What Is This Picture.

I know, a few days late. What is this picture?

1000 plus

Because Trent took a week off work, we decided to do something productive.
That didn't happen.
Instead we racked up 1000 miles on the car.....
We have taken a few spur of the moment road trips, one of them being a trip around the Great Salt Lake. Fun, no. I honestly would not recommend it. It was interesting, but there is a whole lot of NOTHING on the west side of the lake. We headed out the 80, ended up in Wendover where Trent help a couple of girls who were also on a road trip diagnose a bad car problem, then headed north on a really long boring dirt road. Like 2 hrs worth of long boring dirt road. At the end of the road was a little ghost town called Lucin. We piled all the kids out, and went to go look at a natural spring that was out in the middle of nowhere. There were a bunch of these grain storage things, and Trent went with 2 of 5 to explore but decided better of it, when something inside got a little anxious about being cornered in there. I wouldn't have been too bothered by it, but we had just run into a badger in 9 Mile Canyon a few days earlier. Back in the car we got, and got onto the 30.
We then ran into a guy that had been stranded for a few hrs, and offered to take him into the nearest town because there was no cell service. He declined because the last guy that stopped, let him use his satellite phone to call for help.
We then get to Park Valley. Which is where this house was. Apparently the guy who owned the property didn't like us there. He was nice enough when we explained we don't touch things, we just take pictures.
The next town with any services (the last one we saw since Wendover, was Snowville UT. We were starving. We ate, then went down to Corinne and past the ATK rocket launch place. It's a pretty nice drive out there. and the rockets were pretty cool.

These pictures were from our drive to Evanston. We came back down the Mirror Lake highway, and let the kids get out when we found an open plain, and they found


These

and these.

These pictures were from Friday when we went to Nine Mile Canyon. None of this was planned, just a drive, that took 10-12 hrs each day. I think the kids are happy to not be in the car today.

Give them a day or 2, then they will be ready to get back to the road trips.

I Miss Them

I was thinking about the things I miss. You know those little things you take for granted. Like Ankles. I miss being able to see an actual ankle bone. I thought I would be skipping the super swollen feet part, since 3 of my 5 babies were born the last week of June, I thought the water retention was part of being 39 weeks pregnant and hot. Not the case. Apparently I just retain the water as part of pregnancy in summer. Although it didn't happen with my 2 Feb. babies.
Sleeping fitfully is another one of those, 'didn't realize how much I liked it until I couldn't do it anymore' things. I sleep really well until about 4 -5 in the morning. Then my bladder wakes me up. I'm only almost 33 weeks, and having a hard time finding my comfort zone. What am I going to do at 36.
Bending over. I can still manage to pick things up off the floor most of the time. But it is getting much easier to just ask the closest kid to come here real quick and get that for me.
Nylons. I just cant. From beginning to end. Getting my foot up close enough to put it in the toe end. Then getting them over my belly.
Tying shoes. I can still manage, but I get a light headed from cutting off the circulation because I'm leaning over too long.
I'm sure my list will grow over the next few weeks, as my date approaches. I actually feel disabled this time around. Remember pregnancy in your 20's? Flew through that.... and my complaining then, was because I had no idea what pregnancy at 32 with # 6 was going to be like. And my complaining now, is because I have no idea what pregnancy at 40 with # 8 is like.
Here's to never finding out.
Oh I thought of 1 more, bathing kids. That tub is just high enough to no be able to lean over it and wash kids. but you can't stand and lean over far enough to wash their hair either.
The thing is, I am enjoying every minute of it. I wish I had 20 more weeks, instead of 7. I got a little envious that my sister is in having her baby today, but not for the not being about pregnant part. I just love the L&D part. Here's to time slowing down for the next few weeks, so I can enjoy every ache and pain of a final pregnancy.

The Results

That was 2 of 5 at 6 months, falling asleep in his rice. We were up at my dad's house in OR and had some serious jet lag. This was the same trip 1 of 5 got RSV and I had to take her in to the ER up there. It was horrible, watching a kid with RSV breathe it kind of scary......

Anyway, 2 of 5 HATES this picture, the one with this post. It makes him mad when we show it to him.

Time For Another Edition Of....

what's going on here.......
I'll post the answer on Friday......

