It is a fact of life that once you have kids, your body is never the same. A price that, in my mind, is totally worth it. However, this change has come with an unexpected hitch today.
This morning, I woke up with one of my ears needing to pop. So I tilted my head and swallowed, trying to release the pressure in my ear. Instead, the weirdest thing happened. I felt my vertebrae right between my neck and shoulder blades seize up, and it was all I could do to collapse onto the couch and not the hard floor.
Two hours later and I was still on the couch and unable to lift or hold anything (including my kids), and wasn't even able to get up off the couch myself. So we decided to take a drive to the first chiropractor's office that would take us. We ended up half an hour later with me on the chiropractor's table. For those of you who have never visited the chiropractor, it was both a very painful and therapeutic experience. The chiropractor said that because of all the changes in my weight distribution that comes from being pregnant and delivering, and the strain of holding and nursing an infant, my muscles in my back were basically a huge mess, and that was what caused my semi-paralysis today.
So he popped my back, and though I feel better, I am still basically couch-ridden with a cold compress on my back for the next day or so. Poor Chase has been so helpful, as have our neighbors, which we are so grateful for. The hardest part of all of this is explaining to an almost two-year-old that he can't expect his Mommy to behave normally for the next 24 hours. The best part? I am "forced" to sit on the couch and read blogs, watch TV, and take it easy. Hm . . . that's not so bad!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
How we spend our winters
I have to confess that all last year I semi-dreaded this winter. How, I thought, could I possibly entertain an energetic toddler while at the same time trying to protect and care for a newborn? Our little apartment can hardly contain Mckay's boundless energy, and I worried that we would struggle to keep him - and let's be honest - me entertained these cold months.
However, like most things I worry about, it has turned out to be quite fun and adventurous. Here are some things we have been up to.
We have been . . .
. . . Eating our PB & J's daintily with a fork. Mckay is almost too big for his high chair now, but we still like the option of strapping the little guy down;) . . .
. . . Helping Mom in the kitchen by handling all tupperware issues. . .
. . .Chillin' in the swing set. . .
. . . Smiling . . .
. . . Building many towers out of grandma's legos . . .
. . . Celebrating Chase's 26th birthday . . .
. . . watching the Jazz games . . .
. . . getting into Mom's makeup . . .
. . . refining our mini-golf game. . .
. . . and enjoying the many wonderful, mild days of winter.
However, like most things I worry about, it has turned out to be quite fun and adventurous. Here are some things we have been up to.
We have been . . .
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Look Alikes
When Mckay was born, everyone told me that he looked just like Chase, or his Grandpa England. I still have, to this day, only had one person tell me that Mckay looks like me (that's you Rachel!) This doesn't bother me because I agree with this statement. I think Mckay definitely looks like Chase. And then when Logan was born, in spite of his dark hair, the main comment is that he looks just like Mckay! Judge for yourself by these pictures:
This is Mckay when he was about 3 weeks old . . .
And this is Logan. I think they really do look a lot alike! And while I'm on the subject of look-alikes, here is a picture of me when I was about three and here is a more recent photo of Mckay. Take away the dark hair and the awesome '80's clothes, and don't you think that maybe Mckay got some of my genes after all?
This is Mckay when he was about 3 weeks old . . .
And this is Logan. I think they really do look a lot alike! And while I'm on the subject of look-alikes, here is a picture of me when I was about three and here is a more recent photo of Mckay. Take away the dark hair and the awesome '80's clothes, and don't you think that maybe Mckay got some of my genes after all?
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Friday, December 30, 2011
Logan Todd England
I have lots of Christmas things I am planning to blog about, but before I do that, I need to post about the newest member of our family!
Logan Todd England was born January 29, 2011 at about 12:30 p.m. This labor and delivery, unlike Mckay's, was a planned induction. It was nice to get a full night's sleep before, get dressed, showered, and ready, and then calmly drive to the hospital! I was admitted and started on petosin at about 9:00 a.m. For the first two and a half hours or so, things progressed normally. The last hour I started to feel a little uncomfortable, and I noticed that my contractions were coming less than a minute apart. However (and I will blame the drugs!) I didn't think anything of it until I suddenly realized that this baby was coming any minute! So we quickly rounded up the nurses and doctor, and about 15 minutes later Logan was born! At 6 lbs 1 oz. and 19 1/2 inches, he's just a little guy, but so cute! So far he and I have both done very well, and he is a great eater.
