Ruby's Blessing

Today was Ruby's blessing day. I was a little worried about getting everyone up and ready and on time by myself. ...and trying to time it right with Ruby's eating schedule so she would be content during her blessing. We got all ready and left around 8:30 so I could feed her a bottle and get her in her blessing dress before church started. We got to church and Ruby was hungry, so I fed her a bottle. SHE WOULDN'T/COULDN'T DRINK IT. I am not sure what the problem was but we tried for like 25 minutes and she didn't drink any of it. I am not sure if the hole in the nipple was not working or too small or what, but I was so frustrated! And there wasn't time for me to go feed her. So we got her dressed anyway and tried to feed her more. I knew it wouldn't be good during her blessing, but there was nothing I could do. Brian did a great job on her blessing even though she cried the whole time. The people in the circle were my dad, his dad, his granddad, his brother Danny, my brother Brian and our bishop and Brother Brown. Ruby looked so darling in her blessing dress. She wore the gown that my dad was christened in when he was a baby. He was Catholic and he and his siblings were all christened in this dress, so that was so special that she got to wear it for her blessing. I got her bow from etsy, and I just love it.







(note to self: call Brooke and get a new hairstyle!)

Today was also the primary program. Unfortunately Libby wouldn't even sit up front. Oh well. At least she did it during the practice. Eliza and Ellie did well. Ellie was so funny to watch--she really got into some of the songs. I told my mom that I think she forgot she was up in front of people because she had a little attitude singing. Then I guess--I didn't see it--but two of the primary presidency counselors told me after that Ellie and Bryson--the boy who was standing next to her kissed! They faced each other and puckered up. I asked Ellie later and she smiled and said they did. Nice. Guess we'll have a good story to tell when she is older!

After church we came home and changed clothes, then went to my parent's for lunch. Brian met us over there later, then we went to his parents for dinner. It was a good day all around.

Primary Program Practice & Trunk or Treat

Friday was early release again. After picking up, we came home and had lunch. Then the girls had to do three chores each (Eliza and Libby). Libby was the first one to do them and did them without complaining. I took Libby over to Carson's for a play date. The rest of us were just home the rest of the afternoon. In the evening, Eliza, Libby and Ellie had a practice for the primary program that is tomorrow. Since Brian is over primary, he went, too. They practiced the program a few times and fed the kids pizza for dinner. Brian texted me and said that Libby had actually said her part and did it. A miracle!! Even if she doesn't do it on Sunday during the actual program, the fact that she did it every time they practiced was enough for me! Brian said she was very quiet, but I am so amazed and glad that she got up there and did it! That is huge for her.

While they were gone, I took Hattie and Ruby grocery shopping. Ruby started being fussy at the beginning, so I had to hold her and try to shop and push the cart one handed. We survived, but it wasn't easy!

This morning Eliza had a soccer game. They didn't win, but Brian said she played really well, especially defense. I stayed home with Ruby and Libby. We met at his parents after that and did our cleaning/moving of the chicken coop duty and checked out beds for Libby. Brian's mom had one that will work, so today we got it all set up and got a mattress, so she is good to go!

Tonight was our ward trunk or treat. This year for costumes, Eliza was a 50's girl. She was going to be Taylor Swift, but we had a hard time finding a wig and a dress. Libby was a hula girl. Kind of. She wore jean shorts and t-shirt with a flower on it. She did wear a shell necklace, so that was an addition from what I thought she would wear. I was a little embarrassed thinking that people probably thought that I didn't get a costume for her. Believe me--we tried!! She wanted to be a hula girl and that is what she picked out to wear! Ellie was Aurora (when she wore the blue dress), although everyone thought she was Snow White. (P.S. Snow White has a yellow skirt on her dress.) And Hattie was Tinkerbell. She has been telling everyone for the past month, "I be Tinkerbell for Halloween." And she has been wearing the costume around for the past few weeks and loving it! Ruby wore a little Halloween sleeper. Eliza thought she looked like a boy, so we put an orange flower in her hair. The night started out with the traditional chili dinner (hot dogs for the kids), then they had games. Bishop and his family did a haunted house that was pretty good I hear. There were strobe lights, so I'm sure that would have done me in! I also had to watch the little girls who would be too scared. I think Eliza only made it through the first room and then screamed to come out! LOL. After that, they loaded up on candy going around trick or treating. That is always a fun activity and a fun night!

I need to take better pictures on the real Halloween, but here are some from before the trunk or treat.

End of Week

Last night my cousin Jodi came over to watch my girls while Brian went to mutual and I visited another ward's Young Women in Excellence. They did a cute star theme and did "Star Dazzle Awards". A member of their bishopric was the emcee and for each value they had an "envelope" and the girls who did their project under that value were announced as a winner in that category. Then that girl came up (down the red carpet they had made) and told a few words about her project. Then each girl got a little star award/trophy. So darling! And they served star shaped brownies with various toppings they could drizzle on top. I was so amazed at the projects these girls chose to do and carried out.

