My favorite way to exercise currently is to go for walks around my new neighborhood since we recently moved and the weather here is gorgeous right now. Nathaniel loves the stroller and being outside, so really its a win win situation. I have noticed on our walks that there are several hills in our neck of the woods, and I have taken to walking up and down some of them. When Nathan and I are out, cruising along, I notice that not all hills are created equal! (I know, I have WAY too much time on my hands...). There are two types: steep hills and gradual inclines.
The first type of hill is a steep hill. You know, that type that are even hard to get up in a car, but don't generally last very long? Yeah those one. This is the hill that I have commited to walk up and down once a day, weather permitting, and excluding Sundays. This hill is a beast to climb! It only gets harder as you go up too, but I always think, if I can make it past such and such a point things will level out, and all will be well! I will feel accomplished, and eventually, stronger!
The next type of hill is a gradual incline. The road right that runs in front of my house is one of these types of hills. The incline starts off slowly, and gradually increases until leveling off somewhere past my house. This kind of hill may seem easier to climb, but can be deceiving. It may not be steep, but you are constantly working from start to finish. There is not so much of a "once I get past this point, I'll be fine," feeling. Its more of a "I just past what looked like the top, and I'm STILL climbing? Oeuf..." type of feeling.
Where am I going with this you ask? I really do have a point, and it is this: There are two kinds of trials, or "hills," in our lives. (There are probably more than this, but these are the two types I have discovered).
The first type is the "steep hill" type. The type of trial where there is a very real and definite end. Sometimes you can even see this end! For example: "If I just make it through my finals and pass, I am in the clear and can move on!" Or, "if I could just get this fever to break, I would know that everything is going to be alright." Or even, "if I could just get this child out of me, I won't have to go through this again for a VERY long time!!!" You get my point. These trials consist of a short but intense struggle, with it becoming the hardest towards the end, and then almost instantaneous, sometimes immediate, relief.
The second type of trial is the "gradual incline" type. This type of trial is harder to describe... Examples: Having an autoimmune disease. There are things that will help you heal, but they take time to take effect, and you have to put in a constant effort. There is not such a definite end. Grieving for someone or something is the same. It is a constant battle, with a clear start date, but no end date. Only the knowledge that things can and will improve in time. With this kind of trial all you can do is your best on a daily basis; making sure you are doing the things that you know will help. That being said, you don't notice "the end" of your trial nearly as much as you do with the steep hill. In fact, you may have completely overcome the trial and not even notice until asked by someone else, or it is brought to your attention.
Regardless of what kind of trial it is, we all have trials and struggles that feel like up hill battles. The point I am really trying to make is that whether steep or gradual, our loving Heavenly Father provided a Savior for us and therefore, a way out! "...if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
Therefore, hold on thy way ...fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever." Doctrine and Covenants 122:7-9
"34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail." Doctrine and Covenants 6:34
I testify that through the atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we can overcome all things. Even death. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
A Child is Born
For anyone who is interested, here is Nathaniel's birth story:
Disclaimer: this is the hardest thing I have ever gone through, and I am not looking for sympathy, nor judgement. This is just an easier way of sharing the story for me than having to re-tell it over and over.
So on Sunday January 15th, I had done quite a lot, for a women who was 38 weeks pregnant. I had gone to church. Ok, that may not seem like a lot, but after 3 hours of waddling, getting up and down, and sitting in uncomfortable chairs and pews, I was beat! After we got home, I noticed that I had a slight headache. It wasn't bad, so I paid it no mind. Eventually, however, I did end up taking something for the pain in my head, as it got worse. Vince and I had also been invited to dinner that night by the Elder's Quorum President in our old ward, and we decided to go. While we were at dinner, I noticed my headache getting worse and I had some intense pain in my lower back around 9 pm. Once we got home from dinner, I took some more tylenol, and waited to see if it would kick in. My feet and ankles were also very, very swollen. The pains in my back continued, and my belly would harden up. (The thing I thought was wierd though, was that my stomach never really hurt when I was having contractions. It was just my back that hurt). After about an hour or so of waiting for the tylenol to work, my mom suggested calling the doctor. I went and called the after hours number, and they said the nurse would call me back. A few minutes later, I got a call from the nurse and she said to go in to the hospital and get checked (as the doctor's office was closed...).
