Stir Crazy

This month has been eventful and yet I still feel like the cabin fever is about to get the best of me.  I feel that I have been doing better than average.  This month really isn't any different from all the previous months that we have spent in Virginia.  But as I take a moment to consider what my daily life consists of, I know that I really don't have time to feel stir crazy or cabin fever.  This month, all 22 days of it so far, I can calculate on one hand how many times I have opened my front door to leave my house.  I have gone to Wal-Mart once for our monthly grocery haul.  I have walked outside to check the mail twice. And I have gone with the entire family, Brian included, to the babies 12 month well baby visit (that was mostly because it is impossible for one adult to do it themselves). 

Moms often talk about their need to "find time for themselves."  I never really understood it until recently, and I am sure I still don't have a full grasp on the concept.  The idea of being able to hang with the lady friends sounds like a bizarre concept (though I did get a GNO with my two favorite lady friends in July) especially on a semi-regular basis.  Find time for myself.  If all those moms were referring to their need for private time in the restroom, yes I need to find that.  If all those moms were referring to being able to take a nice relaxing shower, yes I need to find that.  Or even time/want to shower more than three times a week.  I know it sounds gross to me too!  This concept coming from someone who would shower two/three times daily; I apparently go from one extreme to the next.  If those moms were referring to being able to have a single thought enter their head that didn't have anything to do with being a mom/wife/chauffeur/cook/cleaning lady/budget mistress/teacher/primary teacher/psychologist/liaison/babysitter/laundry lady/etc, yes I need to find that moment. 

I guess in closing all these thoughts and sentiments bring us to one large factor.  I NEED TO GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!  And lucky for you, me and the rest of the world, I get to get out, sooner than later.  Why?  Because my in laws, Ann and Pat, are coming to visit us in two weeks.  I am so excited to get my tourist on!  I am so excited to be able to have a regular conversation with another adult during the day (not a slight to Brian or my Aidan).  I am so excited to be able to have a reason and a desire to shower and leave the house.  In two weeks I will have a break from the boring and the mundane. 

Wow! Six months...

I thought I would take a moment and just give everyone an update into the lives of us.  I don't think it matters anymore, because I doubt anyone is reading this blog anymore.  Maybe one day I will be more diligent in writing.  But for the time being I will continue to share short blurbs of our lives via Facebook and the GOAT page.  Actually getting a moment to sit down and write a cohesive sentence, let alone a paragraph or two for a blog, is not something I will hold my breath for.  But that being said, if you are reading this you probably already know most of this information seeing as to how I post a lot of quick blurbs on FaceBook. 


Here's a quick overview of what is going on in our life.

In April/May we visited Utah.  We saw most all of you there and it was great. 
Since then we have been trying to get back into a routine that makes since for us.
Brian is still loving his job.  He has been going into the office more now that it appears that I can handle life.
Aidan just finished his first year of pre-school.  He was sad that he couldn't see his friends but happy that he doesn't have to work on his school work anymore.  Little does he realize that Brian and I have decided to work with him at home this summer and next year.  So school is still in session.  He just doesn't realize it yet.
As for the triplets...All three are fast moving crawlers.  I thought I would hate it but it is actually quiet nice.  No more making heavy trips back and forth from the kitchen to the nursery, I make them crawl to me.  :-)  Owen is a clap happy baby.  He loves to show the world his trick.  Gavin wants to wave and will wave and talk to people but only on his terms.  Talon, well Talon, has decided everything must be a competition.  He has quickly become the faster crawler, fastest guzzler of the bottle, quickest to inhale all of his food, etc.  He is, however, the slowest to go to sleep. 

I am grateful that all my boys enjoy being together and love each other. 

As for me.  I just try and keep up with all the kids, Brian and the housework.  Brian and I did just finally plant a veggie garden.  This is our third attempt this year.  Fingers crossed it works out. 

Resolutions and Goals for 2012

Personal goals
Read the Book of Mormon
Bake one new dessert a month
Make homemade baby food
Build up food storage
Family home evening once a month
One project a week with Aidan
Emergency preparedness
Be active in church
Pay tithing

Three with teeth to the dentist
Six with eyes to the optomitrist

Get healthy
Lose weight
Gain strength

Goal 1 (10 pounds)-- reward is Zumba Fitness for the XBox
Goal 2 (25 pounds)-- reward is a makeover (hair done)
Goal 3 (40 pounds)-- reward new outfit
Goal 4 (50 pounds)-- date night
Goal 5 (75 pounds)-- new dream dining room table

