In Full Swing again

So, the Winter sports officially started a week ago (tomorrow).
We've already had two concussions! Wrestlers. What do you expect when they're slammin' each other on the mat? Honestly! For one of them I called the ambulance. Landed on his neck/shoulders and was having tenderness on the spine with tingling and numbness down his arms and hands. Scary! I sure didn't want to move him. He ended up being okay. No spinal fracture. Just sprained ligaments in his neck/back along with the concussion (his 4th). His parents decided he's done wrestling. Probably a good choice since he's like a zillion times more likely to get another concussion! Too bad though, I liked the kid.
Well, along with concussions, the rest of our wrestling team isn't doing so great either. I think I have about 10 guys dealing with injuries already (most were from football). Sprained AC, dislocating shoulder, back pain with instability, sprained knees, sprained ankles and fingers, random unexplained pains, unknown elbow injury (waiting for MRI). The list goes on. Poor guys. I dont think I'm ready for bloody, any injury's likely, gotta have quick hands cuz injury time's only 2 minutes, matches.
Ready or not!

Random rant

So, I mentioned a few weeks ago that my house is a disaster! Well, still a disaster. And I'm blogging to you about it. I decided I'm just lazy. And I hate cleaning. But I worked out on Friday! The first time in...well, ages. I cant even remember the last time. Pathetic. It was actually really great! Now I just need to figure out how to wake up at the butt crack of dawn to get it done regularly, cuz really, that's the only time that might work. Today, didn't work.
I've been babysitting my sister's kids (2 and 1 yr old) on Mondays, and sometimes Wednesdays so she can go to school. Wow, it makes for a long, unproductive day at home! Two, two-year-old girls creates lots of drama and messes. Not to mention the 1yr old. He's a screamer and loves to throw things. Awesome. I think I'm balding from all the hair I'm pulling out (not really, put some days, ugh, I'm tellin you!) Literally, every time you turn around, you're cleaning up or preventing one mess to find a different one waiting right around the corner. Ahhh! And I thought I was going to have 5-6 kids? Tell me it gets better when you have one old enough to "help".
If I had twins I think I'd truly go crazy - loony bin crazy. My sis-in-law, Martha is truly a saint! She has to deal with my brother, twin boys, and their older brother. Whew, too much testosterone!
Then again, Azilyn's drama isn't a cake walk either. She's in a whiny, fake cry, meltdown over everything, clingy for hugs and kisses when something doesn't go her way stage. Wow, am I over that already! I love my daughter. I love my daughter. I LOVE my daughter!
We had physicals at the HS today. I was thrilled that I could get a doc to come to the high school. It's so much more convenient for the kids, however, I was disappointed. Not a very good turn out, less than 10. It did make a few bucks for my AT budget though. Yea!
And now I'm done. Super tired.

Football's over!

So, this past week was soooo long! I had a big issue at work with our football coach, regarding one of our starting Varisty players who got a concussion. I was babysitting all week long making sure the kid didn't go back to play before he was suppose to. Ugh!

Friday we had our first playoff game. We ended up loosing in Triple overtime! So sad. As much as I wanted to get paid for another game, I am really glad to be done with football! I think half the team was concussed sometime in the season, coaches were a bit of a nightmare, and it's just getting too darn cold to be outside.

Now begins the busy season - Boys and girls basketball and wrestling (and swimming). This will be my life through Winter. Go Bruins!

Happy Halloween!

This year we trick-or-treated in the rain. Well, Danny and Azilyn did. Tolson and I stayed in the car while they ran around with an umbrella. I didn't think being out in the rain would help me get over my 3rd cold virus in a row. Seriously, I've been sick ALL month!
I'm no photographer, but here are some pictures of our costumes. Well, minus mine. I was just a witch. Minimal preparation. Not very cool, I guess, because we got no pictures of me. Danny a Samuri. This is him posing at our ward Halloween party.


Tolson is a Horse, even though he looks like a cow.
And Azilyn is a Pumpkin. At our ward party, Azilyn fell asleep on the couch in the foyer and another little girl her age ran up to her dad and told him there was a fairy on the couch! She was so stinkin cute!

Crayzee Life

Okay, so it is now OCTOBER! Crazy.
So I have been super busy with work and kids. I wish I would have made time each week to report all that has gone on, but unfortunately, that was just asking too much. I have really loved my job, but it has been super stressful. Danny and I are switching off daily, he goes to school then comes right home so I can go to work. At home we are both non stop kid-taking-care-of so our house, dinner, laundry have gotten the brunt of it all. We currently have about 7 loads of dirty laundry which has overtaken the hallway, and another 3+ loads of clean laundry in baskets in our room. The floors havent been cleaned in, oh, a month, the bathroom gets cleaned only when a part of it starts growing something, and Tolson gets a bath, well only once or twice a week. Wow! The list could go on, but I'll spare you. We're pathetic, but our children are loved. We have actually started a date night thanks to my sister (we watch her kids 1 day/wk and she gives us a date night).
The past two weeks we've all been sick. Flu for Azilyn and Danny, Mega cold for Danny and Ashley. Tolson gets all the antibodies from me, so he's lucked out so far.
I think Danny's hanging in there with school. His online class is suffering. Stupid online classes!
Tolson is 4 months old now! He is such a happy boy. Very chill and content. He is rolling over, or at least tries often. He's made it a few times. He lifts his head when laying down like he wants to sit up and he's started grabbing everything to put in his mouth. Slobbers like a champ and loves his sister!
Azilyn loves her brother and gives him hugs and kisses every day. It's so cute! Yesterday she was a little curious and bit his finger. He, of course, wailed right away, which made Azilyn also scream and cry. She was so sad that she hurt brother, I don't think she'll do that again.