So, at 11 pm, Vince and I grabbed the bags and headed for the hospital with no idea what to expect. I was just thinking it would be a regular check-up, and they would send me home. You can imagine my surprise when they told me I would be having my baby that night, one way or another. I was in shock! My blood pressure was high enough that I had Pre-eclampsia (toximia) and they were going to induce me to help convince baby to come sooner then he already was.
By this time it was midnight and I was in a state of panic. I had been given a gown, an iv, and was hooked up to a couple of monitors. I knew that the baby was supposed to come, but I didn't think that it was going to be right then! They put me on Magnesium to keep me from having a siezure due to the high blood pressure. The Magnesium made me feel terrible! It gave me hot flashes, and made me so tired, that I was sleeping between the less painful contractions. Thank goodness for a sweet husband who put cool damp rags on my forehead and neck, and fed me ice-chips. I got an epidural very early on, and at 2 am they started me on the Patocin (Oxytocin). I tried to sleep as much as I could with the nurses coming in to check, and take my blood pressure. The magnesium helped me sleep, but it wasn't restful. I kept waking up.
I don't remember a lot of what happened next except that at one point, the edipural wasn't covering the contractions in my back anymore. I pushed the little button, but to no avail. I talked options with the nurse, and I ended up getting a booster to the epidural put into my lower back. It didn't last long, and I was in pain again. By about 5 pm on Monday January 16th, I was in immense pain and I was 9 cm dialated. At 6:15 I started pushing, with the contractions that were coming in my back. The pain in my back was as though someone had stabbed me. Repeatedly. With something long and pointy. And to top it off, I had started to feel the contractions in my lower abs also. All I can say at this point is that I was half asleep, in the worst pain of my life, and I was supposed to bring a baby into the world. Talk about intimidating! I would push with the contractions, lay down and practically sleep, wake up when the pain was coming again, push, sleep and repeat the process again and again for the next hour and fifteen minutes. Thank goodness for a smart doctor, and amazing nurses who were encouraging, and very positive. I ended up needing an episiotimy, but the good news is, I didn't tear, and at 7:32 pm on January 16th my son was finally born!
We did it! Our beautiful baby boy was here, safe and sound, healthy and strong, and we had both survived the ordeal. He was 7 lbs. 11 oz. 20.5 inches long, and just perfect! We love him very much! This was hard and scary, but very worth it! We have the sweetest little boy! :)
Disclaimer: this is the hardest thing I have ever gone through, and I am not looking for sympathy, nor judgement. This is just an easier way of sharing the story for me than having to re-tell it over and over.
So on Sunday January 15th, I had done quite a lot, for a women who was 38 weeks pregnant. I had gone to church. Ok, that may not seem like a lot, but after 3 hours of waddling, getting up and down, and sitting in uncomfortable chairs and pews, I was beat! After we got home, I noticed that I had a slight headache. It wasn't bad, so I paid it no mind. Eventually, however, I did end up taking something for the pain in my head, as it got worse. Vince and I had also been invited to dinner that night by the Elder's Quorum President in our old ward, and we decided to go. While we were at dinner, I noticed my headache getting worse and I had some intense pain in my lower back around 9 pm. Once we got home from dinner, I took some more tylenol, and waited to see if it would kick in. My feet and ankles were also very, very swollen. The pains in my back continued, and my belly would harden up. (The thing I thought was wierd though, was that my stomach never really hurt when I was having contractions. It was just my back that hurt). After about an hour or so of waiting for the tylenol to work, my mom suggested calling the doctor. I went and called the after hours number, and they said the nurse would call me back. A few minutes later, I got a call from the nurse and she said to go in to the hospital and get checked (as the doctor's office was closed...).
So, at 11 pm, Vince and I grabbed the bags and headed for the hospital with no idea what to expect. I was just thinking it would be a regular check-up, and they would send me home. You can imagine my surprise when they told me I would be having my baby that night, one way or another. I was in shock! My blood pressure was high enough that I had Pre-eclampsia (toximia) and they were going to induce me to help convince baby to come sooner then he already was.
