I had a rough day and Tal is out of town with the car. I couldn't have done today without my friend Jenna and my neighbors Mel & Torsten. I thought my water broke this morning, but it turns out I must have just peed my pants. Give me a break, the baby is PUSHING on my bladder. But I never felt the "release" and I never experienced having my water break with Kelsey. However, I didn't call the doctor because A. he's out of town and B. contractions never started. So after vacuuming every inch of the bedrooms, organizing, and moving stuff around, I made Kelsey lunch.
When I went to wash her hands when she was done, she tried to get away by playing dead while her hands were in mine at the sink. This resulted in nurse maid elbow round 2. The doc was out for two hours for lunch and the emergency room told me to wait until the doc was back. I snuggled with my pain-filled daughter until she fell asleep.
Then got ready and took her in the stroller to the doctor via train. NIGHTMARE. I ended up having to pull the stroller up a bunch of stairs while praying for the train that had already arrived to wait for me. Then two good samaritans stopped the train and helped me up the rest of the way with the stroller. At this point my tears ran over. These were not mere tears but sobs of "I can't do this by myself" and "I'm extremely pregnant and emotional right now." It's a good thing Tally didn't pick up the phone or else he'd be home by now. Wait, maybe that would be a good thing. The doctor fixed her elbow immediately and she was back to her old self.
SO GRATEFUL.
Jenna picked me up from the train station, hydrated me, took Kelsey, and then I was on my way with the Huntington family to a photoshoot. It was lovely. Beautiful sights, Hopefully great pictures. Fun family. They took me back to Jenna's at 9pm - Jenna's girls were still up playing with Kelsey WAY past their bedtime. Jenna drove me & Kels home, brought up the groceries she bought me that day, and gave me encouragement. As I bathed Kelsey, I remembered my 4am PST phone call to my parents about Kelsey's elbow and my water and thought they must be worried about me. I called my dad and he asked why I hadn't seen a doctor yet about the baby and possible water breakage. I was so tired and knew that if I called they would want me to come in. But the though of my little baby in distress because I was too busy or tired to check up on him made me call. Sure enough, come in. I tried to call my wonderful neighbors, but their cell phones were already turned off for the night. So I rang the bell. They were just getting ready to go to bed, but with no thought, Torsten stayed on our couch to watch the sleeping Kelsey and Melanie took me to the hospital. We had a great chat, and it was bittersweet because she told me they will be moving at the end of August to an amazing flat. Good for them, sad for us. All checked out well with the baby and it is always fun to hear his heartbeat and hear him move. I am 1cm dialated and the nurse said she wouldn't be surprised to see me again in a few days. She told me to get my husband home (he will be on his way soon).
So why am I telling you all this? It's selfish really. I want to remember how incredibly selfless my friends (and a few strangers) have been towards me and my family in our times of need. I hope one day to be able to pay them back, but if not, to pay it forward. I can only hope that through their service, both sides gain an increase of love, which will form life-long friendships.
On another note, tonight made me so anxious and excited to see my little boy. Maybe that's why it's 2am and I'm amped like a kid on Christmas Eve. I can't wait to know what he looks like, how he'll react to certain things - how Kelsey will react to him! Well, I can wait. At least 3 or so more days. So I'll do my best to hold him in for a bit longer and resist my nesting feelings. I'm excited to meet you baby! I can already tell you're going to be sweet. Thanks for staying all cooped up in mommy's tummy to wait for daddy to come home. And for putting up with all of the roughness your big sister throws your way.
My friend Eva took this pic of Kelsey pushing her son, Benjamin. Don't you love it!? We still call him Baby Benjamin, but he's walking now and not a baby anymore! Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Some of our GS friends who came over for dinner Doesn't that look delicious!? Well it was. Schoggi is chocolate in Swiss German.
Thursday, June 11, 2009 - Zurich with Dayne & Steve
As I mentioned in another post, my friend Dayne and his friend Steve came to town. We went up to Zurich with them and had a nice time walking around.
The 4,000 CHF each chairs that Dayne and Steve had to take pictures of (they're industrial design guys). Kelsey just liked climbing on them to look in the mirror. Taking time to stop and smell the roses. Love the flower shops in Zurich! Eating lunch outside Grossmuenster Wearing Dayne's glasses - she thought she was so cool!
Jumping off random things
Dayne & Kels in front of the awesome doors at Grossmuenster
Here we are walking around Zurich - thanks for the butt pic, Steve! It was nice to have some help keeping track of and holding Kelsey.
