Pregnancy in Idaho VS Pregnancy in Utah

I have come to a conclusion. Being pregnant while living in Utah is better than being pregnant while living in Idaho. Why, you ask. I'll tell you.

1. An abundance of babysitters to watch the other kids while I see the doc. I have to schedule all my appointments around the kids' school schedule so I don't have to bring them with me (except Ives of course). It doesn't always work out.

2. Friends to be pregnant with. When I was pregnant with Corbin my friend Dawn was pregnant with her son, Hunter. When I was pregnant with Dex my friend Lisa was pregnant with her daughter, Anna (we even took childbirth classes together, which was so so fun). With Ivy and this baby, my friend Katie was and is pregnant too, but we live in different states and its not as fun.

3. Having someone to share my pregnancy stories with. This kind of goes along with the friend one, but I've also been pregnant at the same time as a few of my sisters and there was always plenty of story swapping going on. Not this time around they all live too far away (and none are preggo this time around).

4. Not worrying about what I'll do with my other kids when I go into labor. In Utah I had plenty of choices, lots of sisters, my mother-in-law, and friends. This time, I have almost no one that I can count on. I'm at a loss about what I'm going to do. Marde is coming for a few days around my due date, but the chances of going into labor while she's here seem pretty slim. I have 4 months left to figure it out, but its totally stressing me out.

The one good thing about Idaho vs Utah is my doctor. My doc in Utah was old fashioned and kind of mean. When I went into labor with Dex it was the middle of the night and I was actually happy to make the doc get up at 2 am to deliver the baby. I thought of it as sweet revenge, until he lectured me about not getting the epidural while he stitched up my enormous tear (TMI sorry) telling me that it was my fault it hurt and I should have listened to him. What a jerk. My doc here in Idaho is great, and I couldn't be happier with her. She knows what she's doing, she's nice and always has time to listen to me, and knows what its like to give birth because she's a woman and has done it!

Anyway, I'm done rambling and complaining now. I'm going to keep my eye out for more positive reasons to be pregnant in Idaho, but so far its looking bleak.

Braggin' Wagon Wednesday: Little Copycats

Little Copycat number one:

Dexter loves Corbin. Whatever Corbin does, Dexter has to do too. When the kids put on jammies, Corbin puts on his pants first. Sometimes Dex forgets and puts on his shirt first, then realizes his mistake and will take his shirt back off and put his pants on first instead. Just to be like his big brother. Dexter never has an opinion about what he wants because he always says, "I want what Corbin has." It doesn't even matter what it is. Corbin often complains that "Dexy keeps copying me!" but he doesn't realize this is actually a compliment. His little brother looks up to him so much that he wants to do everything he does. I think its adorable, and lets be honest, Corbin is a great kid and a good example for Dex.

Little Copycat number two:

Its fun having a girl. She is her mama's shadow. Ivy follows me everywhere I go and likes to do things that I do. I LOVE it. The boys always love to be with daddy because he's the fun one (Ivy thinks so too), but its nice to have a child who thinks I'm something more than the person who feeds, clothes, and disciplines them. She always wants to take a bath with me, she likes to sit on my lap when I do my hair and make up, she even loves to brush my hair (which I don't mind a bit), and she'll lay on the couch next to me whenever I'm taking a minute to rest. She loves watching me make dinner, and even tries to help (when she isn't begging for scraps!). So she's not exactly copying me yet, but she's interested in what I do, and wants to do it too. Its so fun. I'm going to have to start locking up my make up soon, I know it!

A couple of letters

Dear Winter,

You are not my favorite weather, in fact, you're my least favorite. I'm sorry we no longer get along like we did when I was a kid. I'm sad that I can no longer tolerate a cold nose and numb fingers. I wish I had the patience and confidence to drive on your icy roads. I regret not thinking that building a snowman is worth my time. I appreciate the moisture you bring. I dig getting to wear my sweaters, boots and super cute coat. I love that the kids got to miss one day of school because of snow. I even like the occasional foggy mornings, but I'm done.

Please, please, don't take this the wrong way, but its time to move on. We both know it. You're getting lazy (what good is winter without snow), and I'm looking forward to seeing other weather. Namely Summer, but you're going to have to be long gone for that to happen.

So anyway, thanks for being around for a little while, but get lost.

Yours truly,

Rochelle

Dear Summer,

I anxiously await your arrival for fun in the sun, time in the pool, bike rides, evening walks, playgrounds, and an all around good time.

Devotedly yours,

Rochelle

Braggin' Wagon Wednesday: Encouraging Good Behavior

Even kids need new years resolutions sometimes. I have been working diligently to reduce Dexter's temper tantrums for a few weeks now, but he kept forgetting. Grandma Marde gave me the great idea to have a tantrum calendar, and put a sticker on everyday that he doesn't have a tantrum, so he feels like he gets a reward. He also gets a treat on Saturday's if he gets 5 stickers in a week. I didn't want the other kids to get jealous so I came up with some areas that they could use some improvement too. Corbin has an annoying habit of talking in baby talk, so we decided to get rid of that. Ivy's is a little more complicated, she's (very slowly) potty training. Right now she is getting a sticker as long as she's willing to sit on the potty a few times a day. We'll increase the difficulty as time goes on. (Grandma also sent the calendars and stickers, thanks Marde!) Anyway, so far so good. Hardly any temper tantrums or baby talk, and Ivy is loving the potty. It feels great for me to be less annoyed with them, and it feels great for them to get to accomplish something. I hope they keep up the good work.

