Picture-less post...

I know deep down ya hate em!

Just thought I'd give a little update on the family.

Let us start with Code Man, C-Dawg, Daddy, Baby, the Man of the house.

He is vacationing in Brazil in the 80+ degrees.

Ok, so he says he is working, but I have yet to hear of any work. It just sounds like a lot of fun, good food, and a nice warm sun.

I'm jealous!

We are 7 days in with 6 days to go.

He is L.O.V.I.N.G. every last second of his time there. It was slow going the first few days, but his Portuguese is really picking up and he is really enjoying himself and can, get this, picture us living there.

After he's described some of the 'groumet' meals he has been eating, I think I'll pass. EWW!

The kids are missing him horribly.  I went to the temple tonight with some friends and when I walked in the door with out Daddy the kids jaws about hit the floor.  Try explaining Brazil and 14 days to a 3 year old and a 20 month old.  I've got nothin. At least nothin' they are getting.

Julia walks up to the computer (because we've been skyping) at least 6 times a Day and says, "Daddy Talk Now?" Very very sweet!

As for the Mama.

Let me just say, Hats off to you single mothers. I really thought I'd handle things pretty well seems as Cody is gone a lot anyway. He works full time, goes to school in the evenings 1 or 2 nights a week, and then has a calling that requires 1 night a week and all day Sunday, like some days 4 AM to 4 PM.

But even seeing him for 20 minutes at night before I drift off to sleep is what keeps me sane.

We're doing ok. My kids are alive and my house is clean and we've done quite a few fun things, but it has not been easy. How I miss his silly jokes and his help. Oh how helpful he is. I USED to think he could be more helpful sometimes, but this week I've realized how very, very helpful and willing he is.

My Dad has told me on more then one occasion when Cody and I have been apart that "Distance makes the heart grow fonder." Let me tell you, I was Really FOND of Cody before he left, and now, there is no word to describe how I feel.

Tonight I went to the temple with a few other ladies in my ward.  What a rejuvenating experience. It was just what I needed. I'm feeling a lot better and ready to tackle the next week.

AND, we get to go to ST. Paul this week, so it should be a breeze.

I get to go in on Tuesday to hear the baby's heart beat. I'm feeling very anxious.

Especially because I have O- blood and in the beginning my body tried it's best to fight this little baby off. After a confirmed ultra sound and a super strong heart beat we knew it was meant to be. But I've been anxiously waiting to hear the pitter patter of that little heart beat again. On an up note. I've been feeling really good. As long as I don't go too long between eating, and I make sure I drink lots of milk and eat plenty of protein, ie. wings, wings, wings, peanut butter, wings, cheese, nuts, peanut butter and more wings, then I feel pretty good. I was getting sick in the evenings, but once I started eating a snack before dinner and eating a smaller dinner I was able to eliminate that nonsense.

Kevin, my big boy. I don't know what my world would be like with out him.

He's had a rough week with Daddy being gone and he's showed it by doing abnormal things like hitting me and being scared of everything. He notices the fridge or the furnace click on and he quickly runs to me to make sure everything is ok. He's suddenly afraid of everything in his room and has either been sleeping in Julia's bed or on the floor in my room. We did buy him a stuffed puppy.  It is a safe Puppy that makes things so they are NOT scary.  It seems to be helping. Kevin is very, very compassionate, he can tell I've been a little stressed the last few days.  I think the stress comes from the fact that before today I had not had a conversation with Cody that lasted more then a few minutes with out some sort of interruption such as skype cutting out or a computer freezing. Today we opted for a long distance phone call that is going to cost us a fortune, but I needed it! I'll tell you more about Kevin's sweet-ness after I tell you about Julia's latest.

Julia Ann, my fire ball. The first 2 nights Cody was gone Julia slept record nights of 10 hours, then every night after she was up every few hours for quite a long time. Begging for Daddy or Milk, or her binkie. I think it may have to do with her teething too, but she was wearing me out. (another reason I miss Cody, he'll help with long night shifts!) After the 2nd night of no sleep, I decided to go on a binkie detox and like that it was gone.  We went to the store first thing in the morning and got Julia a new stuffed animal, a cow, that she has very fittingly named, "Puppy!" to replace the binkie. (It's great, she knows it is a Cow and calls it a cow and will tell you that it moos, but his name is PuPPY!)  Nap time that day was HORRID. Bed time a breeze. Day 2 no nap, we were too busy and bed time was HORRID.  It ended with Julia making herself throw up. (what is with my children and making themselves throw up when they are mad.) Which was the straw that broke the camels back.  Julia was bawling, I was bawling, and my sweet Kevin *as I type this I bawl* turned the bath tub on and I put Julia in the tub. He said, "don't worry Mom, I'll take care of her." While I cleaned up Julia's room and sheets, my sweet Kevin boy got a wash rag out and washed the throw up out of Julia's hair and off of her face.  He put soap in her hair and washed her hair and got her toys to play with. When I was finished and had recomposed myself I went into the bathroom and he gave me a big hug and cried for a second and then said, "It's okay Mommy, I was a little scared too! She's ok now!"

I felt like a horrible mother. Why was my sweet 3 year old consoling me? Seriously.

(I'm blaming some of this on pregnancy you know! I can do that right?)

Once the kids were back in bed, this time Kevin too, he brought a book for me to read, but after he handed it to me he said, "mom, you just listen, I'll read tonight!" And he read us the Sesame Street Book backwards. He told the story perfectly too, just in reverse order.

It was the best bed time story I've ever had and they both drifted off sleep.
On to good things with the princess, Nap time and bed time today were both super easy.
AND on Thursday she asked to go Potty in the toilet 2 times and both times she really went! 
Yah!  Rock on little girl!
I scared her half to death the first time. She caught me so off guard that I whooped and hollard, and clapped and kissed, and when I was done I was sure she'd never do anything so crazy again!

I'm so grateful for my kids. When I went to the temple tonight, they were all I could think of. I wanted to hold them both and tell them how much I loved them.

Lucky for me the babysitter couldn't put them to bed because I would have had to just wake them up when I got home, so I got to carry them both in from the car, half asleep, and love on them and tuck them into their bed.
I've never been more happy to be a mother as I am today.

Sorry about the sob story.

This does not have any of the fun things we've been doing. And there have been lots of those! A great big Valentines Bash at our house with 14 little kids, 10 moms, oodles of sugar cookies, way too much candy, lots of laughing, and 10 tons of fun!!!!  We've had lots of play dates, eating out, and movies.

No pictures to prove it, Cody has our good camera!

But as much as I miss Cody, (which is super tons!) I'm really grateful for this time I get to reflect on myself and spend time with my kids.

I love you Kevin, Julia, and Baby.

(We're thinking boy!)