Woefully Behind

That is certainly how I feel when it comes to my blogging these days. I just counted my entries for October - three. Honestly I don't expect it to get much better anytime soon since we are not only moving in two weeks, but also moving to a place where we will only have dial-up! AAAAGGGHHH! That will certainly take some getting used to.

This is not really the way I like to write blog entries, but to save time I'm going to throw everything together in one entry.

-We managed to make it to the apple orchard two weeks ago. We had an absolutely beautiful dayfor it. We only picked a small bag of apples and bought two half bushel bags and two three quarter bushel boxes. From that we've enjoyed apple crisp, apple pie, dried apples, and applesauce. We canned 24 large and 3 small jars of applesauce to enjoy throughout the year. We each picked a pumpkin from the patch, including a small one for the baby.

-Our last Sunday at GLBC was this past Sunday. My basic strategy for making it through without falling apart was pretending it wasn't the last Sunday. It actually worked fairly well during Sunday School and the morning service. In the evening they had a farewell dinner for us. We had tons of great food and we had a good crowd of people. I must admit the tears did start to flow during testimony time. The church people took up a collection to help with moving costs and we were also given a quilt and a framed pencil drawing of the church.

-Gavin had his final check-up with his allergist on Thursday. It ended up being a very long afternoon. We left around noon for a 1:40 appointment. Then we waited in the exam room until 2:30 to even be seen. Dr. L started going through the next steps in his care when I reminded him we are moving in two weeks. I thought I might as well put my neck out and ask him if we could do the skin testing he had suggested in his future steps list since we were there. Thankfully he said yes. He tested tomato, apple, oats, milk, beef, peanut. Three were negative - tomato, apples, and oats. He still can't eat raw tomatoes or apples b/c of OAS (Oral Allergy Syndrome), but they do not cause a life-threatening systemic reaction. Milk, beef, and peanuts were positive. I was not surprised by the milk, but I was hoping for a negative beef result. The real shock was the positive peanut result b/c he was blood and skin tested for it previously and responded negative. They did a food challenge and he passed. He's been eating nuts ever since with no problems! The dr. said he wasn't worried about it, but I must admit it is in the back of my mind. Dr. L said he would like to do a blood test and challenge for beef b/c he is wondering if it is showing a positive skin result, but really isn't (like peanut seems to be doing). He said he would really like to add another meat option into Gavin's diet, especially since he is on the thin side. BUT, since we are moving, we'll have to wait to find a new allergist first (and hopefully insurance that will cover it too!).

-Friday I headed back to the same hospital for Peyton's follow-up appointment. We left around 11:30 for a 1:00 appointment and didn't get out until around 2:00 even though the appointment itself was only about five minutes (if that). The urologist said everything looks perfect and the healing is complete. I would definitely recommend this specialist b/c he really seems to care about the child. We are thankful for the good outcome of the surgery and glad we went ahead with this now so that it is behind us.

-We are now attempting potty training! For about the last week we've been putting Peyton on the potty. We've had some successes, but lots of non-successes too. He still has it in his head that it hurts, which may be a remaining memory from the surgery. Going in his diaper is safe and familiar, but going on the potty isn't quite yet. We all get excited when he goes and he usually does a little hoppy dance, but still isn't real anxious to shed the diaper (or Pull-ups this past week). We tried underwear one day, but w/in half an hour he wet once, then poo-pooed. I have yet to find the plastic over pants I used for Gavin, so hopefully if/when I find those we can put them to good use.

-We are slowly getting rid of more items. Jason and I have both listed things on Ebay and he posted some larger things on Craigslist. We sold a computer monitor and our stackable washer/dryer this past week. We have had a few e-mails on other items, but no serious buyers yet, it seems. On Monday a truck for the disabled veterans will be stopping by to pick up our left over yard sale items. That will help to clear some space in the garage where we've been storing it.

-Packing is coming along slowly, but surely. I didn't have much time this week to invest in it, particularly with two days spent at the children's hospital. I got some kitchen items packed yesterday and am hoping to attack a few more areas today. At times I have some very overwhelming feelings, but am hoping that now that Jason will be done with work (well, officially anyway) we'll be able to get more accomplished with both of us working. He still has two church related meetings the week before we move to go over tasks that need to be done. We also have a list of people to visit before we move. Yeterday I made a one page chart with the remaining days on it. We are writing in any obligations, visits, etc. b/c I am having a difficult time keeping track of everything. On Wednesday a lady from the church is taking the boys for the day. That will be a big help so I can work on packing uninterrupted.

-I am now about 14 1/2 weeks along. I don't feel exceptionally pregnant now that I am not morning sick anymore. I'm not complaining though! This week I graduated to a larger size of pants because I just couldn't bear to zip my regular pair anymore and I'm not ready for maternity clothes just yet. Shamefully, I still haven't taken a pregnancy picture yet. I'm usually fairly good about that, but for some reason I keep forgetting. I think I might have to write myself a note and post it on the bathroom mirror so I can't forget again. My third child is going to feel left out if their scrapbook is empty! I am hoping to feel movement soon so I know everything is going okay in there.

I better stop typing since this entry is getting more huge by the second! I also better get packing!