Stress

I'm really stressed out. I love work, but it is stressful. And that doesn't help the fact that I'm having trouble finding time to pump at work, so my milk supply is nearly zilch, which makes me even more stressed, ahhh!

Emergency Room

I failed to mention in my last post that Azilyn had her first visit to the ER last week.
After having to call the ambulance for a soccer player in their first game on Tuesday of last week, I went to bed Thursday thinking, 'tomorrow is Friday the 13th; am I feeling superstitious? I wonder if anything crazy will happen tomorrow?"
Well, I had just gotten through the morning rush before FB practice on Friday. I was just thinking of taking a deep breath and sitting down for the first time all morning, when I get a call from home.
All I can hear is Azilyn screaming in the background and Danny trying to get a word in edgewise. All I got from Danny was, "...you...home".
Me, "What?"
Danny, "...need...come home."
Me, "What? Why?"
- Azilyn still screaming -
Danny, "We n...itch..."
Me, "What?"
Danny, "Azilyn...stiches."
Me, "WHAT!? Well, take her to the hospital!"

Well, to avoid more annoying dialog, I'll make a short phone call shorter. I had the car. We only have one. I told him to borrow the neighbor's car. I left in a hurry and headed home. Called Danny on the way to hear...nothing in the back ground. "Uh, where's Azilyn?" Already in the neighbor's car. So, apparently, Azilyn tripped and hit her face on the nightstand. She split her "lip, about and inch long," Danny said. I'm thinking her bottom lip is in two pieces, hanging off her face, right? So, who's with Azilyn, holding her face on? Nobody. I guess it wasn't bleeding so much. Weird for a head wound not to bleed much.

Well, we finally both got to the hospital, after trying the insta-care we'd never been to and found that it indeed is an after hours, well, and daytime hours, but not morning hours. Anyway, the first look I got of Azilyn was at the hospital, and I was a little embarrassed to be there. On the phone Danny said, "I can see her teeth right through her lip." So I thought it was really bad. Well, it was pretty well closed up when we got to the ER. I don't doubt that it looked bad when it first happened. I guess kids just have fast healing. Anyway, the ER doc did exactly what I would have done if I would have just gone straight home. Superglue (medical grade, of course). Good thing we have insurance! Here's a pic at the ER.

This is before it was cleaned up very well, so there is some residual blood residue.
Poor Azilyn just kept saying, "I wanna go home." Maybe she was embarrassed too? However, she did make friends with a self acclaimed 'great-grandma' while at the ER. Azilyn was sick of sitting around waiting for the ER doc, so she jumped off the bed, walked out of our little curtained room, went right up to this lady, hugged her and said, "hi!" I'm a little worried about how friendly Azilyn has become with strangers lately.

Here I am trying to comfort her when doc came to check it out. Oh, she got her tooth somehow too, but it was okay, just a little laceration on her gums above it.

Oh, while at the ER another toddler came in with a hugely swollen black eye and gouged cheek (BEWARE, GRAPHIC DETAILS TO FOLLOW, and let this be a lesson to those with small children)...

...Come to find out, the poor kid fell on a dishwasher prong. It went through his cheek into his eye! Hope it doesn't effect his vision.

Week 1: Crazy!

Okay, so this week was my first "full-time" week at my new job. Even though my contract says I am paid to work 20-25 hours a week, it really is a full-time job. Not only do I have to get established and organized (which entails a lot in itself - cleaning the training room, inventory, ordering supplies, paperwork and computer entry, coaches meetings, educating coaches, parents and athletes on cuncussions, heat illness, etc.), nearly every sport has two-a-day practices and I have to take care of all of them! Can we say OVERWHELMING!? Oh, and some sports even started with games this week! It's crazy.
And that is just my job. Danny also got called into work this week, AND we have kids! I'm trying to keep nursing Tolson, so that threw in another curve ball with having to make sure I eat, drink and pump regularly in order to keep the milk in. Ahhhh! It's been non-stop.
Well, the good news is, I, or rather, we survived the week. Here's how it went down:

Last weekend, we went to So. Utah for our last hoorah before school and work consume our lives for the next 10 months. We left on Thursday. On Wednesday, I found out about a new rule on concussions that is going into effect this year and that I have to single-handedly educate EVERY coach, athlete, and parent about it. So, on the way down to So. UT, I'm frantically calling all my coaches trying to set up these meetings before sports really gets rolling. I got a hold of... ONE. Football. He very seriously responds, "oh, ya, that is really important, lets get together Monday right after practice."
So, reading this, you may be thinking, "ya, so, what's the big deal?" Well, practice on Monday is at 7AM. I barely found out about this thing and thus, dont even know what it is myself, I have no time to prepare, and I now have to present this to my entire football coaching staff first thing Monday! And I'm suppose to be leaving town and work behind to have a relaxing weekend with family!? Ha! STRESS!!
I had to work very, very hard that weekend to put it out of my mind enough to have some fun and yet still find some time to prepare. Ugg. So much for relaxing.

