Motivation

I'm finding myself having motivation issues. Maybe it's the fact that I'm a week away from my 3rd trimester and feeling rather large. Or it's January and the freakin' snow won't stop. Whatever it is, I am not wanting to exercise or eat right. If I had it my way, I'd hole up in my basement in front of the tv (I just bought Evita, one of my favs) with a bag of chips and some hot chocolate and never look at the exercise bike or treadmill again. Yesterday I counted my dog walk and shoveling the driveway/sidewalk as my exercise. Tonight I decided not to do it. But, after 15 minutes of watching tv I felt guilty and got my lazy behind on the bike. Once I got going I was okay, but. . .
On the other hand, I am more motivated in other areas that I usually have no interest in. Tonight I actually made homemade rolls for our dinner. I'm talkin' let the dough rise and everything rolls. The only problem - I've eaten three already. They were dang good!!! Also, I'm actually thinking of a sewing project. No really. I may get that sewing machine down and use it. Maybe not- but maybe. I'm wanting to make a slip cover for the blue rocker/glider I have. Blue would not look good in the girly room that I'm hoping I get the motivation to do. And now I'm back to motivation.

President Hinckley

Most of you who read this blog are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Those of you who aren't are friends who have always been respectful of my beliefs, even if you don't understand. Thank you to both groups for support and friendship.

Tonight we learned that our dear prophet and president of the Church passed away. He was 97. It is sad to see a man of God leave the earth. But, I know that his place is set in heaven - right next to his beloved Marjorie. I am so happy for him because he missed his wife and wanted to be with her. But, for those of us here, it is sad to not have him. I never met him personally, but did attend a few meetings where he spoke. In college I was blessed enough to be in the same room when we sustained him as the prophet, seer and revelator/president of the Church. The Spirit was so strong that day and I knew that he truly was a man sent by God. My kids love to hear me tell about the time he spoke at BYU and I sat so close I could see a fly land on his white hair. I have listened to him througout my adult life and can testify that he was a prophet sent from our Heavenly Father. He taught the words of our Savior, Jesus Christ and he loved Him. He counseled us and taught us how to hold close to the Savior's teachings in the world we live in, now. President Gordon B. Hinckley's presence will be greatly missed.

Anyway, I know this is a very personal blog. But, my emotions are high and I just wanted the opportunity to express my feelings for such a great man of God.

Oh, to be a part of our family

I'm realizing that it's good that I'm going to have a girl - because I just don't understand this other gender that I'm raising.
It all started with dinner tonight. Our boys' table manners have been slipping and I haven't been enforcing as well as I should. So, we had a manners night. It started with a reminder to put their napkins on their laps - to which Garrett commented, "I thought they only did that on t.v." The rest was just as commical - especially watching Ben cut his own chicken while holding his fork correctly. (We've been cutting their food for too long.) I've tried to teach them throughout their lives, but I think I've only been able to accompish keeping them a step above moron state. When dinner was over Ben said he was glad that he'd never have to do that again. He was crushed when I told him that we were going to act appropriately EVERY meal.
My night got even better when I put Jake and Scott to bed at 7:50. Everything was quiet so I went downstairs to exercise. At 9:20 Tom went to check on them and found my 2 year old playing Garrett's gameboy (playing meaning pushing random buttons and watching the screen light up.) I would have NEVER pulled that on my parents - especially at 2. I was an angel - you can ask my mom. Let's just hope my angelic nature gets passed on to the girl. If not, I'm messed up.

Blessings

I haven't said anything to many people because I didn't want to cause a fuss, but this month has been a VERY long and stressful one for me. On January 3rd I had my official ultrasound. Everything looked good until they found a couple cysts on my baby's brain. They are called choroid plexus cysts - and the vast majority of the time they mean nothing. They don't affect personality or intelligence and they go away on their own. But, in a tiny population they can indicate some very serious chromosomal problems - especially Trisomy 18 - a fatal condition. Anyway, the doctor sent me to a specialist to figure out what was going on. I've been freaking out for weeks now knowing that my chances of a normal, healthy baby were great - but letting the scary news wedge its way into my mind. I prayed and prayed and hoped and realized that whatever Heavenly Father sent my way, He'd only do it if He knew I could handle the situation. Still, it was worrisome. Today was my doctor's appointment where they went through and scrutinized EVERY body system. From what they could see, everything looks normal and healthy. The only way to tell 100% was to do an amniocentesis - but the doctor said it wasn't worth it because everything looked good. So, in his words, I have a "significantly less than 1% chance" of having any problems. Anyway, for those few of you who knew, thank you for your prayers. For those who didn't know, I know that you'd pray for her - but I'm glad you don't have to now. I just can't wait for May so I can hold her and know for sure that she's all right. Oh, and I can't wait for May so I can sleep on my tummy again. . .

