Emily’s Musings

Hannah has discovered she has cousins. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t know the difference between friends, and cousins, but hey, if people are little and they want to play with her, she is all for it. Hannah LOVES her cousins Katie (who she refers to as “Kitty”), Adam (who she calls “Anam”), and Malaya (who she lovingly refers to as “Leah”).

It is officially getting hot here, (okay, nothing like SABA HOT, but 95 degrees is hot, even with no humidity) so we pulled out a plastic-blow-up-toddler-size-swimming-pool, and let her go at it with her cousins. I told Hannah the ridiculously small pool was the ocean, and that Nemo was swimming in it (because it had fish all over it). She looked at me and said, “NO?”

BECAUSE EVEN 23 MONTH OLD PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THE OCEAN LOOKS LIKE. AND THE OCEAN HAS WARM WATER, NOT FREEZING COLD HOSE WATER.

“Anam” and Hannah

“Kitty” and Hannah

Hannah and some of her cousins . . .

And now I would like mention the LOVE/HATE relationship Hannah has with her cousin Malaya, who is only two months older than she is. Hannah loves to see Malaya, but both of them HATE to share their toys. This is the cousin she had a “Toddler Cat Fight” with over a pair of flip flops. As a reminder, the shoes actually belonged to Malaya, but since Hannah is a firm believer in the “Toddler Rule” of “what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine,” she truly believed the flip flops were hers. But this is not the point today . . .

The point is, the girls played together. And had a lot of fun, BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T HAVE TO SHARE ANYTHING. As long as they can do the same thing at the same time, like jump on the couch, rearrange the kitchen cabinets, or play beautiful duets on the piano, they are friends.

Malaya is so stinkin’ cute, I had to take some pictures of her . . .

Malaya is the “Alpha Toddler” and is most certainly the boss around Hannah, and every other child.

She is so darling, it’s hard not to laugh when she gives Grandma and Grandpa Probst orders . . .

And she expects them to obey her . . . But look at that innocent face . . .

How could you say no to either one of these kids?

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On Sunday, we went to David’s great-aunt’s 90th birthday bash. Well, it was more like a social in the back yard, but I would like to image it as a “bash” because that’s what I expect when I turn 90 . . .

When we lived in Utah, we lived next door to this great-aunt for five years. It was exciting to see so many relatives, and members of the ward (a.k.a. a Mormon congregation) at this “bash” that we hadn’t seen in over seven years.

David asked me if I happened to talk to this “one” couple, and I said I had. He related the conversation he had with them to me and I thought, “YOU ARE SUCH A MAN. A WOMAN WOULD NEVER OMIT SO MANY DETAILS.”

Couple: “Hey! Where are you guys now?”

David: “We’re staying with my parents right now.”

Couple: “Oh . . . . .”

END OF CONVERSATION.

The ultimate “silencer.” Nothing says “I’m a lame” more than “I am a grown man, with a pregnant wife and a toddler, and two dogs, LIVING AT MY PARENTS HOUSE.” Can you blame the guy? He has no idea where we have been for the last seven years. How is he to know that we are “in-between” places and we choose to live in Utah to spend some time with our families this summer while I have this baby?

A woman would have said, “My husband is half way through medical school and he is studying for a major exam right now. We move to Louisiana in August so he can start working in in a hospital as a student doctor and since his clinical rotations don’t start until mid-August, we decided to spend the summer in Utah (instead of anywhere else while he studies for this exam) to see family and share the birth of our child with them. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE VERY LONG SENTENCE LIKE THAT.

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A week and a half to go. This kid comes out FOR SURE in a week and a half or sooner. There are so many things I want to do, and people I want to see before this baby comes, I’m am starting to feel a little overwhelmed.

First of all, I have put a lot of “fun things” on hold, WAITING for David to take the USMLE Step One Exam. There are some things I want to enjoy together as a family, (such as the zoo, and 7-Peaks Water Park) but mostly, I just don’t have the energy of a non-pregnant mom to tote Hannah all over the city seeing people and doing things THAT REQUIRE A LOT OF EFFORT. The big test day is tomorrow. Think good thoughts for David, or heck, PRAY FOR HIM. He has been studying hard, and tomorrow he gets to put his brain to work (and lets hope it’s working) and prove his knowledge.

