I'm so glad January is almost Over!

I would have to say that January is one of my least favorite months.  The holidays are over, it's usually bleak and cold outside, taxes must be done, and school starts again.  I really dislike January, however, February is a great month.  I mean Valentine's Day is where it's at.  Jacob has already asked my mom if she could have a sleep over that night with max at her house so he and I can stay out late and enjoy sleeping in the day after, even though we usually sleep in until 8 30 on Saturdays and Sundays.  Max likes just chillin in his crib and playing with his blankets and he stays really quiet, until I here him giggling and saying, "MOMMY...giggle giggle....MOMMY"!!  That sound of him calling me by my title will never leave my memory.

I know all of this is going to change real soon.  It's time to begin potty training and to move Max over to a toddler bed.  I think both are going to be huge adjustments for him, but I'm starting to think we should move him into a bed before we move him off the diapers.  I just don't think he grasps the whole potty thing and being the stubborn child that he is, I fear that he will dislike it and not take to it even more if I do it before he completely understands its, but he's definitely going to be potty trained before the end of the summer, for specific reasons. I'm trying to take it one step at a time.  My recent goal has been to not let him drink too much before bed or take his sippy to bed with him, even if it is water.  I want his bladder to adjust to not just going in his pants as much during naps and in the middle of the night.  Besides it's a comfort thing, there is no way that he is that thirsty.

So far being pregnant again has been great.  This time a round, I'm not working nor am I in school so I have a lot of time to nap, while Max is napping.  I didn't get any morning sickness, but my hormones have been a little more crazy this time, insinuating to me that of course the baby is going to be a girl.  But who can really know that for sure.  I'm almost convinced it's going to be a girl, we need more girls on my side of the family, because so far we only have boys.  Last week we went up to the outlet mall because Jake found a pair of pants up there that he really liked and I wanted him to get a couple more pairs.  I learned real quick that if you can ever find pants that fit Jake where his butt isn't hanging out all the time, but maybe just 80% of the time you have a winner.  So we stocked up. But Jake is smart enough to never let me go up there by myself because I find way too many deals.  There weren't a lot of sales going on but I found a cute little Halloween onesie for a girl for .80 and another little girl onesie with long sleeves for 2.00 at Baby Gap.  I couldn't pass up those deals and if we have a boy then we are only out $3.50.  I guess we won't know for another 5 weeks what the sex will be, but I can tell Jake really wants to know.  He's willing to go to one of those places that takes the creepy 3D image pictures to find out, but I think we should just wait.  I'm definitely prepared to take this pregnancy one step at a time.

I went and met my doctor a few weeks ago.  I wanted to go to an OBGYN this pregnancy instead of a Fam practitioner.  Mostly because I was high risk with Max and had to go to all these extra doctors appointments because a family practitioner wasn't prepared for my condition.  Going to my new doc will cut my time at the hospital down a lot if I get sick again.  Unfortunately, at my first appointment I waited almost an hour after my appointment time began to see her.  It was crazy.  I found out that she is in high demand and also is the director of the whole department so everyone wants to see her, but I got lucky because I found out that she goes to the Madsen Clinic by my house every Monday so I set up my next 2 appointments there.  The clinic is like 5 minutes walking from my house and isn't as crazy as the hospital so Max can come without going crazy and I don't have to worry about annoying hospital parking.

I met with the nurse practitioner my first visit and everything was going well, until they reminded me how awful my last labor and delivery was with Max.  Then she flat out told me I wouldn't be a good candidate for a vaginal delivery this time.  It seems like there are so many different opinions out in the medical field.  But the first thing my doctor asked me when she entered the room was "How many children do you want to have?"  All I thought was I don't know.  I mean our future isn't set in stone and probably won't be for a few more years.  So I just said "Probably no more than four".  That's kind of my standard answer.  How true it is, I don't really know.   She reminded me that the more c-sections I have the more damaging it is to my uterus depending on where the placenta attaches and that's just luck of the draw.  I started imagining a smooth natural delivery when I found out my friend Rachel was going to try for one after having a C-section.  But that thought clearly left my mind when I found out she could never fully dilate and the same problem occurred as last time and then she had to have another c-section.  I don't know what's really going to happen.  Only one thing is for sure.  If I have to be induced again at 37 weeks because I'm too sick to carry this baby full term, than I am having a C-section!  I am not going through all that again.  Hell no. It seems easier for everyone if I had a date set and we just went in and this kid came out surgically, but will it be more difficult for me in the long run?  It's hard to say right now.  I'm just glad that I'm out of the danger zone and that we have a healthy heart beat.  I don't want to think about July or August when this kid is coming out for a little bit longer.

Holiday Time

The holidays have officially ended.  Thanksgiving was really normal this year.  We stayed home and had dinner with my family.  It was always my Dad's favorite holiday so we were all a little emotional, but who wouldn't be. I finished most of my Christmas shopping on Black Friday.  I think the sales are worth it, even if some of them are for me.  I went with my friend Honey to the outlet stores in Park City at about 10 PM thanksgiving night.  If I had gone by myself I probably only would of stayed about 2 hours,  but we were there until 3 AM.  It was totally ridiculous.  Luckily Jake was asleep when I got home so he couldn't make fun of me.  I got Jake a good hiking backpack from the Colombia store for 25$.  I was officially proud of myself.  Then his official Christmas present was tickets to the Neil Diamond concert in July.  I was almost positive that he would love that present and of course he did.