By this time it was midnight and I was in a state of panic. I had been given a gown, an iv, and was hooked up to a couple of monitors. I knew that the baby was supposed to come, but I didn't think that it was going to be right then! They put me on Magnesium to keep me from having a siezure due to the high blood pressure. The Magnesium made me feel terrible! It gave me hot flashes, and made me so tired, that I was sleeping between the less painful contractions. Thank goodness for a sweet husband who put cool damp rags on my forehead and neck, and fed me ice-chips. I got an epidural very early on, and at 2 am they started me on the Patocin (Oxytocin). I tried to sleep as much as I could with the nurses coming in to check, and take my blood pressure. The magnesium helped me sleep, but it wasn't restful. I kept waking up.
I don't remember a lot of what happened next except that at one point, the edipural wasn't covering the contractions in my back anymore. I pushed the little button, but to no avail. I talked options with the nurse, and I ended up getting a booster to the epidural put into my lower back. It didn't last long, and I was in pain again. By about 5 pm on Monday January 16th, I was in immense pain and I was 9 cm dialated. At 6:15 I started pushing, with the contractions that were coming in my back. The pain in my back was as though someone had stabbed me. Repeatedly. With something long and pointy. And to top it off, I had started to feel the contractions in my lower abs also. All I can say at this point is that I was half asleep, in the worst pain of my life, and I was supposed to bring a baby into the world. Talk about intimidating! I would push with the contractions, lay down and practically sleep, wake up when the pain was coming again, push, sleep and repeat the process again and again for the next hour and fifteen minutes. Thank goodness for a smart doctor, and amazing nurses who were encouraging, and very positive. I ended up needing an episiotimy, but the good news is, I didn't tear, and at 7:32 pm on January 16th my son was finally born!
We did it! Our beautiful baby boy was here, safe and sound, healthy and strong, and we had both survived the ordeal. He was 7 lbs. 11 oz. 20.5 inches long, and just perfect! We love him very much! This was hard and scary, but very worth it! We have the sweetest little boy! :)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Life as of Late
Sorry so long since our last post! Not having internet makes it hard to post frequently.
Baby update: We are having a boy! We found out in September and we could not be happier that we are having a son. :) He is healthy, and growing right on track. I have been healthy as well. I am very grateful that this pregnancy has gone so smoothly, and I hope it continues to go smoothly for the sake of my sanity, and the health of our baby. I will post ultrasound pics at some point; I just need to figure out how to scan them in to the computer. ;)
As far as names go, we like Nathan Edward Methot, (giving him Vince's middle name) or Nathaniel Edward Methot. We are open to others, but this is one of the only ones we have been able to agree on. ;)
At my next appointment, they are performing the glucose test. Needless to say, I am not looking forward to this appointment, and quite frankly, it is making me anxious. I have always struggled with things don't taste good. I am not the type to just eat it despite the taste. If it doesn't taste good, it's not going in my mouth. You can see why I might be nervous about said upcoming test... I was wondering if there is any alternative to this test? Or if this test is necessary? I would love to avoid it if possible... Then again, tons of pregnant women have had to do the same test, and have come out fine, so maybe I just need to "man" up (for lack of a better phrase) and deal with it.
I am currently 26 weeks along, and it is very obvious I am pregnant. :) My husband thinks its cute. I roll my eyes and make a bloated monkey face, cause that's how I feel. But fear not! For this too shall pass!
You know that feeling you get right before you sit down in the dentist's chair? That one you get when the dental hygenist says, "let's just get you some novacain and we'll get started." Novacain?! What?! No one told me about this!!! Enter panic, and that feeling of the floor being ripped out from underneath you. Not to mention the fact that your heart has begun to pound so fast, you feel as though you have just run a marathon, and you are hyperventallating. Now, picture feeling like this non-stop for a good 5 to 10 minutes. This is what a panic attack feels like for me.
