted/needed and a few needed laughs.  Thanks to all who went.  I felt so special and loved.  Thanks!

Valin's communication skills have greatly improved.  He will actually say, "yes" and "no" and actually mean it.  His "yes" is cute because he lifts his eyesbrows, nods his head, and says, "ah, ha."  Then he can say, "och," "hot," and "ah, oh" meaning the actual things.  He can identifies cars, dogs, chickens, cats, peaches, juice, fishes, applesauce, pretzels, crackers and much more all by name.  He says, "mor" when he wants more.  And though he doesn't pronounce the "ll" of "balloon" (he calls them "boons") he knows and points to them in his books.  He is still the smiling boy we've been blessed with, but parenting has been becoming more of a challenge since he is getting older.  Along with this communication skills, his will and determination to use his agency is increasing as well.  The age of blind obedience is gone.  He also has a problem with hitting, not knowing that it hurts and the difference between hitting things verses people.  I know that it'll just take time and consistency, but this is the frustrating part of parenting.  But everything else is going great, so I have no complaints.

Hope everyone is staying cool and having a great summer!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Valin's fun on the swing

Grandma Waite has a great swing in their yard.   He loves it! So I thought I'll get some pictures of him.





Isn't he such a cutie!

Friday, July 16, 2010

4 more weeks to go...or maybe less! Yeah!!!!!

I'm 36 weeks today and started my weekly appointments.  So I talked to my doctor about how close my due date was to the date of Patxi leaving and he was totally up for an inducement!  I am so excited! I can hardly believe it!  So we talked and he said that I can be induced anywhere from August 4th to the 11th because those are the days he is "on call."  We technically can't schedule it until I'm 38 weeks (July 30), but the 4-11 is the window we have to choose from.  I am so happy to have the weight of the possibility of Patxi not being there for the birth and blessing of our daughter off my shoulders.  One worry down and taken care of! Oh, it feels soooo great.

That also means that the baby blessing is on the 15th of August at 9:00 am for sure.  So make your plans!

I'm been feeling...well pregnant.  My feet start to swell if I sit from more than ten minutes without putting them up.  But that's how it was with Valin during the last month, so I totally expected it.  She's getting bigger which means her movement is getting quite uncomfortable.  I have the usual aches and pains that comes from housing a 6 pound baby between my hips.  But other than that I'm doing great.  I'm going to start exercising again on the 26th, so I'm excited about that.  I've been so lazy -with good reason of course, but still. 

Which reminds me, Patxi and I are in the market for a treadmill.  It'll be my birthday/Christmas/Anniversary present for this year (a good idea because Patxi won't be here for any of them)  I've wanted one for a while, but I had a gym at the school and mild weather in Salem.  Now that I'll have two kids, I need to do my exercising at home.  I love to run, and it's a great workout, plus I don't mind running on a treadmill at all.  Anyway, I have a goal on getting fit while Patxi's gone and a treadmill in our house would be the best and most likely way to meet this goal.  It's going to be an investment because I want to use it forever.  I want to run until I physically can't anymore.  So If anyone would like to share information they may have on buying a treadmill (what are the good brands ,etc.), I would love to hear! Or if you know anyone who is getting rid of theirs, please tell me!

Since no post is complete without pictures, here are some of Valin at the water park in Pendleton.  We had so much fun that I think I'll buy a pass next year.

They have this cute kid slid that Valin went down literally a thousand times


He loved it!
It looks like so much fun, doesn't it!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

I'm getting a little antsy, so...

...there goes my hair!

(it's not the best picture, but what I could get with no one else around)


This is how long it was before.  (I'm in the pink and at Shanel's wedding)

It's nothing drastic like Britney's beautiful hair cut, but it's short for me.  We were talking about hair cuts on Sunday and it got me thinking that I might need a trim.  But once I sat in that chair, decided that I wanted a bigger change. The best thing about it is that I got it cut in the Waite's Kitchen Salon and it cost me nothing.  Peni trimmed everything so it was all one length, and then I stood in front of the mirror downstairs and added the layers.  It was the second time I've done it, and I must confess, I'm pretty impressed with myself.

(this is even a worst picture, but it shows the layers a little bit more)

So what do you think?

Monday, July 12, 2010

My wish/need list for baby girl

In case anyone was wondering what I still need, with all the wonderful hand-offs I've gotten from amazing people it's was hard to know for sure.  Plus it's good for me to make a list so I can get things in order. 

1. Bassinet
or something like this.  I had planned on placing her in our portable crib in our room until she gets on the same night sleep schedule as Valin, but I just don't think there will be enough room.  It could be with a mobile or not.  Valin's never had one so I don't really know of a need for it, but it might be good.