Saturday, June 13, 2009 - Farewell to Dianne Our good friend Dianne (well, it's actually about 6 names but I couldn't spell let alone remember all of them) is leaving on Wednesday to move back to the Netherlands. She has been a great friend and babysitter (for temple trips) and we will miss her dearly. Monday, June 15, 2009 Alyssa Barlow came to town with the kids for the week! This is why I love Alyssa. She called me mid Monday and asked if she and the kids could come for dinner - they'd had enough McDonalds. I had to laugh b/c I miss her "says it like it is" personality. I'm so glad she did call because it was so great to catch up and let the kids play. We are laid back and did easy spaghetti and then planned on roasting marshmallows by the lake. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. As soon as we got the kids shoes and jackets on, it became a total downpour. So, the kids played in the rain for a bit. Terrible picture, probably the worst quality ever, but it's the memory that makes me put it up anyways. Alyssa, send me pics when you get back from Croatia! Hope you're having fun! On Wednesday, we went to the pool with Alyssa & Rachel and the kids. We thoroughly enjoyed our five minutes of laying out and talking and our three plus hours of playing with the kids in the pool! Eli had a little vampire thing for Kelsey and bit him twice at our house and once at the pool (and attempted others). We think Kelsey must have been his "Bella." Ha, cheesy, we know. Kelsey referred to him as "baby bites," but still loved to play with him. If only we could teach her a nice way to fight back. Tuesday, June 16, 2009 My fabulous friends in Switzerland threw me and our two other pregnant friends a baby shower. It was so thoughtful of them, and a great reason to get together. The food was "Cafe Rio" (something so many of us MISS) and the ladies who cooked for it did a GREAT rendition of it. It was SO yummy and I was sad that my belly wouldn't allow me to eat more. Take note of the "Jessie Trademark - Winnie the Pooh undershirt."
The fabulous shot above was not a one-take only shot. We had lots of laughs coming up with poses and squeezing the three pregos together. Out of this group, at least 3 will be leaving this summer, one already left two years ago, and one could be leaving end of July! We have such a good group of girls here and it's hard to have so many go at once. Emily made this awesome diaper cake and I got to take it home! Thanks Em, as I took it apart I was figuring out how you did it! Erin made these yummy cupcakes with marshmallow fondant...I think I ate THREE! Did anyone get a pic of these? Please send it to me! Ashley's souvenir from Rome - the enviable green Prada purse! Great find! Friday, June 19, 2009 - Getting Locked Out On Friday around 4pm, I ran upstairs, down to the basement, back upstairs because I forgot something, and then shut the front door behind me on my way to pick up some photos. As soon as I shut the automatic-locking door, I knew the keys were inside. Seeing as both my neighbors and my husband work, I was just glad to have my phone on me. No problem, I'll call Tal and he can work the rest of the day from home, hopefully. No answer at Tal's work or cell. Okay, I'll call my friendly neighbor Melanie to see if she's on her way home because sometimes she comes home by 5pm. She's looking at apartments and wont be home until 7:30, which is AFTER the time I'm supposed to be showered, glamourous, and picking up my babysitter at the train station (whom I haven't been able to get ahold of all day). Finally I reach Tal who says he's on his way...in an hour. Okay, no worries that it is raining and Kels and I are hanging out in flip flops in our neighbor's garage (lucky they have it and we could use it). Tal calls back about 40 minutes later. He forgot his key at home today. Thanks for checking when I first called. So I call back my nice neighbor who said she would come home before looking at apartments, even though it was out of her way, if I needed her to. Since I waited 40 minutes, she was almost at her appointment and couldn't cancel now, but she would see what she could do. I resorted to calling and then texting my not as friendly neighbor who still hasn't replied. Finally, my wonderful neighbor Melanie called and said she pushed back her 2nd appointment and could be home at 6pm. I hated to agree to her coming all the way home, then back the 25 minute drive, but had no choice at this point. She was going to save me! Kels and I walked in the rain, took pictures, played/sang nursery rhymes, and found lots of spiders in the garage. At one point I had to pee so we walked across the street (luckily my neighbors kept an umbrella in the garage b/c by this point it was pouring) and into an office building where I didn't even have to ask if I could use the bathroom (in German). At 6pm, Kelsey was hungry and I was sick of sitting in her car seat in the garage (the only seat available, lucky I had it out after cleaning all the throw up out of it). My neighbor came home at 6:30 and we were finally saved! I was so grateful for her, and have a good thank you in the works. Any suggestions on where to leave a key? Oh my gosh it's raining! Mom, I'm getting all wet! Our Safe Haven Mom, I am DONE being locked out! Saturday, June 20, 2009 Our friends, the Tomlinsons, are moving from Switzerland to SLC next week and they had a farewell party at their house. This is a family who we thought would never leave Europe - and neither did they! But as life would have it, things always change. It's going to be a lot different without them and we will miss them so much! We will also miss get togethers at their awesome house in the middle of the beautiful Swiss countryside. Here are the three pregos who seemed to congregate around the FOOD! We were all craving smores! Look at all these blond-haired, blue-eyed kids! Super heroes!