Today was a crazy day. After the girls got off to school, I cleaned up around the house--dishes, started some laundry, picked up, etc. Then I hurried and got ready. It's early release today and tomorrow because of parent teacher conferences, so I had to be back in time for pick up. So I picked them up and we headed home. We had lunch, they played outside for a bit, we colored and Eliza gave me a little art lesson on how to draw these cute little people that she draws. My mom came over after lunch. She had Dallin and Abby with her as she picked them up after school. We loaded up and went back to the school to the book fair. The kids had fun picking out books. I always loved the book fair when I was little and my girls seems to love it, too. This afternoon, Eliza ended up going home with my mom and Abby and I took the rest of my girls along with Dallin. They all had fun playing outside most of the afternoon.

This afternoon I had Eliza and Libby's parent teacher conferences. They are both doing great. I was so pleased with what their teachers had to say. Libby's teacher said she is doing wonderfully in school--reading and writing, etc. She says she is a good participator in class, so I was happy about that! She is respectful of her peers and teachers and sweet and bright. Eliza is also doing well academically and her teacher just raved about her. She said she has a heart of gold and if she every has a girl, she wants her to be like Eliza. That makes a mother's heart smile!

Tonight I had a stake leadership training meeting. We all met together at the beginning and a speaker spoke about the Holy Ghost. It was such a great talk and was very inspiring. She spoke about the various roles of the Holy Ghost and how to hear it more in your life. She shared several experiences from her life the illustrated the different things she spoke about. From there, we separated into our auxiliaries. Our theme for the YW part was Examples of Joy. Each member of the presidency talked about being an example of joy in various areas of our life: Joy in Christ, Joy in Covenants and Joy in Family. I thought they all did an incredible job. They talked about being examples of joy in those areas and thus being an example to the young women. So inspiring, too. The dessert tray was well liked, too!

I am happy to say I have almost survived my busy week! I have been extremely tired though, so I think it's catching up to me! LOL. If I sit down, before I know it, I'm dozing!!!

Tuesday

Today was a little different than expected. I was supposed to have a presidency meeting this morning at my house, but one of the ladies couldn't make it so we ended up canceling it. So after getting ready, we went to Sweets Unlimited to order some treats for our leadership training meeting we have on Thursday night. We had planned to do refreshments, but the week is so busy for all of us, so I suggested we just order them. The lady who owns the store is a friend of my mom and did my wedding cake, etc. I met my mom there and spur of the moment we decided to head to Savers (trying to find Eliza's costume) and Party City. After that we came home and Ellie went to a neighbors for a little play date.

After school I picked up the girls and was going to take them to the book fair to pick out a book. We got to the library but it was closed! I think we'll try again on Thursday. Bummer!

When we got home it was play time until dinner. My friend Jenny brought us dinner tonight. As part of a gift she gave me for my baby shower, she gave me a "gift certificate" to bring two dinners three and four weeks after the baby was born. Tonight was the first one. It was yum and so nice not to have to worry about dinner today! Brian didn't end up having his bishopric meeting again, so we went on a walk as a family and I helped a little with bed before heading off to a meeting. I found out tonight that that meeting will be changed and will just be after our monthly stake youth council meeting. So that will make it easier to just have to stay after that instead of being out another night.

Pictures

I've downloaded some pictures (finally) that I've taken over the past couple weeks...

Hattie doesn't ask too much to hold Ruby, but she loves to when she gets a chance.
Ellie is a great helper with Ruby. She loves to hold her and will just cuddle and love on her, call her "darlin'", etc.
One time we checked on Ruby when she was in her room in her swing and she was curled up in a little ball!

This was Hattie playing with her new doll and all the accessories. They play with them everyday!

Today we waited around for the repairman to come look at our dishwasher. The dishes haven't been getting dry, so any time I run them through, I always have to dry them by hand or set them out on the counter to dry. He said the board on the front is probably bad and we also need to get new drawers in there, so it's probably going to mean getting a new one. Ugh. Before picking up Eliza and Libby from school, we stopped at Target for a couple things. After school I was kind of tied down as I had to feed Ruby, so we went out back and Ellie and Hattie played and I played with Libby. We took turns writing sentences on her white board that we made up and we played several games of Hangman. That was fun--she is really good at that game. Maybe we'll have to get her on Wheel of Fortune.

Tonight we had family home evening--I did a lesson about testimonies. Every one but one unnamed person shared their testimony at the end. We finished off with cake for treats.