We love having Logan in our family, and are proud to be the parents of two wonderful boys.
Me right before leaving for the hospital.
Our first really good shot of baby Logan. Check out that dark hair!
I love my family!
Logan Todd England was born January 29, 2011 at about 12:30 p.m. This labor and delivery, unlike Mckay's, was a planned induction. It was nice to get a full night's sleep before, get dressed, showered, and ready, and then calmly drive to the hospital! I was admitted and started on petosin at about 9:00 a.m. For the first two and a half hours or so, things progressed normally. The last hour I started to feel a little uncomfortable, and I noticed that my contractions were coming less than a minute apart. However (and I will blame the drugs!) I didn't think anything of it until I suddenly realized that this baby was coming any minute! So we quickly rounded up the nurses and doctor, and about 15 minutes later Logan was born! At 6 lbs 1 oz. and 19 1/2 inches, he's just a little guy, but so cute! So far he and I have both done very well, and he is a great eater.
We love having Logan in our family, and are proud to be the parents of two wonderful boys.
Me right before leaving for the hospital.
Our first really good shot of baby Logan. Check out that dark hair!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Temple Square
So ever year my family goes to Temple Square in December to see the lights, hear one of my siblings perform with their high school choir in the tabernacle, and, at least this year, celebrate my Dad's birthday. This year was especially fun for us, because we only live 10 minutes from downtown, making it fun AND an easy commute!
We started off the evening by going out to dinner as a family to celebrate my dad's birthday. We found this nice little sandwich shop just south of Temple Square in the new City Creek shopping area. Next, we wandered around Temple Square, got a few pictures, and then went to the old Tabernacle to hear Anne sing with her high school choir. They sounded beautiful (from what I could hear, as Mckay was not the quietest of audience members).
We then headed back to our apartment for cake and ice cream. I am proud to say that our little apartment building was able to fit 13 people inside of it (including two babies not yet born), with only one person who had to sit on the floor. Not bad, University Village! It was fun to visit with everyone. I like traditions like these because our lives change so much from year to year that having these annual activities helps me to realize that though where we live and what we're doing may change, our love of family and the Christmas season stays the same.
We started off the evening by going out to dinner as a family to celebrate my dad's birthday. We found this nice little sandwich shop just south of Temple Square in the new City Creek shopping area. Next, we wandered around Temple Square, got a few pictures, and then went to the old Tabernacle to hear Anne sing with her high school choir. They sounded beautiful (from what I could hear, as Mckay was not the quietest of audience members).
We then headed back to our apartment for cake and ice cream. I am proud to say that our little apartment building was able to fit 13 people inside of it (including two babies not yet born), with only one person who had to sit on the floor. Not bad, University Village! It was fun to visit with everyone. I like traditions like these because our lives change so much from year to year that having these annual activities helps me to realize that though where we live and what we're doing may change, our love of family and the Christmas season stays the same.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Mckay
As I am slowly but deliberately checking of my lllooonnnngggg list of things to do this December, I feel like my mind and activities are centered on Christmas and baby #2 an awful lot. Both are wonderful, exciting things, but sometimes I am afraid that in the midst of shopping, wrapping, cleaning, organizing, nesting, washing, writing, mailing, etc., that I am not really LOOKING at my little companion of all these activities.
Mckay is my little shadow and, with Chase, my best friend. He loves to be with his mom, and I would not have it any other way. So I decided to take a break in the midst of all the "stuff" that clutters up our lives, and talk about Mckay.
Mckay is a happy little boy. I feel like his default setting is to be happy, busy, and extremely interested in everything. Mckay loves to figure out how things work, and whether it's how to take a pen lid off and put it back on, or figuring out how the flashlight turns on, he keeps me on my toes with his constant "want to know" attitude.
