Emily’s Musings

You know you’re desperate when you pack a toiletry bag, and load up your two kids and drive a half hour to your parents house, JUST TO TAKE A SHOWER.

This is my life.  I am desperate.  Desperate to keep on top of my personal hygiene and my sanity.  As I walked into the door of my parents’ house, my mom said, “Oh!  I’m so glad to see you!  I’m so glad you brought your babies!  I have missed them!”

Yeah, okay.  You can have them for the next hour while I find some mental clarity in the shower.  Please, remember that Hannah is around.  She is so easy, taking care of her is like watching grass grow.  Dallin is what we call “high maintenance” so if he screams a lot, or the whole time, just know it’s something he does.  He likes to be heard.  You know, HE DOESN’T WANT YOU TO FORGET ABOUT HIM.

Mmmm . . . It’s always nice to know your kids are in good hands.  It kind of makes you want to take your time while getting ready . . .

Okay, back to reality.  I had a girls night out with some of my best friends from high school.  A couple of the girls I hadn’t seen in almost 10 years.  We all think we look the same (although we ALL know we were skinnier and younger looking 10 years ago) and picked right up where we left off all those years ago.

Anne Wilson Copeland (who now lives in Texas) Katie Trent Renslow (who lives in Colorado) Me (who lives like a gypsy with no place to call home) Katie Corrigan Broadbent (who lives in Utah) and Ashley Huish Tobler (who just moved back to Utah after living in Nevada)  I would also like to point out that Ashley’s baby is four days younger than Dallin.  (And no, Dallin was not invited on my mommy night out.)

We had such a fantastic time.  I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time.  It was so fun to see my friends after so many years.  We ended up talking entirely too long and could have gone on all night if we didn’t have little people to get home to.

Thanks for the great night out.  It was the shot in the arm I desperatly needed.

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Since having children, I have become more of a home-body.  Let’s just be honest here; it’s entirely too much work to get up in the morning and shower off the previous days’ nastiness, paint on a face, and wear something clean and decent.  When it comes down to 15 minutes of mommy free time, the last thing I want to waste that precious time on is doing my make-up or blow drying my hair.  Because of this attitude,  I know I have to make a conscious effort to socialize my kid, and GET OUT OF THE HOUSE by manually inserting us in public.

This is why we go to “THE POINT!” every Tuesday.  The first time we went to Thanksgiving Point, we ran into four good friends that we hadn’t seen in a few years.  This week, I ran into my good friend Melissa (who I nick-named “Mel-messa” because she is an organizational mess.  But that isn’t the point here . . .) who I hadn’t seen in almost seven years!  She and I were in the Days of ‘47 Royalty together 12 years ago (oh my, did I just write that? YIKES!  We’re getting old!) and we spent the entire summer of ‘96 together.  We did many crazy things, (she tried to set me up with her her future husband who is now an Ophthalmologist because she thought he was a great guy and “didn’t want to waste him”) like almost driving off the freeway (yes, I was driving, and if my mom reads this, then this will be new information to her) and traveling back East together visiting Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

She is as beautiful and tiny as ever, just as I remembered her.  She was also just as organized . . . she pulled out a grocery receipt to write down my email.  (Hey, I’m not saying I wouldn’t do the same, I just happened to have my address book with me.)

Let me tell you something, AM I EVER GLAD I DECIDED TO SHOWER AND PUT ON MAKE-UP that day.  Not that she would have cared, but it is nice to look decent when you see old friends.

It’s kind of like saying, “Hey, I’m a mom, AND I have personal hygiene.  That makes me successful, right?”

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My friend Sandra, who still lives on Saba, emailed me this photo.

This is the view from her house in Windwardside.

Mmmm . . . seeing this makes me really miss Saba.

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This is an apology going out to everyone, and no one in particular.  You see, before I became a mom, I secretly thought new parents were suckers for every baby gimmick invented.  I actually remember the shock on my face when I learned that there was such a thing as a “wipe warmer” and I was in even more shock that my friend bought one.

I have since given birth to Dallin, and I am now POSITIVE that the “wipe warmer” is one of the best inventions since the computer.  Both of our lives are much quieter, and relaxing since purchasing this lovely item.  I have also purchased other essential items that I didn’t need with Hannah such as: The Pee-Pee-T.P. (you know, so you don’t get sprayed in the face with pee), a bouncer seat, and Gripe Water.

I have been enlightened.  Every baby gimmick out there is of use to someone, so I will not gasp and judge anymore when I hear of some lame invention that everyone has to have.

