Day 63: It's Not Business--It's Personal

We are going through something that's very sensitive and personal. I apologize for posting about it again, but I feel like I need to. I'm not sure who is reading this, but since it has become an interesting sort of journal, I feel like I need to be true to the Joyful Moments that really stick out each day. So, some days it's just going to be personal.

Today was overwhelming and exhausting. And the kind of day I wouldn't wish on any mother. We had to go through some hard things. Well, Sweet P did but the rest of us had to watch and even Little M struggled at one point.

Interestingly enough, the nurse referred to Sweet P as "Sweet Pea" the whole day. And she (the nurse) has the same name as my grandma, but the phlebotomist kept calling her my mom's name. And somehow all of those things brought me comfort. It may have just been the pregnancy hormones, but I think Heavenly Father somehow orchestrated all of it to help me out. My grandma passed away last year and my mom is out of the country. But through these weird coincidences I was able to feel the strength and comfort from them I would've liked. Everything just felt connected.

It's difficult to say exactly when my Joyful Moment came today because underneath everything is this complete emotional exhaustion. It was just so awful to submit my daughter to something that terrified and hurt her so much. But when the third IV finally started working after two hours, so we got to avoid yet another needle stick for the final blood draw, I think that may have been a Joyful Moment.

Taking her and Little M to Chuck E. Cheese's this afternoon was another Joyful Moment. I was seriously dreading going because I HATE that place. But it was what Sweet P requested when we told her we wanted to do something fun to make up for the horrible morning. Fortunately, hardly anyone else was there and it didn't seem as yucky as the one back in New England. So, relaxing and playing together as a family was a Joyful Moment.

Mostly, I'm just glad today is over. That even though it was horrible, the procedure was successful. And that we're all heading to bed soon.

Wishing you all Joyful Moments of any kind.

Day 62: Nesting

So, I've had this urge to totally stockpile our house with food for the last couple months. And it keeps getting worse. I finally realized, this is my "nesting" this time around. Normally, I go crazy cleaning. This time, I'm creating a food bank.

And tonight I made yet another double meal. As in, I cooked a batch for us to eat tonight and another that went straight into the freezer. One less meal I will have to figure out how to make while juggling a newborn and and two other kids.

We bought the chest freezer back in January for this purpose. But it stayed relatively empty for a while. Since it's easier to keep a full freezer cold than an empty one, HH began filling it with old milk jugs filled with water. I figured this wasn't to terrible since it was sort of like storing water as well.

But tonight when I placed the newly made meal in the freezer, I had to pull a milk jug out in order to fit it. And for some reason, that was a Joyful Moment. The freezer is pretty full with actual food and I might somehow survive those first few months postpartum.

Wishing you all Joyful Moments of becoming a hoarder!

Day 61: Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

That's right! Tonight we planted our first ever garden!

Well, we planted starts in a little tray that is locked up in the basement under a special lamp. It's too cold for anything to survive outside yet. Plus, we haven't actually cut out a plot for our garden. Minor details.

Even though we don't really know what we're doing, I'm sure things would have gone more smoothly had HH and I just done it all by ourselves. But last year my sister shared some advice that my father had given her when they started their garden: "Remember, you're growing a family--not a garden." And then I saw how excited her kids were to eat the vegetables they grew and couldn't wait to have a similar experience with our kids.

So, I decided it would be a perfect activity for our family night. It was a little messy and chaotic and I'm pretty sure we have some carrot seeds mixed in with our tomato seeds, but it was Joyful Moment watching the kids get excited to help. I'm really looking forward to their excitement when the seedlings start to grow and they get more of an idea of what we're doing.

And I can't wait to eat fresh, homegrown veggies!!

Wishing you all Joyful Moments of growth!

Day 60: Blessed Sunshine

This is us at the pond last year--it's not quite this green yet. Please forgive my little shaggy-haired man!

