The Day We Became a T1D Family

    I am excited for November, I have always loved the cool weather, beautiful leaves and upcoming holiday season, this year I am excited because it is National Diabetes Awareness Month.  As a mom of a three year old diabetic I would like to share a little of the start of our journey with you.  February 13, 2013 is a day that will forever be branded into my memory.  I had been watching some of B's behavior for over a month and had researched it; "extreme thirst and increased urination" led me to websites about Type 1 Diabetes but symptoms also included increased appetite which wasn't present (if anything he was eating less) and things I couldn't ask him about at 22 months such as blurred vision and dizziness. 
   Finally, I didn't know what else to do- I could tell something was wrong, friends were commenting how sick he looked and that he had lost weight- I took him to the doctor.  After discussing symptoms, his blood glucose was checked three times, it didn't register on their meter and he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  That was it.  So final.  Even though I knew it was a possibility it still hit me like a ton of bricks.  The doctor could see my concern and stopped talking mid-scentence to say, "Taking him to the emergency room is a matter of urgency not emergency. Get him there today, it will be okay."  I came out and called Leo, he miraculously was out of clinic already for the day and five minutes away and he met me at home.  I called my mom and heard her cheery voice say, "Hello!" I broke down and started sobbing.  "Jamie, what's wrong?  Are you okay?"  "Bax has diabetes!  We have to take him to the emergency room to get his blood sugars stabilized." I cried a little bit more, my mom tried to comfort me from across the country and I promised I would call when I knew more.  We went home and packed a bag and got B lunch because we knew he wouldn't be eating any time soon.  We called Leo's parents and Leo answered questions that I had no answers for as I drove to the hospital.
    We showed the nurses at check-in the note from Bax's doctor and were ushered into the back to be treated before we had a chance to ask how long it would be.  Bax was put into a gown and had IVs and tubes sticking out of his arms, he was crying, "Home, Mom, please! Mom, PLEASE!" as I held him as tight as I could as I cried when he was snuggled into my chest so he couldn't see me.  We waited for an ambulance to take us to the downtown children's hospital because the site that we were at couldn't admit him because of his age and needing insulin.  While we waited the doctors and nurses brought back lab results and played with our tiny boy.  His blood glucose came in at 724, not as high as most when they are initially diagnosed but high enough to cause problems.  His potassium levels were 9 (normal is 4) and he was required an EKG to make sure there were no heart problems related to increased levels, his triglycerides were not able to be measured in their lab because they were too elevated.  The next morning we found out that he was over 4000, a normal is below 150.
Bax had a wonderful ride to the other hospital in an ambulance and the staff were all impressed at how sweet and alert he was.  They said that most people are so out of it when they are first diagnosed that they can stick the IVs without any fight and they are usually too dehydrated to produce tears.  They said that B was a fighter.

    Dad stayed at the hospital with him that night and I went home to get bags for us and a few toys and movies for Bax.  When I got back to the hospital in the morning, B was up and was drinking his first juice in about 16 hours, he didn't want anyone to help him and he struggled to drink from the straw on the juicebox with the boards on his arms.  We were treated to visits from dieticians, nurses, diabetes educators, residents and specialists for three days and were taught how to care for him, how to count carbs, how to calculate insulin dosing for food and high blood sugars.  By the second day in the afternoon we were both pricking his finger to check his blood and by the next morning giving him insulin injections under the supervision of nurses.  I didn't know how we were going to do it, it went against EVERY fiber of my being to inflict pain on our son and here I was, hurting him to keep him alive, with a smile on my face so he couldn't tell how totally freaked out I was.
    After three days we were being sent home with supplies, ten prescriptions to pick up, emergency numbers and hearts full of sorrow, terror, peace, and gratitude for the events of the past days.  I don't remember a lot about our first days, I do remember waking up every 3 hours (if I got to sleep at all) and dreading each time I had to find him to check his blood. 
    Fast forward 20 1/2 months and we are where we are at now.  B is fluent in diabetes, he helps check his own blood he has an infectious smile and is my hero.  He is so sweet and talks about diabetes with anyone that asks and he has accepted it for now.  Each day is an adventure that I didn't anticipate and as bad as it might sound, I don't know that I would change it.  We have learned much as a family, we have witnessed B's strength and wisdom as his childhood was stripped from him and we try to preserve what is left of it.  B is an inspiration to others and a lot of people have been educated about this auto-immune disease including me.  We still don't sleep through the night most of the time but it is a small price to pay for the blessings and lessons we have been privy to.