Busses Lessons and Weather

Just what I'm thinking about. 4 of 5's bus driver told me yesterday that the pre school decided that the last 2 days were the 22nd and 23rd. Instead of the 27th and 28th. Which totally works out better. Next week Trent took the week off work (with big plans to do "something") so I can leave the 2 little ones here while I take the 3 older ones to swim lessons. I was a little nervous about watching them at the pool. I met another mom there that I have been talking to, and with 5 of 5 it's easy, she won't leave my side. But it's a WHOLE other story when 4 of 5 is around. the baby won't even look in a strangers direction, but 4 of 5 does it, everything changes.
We tried an experiment this week. We were trying to decide if it was more comfortable to leave the windows open at night, or the air on. The windows won. By 1 degree. But that 1 degree is HUGE when it also brings circulated air. The down side. The garbage trucks and delivery trucks are really loud at 6 in the morning. Luckily the kids are used to it, and sleep right through it. I guess it's like living next to train track, you just get used to it. Smiths is having a public meeting on the 13th because they want to add a fuel center. We are going to go, and ask for a sound wall, if it's approved.

Monday

I felt like I needed to blog. I couldn't for the life of me think of anything interesting to say. It is quiet here, let's go with that.
4 of 5 is on her way home from school. She was a little apprehensive about getting on the bus this morning. It's been 4 weeks. She should be home in about 15 minutes, then we're off to pick up Trent so we could drop the van off to be fixed. We have a bad wheel barring. Hopefully it's a manufacturer defect, so it is still covered under our 5 yr 60k mile drive train warranty. If not, we're looking at 500$ fix. Remember when cars were simple enough to be fixed in the garage? We're tempted to sell this one and get an older paid for van, just so we can do that. If we aren't out of pocket this repair, we want to put a hitch on the van, so we can get a pop up, and take a trip this summer, before the baby comes.
I can't believe we are down to 8 weeks. I would like the 20 back.
I was going to just leave the boys here while we run the car in, but GMA came to pick the 3 oldest up at 10 this morning.
I took them to swim lessons after getting 4 of 5 on the bus, but the chlorine thing was broken, so they had a 'safety day' Talk about a disappointed group of kids. first day of swimming, and they couldn't get in the water.
I met another mom there, who had a cousin with DS. It's amazing how everyone knows someone...... She also has a SIL who just found out her baby developed, but only had half her brain. Their first baby. I was heart broken at the thought of someone having to endure that. And grateful that DS was my trial.
I took comfort, and felt grateful for our Primary President, who got tears in her eyes when she told me what a big heart 4 of 5 had. It is such a comfort to know, she loves our kids, and sees those things that we as parents see in them.
Or how one of the speakers on Sunday, talked about a kinship our families had because of our daughters. I know the reason we felt so strongly about moving into that house, was because they lived there, and 4 of 5 was getting ready to come to us.
Hopefully we have our car back by tomorrow, so we don't have to walk to lessons. If not, it will be 8 in the morning, so it won't be too hot. And I won't have 4 of 5 and I won't have to push the double stroller.
Wish us luck.....

The Results

Yup, my sister was right. It was whipping cream. We rarely buy the stuff because this is what they want to do with it. ME NEXT!

ANd my sister was asking about my dr. appt yesterday. I am officially down to my 2 week appts. I think she may have me a week ahead of what I think I am, which really isn't bad..... especially since I've had my past 4 babies 10 days early, and they have been over 9 lbs. They have progressively gotten bigger each time 5 of 5 being 9 lbs 14 oz. What comes after that.... 10 lbs. Not excited about the thought of having a 10 lb baby. My dr. seemed a little concerned about the late on set of the diabetes, and asked about my numbers. Then told me we would start non stress tests at 36 weeks to see how early this baby would be coming. She'll be able to monitor the size of this baby, and if it is stressed out in there. I know I'll be stressed out, out here..... I had no idea but apparently GD caused a premature deterioration of the placenta. I don't want to have this baby any earlier than Sept. I think if I can keep my blood sugar under control, I should be fine. And my blood pressure was normal. I was a little worried because of my swelling feet and they throbbed.