While he is taking this very hard exam, I will be sleeping in, milling around until after Hannah’s nap, and then I have a play date scheduled with a a couple of her cousins to go swimming. Life is just so hard for me.

Aside from my biggest complaint of BEING HUGE AND UNCOMFORTABLE, life is good. Not much is expected of me (change Hannah’s poopie diapers, feed her food, you know, REALLY HARD STUFF) so I am soaking up this time where no one has expectations of me. It’s nice.

We took Hannah to the doctor today for her FIRST EVER VISIT TO A PEDIATRICIAN. The doctor was quite surprised to hear that Hannah had never been seen by a Pediatrician, but when we explained how we lived on another planet located in the Caribbean and we were just happy to have electricity for seven consecutive days in a row, she seemed to understand. We’re obviously not picky folk.

Hannah needed to get caught up on her immunizations, and this was the part of the visit I dreaded the most. She was very chatty to the nurses and the doctor, and when asked if she wanted a shot, she said, “YES!”

Poor kid, the next time I’m positive she will say “NO WAY! GET OUT OF HERE! DON’T COME NEAR ME!”

She was okay with first shot in her leg, until she moved. Then it hurt. Then the tears fell down like a waterfall. Unfortunately, we all had to endure two more shots in her arms.

SHE WAS NOT EXACTLY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

She did get some band-aids and the nurse seemed to think that would make her happy.

I am now going to point out something that may seem crazy . . . Hannah doesn’t know what band-aids are. She has NEVER had one. NEVER NEEDED ONE. Is that weird that she turns two in one month and has not discovered the “healing power” of princess covered band-aids?

Well, it certainly shocked the nurses and the doctor. Apparently, all kids under the age of two LOVE band-aids and are very well aware of their “special healing power.”

Hannah took those band aids off as soon as she could. She called them “stickers” and everyone knows stickers belong on paper, NOT PEOPLE.

We have another appointment for her to get more shots next month. I think I’ll stick that job to David to take her. I figure, if he’s going to be a doctor, he may as well get used to KIDS NOT LIKING HIM.

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Dear Hannah,

Where have I failed you as a mother? Have I not taught you to LOVE dolls, and strollers, and kitchen sets? Haven’t I taught you the joy of washing dishes, and cleaning the house?

Why then, WWWWWHHHHHHHYYYYYYYY, is your new passion GOLF?

Golf Hannah.

GOLF. WHY?

This isn’t normal for for a 23 month old girl who LOVES dolls, cleaning, pretty shoes, and kitchen sets. Maybe it’s your daddy’s fault (because trust me, I certainly didn’t introduce you to the game!). Yes, IT IS YOUR DADDY’S FAULT.

You see, we are living in Utah, with your Grandma and Grandpa Lesher for the summer for a VERY SPECIFIC reason, and that reason isn’t for you and your dad to master the game of golf. We live here so your daddy can study for the USMLE STEP ONE EXAM that he has scheduled to take in about two weeks. His “day job” is to review everything he’s ever learned in his entire life in medical school. However, he and grandpa always find time to go golfing, hit a bucket of balls, or practice chipping.

This weekend is the US Open Golf Tournament. Why do I know this useless bit of information? Because you are hooked just like your dad and grandpa watching it on TV! You rarely watch TV, and when you actually notice the TV, you say, “Golf? Watch it?”

Hannah this is weird. Not only because you are 23 months old, but because GOLF IS THE MOST B-O-R-I-N-G sport to watch. Trust me on this one. Football is MUCH more interesting, or heck, even Basketball. Why Golf?

I would like to mention that you know who “Tiger Woods” is, even though you couldn’t identify Barney, (well, thank heavens for that) Dora, or any other kid show characters. Well, you recently learned who Thomas the Train was . . . But my point is that you actually know a professional golfer’s name! Not only that, but after watching too much Golf TV, you know how to “swing” a club and you clap and scream for the ball to go into the hole.

Hannah, you know golf terms. Terms I don’t even know like: birdie, par, and eagle. I have no idea what they mean, but I’m sure you could explain them to me. Let me just say this, YOUR DAD COULD NOT BE HAPPIER. In fact, he is ready to buy you some clubs and he has taken you outside in the back yard to practice your “swing.”