So, here's the story

Back in the day when Garrett was potty training, he started out great. I thought that it would be a breeze and that he'd be potty trained in a day. But, after a couple of days he started regressing. "Whatever," I thought, "this kid is ready." So, we went on for weeks. Then, he started stuttering. It got really bad so we called a friend who was a speech therapist. She asked if he was going through anything stressful like potty training or a new bedroom or something. When I told her he was having a hard time potty training, she told me to put him back in diapers and he would probably stop stuttering within a week. Okay, THAT DAY he completely stopped stuttering. After realizing what a horrible mother I was, I got over it and waited until he was good and ready. Knowing that background, you'll understand why Jake is back in diapers. He didn't start stuttering, but he started to whine about using the big boy potty. Every time I'd remind him, he'd get upset. So, while I think he is physically ready, there is no way I'm going to screw up another kid if there is the slightest chance he isn't mentally ready. The up side is, I get to eat the "potty candy". (Of course, not when he's around - and just a little bit every day.)

Update

I'm SOOO off the sugar strike. So far, though, I've been able to keep the sugar intake at a reasonable level. There was a special at Smith's last week where you could buy 12 Lean Cuisines for $20 and get 2 packages of Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches for free. So, I've had one a day for the last three days - and some Andes mints (yum). But, I've been in fairly good control. Yay, me!

Potty training - we went all day yesterday without an accident - until right before we had to take Ben to Pack meeting for Scouts. In the chaos of getting kids bundled up with teeth brushed, etc., Jake "bootsed" (the yucky one for those of you who can't translate Jake's language). Then we all went to pack meeting. When we got home Jake said, "Mom, I nee teeps." (Mom, I need peeps) I didn't register it because I was ushering all the boys upstairs. When I finally got it I looked at him just as he was starting his accident. Poor kid tried to warn me. So, we're on day 2 and hoping for more progress. We'll see. The high is supposed to be about 20 today - so there is no way in hades I'm going anywhere I don't absolutely need to go right now. Perfect potty training day. Wish me luck and stay warm!

Underwear - Day 1

Call me stupid for trying this now - but I put Jake in underwear today. All three of my older boys were potty trained at 3 years, 1-2 months. But, guess what's happening when he turns 3 this year - a baby. In other words, it's now or when he's 3 1/2. The thing is, he's the latest "bloomer" as far as everything else has gone. Latest talker, latest walker, etc. But, he's shown the most promise of all the boys at this point in life as far as potty training goes. He regularly goes on the potty - then we put a diaper back on him. So, I figured - it's too cold to play outside, I don't have much to do this week - why not try? Wish me luck.

My name is Elena. . .

. . . and I'm a sugaraholic. It's not hard for me to admit this because I came to terms with this truth a couple of years ago. My love for sweets goes past moderate snacking. I'm not a "social" sweets eater. I eat sweets whenever I can. I try not to have them in the house because I cave to the temptations. A couple of years ago I decided to go a whole month without the sweets. The first 3 days were hard, but by day 4 the toxic substance had left my system and I was able to function without them. After the month I went to once a week sweets days. So. . . I thought this would be a good thing for me to do again. I have just finished day 4 of no sweets. I have to say that it's not as hard as I thought. BUT, there are two major differences between this time and the last. #1 - I did my challenge in the spring of '06 when all the yummy fruits were starting to come out. It wasn't hard to substitute healthy, yummy strawberries for cookies. And #2 - I WAS NOT PREGNANT two years ago. Being 5 months pregnant and doing this is NO fun. I don't notice more energy or a slimmer waistline. In fact, my tummy grows no matter what. But, regardless, I'm sticking to it - until I can't any longer. Tonight, I even made a cookie cake for Scott's party tomorrow - and didn't even sample the cookie dough. Talk about self-control. If I just had that kind of self control on a daily basis, maybe I wouldn't have to do this kind of crazy thing.

Happy Birthday, Scotty

Our little Scotty turned 5 today. What a great kid he's been. My Scott memories begin with finding out he would be my 3rd boy. With all the books I'd read and with the method I'd tried to conceive a girl, I was devestated. I just knew that I'd never have a daughter if #3 was a boy. But, it didn't take me long to get used to the idea of him. The minute he was born I fell in love with him and didn't care if I ever got a girl. My favorite memory was his cowlick (calluck? whatever). He had a perfect little circle of hair on his forhead's hairline. I remember tracing it with my finger and my tearing up because he was so perfect.

Fast forward 5 years. Scott is # 3 but won't ever be ignored as the middle child. He has a huge personality and constantly amazes us. He is reading simple words and spells anything and everything he can - and I haven't taught him anything. He loves to draw and do art but he also loves to wrestle and play sports. That kid is a tiger on the soccer field! He loves to cuddle up and listen to me tell him stories about when he was a baby. His pride and joy is that I never got sick when I was pregnant with him (something he understands now after this baby.) He loves to talk about Jesus (although he tries to get out of church whenever he can). Anyway, I love you, my little Scott. You make me smile.

To blog, to blog - but about what?

Um, it's snowing AGAIN. Susie is gone. The boys are playing Wii. Tom's at a meeting. Not much else is going on. This is such an Eeyore time of year for me. I always feel if I can just make it past January and February in Utah, everything will be great. I never understood the meaning of the poem "In the bleak midwinter" until I lived up here. It's beautiful in the pictures, but it's cold and uninviting in real life. I've got a couple of projects to get me through and before I know it I'll hear birds chirping and see blossoms blooming.