Whole Wheat

My new best friend.
I got up this morning, and my blood sugar was at 90. Which is as high as my dr. wants it to be after fasting. Anything over 90 is considered diabetic. But pancakes sounded really good. We had them for dinner on Monday night, and I ground my own wheat, and only put a cap full of maple syrup on them, then I only had 2. It didn't spike my sugar. SO I had the same thing for breakfast this morning. And an hr later, 105. Nice. I can't do regular pancakes at all. SO I guess it's a good thing I really like whole wheat. I wonder how a whole wheat loaf of home made bread would treat me? Probably not as well, it does have honey in it, and the pancakes only have 2 TBS of sugar. I also sliced bananas and strawberries into the batter.
I have gone long enough with out sugar, that I'm not craving it anymore, and my fasting sugars have been in the high range of normal for a few days. I'm starting to feel a little more in control of things again. It's amazing what having a 6th baby will do to your body.
And my friends, I am longer craving a 3 Musketeers mint. Or the 4 pints of ice cream that are sitting in my freezer. And I put on 5 lbs in 4 weeks, then because of the cutting out sugar this week, I took 2 of them back off. Which if you saw the 10 lb gain last month.... you know why that was okay. It's also amazing what sugar does to you when you have gestational diabetes. I still intake carbs, just not at the rate I used to, they are necessary you know. And not at the rate I was craving them before.

Just Checking In

Okay.... New game.
I will post a picture on Wednesday, you guess what is going on, On Friday, I will post the results, or in the case today, the 'after' shot, that will give it away.
Can anyone tell me what is happening here? Here's my diabetes tip for the day.....
Cereal, although it is what I crave, and very yummy first thing in the morning......
BIG no no in the morning.
I finally got my fasting numbers under 90. 90 yesterday, 88 this morning, then I had a measured bowl of Raisin Bran, and 157 it went. Maybe I'll try for a bowl of just bran flakes tomorrow and see what I get.

It's Official

I am now diabetic. For the past week I have woken up with fasting numbers above 90. 113 this morning. And if you know anything about fasting blood sugar, that is bad. I didn't eat before bed, and my number when I went to bed was 133 2 hr's after eating dinner.
For the first few weeks after my GD test, (which I passed at 27 weeks) If I watched what I ate, I could eat sugar and sweets in moderation. Now, I can't even look at them with out spiking my blood sugar. It's okay. I don't NEED to eat sugar. I don't NEED a bowl of super yummy frosted flakes for breakfast. I don't NEED that cookie for desert. But it certainly makes pregnancy, in it's last weeks, a little easier. With 5 of 5, I craved a toast and eggs sandwich, so having one for breakfast was no biggie. This time, the thought of that, makes my stomach turn. So I wanted fruit loops, but had a string cheese and half a banana. I'm still hungry. It always takes me a week or so, to figure out how to eat again, with out the sugar. I'll get the hang of it, then It'll be fine. But that week is very hard.
If you have any good ideas, for low carb, low sugar meals..... I could use them. This really takes the fun out of food.
Wish me luck. Only 8 more weeks of this.

Temperment of the 2 Year Old

Okay, so I can't even give her 2, she's 17 months. But IMO 18 months is way worse than 2.

She comes up to me and signs 'bath' it's 10 in the morning, I'm not giving her a bath. she throws herself on the floor and cries for 2 minutes, gets up and walks back up to me, 'bath'. No, we are getting ready to go see dad in a minute. "GO!?" she yells as she walks to the door. No, not for a little bit I tell her. Throws herself on the floor again.

The few words she knows revolve around the things she loves. Candy, dad, go, bath, walk, more,, cheese.... you get the picture. I love this age. It is also hard for me. What she wants, is hardly ever what we are doing. And she is always bringing me random items. Like just now, she brought me picture frames from my closet. At least she says thank you when she gives them to me. Or, one of her favorite things to do, pull my National Geographic off the shelf pile them in front of the mirror, and watch herself read them.

Ah, the life of a toddler. Ah, the life of a parent of a toddler.

OR

I fell asleep on the couch this afternoon, and about 5 minutes into it, I got a remote to the head, and a finger up the nose.

AND

Never had a climber before

Procrastination

I have been promising the kids I would sign them up for swimming lessons for 6 weeks now. I was afraid I had put it off for too long, and there wouldn't be any openings. Luckily, (I guess not luckily for Shawn) it hasn't seemed as popular this year, and I had a good selection of classes to choose from. I won't go into how much it cost to put 4 kids into swimming lessons. This year I have decided to put 4 of 5 in a class too. I think it's important that she learns to swim as well.

6 Things That Make Me Happy

So I got this from Magna Mom
here's my list.
6, My kids are outside playing in the pool. Baby is asleep.
5, I get to go walking with some of my most favorite people tonight.
4, nothing happened to day. The pump cost 10$, the drain was snaked for free, and the shock only cost 60$.
3, My house actually looks 'decent' Not clean, but decent.
2, I know what I'm making for dinner tonight
1, It's only 85 out side.

