Captain Underpants

About six months ago, Joe and I bought a training toilet for Jace. We've talked about him going potty like "a big boy" and have encouraged him to sit on his toilet -- pants and all. We've talked aobut it -- and have waited for the time when he is ready to graduate from diapers.

A few weeks ago, I thought that the Winter Break from school would be a good time to really push the potty training -- I didn't have HIGH expectiations, but I want to at least try. If I can get a few months diaper free ... let's just say Merry Christmas to me!

Last night, Joe started talking to Jace about how when he's going potty in the big boy potty he doesn't have to wear his Mickey diapers anymore -- that he could wear underwear with Buzz Lightyear and Lightning McQueen on them. Joe got Jace so excited about the prospect of wearing cool underwear that he wanted to try to go to the bathroom. Joe took him upstairs, stripped him down, and put him on the potty. He drank several glasses of juice and decided that nothing was going to happen.

Sweet Joe redressed Jace in his sleeper jammies and explained that if he needed to go to just yell "DAAAD Pee-pee in the Potty" and Joe would go and help. About 2.5 seconds after getting him all bundled up again Jace wanted to try the potty. Joe went through the process of undressing Jace again (we'll have to invest in 2 piece jammies .... seriously!) and put him on the toilet.

Meanwhile, I was downstairs working on Christmas when I hear cheers from upstairs. I race and Jace had a full dimpled grin on his face -- I asked him if he went pee pee in the potty and he nodded. We ran up to the bathroom and he showed me a full potty! We all cheered -- Jace got a piece of the GOOD chocolate and we promised to take him shopping for big boy pants tonight.

This morning I woke him up and Joe told me to ask if he needed to go potty. He grinned, nodded, and started to undress. Let's just say he got a 2nd piece of the GOOD candy! We are so excited for him!!!! (and for our diaper budget!)

It's A

BABY

And that's as good as we get until March!

"BOOP"

In our family we celebrate birthday weeks. It's my fault. I love birthdays. I get excited for mine. I'm turning 30 (gasp!) in 13 days and I'm still excited for it! A couple of years ago, I got so excited for my birthday, Joe started giving me little gifts (a CD or a book or something small) daily for about a week before my actual birthday. Thus, the birthday week was born.

My birthday week starts in 6 days and apparently Jace and Joe went shopping last night while I was out with a friend. Here's the conversation I walked in on this morning as Jace was waking up:

Joe: "Shh ... it's a secret!"

Jace: "Mom's BOOP"

Joe: "Shh ... it's a secret!"

Jace: "Mom's BOOP!"

Joe: "Shh ... it's a secret! Don't tell mom"

I walk in ....

Jen: "Don't tell mom what?"

Jace: "Mom's BOOP"

Jen: "Something's broke?"

Joe: "Shh ... it's a secret! Don't tell mom!"

Jace: "Mom's BOOP"

Jen: "What's broke"

Jace: "NO Mom's BOOP"

Jen: "Book?"

Joe: "Shh ... it's a secret!"

Jace ... showing off his adorable dimples "MOM'S BOOP"

Joe: "It's a secret for mom's birthday. We can't tell her!"

He goes does downstairs and Jace walks straight to the hiding place ... "Mom's BOOP" and pulls out a rather hefty hard cover book -- still in the Barnes & Nobles sack.

Very proud of himself he hands me the book. I am laughing to the point that I may have pulled a muscle. I called Joe back up to re-hide the book. Jace wasn't super excited about this -- starts crying and wanting me to have the "boop".

I have the nicest boys ever ... and I can't wait to see what my new boop is! Apparently, Joe asked Jace what they should get me for my birthday and Jace said: "A boop" and Joe thought ... BRILLIANT ... So I guess that's what he did.

This makes THREE

I love homemade costumes. I grew up with homemade costumes. When I was a kid -- it was possible, although I'm not sure, that it was cheaper to make your own Halloween costume rather than buying it from the store. That is DEFINITELY not true now -- and it takes loads of work -- and brain power to understand the 1/2 way explained pattern instructions -- but I love the way a home made costume turns out in the end. Not only that, but I always feel a bit closer to my mama when I make them.

I am SUPER proud of how this year's costume turned out. I was a little nervous, because it is very .... gray .... but the details, like the wrinkly head and trunk, make it perfect. I love love love it!! SO without further adieu .... her are his last 3 HOMEMADE costumes!!

Tri-Athlete

Joe decided that he wanted to be a tri-athlete. After all of his running accomplishments, he was ready for another challenge. He researched different races and chose one in Saratoga Springs. This is what we got to enjoy while he was out doing his thing! Breath-taking!

Joe after his group meeting. He's ready to go!

Giving Dad a GOOD LUCK hug. We are so proud of him!

The swim was the part that Joe was the most worried about. He learned how to swim when he was little, but by no way is he a swimmer. He focused his training on the swim and kept improving. He took a swim class that helped him guide his training.

