infections

I really miss my taste buds. I miss my sense of smell.

The metallic/ salty flavor in my mouth started about 3 weeks ago, another symptom of pregnancy. I was doing my best to deal with this "off" flavor in my mouth the best I could; I would gargle with baking soda, chew spearmint gum, suck on Starbursts, or eat non-sodium items. It was not perfect, but in between salt and metallic flavors, I could still enjoy a french fry or apple.

Now? Taste and smell are completely gone. Been about 6 days since I got a sinus infection. Tonight I made a yummy dinner (ham and cheese poppyseed sliders) with a spinach salad. My family was devouring the meal...and what was I doing? Picking at the food with my fork and breathing heavily through my mouth (since my sinus cavities are so blocked up).

I finally went to the urgent care yesterday, desperate for some answers and relief. What happened after 2 hours of waiting? NOTHING. I hate those visits where they send you empty handed and you feel like an idiot for having sacrificed your time and money to be there. He told me to keep using my neti pot and to take Benadryl at night. Thanks Mr. Dr.

I am obsessed with my Neti Pot. It only provides temporary relief, but how refreshing it is to have that fresh sensation inside my nose and to watch the flow of mucus LEAVE. It is quite disgusting at first, and makes your eyes water....but, after a few tries, you get addicted! If the yellow and brown mucus don't motivate you to get those boogers out of you...not sure what will. When they ooze and slime themselves out of your nose...it is quite the experience. I even took my Neti Pot to school with me today!

So...another day passes with sickness. If I am not nauseous and dry heaving, I am suffering from coughing or stomach pains...and now it's my poor sinus infection and headache that are just hard to adjust to! Especially chasing after students and kids all day. Do you know how it sounds to try and teach measurement conversions when you sound like you are plugging your nose? Not good.

I just want to get better for our cruise...in two short weeks...where the FOOD is everything to me...

please
o
please
get
healed.

Now.


Update: It's been 2 days of straight HEALTH for me. I went to my OB dr. appt last week and begged for some antibiotics. Amoxocyllin. Thank heaven for modern medicine. In four days I could taste and smell. I can taste my food, blow my nose without slime, and sleep without my mouth turning dry like the Sahara desert. This is not going unnoticed by me...my health has been compromised by my sweet peanut for months. I am just hoping that it can continue for a few more weeks/months? I have been able to stay up 'til 11pm watching movies, and I even enjoyed some sour patch watermelons! I love the taste :)

Ready to take my life back

These last 4 + months have been exhausting. I feel like I have had this "out of body" life where I just live life hour by hour...waiting for the next wave of nausea to strike. I am out of sync with normal duties, friendships, decision making and joys of life. In bed by 8:30pm most nights.

Don't know what it is about weekends, but I usually feel great! Is it b/c I am not emotionally invested in my students for 7 hours? Is it b/c I have access to my soft bed to lay down for 10 min if I need to? Is it b/c my toddler keeps me super busy as he chases me around screaming? (Ok, Ok, so the screaming part is not so great...he literally runs the show in his toddler ways).

So, today was no exception. I woke up in a good mood. Isaac calmed down after 2 hours this morning and was able to eat some breakfast. (I am not sure why he always cries in the morning, moans, whines and begs to be held. I give him lots of loves and attention for a good hour, but then mama has to get things done! That is when WWI breaks out on the home front).

Today I had my life back! I got several things accomplished with ZERO NAUSEA. I wiped down the microwave (where earlier I could see some small splatters but didn't have the stomach to wipe them off), I tossed out old food from the pantry (it's been hard to even open the door and see the canned food or crackers, just making my stomach turn over), and re-organized my fridge (although it has yet to be wiped down well).

I mopped and vacuumed the wood floors, emptied garbages and even filled up my fruit basket with fresh and colorful fruit!

With my motherly duties being on the back burner, I have ditched all efforts of cooking/grocery shopping/ organzing/ menu planning, etc. So...you can imagine the state of my kitchen with others roaming around and NOT keeping it up to my "standard of excellence" (as Gpa Lowe says).

I even made it Wal Mart today without dry heaving! I zoomed past the raw meats, smelly produce and filled my cart up with necessities. Since when have grocery prices spiked? Is it our economy? Have I been that much out of the loop of purchases to be so shocked?

Cream of chicken soup: 1.12 (wasn't it .80?)
Cheerios: $3-4
Fruit snacks: $4.00 (for the Welch's brand...my favorite)

Another interesting thing I have discovered about myself, is that I no longer am conscientious of my calorie counting. Just 5 months ago I was doing fruit flushes, logging onto livestrong.com to enter in my calories for the day, and doing all I could to maintain an "under 1700" calorie intake. I wouldn't eat a box of raisins for the 12 g of sugar, or the 1/2 C of milk with the 17 g of sugar... and heaven forbid if I indulge in a pretzel from the mall with all those carbs!