Now, what makes you happy today?

Teaching Moment

I love those moments, where you can give your child an idea, for a way to help a situation, and it works. 2 of 5 has been feeling so bad about the pump. I have taken a few opportunities to explain consequences, and not thinking things through, and making sure you do a thorough job. All concepts that need to be learned, and things that would help this not happen again. (although, I'm sure it will) So, he was thinking of ways he could help pay for the pump, and was going to sell his toys, and do extra chores, you could tell this was weighing heavily on his mind and heart. SO I finally told him, all those ideas would be helpful, and a very nice gesture. But what would help the very most, would be to kneel in prayer, and ask your Heavenly Father for help, and if he could help Trent fix this. A few hrs later, we called Hardman up, and asked if he could help diagnose the problem. It seemed as though, it maybe a fuse, after a once over. Turns out, the problem was a blown 10$ fuse. SIGH. HUGE SIGH. There is such a relief right now. I reminded 2 of 5 that when someone helps us, we need to express our gratitude, and especially when our prayers are answered. And maybe a plate of chocolate chip cookies for the Hardman's. With walnuts of course.

And thank you everyone for your birthday well wishes. I really needed that.

Is There Anything Else?

I was hoping to be at the end of the disaster. No such luck. This afternoon I blew up the pool and filled it so the water would warm through out the day, so we could have warm water for FHE tonight. At about 11:30 I sent 2 of 5 out to turn the pump off ( we have a well for our out door watering needs). Apparently he didn't. He just turned the spigot off. And subsequently, he burned out the motor. I keep thinking to myself, is this teaching me that I need to rely on my kids less, and just do things myself? It would make it so things would break a little less often. But in all actuality, I can't do everything myself. There is way too much to be done. Do we not do fun things? cut out all the extras so I can do things myself? Case in point, we found out what blocked up the drains. It was the bag closer thingy for a hamburger/hot dog bun bag. I wouldn't have put something like that down the drain. Not saying it wouldn't have happened if I just did the dishes all the time. But it would have been less likely. Is this just the consequences of having kids? I know I wouldn't have taken sharpie to the computer monitor, or kitchen table. How do we solve this. The pump motor, is an expensive fix. (see last post) We can't have the garden we have, or the size yard we have, with culinary water. We just can't afford it. Do we give up on nice things, like grass? I'm not at my give up point yet, but I'm feeling moments of despaired. And my kids are still little, they get more expensive when they need insurance, or wreck the car. What do you do? Can't give them back, or away to the zoo. Although, a mom can dream.....

Here are the promised hair cut pictures. Not as bad as it could have been. It could have been a pony tail, or to the scalp. But sad, none the less.