Mckay's number one love right now is the "choo-choo train". Because we live right near Trax, I rarely get in the car without hearing a very excited voice in the back of my car shout out "choo-choo train! Choo-choo train!" at least once an outing. He has become quite good at this. He used to yell that whenever a bus, the garbage truck, or any other large vehicle came by, but now he knows exactly what is and is not a train. He will spend ours playing with his little wooden train set, and I can find it in the bathroom, bedroom, or under the couch with regular frequency.
Mckay has discovered and loved the "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" show on Disney Junior. I love that he loves this, because it comes on in the morning and gives me a chance to shower, dress, and do my hair with relatively little interruption. Occasionally as I am fixing my hair, I will hear him get up and do the "hot-dog" dance with the characters at the end of the show. I try not to let him watch too much TV, but this is a great break for both he and I.
Mckay has decided that he will no longer let ANYONE help him eat his food. He is really pretty good about using a fork, but he still struggles a bit with a spoon. I blame myself. . . for a long time I didn't let him use a spoon because I didn't want the big mess, but now I know for baby #2 that no matter when you let them use the spoon, they WILL make a mess, so I might as well get it over with before they figure out that throwing soup on the walls is funny . . .
Mckay loves to watch and play sports with Chase. Chase taught him "down, set, HIKE!" Mckay will assume the position, and then, at the right time, will run as fast as his little legs will carry him. I think he has his dad's speed, because I have a hard time keeping up with him! Maybe that will change when I am no longer pregnant, but boy that kid can move!
Mckay loves to pray. No matter if he's throwing a temper tantrum, about to eat, or ready for bed, Mckay will always drop what he is doing and fold his arms. I am proud of this little boy, because I really do think that even at this young age, he recognizes what is good and follows it.
We love you, Mckay!
Mckay is my little shadow and, with Chase, my best friend. He loves to be with his mom, and I would not have it any other way. So I decided to take a break in the midst of all the "stuff" that clutters up our lives, and talk about Mckay.
Mckay is a happy little boy. I feel like his default setting is to be happy, busy, and extremely interested in everything. Mckay loves to figure out how things work, and whether it's how to take a pen lid off and put it back on, or figuring out how the flashlight turns on, he keeps me on my toes with his constant "want to know" attitude.
Mckay's number one love right now is the "choo-choo train". Because we live right near Trax, I rarely get in the car without hearing a very excited voice in the back of my car shout out "choo-choo train! Choo-choo train!" at least once an outing. He has become quite good at this. He used to yell that whenever a bus, the garbage truck, or any other large vehicle came by, but now he knows exactly what is and is not a train. He will spend ours playing with his little wooden train set, and I can find it in the bathroom, bedroom, or under the couch with regular frequency.
Mckay has discovered and loved the "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" show on Disney Junior. I love that he loves this, because it comes on in the morning and gives me a chance to shower, dress, and do my hair with relatively little interruption. Occasionally as I am fixing my hair, I will hear him get up and do the "hot-dog" dance with the characters at the end of the show. I try not to let him watch too much TV, but this is a great break for both he and I.
Mckay has decided that he will no longer let ANYONE help him eat his food. He is really pretty good about using a fork, but he still struggles a bit with a spoon. I blame myself. . . for a long time I didn't let him use a spoon because I didn't want the big mess, but now I know for baby #2 that no matter when you let them use the spoon, they WILL make a mess, so I might as well get it over with before they figure out that throwing soup on the walls is funny . . .
Mckay loves to watch and play sports with Chase. Chase taught him "down, set, HIKE!" Mckay will assume the position, and then, at the right time, will run as fast as his little legs will carry him. I think he has his dad's speed, because I have a hard time keeping up with him! Maybe that will change when I am no longer pregnant, but boy that kid can move!
Mckay loves to pray. No matter if he's throwing a temper tantrum, about to eat, or ready for bed, Mckay will always drop what he is doing and fold his arms. I am proud of this little boy, because I really do think that even at this young age, he recognizes what is good and follows it.
We love you, Mckay!
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