Church

This morning started out early. I was up at 4:30 or so feeding Ruby, then Brian's alarm went off so he could get to his bishopric meeting. I got back to sleep only to be woken up by Hattie a little after 6. So I got up and started getting ready for church. A while later, everyone was up and I was hurrying everyone along so we could make it to church on time. I'm happy to report that we did. It was hectic for sure. We ended up having to sit in the hard chairs though. Brian forgot to save us seats, so we were banished to the back. We survived Sacrament meeting. Chrystalyn held Ruby most of the time and I kept Hattie and Ellie busy. Ruby ate right before church around 8 and she had a bottle during sacrament! I can't figure out if she is not getting enough when I feed her or if it's just not filling enough for her. Argh!

Church went well, though. Ruby slept most of the time and kept sleeping even after we got home. After church we did various things to pass the time. A couple young women came over to watch my girls while I went to another ward for a YW visit and Brian was still doing stuff at church. We all got back home and had dinner. I heated up one of our frozen meals--manicotti. It was great! Everyone liked it and ate it--even Libby! After scarfing down dinner, Eliza and I were off. I had a youth council meeting and Eliza had practice for the stake musical. I saw a little of the rehearsal and it's going to be an amazing play and I think very touching about the pioneers.

Today was just the start of a very busy week. Hope I can make it through!

Unrelated

This is totally unrelated to anything baby, but I went to Wal-Mart yesterday to price match some mac&cheese. It was on sale at Safeway for $.34 a box, which is the cheapest I've seen it. Wal-Mart was totally out, so I figured I'd stop at Target since they just starting getting with it and will ad match. I loaded up my cart with 45 boxes (the "team member" on that isle asked if I was feeding an army) and went to the checkout. I told her I wanted to ad-match and that I might need to do three transactions because I had so many. She had to call someone over since she didn't seem to know how to adjust the price. That lady told me they would do it "this time" but for the future she told me they don't price match when you have to have a club card. So I had to clarify, "So you're saying if you have to have a club card at a store, you don't ad match with them? So Safeway, Frys and Bashas are out?!?" She said yes! They only ad match with Alberstons. That's so silly. What's the point of that??? Hardly seems worth it and doesn't make sense. Glad I got my mac&cheese though.

Week

I need to be better about updating since I can't really remember what I've been doing. Ruby is doing well and sleeping pretty well, so I can't complain about that. I weighed her a couple days ago (using my bread scale LOL) and she was 7.5.). My other girls are having a bit of a hard time with things--not sure if it's a new baby at home or just bad timing with a difficult stage, but hopefully we can get over them sooner rather than later.

I seriously can't think of anything else to write. My visiting teachers came by this week. I went to another ward's young women in excellence for one of our stake visits. It was a cute "Purse-uit of Excellence" theme. Libby and Eliza went to a b-day party last night and Libby went to another one tonight. It was a Halloween theme birthday party and you were supposed to wear a costume. After looking through our costume box and giving her several ideas, she decided to be a "hula girl." It started with her going to wear a lei and a flower in her hair and she ended up wearing a shirt with a big flower on the front, shorts and a flip flop necklace we got for her in Hawaii. Funny girl that she really wouldn't dress up. We weren't surprised.

Brian went on a campout with the scouts last night. I survived. I was a little nervous, but I made it through. Eliza had a soccer game this morning. She played well and had some good passes. Eliza played at a friend's house after. Ellie, Libby and Hattie played school when we got home for a while. Libby makes a good teacher! It's my goal this week to update more, so I can have something a little more worthwhile to write!

Photo Shoot

This past week, Terri came over and took pictures of Ruby. Here are some she sent me. Can't wait to see the rest!

Behind

I didn't realize how far behind I am. I think I have a valid excuse though! I had quite a bit of help this past week so that was nice. My mom came three of the days and Brian's mom helped out on the other two. Thank you! It was so nice to have that help. One day that my mom had them, they got to pick out their own baby doll at Target. They spent the rest of the day making pillows and beds for them. My mom made them little bags for a diaper bag and they cut fleece for a receiving blanket and flannel for burp cloths and baby wipes. They spent all day playing with that and changing diapers. It has provided much entertainment for them this week. On Thursday--I am not sure what we were thinking--but we ventured out to Hobby Lobby. There are some fabric flowers that I want to make to put on headbands, so we went looking for that stuff and a few other things my mom needed. It actually wasn't too bad and we survived.

This week was a little weird in that I had Libby home sick on Monday and Eliza was home on Tuesday and Wednesday. Happily no one else got sick and I think we are back healthy now. On Monday, Ruby had her first appointment. We went to the other office this time because we are going to start seeing my neighbor who is a pediatrician. A month or so ago, I was out front and his wife came over to chat and she mentioned that her husband had said that if we wanted to see him, he wouldn't balance bill us--he would just take whatever our insurance covered. I was nearly speechless. With a few kids, this will be a huge blessing--not having to pay anything at the pediatrician's office. So it's a little further, but it'll be worth it in the end. Anyway...I took Ruby to her appt. and she was 7 pounds. I told him my theory in that I don't think she really weighed 8.1 when she was born. He thinks that might be the case. And she was shorter than she was in the hospital. I think baby's heights are all relative, too, since they squirm around and it's hard to get an accurate measurement. But he said she looked good...no complaints. He had them do her 2nd PKU test so we didn't have to go back at 2 weeks.