I have also described that I sometimes feel "anxious." There is a definite difference between anxious and nervous. Have you ever been on a roller coaster? One that goes uphill really fast, and as you fly over the top of the hill, you feel like you've left your stomach at the top of it? Everything returns to normal once you get off the ride however, and sometimes sooner. This is what feeling anxious is like. It can last for long periods of time, (days or even weeks) or can last a matter of moments until I can master myself.
I am scared out of my wits about labor and childbirth. Plain and simple. It also makes me anxious. That said, please refrain from telling me horror stories!!! I do NOT want to know! I would rather be blissfully ignorant and have my own "horror story" to tell after our baby gets here. Horror stories will only make my anxiety worse, and therefore, make me miserable.
On a happier note, it looks like we have a house in Georgia!!! :D The seller accepted our offer as of this afternoon, and we have 10 days to get the house inspected. If anything comes up in the inspection then we can resind the offer. It is the cutest little house!!! :) It is a 3 bedroom house with an upstairs and downstairs, and a beautiful backyard. We are so excited!!! :D
That is life as of late!
Baby update: We are having a boy! We found out in September and we could not be happier that we are having a son. :) He is healthy, and growing right on track. I have been healthy as well. I am very grateful that this pregnancy has gone so smoothly, and I hope it continues to go smoothly for the sake of my sanity, and the health of our baby. I will post ultrasound pics at some point; I just need to figure out how to scan them in to the computer. ;)
As far as names go, we like Nathan Edward Methot, (giving him Vince's middle name) or Nathaniel Edward Methot. We are open to others, but this is one of the only ones we have been able to agree on. ;)
At my next appointment, they are performing the glucose test. Needless to say, I am not looking forward to this appointment, and quite frankly, it is making me anxious. I have always struggled with things don't taste good. I am not the type to just eat it despite the taste. If it doesn't taste good, it's not going in my mouth. You can see why I might be nervous about said upcoming test... I was wondering if there is any alternative to this test? Or if this test is necessary? I would love to avoid it if possible... Then again, tons of pregnant women have had to do the same test, and have come out fine, so maybe I just need to "man" up (for lack of a better phrase) and deal with it.
I am currently 26 weeks along, and it is very obvious I am pregnant. :) My husband thinks its cute. I roll my eyes and make a bloated monkey face, cause that's how I feel. But fear not! For this too shall pass!
You know that feeling you get right before you sit down in the dentist's chair? That one you get when the dental hygenist says, "let's just get you some novacain and we'll get started." Novacain?! What?! No one told me about this!!! Enter panic, and that feeling of the floor being ripped out from underneath you. Not to mention the fact that your heart has begun to pound so fast, you feel as though you have just run a marathon, and you are hyperventallating. Now, picture feeling like this non-stop for a good 5 to 10 minutes. This is what a panic attack feels like for me.
I have also described that I sometimes feel "anxious." There is a definite difference between anxious and nervous. Have you ever been on a roller coaster? One that goes uphill really fast, and as you fly over the top of the hill, you feel like you've left your stomach at the top of it? Everything returns to normal once you get off the ride however, and sometimes sooner. This is what feeling anxious is like. It can last for long periods of time, (days or even weeks) or can last a matter of moments until I can master myself.
I am scared out of my wits about labor and childbirth. Plain and simple. It also makes me anxious. That said, please refrain from telling me horror stories!!! I do NOT want to know! I would rather be blissfully ignorant and have my own "horror story" to tell after our baby gets here. Horror stories will only make my anxiety worse, and therefore, make me miserable.
On a happier note, it looks like we have a house in Georgia!!! :D The seller accepted our offer as of this afternoon, and we have 10 days to get the house inspected. If anything comes up in the inspection then we can resind the offer. It is the cutest little house!!! :) It is a 3 bedroom house with an upstairs and downstairs, and a beautiful backyard. We are so excited!!! :D
That is life as of late!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Big News!
Hello everyone!
There are going to be some big changes taking place in the Methot household. Most recent of these changes is... WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!! :D We could not be more excited! Our baby will be making his/her grand entrance on January 28th, 2012!
