Some adjustments

So we did a week of the 6 am to 10 pm schedule. We had difficulty sleeping, but we enjoyed out mornings. However after a week (a short time I know) we decided that we are going to slightly adjust the schedule. Now we are waking up at 7am and going to bed at 11pm.  The main reason for this is Sylvia. By the time Sylvia goes to bed at night we were left with very little time. That time after she goes to bed is GOLD. That's when I get...anything! done.  It is sort of my sanity time, I paint, clean up, relax...or whatever I want really. Since we were waking her up early to go on morning walks we didn't have extra time in the morning or at night. So we adjusted now we are on day 1 of 7am to 11pm.  I think it will work out well, we had our scripture study together before Paul had to get ready for work.  So that is my update !

Garden boxes

We have them...Paul built them, and we love them. Currently we are growing cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, okra, watermelons. ..we had some other squash but they produced and then died because of the heat. Here's some pictures.

Day Three

Well last night I ate an entire (with a small bit of help from Paul) bag of chips...yikes.  I am making the excuse for myself that I am pregnant and I can eat what I want.  However my body did not agree because I woke up around midnight with a horrible stomachache, which lasted most of the night.  We still woke up at 6am, but we didn't go on a walk. I have been a little bit better today, but still feel...not great. So there's my update on that.

hairpin legs

We are building a table.  Mostly Paul is building a table, however we have minimal tools so we are trying to design it so that all the wood can be cut at home depot.  This led us to hairpin legs.  We bought 4 to use on the table.
                                                   these are the ones we bought (28")

Our house fits with this style (built in 1961 and with minimal changes since then), so really the table will fit in.  I am still on the fence (although the legs are purchased) because hairpin legs are kind of a trendy decision.

On the one hand the isn't a table that we are making to last forever, its not that expensive to build, its really the cheapest option we've seen even after looking at thrift stores...so if its out of style in a few year no big deal.  On the other hand are hairpin legs already out of style?
We have wood floors and the table top is wood (pine) so I actually like the idea of breaking up the wood with table legs made of something else.  We bought "raw steel" legs so we have to paint them either clear of pick a color (maybe white?).  I kind of like the idea of a fun color for the table legs....but again I also don't want to paint them and then wish I hadn't in a month, but then its only a short term table so why not go for it.

  These are the ponderings of my heart at the moment.  Can't wait for this table though...its long overdue.

Day 2

Well, we made it in bed by 10:15pm, but I didn't fall asleep until somewhere between 1:30 and 2:00, then that still involved multiple wake ups...very disappointing.

However we are only day two and Paul keeps reminding me to optimistic.  He fell right asleep but, did wake up a few times.

Also, sleeping is difficult to begin with because of pregnancy.  I never sleep on my back and then all of the sudden I am pregnant (therefore not supposed to sleep on my back) and all I want to do is sleep on my back, strange and uncomfortable.

We were up again at 6:00, had our scripture study and walk which are invigorating. Again it's only day 2 we will see how things play out.

Experimenting

    I really really really hate waking up early, I also love to stay up late.  So when I read this article in the Ensign, I was surprised that it was my idea that we should try it out.  Maybe because I know I am going to need more energy with baby no. 2 on the way...or maybe because it just makes sense, I convinced Paul to attempt it with me.  "it" being that we go to bed at 10pm and wake up at 6am pretty much every night.  Obviously sometimes there will be variation to that, mostly because I work every Friday night (7pm to 7am), so the weekends might be a little bit off, but we will try and reset every Sunday.
     Today was our first day of this experiment.  We decided that since we are giving up time at night that we should try to use the time in the morning productively. That way we don't end up just loosing time.  Instead of doing our scripture study at night (usually rushed) we started our day with 30 mins of scripture study.  Then we went on a walk (usually we do that in the evenings), then I fed Sylvia while Paul got ready for work.  It was nice to see Paul (and for him to see Sylvia and I) before work. It was also nice to go on a morning walk when the world was peaceful and calm, BUT it was hard for me to get to sleep last night, and even harder to make myself get up at 6am.
    This whole process also requires some adjustment to Sylvia's schedule, so we will slowly try and transition her to an earlier bedtime.  Waking her up early today was definitely hard on her, and on me as well (she's been fussy all day even though she took a nap).
    We've committed ourselves to try this for one month and see how it goes (if we still can't sleep at night we might transition back), but it seems like a healthier way to live, and the promise of more energy is enough to get me to try something I am naturally inclined to hate.

a business

Paul and I are starting a business, we are not really sure what direction we are going to go, or what we plan on doing exactly, but we have been talking about it a lot recently, and we will be chronicling our attempts on the this blog.  In fact the blog might even be the business.

snakes

I HATE THEM.