He certainly wasn't the strongest swimmer in the group of men, but he didn't come in last either! His goal was to simply finish the race and I am very proud that he did! It didn't help that the water at Utah Lake is NASTY -- he told me that he was dry heaving through the whole swim. Hopefully in the next 4-7 years the water will clear up a bit with the plans they have made for the lake.

Joe leaving the water and racing to the bikes.

Joe researched which bike he wanted to buy too! We found a really nice road bike online for only $500 or so. This will be an awesome starter bike for him and if he gets WAY into it ... we can buy him an even more stellar bike down the road. (AND he has ridden it to work several times saving us some MULAH there too!!)

100% DAD SUPPORTER ... (and look at those dimples!)

Joe coming in from the bike portion. We didn't get to view much of the bike and run. They biked/ran out into the neighborhood and then we just had to wait for him to come back

He's ready to run out for his strongest portion of the race. RUN!!

I can't believe that after all of the effort put out from the 1/2 mile swim and 15 mile bike ride ... he still was able to pull a 7 minute mile for his 5K!

Joe coming through the finish line! I was very proud of his 1:30 min time. I may have finished the swim in that time!! Way to go honey!

After the race we hung out at the lake and let Joe cool off for a bit. Jace and I walked out to the docks, pulled off our shoes and put our feet in the water. His didn't quite fit so I dropped him down to feel it. I thought he'd hate it, but the opposite was true. He splashed so hard that we were both wet to our bellies. Joe joined us out there after a bit and took over the baby dipping. We had a great time!

I can't believe we didn't get a pic of our whole family! Bummer. Ann and Wayne, Joe's parents, came out to support him too. We are very impressed with how supportive they are with everything Joe does. They came up for both of his Ragnar races and for his 1/2 marathon. Now this. What awesome parents and grandparents!! We didn't get a picture with them either. Next time!!

Petunia

Meet the newest member of the JJJ Boucher Family ... Petunia! Jace and I decided to take a detour today after meeting Joe for work and to look at the animals. I'm always a sucker for a cute furry face ... and so is Jace. Was it the most responsible purchase? NO. Do we love her? YES!

Jace has been hanging out by her cage all afternoon. He even cried when it was time to go to bed. We promised that she'd be around tomorrow to play with him. Uber cute :)

Jace got a little weirded out when he held her in his hands. Those little finger nails surprised him, I think. We put Petunia on the couch and she started walking towards Jace -- he started to get nervous and fell over, well this surprised the hamster and she ran across the top of his head. hehe

Welcome to the family Petunia!

A Little Closer ...

Joe and I have never been good at Family Home Evening. It seems like whenever we would decide to do a FHE, we'd work on our family budget -- so it never really was FHE. When Jace was born, we knew we needed to get serious about it -- but it still seemed awkward to do FHE with a 4 week old. So we quickly got back out of the habit. During the last General Conference, both Joe and I felt like we needed to work on this. Jace is getting to the age that he can listen, participate, and now is a great time to start getting into that habit -- while Jace is still young.

Joe bought the nursery manual today and that will be our FHE guide until further notice. Tonight we had a fun lesson on I am a Child of God, Jace and I made a picture to put in his room, and afterwards painted the pumpkins that we bought last week.

I'm grateful that we have inspired programs that we get to take part in. I want a forever family, and I never want to look back and think: "could I have done more?" We are miles away from being perfect .... but I feel like we are getting a little bit closer.

A March Surprise

Jace Boucher would like to proudly announce that he will be getting a fantastic birthday present in 2012! A new baby brother or sister! Yes, Boucher Baby #2 looks like it has finally "stuck" and we expect our lives to turn upside down yet again around March 22nd. (Jace's Birthday is March 16th ...)

Goodbye to a long lost friend ....

Copper is a wonderful dog -- 90% of the time. We have loved having him -- but since I got pregnant with Jace, he changed a bit. He likes to pee on plastic (garbage cans mostly, but also laundry baskets and toys .. ) and he LOVES to run away. The character trait that threw me over the edge though, was eating our food. We couldn't leave it anywhere he could reach it, (and yes, that means on top of the counter as well!) Jace had to be sitting at the table to eat anything, otherwise he'd sneak up and snatch it for him! I can't tell you how many organic peanut butter and honey sandwiches that dumb dog ate!

I don't know if he was any worse when I stayed home all day, but I certainly noticed it more. Because of all of the headaches he brought to our lives -- we decided to get rid of him (yes, this all took place back in June or something!). It makes me sad, because he had so many wonderful things that we just loved! I loved cuddling with him under the blanket. I loved playing tricks with him, and I really liked riling him up so he'd jump down an entire flight of stairs!

We found an awesome home for Copper. We haven't heard anything from them, so I'm assuming all is well. We miss him in our home, but have really enjoyed being a one dog family. Good-bye buddy!

The Morning After ...

So Thursday we converted Jace's crib into a "big-boy bed." He loves it. He's constantly climbing into and out of it. However, that night was not his best. He cried and cried. Jen cuddled him for half-an-hour or more, before he finally went to sleep.

