September in Review

9/1 was Labor Day. I always love having a Monday off. I went to the gym, which was frustratingly packed. We took AJ to the Aquarium, and he got very grumpy, so we brought him home, tried to feed him, and put him down for a nap. During his nap, I did some lunch prep. Matthew and I watched Andor. We realized during nap that AJ wouldn't be able to go swimming with his ears being treated for infection, and we knew we were in for it. He had a colossal meltdown after his nap when we broke the news to him. I took him to Midvale park to the splash pad, but it was turned off. I took him up to Sandy Amphitheater to that splash pad. He got a whole 20 minutes before they shut it down at 5pm for a concert. It's OK though, he was still happy with it, especially because someone started playing music from K-Pop Demon Hunters. After that we went home to change and went to Dollie's to meet with Jacob/Shelley and fam, Jarrett/Jenn and fam, Jacque/Steve and fam, and my MIL and her husband. It was good to see everyone. After we got home, I did bath time, and Matthew did bed time. I posted my blogs. We watched Wednesday. 

9/2 I slept in after having crazy dreams. Work was busy, especially in the morning. I picked up AJ, and we had a normal evening at home. Special moments: After reading books on the couch, AJ just was so still and snuggled me for a long time. 

9/3 I went to the gym extra early and had an ultrasound in Daybreak at 7am. Traffic made me a little late to work. I taught ESL. It was popcorn day, which is its own kind of demanding chaos. And then I had to go home to get AJ's antibiotics and take them to daycare because Matthew forgot to give them to him in the morning before daycare. I stayed late at work to make up time. It was a normal evening: Matthew made bourbon chicken, rice, and veggies. I did bath time, and Matthew finished out bed time. Matthe and I chatted about my ultrasound and what to expect. Special moments: in the morning AJ woke up from my hair dryer and called out on his monitor, "I want my mom." And then at night he wasn't falling asleep, so I went in and loved on him and rubbed his back. 

9/4 I slept in and took some walks at work. It wasn't too busy--team lunch at sushi was fun. I did a few personal things today like arranging to have a package sent back that wasn't mine (Theresa Benner?), switching my insurance driving monitoring to a device instead of the app, and calling a reproductive surgeon in Provo to see if there's a wait list for surgery. Matthew picked up AJ; I stayed late at work. We made English muffin pizzas for dinner and spent some time in the backyard. I got pinched by an earwig while I was doing dishes, so that was fun. I did bath and bed time. 

Beginnings of lettuce

9/5 I went early to get blood work for estradiol at Labcorp and then got to work early to make up time. I used the gym at my work to get my workout done to save some time. I got groceries and went home to start laundry and cleaning. I went to Walmart for a prescription and Halloween decorations and picked up AJ. After dinner we went to Snelgrove ice cream. 

Work gym

9/6 I went to the gym, did laundry, and finished up the cleaning (floors mostly). I got to watch half of a movie while AJ and Matthew took a nap. After nap, we got ready and drove to Perry, UT for dinner at Maddox with my brother, SIL, and nephew. It was fun to see them. We went to a peach stand afterward. On our way home, we got Sweetaly gelato. 

The gang at Maddox

9/7 AJ and I went to Duck Donuts and Starbucks. I had some emotional family stuff come up on this day. It was a pretty uneventful day. I mostly relaxed and also cleaned out my glove compartment in my car. I had 12 years of registration papers in there, and approximately 32 straws. I didn't have much of an appetite but had my leftovers for dinner. 

9/8 I had another extra early gym day (4:30am) and had another ultrasound in Daybreak at 7am with pretty neutral news--could see one follicle did not release, and the other was uncertain. I facilitated New Hire Orientation which always takes it out of me. I picked up AJ, and Matthew handled dinner. We spent some time out front chatting with neighbors, and I picked a million more tomatoes in the backyard. I did AJ's bath quickly because Matthew's brother Jacob and his wife Shelley came over to say hi. It was fun to have them. AJ was so excited, and he had a little K Pop Demon Hunters dance party in his room with Aunt Shelley. Matthew and I watched Wednesday. 

9/9 I slept in and somehow still felt really tired. AJ gave me his series of kisses before work and then waved at me through the open window. I know I'll miss that someday. Work was fairly busy with ESL setup and a training workshop. It was a hard day for me mentally--just felt kind of angry and irritable. After work I got AJ. We watered the backyard, picked tomatoes, and watered the front flowers. Matthew made us chili cheese baked potatoes for dinner. I did bath. Matthew finished out bed time. We watched Wednesday. 