Ivy practicing her potty skills. Still nothing in the potty, but she'll get there.

Check this out: Dexter is SMILING for the camera! I think this shows that he is much happier without feeling like he needs to be angry or sad all the time! He barely looks like himself! (ps, isn't the picture he drew adorable? Its supposed to be Daddy!)

I don't have a picture to demonstrate Corbin's lack of baby talk, but he's basically cut it out, cold turkey! Its very nice to be able to understand him on a regular basis.

Randomness: Update

So I had a couple questions about my last blog from a couple of different people, so I decided to just answer them all at once with one blog. Here goes:

Modge Podge:

I am by no means an expert on the subject. I do not know the definition of what it is, because I've never even really heard of it before the relief society activity. From what I gather, it involves scrapbook paper being glued to wood (and possibly other things), adding some vinyl lettering and sanding some edges, and voila....a cute little wooden sign. I didn't sand the edges like recommended because I was tired......maybe someday I'll get around to it. But here's how it turned out. I hope that answers questions.

Pregnant Itchiness:

Many of you pointed out that my itchiness is likely caused by the stretching of skin, a very likely cause. However, I have been pregnant three other times, and I have experienced that very thing every time. I'm not saying your wrong, but this time is different. I am experiencing the itchiness in other places besides my abdomen and breasts. For example, the inside of my elbows, or crelbows, if you will. I took a picture so you could see what it looks like and then give me an opinion about it. I think its PUPPP (which apparently is harmless but itches like crazy!). I have an appointment with the doc very soon to show her whats up, and in the meantime I have switched to fragrant free body wash and got some goldbond anti-itching powder (so I smell nice and medicated!). Here's to hoping I get a little bit of relief.

Randomness

How do you feel about frozen juice concentrate? I struggle with the idea of making juice with it because I'm so tempted to just eat that deliciously flavorful frozen juice with a spoon. I never have eaten it like that (besides a bite or two), but I try to justify it every day!

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Ivy had her 2 year well check yesterday (we're a teensy bit behind schedule), and she weighed 26.4 lbs. Thats the 50th percentile! Can you believe that? Its an enormous jump from the less than 3rd percentile she's been pretty much since birth. The doc was like, "What happened? What changed?" and I was like, "I don't know, but she sure loves to eat!" I still think it may have just been a mistake when they weighed her, but who knows.

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I went to a relief society activity this week and had my first ever experience with modge podge (is that even how you say it or spell it? I really don't know). Anyway, it was SUPER EASY and I was pretty surprised. It turned out so cute, and I really enjoyed talking with the other sisters in the ward. Plus, I'm getting craftier by the day!

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Tell me formerly or currently pregnant women out there.....Do you get itchy while pregnant. I'm not talking an itch here or there, I'm talking like CRAZY, RIDICULOUSLY ITCHY SKIN!! I am a regular sufferer of itchiness, so its not a big surprise, but the last 2 weeks or so my stomach and *ahem* breasts are so itchy its practically interfering with my life! This week I also developed a pale rash. There are tiny red dots working their way across my abdomen. They aren't bumpy, just a little pink, but man, they are ITCHY! Please tell me there can be relief before delivery because I'm only half way done, and I don't think I can take it for 5 more months!!

Braggin' Wagon Wednesday: Warm and Fuzzy Feelings

Dear Scott (aka Scontra/Scizzott/Stinky Pete),

Just over eleven years ago you told my friends I was gorgeous. When they told me about you an hour later I thought of my raggidy pony tail, and un-made up face. I looked down at my gray, long sleeved shirt, and old holy-kneed jeans, and thought He must be crazy. I'm a total scrounge. I gave you the benefit of the doubt and went to school the next day ready to find out who you were. You were that annoying kid in my seminary class (the complete opposite of how I feel about you now). You remember right? You sat front and center everyday, and talked a lot. You had really big hair, and beautiful blue eyes, and when you spoke to me briefly at the end of class I saw your amazing smile for the first time.

Now you've been smiling at me for more than a decade (sounds crazy, right). My hair is a boring color, I hardly ever wear make-up or even do my hair, I'm a little (okay a lot) chubbier, and I still wear holy-kneed jeans, yet you tell me I'm gorgeous all the time. You're sounding crazier by the second.

I relish every minute we spend together, and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Thanks for being so great. I still feel like a scrounge, and I still think you must be crazy, but I'm so glad you had the courage to speak up that day. Love you!

Love,

Rochelle (aka Beauti-potomus/Puke-a-hontus)

Awww, Our first date. January 8, 2000 (is it me, or do we look ridiculously silly?! I'm leaning way too far and my belly is hanging out, and your head looks so long!)