Let's see...what else. I enjoyed watching conference last weekend. Some of my favorite talks were Elder Bednar, Elder Watson, Henry B. Eyring, President Monson's one about service, and Elder Holland's. His was SO powerful.

Eliza started soccer again. She played last week and yesterday. She scored a goal in her first game, so that was fun for her. Yesterday evening was our ward's youth standard's night. It was out at the White Tanks and Brian had to go, but I got to join him. It was a bit crazy getting everyone where they needed to be. Eliza went to a birthday party, Ellie and Libby spent the afternoon/evening with my parents and I got a babysitter for Hattie. Ruby came with me. First they had dinner--the bishopric BBQ'd burgers and chicken. Then they had the program. I thought it turned out great and was a great experience for the kids. Of course, Ruby slept all the way out there and through dinner, but right when the program started, she started crying! So I hurried to the car and sat in there and fed her. So I missed most of it, but here is the gist of what they did. Someone started by talking about the Anti-Nephi-Lehis and how they buried their weapons of war. Then they had several of the youth talk about each one of the standards and how its opposite can be a weapon that they can bury if it's a weakness in their life. So they could bury the sword or weapon of disobedience or immorality or contention. Then that youth had a wooden sword with that word written on it. At the end of their talk, they threw the weapon in the fire. Then each of the youth that were there got their own wooden sword and they wrote on a little slip of paper that was attached one of their "weapons" (or one of the standards they are struggling with) and then they each threw it in the fire symbolic that they would bury that weapon and not pick it up again. Brian had to speak a minute before they put their weapons in the fire and he talked about how fire can purify and cleanse and how by getting rid of those things in their lives how they can be purified, too. Then he had them look at the city lights behind them. Where we were situated, you had a great view of the city lights. And he talked about how they can be a city set on a hill and how if the fire were big enough, all those lights or people, could see them and would wonder what that light was. When they put their weapons in the fire, of course it got bigger, and it was so neat to think of them as an example to the world. The night ended with cobbler, then we came home. It was a great standards night and one that hopefully the kids will remember.

Coming Home

A few days before I had Ruby, they started enforcing a no one under 12 allowed to visit policy. Before, siblings could come visit if you had a new baby, so my girls had been looking forward to visiting. When they called me the morning of my induction, they told me of the new policy. I was so sad and I knew my girls would be, too, knowing they couldn't see me or the new baby until we got home. So the Thursday we got home was a big day. It was early release for my girls at school, so Brian and I got home from the hospital around noon, then he went to pick up Ellie and Hattie from Terri's and Eliza and Libby from Chrystalyn. When they got home it was a rush to see Ruby. They loved looking at her and holding her.

I am hoping the newness wears off a little though--and I think it is a little bit--but at first Eliza and Libby argued over who was holding her and for how long, etc. It was been a hard transition with that! And we are having to teach what is helpful and what is not. They think Ruby should be up all the time and not sleep! Heaven forbid she take a nap or take a nap in her crib! And the other thing is learning how to just hold her. Eliza and Libby like to keep her in the same position for two seconds, then put her on their shoulder or on their legs, etc. It's frustrating!!! But I'm sure we'll get over that soon.

Funny Quotes about Having a New Baby

For a couple days, Hattie thought Ruby's name was "Max & Ruby." She would say, "Max and Ruby is hungry." Or, "Max and Ruby is sleeping." She has now shortened it to just Ruby! Glad she realizes she isn't named for the TV show characters.

Ellie: Are you going to feed her there?
Me: Yes
Ellie: Disgusting
(the joys of nursing! LOL)

Eliza to me today: Your tummy is getting smaller.

Ruby 4 Days Old

Here's a little better picture to see what she really looks like.

Ruby Mae Trimble

Ruby made her appearance on Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at 2:16 PM. She was 8 lbs. 1 oz (glad she was 2 weeks early!) and 22" long. She is my longest baby I've had. We don't think she was really 8.1. When they weighed her, she wet all over the scale--I am sure that added to the weight! When we left the hospital she was down to 7 lbs so I am not sure she would really lose that much weight. Anyway... For posterity sake, I want to include her birth story, so if that bores you, just scroll down to the photos.

After getting to bed on Monday night, the hospital called at 3:20 AM saying they had a bed open. We told them we could be there in an hour. We hurried and got showers so we could be fresh, then headed to the hospital. We got checked in and in our room.