Time table for goals
25 pounds by April
50 pounds by August
75 pounds by January


Extra resolutions/goals
Three family outings (day long activities)
Trip to Utah
75% debt free

Purchases
Mattress
Dream dining room table
Dream chairs (in any quantity--1-12)
Freezer
Swimming pool (one big enough for our little family, not a huge one)


Events to pay attention too...
Aidan's 4th birthday
Trip to Utah
Triplet blessing
Suzie visiting
Mom and Dad visiting
Jake and Ezra visiting
Triplet 1st birthday

ReCap of Resolutions 2011

MOM GOALS

-baby #2 (or 3 depending on how you look at it) I had a second full term pregnancy producing 3 additional children...I believe this was full filled.
-get Aidan into a preschool type environment He loves his daycare. He has a hard time getting up early in the morning but he loves doing his projects.
-complete the potty training process With the AWESOME help of many visitors and some wonderful friends...yes HE DID IT!!
-teach Aidan ABC's and 123's(in the correct order as observed by everyone besides Aidan) He is learning lots in day care
-more play dates (he loves him friends) Yep all the time.

WIFE GOALS

-be supportive of Brian's career and the things necessary to grow in it moving 2500 miles away...yep
-motivate and help keep a happy husband thriving I think he is thriving well
-help eliminate our silly debt (silly meaning all debt) well on our way. We paid off the truck and some medical bills. Only to get more medical bills but such is life.
-be an equal partner in everything possible I am trying and Brian says yes.

PERSONAL GOALS

-work on my health I tried my hardest with being pregnant for so long. When I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes I did well to keep my blood sugar within the correct levels and I learned to eat appropriately. So yes...
-sewing/quilting classes not this year
-ETSY shop to sell my hobby/crafts not this year. I have a Etsy shop just nothing to sell because crafts were very far from my mind.
-work on forgiveness, compassion, understanding, and finding happiness everyday in everything I tried and think I did a pretty good job. This may be a reoccurring idea, because I think I should always strive to be better.
-make 5 blankets to donate sadly no. I am really bummed by this one. Maybe next year.
-learn to knit or crochet sadly no, no time and no teacher during bed rest.
-more charitable I tried and think I did a pretty good job. This may be a reoccurring idea, because I think I should always strive to be better.
-garden yes. I got one beautiful tomato and that was it. I didn't say a bountiful garden. ha ha ha
-bodega stocked all year long it has been close to depletion multiple times but we have always had something
-do lots of canning and bottling no bottling or canning. Sorry I made babies and moved three times. too busy. :-)

WANTS

-mini van as of Christmas morning...YES!!!
-new toilet we moved three times and in the current house we have, we now have three toilets, so yes.
-Brian a laptop he got a work lap top.
-new kitchen table and chairs I am going to say yes. Joe and Debbie are letting us have theirs. It will be in our dining room as soon as we can go and get it.

TRAVEL

-St. George *3 yes in the first three months...crazy.
-Redfish sadly no. I hope everyone understands.
-camping sadly no.
-vacation elsewhere just moved to VA. Not really a vacation but a new environment
-over night excursion sans the child(ren) I was in the hospital for four days (three nights). Not exactly what I meant but it was without Aidan and the babies were in NICU.

Family Newletter and Christmas Card 2011

Left to Right back row: Brian, Aidan Katie

Left to Right front row: Gavin, Talon, Owen

Hello Family and Friends,

This year has been a busy one in the Larson household. We have experienced many big changes. Every month has been crazy. But we have loved every minute of 2011. And we can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store for us.

In January we found out that I was expecting. This was such a blessing, especially after our miscarriage in August. But with the excitement of the pregnancy we received news that Brian might not have a position at Convergys for very long. So Brian was able to put out some resumes and the first of February he was able to interview with Juniper Networks. Three days after his return from the interview we found out that we were pregnant with spontaneous triplets! We spent nearly a month trying to process this wonderful news. We were beyond confused when Brian was offered the position with Juniper, in Virginia. It took us some time to wrap our minds around the new path that the Lord had chosen for us, but once we did we eagerly boarded a plane for Virginia in April.

I was put on bed rest in May, a very unfortunate time because we had effectively moved our belongings twice in that month. We also had to search for a place to live, and bed rest made everything a little bit more difficult. But we found a wonderful home to rent, within the boundaries of a wonderful church ward.

The triplets were born on August 12, 2011 via emergency c-section. Gavin Michael, Talon Jeffrey and Owen Kay were born very healthy, just early. They spent about 14 days in the NICU for observation and jaundice. We were very blessed to have such happy healthy babies. Their weights were 5 lbs. 1 oz. (Gavin), 4 lbs. 9 oz. (Talon) and 5 lbs. 10 oz. (Owen).