Love, if this really is your new passion (next to shoes of course) then I support you 100%. But little one, you are still my baby girl, and really, DON’T YOU WANT TO GO GET A PEDICURE INSTEAD?

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Hannah and I went to the mall today to buy some essential things, which is my least favorite kind of shopping. It is depressing to spend money on stuff you need. It’s like buying gasoline. No one wants to pay for it, and I have never known anyone to come home excited after purchasing gasoline. Or heck, deodorant, or socks, or toothpaste for that matter. Somehow, spending money on things you don’t necessarily need, but want, is MUCH, MUCH, MORE REWARDING.

Too bad today wasn’t one of those days.

We had lunch in the mall food court, and while I was trying to convince Hannah to eat a curly fry (she is not like normal children who gobble up fries and chicken nuggets) she looked at someone behind me and smiled a HUGE SMILE. For a split second, I thought maybe she saw someone we knew . . .

Interrupting my thought, she pointed, smiled, and said in her loudest outside voice, “JESUS!” Lo and behold, there was a dude in line at Subway sandwiches, with long brown curly hair, that looked just like Jesus. Except, this dude was wearing black skinny jeans, converse shoes, chains on his belt, and he was carrying a skate board.

I almost (and really, I mean ALMOST) walked up to him to tell him my 22 month old child thought he was Jesus, and if you in fact are Jesus, (which I’m positive he wasn’t) she would like an autograph.

I know kids say the funniest things as they get older, and today was just a little piece of what’s to come out of my little one’s mouth. It’s times like this that make “necessity shopping” totally worth it.

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I am secretly sad when I wake up in the morning and I am STILL PREGNANT. The last few weeks of pregnancy (I have three and half weeks to go) are just plain exhausting. I have found myself frustrated with my very lethargic, slow, out of proportion, body. My brain has a tendency to go a million miles an hour with lots of fun ideas, projects, and activities, but my body just won’t cooperate. I feel like lazy mom, who literally has to “gear up” all morning just to go out in the afternoon. There is a green-space behind our house that has a swing set, and you would think I would be out there all day, every day, with my child that talks about that very piece of equipment ALL DAY LONG. You would think it would give me enough energy to take her out there, but sadly, I can’t get my body to respond and hop to it!

I haven’t seen my side of the family as much as I would like, BECAUSE I CAN’T GET MY BUTT OUT THE DOOR. A few of my siblings have asked me what I do all day. You know, WITH ALL MY SPARE TIME. Because I don’t work, and toddler’s aren’t really considered work. Here’s the deal, it takes me all morning to get out of bed, make breakfast (which is usually the very complicated and very gourmet meal of COLD CEREAL) get Hannah clothed, and possibly myself clothed (out of PJ’s of course). By the time this very VERY EXHAUSTING process has taken place, it’s time for lunch, and then Hannah and I both take a nap at 12:00. By 2:00 PM, I am ready (hopefully) to run one errand. Please, I can’t over work myself, and I certainly can’t be too ambitious by doing more than one errand because then I would feel obligated to repeat such an “ambitious day,” and really, I can’t commit to something like that.

With that said, I do sometimes get out of the house and indulge my child and husband with fun activities. On Saturday, we went to a carnival in Eagle Mountain. I’m sure the celebration had a “specific name,” but I can’t remember useless information like that at this point. Heck, I’ve only been to Eagle Mountain once, like 10 years ago, and it has changed completely. It’s like a development was plopped right out in the middle of nowhere.

I have only been to one carnival in my life, and that was like 20 years ago. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but I had seen enough movies with “carnival scenes” in them to know Hannah would have fun.

It took 25 shots to get a picture of her smiling. I’m sure she was having fun the entire time, but all of these fancy rides were a lot to process. Six weeks ago, she was playing with sticks, geckos, and rocks. This carousel was a BIG STEP UP from her Saba toys.

Hannah’s face was very expressionless on all the rides. In fact, her face looked like this on every ride. The only way we knew she was actually having fun was at the end of the ride and she would finally smile and say, “AGAIN?”