I got all changed and did all the paper work and my nurse got my IV started, etc. She got my antibiotics started for group B strep, my fluids going and she started a low drip of pitocin. I was dilated to 3 when I got there, so she didn't see a need to do any gels or anything. After I got the first round of antibiotics in, I had to wait 4 hours between doses, so we just kind of hung out to pass the time. Brian slept. I watched TV and read magazines. I was starting to have some pain...not really much but enough to where I was thinking I don't want this to get a lot more painful without an epidural. It was about 7:30 and the nurse said there was a C-Section at 8, so she would put me first on the list for an epidural right after the anesthesiologist was done with that. I was able to wait just fine and around 9 I got my epidural. Heavenly! I warned her about a previous spinal headache, she she made sure not to go in too far. She said I was "shallow" so she could see how easy it would be for someone to go in too far. So with that, I had a nice, easy, pain-free delivery! There was one little spot on my left side that didn't get numb right away, but after a push or two of the button, I was all numb.

I got the second round of antibiotics at 10:15 and Dr. McKernan came and broke my water at 11:10 and I was dilated to a 4. At 12:15 I was at a 6 and at 1:05 I was at an 8. After I was at an 8, I felt some more pressure, so I called the nurse in. My regular nurse was next door with a lady who ended up delivering the same time I did, but another nurse came in and checked me. She said I was close but not all the way complete. She sat me up and before long I felt a lot more pressure. I called the nurse's station and another nurse came in and I told her. She didn't seem to speak much English and basically said, "OK. Thank you." We were like. Hello? Did you not just get what I told you. Then she went and sat back down at the nurse's station! Before long I sent my mom and Brian out there and they told the first fill-in nurse that I was feeling more pressure, so she hopped up and checked me. She said, "Yeah. Don't sit up, don't cough, don't laugh, don't move." I was at a 10 and she was ready to come out. This was a few minutes after 2 and Dr. McKernan had a C-Section at two. So she laid my down, turned off the pitocin and wanted me to wait until he was done. Before I knew it, Dr. M was in the room. I told him that was a fast C-Section! He said that he didn't get to do it--the nurse went and got him saying he needed to deliver me first. So he was in the room around 2:10 and maybe two pushes later, baby was born at 2:16. Fast!





She looked great. Brian went with her as the nurses weighed her and cleaned her off, etc. and while I got all cleaned up. After she was all cleaned up, we took her for a bit and tried to decide on a name! She was the hardest I think. We had a few names that we both liked, but trying to find one that fit her and sounded good took a while. We wanted to have her name by the time my parents left the hospital to pick up the girls from school. We knew they would want to know all the details. I was really thinking about Matilda and Brian really thought Ruby would be best. After talking some more we decided on Ruby Mae. I had just read a GREAT book (called Women of Virtue) and there was a little snippet in there about rubies and what precious gems they are. So that made it a little more meaningful to name her that. And Mae is kind of a take off of my maiden name. So Ruby Mae it was!

Soon after I ate and tried to rest. We had some visitors. Brian went with Ruby for her first little bath. Brian stayed the night with me. The rest of the hospital stay was pretty typical...tried to rest but with nurses in and out all night and a new baby sometimes I didn't get as much as I'd hoped! And the bed was extremely uncomfortable. I did enjoy having my meals served right to me though. I could get used to that. I am glad everything went well and that she arrived healthy.

Tender Thoughts

On Sunday my parents came to our sacrament to sit by us since Chrystalyn and her kids were out of town. Sacrament went well--busy, but good. My mom had gotten some little pictures to put in a 4x6 album for the kids to look through. When I saw this picture, I got a little teary.

I was just thinking about how excited we are to meet our new little girl. But then the picture made me think...I wonder what they are doing in heaven. I imagined how hard it probably is for Heavenly Father and Jesus to let go of one of their precious daughters and send her to earth. And I also thought of my grandmas who are up there probably loving on her and kissing her and probably a bit sad that she is leaving them for a time. It just was something I thought of that made me stop and think for a minute. It's like when we lose a loved one how hard it is, but it's got to be equally as hard for a sweet spirit to leave their presence up in heaven. Anyway...

The rest of church went well. We did a YW visit but it was in my ward, so I didn't have to go far! It was nice. We came home and had lunch. Brian had a busy day at church doing various things including his home teaching and got home at 5. It was a long day for us all. We had dinner when he got home and had a yummy apple dip for dessert.

Today has been busy. After the girls got off to school, I did some last minute cleaning, then hopped in the shower. My mom got here around 9:30 and we whipped up some cinnamon rolls--freezing the dough so we can bake it for conference this weekend. Yum! We put a couple things up in the nursery, I did more cleaning, we got lunch and stopped at the post office for some stamps. Hattie fell asleep while I was in the post office (that's what getting up at 5 will do to you), so she took a nap after we got home and I cleaned some more with Ellie. We dropped a couple things off at people's houses that I needed to return, picked up the girls from school, came home and packed their clothes and then Brian got home. Terri was nice enough to invite us over for dinner. We had breakfast for dinner--YUM! The kids played for a little bit, then we had to leave to drop the kids off. We came home and we finished cleaning. LOL. Brian says the baby must be ready since I have been in my nest all day. Funny. Now we just wait for the phone call to come in.

