Learning from the Pandemic

Since most of 2020 we were going through the Covid Pandemic (and technically still are), I wanted to write down some thoughts about it.

Things we missed because of pandemic:

• Swimming pools, especially while I was pregnant during the Summer.
• Family get togethers.
• Regular grocery shopping (not big lines or things out of stock ie toilet paper, Clorox wipes)
• We couldn't go fishing or recreate outside our county for a while
• "Normal" school ie they were closed.
• Playing w/ friends.
• Steve missed hours in clinical hours.
• Not worrying about the virus.
• Going to church and church activities.
• No swimming lessons.

Things we learned from the pandemic:

• When we did get together during the pandemic it was extra special.
• Importance of family.
• We can use Zoom/Duo to communicate w/ friends/family members.
• We can also affectively use Zoom for work meetings/appointments. 
• Nothing replaces in person interactions though.  We all need human face to face contact.  We get strength and unity by being together.
• Dogs help us emotionally.
• Stop complaining about it; it's happening so embrace it.
• We've learned more about our boys.
• Use time wisely
• Enjoy the little things, savor the moments.
• We can work together to solve the pandemic (globally).
• Do things together that are meaningful.
• Restaurants and stores have become more efficient w/ takeout/drive up to get your food or items (don't have to go in the place to get it).
• Prepare for the future.  If you are prepared you won't fear.
• Have a 72 hour kit.
• Life moves too quickly and people don’t slow down long enough to see their lives pass by. The virus has shown us that life doesn’t need to fly by so quickly. We can enjoy the moment more.
• Prioritizing our relationships with family and friends
• The importance of health and wellness
• We really don’t need to spend as much as we usually do
• Decreasing pollution benefits us and the planet
• Wearing masks works, not only to slow/stop Coronavirus, but also other viruses like the flu.  There has been a huge decrease this year.
• We don’t need much to be happy.
• We need to have an emergency fund.
• We need to slow down.
• Mental health is important.
• To appreciate and love each other.

Things we are grateful for from the pandemic:

• Steve was still able to finish/graduate
• We got Piper.  
• Ability to work from home more, and 100% now, which will hopefully continue.  
• It's allowed me to go back to work full time after maternity leave w/out missing the baby as much, still hold him, see him, cuddle.  I can still nurse while working.
• The boys have been able to continue their education online
• We've grown close together more as a family.  
• We've been able to spend more time together as a family.
• We've had more family dinners (almost every night now).
• We've been able to have FHE/Come Follow ME more.
• The boys have become better friends- playing together and communicating w/ each other.
• Family prayer happens regularly (daily).
• It's reassuring to know we have an emergency fund.
• We appreciate the outdoors, being able to get out of the house.
• We are grateful to have our backyard to run around.  
• Also grateful to have a trampoline to get energy out, our playhouse, sandbox, and bikes for the kids to ride.  
• We live on a circle which allows more room to play.
• Grateful for our home and the space we do have.
• We're thankful for our boys teachers and we don't have to teach them all ourselves.
• To be thankful for our blessings.

Last Week of December

 We finished up 2020!  Here are some highlights from the last few days.

We went to visit Dave and Joann after getting back from visiting my parents in Idaho for Christmas. Joann got Hudson to fall asleep.

The boys were excited to put together their Lego Snow Excavators they got.  

We got a little bit of snow, so Steve and the boys went out and shoveled it.  

Carter made sure to get the snow off his inflatable bear.

The boys got laser tag guns from Grandma/Grandpa McGrath, so they've been having fun chasing each other around w/ the laser tag guns.

Steve went out ice fishing again at Utah Lake w/ the boys.  Dave and Joann also came w/ Lynsie.

 

They had a good time and caught lots of fish!

Hudson checking out the laser tag guns.

He thought it was tasty ;)

Cute baby Hudson.

The boys and I played our new game "Totally Gross" which is a science game.  It's really fun actually!  Here the boys are showing me they can lift one eyebrow.  Apparently it's genetic.  Both Steve and I can do it actually. 

Nyles got a free bowling coupon to Fat Cats from school for all his hard work.  

We went on Wednesday, December 30th as a family.  We all had a great time!

It was a lot of fun even if we didn't bowl as good as we wanted (Steve and I anyway).  

Being together and having fun was most important.

We gave Hudson some rice cereal for the first time.  He tried it, though wasn't so sure about it.

Carter has to snuggle with Piper every day.  Thankfully she's patient with him.

On New Year's Eve we went to the Aquarium for a little while.  

That night we also played "Disney Colors" with Steve's family for a little while via Zoom.

There were fireworks going off that night, which Piper didn't like, so she hid under a blanket.

Great reminder.

4th Week of December, Christmas

We had a fun week of Christmas.  I took the last 2 weeks off to spend w/ the family.  Here are some highlights.

Buddy the Elf just hanging out on a swing.  Cute Piper got a new collar and pad for her kennel.  The boys got Amazon Fire Tablets (for the car ride to Idaho, and for educational learning).

We went and visited Dave, Joann and her dad Carl.  The boys were excited to open a gift from Dave/Joann.  They got Nerf guns, which they love.  Thank you!  Aunt Diane also gave them stuffed animals, which Carter is holding his penguin he got.  Thank you Diane!

We also visited w/ Joann's dad Carl, who came up to visit from Arizona.

We decided to go up and visit my parents in Idaho for Christmas since we hadn't seen them since June and they hadn't met Hudson yet.  We made sure to stay away from others and be extra careful of Covid.  Steve and I were tested for Covid before we left just to make sure we didn't have it.  Nyles was tested the week before as well.  We all were negative so we felt more comfortable being w/ them w/out masks.  We left Wednesday, December 23rd around 11am and got there around 5pm.  The boys were so excited to finally go up and visit again.

