SUMMER INTERNSHIP

So I don't know if any of you remember any of my mentionings (complainings) of Phil interviewing for summer internships the last few months...but I'm happy and grateful to say the three month process of applications, interviews, fly-backs and everything that entails is over and that we received and accepted an offer to:



in:
NEW YORK! NEEEW YOOOORK!


I know, I know. Fits me and my big city ways perfectly, but we all know it was only a matter of time before I ended up in the Big Apple.

Or more so, the reality being that is the last place I ever thought I'd live...even if it's just for 12 weeks :) In the very least it should make for some great blog-fodder. Now if any of you have any tips on how to get my big city girl on, let me know. (I'm already doing pretty well with the "big" part, but the "city" part needs some serious help.

LEARNING TO PRAY

So Ryder is at the stage where he can say prayers himself with some help (one of us telling him what to say). Well, it's been a delightful surprise these last couple of weeks to see him start chiming in a few things on his own. I don't think Phil has had a prouder moment as a father than when the other night Ryder told Heavenly Father thank you for boogers and football games.

ADVICE PLEASE

Two is the magic number! It's the number of weeks exactly before my induction date and it's the number of centimeters I am dilated! TMI? (I'm just so excited about that because the farthest I ever got with Ryder, on my own, 10 days past my due date, was a 1..."maybe a 1.5", said my dr.)

Anyhow, with time running out, I'm still feeling so unprepared in so many ways, so I was hoping to pick your brains for some advice. Specifically, in regards to bringing a second child home. Ryder knows about her as much as he can understand. We plan on having a low-key, play-it-by-ear holiday, and as a special bonus, since I'll mostly likely be having her 2 days after Phil's finals I will have his help for two weeks.

So, do any of you have ideas about how to help Ryder with the adjustment and different ways to include him? And advice in how to manage two at a time? Any tips on getting a good routine going? I love a good routine. Please share your wisdoms!

COOL BABY PRODUCTS

With our baby girl's due date quickly approaching, I feel like I'm rather unprepared. I sit there and think of the things I need and I can't come up with anything, but I'm still left with that "you forgot something" feeling. I feel like with your first baby you have to get everything so your list becomes long, yet very simple. But with the second you figure you have everything you need and so it makes it really easy to think your good to go and forget some things that a) didn't last thru Ryder b) I didn't need with one child that I need with two and c) apply to girls that don't apply to boys.

You see, it makes the shopping list for the 2nd child much more complicated than the first.

So instead of worrying my little head about things I need, I like to concentrate on the wants...like the curtains I want to put in her room (I've become a little obsessed with her room, updates to come later) or this diaper bag and ingenious diaper changing kit. Both are from Kalencom:

I become very critical about the necessity to combine practicality and cuteness in any bag, but especially a diaper bag. Why I love this one:



-It has a laminated cover so I can wipe it clean
-It comes with a laminated and matching bottle/sippy holder, pouch and changing pad
-It comes in multiple designs,patterns and colors

I have also been on a long lost search for the perfect diaper/wipes/changing pad holder. I've even considered making my own, thinking I could do a better job. Not with this puppy. Why I love this one:



-It has the same "wipe-clean" surface with multiple designs and patterns
-It can fit in a regular purse or bag when you grow out of a diaper bag
-I wish it showed you how it unfolded, because that's what I love. After you undo the pad a pocket for the wipes and dipes fold out. It's so cool!

PHASE: GESTATION

Explanation: I had to call this phase I'm going thru right now "Gestation" because, well, there is no other word to describe the last leg of pregnancy. It is currently effecting every aspect of my life.

Cons:
I'd rather stare at a toy/piece of garbage for an hour willing it to disappear rather than bending over and picking it up.

I'm becoming more limited to what I can wear. It's quite tiring to get ready for the day and I yearn for the time to wear normal clothes and fun accessories. And well, as far as accessories go, I've just got one really big one that if I choose to adorn myself with anything else, it just seems like too much.

It takes me twice as long as usual to do normal daily tasks

I can't stand up without my pants falling down and my shirt riding up. I'm sure there has been more than one time that has gone beyond my noticed where I've been walking around in public in a completely inappropriate fashion.

My face starts taking the shape of a circle.

I think I might have to finish this later so I can go take a nap



Pros:

I love feeling her move

I love getting ready for her arrival

I love when Ryder gives the baby hugs or kisses

I love eating and not feeling any sort of guilt whatsoever

EVERYTHING IS A PHASE

I have been wanting to write a post about this for awhile now...