I am only about 9 weeks (just over 2 months) along right now, but so far so good! I don't get morning sickness, and I only get nauseated on occasion. This baby sure makes me hungry though!!! I am generally pretty tired, and get mild headaches on a regular basis. We have already had our first Dr.'s appointment and everything looks great! :) We got to hear baby's heart beat, and see the baby for the first time. Surprisingly, I didn't cry, which is nice! Now I just cry over everything else... Including movies, anything the least bit sentimental, movie trailers, pretty much you name it, and I will cry over it eventually, or I already have. Hormones!!!
Vincent is so excited to be a dad! He is treating me very well, and making sure that I am well taken care of. He is such a sweetheart!
Baby names... Well... Here is where it gets interesting/frustrating. We have the HARDEST time picking out boys names that we agree on!!! Girl's name were a bit easier. We have come up with a couple of boy names and a girl name that we can both live with, and like. I will not be posting these here however... ;)
All for now!
There are going to be some big changes taking place in the Methot household. Most recent of these changes is... WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!! :D We could not be more excited! Our baby will be making his/her grand entrance on January 28th, 2012!
I am only about 9 weeks (just over 2 months) along right now, but so far so good! I don't get morning sickness, and I only get nauseated on occasion. This baby sure makes me hungry though!!! I am generally pretty tired, and get mild headaches on a regular basis. We have already had our first Dr.'s appointment and everything looks great! :) We got to hear baby's heart beat, and see the baby for the first time. Surprisingly, I didn't cry, which is nice! Now I just cry over everything else... Including movies, anything the least bit sentimental, movie trailers, pretty much you name it, and I will cry over it eventually, or I already have. Hormones!!!
Vincent is so excited to be a dad! He is treating me very well, and making sure that I am well taken care of. He is such a sweetheart!
Baby names... Well... Here is where it gets interesting/frustrating. We have the HARDEST time picking out boys names that we agree on!!! Girl's name were a bit easier. We have come up with a couple of boy names and a girl name that we can both live with, and like. I will not be posting these here however... ;)
All for now!
Friday, May 27, 2011
School for Vinchenzo
This past Monday, Vincent started school! He is taking chemistry 2, which is a pre-requisit for organic chemistry. Basically he has a bunch of pre-requisits, for pre-requisits, for more pre-requisits... He won't be done with them until after we have been in Georgia for a few months. So excited for him! It is definitely different however having to ask my husband wether or not he finished his homework...
Monday, May 9, 2011
Change? Remember what happened last time...?
Things are changing in the Methot household. For those of you who don't know, Vince got accepted to attend Life University in Marietta, Georgia. That's right. Georgia. He is going to be studying chiropractic. Yes. My husband wants to be a chiropractor when he grows up. Don't get me wrong, I fully and completely support this decision, and he will have his Electrical Engineering degree to fall back on, but change and I don't get along so well. Here's why.
On April 10, 2010 Vince and I got married! It was the best day of my life! :) I have never been so happy! As some of you know, getting married presents a lot of change. A LOT of change. Said changes, caused me to start having panic attacks 3 months in, and I was clinically diagnosed with anxiety. Thank goodness I have a kind an supportive husband. Did I mention I hate change?
Thankfully, the Lord has blessed us with time to adjust to the idea. We won't be moving until January 2012. Vince will be taking some pre-reqs. here in Austin at Austin Community college this summer and fall, and then we will move to Georgia. The Lord has given me time to adjust to Vince going to school, which will definitely be a change. Once we get out there, Vince will take a couple more pre-reqs, and then start full time into the chiropractic program.
He hopes to study a specific form of chiropractic, called Upper-Cervical. We currently go to an Upper-Cervical chiropractor and that is what sparked Vince's interests.
Upper-Cervical Chiropractic is different because it only deals with your atlas and axis bones at the very top of your spine. Basically the two bones that are at the base of your head and top of your neck. They adjust your atlas bone by tapping it back into place with an adapted dental tool. They do some other adjusting, but the atlas is the main focus.
The reason Vince is so interested in this form of Chiropratic, is that is more successful at curing ailments from anxiety and mental issues, to digestive problems and heart issues. (Upper-Cervical can only cure problems caused by subluxations in the atlas. It is by no means a cure all.) Some one described the difference in chiropractic types this way.
