Halloween pics

I guess our picture is 1st. I found this idea on the internet - you probably can't tell what we are. I'm supposed to be an oven, with a "bun in the oven," and Alex is the bun maker. Is that bad? I didn't think it was too bad, but we got some weird reactions.


And here is "Blues Clues" and "Bob the builder"!

And finally, here is part of the mess I get to clean up from our crazy day. (I did bring home an empty crock pot, because my chili won overall best taste!). But I'm not looking forward to dealing with the mess...
There was no time to clean-as-you-go today.

5 weeks left??

Well, I had another appointment today (at about 32 weeks). I was shocked to discover that my platelet count is down to 96 already. Some of you know my history... I went in at 37 weeks with Nathan because my platelet count had dropped below 100, so they brought me in for an induction that night. I have this condition called thrombocytopenia, which is a fancy term for low platelets during pregnancy. The platelet count in a normal person is supposed to be around 200 at least (200,000), but when I'm pregnant, it gets near 100 (100,000). From what I understand, your platelets help the blood to clot, so you don't bleed to death. If the count gets too low, you can't get a spinal block. I guess that means I would just go under general anesthesia (which I did with Jared after the spinal block went sour).

Anyway, my C-section is scheduled for December 16th, but I don't think we'll make it to that date. With my count already below 100, I think we're looking at somewhere around the 4th of December. That's about 5 weeks away! Anyone want to come watch the boys for a few days the first week of December?

the costumes are done...

Halloween is not my favorite holiday anymore (sorry Carrie!)- mostly because I dread coming up with costumes for the boys. But the dreaded task is over... I found and finished the costumes all in one day. They were CHEAP (and they look kind-of cheap too), but the boys like them so that's what matters. Nathan will be "Bob the Builder" and Jared will be "Blue Clues" - those were picked because that's what I found at the Salvation Army for $1 total. I did have to make a Blues Clue puppy hat for Jared ($2) and a work belt for Nathan's costume. So I'm pretty proud of myself...I spent a total of $3 and they're done! Pictures next week...

lessons to be learned

I'm convinced I have a lot of things to be learned from my church calling (counselor in the Relief Society, overseeing the teachers as part of my calling). I got to teach again on short notice - I knew on Wednesday of this week that the teacher was not going to be in town for her lesson, so I arranged a substitute. But this morning, the substitute called and was not feeling well. That meant I got to teach. I actually don't mind teaching, but I like to be prepared. The lesson went okay- it was on "Beyond the Veil- Life in the Eternities." I love thinking about the glory that awaits us if we're faithful , and "beginning with the end in mind." It's always good to know what we're working towards, to have a goal. I just know that I got more out of the lesson by teaching than anything that I might have taught them.

Anyway, it's interesting how the Lord strengthens us in ways we may not expect. You have to be careful what you pray for, because the Lord will answer your prayer. But maybe not in the way we want. When I pray(ed) to become a better teacher, I didn't realize that I would be given opportunities to teach impromptu or on short notice. It definitely has strengthened my confidence and my dependence on listening to the inspiration of the Spirit. And I have to rely on good discussion from the sisters in the ward, which is really what the lesson should be anyway - not me just up there talking, but being a discussion leader. I still have a lot to learn though. There are lots more lessons to be taught and lessons to be learned...

suckers, tantrums, and neglectful moms

I've been working on a project that has made me a little neglectful today. The boys have been watching videos, fighting over toys, and entertaining themselves. And Jared was helping himself to the bag of suckers. After about the 4th sucker, I figured I better intervene. I told Jared he couldn't have any more and a tantrum quickly followed. I decided it was a good time to take a shower for the day, since it was about 4:30...
Anyway, I shut the door and hoped that he would forget about it. He screamed for at least 5 minutes and then it got quiet. I thought he'd given up. I got out of the shower and heard a cute little snore coming from the other side of the door. Yep, he'd fallen asleep right there on the floor. This kid can fall asleep anywhere when he's tired...

Anyway, today was one of those "bad mom" days. Don't try to comment and tell me I'm a good mom- I don't want any sympathy. And I know there's some other bad moms out there today too. Maybe I'll play with them tomorrow...

making progress...

I finally made it to my 3rd trimester! I'm hoping with the holidays coming, it will fly by. The first pic is a shot at 16 weeks (hardly a bump) and the 2nd is from today, at 28 weeks. I thought the contrast is fun to look at - it's hard to believe I've gained 30 lbs. already. Oh well, I don't care...