4th of July

Do you have many of those weekends where you didn't think it was possible to cram anything else in? And then something else happened? I feel like I want to be doing this......
On Thursday my parents came into town and stayed the night, before checking into a hotel on Friday. Friday rolls around and they wake up and leave to go to the Oquirral Hills open house. I had a plan. They leave, I start making salads and cleaning, because 2 of 5 was getting baptized on Saturday, and we were having a gathering at our house after wards. And we wanted to take our kids someplace fun for a picnic that evening. I start my salads, and the sink starts to fill up.... Okay wait, I need to go back an hr. Yesterday I told Trent that the car was making a thud every time I hit a bump. He goes out and looks at the back shocks and sees that the rear shock had blown a seal. And of course it's not at a Checker. We need to go to the dealer. He goes downstairs to get a kid to go with him (keep in mind I am in the kitchen boiling water for noodles, and cutting veggies) . I go to the sink and turn it on, and it's not draining. SO what do you do? You flip the garbage disposal switch. Wrong move. Under the sink explodes. Pipes bursts, water gushes, it's a disaster. It leaks into the basement. Luckily, that room is unfinished, so it didn't do anything but fill a few of my canning jars. Trent takes a look at it, tries snaking it, gets a bunch of gross drain stuff on the floor..... Mean while I am trying to call my mom who would be pretty close to the car part place, to just pick this shock up. She doesn't answer, so Just as Trent is leaving to get it, they walk in. My kitchen is in shambles. I need to make salads and I don't have a sink.
I decided to just make my salads and pile dishes, and rinse the ones I need to use more than once, out in the hose. Trent comes back replaces the shock and we decided, lets just go have a picnic. I make sandwiches and a few sides and we head off to East Canyon Reservoir. Really nice drive good time at the lake. I am not worrying about what my kids are eating, I'm just trying to keep my eye on the 2 youngest, and keep them safe in the water. My oldest decided, hey mom isn't making me eat a sandwich, or paying any attention to me, I'm going to eat a lb of strawberries. So we get back in the car and head back to SL, and she says, mom I don't feel good. OK, we'll be home in a minute, she's always saying her stomach hurts when we are in the car. Difference is, she usually doesn't have an over full stomach of strawberries. Up comes the berries. (can I tell you, there is NOTHING worse than trow up in the car.) I have 5 kids, and she is the only one that has ever puked in the car. 3 times now. SO it's now 8 pm, we are home, I have no kitchen, my kids need a bath, they have been in the lake, and they are not getting into bed with out a bath, and there is throw up in the car, and all over 1 of 5. Trent being the saint that he is, took care of the car, while I bathed and put the kids to bed. It's now 9. I usually go to bed around this time. But since he probably needs company, and probably wants to go to bed too, I stay up until he's done. About midnight, he finds the clog, and cleans up a bit, and we go to bed. Still need to make 2 more salads and 2 deserts. And my kitchen is trashed.
Luckily, we had until 1, to get the rest of the way ready, kitchen cleaned, food made, 2 of 5 baptized, guests fed, guests home, fireworks, bed about 11. 9 am church came really early.
I thought it would be easier to go to GMA's house for dinner, than to eat here, and I could take the rest of the watermelon from yesterday. We eat, and clean up, and 4 of 5 takes off. I was outside, she went in. But it was okay, there were plenty of people inside, and there was a child gate blocking upstairs. I wait about 5 minutes, then decided to go check on her. "hey 4 of 5, where are you? come here" He voice calls back from upstairs, "coming" not good, but she hasn't been up there for more than 5 minutes. I noticed right away, her hair looked a little messy, but I thought she had just brushed it at GMA's vanity. the closer she gets, the worse it looks, and my heart sinks as I notice, it's spiky on top. Not messy. She found scissors. And cut her hair. I didn't know what to say, I just took her out side. I didn't even want to pull the pony tail out, and look at the extent of the damage. You can't even get mad at her. It doesn't do any good. There's a different feeling you get when one of your children cuts their own hair. It's not anger. I think it's sadness. Her hair is so thin, even that little piece that was cut, took half of it. I will post picture tomorrow, if I can bring myself to take a picture.
SIGH. Oh well, when it rains it pours. I am just grateful, none of what happened this weekend was expensive. Because all of them, had the potential to be. Little blessings right?

HHHMMMM

Last day of birthday crazies. Today my 4 of 5 is 4. Yesterday 1 of 5 turned 9, and Sunday 2 of 5 turned 8. 2 of 5 loves to remind everyone on the 29th that he and his sister are twins that day. So, for 24 and a few hrs, I have 2 kids the same age.
This is 1 of 5 at 8 months This is 2 of 5 at 16 months

And 4 of 5 brand new. Before we had any idea she had DS, before she started turning purple, before the crazies hardest month of my whole entire life.

2 of 5 is getting baptized on Saturday.... seems like we just did this not too long ago. Like last year. I love these 3 kids, more than anything. They all have had tremendous impact on my life, and influence on me growing and being more than I thought I was capable of being. They have and will continue to have a specific purpose in my life, and the lives of others. And for that and for many other reasons, I love them, and I am truly grateful for being given the opportunity to raise them.

On a lighter note, I have been in a serious slump. It's funny, I wake up happy, and ready to start the day. I get up and walk with a few of my friends, then about 1 PM it's all down hill. I was thinking I was just a little depressed. But, I think I am just tired. really really tired. I thought kids off track when I had morning sickness was bad, that may have been a cake walk compared. BUT, it also may be a great thing. No getting kids off to school, no 4 PM madness, no homework. So I guess we'll see. If I could just get a nap in, I think I could curb the 1 pm blues.

And, after watching a kid puke 3 or 4 times at the park.... If you have a sick kids, a pukey sick kid, and you know swine flu is rampant, and you're not sure if there are immune compromised kids at the park, Please for the love of Pete keep your poor sick kid at home. I don't want to be watching your child throw up, and 5 of the 6 people that I sit with for lunch, are pregnant. All between 10 weeks and 38 weeks pregnant, THEY don't want to watch someone throw up. Or if you have to come and get your other kids fed, I totally know how that goes, don't sit in the middle of the lawn. "quarantine"