This is a unique and special time in life, we're quarantined with each other, we get to work from home, we get to do school from home, and it's springtime with summer coming. And, because of COVID-19, we fill our days with many less things outside the home and much more inside or close to home with as little errands as possible. I've thought about those who are single, living with roommates, and oh, how grateful I am that I am married to my best friend and I get to be quarantined with him!
To start April, we celebrated my birthday. It was so much fun! M made me a sign that he put up in the morning, which is a long standing family tradition that he's willing to carry on and I appreciate it! We had dinner from Domino's courtesy of Lockheed Martin supporting local business and giving gift cards to employees to use at this time. M made me waffles for breakfast, and a delicious chocolate cake for dessert that night. We did presents while Jay was awake and then cake and the rest of celebrations after we put him to bed. I got a huge tupperware bowl, Kingdomino, Pass the Pigs, nail polish, pants to wear when working from home - soft and comfy and look fairly classy, a couple nice work shirts with some gift money, markers, and some Cadbury eggs. I also got to talk to many of the people I love on the phone throughout the day and evening which was a wonderful treat as well! And, I didn't have work on Friday so the celebrations continued through the weekend including General Conference.
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| Dinner for 2 for 2 meals - score! |
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| The sign |
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| Presents! |
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| Look at that cake, so yummy! |
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| Two sillies |
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| Have you ever roasted a mallow over your birthday cake candles? Why not? |
I also was referred to a specialist chiropractor who adjusts using a sound wave machine, no twisting and turning. I wasn't making good progress at my last chiropractor so he referred me to this specialist. After seeing the x-rays of my neck and lower back, I could tell that I needed help. The chiropractor seems hopeful, so I am hopeful I can find some relief to pain I feel almost all the time. The interesting thing is, after he adjusts the atlas (the top vertebrae) with the machine, you have to wear a little neck brace for a few hours to remind yourself to have good posture and not move. I've been going for a couple weeks now and I am starting to see some improvement.
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| Jay doing his morning workout with Daddy |
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| Sporting the neckbrace. |
We were so bummed that we didn't get to go to Grandpa Great's for conference, but we made the most of it here in Provo. We made English toffee and puppy chow for our treats to enjoy during the sessions. Michela and Nathan joined us Saturday afternoon, and then we finished the day with playing Kubb before they headed off to Ogden. It was special watching at home with Jay, and enjoying our time here as a family. Conference was amazing! M got to participate in the Hosanna shout for the first time, and how cool it was to do in our home. Sunday we went for a long walk after conference concluded, and talked and reflected on what a spiritual boost the weekend was. A temple in China, a new proclamation about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and so many words of hope from the leaders of the Church in a time where there is so much unknown.
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| Kingdomino |
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| Conference Sunday stroll |
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| Jay and Daddy playing |
We've had our evenings of fun mixed in with work and school. Mostly playing games like Kingdomino, Pass the Pigs, Rivals of Catan, or Pandemic, but sometimes we do things out of the ordinary like creating funny photos...some worked and others didn't, as you can tell.
Easter weekend was definitely a big highlight for us this month. Saturday was a beautiful day so we played badminton, spikeball, and ladder ball. We would take Jay out and put him in the stroller so he could have some shade while we played. He was a champ. On Easter, the Easter bunny came and created a very intense Easter egg hunt which was very fun. We also had a wonderful Easter morning with the Sacrament and a discussion about the wonderful gift from our Savior that we can live again with those with love and with our Father in Heaven! We took family photos with a makeshift tripod and self-timer, and by the end Jay was totally out. The day concluded with another Sunday walk.
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| I love our tulips! They grow every year, no watering required. |
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| Jay smiles when Jay wants to smile, we're learning. |
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| One of the best shots we got by the end of trying. |
Jay turned 4 months this past week and he's cuter than ever. We took his 4 month photos and also took him to the doctor. He's now 15.5 pounds (40th percentile), 26 inches (75th percentile), and 90th percentile for head. The doctor was very pleased with Jay's growth, which made us very relieved! Jay had to get his 4 month shots and immunizations, which is so sad to watch and he's always so tired at the end of a visit he's extra grumpy.
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| He's recently discovered his tongue and how to stick it out when you stick your's out. |
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| 4 months! |
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| We wore our masks to the doctors office, they checked our temps before we could take Jay in. |
M continued online classes and even wrapped up his final presentation via zoom. He crushed it with the outfit. And, he just wrapped up all his finals this week and he's so excited to have a week of freedom! He doesn't need to cram study for the CPA right now because the testing centers are closed, and thankfully they are extending his initial deadline. Such a blessing! The feeling of finishing the last final of your last class in college is one of the best feelings ever, and now M is feeling free! To celebrate we had Nathan and Michela over for grilling and games. We played ladder ball and Up and Down the River.
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| Outfit of champions, right here. |
As I started the post, we have so much to be grateful for right now. April has already been a month filled with fun and happy things and I am sure it will continue to be. We're looking forward to celebrating M being done with school, and a week free from studying. We go on runs when the weather is nice and we workout inside when the weather isn't. We try to capture every moment with Jay's giggles and soak up all the cuddles he offers.
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| Candid photo of us both journaling/blogging while keeping Jay awake for a few more mins before bed. |
