WARNING...

...This post may get graphic. I just got done gagging as I attempted to hack up the large ball of mucus stuck in my throat. I swallowed to see if I got it all out, of course not. Still more. It's stuck. At least for the next few hours until it comes down and starts gagging me again. Want to know how long I've been dealing with this? Since January 10th!! Yes, that's over a month. So I finally go to the doctor to make sure I'm not missing anything and he tells me it's probably a virus and to give it another week or two. SO frustrating! So that doctor's visit was a big waste, of time AND money, as was Sam's doctor visit last week when they told us to give it another week. Well when Sam got a pretty high fever a couple days later we decided to just put him on an antibiotic. We'd had enough! We're still not convinced it's working but I guess we'll finish it anyway. He has rough moments still but in general he's improving. I must admit amidst my complaining that I'm feeling a lot better too, despite the continuous mucus. Still not as much energy as normal, but I'll give that a little more time. As sickness always does, it's made me more grateful for my health and more compassionate for people who deal with long term illness that makes them feel crummy all the time. I can't imagine. We'll be happy for the warmer weather for sure.
Monday was Valentine's day! I made pancakes for breakfast and we cut them into hearts. Caleb cut one for me with an arrow through it. It looked so cool I didn't want to eat it! We went out to lunch at this place called Jaker's and it was absolutely delicious! Caleb had made a reservation and we told the lady we were there and she said she'd seat us in just a second. After about 20 min. of waiting and watching people that'd come in AFTER us without a reservation be seated, Caleb went and asked her if we were still on the list. She gasped and said she'd forgotten about us and anyway we got a free appetizer for it so we splurged and got some fancy seafood appetizer. YUM. Well worth the extra wait to get that for free! We shared the blackened chicken pasta and it was so yummy. I've got to track down that recipe somehow! That'll be one of my new favorite places. Caleb brought home beautiful potted tulips that I'll be planting when it gets warmer. They're so pretty. I love flowers, especially coming from Caleb! And I love that these tulips will last for so long! Be right back...

Finally, got it out. That was a big one. Glad it only took a few minutes to descend and start the gagging process instead of the usual few hours. SICK!! I warned you...

Okay anyway. Caleb also brought home this cute little teddy bear!I'd told him I'd been on the look out for a stuffed animal for Sam because he plays with other kids' and I was pretty sure he'd have fun with one. So when Caleb found this cute furry one he thought he'd kill two birds with one stone and get it for both of us. :) Despite the "Kiss me" part, it's perfect for Sam. Maybe we'll cut that part off. I know those type of gifts aren't in Caleb's nature so it made me appreciate it even more.
Saturday we went bowling with some friends for the first time in a LONG time. We didn't bowl great but it was still fun. Okay I have to mention that I beat Caleb by a few points. We remembered with fondness when Caleb and I were dating and Dad came to Utah and took us, Cami and Tyler, and Jeff bowling. The deal was if anyone beat Dad he'd take us all out to ice cream. Caleb bowled his personal best and beat Dad so we all went to the BYU creamery. I was SO proud of Caleb!! Speaking of ice cream we went to Kiwi Loco with our friends after bowling and enjoyed the frozen yogurt. It's just like the place Steph took me in Vegas, where you load it up with whatever you want and then pay by the ounce. I've been craving it ever since!
We had a Relief Society activity this week where a gal came and talked to us about organization. Her and her Mom used to teach classes at BYU-I about it. It was REALLY good and made me want to be much more organized. I've made a few improvements so far but have a ways to go.
Lest I only record the occasional fun moments of the week, here's a little sneak peak into the daily life of the Baker Bunch.
A few weeks ago I was visiting teaching and the girl I visit teach who doesn't have any kids and wants to wait at least 5 years to have kids asked what me and Brittany, my VT comp, do all day (Brittany also stays at home with one kid). I tried to think of what to said and finally had to laugh and say, "I don't know!" I've realized that taking care of one child really takes up almost all of my time. I obviously need to somehow make some adjustments in order to handle two, not to mention more than that! On top of caring for Sam I feel accomplished if I read my scriptures, workout, shower, clean something in the house, and make a healthy, yummy dinner. These things take time when they have to be worked in strategically between nursings, feedings, playing, reading books, diaper changes, nose wiping, saline insertion/snot extraction, Vicks rubbing, medication administration, daily baths/showers (with me holding him) to try and break up his mucus, helping him fall asleep, etc. etc. So yes next time I'll be prepared to list off what I do everyday! I'm not complaining at all, I love it completely most days and wouldn't rather be spending my time any other way. Just wanted to put my finger on what I really do everyday! How could I not love what I do. Look at this cutie!! (The pantry is one of his new favorite places to play. I caught him yesterday sucking on the syrup cap which had plenty of syrup remains to give him more sugar than he's ever had before!) By the way this pic was taken when Sam had a fever of over 100. He's such a champ. He is almost always happy even when he doesn't feel good. I love this boy.There's also the occasional crafting/play group that is a welcomed change. Speaking of which I finally finished Sam's letters for his poor bare wall yesterday, which Laura and I started before Christmas. I'll post a pic when I get them hung up. I think Laura will be proud of of how they turned out!