5/9/21 Mother's Day

 Well this week we are wrapping up school.  And I am ready for a little break. School has killed Gary Jr. this year.  Grant had to make an ocelot sock puppet for his rainforest presentation.  He is such a cutie! 

Charlotte and her snuggle blankie.  Can't be without it.

I was reflecting on my experience as a mother.  I have always oscillated being the highs and lows of motherhood, the companionship of having so many children and the burden of not having much freedom or free time. Seeing my baby sister have such a hard time with two and all the sisters weigh-in has made me realize how alone I was when it was really hard, and having to figure out a lot on my own.  I know how critical I had others of me in my early parenting years was so very hard,  I remember a relief society activity changing my life 

Lately, I have seen my other friends move on in their callings and interests because of their availability and I felt a little stuck.   Some growth is needed but I am just not sure in what direction.  I would love to be involved with my older children, because I feel like I am missing out a lot on my older children's growing up experience because I have according to others"my hands full".   I guess I didn't anticipate living in an high LDS population area would bring this kind of challenge.  In Houston and my mother's growing up experience you were used regardless of your family size. 

The other thing is the lack of help "babysitting" when I want to attend field trips and volunteer in my kids classes.  I don't like to pawn my kids off, but I saw the one time I had a babysitter for Charli (a mom with 2 little girls) how much she loved the social interaction.  

I remember this post, it is amazing that my body was able to do that 6 times! Have to add Charli's in....

Now I just have to raise these little people with testimonies, brains, talents, and a work ethic to rival mine. 

Faces of Pregnancy

Lily 2005- didn't quite learn to control the pregnancy cravings, especially bags of cheetos...puffed kind only. Definitely gained the most weight.  Didn't feel real until we brought her home. This pregnancy was a result of clomid.  Just as we were contemplating fertility treatments, I got mono....which stopped any sort of family planning. I think having to wait to be pregnant taught me to not take for granted the miracle of being able to carry a child and that I was not quite in charge like I imagined myself to be.  

 Gary Jr. - 2008 (smallest baby, smallest belly...probably from eating food storage beans as a poor med school widow.  This pregnancy was a very calculated decision, and even before I was pregnant, I felt like this little one was waiting to come. He made our family feel like a real family. )

 Ben- 2010- Biggest Baby (worst pregnancy, biggest head by far, if I ran at all (like to chase a two-year-old 2 steps, I had severe nerve pain for an hour afterward. Also my pregnancy weight came off too quickly in 3 months, and my poor baby had to be bottle fed because of this. This pregnancy taught me the importance of respecting my body and its limitations)

Grant- 2012 (our only surprise baby, easy pregnancy compared to Ben.  This pregnancy taught me the importance of making God in charge on my life, He knew this surprise would would bring my joy even when I didn't, and looking back it was the best timing for our family...What a blessing it was to have an easy pregnancy!)

And my current condition, about 6 weeks left. Yeah!!! Can't wait to meet this kicker. 

First day of spring break

We had fun picking strawberries. I didn't bend over too well, but two years ago I went I to labor the night I picked strawberries, and I am hoping for the same fate tonight.

Miss L had a little collision with lil' G's head in the pool after the strawberry picking. First shiner.

Pregnancy

So Pregnancy changes you....it changes your personality, your body, your dislikes/likes, your working ethic(nesting...or lazing about so you don't have contractions).... So basically you become a different person... I am thinking about changing my name to go along with everything else to Rouisha or maybe Halle.

So I changed a bit...a few highlights:

Personality
1) Definately a lot moodier this week, and judging from my face that is breaking out, I must have some hormone changes causing it

Work Ethic
1) Off and on- today, workaholic, last night workaholic, then crashed and laid on the bed for a couple hours

Likes/Dislikes
1) I make a gorgeous recipe, have one bite and can't physically eat another bite without gagging....aka. chocolate chip cookies I made last week
2) Pizza- love it always. I'll take any kinds, but Papa John's is the by far the best.
3) Chocolate- love it always
4) Chicken- have cooked chicken about 5 times in six months. Just can't handle it raw
5) Tomato sauce- sketchy, good going in, but heartburn kicks in about a 1/2 hour later

Body-Yeah sleeping is starting to be a project. I normally sleep on my stomach, but now I can't breath if I sleep on my stomach, so I turn on my side, put a pillow between my legs, and still the breathing issue is there but a little better.

But I'm 2/3 done right?