Here are the guys moving some of the big stuff: two couches & and armoire. The staircase was too narrow so the big stuff had to be moved out through the window. If this didn't work, they were going to have to pay 500 CHF to rent a lift for the day! Glad it worked and no one was crushed in the process. Some things "My BIG Baby" has been up to:
My Sharptooth Kelsey's first "sharp tooth" just came through and boy is it sharp! I pinned her down to get a few shots of it. She is getting really good at letting us brush her teeth. We say, "let's get the tomato out of there, what about the bread? and milk?" depending on what she's eaten of course. She'll usually give suggestions as well, like, "and milk? and applejuice?" Love this face - WHAT!?
My Bookworm
My Sick BIG Baby Poor thing was sick and throwing up two mornings in a row. This pic was taken after she threw up three times, the last one all over herself. She's zoned out watching cartoons and you can tell she doesn't feel well. It was weird though because after she ate again, she held the food down and seemed to be feeling fine. I'm glad it didn't last long.
My Helper Starting the dishwasher is now her "chore." She loves the responsibility.
My Girly Girl (or jewelry thief) I love her stance as she looks for more of my jewelry to put on her wrist
My "Schneckli" lover Schneckli is snail in Swiss German and in nursery, they sing a little "schneckli" song. Kelsey loves the song, and the snails.
My Music Lover
I just got her this keyboard from my friend who is leaving and she loves putting different songs on and dancing to the music. She also likes to play the keys, but not as much as she likes pushing all the buttons.
Little Miss ABCs Ignore the towel in front of her, it's in case she threw up.
I love this look. It's as if to say, "that bump is going to rock my world." I realize that things are about to change in a big way for all of us, really soon. I know this will affect Kelsey and I hope she reacts well. It is with this in mind, that I have been trying to spend more quality time with her. At the same time, I am more tired and have a lot of WORK to do right now, so it's been a juggling act to find the right balance.
She's trying to lift up my shirt to "wake up the baby." And then she gave him a kiss. A day or two ago, I asked Kelsey what the baby's name is. She promptly replied, "Aiden." I picked up the phone and called Tally immediately. What has he been up to? I think he's been working with her on that one! It's a name we both like but haven't decided on and every once in awhile Tally will call the baby Aiden in a prayer or to my belly. I guess Kelsey caught on and Tally thinks it is great.
The two of us getting in our snuggle time before her nap. I love those chubby cheeks and those chubby arms! She's such a cuddler.
As you can see, the countdown is UNDER 30 days. My due date is in one month and I'm 36 weeks now. Kelsey is looking forward to seeing the baby, and thinks my belly is fun to kiss, hit, give rasberries to, etc.
Luckily I haven't had time to sweat over details, possibilities and realities of having a newborn because I've been so busy with photoshoots and visitors! We've had my friend Alea's dad and then brother for two weeks, our friend Rob's girlfriend and her cousin, my friend Dayne from college with his friend Steve, the Ehlen boys (Jacob & Daniel) stopped by for a night, and Tal's friend Rob is coming from SLC for Tal's birthday (and two weeks after), and then my MOM IS COMING! I want the baby to wait for 4 days so my mom can be here for the delivery but it's not up to me. We love having visitors...but who's nextl?
Kelsey was a big fan of Dayne, and continues to say his name over and over even now that he's gone. So he has been affectionately nicknamed "Uncle Dayne." It was good to reminisce while looking at my college photo album and create new fun memories in Zurich. I don't have any other pics of our visitors, but if you have visited recently and you have a picture with us/Kelsey, email it to me so I can post it!
So this morning as I'm getting dressed, Kelsey says, "Bra."
Me: "That's right, mommy's bra."
Kels: "I want bra!"
Me: "You have to have boobs to wear a bra, you don't have those yet."
Kels: "I want boobs!"
I just laughed. That's what you get when you teach your child all the words they want to learn. At least she didn't shout boobs and point to me like she did at church not too long ago. From a baby to a little girl in 20 months or less...
I know, I've skipped this for several weeks. I need to go back into my library and find ones of both of us (fingers crossed that I've taken some!).
Here's one from the other day of me and Kels playing with the remote cord. After several attempts at using the timer, I decided to pull out the remote cord. Kelsey loved pushing the button and hearing the shutter. She probably took somewhere around 50 pics in 3 minutes. Luckily it is digital. ;) I wonder if she'll be a shutterbug like me or end up hating it!