Creamy, Delicious Alfredo Sauce

Sauteed veggies with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese nestled up to our creamy alfredo sauce poured onto chicken tenderloins and delicious Amish noodles=one delicious meal that I felt guilty eating the whole time.  But I didn't have too, all that guilt I could have saved up to use on Leo or Baxter later, wasted over this sauce.  The basic alfredo is cream, butter, parmesan cheese.  This sauce is chicken broth, garlic, light cream, light butter, CAULIFLOWER.  It is delightful! 

I did weight watchers points plus program, they assign "points" to food, 1 cup of rice is 5 points while 1 cup of pasta is 10-10 WHOPPING points for pasta!  I found these Amish noodles that have only 5 points-delight!  Grill the chicken seasoned with pepper and garlic salt, delight! Add this delectable sauce, perfection! 

The sauce recipe:  Bring 2 cans of non-fat chicken broth to a boil, add 1 medium sized head of cauliflower chopped into pieces and cook for 10-15 minutes, the mushier it is the better it will blend.  In a separate sauce pan, saute 1.5 TBSP minced garlic, freshly ground pepper and 1 TBSP butter then add a splash of cream ( I used about 1/4-1/3 cup). Throw the cauliflower in the broth and the cream mixture in a blender until it is smooth and serve over your noodles or pizza crust or whatever tickles your fancy!

My Favorite Goodies (all on one plate)

Since September I have been baking, every fall it is the same ol' story, I bake for four months straight and try to perfect my favorite recipes.  This year I tackled chocolate cupcakes with peppermint butter cream frosting, sugar cookies and royal icing and something that I refer to is "ooey gooey deliciousness".  I am going to share the recipes with you now, you can stop salivating and start cooking. 

I don't mind work but I am super busy with everything I have going on so I like to find the easiest way to do things.  There is nothing easier than this recipe. 

Mix together in large bowl:
6.5 Cups Rice Chex                   
6.5 Cups Golden Grahams
1 Cup slivered almonds
1 Cup coconut

In a large saucepan combine:
1 Cup butter
1 Cup sugar
1 Cup corn syrup
Bring to a boil and boil for 3-4 minutes, pour over the combined dry ingredients in portions, I normally pour on 1/3, stir, add another 1/3, stir, add the last 1/3 stir.  Lay out on wax paper to cool while stirring occasionally.  Go ahead and steal a few bites before it is cool, the burnt tongue is totally worth it!

I found the recipe for these sugar cookies at this amazing blog. These are the easiest sugar cookies I have ever made and delicious!  The only thing I will say is that I use salted butter so when doubling I only add a single portion of salt otherwise it is just too much.    The cookies are beautifully buttery, a simple yet comforting flavor, a delightful crisp texture and are so fast and easy to make.  I doubled the recipe and made about 30 cookies a little larger than a softball and decorated them in just under 2 hours.  The best part is no refrigeration time! 

Sugar Cookies

3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt (remember to only use a single portion when doubling if using salted butter)
2 cups flour

Cream butter, add the rest of the ingredients in order.  This is a soft dough but if you roll it out on a lightly floured surface it will form perfectly and be a great texture, if you add too much flour it will be dry and brittle.  Roll out to about 1/8"-1/4" thick and cut. Bake at 325 for 12-15 minutes, cool and frost as desired.

I have always made my own frosting without measuring, I just add ingredients until it looks and tastes right.  A few TBSP melted butter, about a TBSP hot water, a splash of vanilla and a mound of powdered sugar, yum!  But I wanted to try a more finished look so I wanted to use royal icing.  Royal icing is gorgeous, it can be a finicky medium but if you work quickly- and with some practice- it goes rather quickly.  I use Alton Brown's recipe.

Royal Icing

3 oz (6 TBSP) pasteurized egg whites beat until light and frothy
add 1 tsp vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar (add gradually until you reach the thickness you want)

The best way to check the thickness is to allow some of the icing to drip back into the bowl, if it melds back within a few seconds you are good to go.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Butter Cream Frosting, is there anything more Christmas-y and refreshing?  I love these little babies!  I am going to disclose a recipe that won me second place at the Brown County Fair last September.  Since then I have tweaked the recipe a bit and I won't disclose it here just yet as I am competing with it again next year, but I will give you the original.

Cupcakes

Sift together:
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

Add:
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla

Slowly pour in 1 cup boiling water and mix well.  Pour into pans, bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes (I like to lightly touch the top and if it is still a little soft but bounces back it is done and not too dry).  I also like to pour the batter into a pitcher for easier pouring.  This will make a 9x13 pan or 2 dozen cupcakes.

Here is the deal folks. I do not have frosting recipes.  I mix and measure and add until I like it.  I will tell you about how I do it and hopefully you will find success as I have.  First I cream about 1 cup of room temperature butter until it is light and airy.  Then I add about 1.5 cups2 cups of powdered sugar, a little milk, a little more powdered sugar.  If I had to guess I would say I end up adding 3.5 - 4 cups of powdered sugar total.  I then smash up 6-8 peppermint candy canes in my tiny handy food processor and add it to the frosting for flavoring. 