I would also like to say I’m sorry to all moms out there that I gave crusty looks too (you know, in my head) when they said their kids go to bed at 8:00 P.M.  People who aren’t parents don’t understand that KIDS NEED TO GO TO BED.  EARLY.  In fact, the earlier, the better.

I put Hannah to bed at 6:30 every night.  Religiously.  Go ahead and gasp, or give me a crusty (please, do this in your head) because I totally deserve it.  How could I be so inconsiderate of kids’ bedtimes before I had one of my own?

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I’m not exactly known as a “super thoughty person” who always plans really cool stuff for birthdays, anniversaries, and other important events. (People like me for other reasons, like for shopping and fashion advice and every once in a while, someone actually appreciates my knowledge of useless celebrity facts). So this shouldn’t be a surprise to many of you, but two milestones worth mentioning went unmentioned.

The first was our 11th anniversary. It’s not that we didn’t celebrate, because we totally did by power shopping (which is my least favorite kind of shopping for the record) and getting a yummy shake at Iceburg. Fun, huh? It’s not that we didn’t want to celebrate, and it’s not that the 11th anniversary is lame, it’s more like WE’RE LAME. Dallin was home sick, (we had three doctor appointments that day, NOT KIDDING) and I just didn’t feel like leaving my 10 day old newborn for an entire evening. Especially since he was sick! Next year, I promise to celebrate better. Hear that David? Mark your calendar, because our 12th anniversary is going to be AWESOME!

One detail worth noting: I got my original wedding ring sized to fit me (it was like eight sizes too small). I haven’t worn it in about seven years (I’m embarrassed to admit this) and I’m glad to have it back on my finger.

Also, David had a birthday last week. Not a significant one (you know like, entering a new decade) but a birthday none the less. Too bad for David, his birthday was completely overshadowed by Hannah’s birthday party. He better get used to it right?

On his birthday, David gave me a hug and said, “I want to grow old with you.” And I was all, um, that already happened.

David bought himself a golf club (one he really wanted, or needed, or whatever) and told me it was his birthday present from me.

THANK YOU FOR GETTING ME OFF THE HOOK.

I know he loves this specific golf club, because he thanks me for it every time he comes home from playing golf. I just smile and and give him the look that says, I’m an awesome wife. I let you buy your own presents, and then allow  you to thank me for it. It’s kind of like saying, hey, I’M TOTALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO YOUR NEEDS.

I’m pathetic. I’ll try harder next year.

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I received some great baby gifts made by some friends. I’m posting pictures of them so all of you can steal these ideas for the next baby shower you attend!

First, this “baby cake” was made by a friend of mine in Texas.

It is so cute and looks pretty easy to make. You know any mom-to-be could use the diapers, and other goodies used to decorate this cake. Thanks Karen!

Second, my friend Pam made me these gifts:

This is a wipe holder

These are fancied up cloth diapers to be used as burp cloths.

Now, I would like to mention that my JAW DROPPED when Pam gave me these gifts. Why? Because Pam doesn’t sew . . . or at least I didn’t know she did. I might be “outing” her right now, but honestly, I didn’t know she knew how to use a sewing machine, let alone owned one!

Thanks for the fun, crafty gifts ladies!

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I would like to point out the obvious right now. I AM NO LONGER PREGNANT. This fact alone has increased the quality of my life by at least 100%. I now have a beautiful baby boy named Dallin, and this fact has increased the quality of my life by at least a million percent. He is a doll. I am so in love with him. This is crazy, (and trust me, I know this next statement is crazy) but right after I have a baby, I want another one. Insane? Yes. So even though I HATE pregnancy (many of you have read about my pregnancy complaints so you know I TRULY DO NOT LOVE being pregnant) the final product is SO WORTH IT. In fact, I think I have forgotten all about my pregnancy ailments.

This delivery was pretty uneventful (especially compared to Hannah’s birth). I experienced no labor, (I highly recommend this) and I arrived at the hospital last Monday morning at 38 weeks pregnant for my scheduled c-section. At 8:36 am, I delivered Dallin who weighed in at 9 pounds 12 ounces. He was a tank, and I can only imagine how big he would have been if we waited two more weeks to deliver him on his due date!

When the doctor pulled Dallin out, I literally yelled, “Oh my gosh! I’m no longer pregnant!” Yes, I was THAT HAPPY ABOUT IT.

This is my beautiful son just moments out of my belly.

My recovery from this birth has been smooth. It has been SO MUCH EASIER to recover from this delivery than Hannah’s. It is amazing how much easier it is for your body to recover from major surgery when you haven’t gone through labor first. The hospital staff was wonderful, and having a baby in the USA was much more posh than my experience of giving birth to Hannah in the Caribbean.

