Ok, so it’s been almost a year since I wrote anything on this poor blog… so sad! I wish I could blame it on being so busy (which I was) or because I had so much to say (which I did). But that’s not why I haven’t posted. But as I sit here in our new home (yes, we moved in the last 2 weeks) in the quiet of the morning (everyone just left for Riley’s occupational therapy appointment) and wait for my last doctor’s appointment before our new little boy is going to be born (uh, yes I guess we’ve had a few changes around here) I thought I would at least try to put some of my thoughts down.
It was a crazy school year (crazier still that school starts back for Riley on Monday). We spent much of it trying to get Riley the help he need. He has some fine motor delay and it turned out a slight vision problem. It took the whole school year! However, finally got him to a pediatric optimologist (a really eye doctor). As slight of a prescription as it it, it has made a world of difference for Riley. He has a ton of trouble tracking lines on a page, and everything has a small shadow that jumps around on him. This causes eye strain. The doctor said that this may be what causes some of the wiggles and inability to focus in school. He is under all this strain and it has to go somewhere (like the earth and an earthquake). Of course, we didn’t get these new glasses until the end of May. He’s also been seeing a occupational therapist once a week. She is helping him learn how to recognize when he’s out of control, how to relive some of the strain, and how to organize his body to be ready to learn. It seems to be helping. Still can’t read his handwriting. But we did get some accommodations put in place for the next school that should help. We are supposed to meet his new teacher on Friday. She seems really nice and sweet.
Emma went to preschool last year and had a blast! She is amazing. We are working on sight words right now! We also decided not to have her start kindergarten this year. The reasons were two fold: first, her birthday is 4 days from the cut off, so she would be the youngest kid in her class; and second the idea of a new born and a kindergartener sent me into a tail spin. I have gotten her into an amazing pre-k a friend of mine is running. The gal has been teaching kindergarten and 1st grade for the last 10 years. I’m so excited for Emma. I know she is going to do amazing things.
Beka is growing and changing everyday. She is such a talker and a joker! We really thought that she might be potty trained by the end of the summer, but with the move and all the things changing in her life she has decided that this is just not the right time. When we moved into this wonderful new home (so much bigger with a great back yard) she was finally moved out of the crib. Beka and Emma now share a bedroom. Not sure how Beka likes this (she likes her room nice and tidy, and Emma is a bit of a slob). She also grow during the move, so I moved all her clothes out and put the 3T sizes in… and she had to change dressers. She’s been really good about all the changes. The first couple of nights were a bit hard to get her to stay in bed, but now she really seems to enjoy her big girl bed.
The day after Christmas, we found out another little one was going to be joining our family. It was a wonderful late Christmas gift. We had been trying for about 6 months. I felt pretty good for about 2 weeks and then the morning sickness hit and the exhaustion. I really believe that I forget how bone tired I get the first trimester. It was bad. After the first couple of months, the exhaustion eased a little. However, I am still getting sick every day. I’m really looking forward to that ending. Pregnancy also puts me into a dark place, which ends the moment the baby is delivered. I can’t wait to feel that relief! It’s been a hard couple of months, knowing how I am seeing things may be skewed. But, we are almost there. For better or worse the little one will be here no later than August 29! By the way, it’s a boy! Riley was SO excited!!! He had been praying for a brother.
I can’t believe that I’ve been able to carry this baby so long. There haven’t been any real scares like with the girls. I’m in my 38 week! We have been so blessed!
Now back to the move:
Allen and I have been looking for a bigger home for about a year and half. We had specific things in mind. We really wanted to stay in the ward, keep Riley in the school, a finished backyard (not one filled with rocks), 4 bedrooms, and it had to fit our budget. Well, our ward boundary is super small. Like I could walk the whole thing in less than hour. And finding a 4 bedroom home in our price range was tricky. I had given up finding a place before little dude came. But, Allen found one in July. It was perfect! It had everything and then some on our list. But I was 34 weeks along, and couldn’t see my feet let alone pack much. I could lift any boxes, no balance. Our ward jumped in! The Relief Society came in everyday and packed up the house. It was amazing! And humbling. I’ve never been on this end of the service before. I was truly humbled by the love and generosity of the sister. Then on the day of the move, the ward and some of our friends and family had our whole house moved in a matter of a couple of hours. Crazy.
I have been so blessed this year, and even if I’ve been in a dark place I know that my Heavenly Father has taken care of me. I am so scared and excited to meet our new little son.
So, here’s to a new school year! May it be filled with learning and growth. May we be strengthen and find friendship. And may I find the energy to at least post once a month :) And I promise, the next post will have tons of pictures! But here’s one from Riley’s birthday :)