So, Monday:
I'm nervous. Tired. "Unprepared".

To be honest, I don't even remember all the details from day to day this past week because my schedule went something like this - FB practice, 7am. This means waking up at 5:30AM (after hitting snooze for 15 minutes cuz I just woke up with the baby sometime between 3:30 & 5), shower, get dressed in the dark, make-up & hair, quick breakfast, feed baby or pump, hope Azilyn doesn't wake up to cry on my leg, trying not to wake Danny, throw 4 different bags in the car, speed off to work 15 min away.

Rush to set up for practice, take care of injuries (for the next 3 hours straight), done by 10am. Rush back home to relieve Danny so he can go to work. Feed baby. Eat 2nd breakfast. Make lunch for Azilyn. Put Azilyn down for nap. Feed baby again. Take a nap myself, study about injuries, or other misc business such as set up physicals, order supplies, dr. appts & other personal errands.

Back to work for practice #2 or game (2:30-6). Clean up at work. Come home to kids and try to forget work. Danny goes back to work til dark. I make dinner, invite myself to dinner at neighbor's, or scourge fridge & feed kids. Bathe kids. Bedtime routine. Study some more. Go to bed exhausted about 10-11pm. Feed baby 1-2x/night. Wake up and start again! Great fun.
It's surprising I actually want to go back and do it again next week!

Injury Report for week one:
3 concussions,
1 sprained thumb,
3 groin strains,
1 shoulder impingement
4 various knee issues (minor)
1 spastic back
5+ ankle sprains
2 shin splints
dehydration muscle cramps, and
a call to 911 - for asthma
(could we put this to a song? 12 Days of Christmas maybe?)

Needless to say, it was a long week!
Do it again, do it again, one more time!
School starts in two weeks, but first, another long week of 2-a-days, games and more!!!

I love my job.

Sweet Little Spirits

Today I am grateful for a healthy, beautiful family. I am not so grateful, however, for an apartment that consistently creeps to 80 degrees everyday. I'm sweating like a pig! (do pigs really sweat??)

First, to be grateful.
Preface: We have lived in the same ward, a married student ward, for almost 5 years now. It is uncommon for a family to stay as long as we have, and I'm almost certain that by the time we 'graduate' to the regular family ward, we will have made a new record in our current ward for the family with the longest stay. In fact, each semester, half our ward is new, due to the incredulous turnover by reason of it's natural makeup. Anyway, it doesn't seem like we would see much "life action" in a ward such as this, but we've seen our share. By life action, I mean all the issues and problems life might bring us as we become more "seasoned" in life - serious illness, worries with children, divorce, death, etc. In this ward, it seems like we have seen it all.

I am simply shocked at the challenges that have been faced by those so young. Here are some examples;
*Serious illness, including diabetes and related complications, heart problems, seizures, autoimmune diseases, mental illness, and cancer.
*Baby-related issues - tons of infertility, miscarriages, birth defects, stillborns, loss of a child.
*Financial woes - serious debt, unemployment, layoffs, home foreclosures.
*Family and other - loss of parent, loss of spouse, physical abuse, divorce.

All of these things have happened to people we know, of college age, and within the last 5 years! It seems tragic and so unfair. Fortunately, we have gained strength as a ward, and as individuals. We have had the opportunity to serve, support and uplift. We have been turned to the Lord, given thanks, and had cause for introspection.

Most recently, a couple in our ward gave birth to their first child. After much effort in getting pregnant, they were ecstatic to be having a baby. At 36 weeks, they found out that the baby had a brain tumor and "water-on-the-brain" due to the blockage. The baby was born, but unfortunately, lived less than 48 hours. You can imagine the devastation. On their blog the mother recalled the simple joys she had with her newborn son during his short life - hearing his first cry, holding him, touching his perfect little features, changing his diaper, having him receive a name and blessing. The little things, that I often take for granted. I cannot imagine this ordeal and my heart and tears pour out to them.

For this and much more, I am grateful for healthy babies, for late Saturday nights with a new baby and a teething two year old, 8:30am church the next morning, dirty diapers every two hours, potty train messes, endless baby laundry, screaming in the house, fingerprints on the tv, an always dirty house, kissing every boo-boo, tripping over toys, sand from the sandbox in the house, phones in the toilet, and the list goes on. For all the little, and big annoyances and inconveniences of having children, I am grateful to have opportunity to have such wonderful little spirits in my care. They are definitely more of a blessing than we will probably ever really know.

I love my little family and thank the Lord for them daily, and even more so when I am reminded that I need to be more than just grateful. I am blessed and in debted to God for all his tender mercies.