Ramblings About the Week

It's been a while--the days just kept creeping away from me, but at least I have gotten a lot done! So I want to try to do a quick update so I get some things documented.

I can't remember what I did Monday. Tuesday I had a presidency meeting, then my VTs came over. It was a rough day! Ellie and Hattie were so out of control when they came. I was so embarrassed. I don't know what got into them, but they were crazy. Brian had a meeting in the evening and the rough day continued unfortunately. (Jessie, don't let this scare you away from having any more kids! LOL. We do have many good moments!). Bedtime was really hard. My good friend Terri ended up coming over and helping me out. We had talked about it before, but I was needing some help. She does Super Nanny techniques, so I was ready for help with bedtime for two of the kids. She came and of course it went smoothly. I think they were surprised I would ask someone to come help me, so after she talked to them, they didn't get up again. We've been doing the same techniques, so hopefully soon they'll realized it's easier to go to sleep. And let's pray they learn that before Tuesday when baby is supposed to come.

On Wednesday I had a doctor's appointment and ultrasound. Supposedly she is 7 lbs. 8 oz, but now it's only in the 85-90% and she has to be 90-95% to classify me as a medical induction. So, that means I may or may not get in this Tuesday for my induction. Ugh. I didn't want to hear that. So we just get to play it by ear and are at the hospital's mercy.

Thursday I went visiting teaching and then went to lunch with Eliza and Libby. They have been wanting me to come, so I figured I'd better go before the baby comes. That night Eliza had her stake musical practice and our presidency oriented all the new YW presidencies in the stake. It seemed to go well.

Yesterday my mom and I made bread to stock up our freezers. We did some errands while it was cooling. Eliza and Libby spent the night at my parents' house with two of their other cousins. They had a fun time getting dinner, watching a movie, going out to breakfast, going to yard sales and finding some treasures.

Brian and I got a sitter for Ellie and Hattie and Brian and I went out. We did some errands. I got a pedicure--so I have something fun to look at in the hospital. I wasn't thrilled with the nail art the lady did, so I actually went back this morning and they redid my big toes. I like it now. I'm getting pretty assertive, huh?! I was nice about it though.

This morning it was Brian's and my day to clean the chicken coop and move it a little. It went well except when two of the chickens in the little coop flew out while we were changing their food and water. I was able to usher one back in and Brian was able to catch the other one and get it back in. Yikes! I am glad he was there to help or we might have lost one!

This afternoon we attended the baptism of one of Eliza's friends, plus Brian had to conduct. We came home, played a game, then I was off to the General RS Broadcast. It's always fun to go to that. It was interesting to hear that we won't have what's called "Home, Family & Personal Enrichment" and that instead it'll just be called "Relief Society Meetings." After our stake does "Fondue Frenzy." Next time we need to be faster. Leslie and I only got to try two before they ran out! Hopefully they'll make more for next year.

A funny from Hattie: she was at the table with me and she said, "My tummy is big; I can't hold you right now." She has been hearing that a lot lately from me! Then she said, "That is going to be my baby sis." Cute.

OK--I need to head to bed!

Breathe

Today was one of those days when I had to schedule time to just breathe! Not really, but it was busy. As Brian and I were going over our schedule last night, I was not wanting today to come for all we had. Luckily it's over and it all worked out. Brian had a 6 AM meeting, so I got up with the girls and we got ready and went to church. Sacrament was good. Chrystalyn and her kids helped out with ours or otherwise I wouldn't have survived. Eliza and Maddie do great together--drawing pictures or writing stories. Libby does pretty well but likes me to help her color or whatnot. Today was word searches. Ellie is pretty easy, too, but likes to be read to. Hattie is just a busy body. She didn't have to go out at all, but she kept either Chrystalyn or me busy the whole time. She LOVES playing with people's hair, so she played with Chrystalyn's quite a bit today. She is so funny. In Sunday school we had a great lesson about the early saints/pioneers and how they prepared to cross the plains and how that helped. We related it to today and how we need to be prepared so we can find joy in the journey and help others. In RS, the lesson was about being engaged in genealogy and temple work to be "saviors on Mt. Zion." I really enjoyed the lesson and our teachers always does a great job. She shared some personal experiences and so did a couple other people about temple work and I felt the spirit.