I have had a very laid back week of recovering, and enjoying the company of friends and family who have come by to see our new addition. Hannah is absolutely in love with Dallin (much to our relief) and she always asks to kiss and hold him.

Here are some pictures from the week:

I am so glad to be home. I am up and around, and sometimes I actually get out of the house and take my kids on a walk. We love this little guy and Hannah so much. It’s hard to remember back to when David and I didn’t have them in our lives.

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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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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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Dear Hannah,

You are now 22 months old. Our family has had some big changes in the past two months, so this letter will have many pictures to show your development, and the major life changes you have endured like a champ.

First, your daddy graduated from the basic science program at Saba University School of Medicine. What does this mean? He is half way through med school which makes him half a doctor, or as we like to to call him, a “tor.” He will earn the “Doc” part when he graduates in 2010 when he becomes a REAL DOCTOR. We all can’t wait for that day.

With all big accomplishments, come big changes. That meant we had to leave our beautiful home on Saba, in the Caribbean. Saba was your first home. You have grown up as a Caribbean baby, playing with rocks, geckos, iguanas, and swimming in the ocean. As much as we loved it there, the only reason we could live in the Dutch West Indies for an extended period of time is if your dad was in school. Since he finished the program (thank goodness for that! I I would DIE if he became an eternal or professional student) we have moved back to the states where he will do clinical rotations.

(This is what a Caribbean baby tan looks like compared to a Utah baby tan.)

The whole family (including the whining dogs) arrived in Texas at the end of April. You traveled so well. It took 19 hours to get from our doorstep on Saba, to Daniel and Lydia’s doorstep in Texas. Not once did you have a meltdown, or cry, or bother the other passengers traveling on our plane. I owe you BIG TIME for that. Someday you are going to read this, and I’m sure you will remind me of how you were such a calm and easy baby, and then your are going to ask for something BIG. I know it.

We went sailing with a friend of ours in Texas. (Who is a dentist and tried relentlessly to convince your dad to go to dental school instead of medical school. He now refers to your daddy as a “real doctor” because apparently, dentist’s aren’t real doctors.) You LOVE boats, and the ocean, so we thought you would be very excited about this sailing excursion.

However, about five minutes into the sail, you said, “All done?” SEVERAL TIMES. Then you would point out other boats on the water and say, “SEE EM!” with all the energy you could find in your little body. I don’t think you realized you WERE ON A BOAT. When I pointed out the water, and told you we were on the ocean, you shook your head and said, “No?” I know I was telling a little white lie, like moms do from time to time, (like when you demand more marshmallows, and I tell you they are all gone even though there is an entire bag waiting for you in the pantry). You are smart enough to know the Caribbean ocean is CLEAR, and turquoise, not dark blue, and murky. When your daddy took you to the front of the sail boat, you looked back at me and said, “FUN!” Good, I’m glad you finally figured out what were were doing was fun.

It has been very interesting to see the world change through your eyes. The first couple of days in Texas, you asked me to go swimming, and you kept looking out the back sliding door asking me about the ocean. You would say, “Ocean? Go?” Again, and again. It broke my heart to tell you the ocean was all gone. You no longer talk about geckos, iguanas, the ocean, or going swimming. It makes me sad to think of the life we left, but it also gives me comfort that you have adapted to your new life of BIKES, WALKS, and SWINGS. THIS IS ALL YOU TALK ABOUT. ALL DAY. EVERY DAY.

(I’d like to point out that your dad put your hair in pig tails on this day. He is multi-talented.)

You are still obsessed with “messes.” Part of having fun at the park is cleaning off EVERY WOOD CHIP, ON EVERY STAIR.

Texas is known for BIG TRUCKS. In fact, I think Texas alone supports the BIG TRUCK industry. Driving around town, you would yell, “TRUCK!” every time you saw a truck. Which was like every other vehicle.

While eating at Taco Bell, (I had to have it because your baby brother was TOTALLY craving it and I had been deprived of such fine cuisine for over two years) you noticed some balloons tied to the back of all the chairs. I am embarrassed to say this, but at almost two years old, YOU HAD NEVER SEEN A BALLOON. You looked very thoughtfully at them and then exclaimed, “CIRCLES!” Yes, they are indeed circles that float up in the air. You poor thing, I will have TONS of balloons at your birthday party in two months. That is if my pregnant brain can remember something that important. You affectionately call them “a banoon.” Yes, you put an article in front of “banoon” every time you talk about them.