Birthday "Party"

Yesterday we had a belated "birthday party" for Azilyn. And the only reason I can feel like it was a party, is because she had like 20 presents. Grandma Gaile went a lot overboard. We got her a sleeping bag, shoes, some dresses (that will aid in potty training without having her be totally naked), and sidewalk chalk, which she referred to as chop sticks (she was going for chalk sticks!). Grandma went crazy at IKEA and got a bunch of stuff for Azilyn's play kitchen - dishes utensils, play food, etc. She was quite spoiled.
When I saw the enormous pile of presents I made the comment that it only goes downhill from here. I'm sure she'll just get less and less presents every year, and yet still have some to open on her 20th birthday.
Anyway, we went swimming again. Azilyn, of course, had fun, but probably not as much fun if Papi would have been there. Danny was in the park making us a most delicious dutch oven dinner. Yum! Potatoes, Beans, and Ribs! We are so lucky to have such a great Papi! Claire and her girls came. Grandma Yvonne and Grandpa Terry were there too. Thanks a million for a great party everyone. (I forgot my camera, again, so I'll have to back-blog some pics here when I get them from Grandma)

Potty training progress??

So, after Azilyn's bath, she loves to watch Signing Time. This gives me the opportunity to style her hair and get her dressed without much opposition. Sometimes, we just leave her naked in hopes that she will make it to the potty without the restriction of clothing. Well, lately she's been going pee occasionally, but she always wants her diaper put on before she has to poo.
Well, this morning we've been quite busy, so she managed to pee in the potty with minimal help, like 4 times. Only once, before the big pee, did she trickle down her leg some (quite funny actually). So, I'm in changing Tolson's diaper and I hear, "Mom, MOM, MOM! I'm on the potty." She was calling for help. "Okay, stay on the potty til I come help you." (She loves to get off and look at her accomplishment, then she makes a mess everywhere). This time, she stayed on. So I come in the living room (where her 'little potty' is placed) and there are two decent sized turds trailing toward the little potty. So I'm thinking, 'oh great, she pooped on the carpet, then sat on the potty to try and weasel a treat out of it.' NOPE! There, in her potty was a man sized turd! She was just a little slow getting to the potty, BUT she did it all by herself! I'm so proud! We might actually be making some progress.

My First Job

I got a job! I am the new Athletic Trainer at Mountain View High School. Yeah! I actually got the job about 3 weeks ago, but I don't start (officially) until August 9th. It's really seemed surreal and I've been super busy, so I haven't had a chance to write about it.
The job fell in my lap, really, but I believe the Lord was putting things in place to make it possible. Several months ago I ran into a kid at the grocery store who was in the program with me at BYU. I told him I was looking for something and he told me he'd let me know when he knew of something. Well, it's not very often people actually remember those kind of conversation, but lo and behold, he did. After calling me, he gave my number to his boss (I was hired threw a physical therapy clinic), and within a few hours, I was interviewed and hired! It was pretty crazy.
The job is only part-time, about 20 hours a week, which is great for being a mom, but makes for a poke-in-the-eye salary, and really, not very good coverage for all sports, considering a quarter of that is the Varsity football game alone, but it brings in a little money and gets my foot in the door for some experience. I'm excited, but super nervous. It's a lot of resposability and to be quite honest, I'm a little rusty after being away from everything for more than two years. Yikes!
Please pray for me! I'll need all the help I can get.

Happy Birthday Azilyn!

Okay, I know I'm a slacker on keeping the updates. I just wanted to wish my "baby" girl a happy birthday today! She is TWO! I just can't believe how time flies. I was totally going to plan a big birthday party for her since baby brother has gotten so much of the attention the past month or two, but again, I'm a slacker and I have failed to plan much of anything. Luckily, she's forgiving, and only two, so she probably wont remember anyway.
We did go swimming, which she LOVES, and invited some cousins too, so she really loved that. Then we went back to the cousin's house for dinner. Gumbo. It was delicious! Then we sang happy birthday to Azilyn and she was super excited about that. Dumb mom forgot the camera though. Her face was priceless. It was all aglow. After we sang she clapped and said, "I want some cake!" It was hilarious. She's definitely no dummy!
Happy Birthday big girl!!

Welcome Baby Brother

Azilyn is excited to announce the birth of her baby brother, Tolson Henley. He was born Thursday, June 10th at 8:40pm. Weighing 6lbs 6oz and measuring 19 inches long. He has blonde hair and as far as I can tell, it doesn't seem to be curly. His eyes, rather than the blue-gray newborn eyes we expected, were more brownish-gray. It will be interesting to see how he develops! Oh, and out of no where came the most adorable little dimples!

He came after a short labor of 6 hours, but mom couldn't hack it this time. After just three hours of labor, progressing only 1cm, and feeling like I was already in transition (the hardest part of labor), I called for Dr. Jones (the anesthesiologist). I felt bad for getting an epidural, but I knew my pain tolerance and it was maxed. Besides, I think Danny was doing as much work as I was as he applied counter pressure with his entire body weight against my knees, with every contraction, I was sure he wouldn't last either, and then where would we be!?