Blackberries

We have a BUNCH of blackberries growing around our yard.  Tuesday I made a smoothie and some jam...and we've got more that will be ripe soon...yumm!

Garden Boxes

Our first garden box is blooming (not flowers), the plants are growing well.  I was a little bit nervous because just a few days after we transplanted the seeds we left for California (can I still call it home?) for 9 days...but thank you florida for the rain, and sister missionaries for your help because the plants all survived our absence. pictures soon.  Paul has started garden box #2 but its hard to find time for anything.

Thursday

Thursday seems to somehow be the hardest day of the week for me.  Emotionally that is I am drained and tired.  Friday I work and somehow that is both exhausting and energizing but Thursdays are tough.

update

We are reading Rough Stone Rolling.  It is a history of Joseph Smith, I have oft had it recommended. So far we are enjoying it, Paul and I are reading it out loud to each other.

Paul finished building our first garden box, we are now working on getting dirt and we have seeds all germinated and ready to plant, Paul is working on building a few more but we are happy to have one done!

We are expecting baby #2 in mid-october, I have not been quite as sick as with Sylvia but nevertheless I have plenty of nausea...and occasional vomiting....can't wait to be further along.

We spend all our money at home depot and lowes...set-up costs.

We NEED a new fridge.

It is spring here and we have lots of flowers in our yard...thank your former owners, it is truly glorious.

We love the house we bought.

We have a lot of projects to do on the house we bought.

We bought a manual lawn mower and its pretty fun to use...it is not a perfect cut, but does a pretty good job.

We finally got a composting bin, hopefully we will be successful.

I (well all the nurses where I work) got a raise :) and patient ratios have been much better, my job is 20 times better now, I feel like I can give much better care because I have fewer patients.

Paul got a small bonus and raise...much appreciated.

In the process of buying wood our windshield was somehow cracked :(

We spoke in church on Sunday (3/22) it seemed to go really well, I enjoyed writing the talk.

Sylvia is one! and walking! and warbling!  and SOOOO cute, really I can't even handle how cute.

So those are some updates on our family. As my sisters keep telling me, I am living the dream.

sylvia stands

without help or holding onto anything she standing all the time, now she needs the courage to take a step

I had 4 patients in a row that were 92 years old..strange right?

My life seems to revolve around poop, and not even my own poop.  At home I clean up poopy diapers and because Sylvia won't ever hold still it can be very messy.  And when I work someone always seems to need some type of pooping assistance (thats what nurses do).  Anyway in case your feeling like your life isn't glamourous enough just remember that I am over in florida cleaning up poop.

We bought a house

a cute little 60s house.  Only one previous owner, who built it, raised kids in it and now has unfortunately passed on.  We love it.  They built it well and obviously (to us) took very good care of it.  I am grateful for they care of this house, I am grateful for the quality workmanship, I am also grateful for all the extra shelfs and storage...and the pear tree.

sleep

I usually only work one shift a week.  Friday night so Paul will be home on Saturday and I can sleep.  Recently though they have been calling offering double bonuses and I have found out exactly how much in terms of $ amount my sleep is worth...and its alot.

we are buying a house

We close at the end of the month on a small 1960s house near a nice park in Lynn Haven Florida.  The commute will be a little bit longer for Paul, but not much.  We will still be near the water, and about the same distance to the beach.

I am hoping that moving into our own space will provide some creative release for me.  Right now every time I feel the urge to start something or make something, I've been telling myself to wait for the move.  Luckily its coming really soon because I have really been craving a creative project.

Its possible that moving will not make much difference because even with the space and the purpose, most of my energy its taken by taking care of Sylvia.  Really I often feel that I am just fighting to get enough sleep, keep our apartment reasonably clean, and eat.  Thankfully my gut feeling is that this move will be very good for me and inspire a lot of productivity.

I think this move will be like the move from Tanglewood to Corry (two different grad student housing villages @UF)  though, not that different but opening up a huge amount of creative flow.  

That's about it, Sylvia cried all night last night and I think that is why she is sleeping so well tonight.  I hope she sleeps a lot tomorrow because tomorrow night I do my one shift a week at the hospital.  Good thing they buy us pizza.

Anyway. That's about all for now.  I will post some pictures when we move.