You are an excellent sleeper. In fact, I think your grandparents might start asking you for advice on how to sleep 12 hours a night. There was one night of adjustment when we got to Texas, and you had a meltdown when we put you in a Pak N’ Play at Daniel and Lydia’s house. I would ask you, “Where is Hannah’s bed?” and you would point to the portable crib, and cry, “Hannah’s bed!” Then I would ask you where mommy’s bed was, and you would point to the bed and cry, “Mommy’s!” After establishing the bed assignments, you relented, and went to bed just fine.

You were an excellent traveler driving from Texas to Utah. You sat for 22 hours, and really, I don’t even have the patience for that. We are now staying at your Grandma and Grandpa Lesher’s house in Utah. You made yourself at home quite quickly, living by the “toddler rule” which is, “WHAT’S MINE IS MINE, AND WHAT’S YOURS IS MINE.” Several times throughout the day, you will say, “Hannah’s!” Just to make sure that I KNOW WHAT YOUR PROPERTY LOOKS LIKE. It is amazing how much stuff is yours anyway, like kitchen utensils, tweezers, and the T.V. remote control. Speaking of the T.V., you never showed any interest in watching it on Saba. However, since finding grandpa’s (who you call “Demnis”) “Chase Lounge Chair,” you LOVE to watch T.V.

You’ll watch anything really. You just love to relax on that piece of furniture and tell grandma “watch it!” Because obviously it is grandma’s responsibility to turn the T.V. on for you. You follow your Grandma Gloria around all the time and tell her what to do. We refer to you as her “shadow.” You usually convince her to go for a walk, or to the playground by saying, “COME ON!” No one, even your grandma who has a bad back and is recovering from knee surgery, can resist your enthusiasm and charm.

You used your special charm on your grandpa “Demnis” by talking about bikes, ALL DAY LONG. You would look at him and nod your head yes, and say “BIKE!” with such enthusiasm, that he could not resist your darling little face. It only took two days of taking about bikes, and Dennis drove you down to the store and let you pick out a bike. WE ARE ALL GRATEFUL TO HIM. WE COULD NOT LOOK AT YOUR INNOCENT FACE ASKING ABOUT A BIKE ANYMORE.

You love to give us updates on your whereabouts or physical wellbeing. You point out when you get a “bonk” and then say, “Okay?” Just so that we know you are indeed, OKAY. If the injury is in need of a kiss, you will walk up to the closest adult and say, “kiss it?” Most of the time, we don’t know you had a “bonk,” but we are always glad for the update.

You are very sweet to me, and point out where baby brother is ALL THE TIME. Probably because you can’t miss my belly, and that is indeed where he is. You kiss my tummy, and then point out that you also have a baby in your belly. Fortunately, you just have a belly with no baby.

You love to exercise on Grandma and Grandpa’s machines. You have named one machine “Daddy’s” and one machine “Mommy’s and Grandma’s.” Because obviously, those are the only machines we work out on.

Your hair was a mop. Well, more like a BIG MESS, and I know how you feel about messes. Your aunt Rachelle cut your hair the other day, giving it some shape. You had no idea what was going on, you just wanted to play with your tea set. You didn’t sit very still, but your hair turned out darling.

You attended nursery at church for the first time a few weeks ago. I knew you would like it, but I was totally wrong. BECAUSE YOU LOVED IT. What more could a kid want besides toys, other kids to play with, and snacks? When I went in to pick you up after your first time attending, you took one look at me and said, “GO AWAY!” That’s always a nice way to greet your mom. WHO ENDURED 30 HOURS OF LABOR, 40 PREGNANCY POUNDS, AND MAJOR MASTITIS FROM THE GET GO. Maybe you turned out to be such a good sleeper and traveler to even the score. I guess I don’t owe you big time anymore.

A few weeks ago, your dad and I had a Family Home Evening (commonly referred to as F.H.E. where we talk and learn about gospel principles) and I showed you a picture of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. You took one look at the picture and said with exuberance, “JESUS! SWINGING!” which really means “swimming.” You are so innocent and darling, your dad and I couldn’t help but laugh. And yes, Jesus was indeed sort of swimming in the picture.

You are bursting with words every day, and copy everything we do. We love you so much, and we hope you will happily share us with your little brother when he arrives in a few weeks.

Here are some of your new words:

• I need it!
• See it?
• Get it?
• See ‘em?
• I did it!
• Watch it!
• Prayers
• Truck!
• Flag!
• Close it
• Church
• Focus
• Make it!
• Come on!
• Come ‘ere!
• All done?

We love you so much!

Love,

Mommy

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