After church the girls and I came home, had lunch and I prepared our main dish for Sunday dinner we had at my in-laws. I figured if I made it before, I could just bake it when we got there. We had to visit another ward during their young women's time and Brian had a 3 PM scout meeting. So fortunately one of the counselors I serve with brought two of her daughters over to be with my girls while we went. We went to that and the lesson was really good. It was about how to find truth and gain knowledge. There were five steps the teacher discussed and it was a great refresher...
--repent
--study scriptures
--ponder, think
--pray
--DO

I know I was only there to visit, but I learned a lot from the lesson. After getting home, Brian got home soon after, then we hurried off to my in-laws for dinner. I put my dish in the oven and then we ate, albeit a little late but we hurried as fast as we could. I shoveled in some food and then had to leave for a stake youth council meeting. I think I breathed in there a few times, too. LOL. Brian stayed behind with the girls and had to fill in for me to give a little FHE lesson that they are trying to do over there once a month. Finally, we met at home for bedtime! Oh I forgot to mention, this morning, Libby was giving me a little trouble about getting dressed. She said today (meaning Sundays) are the worst day--basically because of what she has to wear. Finally she put on her brown skirt, then we were trying to find a shirt. I think she has finally realized/decided that the shirt she has been wearing is too short (hallelujah), so she wanted to find something else. She had on a pink Hello Kitty shirt, and I voiced my disapproval, but she still had it on. Right before we left to go to church, she secretly went in her room and changed into a plain white t-shirt and ran out to the car. I didn't say anything until we were on our way, but told her that I love that she always makes good choices. And tonight, she wanted to change backpacks, so she got one down from their closet and started moving her stuff over. Eliza then got upset that she didn't get to use that one and she said I told her she couldn't a while back because it would just cause problems...and on and on it went tonight. After about 20 minutes of it, Libby said she would use Eliza's backpack and Eliza could use the one that Libby was going to use. She was praised again for always making good choices. People are very important to Libby and she showed that again tonight. In Eliza's prayer tonight though, she asked forgiveness for how she acted and asked that Libby be blessed for sharing with her. It was sweet.

Backing up a little...on Friday I went visiting teaching, then after school and after Brian got home, we grabbed some dinner and went to Brian's parents'. The cow met it's ultimate end a few weeks ago and so we went to pick up our Christmas present from last year: meat. I snuck out and visited Kari and her new little sweet Cameron at the hospital. As I walked in and tried to find her room, I started getting really nervous that I would be there in a week and a half myself!! It was weird. They have redone even more of the L&D and it looks so nice.

Libby stayed with my MIL for a sleepover for her birthday. They had fun watching a movie, having oatmeal for breakfast, going to Wal-Mart, painting, etc. She had a fun time.

On Saturday we had the nursery painted. I decided on a yellow color and three hours later it was painted. Brian said he would rather poke his eyes out than paint. It's so worth it I think to have someone do it. By the time we would have bought all the supplies and tools, that would be what it cost to have it painted WELL. And it was done quickly--I said I would still be taping the room off by the time he was done. So we spent a lot of the day cleaning, sorting, purging, etc. Eliza went to a b-day party in the evening and Brian took Libby to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. They both liked it and thought it was funny. I want to see it!

This will be a busy week--one last full week before baby comes. I'll be working to get last minute stuff done, house cleaned, etc. etc. I'd better get some rest! Hopefully Hattie sleeps well. Lately she's been getting up SO early and not going back to sleep. I was thrilled that she slept till 7 today. The funny thing is that Brian checked on her last night and she wasn't in her bed. She was in Eliza's bed with her sleeping. That is where she slept all night. It's fine with me if she sleeps well.

Catching Up

The days seem to cruise by.

Tuesday--
Had a YW presidency meeting. It was long. We hadn't met but once before, so we had a lot to discuss. I think it was about 3 hours! Then that evening Brian had his meeting, so we had a sitter come over during the overlap as I had another meeting at the stake center. My whole presidency decided we have a lot of meetings with our callings!

Wednesday--
Ellie, Hattie and I got going pretty early and did a bunch of errands. Had to go to Deseret Book to grab something for Brian. Then we went to the mall. Brian needed another suit and Penny's was having a sale, so I got two for him to try and pick the best one. Luckily one worked out great. Then we walked around the mall for a little bit, the girls played in the play center and we split a thing of pretzel bites. They loved those. Ellie kept calling them cookies. Funny. From there we made our last stop at Costco. I texted Brian after and said that five kids is going to be expensive! I had to buy diapers for Hattie, formula, wipes, etc. etc. We also got a couple other necessities, but sheesh!

We took it easy the rest of the day until time to pick up Eliza and Libby. Eliza had a friend come over after school. I've decided play dates are hard! Libby and Ellie wanted to be part of their playing, but Eliza just wanted it to be her and her friend. Ack! It caused problems the whole time. I understood Eliza's point, but it's nearly impossible to keep everyone else away. I think they'll have to realize that if they are going to have play dates, that it will somewhat involve their sisters. Brian had mutual that night and we went to Home Depot to look at paint colors. I decided I would like to paint the nursery. Last minute Lou I know, but I think a fresh coat of paint would be nice in there and freshen things up.