I hope you enjoy your frosting and the rest of your goodies.  PLEASE tell me how they turn out! 

A New Song for Your Listening Pleasure

Toby Turner's The Sideburn Song

I was just introduced to this by one of my seminary students and oh. My. Gosh.  I have watched it a few times and downloaded it from itunes.  It cracks me up!  I never really thought to much about sideburns not having them myself and I love how Mr. Turner has taken a mundane, everyday inanimate object such as side burns and writes a song about it.  This may or may not be the best link for me to post as you will undoubtedly think, "Wow, this girl is ridiculous!" and you will never look at my blog again, but to myself I must be true so I am going to share this slice of comedic heaven with you.  Smile big ladies and gents!

A New Year, A New Goal

Hi all!  It is a new year and I am adequately jazzed!  I am going to try to change the tone of our family blog instead of just being my insights to the events that happen in our lives to a review of projects, recipes, activities with the family, books, music, etc.  Hopefully you will find something here that you enjoy and will bring a smile to your face.  I love to create and make, but I am also a little lazy (honesty-just one of my best qualities) so I aim for all things simple.  I turn to pintrest for inspiration but tend to simplify things just a bit or tweak them to make them my own.  I hope to share with you through out this year some of the things that I love about being a mom and housewife.  I am looking forward to the recipes I will share with you (all will be tested and Jamie approved- I see no point in passing on sub par info, only the best from me!) and hopefully we can laugh and giggle a little together.  Next week I am planning on posting a recipe and hopefully some pics from a project I am going to do.  See you next bat time same bat place!

Family Update

I love my life.  I have a sexy husband and an incredible little boy, great brothers and sisters on both sides of our family and amazing parents (both sets!).  We live in a comfortable home with great neighbors, we are blessed to have our needs met.  We are learning about being apart and hating it, so that's always a good sign, yes?  B is growing and learning so much and I love watching him, he is different every day.  I am so blessed.  Heavenly Father takes wonderful care of us, supplying us with what we need, compensating for our shortcomings as individuals and parents, I am thankful for a God that is present and aware of our family.  Leo works so hard and has been blessed with a firmer, fuller understanding of his studies as he is preparing for his boards.  I have been blessed with projects and the ability to work on school for myself while Leo is working on his degree.  I do miss my family in UT but I am finally realizing that I do know what I am doing and I am a competent person that can do all with God on my side.  I am thankful for the experiences that I have had in my life to prepare me for this grand adventure that I am on with my eternal family.  We genuinely enjoy each other.  That is a huge blessing to me and one that I don't take for granted.  I love it all.  Every moment of responsibility and the "payoffs" that come after fulfilling that responsibility.  I wouldn't change a thing about my life (except maybe having Leo home more).  

What a delightful 9 months

Baxter is such a big boy! We can't believe how much fun we have with him and the joy that he brings to our lives. This is his Halloween picture, at playgroup he dressed up as a bear and for trick or treating he was a monkey.
Baxter is also doing great at growing his teeth, getting his haircut, army crawling, and (dah-dah-dah-dah!) pulling himself up! He has been trying for a while but on Friday he finally did it and since then he has pulled himself up on toy boxes, his walker and the couch! What a big fella!

He says "Hi" and "dada, daddy, dad". He waves and can even walk when we hold onto his hands. The other day we went in to get him out of bed and he was trying to stand up so we had to move his crib mattress down.

We also went to see Santa yesterday and he loved it! He was quite taken with Santa's beard and kept smiling at him. We are getting excited for Baxter's first Christmas season and can't wait for him to get to open his presents and play with the paper and boxes but leave the actual gift for next year.

Baxter is HERE!

On Monday, March 28 I had the most amazing experience, one I had been hoping and preparing for my whole life, my sweetheart and I welcomed our first child to the world.

It was an incredibly spiritual experience. I was blessed throughout my pregnancy to be surrounded by people who helped me look forward to labor and delivery as a divine experience. For the few days leading up to the experience I listened to hymns and talks about motherhood and God's mercy and love. I prayed that everything would go well and that Baxter would be safe. When contractions became regular on Saturday night I borrowed a page out of a book by pioneer women and made strawberry freezer jam. Yes, it is more simple than everything else that super women have done through the ages, but I was still pretty excited about getting it done.

We went into the hospital on Sunday afternoon to find out that I was still only dilated to a 3 and were sent home. I spent a lot of time in the shower that day to ease the contractions. We tried to relax and wait for the inevitable. On Monday morning the contractions were about 6 minutes apart lasting just over a minute we went to the hospital and they monitored me for an hour and I dilated from a 4 to a 5 and admitted us!

