Food, Wrapping and so much More!

So we ended up in the Labor and Delivery department last week due to some severe pain, and SURPRISE you're already dilated to a 3 and 80% effaced so I had to be monitored for a while. Luckily I didn't continue to progress after an hour so I was able to go home but now knowing that I am moving fast and the nurse predicted a couple weeks tops before I deliver I have A LOT to do! So today I started making my grocery list for all the freezer meals I need to make (hopefully I will get them done this weekend) so that my family will actually eat healthy, warm meals. I think I got a good mix in there so they don't get bored. I also made a grocery list for my children's lunches. I am going to pre-make a bunch and freeze/refrigerate them so that I can easily feed them once this little guy is here. That doesn't sound like much but it took me a little while to finish those lists! haha (I'll take pictures to share once I finish them! It should be interesting!)

I also started to pack my hospital bag. I had a great list when I had my first child and couldn't find it, I have pregnant brain and can't remember what I usually pack or what I wanted! So I started looking all over the internet for a good list... I decided that it doesn't exists, and then I found an okay list from a UK hospital site. Needless to say I had to make my own list; and since I have a few pregnant friends I'll share:

Mommy:

Panties (make sure they are comfy)

Pads (I am not the biggest fan of the ones the hospital gives you)

Nursing pads

Nursing Bra

Facial wipes

Make-up

Shampoo/Conditioner

Pony tail/bobby pins

Suckers

PJ's (I bought a pair of nursing PJ's just incase I am there longer than expected)

Brush

Lotion

Tooth Brush

Tooth Paste

Mouth Wash

Tissues

Deodorant

Going home outfit (something comfy!)

Lanolin cream (I only used it with my first but thought I'd add it for everyone else)

Snacks (I put just something small that I love to eat in my bag because I don't like hospital food)

Daddy:

Tooth Brush

Tooth Paste

Mouth Wash

Deodorant

Hair Glue (or gel or whatever if your Hubby is like mine he appreciates this addition)

PJ's

Extra Shirt

Extra set of Underclothing

Snacks (I have him pick out a few things to stick in the bag, hospital food sucks)

Baby:

Blanket

A couple outfits (I pack a newborn and a 0-3 months size) - to go home in

Onesies

Burp cloth (just because I like mine)

Car Seat

Last Minute Grabs:

Camera

Phone

Phone Charger

I think that's about everything that's in my bag. But I'll add something if I think of it. (My bag is not that big (it's a small duffle bag) it just sounds like a lot, and I get travel sized pretty much everything.)

Now It's time to start wrapping all the Christmas presents for the children so that it's not done last minute and I am not stressed about it. I feel lucky that I finished the kids Christmas shopping weeks ago!

I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday and we'll see how everything's going then, because you never know, this little boy could all the sudden decide that he is comfy in there and is just settling in and could hold out for 3-4 more weeks or go nuts and wait the full 5 weeks! Lot's to do to get ready for this little boy and we are so excited to meet him.

Husband

I have the most wonderful, Amazing, INCREDIBLE, husband ever! He has been so great the past few weeks as my pain intensifies and things keep getting left undone. Not only is he going to school full-time, but he's also working, and last night was in-particularly hard. I couldn't sleep and I was in a lot of pain, he got up to get me a warm rag and drink of water. Then he got up with the kids changed diapers/underwear got them a movie going and all settled in while he got ready for work, so that I could sleep longer! And if that weren't enough he also unloaded the dish washer and put the couple of dishes I left in the sink last night in! He's such a sweet help and keeps rubbing my feet or back and trying to keep me comfortable. I love him so much and am so grateful for the wonderful Husband and Father he is. I am so blessed with such a wonderful little family, and I can't imagine what life would be like without him.

Thank you Honey for all the hard work you do for our family. You make us all so happy and comfortable. I am so relieved that I get to spend eternity with you. I can't think of anything better! You are amazing! I love you fiercely!

Almost 34 weeks...

I haven't been posting frequently mostly because we are just chillin' at home, waiting to have a baby. I know only 34 weeks, but this pregnancy has been so hard on my body I have my sciatic nerve pinched (this happened VERY early on in my pregnancy and I had it most of Andi's pregnancy so it wasn't surprising) I have pelvic displacement, which they would like to put me into physical therapy but between Rob's work and school schedule and having two kids at home and us only having 1 vehicle, it just won't happen. So the doctor suggested a wheel chair or walker... I only laugh at this because yeah, right with two toddlers! Then I have the usual morning sickness, (which is all day) hot flashes and being super uncomfortable due to a HUGE stomach, and a few other things. I haven't slept much lately and it's weird to know that I will be sleeping better in just a few short weeks when I have the baby. Yes, even if I wake up every two hours to feed him I will be sleeping more/better. Well now that I feel like the biggest complainer ever, onto other things that are better/wonderful!

