Last week for Family Home Evening, we started a new tradition for our family. It was something that Chris’ family did while he was growing up called “The Best.” One person in the family was picked to be “The Best” and everyone else got to say why they thought that person was the best. We started with Misha (although that certainly miffed Amy to not be chosen first) and we talked about her beautiful smile and happy personality. Amy grudgingly came up with something–she can certainly have an attitude at times. The person who is “The Best” also gets to pick out a treat from the candy jar. This week for FHE, Amy got to be “The Best” and was obviously much happier about life. Hopefully, though, both girls will learn that it is important to give praise and say nice things about family members and others as well.
Following our first “The Best” session, we talked with the girls about having a new baby in our house. I brought one of their dolls along with a diaper, blanket, burp cloth, undershirt and pajamas to “practice” on. Both Misha and Amy were able to dress the doll, starting with putting the diaper on complete to wrapping her up in a blanket. Since Misha really hasn’t been around babies, and it has been awhile for Amy, we talked about holding a baby and making sure the head and neck were supported, to burping, to how the baby eats, etc. I knew Misha really didn’t have a concept that a baby gets its food from the mommy, so we talked about nursing. She ended up calling me a walking bottle. It was fun to see their excitement and how well they paid attention. In a few weeks, we’ll set up the cradle together.
I would like to be able to have the baby’s room ready when she is born, but as it is still Chris’ office, that’ll have to wait. He will be moving to the basement, but was hoping to wait until it was warmer weather. We will be painting the room this weekend though, which is always quite a project.
We also wanted to go away for one more short vacation with the girls before all of our lives changed so much. The Trendwest resort that Chris’ parents are part of, now have accommodations in Estes Park (about 40 minutes away), which is ideal. We booked a room for this coming Sunday and Monday night and plan to come back home in time to drop Amy off at school and let Chris get to work for the day.
Misha was jumping on the couch the other night (which she isn’t really supposed to do) and Chris asked, “Where did you get all your jumps?” Without hesitation, she quickly responded, “From the jump factory.” Anytime they ask a question on how do you make this, or how do you make that and I don’t know the answer, I tell them that there is a special factory where it is made.
We had planned a special family date for last weekend with dinner at Olive Garden and attending a BYU Young Ambassador’s performance in Denver. The girls were excited to go and we left a little early to stop at a few stores along the way. Misha complained a couple of times that she wasn’t feeling well and that her head hurt. We tried to get her to rest thinking that she was simply overtired from not taking a nap. As we arrived at Olive Garden, Misha still complained that she wasn’t feeling good. I was just in the process of sitting down and reaching to pick her up to hold her when she threw up all over. She got it mostly on the floor, but managed also to get my sweater and shoes, Amy’s jacket, socks and shoes, her own jacket and entire outfit. She would have to get all of our jackets on a rather brisk evening. And then she threw up again. I felt sorry for the people sitting right in front of her because it wasn’t a pretty sight. Chris was in the bathroom and taking his sweet time, so I finally grabbed both girls, our jackets and headed to the bathroom. The staff said they would take care of the mess for us. By the time Chris came out of the bathroom, the mess was cleaned up, and he thought that we were already seated.
Meanwhile, Misha was looking pathetic and was completely dirty. I sent Amy out to find Chris in the lobby. We headed to the car thinking that we just get new clothes and continue on with our evening since Misha kept saying she felt better. WE should have known better. There was an Old Navy right close to Olive Garden, so we headed over there, and found a new outfit for Misha, a jacket and socks for Amy in the 75% off section and got out of there for $20. Misha says she got her new socks from Old Ladies. We headed back to Olive Garden where I changed Misha and walked out of the bathroom looking fairly presentable.
We probably should have just gone home, but we were past downtown Denver and both girls were looking forward to the evening. Plus we had already spent $40 on the BYU Young Ambassador tickets. Misha ate plain breadsticks and some noodles and acted fine. The concert started at 7:30 and we arrived at 7 to get seats. Misha was up and about but complained about not feeling well every so often. We figured too that it was her bedtime and she was really tired by this time. About 30 minutes into the first half of the performance, Misha fell asleep on Chris’ lap. Amy was enjoying herself immensely. The Young Ambassadors are a singing and dancing troupe and Amy was enthralled. To make Misha more comfortable, I laid her on the floor on Chris’ leather jacket and the two new jackets we had purchased for Amy and her at Old Navy. She probably slept for an hour, but suddenly halfway through the second hour, she turned to her side and started throwing up again. We had brought a small plastic bag just for such an emergency, but she didn’t want anything to do with it and kept pushing it away. Oh the stink. Chris hurriedly moved his leather jacket out of the way, but the new jackets were covered. We tried to clean up the mess as best we could, but I felt bad for the people who had to sit through the rest of the performance smelling her barf.
I carried Misha to the bathroom to clean her off as best as possible. Her new outfit was covered, but at least the rest of us weren’t thrown up on. We informed the staff at the theatre what had happened so they could go in later and do a more thorough cleaning and carried poor Misha to the van. Fortunately it wasn’t too far away. She was freezing since her jacket was soiled, and I tried to cuddle her as much as possible without getting puke on me. I had jammies in the car for both girls. We changed them and were then quickly on our way. Misha slept most of the way home but was coughing a lot. Every time she coughed I was ready to jump into the back and push another plastic bag in her face to catch the puke. I was simply praying that we would make it home without her puking in the van.
We made it. I put together a bed in the guest room on the floor for Misha so I could sleep in there and keep an eye on her for the night. Needless to say, I didn’t sleep well and woke to every cough or sound of her rolling over. I guess I shouldn’t really complain too much about that since I don’t have very restful sleeps right now anyhow.
After making bad decisions not to go home after she threw up at Olive Garden and then taking her to the concert, we decided to be smart and keep her home from church. I was teaching in Relief Society so I needed to be there but truthfully felt rather awful. Misha didn’t throw up again which was a relief, but our previous evening quickly turned into one of those we’ll always remember without fondness.
I am certainly ready not to be pregnant anymore. What with the lack of sleep, aches and pains, and general uncomfortableness, I have lost my enthusiasm for pregnancy. I know that is normal and has happened with each pregnancy, but I am looking forward to being done. Except for crib and cradle, I think I am ready to bring a baby home. We spent over $100 on diapers and wipes last weekend (they were on sale and we figured we would need them at some point). The baby clothes, blankets, bibs and socks are washed and ready to go. The curtains are 80% finished--I am waiting on some lace to come in at Walmart to finish the other half of the valance. I have a few things ready for a hospital bag, just in case. I felt impressed that I needed to be ready to go, but that is also my nature to be prepared.
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