2. Clothes, but mostly accessories like hair bows, socks, and shoes
3. Receiving Blankets -they worked so well for burp clothes and swadling blankets in the summer.  We've just have boy ones and I haven't decided if it matters or not.
4. Oneies -you always need those
5. Hooded bath towel

This is a picture of Valin's.  It's a frog and he's pretty darn cute, so something like that, but girly.
6. Moving/rocking baby swing
or something like this.  I know that Valin will need most of my attention, so I was thinking of something to put her in that will entertain her while I'm dealing with her brother.

7. Diapers and Wipes -of course!
8. Changing table -It's really not that needed since we've changed Valin on the floor for all of his life, but it would still be nice to have one.
I think that's it.  I'll add more if I find that I've forgot something.

Friday, July 9, 2010

5 weeks to go!

Well, actually since were "planning" on having her two weeks early (keep your fingers crossed and prayers said!), I really only have three weeks.  Huh, wow...that's really not that much time.  Good! I'm ready.  All I need is my nursing covers I ordered yesterday and I'm pretty much prepared.  I already laundered her clothes (the cute and copious amount from Brittney) and placed them into her drawers.  We have the car seat, crib, other clothes, nursing pads, some diapers...we might need blankets (girly ones for her)-but really with this hot 97 degree weather, i don't know if we'll be swaddling her.  Then again, it might be good to be prepared and have that option.  I really don't remember what else I needed with Valin, we were so blessed my others who bought most of our stuff that I don't think we had to do mad rushes to the store.  Oh, I will need to get some "Lansinoh Lanolin," the nursing cream.  I think I'll make a list of things to get.  I don't know if anyone is throwing a baby shower.  I haven't heard of anything yet, but I do still have some time or it could happen after she comes too.

Anyway, please excuse the above chatter of my ramblings.  This week went a lot smoother, mostly because Patxi was here, so I had my sunshine with me.  Plus, Valin's ear infection is getting better -almost totally cleared up (besides that sinkin liquid that doesn't seemed to ever leave), which meant that he was much more patient and playful.  The only downside to this week was the hot weather, 90s and above!  This is the first time I've really had to battle with my hands and feet swelling to an almost painful degree.  The last month with Valin was terrible, and this is close to it.  At night, I put a fan on just my feet.  But I am totally blessed in the fact that this is the first hot spell we've had all summer -we're already halfway through July.  It's been rainy and cold until the last two weeks, so I've been really lucky.  Plus, we have a basement here.  I hind out during Valin's nap, which is in the hottest part of the day, so I beat the heat pretty well.  So, all in all, I'm really blessed.  So I'm really just waiting, and trying to prep for a new baby as much as possible while keeping cool.  I hope everyone is doing great and beating the heat as well. 

Oh, and case anyone is wondering, we haven't decided on a name yet.  With Valin it took forever for us to even decided on possible canidates.  And then we didn't even choose until he arrived.  So we'll probably pick out a few that we like and then decided when we meet her.  Oh, and I think we'll plan on having her baby blessing in Pilot Rock, the Sunday before Patxi leaves for his three week training, so that's the 15th of August (sacrament meeting starts at 9:00 am).  Unless she hasn't arrived by then, of course. We hope she will, so plan on that for now. 

Saturday, July 3, 2010

6 more weeks!!

Wow, the time is flying by. Just six weeks. And, yet it feels like it's dragging on forever.  Well, at least with pregnancy, you'll know it has to end some time.  I've just been feeling so tired lately.  It's be more of a task to keep up with Valin and actively play with him.  I can't wait to get this baby out of me so I can move around like I used to.  I mean, who's idea was it to carry 20-30 extra pounds between the hips and on the waist?  The back or shoulders would have been ten times easier! Who knew that bending down, tieing your shoes, and getting up from any sitting position could be such hard tasks.  Plus, her feet have been in my ribs for the last month and a half, so I get soccer punched in the lungs if I slough or relax my posture.  I just can't get comfortable anymore!  Sitting, laying, standing! Ah, I'm done!! Stinkin six more weeks!

Deep breath

Please excuse the rant.  Patxi hasn't been here, so I have no one to vent to.  Yup, Patxi's been gone this last week (and the three weeks before that), which really doesn't help any of this.  Out of the six weeks I have left with him, he's going to try and be gone for three of them. (The two last weeks, I hope to have and be with our new baby.)  He teaches medic classes the 12th -16th (that can't be helped), he plans to work at his sister's in Colorado the 26th -31st (I'm thinking about putting my foot down because it's cutting pretty close to the due date), and he will probably work for his brother next week as well  camping and taking out fences (the 5th -10th).  And to tell you the truth, I'm about to have a nervous brake down!  I don't know if I can take him being gone like this before he absolutely has to be.  This last week has been pretty stressful because Valin hasn't been feeling well, again, which means unchanging and unexplainable winniness which rubs the nerves raw.  Combind this with the end-of-pregnancy slumminess, plus my emotional anxiety of Patxi's deployment right when I have our second child, mixed with the fact that I just plain miss him and the emotional support he can give me -and you get me bawling randomly this morning.  I don't know if I can take this.  Can I just call a time out or something?  Freeze time where Valin is napping and I'm laying in Patxi's arms. Ah! I feel like pulling my hair out, or just crying again!   