So, it was great having the pain gone, but I can't say I loved the epidural. Tingly entire lower half like after a dental procedure, no urge to push, not even knowing if I am pushing, legs in stirrups just waiting for baby to come. It was really weird. It was like that awkward silence thing, but everyone is staring at you, and did I mention the stirrups? After having fully experienced child birth, I think I'd rather work for it. There was much more satisfaction in a non-medicated birth. I think I just need to be a little more prepared next time.

Labor was definitely worse this time around, but I think I could have lasted another 3 hours without the epi if it hadn't caught me so off guard in the first place. I was totally unprepared this time and thus, unable to focus adequately on the task at hand. Who knows, maybe I still would have chosen the path I did. After all, labor sucks! The important part is, however, that Tolson made it to our family! He is happy, healthy, and very loved. We are so glad he's here.

Azilyn loves her baby brother! And has acted surprisingly well, thus far. She is very loving, gentle, and not jealous. She has been rather independent and only occasionally wants to hug or hold baby brother. And she hasn't yet tried to "help" without supervision. Overall, she has had adequate attention though, so, we'll see how she does when mom is the only one home and can't cut herself in two!

Tolson and I are adjusting and recovering well. He is still trying to figure out the nursing thing and that is a killer for me, but a little blood, sweat and tears never hurt anyone, right!?
He is improving quickly, though at wee hours of the morn with sore boobs and a frustrated kid, it sure makes you think otherwise. But overall, he is a very sweet boy, mild tempered, only fusses when there's a reason - hungry, wet, gassy, etc. He loves to suck (Azilyn never took a binky) and is a snuggler and we are glad to have him in our family!

Welcome home little man!

Baby update

Okay, so we finally got the lab results back and we can all breath a little easier now. I have previously had this parvovirus and thus have passed my immunity onto the baby. Yea! That's what we were hoping for!

I also had a doctors appointment today. I mentioned to doc that the baby has had decreased movement the past week or so, which I was trying not to make a big deal of because I figured it was just my stress and paranoia playing tricks on me, since every time I would officially take count, he was still within normal range (with the exception of one or two times). Anyway, I should have just gone in when I even questioned it. So, the doc had me go to the hospital to have the baby monitored this morning, and it turns out, the baby's great, but more eval next week just for comparison. And, of course the baby with moving a ton today. The thing that you're concerned about never happens when you're actually at the doc's, right!? Ridiculous.

Needless to say, all that made for a unexpectedly long morning! And reminded me that I need to pack my bags and actually get more ready for the big day.

Anyway, thank you for all your fasting and prayers! They have been noticed and very much appreciated.

Oh, and doc said I'm 1 cm dilated and the baby is head down, pretty low, so any contractions will be moving things along! Yeah. Sounds exactly like with Azilyn. We're getting excited!

Anxiously awaiting

Well, no news is good news, right?? This is me trying to be positive. The fact is, my labs haven't come back yet, and it's nearly maddening! The lab told me it would take 3 days. My doctor told me it would take a week. I'm thinking, Monday to Friday, right? NOPE. Doc meant 1 full week. Monday to Monday, if not longer! Seriously, does it really take that long to look at a blood sample? Anyway, I've mostly kept busy to keep my mind off of it, but of course, it's always in thought.

Last Saturday and Sunday were horrible (especially Sunday) because the baby decided he was going to take a few days off. Saturday his movements were pretty weak and less often. Then the first half of the day on Sunday his movements were few and far between and still weaker than normal. I was worried, but tried to stay clam and not be stressed, but I think I was anyway, which probably made it worse, mentally for me and physically for the baby. Then the later part of Sunday he was moving more normally and he went crazy around 9pm, his regular super active time. So my mind was reassured that he was okay, for the time being.

Speaking of hard Sundays, every Sunday is kind of a nightmare around our house. Today has been especially hair-pulling. You see, we go to the married student ward and there are 9 wards in our twin-chapel building. Our ward starts at 12:10pm - lunchtime, and nap time is at 1pm. So, it makes for a really long day when her lunch is thrown off and she misses her nap. By the time we get out, it's time for her to eat again, but she's so dang tired, she usually falls asleep on the way home or shortly thereafter. Then she doesn't sleep well cuz she's hungry. Thus, she wakes up ornery and basically stays that way until she finally goes to sleep at bedtime. Ahhhh! And to make it worse, today she woke up early and on the wrong side of the bed. It's been an awesome Mother's Day! (Do you sense the sarcasm!???)
[Eyes closed. Inhale. Blow away the frustration.]

On the upside, Azilyn loves her baby brother and is going to be an great big sister! She is always wanting to give baby brother hugs and often recounts the day at the OB when she "heard the baby's heartbeat in Mommy's tummy. Sounds like a siren," she says. Then she wants to hold the baby. And, she will tell you baby brother's name if you ask her. It's so cute!

This past Saturday I had a baby shower and one of the girls that came has a two month old who is still very tiny and cute! Anyway, she walked in and Azilyn got all excited for the "baay-beee!" She immediately went to comfort him since he was being a little fussy and she stroked his head very gently. Then she laid her head on his legs and gave him a hug. It was adorable, and somewhat comforting that she was so good with him. I think she's more prepared for her baby brother to come than I am.

