20 Weeks

Here we are at 20 weeks. The last 20 weeks have been tough and not very pleasant.  At my 18week apt I had gained 8 pounds in 4 weeks!!!!  WHAT???  I still am not able to eat very much-when I eat, I get nauseous and I just didn't understand WHERE the weight came from.  My blood pressure was good (quite low) and the baby's heartbeat was good.  Since I'm not able to hide it anymore-most people now know that I'm pregnant-and thanks to Kyra-everyone knows "My mommy had a baby in her tummy".  Besides being nauseous almost all of the time-I am extremely tired, and now have severe cases of restless legs at night.  My legs hurt SO BAD!!!!!  I am also horribly forgetful; the day of Tristan's pinewood derby-I traveled to Montpelier for work.  It is more than 1 1/2hrs away.  When I got to the first house to take photos -I realized I had forgotten the camera at home.  Devin actually had the day off and met me back in Soda Springs--what should have been a 4 hour day turned into more of a 5 1/2 hour day with a LOT of driving. I forgot Tristan's ballet shoes one day-forget I have laundry in the washer (ewwww), and so much more.  I have also found that I get extremely hot!  Two weeks ago I was sitting in Relief Society and had such a hot flash hit me I couldn't function. I was reading a quote and when I was done-the teacher said thank you BUT, this is what the quote really said.  I don't know what I read-but it wasn't what I had in front of me.  Those poor ladies probably thought I was having a stroke.  I came very close to passing out.  This last week I made sure to take a water--which helped, but it was still too much.  I better remember to sit by the door for a quick exit.

Pine Wood Derby 2015

Tristan's first Pine Wood Derby has come and gone.  The car Devin and Tristan worked on turned out pretty cool.  Overall-he did really good and I think had a fun time.  I had a horribly long day and could only handle 5 minutes of the actual derby---so I didn't get any racing photos.  

 The little girls wanted to be in the photo-so we made Cortlynn stand in it too,

Blue and gold

Just to let everyone know, I am NOT made to be a scout mom.  I don't have the patience to sew patches on the shirt, I don't have the creativity to help with a pine wood derby car, I don't have the time for weekly meetings, and after the first Blue and Gold Banquet-I really don't have the spunky personality to really sit thru it let a lone be "in charge".  Here's praying that never happens!  Knock on wood-

For Tristan's cake we made a simple cake with a "campfire" on top and roasted marshmallows around it. I admit-it was cute.  Tristan was pleased.

 Tristan was part of a skit but the little stinker wouldn't turn around for me to get a photo.

 Tristan received is bobcat patch and Devin found the camera.  EEKKKK---Do I look pregnant or what?

16 Weeks

We are at 16 weeks now and some days I'm really feeling it.  The vomiting is pretty much gone, but the nausea rears its ugly head daily and almost nightly.  Kyra is beyond excited and tells the baby goodnight while she rubs my tunny.  Brynlee says baby and rubs my belly-but than she turns around and rubs her own belly and says baby...she doesn't quite get it.  I don't know if it's because I'm older or if it's because I know several women that have had difficult pregnancies that didn't have good/happy outcomes-but I've been so paranoid with this pregnancy.  I even told my doctor that I was worried.  It probably doesn't help that while watching TV the other day, a commercial for a lawyers office came on stating that if you took this drug during pregnancy and your baby was born with a birth defect or heart defect you may be compensated: of course it's one of the medications I've been taking since December to help with my extreme sickness.  I'm sure all is good and we are looking forward to finding out what we are having in just a few weeks.

 The below photo is my "sexy" pregnancy photo.

SURPRISE!!!!!

I haven't made a "Facebook" announcement yet, but family and a few friends and neighbors have heard the news.  In November (a few days after my birthday) I found out that I'm expecting baby #5.  I was a little shocked, excited, nervous; so many emotions all at one time.  My thought was to keep it a secret and make it into a Christmas present.  The idea was good--until the 2nd week of December came around.  I became SOOOOO sick!!!  I mean, not able to function sick.  I couldn't move, I would throw up every hour, tired, just awful!  I had to tell Devin.  I ended up calling my doctor in tears, and he called in a prescription. HALLELUJAH!  Finally-some relief.  While this was all going on-I was trying to practice for the Nutcracker, and also perform the Nutcracker.  These were some trying weeks.  The prescriptions would work--for 6 hours, and than I would be SICK!..  I would try take the prescriptions at a good time so I could function during the day and time it right so I could function at night.  It was tough!

Christmas morning arrived and I prepared a gift for the kids to open (a baby outfit and Baby's 1st Christmas ornament) and also a gift for my parents to open at the same time.  When the gifts were opened it took a minute for everything to sink in.  Cortlynn was shocked and I'm pretty sure cried in disbelief.  After about 30minutes, I realize Tristan didn't understand what was going on. Poor little man.  I made a little gift for Devin's parents to open later that day, and they really didn't understand.  I had to explain it.  Oh well---The news is out, at least with the family.  

The kids are SO excited about the new addition and can't get over how "big" my tummy is getting.  I had my first appointment at 9weeks and was able to hear the heartbeat.  So strong-----Since this will most likely be the last little one we have----I'm going to try to document more of the actual pregnancy with photos.  Yeah!

12 WEEKS

Parent Visitation week-January 2015

In January, the parents were able to go in and watch the dance classes of the kids.  I was able to go to Tristan's ballet and tap class, Kyra's ballet class, and 1 of Cortlynn's classes (of course, she didn't want any photos taken).  Tristan LOVES to dance and he is getting so good-especially at ballet.  I think ballet is his dance of choice vs-tap--yet reenacting every Michael Jackson video is his true love.  

 Tristan is always so happy at dance, and takes class VERY seriously.  I've had other parents tell me how good he is and how serious he takes his dancing.