Jake's family arrived last Thursday night and stayed all day Friday.  It was nice to spend Christmas Eve with his family, and then Christmas day with mine.  Max was way excited to see Grandma Barb and Grandpa Ralph.  He kept wanting to sit with them so they could help him read his books.  It was quite funny, considering he hates it when I read to him. We went to Smashburger that night because I really wanted a shake.  But then I found out that they had root beer floats so after we ordered I asked for an exchange, because the shake was already made so they gave it to us for free.  I must say that was the best shake I've ever had. The Brooks were staying at the Marriott so we went and swam at the pool on Thursday night.  Max was really tired so he was a bit grumpy but he had fun and didn't want to leave.  Max got so many presents that I need to make room for them. He got a car port that wines so he can run race cars down it, a wagon with blocks, a few books that came on his birthday and some other toys that are definitely for boys like trains.  On Thursday night everyone went to temple square.  I stayed back, a day of cooking wore me out and I didn't feel like going down town and dealing with all the people.

On Christmas morning we enjoyed some T-ring, opened presents and then went to church.  After a long quiet afternoon we went to my Moms and had a standing rib roast and then opened presents.  I got a Victoria's Secret gift card from my mom and then a couple of activities for Max that he can play with at church and then Nathan got me a Rachel Ray cookbook.  I don't love Rachel Ray, but she has quick recipes and Jake likes her style so it works out.  Jake got a Groupon to some rib place and a sweater.  And Max got more toys and then clothes.  They were a size 3T so they won't fit until next year, but that's totally fine with me.  I love to be prepared.  I went to the Gap 2 days before Christmas and found him a winter coat for next year for $13.  It's a nice thick coat so I couldn't pass it up, then of course I got him a pair of Pjs that had airplanes and helicopters on them.

For New Year's Eve we went up to Pocatello to spend time with Jake's family a little more.  Unfortunately someone left a latter in the middle of the highway and we ran over it and blew out our front tire.  luckily we were close to Tremonten where we were totally ripped off on a tire.  But at least we made it there ten minutes before they closed, or we would have been stuck.  Later that night everyone went swimming at Lava  Hot Springs.  max loved it!  I had to drag him out of the water and he screamed until we got to the Ladies locker room.  I think he has found a new passion, considering he hated the water last summer.  Barb and Erinn made some of Jake's favorite meals, i.e. Mexican bean soup, raspberry muffins, and huckleberry cheesecake.  I was glad to get home early so we could enjoy one final day together before Jake had to go back to work.

The Brooks at Lava Hot Springs

Max loved hanging with Grandma Barb during their visit. 

Of course Mom made the Thanksgiving turkey.  It was delicious.

Jack was overcome by all the festivities.

Max caught me taking pictures of him when he was looking through his book, so he began to pose for me. 

Max was fascinated with the bird we got for Grandma Mary for Christmas.

It finally snowed on January 7th.  So Max and Jake went outside and created this rabid bear.  Which was destroyed a few hours later by some lame kids.  

Max finally understood the concept of opening his own presents this year. 

We went to the zoo lights on Max's birthday.  It was an extremely cold night. 

I'm glad that the holidays are over.  I'm ready to move on and see what 2012 has in store.  2011 was a bit crazy and dramatic.  My biggest accomplishment was finishing school.  I'm so glad that it's over and now I feel like I can focus my energies on doing things with Max I didn't have time for before, and doing some crafty activities that I've always wanted to do.

School is For Fools.

My Graduation Announcement.

GRE Scores

Jake got his GRE results last week.  The test changed this year so you don't just get a flat score anymore.  Instead he got three.  I didn't really know what they meant, but that he did good....like really good.  He deserved it, he studied hard for that stupid thing.  I don't know how well he did, but apparently he did above average, and did better than 77% of other people who take it.  Which sounds like his score would be average, but it's not.  I always have to think back to my Statistics classes and think about a normal distribution.  i thin if i took the GRE I would do awful.  I've never been a test taker.  Testing centers and cumulative tests make me super anxious and it's harder for me to concentrate.

Max is starting to notice letters and he's really become familiar with the letter S.  I think it's quite hilarious.  He's  always trying to find words that have the letter S and he can point to it on the keyboard of the computer.  At least he's beginning to become phonetically aware!

Halloween and Jake's Birthday

Well the past few weekends were a bit hectic.  We celebrated Halloween and I believe that Max was ready to finally put his costume away.  Jake reminded me that next year he would like to pick out Max's costume because too many people thought he looked like a little girl.  A cute little girl of course! We got lots of candy, but to remove the temptation I told Jake to take it to work.  Of course he left it in his car and has been nibbling on it the past few weeks so I yesterday I threw it away.

A dinner for 10.

Max likes his new potty chair.

Grams told me that if I wanted to lose weight I should just stop eating.  Ohh The words of wisdom  from a previous and different generation.  When I asked her if she knew what anorexia was she looked puzzled.