Baby scare

Okay, so, the other day, Azilyn randomly throws up her dinner. So I throw her in the tub and when she gets out, her legs and bum are covered with this weird, hive-like, rash. Some looked blistery. So, I'm thinking, maybe she had an allergic reaction to something? So we call the doctor and they say, just keep an eye on it, give her some Benedryl and call if it gets worse. So, I gave her some Benedryl and sent her to bed, checking up on her often to assess the progress of the rash, breathing, etc. The rash was gone within an hour or so.
The next day, she woke up from her nap and her face had a similar rash, and her cheeks were bright red and puffy, obvious swelling. This really worried me, so we got right into the doctor. He said it could be an allergy. Try Benedryl again. If it helps - allergy. If not - it may be fifths disease, which is just a viral infection. The issue would be that if it is fifths, it could affect the baby, even cause a miscarriage/stillbirth. Great! And, the doc said his wife lost a baby from this and she was 8 months along! I was shocked, and a little nervous. He said it's something they can catch with an ultrasound and to call my OB if we rule out the allergy.
So, I go home and look up fifths and find out that the "lace-like" rash can take on a blister-like appearance and it can come and go, with heat, sunlight, and stress being triggers. Well, she gets the rash again after a hot bath and this time I don't do the Benedryl and the rash dissipates as her body cools down from the bath and she chills out to get ready for bed.
So, along with some other symptoms, I'm thinking, okay, not an allergy. It must be fifths. So, I call my OB and he says, you'll have to wait 'til Monday for blood work. And I'm thinking, ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?? This is a threat to my unborn child and you're telling me to sit on it!? Not to mention it may take a week to get lab results back. So, I ask him about it and he says the baby wouldn't show signs of infection within the next week. I'm still kinda freaking out, but trying to stay calm, cuz really, we dont know for sure if the baby's been affected and I can't do anything about it anyway, right? Well, what about the ultrasound? Doc says baby probably wont show signs yet. I'm doubting, remembering reading that there's a long incubation time ( up to a month) between having the virus and presenting the classic rashy symptoms. So, how do you know the baby wouldn't present symptoms?? It seemed illogical to me, but I wearily took his word and hung up the phone.
In the mean time, Danny is super worried and sends out a dire sounding text message to family and friends, requesting their faith and prayers. Not that I'm complaining, but a little warning would have been nice as worried calls and return texts begin to pour in! It was just slightly unexpected.
So to sum up a long story, we're worried. The unknown is always the most scary thing, though we hope and have faith that all will be well with the baby. As I have read more about this human parvovirus, I have become more confident that this is all just a scare and nothing more. There is a 50% chance I have had previous exposure to it, and thus am immune, passing that immunity onto the baby as well. There's another 33% chance the baby wont even be affected, even if I'm not immune. It looks better and better because I am in the later half of pregnancy. And, there seems to be lesser problems, such as fetal anemia, that would come on before the baby died anyway. All in all, I think it narrows it down to the 5% range that we would loose the baby. And while there are all those odds in our favor, the unknown is still the most prominent thing that gnaws at the back of my conscience and makes me very tired.
So, I will keep everyone updated. I am very thankful to all of your fasting and prayers in our behalf. I have felt lightened and uplifted as the day has gone on, and I know it is because of all of your faith. The Lord is watching over us and I know we are very blessed. We love you all!

Azilyn is HILARIOUS!

So, Azilyn is talking, A LOT and she comes up with some of the most interesting, surprising and funny things.
The other day she came up behind me and gave my legs a great big bear hug. Well, you have to understand that she is at the perfect height that her forehead is right on my butt. So, what does she say when she hugs me? (And I'm not sure whether this is funny or embarrassing for me) She said "Hug a poop!" HA! I laughed so hard and when Danny heard it, he just about fell out of his chair. What a creative girl!
She definitely has a personality. She's added another phrase to preface "are you kiddin me". She now says, "Oh my gosh, are you kidding me!?" And with such passion. I'm pretty sure she got that one from me. What a character. She's never-ending fun, and sometimes it just wears me out!
Oh, she is also learning the art of deception. Whenever she doesn't want to sleep, or eat something, she always claims she has to "poop on the potty." But, of course, when we get to the potty, she just sits there and kicks her feet, and sings, and plays with the tp, and the shower curtain, etc, etc. (That is, if she goes straight to the potty. She'll often veer off to cast herself, giggilling, onto the luvsac or her bed.) Not even so much as a fart on the potty! She is a turd!

Other random things she says:
"Where'dt go? (puzzled face) It dis'peard. Dat's weird"
"Der tis"
And, of course, she can't say her r's, and she has the sweetest little voice that makes it all the more adorable!
She also just started to be the inquisitive one and always asks, "Whatcha doin?" and often cocks her head to the side and swings her arms, or legs, if she's leaning on the cupboard or something. Luckily we haven't gotten to the constant why's yet. That's always annoying!
Okay, well that's all I can think of for now.