Kyra was so excited to begin ballet classes this year, and she looks forward to every Friday morning.  Watching the little one's dance is so much fun and you can't help but smile when you watch them.

Christmas 2014 Newsletter

The time has come when I sit down and compose the highly sought after McIntire Christmas Newsletter (2014).  What an important piece of reading material that enriches lives of all those that have the opportunity to receive, let alone read, highlight, ponder, and study.

Devin continues to be employed at Fred Meyer. He works long hours to keep his wife happy with a paycheck and employee discounts.  Even with all the hours he works, he was able to go hunting and actually came home with a pheasant.  Cortlynn wasn’t too fond of pheasant so if he ever comes home with a deer or heaven forbid an elk, I think she may actually run away.  Since the squatter in the Arco house moved out, Devin has had to travel out there and fix the money pit that haunts me in my dreams. I will still cut anyone a sweet deal for that dream vacation house located in the heart of Arco. This past August Devin, his brother Brett, and my dad braved the heat and our steep roof to complete the shingle replacement process.   How grateful we are to have that project completed.  Now what is on my list for this summer????  Bwaahaahaaa

Besides being a full-time domestic engineer, I continue to mystery shop various eating establishments, work 18-23 hrs. a week babysitting a cute 4yr old and 18month old (yes-there are days that I have 4 children under the age of 4 in our home) and I also work part-time as an Insurance Inspector.  With my new job as an inspector I travel all over SE Idaho, sometimes to some extremely remote locations. I’ve met some really interesting people and can say my math skills I learned 20+ years ago have come in handy. Since I can function on very little sleep, I am also an Activity Days Leader, PTA chairman for Tristan’s elementary perfect attendance, and the President of the Parent Organization at Cortlynn’s school.  It may sound like a lot (okay, it is) but I know what is going on with my kids. This year I decided to actually “perform” in the Nutcracker.  I have considered doing this for years and finally made the decision to do something for myself while at the same time it is a perfect opportunity to embarrass my children and possibly my husband.  I’m definitely no Meryl Streep with my acting or Beth and Sergiu with my dancing, but I’m having fun.

Cortlynn has matured into such a beautiful and talented 13 year old young lady.  The teenage years are definitely challenging, but what a great daughter she is.  Cortlynn continues to take ballet classes and LOVES it.  She dances throughout the school year, a few weeks in the summer, and was selected to compete in YAGP in Denver this upcoming February.  With all the dancing and rehearsals, she continues to get straight A’s in school including the honors courses she has.  She not only dances but she tried out and was chosen to be in the select choir at her school. What dedication she has. If I had her schedule and school courses at her age-I don’t’ think I would be nearly as successful.

Tristan is our little man.  He LOVES everyone and everything-EXCEPT food.  He is in 2^nd grade and has straight MT’s (that is the elementary version of A’s).  He decided to continue taking ballet and also added tap classes.  There have been those that haven’t kept their rude comments to themselves regarding boys in tights and dancing-but so far, he has ignored them and smiles while in class.  Once again he is a soldier in the Nutcracker and practices every day with his little sisters.  He is now in cubscouts-Yipee, I can’t wait for all of those added activities.—He is rarely home; if he’s not at a friend’s house-he is visiting with the neighbors and getting up to date with all the gossip.  Tristan is the neighborhood nosy old lady. A few weeks ago he made the decision to get baptized; we are so proud.

Kyra continues to be our little Diva. What a handful she is and I am holding my breath for when she is 13.  This past spring I bribed her with a tutu if she would start using the potty-that worked.  If you could bribe everyone with a tutu-wouldn’t the world be a happier place? Kyra has been waiting for over a year to take dance classes and this September she was old enough to start.  WOW-how she looks forward to Friday mornings.  She loves to sing, dance, play, go to primary and fight with her siblings.  Just recently Kyra has decided to be a big girl and go to bed by herself.  This is quite an accomplishment for her! Her dad and I are so proud.

Brynlee is now 19 months old and believes she is so much older.  She loves to read books, play with her babies, sing, dance, and voice her opinions.  Just the other day she told Kyra to “LEAVE ME ALONE”.  She is definitely a better sleeper and will let me know when she is ready for bed.  Not only can she say a lot of words verbally, she can also “sign” a few.  She amazes me daily with how smart she is.  Brynlee enjoys helping me with the laundry and also the vacuuming.  Hopefully this will continue.

In May we traveled to Disneyland for the Annual Swanson Family Reunion and to celebrate my parent’s 40^th wedding Anniversary. Devin’s work schedule changed the last minute so the kids and I drove to Vegas and Devin flew in and met us.  The drive was definitely long and tiring, but we had a wonderful experience.  Tristan and Kyra would like to go back NOW.  We spent several days at the park and also enjoyed a day at the beach.  The house we rented was big enough for all of us and we were able to stay  in the Star Wars room which Tristan thought was so cool. We went camping (for a night) with my sister and her family in August-- it is a lot of work to camp with kids that aren’t too fond of outhouses or being in the wilderness; okay-I was just describing myself. Not only did we attend several family reunions, I also dragged the family to my 20 year class reunion. I was naive and believed that being class president would end at graduation; nope—WRONG!  I am lucky enough to be the one to plan all the class reunions for the rest of our existence.  I am so thankful for my awesome friends and classmates that assisted to make the 2 day event a success. 

I continue to update my blog @ christinamcintire.blogspot.com   if you’re ever bored and can’t possibly wait for the next Christmas newsletter.  We had a wonderful and eventful 2014 and can’t wait to see what exciting adventures 2015has in store for us.  

We wish you a very safe and happy Holiday Season!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Devin, Christina, Cortlynn, Tristan, Kyra, and Brynlee