we survived

Halloween was a success.  We went to a couple different parties and Emma went actual trick-or-treating (not trunk-or-treating) for the first time!  She loved every second of it!  I'm glad we went with some friends who had girls a year older so they could show her how it was done.  The only drawbacks to trick-or-treating where we went were the cold weather (who likes putting a coat over a costume?) and the fact that the houses were a little too far apart (modified bed rest?)!  Despite those, Emma ran from house to house to house to house...it was ridiculous trying to keep up with her.  After 30 minutes and a couple intense contractions, baby girl won out over Emma and we headed to our next party.  Not knowing any different, Emma felt like her candy stash was HUGE!  Since we weren't home to hand out the Sams Club-size bag of candy, we've got Emma covered until Christmas!  :)

Emma was also the best dressed, which completely surprised me...since other moms actually like Halloween!  Here's our little Rapunzel.  Complete with her "Ryder", otherwise known as a frying pan.  :)

Overcoming Hatred

I hate Halloween.  Got it from my mom.  I hate it so much that it doesn't count as a holiday in my book.  I didn't realize how much it would affect Emma until she came home from her friend's house and wondered where our Halloween decorations were and asked what she was going to be for Halloween.  Seriously?  I was tempted to tell her how lame of a holiday it really was.  But, I refrained.  Instead, I told her that we haven't put Halloween decorations up yet (and aren't planning on it), but we'll do it sometime soon (because you'll also forget all about it soon).  I then convinced her that she can be Rapunzel for Halloween (since she already had the dress).  She'd forget about Halloween soon enough.

Wrong.

We were at the library when Emma brought me a book about Halloween. I read it to her and she was fascinated.  "What's a jack-o-lantern?"  "Look, other kids dress up too!"  "Hey mom, what's that white thing with the frowny face?"

I was then forced to realize that Emma has yet one more thing in common with Ammon: Ammon likes Halloween.

Fine.

When we got home from the library, we pulled out our construction paper, and Emma helped me glue together reminders of what I don't like about Halloween.  We put these reminders all over the house.

Emma loved it.

Next up?  Paying too much for a vegetable that will not be eaten just so we can enjoy another ridiculous tradition for the worst holiday ever.  BUT, it's super cute to see Emma so happy and excited about something, so I'll put my Halloween issues aside to appease my two Halloween monsters.

Like mother, like daughter

So I just blogged about how I have to learn things the hard way. Emma (even though she doesn't really learn from her mistakes) also has to do everything the hard way.

2 months ago, she shoved 2 little hair clips for her little princess doll in her nose. Yes, 2 in one nostril. We got the first one out at home using tweezers. We couldn't reach the second. She went to urgent care. After several attempts at tweezers and other medical equipment, the final solution was to have Ammon plug the open nostril and blow into her mouth. Luckily, it came out (with a lot of blood). She was completely traumatized. For weeks, we went over and over how we don't put things into our nose, mouth, or ears.

Tonight, while Ammon was at Priesthood session, we were video-playing with Gramma. Emma was playing with similar doll toys (which say 3+ on the box). I saw her put something in her mouth out of the corner of my eye. I told her not to put toys in her mouth. She looks at me, gags, then starts crying and points in her mouth. SERIOUSLY, CHILD?

Calmly (which is so unlike me), I try the heimlich (she's breathing fine, so that doesn't work), I try sticking my finger down her throat to gag her several times to induce vomiting. Nothing works. So, I just gave her some water and held her while she whines as it goes down. We talk about how we don't put anything in our mouths. She's embarrassed and sorry. Lesson learned, right?

NOPE! 3 minutes later, she walks up to me and spits the exact same type of toy out on my lap (the picture is a toy similar to the one in her stomach...the nickel is for size reference).

THAT'S IT! All 3+ toys are going in the trash! My 3-year-old is only allowed to have 1+ toys from now on!

There's a reason the Lord hasn't trusted me with 2 yet...lesson learned!

Remember when...

...13 months ago I went off birth control and got pregnant? My due date was May 31. Then I miscarried. Then I waited a cycle. Then I got pregnant again. My due date was September 2 (then it was moved back to September 10). Then I miscarried and waited a cycle. Then I got pregnant again. My due date was December 7. Then at 7 weeks, the ultrasound tech said it was looking small. Then my due date was December 22nd, and I was mad because I didn't want a Christmas baby.

Then remember from 7 to 16 weeks the doctor was worried that my rh antibodies were too high and all I was worried about was that my baby would be deformed.

Then remember at 16 weeks the antibody level suddenly dropped? Then at 20 weeks we saw that SHE was perfectly healthy, ginormous, and super active. Then remember how all I was worried about was repeating my last delivery (having a baby 9 pound baby, having the cord wrapped around her neck 3 times, and getting 36 stitches)?

Then at 25 weeks (on September 10) I went into labor and was worried about being life-flighted, having a 2 pound baby, and living apart from Ammon for 3 months while she was in the NICU. Then remember how I was put on temporary modified bedrest? Then I realized how I simply don't do bedrest.

Then remember at 26 weeks I had a few hours of contractions that were stronger and getting closer together, but not as painful as the week before?

Then remember at 27 weeks I had a doctor appointment, and because of the week before's incident, I had to remain on "temporary" modified bedrest. Then the next day I had a few hours of contractions that were stronger and getting closer together, but not as painful as 2 weeks before?

Then remember how I had a meltdown? What on earth happened to my plan?? Every time I tried to set up a new plan, it was thrown under the bus!

Then I went to the Relief Society broadcast and I realized that even though I've had this terrible trial for over a year now, at least I'm still pregnant. At least if she decided to come and they couldn't stop it, she would be alive with a 70% chance of complete recovery. At least my amazing ward would help out again in bringing meals and watching Emma every day. At least I already have a precious little girl who is perfect in every way. At least I have an amazing husband who loves me and supports all I do. At least I know that because I was sealed in the temple, I can live with my family (including all my children that my imperfect body is rejecting) for eternity!

Remember when--instead of having faith the first time--I have to learn everything the hard way? Ugh...I remember!

So here's my new plan: I'm going to be happy now...no matter how destroyed my plans A, B, C, D, and E are.