This is Hannah (with her signature look) and her cousin Savannah, who she affectionately calls, “FADANNAH!”

Okay, so she really liked this ride. She actually smiled the entire time.

David also had a great time. Not only did he get to ride on all the kid rides that “required his parental supervision” (because I pulled the very legitimate “pregnancy card” that excluded me from any nauseating rides), but he also got to ride in a helicopter.

That made his day. Or should I say week? Actually, it probably made his year, and now he wants to get his helicopter license. It was that cool.

Right-o. I’ll be sure to remind him to get right on that after he becomes a real doctor.

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Some ladies from my church came over to visit me the other day to welcome me into the ward (in the Mormon world, a “ward” is another word for “congregation”). They asked me where I moved from and they were all surprised to hear I moved from paradise. As I tried to describe Saba to them, I found myself at a loss for words, which rarely happens to me.

How do you describe such a beautiful place without pictures? It was like describing the colors of the rainbow to a blind person. As I talked about Saba, I realized how much I really loved that little island. I miss the beauty of it, and I think I could handle all its little quirks (like grocery shopping only on Wednesday, boats that don’t come in, mail that takes over a month, $12 a gallon for milk, $5 a gallon for gas, and other annoying things) just to see it again. David and I really loved every minute we were there, and only on a few days (when I was longing for real shopping, family, and fast food) did I complain about being “stranded” on a deserted island in the middle of the ocean.

I did attempt to explain this beautiful island, but I’m not sure how successful I was without pictures.

How do you describe the view from our patio? The runway, rainbows, and ocean?

Or this view of the ocean and the islands of Statia and St. Kitts?

Or the view of St. Barths from our porch?

How about this sunrise?

Or the sunrise we woke up to on Christmas morning last year?

Or this sunrise?

Or this one?

Or how about this beautiful sunset on the other side of the island?

I tried to explain that all the homes were cookie cutter houses, that were white, red roofed, and had green shutters. I think this picture displays it much better than I could explain it.

I tried to explain how the whole island was a big hill and everyone walked up hill, both ways, EVERYWHERE.

Some of the hikes had beautiful views like this one.

This cruise ship would come by our house every Friday, January through April. It was something I looked forward to every Friday afternoon. It was so nice to have such an amazing view from my patio.

Everyone seems to have a “scary runway story.” Well, this RUNWAY TRUMPS ALL THOSE STORIES because this is the WORLD’S SHORTEST COMMERCIAL RUNWAY. At 440 meters long, you have ocean surrounding you on three sides. Even though I flew in and out of this island 30 times, (YEAH, THAT WOULD MEAN ON AND OFF THIS VERY RUNWAY) I still prayed and held my breath that I would survive.

This is a view of the runway from Upper Hells Gate.

I tried to explain that iguanas hung out on my walkway and in the garden . . .

And that Hannah wasn’t afraid of them. They were afraid of her!

Wild goats ran up and down my driveway and all over the island. I kind of miss the pesky things.

I explained how the roads were REALLY, REALLY, NARROW. Nothing like a photo for proof.

It’s not always perfect weather in the Caribbean, and sometimes it rains. A LOT. We were always grateful for the rain because every household was responsible for collecting their own water. On the day this photo was taken, 17 inches of rain fell in 12 hours. Everyone’s cistern was overflowing, and THE ENTIRE ISLAND WAS SO HAPPY. Notice how hard it is raining . . . the water is white capping down the road.

And lastly, I tried to explain how small our church group was. It consisted of medical students, so the membership fluctuated every semester. Church was held in our house, and I never thought I would say this, but I miss meeting together as a small group. And hey, you couldn’t beat the billion dollar view during church from our house.

David and I really miss the simple life that Saba offered. We are anxious to return one day with Hannah and this new little guy because he and Hannah are our Caribbean “souvenirs.”

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Apparently, I have been a little unclear about my whereabouts. I have received several emails from readers, all asking the same questions. I hope this question and answer session clears up a few things.

Are you and David back in the states?

YES. We are currently staying with David’s parents in American Fork, Utah. We live right by the American Fork Temple, where David and I got married almost 11 years ago. We love to see it every day.

Is David done with school?