We got cozy in our room. After about an hour I was a 6 and wanted to go for a walk. We walked around for and went back to the room, the doctor told me that I was giving labor a bad name and he couldn't believe that I was walking around dilated to a 6 and not on an epidural, then he broke my water. I waited about an hour and the anesthesiologists came in to give me the drugs. They tried 10 times to get the epidural to stick. The needle they used to administer the local anesthetic couldn't get to where it needed in my spine and I felt every single twinge and movement as the epidural needle snaked through my spine. For just over an hour that was my life. I lasted about 45 minutes before I started crying and Leo came and stood right in front of me instead of to the side holding my hand. He looked right at me and every once in a while I saw his eyes dart to watch what the doctors were doing. He told me after that he watched as they pulled my tissue and blood out of my back as they tried over and over. Finally we all agreed it wasn't going to work and I was going to hit it all natural.

Another hour passed and I was informed that it was time to start Pitocin. After an hour on Pitocin my contractions were lasting about 90 seconds were coming every minute or so, I was still only dilated to a 7. Leo sat with me and rubbed my back, I thought I was in back labor but now I think it was just the injuries from the failed epidurals as I also had intense contractions in my front. 6:15 pm came with no progress in dilation and I started feeling like I needed to push, the nurses helped me breathe through it while Leo held my hand and told me how well I was doing. Finally around 7 pm I was an 8. At 7:15 I started pushing without being able to stop it and I told the nurse to call the doctor, I wanted a c-section. I couldn't stop myself and I knew that if the baby pushed up against the cervix it would swell and block Baxter's way out, most likely sending him into distress. The nurse checked me again at 7:30 and I was FINALLY to a 10 and ready to push! She and Leo held me as she showed me how to push and I did 3 practice pushes, right as I finished those the doctor came in, covered up and we started working with the contractions and the urges. I pushed for 10 minutes and Baxter Leo Bay came into this world at 7:57 weighing in at 7 pounds 7 oz and 19.75 inches long. My doctor told me that I handled natural childbirth better than some of his patients who had planned for a natural birth. It was an amazing experience full of hope, love, darkness, excitement, anxiety, pain, elation, and peace. The experience was not what I had planned, but one that I had been prepared for. A few weeks before I went into labor I was inspired to look at techniques for if the epidural failed. Leo and I had discussed the possibility of a natural birth because I wanted to see if I could do it. I was able to be calm with Leo (for the most part) and only once make a slightly awkward demand on him. I felt things that cannot be described and was filled with so much love for our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the women who came before me and my eternal family. That was just the tip of the ice burg as love overwhelmed me and still does when I look at my husband and my sweet little boy. We did this together. We waited, we sacrificed, we prayed and now we have come to the beginning of the next stage of our journey. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. It was a privilege and a blessing and I would not change a moment about it.

I Am SO Ready

This photo is me at 29 weeks. When I bought this shirt it was a little tight and I was afraid it would only last a couple weeks, but it was so cute I couldn't resist! I am now 37 weeks and 2 days. That shirt still fits me and is one of the 3 shirts that actually make me look pregnant. The rest of my clothes just make me look...blobbish. I am well within what I should have gained this pregnancy but with every half ounce this baby gains I find it harder and harder to be comfortable. It shocks me how each day changes so much, for only half an ounce!

We are trying to get Mr. Baxter out to join us as soon as possible. That being said, before I get scolded, let me say: 1. I know he will come when he is ready. 2. I know I am not technically due until the 27th, but I am officially at term now. 3. At my last doctor appointment I was dilated to a 2 and 80% effaced and the doctor actually felt the babies head, so I feel like this could be coming to an end. I know, I know women have been in this state for weeks. 4. I am so excited to have our sweet baby join our earthly home, I am getting anxious!

Leo keeps pressuring Baxter to come since he doesn't have tests this week, which is making me a little stressed because I feel like we are on a schedule. Plus, I would like to be able to do some more of my housework so I don't have to ask Leo to do that when he is so busy. I try to get as much done as I can, but it is getting harder to maneuver and bend. I am also excited to see what he will look like! I am sure he will look like Leo when he was little as apparently the Bay genes wipe out anything in their path. I can't wait for Leo to get to hold and play with Baxter, he is so sweet and wonderful! When we were setting up Baxter's bed in our room, Leo decided to put the bed further across the room so that if I was exhausted, he could get Baxter for me without having to climb over me. I am so thankful for how sweet he is, he takes such wonderful care of me. The countdown is on.