Haircuts

Azilyn got her first haircut today and she did awesome! All it took was a sucker for her to sit still; and I think she liked to look at herself in the mirror. Does that mean she's vain??
I was sad to cut her hair, of course, but it actually took my mind off the fact that I lost 6 inches from my own locks. Getting a hair cut has usually been a traumatic experience for me, since my hair grows so slow. And, I'm not sure I like the fact that my hair continues to get darker and heavier with each pregnancy.
Anyway, here are some pics of my baby's first trim. (Really, it was like 1/2 and inch, and yet, still so sad) I think here hair is now the same length is was in October! Guess she got the slow hair growing gene too.

What Azilyn thinks of her baby brother

Azilyn pulled this one out during dinner this evening!



What a character! Ultrasounds really are kind of creepy. I don't think this reflects how she really feels about her developing sibling. It just goes to show how astute she is!
She often pats my tummy and say, "brother", or "baby in mama tummy," and says "hugs" (meaning she wants to hug the baby). It's very endearing!

Miss Independent

So, this week, Azilyn decided that she is officially a big girl. Friday morning, I woke up to pee for the 4th time that night/morning and I always check on Azilyn to make sure she is still covered up. This was about 7am. Well, hoping I might feel better with another hour of rest (Azilyn usually wakes up around 8am), so I went back to bed cuz I felt like I had been run over by a semi truck. Bad night, I guess.
Well, I must have fallen asleep unexpectedly, and quickly, because about 7:30, I am suddenly awakened by - who other than, Azilyn! She walks happily into our room and say, "hi." Danny doesn't have school on Friday, so he was still in bed too. We both look at each other, tired and bewildered. WHAT!?? Am I dreaming? She couldn't be out of bed all by herself, could she? Is someone playing a trick on us?
I honestly got out of bed to see if anyone else was in the house, playing a trick on us! I didn't even hear her wake up!! Well, there was no hiding intruder and it was not a dream. The little stinker climbed out of her crib on her own! I'm still a little in shock as I write this that I didn't even hear her, at all. No thump, or grunt, or cry, or yell. Nothing! Quiet as a mouse.
She didn't climb out after her nap that day, so we waited to see if the next morning would produce the same surprise. Well, I heard her wake up this time and sure enough, a minute later, she was at our bedside yelling, "Hi Papi!" I couldn't believe it, Danny took her later that morning, put her in the crib and told her to get out. And she did, minus the lowering herself to the floor. She put her leg up on the front panel rail, hoisted herself onto it, then climbed back in the crib. What a monkey!
So, inevitably, we rearranged our entire house to make it more suitable for a toddler! She is now in a "toddler bed" (her crib converts when you take off the front panel). We are still looking for a guard rail so she doesn't fall out of bed and break her neck during her wild and crazy sleep.
Last night she rolled off her bed, landing on the feather bed topper we have right in front of her bed, then she rolled off of that too. I went in to check on her to find her randomly in front of the dresser, three feet away from her bed! At first I thought it was a blanket and almost stepped on her. After not seeing her in the bed or on the feathers I got so confused. I knew she was in the room cuz I could hear her snoring! I'm squinting, scanning the room. Is she behind the rocking chair?? The I realize, she's right at me feet. I was then surprised I hadn't whacked her head with the door on the way in! (Sigh)
Needless to say, this transition should be - interesting! My girl's getting so big!


Did I mention she's getting attitude!? Not that she was ever without personality, but now she constantly says, "I do it," and throws little fits if she doesn't get what she want right away! Oh, and don't forget the scowl! Wow. She is so much like me, it's scary!
It's the parental curse. Every time I tell my mom and dad about something new, they just laugh. Thanks guys! We just have to laugh at Azilyn most the time too though, but some days she really drives me crazy. I guess that's how it goes, right!?

Oh, speaking of laughing. (shaking my head) Today in sacrament meeting Azilyn ripped a big one on Danny's lap and said, "I fawted." And if that wasn't enough, it was during the opening prayer, so when no one responded, she yelled it again, loud! She got a few snickers that time, including Danny and I, and she laughed too. (shaking my head) What a silly girl! Danny leaned over and said, "let's not teach our boy to say that."
"I'm afraid we won't have to," I replied. I'm sure Azilyn will teach him enough all on her own and they will be the best of friends getting into trouble together!
Yeah, another crazy maker!!

Ultrasound

We had our ultrasound this week and found out we're having a BOY!!! Yeah! I love him even more now that he is no longer a she-he-it. We both thought it was a boy, so we were not too surprised, but just happy and excited. Danny said he saw that it was a boy at the very first of our ultrasound and it took all he had to contain himself!
Azilyn was pretty excited when I told her what we were going to have. I patted my tummy with her hand and said, "Azilyn, you're going to have a baby brother!" At first I'm not sure it registered, but I said it again when she was looking at my face and she gasped and got a big, wide mouth and smile! Yea! I'm not sure she has really understood before now, but I'm sure she understands more than I think she does and that reaction was priceless. I wish I had it on camera.
We are so excited!

What is your name, little girl?