Yesterday was wonderful, Rob had the day off and we got to spend the day all together as a family which was so wonderful! On top of that we got the house nice and deep cleaned together so that these next few weeks it will be easier for me to keep up and hopefully have very little to do. We also got the Christmas tree up and decorated! Rocky keeps looking at it and then telling me "Merry Christmas!" I am so excited that we have just over a month to wait till Santa shows up at our house. I have ALL of the kids shopping done! They have all their presents bought and stockings are ready to be stuffed! (Even the newest member of our family is good to go) Hopefully he shows up in time! I haven't shopped for Rob this year yet, (well I've gone I've looked I just have no idea what to do!) We decided that to save a little extra money this year we are only doing stockings for each other and are only allowed to spend $35 dollars. I have no idea what to get him that fits in a stocking keeps in budget and he'll love... I will have to keep working on that one.

I have also started packing my hospital bag... Well sort of mostly I've made the list and put a pair of nursing pajama's in my bag... that's it. But we're getting close and excited and have hopefully enough clothes for this little boy when he comes to keep him nice and warm! I have started making all his bibs, but haven't sewn any of them together they are all just pre-washed, ironed, cut and pinned. So that won't take too long to finish! Nuel's baby quilt is coming along, it's mostly done, except the part where I need to sew around all the little rectangles, (it takes forever and I can't sit for very long, or stand for very long... it's a vicious cycle.) So hopefully this week I will finish all the sewing!

I also made it my goal to have something different and fun going on each week till I finish this pregnancy and have Thanksgiving this week... and then no clue. I have another doctor's appointment on the 30th and hopefully we'll see if I have started doing anything, (considering I've had lots of contractions I am hoping to hear that SOMETHING is going on) But other than that I have nothing! No clue of what to do! I guess Andi and I are going to get our hair done on the 6th but that doesn't take very long and really won't help me as I am trying to focus on a fun goal/activity each week. And I am really wanting to go and get my toes and nails done (like I have for the other two) right before I hit full term. (hopefully I can get that in as it's finals week for Rob.) We're also looking into putting the kids into a dance thing for a week which would definitely help time go faster (it gives me something to do everyday that week for a couple hours and helps the kids get energy out in a way that Mommy can't do right now!) So we'll see if that works out, we have to see a few things first!

Haven't had much to say..

So I skipped out for a couple of weeks due to having nothing to share with everyone, haha. But I'm back so here goes my randomness...

We took the kids pictures a couple of weeks ago, we learned that me sweet baby girl is TERRIFIED of leaves. Who knew, I didn't know that they were scary but I was very wrong. The poor thing I have to drive back home and get Daddy, (the only one who can cure the tears about a fear) and finished taking the pictures. (Rocky loved the leaves and was so sad to leave, he loved running through them and hitting them with sticks) I just can't believe how fast they are growing up it is crazy! I was looking at pictures from the same time last year and I just can't believe how much they have changed.

Rocky has begun talking (finally) and is just such a wonderful brother! I can't believe how sweet he is when Andi gets hurt, or is sad. He just loves her and takes such good care of her! I am so proud of him! Earlier this week we were having family home evening and learning about Gratitude and Thanksgiving, we read a talk from the 1982 October General Conference and talked about things we can/should thank our Heavenly Father for, I love that both my kids we're thankful for Mickey Mouse. (he's a big hit at our house, we just love the older cartoons of him!) And then at bedtime when he said his prayers he said "thank you for toys, thank you for Mickey..." It was very sweet.

I am getting very tired of being pregnant... I am so grateful to be a woman who has the ability to get pregnant and carry a child but it is hard. And with each pregnancy it has gotten harder and on me physically. My contractions start earlier and it seems that I have more and more pains that I can't do anything about and it makes me have to sit on the couch WAY more than I would like to! It makes me feel like a bad Mom, I just sit with them on the floor and play as much as I can. But it's not the same and I miss chasing them and jumping around with them, and every time I do that I start having lots of contractions and have to go back to reading books to them or something less physical. I guess that's the price I pay this pregnancy. I can't wait to meet our little boy, to hold him and to feel that sweet joy of knowing that the last months have all been leading up to that moment. When he first holds your finger and you get to hold him close (in a much more comfortable way) and know that you would do it all over again for that just that one moment. And I get to sleep again, (I know newborns are supposed to keep you awake and your supposed to "enjoy" the sleep now, but I sleep more and WAY better when I am not pregnant, plus even when it's not more it's better sleep so I am ready) Only a little over 5 weeks, (hopefully!)

BUSY!!

It's been busy at the Doty house! We have had so much fun lately, we celebrated my 23rd Birthday on Friday, by going together as a family to Farmstead, (a corn maze and pumpkin patch.) The kids LOVED it and so did we! They had so many fun things for the kids to do and we just really enjoyed our time there! We will probably be going back before it closes for the season. The kids LOVED the pony rides, the jumping pillow, all the animals to pet! Then they had a corn box where my little son got to play while his sister napped. They had a cow train that was just adorable! They had made little cow train car things, that were pulled around by a tractor and the kids just thought it was awesome! The corn maze was so much fun for the kids they loved running down the paths and picking which way we should go! (If only I didn't tire so fast we could have been in the maze longer!) We took a hayride to go to the pumpkin patch where we picked a couple of pumpkins that we'll carve on Monday! My little girl got to pet and feed animals, my little boy got to be around tractors and ride things, the day just couldn't have been better! We were there all the way until bedtime, went home put the kids to bed and then I got to cuddle with my Hubby while we watched a movie... perfect day!

