9.11.11

 I've been a little busy lately.  And my internet access has been intermittent.  And when I get online I spend a lot of time catching up on other people's blogs.  And I haven't felt like blogging lately because I try to stay positive for my audience, but I haven't been feeling too positive lately.

But Hannah, who blocked me on Facebook, said she'd un-bookmark my blog if I didn't update soon.  And we can't have that.

But I also figured nobody wants a play-by-play of what I've been doing the last few weeks.  So, in the spirit of my good friend Holly, I'm going to just give the run down on each member of the family.

First, Rex.

Rex has been really into temples lately.  When he got the August issue of the Friend he was very excited to see the Salt Lake temple on the cover and told me all about how he was going to get married in the temple and that after he got married, I could have a turn, and then Daddy could.  When questioned who was he was going to marry, he at first said Daddy.  Sometimes he says himself, and once he even said Grandma Pattie.  Koodos to me that he knows what a temple is and that he ought to get married in one, but I think we need to work on the concept of marriage, especially since Greg and I aren't married and Rex is going to marry his grandmother.

Rex also requested that we go to the temple for family night (good for me that he knew what family night was--man I am an amazing mother).  So the Monday before we left Utah, we went to the temple and looked at the flowers.  This is the Mt. Timpanogos temple, where Greg and I got married (yes, we really are married).  Rex was pretty excited to see the blue temple and to be so close to it.  Luckily the temple was closed so we didn't have deal with keeping him outside.

Since we moved out of our old house, Rex has decided that he doesn't need naps.  But he does.  I find him like this a lot.  He's started just falling asleep in random places at really bad times--like 5 o'clock in the afternoon--and then not going to bed until 10 or so.  I am not ready to give up my naps.

Also before we left Provo, we went bowling with two of Greg's sisters.  Rex had a ton of fun for the first two rounds, before getting bored of having to take turns and going to the arcade instead.  Next time, we'll just let Rex bowl all the frames.

 I didn't think they'd make Rex wear bowling shoes, so didn't bring socks for him, so he wore my socks and he adorable shoes.

Otherwise Rex is adjusting to his new house and getting ready for baby.  He walks around the house asking which stuff is ours and getting really excited when he finds something that he knows is ours that he hasn't seen for a while.  He also really likes to show people his new room and his new big boy bed (he's in a regular twin now) and showing people baby Alice-y's crib.

He also really likes black people (is that ok to say?).  I think it's because whenever we go anywhere here in the South, we run into black people (imagine that) and so far all the older women have been super nice to Rex.  They shake his hand and ask him his name and how old he is.  He's taken to just walking up to people and saying, "Hi, I Rex."  It's adorable.  Today at church he saw an older black woman and waved to her as we were walking out of the chapel, but she didn't wave back--he is only 2 fee tall so I don't think she saw him.  So, Rex walked up to her and just stood there by her waiting for her to say hi.  Finally, I had to interrupt her conversation so she could shake Rex's hand and we could go to nursery.  Did I mention that Rex also introduces me--"I Rex.  Dat Header."  Sometimes he even calls me Heather instead of mom...not sure how I feel about that.  I could go on, but Hannah really only wanted pictures so I'll move onto..

Second, me.

I am trying.  Trying to make the best of things here.  I still miss Provo desperately.  I cry at least twice a week about it--usually when I'm lost or driving 45 minutes to get to the grocery store and am just missing the ease that was Provo.  I met a super nice lady at the library the other day and she said to give Charlotte a year--she said that's how long it took her to appreciate it.  So maybe in 11 1/2 months.

On the bright side, I have nearly the whole house unpacked--just a few more boxes that were waiting for new carpet.  I also have a pile of pictures to be hung, but am trying to decided if I should even bother because I need to paint most of the house.  We did paint Rex's room yesterday--bright green, I love it--so at least I can get some things on the walls in there.

I've also made a few friends and the Relief Society president calls me at least twice a week to see what I need--I haven't worked up the courage to say that I really need some help painting, yet.  Maybe when she calls me next week I'll do it.

I also have a new midwife.  We tried one practice here in Charlotte that wanted us to do the same thing we did with Rex--tests, tests, tests, early induction, NICU.  We decided we didn't want to do that again, so we transfer to a very small practice in South Carolina.  We see only one midwife and will deliver at a birth center in South Carolina.  I am excited to have a normal, natural birth.  I am not excited about being sent home two to four hours after the birth--but then again, hospitals don't really let you sleep anyway.

And last, Greg.

Greg loves it here, but knows that I don't.  He bends over backwards to make things easy for me.  He didn't complain when he had zero clothes to wear.  He painted Rex's room nearly by himself yesterday.  He gets on line when I call him when I'm lost to tell me where to go.  He takes Rex on adventures around the 7 acres we currently live on almost every day after work so I can do whatever.  He takes Rex on errands and watches him after work so I can rest.  He takes me a drives through actual neighborhoods and reminds me that one day I will once again have neighbors and sidewalks.

Greg still enjoys his job.  He has a few funny stories to share every day, but he seems to work a bit more at this job than he did at previous jobs, which I suppose is a good thing.

He has also been going on adventures around the basement/garage/shed here.  It's like living in an antique/pawn shop.  Two nights ago he found an old cradle that he's hoping to get painted before baby arrived and the high chair his grandpa used as a baby.  He's also found various computer parts and cables that I didn't think we'd need so left in Provo and a few other little treasures.

Once I get a few more things set up here, I'll post pictures of my favorite parts of the house.  We do have several interior brick walls, which I love; two huge fireplaces, which just scream talent show; and some very regal looking window boxes that make me feel...rich.

And so that's what we've been up to--in a very large nutshell.