So, I hate to always talk about Azilyn, but when you have the cutest thing ever for a daughter, you can't help but share! She is talking more and more and growing all the time. She is just the joy of our lives. Lately, we've been trying to get her to say her name when you ask what it is. Well today, she did it! Yea. And it was, of course, the cutest thing ever because she totally enunciated, Az-i-lyn. She's so adorable! So, we made the biggest deal out of it, clapping vigorously and shouting hooray! She just grinned ear to ear and eventually started laughing and clapping with us. Yea! Kids are so fun. And we have our ultrasound for baby #2 this week! I'm so excited. And nervous.

Kids say the darndest things!

So, the other day Azilyn and I were driving in the car and this guy cut me off. How rude! Good thing I was in a good mood, cuz sometimes I call other drivers names. Well, this time I just said, "are you kiddin' me!?" And what do I immediately hear from the back seat? Azilyn repeats me like 20 time, "ah u kin me?" Same inflection and everything! LOL It was so hilarious!! I think I laughed for 15 minutes, and her laughing between her ah u kin me's just made it all the more funny! She'll still say it randomly now and it still makes my cheeks hurt when she does. Ahh! It's refreshing.

Vegas or Bust

So, Danny went to Vegas this week. When a friend asked me why he was there, I told her that he left me for a showgirl named Lola. Ha! She didn't get it. I laughed pretty hard. No, really, he just went down there for the "home builder's challenge," a competition team he was on with some guys at school. They were given some specs on an HOA project and had a few months to put together all the details as if they were really going to build it. It was a pretty cool project. I was worried that they wouldn't do well cuz they procrastinated putting it all together. After they presented, however, Danny felt really good about it and said that they did awesome. The judges gave them some really great compliments and only had a few questions for them, where they really reamed some of the other teams. I'm thinking, that could be a good thing...or not. Well, he called me last night after the awards ceremony to say that they didn't do so well after all. I guess when you procrastinate, you overlook the details that really make the difference. But, I don't care that they didn't place, I am still so proud of him! I think it was a really good learning experience, and it will look good on a resume that he even participated! And, now he can come home! Yea!!! He's been gone since Tuesday and gets home today! Hooray! We have missed him.

Porcelin progress

Okay, I was going to wait until this process was much further along, but...I can't wait. I'm too excited! Azilyn woke up this morning and said "poop". Now that may not sound so exciting coming from an 18-month-old, cute maybe, funny maybe, but seriously, we've been working on "pooping on the potty". Well, she has gone on the toilet 2-3 times in the past, oh, 4 months, with much persistence, and many dry runs. So, I decided to just settle in for a long ride and stick with the encouragement. Well, this week, she pooped on the potty on Monday! Yeah! Then again last night! Double yeah!! And this morning too! Hip, hip, hurray! She's never done it first thing in the morning! I feel we're making some progress. Though I anticipate a much, much, much longer time before we're free and clear of the diapers and pantie messes, I'm just so excited for a little progress. Yea! Way to go Azilyn. (I'm just hoping for minimal relapse when the baby is born. We'll see.)

The best of what's new

Okay, now that everyone has stopped reading my blog since I'm such a slacker, I will write again. I was hoping by now to have some pictures of Halloween and Christmas and other fun things, but alas, I really am a slacker. I blame it on camera issues. I may be doing some back-blogging once I actually get the pictures on my computer!
Anyway, lots has happened in the last few monthes. Okay, not really. But, we do have some exciting news that we finally broke before Christmas. We are expecting baby number 2! Yeah!!
I have known I was prego since before Halloween, I just didn't want to spill the beans so soon. My first trimester was worse than with Azilyn. No vomiting, but I was super nauseous all the time. Eating didn't help, in fact it often made it worse, or just stayed the same. I was miserable! Had no desire to move, or eat, though I needed to do both often since Azilyn is an energizer bunny and I babysit my neighbor's kids 3x/week.
Differences with this pregnancy: more sick more often, more irritable (poor Danny and Azilyn! They deal with an awful lot), less patient, more emotional, less appitite, not as much weight gain (cuz I'm not eating a full meal every two hour!), not showing as soon (weird, I know), more suseptible to illness (wicked colds, abcessed tonsil, it seems like there was more), more sensitive to smells, etc. On the up side, I have felt the baby more. Not so much moving, but bulging. It's weird and cool. The uncool part is that I have to pee more and it's already annoying to have Azilyn sit on my lap because she love to sit, and bounce on my tummy.
Good thing I'm feeling less nauseated now! And, really, I'm not complaining, just sharing. Everytime I feel like complaining, I am reminded of so many friends and family that have infertility issues and would give anything to be sick with a baby. It's humbling.
It is, however, because of all these undesirables that I think it's a boy. Boys are always more trouble, right!? Ha. It probably will be a boy and totally opposite of Azilyn - chill, not as active, has his own (slow) time-table for making baby milestones, hates to bounce, hate pears, takes naps willingly. That's what makes each pregnancy so exciting (and scary)! You never know what you're going to get.
What ever happens, we are so excited to have our family grow! Yeah! And it's even more exciting that I have two cousins due a month on either side of me. I'm due June 18th, they are due in May and July. Cool!