Thursday--
Got up and the girls off to school. I realized after Brian left that Hattie's diapers were in the back of his car still and I was totally out. So we had to make a quick run to Target for some. While I was there I scored on two boxes of Newborn and size 1 diapers. The whole box was $5.75. Usually $23.99. I guess it was meant to be that I had to buy diapers again even after getting them at Costco on Wednesday. My mom came over and we made bread. We were both just about out. While it was cooling we made our pilgrimage to Target for Icees for the girls and a walk around the store.

Tonight I had Enrichment. It was so small! We had about 25 or so ladies there, but it looked tiny! We had dinner and then cut some little isolette blankets out of fleece and colored some pictures for humanitarian kits. It was fun and nice to meet some of the new people in the ward.

Freezer Meals

Today was long, busy and productive. My mom came over at 9:30 and we worked and worked until about 4:30 making freezer meals to stock my freezer for after the baby comes. Of course that included changing 3 of Hattie's dirty diapers--sheesh--and going with Ellie potty no less than 4 times--at least there were no accidents--and trying to deal with them feeling a bit neglected hence some craziness! But by the end, we made about eight different recipes but enough of those to make 20 meals. It went smoothly. I was thrilled that I had bought all and enough of the right ingredients. The only thing we had to go out and get was a roll of wax paper. But it was a long day on our feet. By about lunch time we both had feet that were screaming at us--man they hurt. I am SO thrilled though that my freezer is stocked with probably at least a month of meals. My family will be able to eat more than cold cereal or mac & cheese until I come out of that new mom fog that I am sure I'll be in for a while. Thanks Mom for all your help!!

In the afternoon, I got a text from sweet Karolyn that said, "I am bringing dinner at 5." What a blessing! Even after all the cooking, I hadn't planned anything for dinner tonight, nor did I have an ounce of desire or energy to make anything, so that was a very appreciated gesture. It was yummy, too. Thanks Kar.

...just a couple random pictures since I haven't had any pictures lately.
Hattie


Buried under the heap of girls' clothes we have floating around this house. I've been through them all now though and we are down to a manageable amount of boxes.

Be All

On Saturday, we got up and headed to the garage before it got too hot and we cleaned out the van. It's amazing how many shoes can accumulate in there! They like to flip off their flip flops and then walk into the house barefoot, so the shoes pile up! We also vacuumed it out--Eliza did most of it--so hopefully we can keep it shoe-free for at least a few days!

After that was done, we headed to my in-laws to help clean out the chicken coop and move the coop so the chickens had fresh ground. Libby actually got in the chicken coop and pet a chicken!! I couldn't believe it. We came home and went on a day date. I told Brian it's too hard to go out at night because always around bedtime we would hear from our sitter saying that so and so was doing this or Hattie keeps getting out of bed, etc. So it wasn't very fun or relaxing. Hence today's day date. For our date, we went to lunch with Brian's secretary and her husband. First though we went to their house and David helped Brian fix the rear door handle on his LC. We visited for a bit, then went to Olive Garden for lunch. It was a nice time. We came home, Eliza went to her friend Katie's house, Brian took Ellie, Hattie and Libby swimming at the resort and I took off and did a bunch of errands. First I went and got my diaper bag. I decided to get the Ju Ju Be Be All at Vignettes where Kari and I went the other day. Luckily it was still there and it was half off! I am excited to get it packed. I had Brian watch the little videos on their website and after seeing, he couldn't figure out what the question was. They do have a lot of features I like and the best part that sold me is the feel of the fabric and the changing pad. It's totally padded compared to the paper thin ones in other bags. Then I went to Target, Michaels, Wal-Mart and Albertsons.

That night--at 8:30--I had to go to Polar Ice for a multi-stake priest laurel activity. We had to be there and help out a little bit, but mostly I was able to just chat with friends and my parents who were there, too, with their stake. It kept me awake since it wasn't over until after 11.

Today Brian got up early and was off to his meetings and I was up early getting ready so I could get everyone else ready. We made it early to church and Sacrament went well. The last 10 minutes or so were a bit harder, but we made it. It was Brian's first time conducting and he survived! He did well and it went smoothly. Eliza gave a great talk in Primary. After church I brought my two nieces home with me and we had lunch, then they stayed with my girls while I visited a ward's young women's. Brian ended up getting home a little after 1, so that wasn't too bad. Tonight we had dinner at my parents'. Dan and Chris came, so it was fun having everyone one there since it doesn't happen too often.

In other news, my feet totally swelled tonight! I looked down and was like, "Where are my ankles?" Of course, my brother, Brian, had some nice comments for me that only a brother can make. I've been trying to put my feet up for the rest of the evening.