NO. David has completed the basic science portion of medical school, and in August he will start the second phase of medical school, CLINICAL ROTATIONS. He has two years of clinical rotations before he starts residency.

What kind of doctor does David want to be?

NOT SURE YET. All students are advised to not pick a specialty until they have completed all the core clinical rotations. He is positive he does not want to be an OBGYN (too much estrogen, and you know, other stuff) or a surgeon.

How long are you in Utah?

Long enough to finish baking this kid, and get a good “family fix” in before we move across country. We will be here until August. David starts his Family Practice Rotation in mid-August.

Why did you pick Utah?

We are both originally from Utah. We moved away in 2002 (just after the 2002 Winter Olympics) and have only been back for short stints of time to visit our families. Plus, we couldn’t beat the price of food ($0) rent ($0) or company for the four months we have free to live anywhere in the world while David studies for the USMLE Step One. He takes that exam at the end of June.

Why were you in Texas?

Why wouldn’t we want to spend time in Texas? Fort Worth, Texas was our home before we moved to Saba. Our entire life is safely locked away in a storage unit there. We not only needed a “Texas fix,” but we needed to get our car out of storage, and we wanted to spend some quality time with our good friends, Daniel and Lydia before moving back to Utah.

When is your baby due?

Secretly . . . ANY DAY! Okay, so I will be 37 weeks on Friday, and really, WHY DOES HE NEED TO BAKE ANY LONGER? I had an ultrasound last week, and this kid (at 36 weeks at the time) was weighing in at 6 pounds, 3 ounces. PEOPLE, THAT IS A FULL SIZE BABY. And get this, the nurse confirmed that I was ALL BABY. SO TAKE THAT DUTCH DOCTOR!

I have a scheduled a c-section for July 7th. However, that date might be moved up depending on this kid’s size in two weeks.

How Have you liked being back in Utah?

Besides my skin itching and flaking ALL THE TIME, it has been nice. I now bathe in body scrubs, and I apply lotion to EVERY INCH OF MY IRRITATED, ITCHING SKIN. My little family and I have been fighting dry sinuses since we came. Hannah has had a runny nose since we arrived. Frankly, I’m a little tired of dried, crusty, blood in my nose. I can’t believe I grew up in this climate. I simply require more than 30% humidity to live comfortably.

Where are you moving to in August?

We are moving to Houma, Louisiana. Don’t know where it is? Yeah, I’m not sure I do either. It is a small town of about 40,000 people, south of New Orleans, and the slogan of the town is “More Alligators Than People.” Ask me how excited I am now. David will be working at a hospital there.

What are you naming your baby?

The name will be announced when he arrives. It is killing our parents, who are trying desperately to guess the name. We didn’t know we would frustrate so many people by keeping his name a surprise. I mean, you gotta keep something a surprise, right? Don’t worry, his first and middle name have been picked, and we have for sure decided on the last name of LESHER.

What are you doing with all your time?

Do you mean besides sleeping as much as a new born baby? In my awake time, I AM VERY TIRED. I have had a few pregnancy ailments, (heartburn all day long, racing heart for hours) and a few other complications, which keep my body busy. EVEN WHEN I’M TOTALLY RELAXED. It’s big work to house a bowling ball in your belly, and keep up with your toddler, and visit family, and prepare for a baby, and shop, and read, and play with your dogs. WHEW.

What are you craving?

Fortunately, I am NOT CRAVING FLINTSTONE POPSICLES. I had entirely too many of those with Hannah and I blame those popsicles for ALL THE UNNECESSARY WEIGHT GAIN. I can’t seem to get enough water, and I really want to chew or suck on ice. ALL THE TIME. I am totally fine with that because I haven’t had swollen feet at all during this pregnancy. My feet were so swollen with Hannah, I ACTUALLY HAVE STRETCH MARKS ON THE TOP OF MY FEET. I remember calling my sister Jenn, and telling her that I didn’t have any stretch marks on my belly, but I had them on the top of my feet! The lines have faded, and now, the miserable swollen feet days are a VERY DISTANT MEMORY. Thank goodness.

Have you found an OB?

YES. David and I decided on which hospital we wanted to use, and then found an OB. He is very nice and he didn’t tell me I was fat.

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