Deep breath

There I go again. Sorry. But it does feel better to let some steam out.  Thanks for giving me the outlet.  I'll try to be less doom and gloom next post.  But thanks for the therapy, because it looks like I need it!        

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Something that I needed to hear

I was preparing to teach July's new song in primary and I was browsing the helpful website, http://www.sugardoddle.net/ and there was a post that linked me to this video by Jeffery R. Holland. (if the screen isn't wide enough, like half it cut off, you can click on the video and it will bring you to the orginal youtude page)



I couldn't make it through without crying.  The women seemed to be portraying my life, and I recognized how hard it is being a mother.  But I really didn't start bawling until Elder Holland said that we are doing the Lord's work, especially when it's hard.  The spirit bore testimony to me, that what he said was right.  I felt so comforted, especially since Patxi's deployment has been weighing heavier on my mind, especially since we're getting a daugther in less than 7 weeks.  Every now and then you need to hear that what you are stressing, worrying, and working yourself out for is worth it.  And not only that, but that Heavenly Father wants to help.  That had been on my mind as well, and I know that his help is there, if I'm just humble enough to take it.

So thank you to whoever made this video and to Elder Holland! This was something that I really needed to hear.  I hope that it will help you too.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

7 more weeks!

Sorry about not posting yesterday.  Patxi surprised me by coming home from his week long medic training a day early so all of my plans of blogging last night went out the window. 

Everything with baby is going great.  It was a pretty demanding week, so I had a few contractions here or there, but nothing as exstendsive as last fridays (see post enlittled: "8 more weeks").  My pevic bone are shifting like crazy which has been killing my lower back and turned my walk into a woddle.  I don't remember Valin starting to desend this early!  Thurdays night was pretty bad and I had to lay my top half on the coffee table to get some pressure off my back.  After a night's rest, though, I was feel fine again.  That's just something I've slowly come to grips with, the fact that my body needs to take rests every now and then.  I'm use to a go, go, go scheduale with my toddler and Valin's naptime is my busiest time.   But over the past few weeks, my body has been crying out for breaks during the day, and I just have to be sensitive enough to take them.  Being pregnant is not easy, especially with a 17 month old! 

While, I'm posting, here are some cute pictures of Valin to update you with:

Here my little twinkle toes in action:
 


My son, the Davey Crockett wanna-be.  He just looked so cute in his coon hat.


Here's a little smile.  I think he looks a lot like Patxi in this one.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Yup, that's a 4 & 1/2 year old cake

My mom, for some reason, decided to stick true to that tradition of freezing a piece of the wedding cake so that the couple can eat it on their first anniversary.  The idea totally disgusted Patxi, so we never got around to it.  Every now and then my mother would remind us of what was in her freezer, but somehow, the four plus years passed.  Finally, this last memorial day weekend, my mother put her foot down.  So, as the good pacifist that I am, I decided to eat it and finally be done with it.

here is the proof:




I really don't know what the fuss was about, it actually tasted just like cake.  I didn't even get a tummy ache or anything.  Silly Patxi.

Another freakin ear infection, big surpirse

I knew it was coming.  If his faucet of a nose and crankiness over the pass few days didn't give it away, then his fever tonight did.  When the doctor checked his last one, and it "hadn't totally cleared up," she just gave me a prescription knowing that it was just a matter of time.  Don't worry, Valin has an appointment with a Nose, Ear, and Throat specialist here in town.  But it's just frustrating waiting in the mean time.  Luckily Valin is pretty good with them now, but I still feel horrible that he gets them on an average of once every other month.  Poor kid! Well, please keep him in your prayers.  Thanks!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Seren's graduation

I just uploaded the pictures from my camera, so here come all of my posts.  sorry that it's either feast or famine here.

Here's pictures from Seren's Graduation and grad BBQ on June 5th.  We also went canoeing that day too.  

At the beginning of the ceremony, all of the graduates gave roses to their parents or loved ones.  Peni got the prettiest pink rose.

Valin is usually all smiles, but it's hard to request one from him.

It's official, Seren Graduated from High School, she has the diploma and everything. 

Seren and her best friend, Lacy, had a combination Graduation BBQ.  Here they are posing with the hats that came on their cake.

Next to Pilot Rock, there is a reservoir that damns the MacKay creek and that is where we took the canoes.


It was a little bit cold, so Valin wasn't in the best spirits.
Dennis and Peni had to take their turn on the reservoir too!


Shelbey dunked Stefka in and everyone joined them, until it got too cold.

It was great fun seeing Stefka, Petra, and Mikey who came down especially.  A celebration at the Waites is always tons of fun and loaded with food! Congradulation Seren!