Cutest Daddy Ever

All during my pregnancy I have been thoroughly entertained by my sweet husband preparing to be a daddy. Leo takes care of me, runs to the store, did the dishes, basically anything I didn't have the energy to do, he took care of it. As Baxter got older he would read him stories and try to listen to him through my belly and just last week he made Baxter a HAT! It is so cute! Tonight I woke up around 12:40 to Leo lying on my stomach singing softly, "I don't want to wake up mommy, but I want to play with you Baxter boy! Are you awake?" He then proceeded to tell Baxter a super cute story about Bo-Ji the marshmallow bunny peep with the moral being to always listen to mommy "so you don't turn into a pile of goo." I don't think he knew I was awake at this point.

My favorite part of the day is when Leo plays with Baxter. I swear, they already have a boys club! Leo can put his hand on Bax and talk to him and Baxter actually follows his hand kicking and hitting. When he stops and Leo says, "Kick me!" Baxter follows directions. Leo can read Seuss in a way that has Baxter dancing and jumping like a Mexican jumping bean and there is a huge surge of happy juice running through all of us. Leo encourages Baxter to take full advantage of his position over mommy's bladder and when I go streaking for the nearest restroom Leo laughs and says, "Baxter, you are the funniest boy I know!" He gets such a kick out of being a dad already, today he was trying to convince Bax that it was time for him to come because daddy was done waiting and wanted to play with him in person. If I have any hope of getting this boy out of me before my due date it is going to be because he can't wait to see his dad. I am so thankful for my sweetie and how wonderful he is to me and already is to Baxter. It brings me so much joy to feel their connection. I know that won't always be my privilege, but right now I am loving my front row seat!

Nesting Like a Little Bird

My nesting instinct comes in short bursts around 9:30 or 10:00 pm. I start cleaning with all the dedication I can muster and then I ache. I work through it for a bit until I am sweating and have even more pain, then I find a chore I can do while I sit such as folding laundry or delegating to Leo what I would like done. I sit until I get antsy and then start cleaning again. We just did the dishes and folded laundry, but I still can't help but feel that nothing is getting done. The antsyness is welling up inside me to the point that I need to feel some movement in my legs and see some improvement or there will be hell to pay. I have to go!

Prepping for the Final Stretch

From the time I was a little girl I was conditioned to believe that labor is the worst thing a woman can endure. I heard horror stories from my friends' moms recounting their experiences to my mother. When playing house there was always panting and screaming in the name of authenticity. Media portrays labor as something to be feared or a necessary evil. After spending some time looking at the stages of labor I have come to a conclusion. Now, I know I haven't done this before, but I have long felt that my experiences were only going to be as good as I wanted them to be. I have found this to be true in developing friendships, relationships with family and my own marriage. With that in mind, let us proceed.

I want to actively ENJOY doing what I was sent to Earth to do. I want to feel connected to the process with the understanding that there will be pain and discomfort involved. I want to feel my contractions (maybe not full-blown) and feel my baby move through me. I want to relax and understand that while labor and delivery may feel like an eternity on its own, it is the final experience to me being pregnant and I want to go out with a bang! It is the first true test in preparing for what I have always wanted to do, be a mother. There is divinity in that, it is not a reason to be fearful, but to find joy!

I have realized that the course of my pregnancy has been training me to get less sleep, thank you insomnia; that I can't always have my own schedule, thank you bladder; and that I will have moments that I would rather not have, thank you vomiting. Pregnancy has been teaching me flexibility and other important lessons that I will need as a mother. I always heard how hard pregnancy was, and yes, there were times it was not pleasant, but there is so much joy in it! I realized that I was responsible for another living being that would depend on me for all of his basic needs, thank you little embryo! A being that would turn to Leo and I for comfort, thank you little kicks! Someone who I would love so completely and try so hard to figure out how to keep him safe and get him back to Heavenly Father in the best possible shape, thank you Baxter!

I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father who loves me and allows me to grow to my fullest capacity through tests and has given me a strong, righteous partner to face these times with. I am grateful for the opportunity that Heavenly Father has given me to bring one of His spirit children into the world and for the knowledge that He knows I will be fine. Because I am His daughter with His divinity inside of me, His desire for our family to be together forever and His strength uplifting and protecting me. What a beautiful blessing that knowledge is.

Sleep Eludes Me

May I just say how much I am loving being up right now? Ok, not really. I want to be sleeping but my body is done. My sleep schedule is so off lately! The last couple nights I haven't been able to get to sleep until about 2:30 am. My early night was 12:30 and last night, in an act of defiance, I forced myself to lie down at 8:30. I slept but then woke up at 2:30, it is now 4:50, I may be getting sleepy again... we'll see.

