Let's recap!

2011! I did big things!
1) Moved to Oregon! Yes! That went very well. Technically that was the end of December, but I am counting it as 2011 because we were in limbo for a while.
2) Bought a house! That went...ok. It was ok. Moving on.
3) Made New Friends! Pretty awesome. Also, all of these friends are older than me, which hasn't been the case since about 6 years in to community college. I have people who give me advice, and also just like to chat. What a wonderful new experience!
4) Learned a whole lot about government aid programs. Yay! Seriously, yay. Not only have we benefited, but I have learned a lot about the actual people who need and use these programs, who has access, who needs access, just how hard it is to abuse the system, and just how much reform is needed.
5) Went to the Hazon Food Conference for the first time ever and it was amazing. I want to go again next year, but I may have put a little crimp into that plan (#8)
6) Completed the training stage for becoming foster parents. Woohoooooo!
7) Got a JOB. Actually, my aunt got me a job, and it is wonderful and I love it. I am still very nervous, and have made a couple mistakes, but altogether I love being a translator/reviewer. Very fun.
8) Decided to and then became pregnant. #3 and final, and I have gone through some major emotional ups and downs this time around, but I am very excited and hopeful and really looking forward to next summer. Which is why I may not be able to attend Hazon. It's ok! I'll be a little busy!

Signing off until next year,
-nava

ETA: I will not be going to Connecticut. In the winter. With a baby. I'll wait until the conference is back in Davis again :)

crawling back into life

I have been laid low for 2 months with a rather severe case of nausea and exhaustion. All because I went and decided that we would have one more try at having a baby. While I am excited (and nervous) I did not expect that after 2 extremely easy pregnancies (my only symptoms were a couple mood swings and getting a big belly, and the baby at the end) that this last time I would get hit with a 'normal' pregnancy. I suspect I am vitamin deficient and so I've been doubling up on prenatals, but ugh, and yuck, and whine. From onset I have felt sick, and every time I had someone say 'I'm surprised you knew so early!' I told them it was either pregnancy or I needed to be hospitalised, because I never, ever, ever, ever feel this way. Well, the nausea is starting to abate, unfortunately I am forced to avoid any dairy or wheat (or plan to spend a day cooling my face on the bathroom floor), but I am not supposed to eat these things anyhow so I guess this baby is just whipping me into shape (it's due to be a Leo, so makes sense that it is already being bossy ;) ).

My father-in-law has been visiting for a week, he heads back home tomorrow, and it's been wonderful, not only because he gets to spend time with the boys but he's been taking the boys out with him on walks, which gives me time for napping :) I really hope that all the stories of this passing with the first trimester will hold true for me, because I would really like to cook food in my own home again soon. Also, being mildly productive again would be awesome. I'm sure my mom will laugh; she called me a sucker for having another baby after my first was SUCH a good baby, and now I get a 'typical' pregnancy after my two easy ones. I just hope that labor doesn't follow this pattern too! Yeesh!

happily,
-nava