Now? Forget it! I am not overeating, but I am not holding back. Prior to being prego, I told myself I would only eat when hungry, and I would eat modest portions. That was very naive of me. Every pregnancy, I am STARVING. Stomach growling every 2 hours. With food being my enemy for the last 4 months, it's amazing that I have already gained 15 lbs (embarrassing I know). If I am not eating, I am dry heaving. Then when I eat, I sometime throw up. My body is NOT on board with this idea of growing a baby inside.

So....off I go into the world of weight gain. I have accepted the idea and look forward to getting a serious "burn" at the gym in 6 months. It's frustrating to know how much weight I have gained despite my efforts of hitting the gym! You'd think it'd slow down a little bit !I am still working out 3-4 x's a week, but the intensity of it all is very limited...again, b/c I get too nauseous if I push myself too hard. My workouts consist of light weights, 25 min. of light cardio and stretching. Anything is better than nothing, right?

My bump is happily showing, my butt is widening, my arms are fattening. Just don't tell me when I start to grow a second chin.

Welcome to pregnancy...and I haven' t even hit the heartburn, swollen or HUGE stages yet!

Valentine's Dinner Party

Who doesn't love a party with good food, friends and fun? (That sounds like an advertisement).

Well...we decided to throw a "Couples only Dinner party" with our close friends for V day. We spent the day preparing the house, inside and out for our guests to arrive. Saturdays truly are dedicated to chores, and to teaching our boys a strong work ethic. I am just glad Jared enjoys raking, mowing the lawn, setting up pigeon traps and weeding b/c I would rather be inside taking care of the laundry and bathrooms! Austin is a great helper, and Wesley is still trying to not be lazy or complain.

The couples showed up in matching colors (black was the popular choice), and all brought some delicious Italian food or drink.

Couples: Paul and Leslie Boley, Dustin and April Ashton, Mike and Nikki Thrower, Chris and Trisha Mariner, Jeremy and Jennie Souders, and Josh and Tasha Stringham.

On the menu: eggplant Parmesan, spaghetti and marinara, spinach salad, cheesy garlic bread, mozz sticks, spaghetti squash, homemade Italian soda, caramel brownies, and cheesecake. Delish!





The games made our bellies hurt and cheeks burn as we discovered "Newleywed" secrets and played a taste testing on our hubbies. They did NOT like the spicy V8 juice that they sipped, nor the cold mac 'n cheese or green olives. They were good sports.

It was also interesting to see if they could recognize their wives hands blindfolded. Only 3 of the 7 couples actually got it right! Jared was teased for being the "detailed" one as he kept trying to find my thumb on all the girls' hand.


More than anything, it was just the company of good people that made the night a success. How lucky we are to have friends to share our lives with and to enjoy.

Until next year, Happy Valentine's Day :)

Valentine's Day for Mrs. Wilson

The day started out well. I got a light sweat work out in at the gym in the wee hours of dawn, got out the door arriving only 10 min. late to work, and was even able to eat another breakfast during my math class (I shared some oatmeal with Isaac at 6:30, tummy was growling by 8am).

Then it began...the emotions...the hormones...the sensitive side of Mrs. Wilson.

For one thing, I am ALWAYS STARVING. To the average woman, this would be a fun, perhaps even ideal situation. But, when you are pregnant, working as a teacher in front of 20 little faces, and having to scavenger for your next meal every 2 hours...it's NOT fun or ideal. If I am not eating a foot long (yes, all 12 inches) during one sitting, I am hoarding a hot pocket and cup of noodles soup from the cafeteria (disgusting I know! Desperation comes in many forms).

So, when my stomach starts to churn, I know I have gone too long without feeding the baby. Over two hours and I am in bad shape.

My second hour of math class began at 9am. After teaching the kids for an hour about division equations, I was ready for a snack! I was excited b/c I had actually come prepared with FOOD today (vs. just the regular apple, orange or saltines). I took out my prepared tuna mixture, swiss cheese and wheat bread, anticipating it going into my mouth.

As I had just laid my spread, trying to hide in a corner so my students wouldn't see my subway-type set up...I got distracted by a number of students asking questions. What happened? My yummy tuna sandwich fell to the nasty carpeted floor...open faced....spilling out all of its contents...cheese and all.

I was not only devastated by my loss of FOOD, but embarrassed by all of my students reactions. I tried to stay calm as I bent down on all four, belly hanging low, ducking under my desk to clean it up. I could feel my cheeks starting to burn as the blush crawled up my face.

I just wanted to eat my sandwich! Stay away from me kids! Leave me alone in peace!

What's the next comment I hear, "That smells like throw up." Really child? Is that how you want to talk to your prego teacher that is just trying to make it hour by hour in this school room? (Not to mention this child is one of my challenging students). Really? I told him, "Bring it on....bring on your attitude."

