Quiet Life

Ezra and I have been pretty hobbit-ish of late.  In an effort to keep our germs to ourselves, and not get exposed to anything new, we stay home most days.  Books are our chief entertainment, and I am so grateful Ezra has an insatiable appetite for reading.  The little guy has interesting taste for a 16-month old.  His two favorites are The Pout-Pout Fish and Weslandia.  
 The latter is a picture book meant for probably third or fourth graders and tells the tale of Wesley, a nerdy, creative genius who determines to cultivate his own staple crop and establish his own civilization as a summer enrichment project.  I have to wonder what Ezra is soaking up for future reference.  He does love to play in the dirt... 

p.s.--Wikipedia encyclopedia entry describes some of the author's deeper social critiques underlying the basic plot.  Interested readers? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weslandia

Learning to See

My youth Sunday School lesson for this coming Sunday addresses the question, "How can I learn to see Heavenly Father's hand in all things?"  It has been an interesting thing to consider.  As I reflect on past experiences I can cite dozens of examples of seeing Heavenly Father work in my life; I certainly have a testimony that He is most intimately aware of me.  Considering that question this week has been a blessing, and a needed shift in perspective.

After a nasty weekend of sickness, and a Monday morning doctor visit, Ezra got his diagnosis: bronchitis and an ear infection in both ears.  He (we) have been pretty miserable.  He hasn't eaten much of anything since Saturday.  Keeping fluids in him is a challenge.  He sleeps lousy, and everything hurts.  Administering his medicine(s) is painful.  He needs breathing treatments via a nebulizer multiple times a day.  It all adds up to no fun.

And then, I learn (and it's still in progress!) to see Heavenly Father's hand in all things.  I see, for example, how my health has made small improvements, such that I actually have mental and emotional energy to care for a sick boy.  I am still throwing up, but it is usually after Ezra has gone to bed, and I see how timing has been a blessing.  I see how my prayers were answered in getting a doctor's appointment at our very popular/very busy pediatrician's office with our doctor, early on the day we needed it.  I see prayers answered that Ezra will just sleep through the night, or that he will drink his juice.  I see the blessing of good medical insurance.  I see the blessing of Bear, Ezra's comfort item, who has been a great help this last week.  I see the gift of priesthood blessings.

As an additional bonus blessing, our little orchid is blooming and giving its sweet fragrance this week.  There are three perfect blooms, and I smile to think of Heavenly Father's hand quietly working to bring a little extra cheer to each member of our family.     

And, my other news...

Yesterday, a doctor visit confirmed that I am pregnant!  I was making a very similar post almost two years ago, which means that new baby will be almost exactly two years younger than Ezra.  My due date is August 2.

The other story of my lack of blog posts is the result of first trimester nausea in the extreme.  It hit me in the face in early December much more intensely than with Ezra.  I was pretty low-functioning for the greater part of December.  Just before our trip to Utah for Christmas, I ended up in the ER on account of my inability to keep anything in, even water, for a three day period.  It was a struggle to just breathe in and out for a time, but enough of that.

The good news is, Thanksgiving was early, so I was done with all my Christmas shopping before December even started.  I had a few good days early in the month for some small outings, including helping at Teancum's birthday party.  Dallin is an angel.  Seriously, I can't do this without an angel husband, and I have one of the best.  He was mom and dad, baby entertainer, and had cook-and-clean-up duty for most of the month.  The other huge blessing was going to Utah at the peak of the yuckies.  My mom took care of me and my family.  They actually had regular, good-tasting meals, and entertainment!  What a blessing!

This little baby has some serious tenacity and staying power considering all we have been through!  Doctor says all is well and growth is on-track.  It is exciting and difficult all at the same time, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

In Review

A whole month has gone by since that last post!  Eek!  I am playing catch-up for the month of December and Christmas, which is a very sad way to document one of the best times of the year, but it is what it is.

In early December we set up Christmas lights inside and out of the house and Ezra was entranced.  The entire cul-de-sac also had outdoor lights.  The best displays on the street were done by our two closest neighbors, so Ezra had great eye candy out the front windows at night.

Most of the time Ezra just admired the tree...

...until he discovered that pretty lights are good for wearing!

Dowtown Golden hosts a "Candlelight Christmas" every year, a free event featuring candlelight caroling down Main Street, a terrific lights display, performing groups, and hot cider.  We braved the crowds and really enjoyed ourselves.

 As members of the Denver Botanic Garden, we also got free tickets to the "Blossoms of Light" garden lights display, boasting over a million lights.  There were a number of strategically located mistletoe balls for kissing opportunities; we took advantage of at least four such opportunities!

After a couple one-two punch rounds of the sickies, we pulled ourselves together in late December and flew to Salt Lake City for a much anticipated vacation with my family.

The traditional Christmas Eve sibling/spouse/friend couch picture.

Cute parents, and patient hosts of eleven busy (needy) people, including two full-of-energy toddlers.

Cousins dressed up in Christmas Sunday best (clothes from Grandma).  Fruit snacks kept them still.

On Christmas Day we all bundled up, and went out to play in the snow for awhile.