I have decided that the interruptions in sleep during pregnancy are for our benefit to get our bodies used to not sleeping so we are not as exhausted as we could be when caring for our new little one. This is a tender mercy from Heavenly Father, for which I am grateful. I can't help but wonder though if I am doing something wrong or if I am doing more harm in confusion to my body by trying to sleep.

Leo is changing his sleep schedule much to his excitement. He goes to bed sometime between 8-10 pm and wakes up at 4 am. He feels like he gets so much done in the morning and he is preparing himself for when he has rotations. I am glad that he enjoys it, but I miss seeing him in the evenings. Tomorrow I am getting up earlier than I normally do on a Saturday so we can spend some time together. I am super excited!

The Joys of Being a Medical School Widow

Hello friends! I am so thankful to have my sweet Leo in medical school. I know what you are thinking, "What? Is she crazy? She never sees her husband, they will be over $500,000 in debt by the time he is done and he STILL has eleven years until he can have his own practice? AND she is thankful for this?!" Yes, I am. These are the reasons why.

I have the blessing to work to try to cover as many bills as I can while we budget out living expenses on our loans. The joy in this is that I have an opportunity to understand the pressures that come from making sure there is enough money for what we have to have. I am learning that there are wants and needs and the needs have to be prioritized. It is a lesson that I am very thankful for and it is better preparing me for being a mother as things need to be prioritized everyday.

I have the gift of watching my husband undertake one of the greatest goals of his life. I get to be frustrated with undesired results and celebrate his victories right alongside him. It is a joy watching him do what he needs to do and succeed at it. It makes me so happy that I get to see more and more of Leo's strengths. He is AMAZING at interacting with patients and diagnosing. Leo not only goes to class from 8:00 am-6:00 pm and studies from about 8:00 pm-1:00 am, but he also takes time to have dinner with me and often, he cooks it. I am constantly impressed with the things he accomplishes and am humbled and grateful for who he is. I do not take him for granted often because I can see how much he actually does for us. He is always cheerful with me and never complains. I stand in awe of the man I married.

Leo is learning all kinds of muscle manipulations which comes in very handy if you happen to be with a very pregnant wife in her third trimester and waddling, that's me! Leo does simple techniques which takes away most of my pain and discomfort. I don't waddle anymore and I LOVE THAT! Just tonight (after asking me since Friday if he could PLEASE just work on me) he fixed my hips that have been hurting for three days. Seconds after he finished I am feeling great and walkin' around like a goon! It isn't super fun, but he does it cheerfully and very willingly. Definitely makes my pregnancy easier.

Another reason I love having Leo in medical school is that since our time together is so limited we rarely spend it arguing. We are able to enjoy each other and just live in the moment, more often than not, although sometimes my hormones do get in the way... um...sorry about that honey! We do spend a lot of time vegging because otherwise Leo's brain would explode, but we get to talk and enjoy each other as well. We have spent some time recently reading different books and analyzing them.

My husband is a stinkin' walking encyclopedia! I mean seriously! He is so smart and he remembers all of this information that astounds me! He has to study hard, but it pays off in the end. I am going to take him with me to functions and when people ask me questions I will just refer them to Leo! I love listening to him!

Here are a couple random facts for you about Leo's first semester in Medical School:
1. During his semester (July 12-December 17) he completed 41 credit hours.
2. Leo has taken 29 written and practical exams.
3. When Leo takes his practical exams he gets to wear his white coat and interact with paid patients who then evaluate him for the professors. He is also filmed so professors and he can critique his performance as well.
4. Leo also works in the cadaver lab taking care of the corpses.
5. Leo has at least 17 books (my count) covering pharmacology, immunology, human anatomy and various sciences that he uses regularly.
6. Leo is required to practice different techniques on 10 different students for every unit they do and submit that to his professors as part of his grade.
7. Leo has practiced patient history, physical exam and neurological exam on Jamie. The history he had to be able to complete in 9 minutes, the history and exam in 14. I don't remember the times for the other ones, but either way he rocked at it!

These are all the reasons I am thankful to be a Medical School widow and I am sure that more will make themselves evident through the course of time.

Life is Good

The title of today's post comes from my dad. I have spoken with him a lot lately and every time I ask him how he is his response is everything going on and then, "Life is good". I think this is extremely fitting. Leo and I have been blessed beyond contemplation as I think of the choices that we have made, the people who have blessed us and the situations we have been fortunate enough to come through.

There is much joy in knowing that there is a person who loves you unconditionally and completely with a selfless heart. Leo does amazing things as he goes to school, studies, cooks dinner and for most of this pregnancy has taken it upon himself to do the dishes. He still manages to find time to spend with me and is cheerful even though he is being pulled in 30 different directions at once. In the midst of all this he even offered to do the laundry as well and during his week off, he cleaned our house. He pretty much rocks! There is so much joy and love in our home and we have been extremely blessed with a happy marriage and patience and understanding with one another at this time, though I am sure more him than me. I don't have to try to be patient with Leo, it is easy.