On Christmas Eve we had some fun.  Carter watching my mom practice walking w/ her prosthetic leg, and Nyles helping make elk jerky.  

We went to visit my grandma.  We did some puzzles while we visited.

Cute boys w/ Great Grandma VaLere Hegerhorst.

Carter and Nyles helped my mom make chocolate covered pretzels.  Carter used a little too much sprinkles on one.  We also built cookie trays (from Home Depot) for Santa. 

While we were making treats and visiting, Steve actually helped my dad fix a leak in the downstairs bathroom and add a new light in the fruit room.  My mom said of course after 35 years and now that she can't go down to the fruit room :)  Steve and my dad worked most of the day to get things done and right (they had to rewire the lights and take a trip into Mt. Home for the bathroom part) but they did it!

The new light definitely helps so you can see what's in there now.  Good work!

The boys got Christmas Eve PJs.  Presents are ready, from "Santa."

The boys were up at 7am like normal, then we went upstairs and they opened their gifts.  They even waited patiently while I fed Hudson before coming up.  They both asked Santa for Lego sets and were so excited to get them.

Carter showing Hudson his Ninjago Lego dragon.  Steve helping the boys build their Lego sets.

More Lego building.  My dad even helped!

My dad got a 1 pound Snickers from both Rose and Pauline!  

Carter holding up his Ninjago car Steve helped him build.

My wonderful parents.  My mom finally got to hold cute baby Hudson.  We're so glad we were able to come up and visit and spend time w/ them.  Steve, my parents and I played games every night.  My mom and I even put together one of her puzzles in one day (with a little help from the boys).  Thanks for everything Mom and Dad!  We love you!

We left Saturday mid-morning, and got home late afternoon.  The roads were wet and a little snowy at times, but we made it safely home.  The boys opened a couple family gifts once we got home, like a few games and swim goggles!  Hopefully pools will be open this Summer.  They both got some dinosaur shirts and pants too.

We're so thankful for all of our blessings, and most importantly for the gift of our Savior.

3rd Week of December

I worked the whole 3rd week of December (14th-18th).  Thankfully I still had someone covering my book for me, so I mostly followed up on voicemails and only had a few appointments.  It's been nice slowly easing back into work.  I've still been able to nurse and put Hudson down for naps.  I'm taking the last 2 weeks of the year off, like normal, to spend Christmas and New Year's w/ the family.  The boys finished up school this week also, which was great timing.  I'll be back "full time" after the New Year.  Thankfully we're still working 100% from home, so I'll be able to still see the boys more often.  Here are a few highlights from the week.

Cute Carter playing w/ Mad Mattr (using Halloween decorations).  

Hudson watching Carter and holding the playdoh knife.

Buddy the elf told the boys he loves them, and left a note for Nyles.  Nyles wasn't feeling well one night, so Buddy brought a thoughtful note.  We called Nyles' Pediatrician and they said to get him tested for Covid, which we did.  The next morning he was thankfully feeling better, so after taking the test he wanted to go back to school.  We got the results back the next morning and it was negative.

Elf hiding out.

Elf flying w/ a hang glider (Carter asked him to).

Cute Hudson and Carter.

Nyles and Carter both wanted to hold baby Hudson.

Carter at his preschool, having a snack.

Nyles had a party at school the last day before Christmas break.  This is his good friend Owen.

The Red and Blue classes all together.  They are always divided, one class w/ Mrs. Sullivan (taking the picture) and one w/ Senior Dunn for Spanish (the guy up front in Santa outfit).  

It's great they have smaller class sizes, especially this year.

Carter wanted to wear Nyles reindeer antlers.

And Steve had to try them on Hudson too.

We finally got a generator that can power most of our house.  We've been looking for one since we had the earthquake earlier this year and had power outages.  We've been adding to our emergency preparedness supplies this year and this was one thing Steve really wanted to save up for.  We saved up and when we saw it on sale at Costco we got it.

We got the new "Grinch" movie and watched it as a family.  Nyles wanted Hudson so sit with him.

On Saturday, Steve took Nyles and Carter ice fishing at Utah Lake (American Fork Marina).  Our neighbor Jacob Anderson followed Steve there.  They fished off the docks and did really well, even in only a few feet of water.  Not only did they catch a lot of fish, but it's only 25 minutes from our house which is awesome!  Win win!

Carter helped me complete a puzzle we borrowed from my mom.  

We did it!  Carter is sure getting good at puzzles.

The boys wanted to see Piper w/ the reindeer antlers on.  I don't think Piper liked it.  

Cute boys dressed up for church.  We watched our sacrament meeting via Zoom at home since we were headed out of town in a couple days and didn't want to be exposed accidently.

Family picture.  Hudson loves to blow bubbles.

Cute Hudson loves to suck on his hands.

Nyles saved up his money and decided to buy a huge stuffed snake on Amazon.  It's over 9 feet long!

The boys doing "Once there was a Snowman" at the end of our "Come Follow Me" lesson.  

The snowman definitely melted :)

Hudson is sure growing.  He's such a sweetheart and brings our family so much joy!

Hudson had his 4 month Dr appointment.  He weighed16lbs 12oz (85 percentile), and was 17.1 inches long (87 percentile).  He's officially doubled his weight (started out at 8lbs 3oz).  He received another round of shots, so as expected, that night and the next day he had a slight fever.  Thankfully he was feeling better the next night and slept well.

This was our Christmas card we mailed out.  Pauline designed it.

Great reminder.