Since their birth we have had a slue of family come and visit. What a wonderful help they have all been in this odd adjustment period. All these experiences have been wonderful for our little growing family. I have found that Brian can cook; he can even bake better than I can. Brian is also an amazing dad and husband and is an awesome multi-tasker.

Aidan has also been busy. He has made many new friends. He has finally finished potty training himself. He is currently enrolled in pre-school, which he LOVES! He is also a very awesome and helpful big brother. The triplets love watching him play and then especially love it when he sings to them.

What a year it’s been for the Larson Clan. We have experienced many changes, and many adventures. We are so grateful for all of the help and support we have received from so many friends and family, near and far, old and new. Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, gifts, letters, support and example. May the New Year find you and yours happy and healthy and ready for new adventures!!

To blog or not to blog....

I have been wrestling with what to do about this blog. I have been wrestling with what to do about Facebook and other media (computer websites) that occupy my time. I find myself using these things as a means to escape my current crazy life. I can't run out of the house and do anything, because I am bound by three babies, an independent 3 year old, a lack of car large enough for us and a lack of confidence both in my surroundings (I have know idea what to do around here) and my confidence in leaving the house with three babies. So as a means to escape and see the outside world I find myself on the internet.

As I spend time exploring such wonderful technology I am constantly reminded of what things can be done, are being done and what could potentially happen in cyberspace. Maybe my mind runs away with thoughts of evil and horrible actions by others. But maybe, just maybe, my mind is trying to help me foresee the potential of others and helps me to realize just what is happening. Either way my desire to blog, desire to post on FB is wavering.

I enjoy being able to be in contact with friends and especially family. I have but one friend here in VA and so reading about the lives of everyone helps me stay connected. But as I stay connected I remember that everything on the internet stays on the internet. So I try and stay vigilant in my wordings, sharing and overall postings. It is at this time that I come to the conclusion that though I may try and avoid drama, confrontation, mishaps, and other malicious type behavior, that those who I cherish the most may be my undoing. Some don't understand my positions. Some don't understand my desire to be private, especially with family. I don't understand it. I want nothing more than to feel safe and comfortable for all my friends and family to stay connected with me and my family. But something, possibly my inability to trust others of past actions, I remain nervous and concerned about those closest to me.

Every time I think the dust has settled and life can return to the psuedo-normality that I have come to want and desire, someone or something kicks up a storm again.

Back to square one.

Ladies and Gentlemen. I have trust issues. HUGE TRUST issues. I have feelings of betrayal and confusion. It takes a lot of me to be in a position to WANT to trust again. But I have also noticed a new side effect of my trust issues. I want to block EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING that could POSSIBLY (INTENTIONALLY OR UNINTENTIONALLY) cause me any GRIEF, OUT OF MY LIFE AND MY FAMILIES.

I know this is not a good thing, but repeat offenders, repeat actions have made this a strong feeling.

I know a new "goal" to work on for the new year.

So that being said...should I continue to blog? Should I cut everyone out until I can make sense of these thoughts and feelings? My brain says yes, my heart is undecided. My better half, Brian, says not to let those BAD THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS WIN. What to do what to do.

My options...

1-stop blogging.
2-stop FB
3-tighten my "circle" to those who would not hurt me or my family (very very small)
4-stop blogging and FB
5-stop everything and concentrate on letter writing and phone calls
6-start a new blog, very private very very private

What say you readers...if you are even still out there? My decision needs to be made sooner than later.

New Blog for a while...

I was planning on updating this blog and my new blog, BoredOnBedrest, but I think I won't. Too much work and too much repeating myself. I plan on starting this blog up again in the near future, but don't quote me on that. My desire to blog is slowly diminishing. And I feel that when these triplets arrive I will have so much on plate that a blog will be the last thing on my mind. But like I said, I could be wrong.

I really have little desire to blog on another blog, but feel it necessary at least as way to pass my time on bed rest if not as a memento for the boys as they grow older. I mean, seriously folks, I don't plan on being pregnant with triplets again, let alone have these kind of experiences again. :-)

Any how the new blog is private. If you want an invite you need to send me your email address. Or be on Facebook as I created a group specifically design to keep family and friends momentarily updated about this pregnancy. You need to be invited to both. So let me know.

The blogs address boredonbedrest.blogspot.com or click here.

And let me know about being a member of Momma's GTOs on Facebook.

Later!