Lemon Chiffon cake!  Yum

When we watch Max's friend Elleyna, he likes to sit at the table with her when she enjoys a snack.   A future gentleman.

Jake's Birthday was quite fun.  We went and got pieces of cake from the bakery by our house (which I got for free cause I had a coupon), and then had Café Rio for dinner.  It was a Tuesday night so there wasn't much we could do.  Max got Jake a toy that was age appropriate for Max, but Jake enjoys giving his presents to those smaller than him.  I gave Jake tickets to the ballet.  One would think that I would want to go or would be begging him to take me, but it was all his idea.  Jake actually enjoys that kind of stuff.  On Saturday night we went out to eat with some of Jake's friends to celebrate.  WE don't really see people too much cause we have become hermits the past few years.  It was nice to be around everyone.  Sometimes I'm worried about getting a bunch of people together that don't really know each other around a dinner table, but it went very well.
On Sunday Laura made Jake a Birthday cake, and Juli bought him a shirt from Old Navy.  Also, Juli completed her tradition of buying some dumb movie from the 5$ bin at Walmart as a present.  This years treat was "Fame".  A classic, but yet Jake will never watch it.  Not only cause of the genre but because it is rated R.  Mom and Jason got Jake Dance Party 2.  We bought a Kinnect for our XBOX a week ago, and I was surprised to see how much Jake enjoyed the demo for Dance Party 1, so we decided to get it.  It's a really good workout, especially after the huge meals that we will be consuming this coming holiday season!

Mid October

This weekend was jam packed and went by way too fast.  During the week Max was upset cause he was having some problems.....well some male problems, and so he and I hung out alone on Friday minus Jack.  When he's angry he takes out all his anger on Jack so it was best that he didn't come over.  On Friday we went to Mom's to work out and then came home to finish cleaning before the Gardiners arrived.  It was Erinn's Birthday so they came down to Salt Lake City to do some shopping, hike the Y, and go to the BYU vs. ISU game.  We went to Red Robin on Friday night ( A Brooks' family favorite) and then walked around temple square.  It was nice to stay a little late, or at least after dark.  Saturday morning Erinn and Patrick left early for Provo.  Jake and I just worked on Homework and Max and I spent all morning playing his little alphabet games on the computer and playing outside.  On Saturday night we went to Nate and Cait's house in Lindon.  Originally we had planned to carve pumpkins, but then we decided not too.  Instead we just decorated cookies and ate pizza.  Max fell off a chair and hit his head so hard, I was worrying he was choking on some food.  I think Erinn had a pretty good birthday, I mean her husband took her shopping and that's always a good plus right?  Erinn and I had both picked out the same costumes for Max and Mya, so we thought it would be funny to dress them up and take pictures.

we dressed them in their Halloween costumes.

This was right after Max fell down and smacked his head on the floor.

We decorated cookies at Nate and Cait's house. 

Max and Mya enjoyed a bath together.  They looked so cute. 

Sunday was nice and relaxing.  We went to church.  I really needed it.  I've been having some frustrations lately and sometimes it's nice to go to church and feel a little closer to the savior. In a conversation that I had with my Bishop, he reminded me that sometimes you just need to be patient and let time heal all your wounds.   My Mom showed up during Sunday School and then she stayed with me during Relief Society.  I'm excited for 6 30 to come because then Jake and I can enjoy the pot roast I prepared at 8 30 this morning.

This was a blog I wrote on Mother's Day but forgot to post....oh well.

My last final was on Tuesday. It was an extremely relaxing week once that was over. I was sad to say good bye to my professor Rosalea. I enjoyed having her and her husband as professors and will miss them. Today is Mother's Day. Sitting in sacrament I was reminded about how excited I was as a missionary on el dia de la madre because we were able to call home. I remember I couldn't get through and was sad the whole night, but I called again the next night and had lots of time to talk to Mom and Dad. Today all the Giometta kids went to sacrament with Mom. It was nice having all of us together.  We took a family picture also(our last one before my Dad died).  Then I went home and fell asleep. My allergies were so bad last night that I couldn't breath through my nose at all. I think I whipped out the nettie pot like 4 times through out the night, but I was so clogged up that hardly anything came out.

Jake took really good care of me for mothers day. He bought me some new tennis shoes, Reebok simply tones. I couldn't believe how much they cost. Yowzers! When I woke up he made me pancakes and cut up strawberries and bananas to top them with! My favorite! Then he catered to me all day. I made dinner though. The idea of doing nothing all day was too boring for me. Last night the Priesthood had a dinner for the ladies of the ward. It was a nice little dinner and Jake even mad his famous sour cream apple pie. Max ran around the gym and tried to escape any chance he could. Max's new thing is trying to ditch us whenever he can so he can do his own thing.

Yesterday was laura's baby shower. She got so many cute little things for baby beauregaurd, or whatever his name will be. I think it's going to be a little girl! It's hard to think that the baby will be here in just a few weeks. Laura and Nathan asked Jake to help them set up the baby crib and drawer set. Jake loves doing that kind of stuff. That's why I think he would have been a great engineer.