It appears that Spring might really be hear to stay (knock on wood--everyone keeps telling me they get snow in April all the time here) and the weather has been nice enough to go for a walk most evenings the last week or so. Normally, we take this around the neighborhood, but tonight I suggested going somewhere new.

When we first moved here we lived in a teeny tiny apartment. But it was in an excellent location. A beautiful pond with a bike path was literally in our backyard. We spend every evening out on that path. So, tonight I suggested we revisit our old home. It was so pretty and so much fun to be back.

Yesterday was a yucky day for me and Sweet P wasn't feeling well earlier today, but walking by the water and remembering how fun summer in was just the boost we all needed. Such a lovely Joyful Moment.

Wishing you all beautiful (and sunny!) Joyful Moments!

Day 59: Hiccups

That's what BB had when I woke up this morning. And they were pretty strong. So, I reached over and grabbed HH's hand so he could share in it.

And that was my Joyful Moment.

Pretty simple, I know. I think I tell him almost daily that I wish he could experience pregnancy for just 24 hours. Usually, I say this meaning that I wish he could experience all the discomforts and unpleasantries that come with pregnancy, so he could understand why I do the things I do. But I do feel bad that he misses out on the cool parts too. So, this morning it was fun letting him share in the experience of feeling little baby hiccups.

It's things like that that make me remember that this is a little person growing inside of me--and not just a life-sucking parasite. Whenever he has the hiccups I just want to hold him and give him comfort--even though I know "they" say that it doesn't bother babies at all. He had them for a very long time this morning and I felt really bad for him.

Still, it was really cute.

Day 58: Here Fishy, Fishy

So, a friend of ours keeps inviting us to go swimming with her and her kids. But the thought of getting both kids ready for that and then getting them back out, showered, dressed, and all after just wears me out. So, I keep declining. But I know the kids would love it.

Tonight after dinner, HH suggested that we take them swimming tomorrow. Having him there makes it much more doable, but our Saturdays are always so jam-packed already. So, I said, "How about we go right now?"

And we did.

This was my first time swimming while pregnant ever. I've heard it's fabulous and feels great. Maybe it's because I was sort of squeezed into my normal suit (I don't have a maternity one, but my other one felt fine out of the water), but I did not find it super comfortable.

Fortunately, the kids had a total blast and watching their fun and listening to their giggles made it all worth it. And, of course, provided me with a Joyful Moment. I try to still come up with fun activities and they do a pretty good job of entertaining themselves when I'm too tired (like when I passed out on the couch after lunch for a good 45 minutes today), but it felt really good to do something they love this much.

Wishing you all Joyful Moments in doing something you or someone you love really loves!

Day 57: Siblings

Those of you who know me know that I am horrible at making phone calls. Basically, I don't do it. This includes phone calls for setting up appointments (I have at least 3 of these I need to make right now), paying bills, returning phone calls, calling friends and family, etc. Basically, any type of phone call. I just don't do it.

And I frequently don't pick up when my phone is the one ringing. I can't really tell you why. I just don't like being on the phone much.

But tonight I was feeling a little out of sorts and really wishing I could call my mom. Unfortunately, that isn't possible right now as she is out of the country. So, I busied myself with making dinner and tried to ignore the feelings.

Then my cell phone rang and I actually went to answer it. Sweet P beat me to it and had a nice long chat with my little sister. Then Little M wanted a turn and while he was chatting away, my home phone rang. So, I answered that one and it was my big brother. Long story short, he conferenced my little sister in and we had a nice chat between the three of us.

My family and I are all quite spread out across the world, so any time we can get together I love it. And tonight, it was sort of like I got to hang out with the two of them. And it was that much better because I really needed my family tonight. So, thank you to both of you for thinking of me and doing what I'm so lousy at. And thank you for providing me with an excellent Joyful Moment talking and laughing with you. I love you both!

Wishing you all Joyful Moments from feeling loved by those you love!