The last few days of this pregnancy have been so much better. I can't tell how much of it comes from an attitude adjustment after this last fabulous General Conference or how much of it is relief from the sickness. I have only vomited once or twice this entire week, which is a record so far, but I have also finally learned the right schedule for taking the pills and have been consistent about remembering to take them. Either way, I am welcoming the relief.
Today I have been able to keep the house pretty clean and even get out our Halloween/Fall decorations. Yesterday I made an outing to the doctors with MaKenzie and ate lunch with Garrett at the school AND I vacuumed! It's funny what you take for granted when you are healthy. I was seriously so grateful to just be able to run the vacuum without throwing up after.
The biggest change that conference has brought is that of having an attitude of gratitude. While I'm still no pro, when I wake in the middle of the night and totally sick I find it so helpful to count my blessings and realize that things could be so much worse; and low and behold I feel strength to keep going with a smile. I've also realized what a difference my attitude makes for Kenzie and Garrett. When I walk around glum and sick rather than trying to smile and be happy, there is a big difference in our home. I may feel like crap, but I don't have to always show it. I can see the relief on Garrett's face when he comes though the door to a smiling wife rather than one that is curled up on the couch looking pale and miserable.
MaKenzie is growing so big. I just can't believe how fast time is going. I was find of giggling to myself yesterday because on all the errands we went on people were saying "Wow, what a cute big girl!" and I'm thinking, no, she's still my baby! But no, she is walking (more like running) everywhere and she definitely has developed her own little personality. She knows what she wants and she can be pretty aggressive if she doesn't get it. I'm also surprised at how confident she is. She has no problem telling people no if she doesn't want them to hold her or come near her. She doesn't toddle shyly to me or Garrett, she just looks them in the eye and says no. She's getting really brave at getting out of mine and Garrett's eyesight as well. Most the time she thinks its funny to see how far she can get from us before we chase her down. She's still my baby in many ways though. This weekend is Fleet Week so there is are two shows of the Blue Angels right down the street from our place in the bay. (You can see them perfectly from our roof and it is REALLY something to see!) Anyway, a bunch of airplanes have been practicing the past few days and it is so loud when they fly over the house that the house will start shaking sometimes. Kenzie is NOT a fan of the rumbles - needless to say, nap time has been a nightmare. Every time she hears them pass she shrieks and runs to me. If anyone says the word airplane now she comes to cuddle with daddy or me. I can't even express how much I love watching her grow and learn.
I never knew a toddler took SO much energy. She is everywhere and into everything all at once. She climbs, runs, and goes over (never around) everything. I have to admit that it is exhausting at the end of most days. It can be hard to be patient and happy with a determined and wired toddler all day. All I can say is I don't know how single moms do it. If it weren't for the few minutes of relief that Garrett can offer me when he comes through the door energized and ready to play, I don't know what I would do. Garrett is such a fabulous father. He always gets down on his hands and knees to play with her and always patiently lets her "help" him with the tasks that he is doing. (She loves doing dishes with daddy, he gives her the silverware to put in the dishwasher and she rearranges them in every way imaginable.)
Anyway, life is beautiful. The blessings way out measure the trials and our family is happy to just be together . . . forever.