Saturday Hubby had work and Rocky had soccer, he wasn't really interested in playing he was still tired from the day before so we stayed till about 10 mins left in practice and decided that yes it was just too tiring today haha. Then we had a little less than 2 hours till we had to pick up the Hubby from work so we went and saw Cars 2 in the cheap theater (it's right next to where he works so if it went longer he would be able to come get us/have the car) But he got off work early so he got to watch part of the movie with us (that was so nice.) We all agreed that it was fun once but not a movie we'd be buying (even after I thought for sure that movie would end up under the tree for our little boy!) That's okay there are much better gifts to be given! It was my actual Birthday on Saturday so my Hubby gave me a present as soon as we got home, it was such a sweet gift! He had purchased me new scriptures (which I really did need, chapters had randomly gone missing and pages were falling out) plus he really didn't like that they had my maiden name on them. So I have a brand new pair of scriptures with my name on them! He even picked out a scripture case that it just wonderful and got me new things to mark my scriptures with! He is so thoughtful, I am so grateful for him taking the time to make me feel extra special on my birthday.

WAY TO GO BSU we watched their game at Hubby's grandma and grandpa's! I appreciate them keeping me comfortable while watching the game and not stressed on the edge of the seat! haha

My sweet little boy has been having trouble the last couple of weeks and I feel so bad, I know it's my fault. I've been sick again and I have not been good about personal scripture study with the children. I haven't been taking the time that he needs in order to feel special and loved, and to help him learn and progress. Meals have been hit and miss at our house and I feel so guilty. That is something that I truly enjoy providing for my family a nice home cooked meal 3 times a day, just brings me joy.

I have a lot work on this week and am hoping that I have the energy and patients to accomplish everything. (Or at least the important things each day)

Sickness and a Busy Weekend!

It's been a few days since I posted. We've had either blogger down or Andi making herself sick (She decided she didn't want to go to bed and cried so hard she threw up) Cleaning that up made me stay up later than what I wanted so I skipped them Rob got sick. Well we're all healthy now and getting into a fun week!

Yesterday we had a family home evening on being polite and using good words. We talked about how it makes us all happy and Heavenly Father happy when we speak kindly to each other. For our young children to try to illustrate this I got a cup of M&M's (one of their favorites!) and we took turns saying please and thank you for a treat, (because treats make us happy and just like when we talk nicely.) It was short and sweet. I love watching my children grow up and developing into these sweet people and seeing them love each other, and attempt to take care of each other. Though they fight, we are all learning; to be patient, to be compassionate, and to be understanding. I hope that someday they look back on our FHE's with a smile and remember that we love them and that we had fun learning together.

We're looking forward to going to Linder Farm's later this week, which I am ecstatic to be taking our kids to! We've never let them go and pick their pumpkin before and they have a corn maze and all kinds of fun things for the kids. It's nice to have something to look forward to today.

Now I see...

I need to go out frequently with my children, it helps me keep my sanity. I did not make it out somewhere today, and around 5pm (after a day of no naps again) my wonderful children decided it was now time to play rough which is laughter shortly followed by much crying. It wasn't their crazy play where they run around giggling at each other and tag each other and roar and think they are the funniest thing on earth. (I missed that today) I was feeling rather fat this evening and low on patients and with them not listening and making each other cry, I was missing my Hubby. I kept just trying to think, would I rather not be here though? Would I rather someone else be taking care of them? I love them so much, but I am tired. Finally I spoke very firmly with them and decided that Rocky needed more encouragement to do good. So overtime he helped his sister we gave high 5's and told him he was awesome! When he cleaned up the same thing "You are awesome, you rock!" and "I love you! I am so proud of you." And his attitude improved, not to perfect but so much better than where he was! My daughter needed extra cuddling (and sleep) but she was able to calm down enough to help clean up. She loves to help clean up and I love how well she does it! She had a really hard time falling asleep. So now I see (again) that sometimes it's okay to wait on the cleaning. That even in the rain when I am feeling very pregnant I should just go out, take my camera, jump in some puddles. Make sure both of the me and the kids have fun, creative fun, not just playing with the toys in the house. Even play dough was boring today, we just are going to have to do something different tomorrow!

I should mention the morning. It was bliss, (which is probably why I felt so frustrated at the evenings attitude) The kids had an extra playmate who was super happy, my daughter and her played so well together. Then my son joined in and we all just had so much fun. We made muffins for breakfast. My kids hardly touched their lunch, (maybe that's why they had such a hard time.) But they played so well and made lots of messes with their toys (good messes) They made the morning easy, enjoyable, and just bliss.