But...that's when I started to lose it.
I was feeling sensitive.
I was feeling emotional.
My nose started to tingle.
My eyes started to burn.

I excused myself to use the restroom. I stood outside my door and asked for my co-teacher, Mrs. Simmons to step outside. Tears were really flowing by this point. She was very shocked to see me crying and wanted to go ream her students for treating me like that.

I know it was really minuscule. I just had had enough comments about my food, my growing belly, being compared to a platypus, questions about my personal life, etc.

Just let me eat my tuna in peace! Stop hovering! Give me space! Stop talking about me! Don't ask for my saltines! They are not for you!

Luckily my students had PE for the next hour, so I was able to compose myself. "Get it together Wilson, you are a bigger person than this!"

Another sweet teacher, Mrs. Lee was out at recess at the time and immediately noticed my red face and shiny eyes. She was very empathetic and exactly who I need to bawl to. Teachers really understand other teachers. We are on the battle fronts together EVERY DAY. We love our kids and we really are annoyed by our kids. We try our best everyday to reach out to all of them, but in the end, sometimes they just get to your soul.

My day got better.

The kids in that class all wrote me apology letters. They came straight from their hearts, reached out, and touched my own. I will cherish them. Some were down right funny! All the girls mentioned how pretty I was, or how much they liked my hair. That boosts up anyone's self image :)

Some of the phrases were:
Nate (one of my favorites): I am so sorry that you I called you a platypus. I will now raise my hand to give you your space. I hurt your feelings once and never again. I like you b/c you never get mad, you always smile when someone cracks a joke.

Rachael (who I had been battling an issue with respect for just the day prior): I'm sorry I laughed at you. I really like it when you help me with my work. You are my nicest teacher I have ever had.

Ian (my top math student, but really not strong in writing/reading): That estimation jar was the best idea ever. We will never be smart like you. (Isn't that funny?). The only way we can be smart like you is if you teach us your ways.

Mason (a sensitive, insecure and brilliant math student): I love the way you teach me math. You help me understand what I learn. You helped me get good grades and I thank you for that.

Too bad it took me getting emotional and sad for my kids to give me praise for my efforts! LOL

The day ended with Valentine festivities. Who doesn't like receiving a handful of hand written notes, fun dips, suckers, chocolates and worn out stuffed animals from these snot nosed (literally, I have to tell them to go blow their noses all the time) and terrific students.

I loved Valentine's day as a child and passing out all the goodies to my friends (secretly hoping for a Valentine of my own), and loving that class party. Today was the same. Lots of laughter, silly dancing from the boys, outdoor play, chips/cookies/punch, and sweat.

Tonight we ended the evening with more dancing and sugar at our ward V-day party. I was shaking my belly and booty as I twirled my boys around and waltzed with Jared. I had such a sour and rumbling tummy before too long, but did my best to breathe through it. Wesley had a bit of confidence as he tried to slide and break dance, where Austin was a bit "shy" (as he told me) and only danced to a few songs (YMCA, Chicken dance, and Michael Jackson). Isaac? He just sat on the chair with a sucker in hand, or cried to be held. Someday all my boys will dance :) Their mama will teach them!

Off to bed...sick sick sick. Big Valentine dinner party tomorrow!

Baby news!

At 15 weeks along, this is how much by belly is showing (actually the pic was taken at 14 weeks, but close enough).


It might not look as big as it feels to me...but, I swear my face has filled out, my arms are bigger, my torso is the size of a tree trunk, my thighs are larger, and my boobs need a bigger bra! And I am not even 4 months along! Seriously?

I had a thorough ultrasound (thanks to our good friend Jeremy Souders who does is a sonographer at Del Webb hospital). We spent over 45 min. pushing, prodding, stretching and searching my sour tummy for the NEWS we wanted. Boy or girl?

This is the best look at IT....

IT is very obvious.

We are officially building a Wilson basketball team.

I am still part of the BOYS ONLY club.

As Jared told me, "You are still the queen."


Feelings on F O U R missionaries, gentlemen or monkeys? At first I admit to feeling disappointed. I really wanted to experience pig tails, a tutu or a mini "me." BUT...who am I to feel ungrateful? We are thrilled to be having another baby, boy or girl. As my friend Leslie told me, a sweet baby boy has been waiting three years to come down to our family (since Isaac lost a brother in the womb)...and this is now his chance to be another chico.

We are really excited.

Now we just need to agree on a name! Simon? Grayson? We can't decide on anything!

This is the morning that we told the boys, at 6:30am on the way to school. They were for sure sad b/c they wanted a baby sister, but I am sure they will forget all about that as soon as they hold that little peanut in their hands :) Literally, another peanut!