It is an honor to work with an organization that I can support. CARE focuses on helping the community and developing humanity within our neighborhood. The organization's head is loving and kind and goes about 3000 miles an hour. Running the food bank, the Santa shop, pediatric clinic, dental clinic, and after school program may seem like a huge enough feat, but she is still searching for ways to bring resources to her community. It is a privilege being a part of this organization and they have been so good working with me during this pregnancy.

This brings me to Baxter. Baxter is our baby. He is being named after my mom's parents who were strong, kind, faithful people. He started kicking 2 weeks ago and it is so much fun feeling him squirm in there and feel him getting bigger. Sometimes yes, I can get emotional, but I have been extremely blessed with an amazingly supportive husband who never complains and is never grumpy! Baxter is developing nicely and at his last ultrasound was in the 77% for size. This is not super news for delivery, but I am thrilled that he is healthy. Baxter loves daddy's voice and kicks when Leo stops singing or talking. Baxter also loves when daddy reads the scriptures to him or any of our other stories we read. Baxter loves upbeat music!

Preparing to become parents has been a lot of fun but a little stressful at times as we contemplate our financial obligations. We have been supported through our trials and relief has come when we didn't see a solution. This is a great blessing from our Heavenly Father who will not let us fail as long as we are trying our best. I am thankful for parents who taught me that the Lord will never forsake us, a husband who is faithful to his testimony and friends who listen to the Spirit and come to our aid to buoy up our spirits.

I have been extremely humbled and thankful as I look back on our year, the people we have met, the opportunities that have been made available and the closeness that Leo and I enjoy. Yes dear friends, Life IS good!

Thoughts on Pregnancy

At 10 weeks pregnant I am feeling somewhat tired and a little nauseated. I miss eating what I want to eat without fear of this child's retribution. I miss being comfortable and having a desire to do things. I will say I am not nearly as hormonal as I thought I would be, I think I am actually fairly tame, other than crying a little bit more but at least I am not a shrew!

I love checking websites for the latest developments and think it is amazing that a bit of me and a bit of Leo have come together to make an earthly body for this little spirit. Women who have been pregnant before have brought me joy by offering their advice and small insights. It is fun to hear about the differences in pregnancies. I have been thinking about the earthly discomforts of carrying a child and have to say that as far as pregnancies go, mine hasn't been bad. I figure that as we are bringing one of God's children in the world, we should be becoming better people, taking time to look at what we want our children to grow up believeing and being surrounded by. We think about how to create the best possible world for our family, this takes effort and growth. Growth takes time and stepping out of your comfort zone, as this is such a monumental event, why should it be any different. It is a blessing and a privilege to do what is necessary to welcome a perfect spirit to our home.

I do rather enjoy being pregnant all around. I love the differences my body is going through and how connected I feel to this unborn child. I love the increase of love and joy in our home as we are preparing for becoming parents. I love the conversations Leo and I have about what we feel is important and how we will teach our children and the roles each of us have. I love having Leo tease me about names he wants to use and putting his hand on my stomach and talking to the baby. Nicole told me that pregnancy is a spiritual experience and I love it!

Am I Alone on This?

Is anybody else concerned with the world we live in? I hear vulgarity everyday, I see borderline porn in commercials and on billboards around my house. On TV men are constantly undermining women or objectifying them. There are jokes and scenarios that undermine or criticize marriage and families. I AM TIRED OF IT! I am starting to get extremely vocal with those around me about their language and off-color jokes, not in a rude way mind you, but letting them know that I don't like that language. Leo and I turned the cable off. I emailed the company with the billboards, you know what happened? THEY PUT UP MORE!

I have spoken with several friends of different backgrounds and religions who have similar concerns with the direction the world is going. I don't want to be difficult, I want everyone to get along, everyone has rights. Thats fair. I have rights too! Stop encroaching on them! It is my right to live my life and walk on campus without hearing 4-letter words or having cigarrette smoke blown in my face. I have a right to drive to work or to run errands without being accosted by billboards of half naked men and women with strategically placed fabric on them. I have a right to come home after a long day and NOT have cigarette smoke coming through the vents into our unit. I am done sitting idly by while the world criticizes and mocks marriage, family and purity. I will no longer welcome the smut that is being fed as "appropriate". I will have the courage to turn off TV or radio shows that are not uplifting. I have a reason to stand up for marriage and familyto be treated with respect. I have a responsiblity to change the world if I do not like where it is headed. This is long overdue!