9/10 I was up at 5 for the gym--leg day was brutal. It was popcorn day at work, and I taught ESL. We had chicken korma and naan for dinner. I got wrapped up in all of the Charlie Kirk news and felt so sad over all of it, especially for his wife and babies. 

9/11 I woke up and went on a 10 minute walk. I got to work early to study some notes for a class we were facilitating at 9am, but it got canceled because one person didn't show up. So that was frustrating. I picked up AJ. I changed clothes, and we were off to the fair. Traffic was bad, unfortunately. But I got to see two friends there just by chance, and that made me so happy! We got corn dogs, saw animals, did a butterfly encounter, did a couple of rides for AJ, and got deep fried Oreos. We also had a good parking spot just a 7 minute walk from the gate, so that was awesome. All in all a success. Unfortunately, AJ didn't get to bed until 10 and of course woke up at 6am the next day. 

Piglets at the fair

9/11 flags at work

9/12 I got more blood work done at 7, got a half dozen donuts at Krispy Kreme for my coworkers which I'll never do again ($15 for 6 donuts is OUTRAGEOUS), worked a half day, then went to the gym to train with my coach. I went straight to Smith's then did cleaning and laundry. We had leftovers for dinner. 

Lettuce progress

Matthew's funfetti cupcakes

9/13 It was a pretty low-key day overall. I blew up balloons and decorated, and had AJ sign a card for his dad. I went to the gym then walked through the car show by my gym for a little bit. Matthew went to get his free Dutch Bros. Dianne came over to watch AJ while I took Matthew to dinner at Itto Sushi for their Omakase that Chef Itto does. We got Culver's and came home and had a normal evening with bath and bed time. 

Car show

9/14 was another really calm day. I took AJ to get Matthew's birthday Krispy Kremes, then we went to the park. Matthew made breakfast. I checked on my garden--thinned some carrots, and saw my spinach coming up! I did some work for Fitbliss. I danced with AJ in the living room. During his nap I went on a walk, and we watched Wednesday. After his nap, AJ was so loving and sweet. We started watching Wonka. We went to Orem to have dinner at Dianne's house--salad, lasagna, chocolate cake, and Juliet brought sourdough. We skipped AJ's bath and did bed time. I did more Fitbliss stuff, prepped vitamins, made overnight oats, and did dishes. I got to bed later than I wanted because I was waiting for my Ava watch to charge. 

9/15 I was up at 5 to lift weights. Work was kind of slow, but I still got some things done. I picked up AJ. Matthew made dinner even though he was struggling with a possible kidney stone. I did a lot of stuff in the garden--watering, picking tomatoes, etc. My lettuce, carrots, and spinach are looking good! I did dishes and bath and bed time since Matthew didn't feel well. I watched Call the Midwife on the couch. Special moment: In the kitchen, sweet AJ was standing on a stool and said he wanted to give me a love, and gave me a kiss, and told me he loved me. At bedtime I told him I love him the most, and he laughed and said he loves dad the most. 

9/16 I was up at 6 and did a slow stretching mobility video on YouTube. I had a virtual class at work. It was a good evening. I picked up AJ and picked up pizza. We ate in the living room while we finished watching Wonka. I did bath, and Matthew finished up bed time.  

9/17 I was up at 5 to lift weights. I taught ESL at work and managed popcorn. I picked up AJ, got an Rx at Walmart, and got a half tank of gas at Maverik. Matthew made dinner. I was in the garden watering and picking tomatoes. I did dishes, bath, and bed time. We watched part of Thunderbolts on Disney Plus. 

9/18 I woke up well before my alarm and did another mobility/stretch video on YouTube. Work was fine--quiet. This day had a rough start because I hit my head on my nightstand really hard, and found two bumps on my bottom lip. Since I am numb I don't know if it's painful, itchy, or tingly. I've never had cold sores, and since it's two right next to each other I thought it was a mosquito. But by the end of the day I could see two little holes in one of the bumps. 

9/19 I went to the gym early and worked a half day. I got groceries, put them away, and started cleaning. I went to get AJ from daycare and took him to Cornbelly's. He had the best time. We got home about bath time and did the whole routine. 

9/20 I went to the gym and did some laundry. Matthew did yard work. I went to my friend Brooke's baby shower. I got home and did more laundry and cleaned the floors. We mostly just hung around the house. I did a couple things for Fitbliss throughout the day. I did bath and bed time. 