I've been thinking a lot about "phases" lately. I believe one the of the best pieces of advice to a new mother confused, worried, elated about their child's actions is, "Everything is a phase". After being a mom for a short period of 2 years, I have found this to be very true. There is an end to sleepless nights, just as there is an end to immobility, innocence, and drool. Whether good or bad...everything is a phase.

However, I don't think this piece of wisdom should be limited to children. Nor should it be limited to just children and mothers, but I believe it's quite applicable to anyone living and striving for happiness.

I have been a person who has always had a difficult time with two things:
1)adapting to change
2)living in the moment
And lately I have found myself repeating, "everything is phase" in regard to my personal adult situation, actions and surroundings as opposed to my child's. And I find it comforting and helpful with these two issues. I find it helps me to a) realize--whether good or bad--it's not going to last forever, and b) that I better enjoy all the good parts within each phase before they're gone.



So my point: I feel like my life right now is one big change after another and I think it would be fun to narrate my reaction to these changes through phases. Here are my ground rules.

1. My current phase can be called whatever I want it to be called.
2. I can totally overlap on phases. I mean I figure I'm going through at least five at any one time anyhow.
3. Phases can repeat themselves.
4. I do not control how long the phase lasts (or maybe I do...hmmm)
5. I do not plan on being very serious through this process, but hope I will come upon some valuable and helpful thoughts.



Finally, I thought before I started posting about phases, I thought it would be helpful to remind myself of my constants:

1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ
2. I am sealed to my family for eternity
3. My Savior loves me and understands me
4. Phil
5. Ryder

...or maybe I just need to list my constants all the time :)

MY LITTLE MAN

(Ryder a couple of weeks ago right before getting his haircut)

So Phil has been in New York City the last two weekends interviewing for summer internships. The first weekend was fine, but being almost 8 months pregnant and trying to be a fun and entertaining mom to a two-year-old was a little tiresome. So as you can imagine, I was very excited about my plans this weekend to head up to Tremonton after dropping Phil off at the airport.

However, as fate would have it, the night before Phil left my jaw started hurting. Thinking I had some random tooth ache, I tried to ignore it and plowed through cub scouts and helping Phil get ready for his trip. As the pain intensified and spread I knew things weren't looking good. I went to bed early and woke up at 2 a.m. never really being able to fall asleep again because of the pain. I knew I had to get an antibiotic which = coming back home instead of going to my parents.

So I went to the doctor. My ear didn't look that bad so she diagnosed me with a sinus infection. She prescribed me an antibiotic and asked if I wanted Loratab since I had told her Tylenol wasn't doing anything. Never really a fan of using narcotics, I said "nah, I'll tough it out until the antibiotic kicks in".

Great, I got what I needed and I figured I could go to Tremonton after Ryder and I had a nap. But a slew of bad luck ensued. The pain worsened (which meant no nap for me) three pharmacy visits (I decided in the end I wasn't too good for the Loratab if I ever wanted to sleep), a dying cell phone and a snow storm I knew I needed to stay home. (I know what you're thinking, "a silly sinus infection". But I tell ya, I get these waves of pain that I'd easily rank an 8-9 on the frowny face pain scale. I mean I could still feel it as strong as ever on the Loratab people! I don't know if it's because I'm pregnant or what, but it's weird, painfully weird. Any of you ever experienced a rather painful sinus infection?)

Being sleep deprived and pregnant and in pain, my cute little boy saw me cry way more than he ought to have yesterday. But I am so grateful for his sweetness this weekend. We have obviously been very laid back, but he has been on his best behavior. And that in addition to his little acts of sensitivity have broken my heart over and over.
My favorites:
-waking me up by crawling on my bed and saying, "mommy? Hug?" followed by a much needed round of hugs and kisses
-asking for "kayafus issook? kayafus issook?" (Christmas music?) while we ate our mac and cheese for dinner
-holding my face and patting my cheeks with both little hands while asking "mommy, awight? mommy awaight? (Mommy, alright?)

Today has been a much better day. Ryder and I have had quite a bit of fun not leaving the house and doing whatever we wanted all day and I'd like to think I'm feeling a little bit better. I'd even go as far as to say with everything that happened, this weekend (excluding yesterday) was still better than last.