Regular chiropractic is like hitting a baseball and getting to maybe first, or second base. Upper-Cervical Chiropractic is like hitting a home run every time.
And so, our life is changing. For the better, but changing none-the-less.
Wish us luck!
On April 10, 2010 Vince and I got married! It was the best day of my life! :) I have never been so happy! As some of you know, getting married presents a lot of change. A LOT of change. Said changes, caused me to start having panic attacks 3 months in, and I was clinically diagnosed with anxiety. Thank goodness I have a kind an supportive husband. Did I mention I hate change?
Thankfully, the Lord has blessed us with time to adjust to the idea. We won't be moving until January 2012. Vince will be taking some pre-reqs. here in Austin at Austin Community college this summer and fall, and then we will move to Georgia. The Lord has given me time to adjust to Vince going to school, which will definitely be a change. Once we get out there, Vince will take a couple more pre-reqs, and then start full time into the chiropractic program.
He hopes to study a specific form of chiropractic, called Upper-Cervical. We currently go to an Upper-Cervical chiropractor and that is what sparked Vince's interests.
Upper-Cervical Chiropractic is different because it only deals with your atlas and axis bones at the very top of your spine. Basically the two bones that are at the base of your head and top of your neck. They adjust your atlas bone by tapping it back into place with an adapted dental tool. They do some other adjusting, but the atlas is the main focus.
The reason Vince is so interested in this form of Chiropratic, is that is more successful at curing ailments from anxiety and mental issues, to digestive problems and heart issues. (Upper-Cervical can only cure problems caused by subluxations in the atlas. It is by no means a cure all.) Some one described the difference in chiropractic types this way.
Regular chiropractic is like hitting a baseball and getting to maybe first, or second base. Upper-Cervical Chiropractic is like hitting a home run every time.
And so, our life is changing. For the better, but changing none-the-less.
Wish us luck!
Work work work and did I mention work?
I am a dance teacher. I am paid to teach children to dance. This also means I am paid to choreograph recital pieces for said children.
Keep in mind that I absolutely ADORE my job, but as this is my first year working as a dance teacher, I am beyond intimidated by the daunting task. The studio I work for has been voted "Best of the Best" in the Cedar Park/Leander area for the past two years running. Pressure to perform? You bet your bottom dollar there is!
Side note: I teach 6 classes of varying ages. Coming up with music and choreography for all 6 of those classes is no walk in the park! Luckily, I have been able to finish 5 of the 6 dances.
The one that I am struggling with right now, is my Monday evening class. This class started out with 5 dancers in it. There are now 12 girls of the ages 5-7... Enough said? I think yes... They have trouble paying attention and some of them are very vocal about things. Did I mention there are 12 of them!?!?! It is hard enough to get them to listen to me, let alone remember choreography. The recital is in just over a month, and I still have 45 seconds to choreograph. Stressed? Me? Did you really just ask that question?!
On the upside, I pretty much know what I want them to do for those last 45 seconds. Now its just getting them to hold still, and learn, then do. They get costumes today, which means they should be more eager to dance.
Fingers crossed!
Tiffany
Keep in mind that I absolutely ADORE my job, but as this is my first year working as a dance teacher, I am beyond intimidated by the daunting task. The studio I work for has been voted "Best of the Best" in the Cedar Park/Leander area for the past two years running. Pressure to perform? You bet your bottom dollar there is!
Side note: I teach 6 classes of varying ages. Coming up with music and choreography for all 6 of those classes is no walk in the park! Luckily, I have been able to finish 5 of the 6 dances.
The one that I am struggling with right now, is my Monday evening class. This class started out with 5 dancers in it. There are now 12 girls of the ages 5-7... Enough said? I think yes... They have trouble paying attention and some of them are very vocal about things. Did I mention there are 12 of them!?!?! It is hard enough to get them to listen to me, let alone remember choreography. The recital is in just over a month, and I still have 45 seconds to choreograph. Stressed? Me? Did you really just ask that question?!
On the upside, I pretty much know what I want them to do for those last 45 seconds. Now its just getting them to hold still, and learn, then do. They get costumes today, which means they should be more eager to dance.
Fingers crossed!
Tiffany
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