Brooke's baby shower

9/21 I got breakfast at Skillets with Rachel, and we walked around Liberty Park. I made my lunches for a couple of days. I made peach crisp. AJ took a nap. We did Halloween decorations, and he was so excited. We watched Hocus Pocus, which has a lot of things in it I actually don't want AJ to repeat. Matthew did bath and bed time. 

Some decorations

9/22 I got a few extra minutes of sleep before the gym since it's deload week--workouts are shorter and easier. I worked and picked up AJ. I made several calls (surgeon in Provo, specialty pharmacy, and an ultrasound place). We had crockpot chicken chili for dinner and spent time as a family. I did bath and bed time. We watched more Daredevil. 

9/23 I woke up a little early and took a short walk. Work was busy--class and lots of meetings. I picked up AJ and took him to Walmart for a few things. I fed AJ while Matthew made some hot dogs for dinner and then made salsa with our garden tomatoes. I picked a big bowl of tomatoes from the garden and did some watering. Matthew did bath and bed time while I did some work for Fitbliss. I stayed up too late talking to Matthew. 

9/24 I went to the gym--so grateful for deload week. Work was another busy one--popcorn, teaching ESL, HR potluck, and another meeting. I picked up AJ and took him on a little date since Matthew was catering. AJ wanted Itto Sushi, and then we went to Snelgrove for ice cream. I did bath and bed time, fed animals, and did a few dishes. I also did some more work for Fitbliss that evening while I watched Call the Midwife. 

9/25 I had a terrible night of sleep, so I didn't get up to walk. Work was much calmer, but we had our service project painting fire hydrants on the hottest day of the month. I melted. I picked up AJ and took him to Cornbelly's. Our friends came and brought AJ's buddy Kennedy. AJ had a late bath and bed time. 

9/26 I slept in again since I was up too late texting. I worked a half day, got groceries, and started laundry and cleaning. I went to Trader Joe's and Nothing Bundt Cakes, then picked up AJ. I put a Halloween lightbulb on the porch, and set up a bat projection on the front door that we showed AJ when it got dark. He loves it. 

9/27 I was up early due to AJ's coughing. I finished the cleaning (floors mostly). I met Taylor at the gym for 1RM testing. We put the fake tombstones in the front yard. AJ took a short nap. We played a little bit, but I fell asleep on the couch. I had a birthday dinner at an Italian place called Siragusa's for Michelle's birthday. I got home in time to say goodnight to AJ.

9/28 After doing some Fitbliss work, cleaning up Max's puke, and cleaning up AJ's spilled milk, we went on an autumn drive through Alpine Loop. It was really pretty. We were hungry and decided to pass Slackwater and go into the heart of Provo to try the Brunch House, but the wait was way too long. So we went to First Watch in Pleasant Grove and had breakfast for lunch. Matthew took a nap, and AJ didn't, but I went on a walk. AJ and I watched Brave. We did a lot of meal prep - spaghetti for Monday, egg casserole, veggies/fruit for lunches, etc. 

Home grown broccoli

Be-utah-ful

AJ put an acorn in dad's ear

9/29 I was at the gym extra early because I had an ultrasound at 7:40am. I arrived at 7:30 and waited until 8:10 to get called back. I had one developed follicle and was told to do my HCG trigger that day. I got a free Beans & Brews, which was fun! Work was good--busier in the afternoon. I picked up AJ. I figured out how to mix my HCG and injected it in my belly. We ate dinner and had a little dance party. AJ puked a little bit; he's been super mucusy at night. I did bath, and Matthew did bed time. I did go in a little later to turn off his ghost lights and give him a love. He asked me what I smell like. I said, "I don't know, what do I smell like?" He said in all seriousness, "Poop." We laughed so hard. 

Setting up my HCG

Driving to my appointment

Biscoff Bundtlet 

9/30 I slept in. Work was busy. I watched ESL level 1, went to a meeting, and had a training workshop. I also had to prepare for my own ESL class. After work I picked up AJ and had to pick up a prescription at Walmart. We ate a freezer pizza and had a normal evening. 

Books I read in September:
- Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera (audiobook)
- Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry (audiobook)
- The Wedding People by Allison Espach (audiobook)
- Messenger by Lois Lowry (audiobook)
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (audiobook)
- The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley (audiobook)
- Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown (audiobook)
- The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean (audiobook) 
- I also got 2/3 done with the first Harry Potter audiobook, but will put that in October.