Mr & Mrs Smith

Rebecca Paige Smith We really struggled with agreeing on a name again. We each had several we liked, but only a few were mutual: Katelyn, Hailey, Jacey (only if middle name was Elizabeth) & then Rebecca. I hadn't considered many classic names, this one being very common in the 90s, but when I heard the name at the temple, it felt right. I went there with two questions in mind, and felt that one had been answered. We are studying the Old Testament in Sunday School. I came home and told Mr Smith and he just said "I'll call her Becca". He then told me Lexi had told him the name Paige that same day, and I said the two sounded perfect together. Details 7lbs 13oz 20 inches long 14 in head lots dark brown hair light eye lashes Birth Story Friday, 4/20 elective induction (4/22 due date) - I had GroupB strep for the first time. I had not planned an induction until this added stress, which meant I needed 4 hours on antibiotics before delivery. I was worri...

I wanted to write a little bit about us wrapping up year 4 with Lexi in case it takes me a little bit longer to catch up once the baby comes... Lexi had her 5 year doc apt already so that she could finalize her shots for school. We submitted the registration paperwork and now just wait for orientation mid-April. She will do great; I know she'll thrive and it's really only 3 hours so I think it'll be perfect. She is doing great with sight words and trying to sound things out to read. There are still some struggle sounds like "r" that she says the "w" sound for, but I know she'll get there quick enough. The rules of English are horrible but she is great with repetition. Although when it comes to her online pre-k program, she really just gets through the reading & math so that she can play the games. Learning through play is a good thing.  I'm excited to see her learn & grow even more. I'm mostly excited for her to be around mor...

I guess I wanted to make January monumental & slowly recover from PTSD for the rest of my life. I decided to potty train Dallin at 22 months. Gammi already got us the cars underwear & potty seat. "Guys potty training is so draining! BUT after I talked to several close friends about their success at a younger age following Lexi, it stayed on my mind. Even the 3-day training that was such a success with Lexi said 22 months was ideal. But he is a BOY & everyone likes to say they are harder. I dread this more than nursing! Due to my feelings about Dallin who SEEMed ready according to all those who say "what really matters" (interested, randomly taking off diapers, hardly wet at night, able to communicate) & the timing of a new baby, I thought I'd give it a shot. I keep telling myself it'll be nice to avoid 2 in diapers or training while I'm nursing &or doing school drop-offs. It's now or 6 months from now. What could possible go wr...

Our last lesson in Sunday School in 2017 surrounded the concept of mental illness in the context of how, as parents, do we handle this issue in our families. Most seem to agree that mental illness has gotten more prevelant over the years & connect that to the effects of technology, which was the topic of the last 5th Sunday lesson. I didn't have any strong thoughts to share then, but as I pondered it a bit more, I feel like I do have something to offer parents of teenagers, and I think in turn I have to take those suggestions and apply them now with even my littles. Wherever we are in life, there is a roll you can play to be an influence for good. Understanding mental illness is good for everyone, and learning how to assist where possible is essential too. 1. Parents need to be more open. Not about everything, but I remember wanting to feel like an adult in the sense that my thoughts or feelings were trusted & valued. There are things parents can do to widen the door ...

Christmas is an exciting time for new things, new gifts & treats. It's fun to think about giving gifts to our children or receiving some ourselves. I know some people love this opportunity, but I'm not in love with the gifts per say. I do love the idea of giving of course, and seeing our children get excited over something new. But it gives me anxiety to give, wanting to give something that is valued. I have the same issue with receiving, I want it to be worth that person's cost. Mr Smith may tell you I still love receiving packages. I mean even if you bought it, who doesn't love getting them, but sometimes it can become too much. Perhaps I just don't have the gift of gift giving. My kids still don't know what to ask for & are only starting to show interest in particular things. I have a hard time at this age too because gratitude doesn't always come naturally & I despise nothing more than not appreciating a gift. I may sound like a hypocrit...

I guess it's still fall, but it feels like the freakin winter. The one where your bones freeze. And it hasn't even snowed yet. But I love Idaho! Everyone says this, so I even accepted it and made the sign that says Idaho is home. It's "resting" in my home in Idaho (because we haven't hung a single thing on the walls). I've accepted this. I'm embracing it. Because Mr Smith tells me NOW that he got a very clear answer that "this is home". I guess I just need to work on being inspired in the same way. Or maybe it'll come to me differently. We are different people after all. But I'm also still the biggest skeptic in life sometimes. I just feel like I can't be immune from anything. Maybe that's humility, I'm not sure. But it would be nice to find a place that feels like home #lifegoals I haven't had much photo inspiration as of late. There was a beautiful three week period of orange and yellow leaves that I complet...

I have the worst memory, otherwise you'd think I'd know my baby stuff by now. I know to ask more questions than just assume stranger doc knows best, but two kids and no Mr Smith easily has me flustered. It was supposed to be a quick first apt. Just tell me there is a heartbeat. It's the best part, right? Well, I didn't expect to have to deal with a cervix / internal uterus check with two kids today. It completely flustered me more as she walked out of the room matter of factly. Why didn't I just say no, I don't think that's necessary? Because I didn't want to tick a doctor off today? She already ticked me off when she wouldn't believe me when I said I was 12 weeks pregnant, not 14 weeks. I tried explaining that my periods were 40 days apart and I actually tracked this one, "we'll see" at the 20 week apt, but what I should have said was "you mean 18 weeks?". I'm ready to switch offices, at least physicians. The other d...

Another pumpkin joining this crazy patch in 6 months! Another April baby! (and I hope it's another girl too; only Dad wants the boy). I feel a little overwhelmed already, but it's always exciting to picture snuggling a baby. I just pray this one is either chill or at least likes sleep!  I feel like this has been my best 1st trimester. Although I've felt nauseous & exhausted, the straight nausea only lasted a few weeks and then I'd just get highs & lows. I only threw up some cheese grits. And I think Mr Smith has cleaned more pots these last few weeks than the last 6 years combined... Now, the nausea is basically gone. I just have some food aversions to the smell of peanut butter & Little Caesars pizza. I haven't done much these last 6 weeks outside of move (we found out we were pregnant the weekend before). Hopefully we'll start to get out a little more now! We started enjoying some October festivities at Farmfest, a nearby pumpkin patc...

Just for the record Dallin hadn't slept well since he was sleeping well in my 18 month post. I jinxed us. Last night was the first time since then that I slept from 10-730 and it felt like heaven. We stayed with Dallin in nursery today because we can't trust him with other kids. He doesn't tolerate anyone being annoying or taking something from him. He still grabs at us when he wants something and only recently started to be "soft" and "show love" to say he is sorry, but only to us. I do not know why he pinch grabs! It's annoying though, especially when it's the cheeks of his sister or other kids. We just wish he would use his words, but I'm guessing it has something to do with his slow communication. It's getting better. We've added a few more words, but still pretty slow going and not often or on cue. "Bye Bye" and "baby"  And since he started teething (hence the restless nights, runny diapers, nightly...