The time has come for us to decide where we stand and fight for the right, the good, and the edifying. It is time to make our voices heard and start seeing that the media and regulations coming into force that reflect our standards and stop settling for mediocrity! I have found my voice. Have you found yours?

My oh My

Hey all! So today leo and I played rock band. It was delightful! Usually I am on the drums because I am the best at it, this doesn't say much as I am still TERRIBLE! Today, however, Leo let me play the guitar and he sang. Now I am ok at the guitar, not as good as Leo, but better than I am on the drums, and Leo sang. He is amazing at it! We had so much fun learning new songs and hearing songs from Alannis that we haven't heard for a good decade.

Leo is still playing, he just invented a new band called Me&Me2. The two bandmembers look exactly alike. Quite the gimmick I know, that's my husband for you, one jump ahead of the lawman. He looks so cute with his barefeet, baggy pants, guitar in his arms, mic down his shirt and booty shaking as he belts out "Eye of the Tiger". I love my life! P.S. I also made sweet potatoe pie today. I make a killer one that everyone should get a chance to eat sometime. Send me a self addressed prepaid box and cooler, and one can be yours in 3-5 business days!

Our Anniversary

So looking at this loverly blog of ours, I realized that I didn't write anything about Leo and my anniversary, so I will be covering some of that tonight. Leo surprised me with a trip down to Branson, MO. It was loverly going to where tere are hills that you can't see over when you miss the mountains. We stayed at a really nice hotel, the Radisson I believe, it was GORGEOUS! It was fun to walk around at night and watch everyone, the traffic was attrocious though! We went and got sushi our first night there, it was served in a wooden boat, they called this the Love Boat Special. The next day we ventured to an AMAZING restaraunt called the Outback Oyster Bar and Pub. We had lobster tail, the first time in my life, alligator tail, venison, quail, and lamb chops. Not gonna lie, best food I think I may have ever tasted!

We went to a polynesian dance show and bought lava lavas and a flower for my hair. On the way home the next day we stopped at Lambert's the home of the flying rolls. It actually was pretty cool. Someone stands in the corner throwing rolls across the entire room and if you want one, you catch it, and it is really hot. Another server comes around with warm molasses to put on them if you want. You order your main dish which is served in a huge skillet and your drink is in a 48 oz mug. More servers walk around with collard greens, black eyed peas, roasted potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans and any other side dish you could imagine and you just dish up what you want. A very fun experience, but you wait for 90-120 minutes for the food. There are however giant checkerboards to play on out in the parking lot and tons of interesting people to talk to.

When we got home, Leo presented me with my present which was a gorgeous pearl necklace that is chocolate, sage, beige, cream, and light pink. It is absolutely breathtaking. I gave Leo a book called, Leonardo The Terrible Monster and a picture that I commissioned to be done of one of his favorite pictures of us.

Anywho, thats what we did, sorry for the late notice. I hope you had fun reading this and get ideas for your own anniversaries. Maybe I should open a bed and breakfast...

What? They're Real.

Hi everyone! I hope that you are having fun!! I am going to blog about nothing right now and there most likely will be a quiz afterwards, so please pay close attention. I would hate for you to get nothing on a test about nothing.

There is a plate next to me with crumbs on it, I believe from Leo's cheese and tomato sandwich. I love the game Little Big Planet. I am a little addicted to my cute little sockman, Leo says she looks like a naked molerat. This hurt her feelings, so I put a bow on her head. That diet coke that you are about to drink is flat, but when it had carbonation, it was really yummy on vanilla ice cream. Why in heaven's name is my lamp crooked? It looks like a knee that has been broken backwards at the, well, knee.

I don't know quite how I feel about Glee. I LOVE that the actors burst into song at least 3 times during the course of the show. But I am a little bugged that the pilot was so delightfully wonderful and then in the 3 subsequent shows a boy has come out of the closet, a girl cheated on her boyfriend, got pregnant, and then informed her boyfriend that he was the father when he never actually slept with her, but he is too stupid to realize that, and a washed out, crazy insane drunk has come and convinced the teens to drink in the morning, steal from a grocery store and tries to seduce the high school boys. That was a REHEHEALLY long run on sentence.

Don't even get me started on the stinking brats on Wizards of Waverley Place and Hannah Montanh. If I had daughters, they would not be allowed to watch these sneaky, conniving, mean teenagers who make bad choices, insult their family and friends, want the world to revolve around them and then all of a sudden everything seems to work itsself out with no one making up for their stupidity.

My TV is big and I love watching shows on it, but usually not the Disney channel. I do however LOVE Phineas and Ferb! I also enjoy watching Community and Grey's Anatomy.

There is a red shirt thrown haphazardly across the arm of the couch. Who left the ketchup out? Oh that was me. Good day. I SAID GOOD DAY!