Last night was a little different. Jen was gone, so Daddy got to control the situation his way. Instead of staying up with him, I decided to try the whole put-him-back routine. After putting him down the first time, I went downstairs, making my way back up about every 5 minutes, meeting Jace on a landing somewhere. After putting him back to sleep four times, he finally gave in and crashed. I think only four resets is pretty good for a first try at this approach. Unfortunately, something (maybe fireworks?) woke him back up about an hour-and-a-half later, and he came looking for us. It took another four times to get him to go back to sleep, after which he slept all the way through the night. When we got up this morning, I took a peek in his bedroom, and this is what I saw:

a Micro Miner

One major perk about working at a high school is the built in day care. Bingham's day care is incredibly hard to get into ... especially if you don't work in the building as they give top priority to their teachers. When Jace was a baby we tried to get into their program. I was on the waiting list before he was born (so probably in January or so) and I found out in May that didn't make it in.

While I was interviewing the Principal told me about their on site daycare. The dept. chair mentioned that there would be a waiting list and the principal shot back: "not for one of our own!" Last night I got a call from the daycare director and we got it all set up. I'll need to find someone to watch Jace for 5 days until it officially opens ... but we're in.

We'll be paying only $75 more than we were paying before ($475 is cheap day care!)

The center provides 2 meals and 2 snacks

Jace will have several excited girls playing with him throughout the day

Jace will get more structured learning times and more interaction with other kids (hopefully learn to SHARE ... )

... and best of all ...

He gets to come to work with me. No carting him around to one place or the other -- No leaving home 75 minutes early to be to work on time -- and if I need to work later than 4:00 ..... he can come in and watch toy story in my classroom!

Leaving Jace is the only reason that I'm sad about returning to work. He's a rock star kid and I've really enjoyed having our laid back life this year .... but if I'm going back, this is the PRIME situation! We are very excited.

I'm A Miner Again

No, I didn't lose 11 years of my life ....

I'm a Bingham Miner

I have thoroughly enjoyed the last year home with Jace and my family. It was awesome not to have to get up and take him to day care every day. I loved being able to eat when I wanted and play when I wanted. I loved watching Jace learn -- currently he is fascinated with his ABCs! But since about the beginning of May I've had this thought in the back of my head that maybe I should go back to work. I pushed it aside because ... I'm a mom. Mom's are "supposed" to stay home ... But the feeling never left. About the end of May I was up late getting ready for a stamping event and I felt like I couldn't pass up this feeling.

I met Joe for lunch the next day and we talked about a lot of things. Moving to a new house, having more kids, doing foster care, and going back to teaching. We decided that I should get the process rolling since the hiring process was WELL under way! We could always back out later if we felt like the decision wasn't right.

Yesterday morning I got a phone call from the VP at Bingham and he said he was interested in interviewing -- would I come in tomorrow. Without me knowing about it, the VP called the principal of my old school and found out a bit about me. After the grueling questions were over, the principal asked if I was serious about this position ... (I thought I was in trouble!) and I said YES!

He told me I came with a very strong recommendation and that he would like to offer me the position. That he was glad he was able to snatch such an awesome hire after the school year was over.

While I'm nervous about what the next few years will bring I feel good about the decision. I know it's going to be hard ... but most likely, Jace will be able to get to a day care in the school so that we can be in the same place. Teachers in the school take top priority. I love the idea of not having to drop him off far away.

There were many reasons that we felt like this was right for our family -- but mostly we just feel like it fell into place and it's where we are supposed to be right now.

I'm a high school teacher! WOW!!

I'm a GIRL!!!

OK, too much information .... but it's my blog. If you don't want to know the particulars ... read someone else's blog. I'm pumped and I want to share ....... :)

Part of my problem this year is that my medicine, Provera, wasn't working. I was supposed to take 10 pills over the course of 5 days to induce a period. The period is supposed to start 3-7 days after the last pill has been taken. The first time doing this it took 12 days. The 2nd time it didn't even work so the Dr upped my prescription to 15 pills over the course of 5 days. Then I got pregnant, then I miscarried, and this is the 2nd cycle since my miscarriage. Last cycle it took about 10-14 days again ... and I figured that as long as it took less than that ... we were headed in the right direction.

This cycle the stupid pill only took 4 days to work! WAHOO!!! I'm a girl!

I've had the question asked many times ... when do you take the clomid. You can't take the clomid (ovulation drug) until you have a period ... that has been my whole hold up to date! So because my period started this month I can finally take my clomid, which should help next month start up a bit easier too.

Unfortunately for me, just because I have a period, doesn't mean I ovulate. I will need to go in on day 21 to see if I ovulated. If not, I'm sure my Dr will up my clomid from 100mg to 150 (I started at 50. The highest they'll let you go, that I know of, is 250, but since clomid has some gnarly side affects .... we're hoping 100 is enough!! It is for most.)

For me, this small thing is a miracle. A small step in the right direction. I'll take it!

Planning

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

~Joseph Campbell

Live Your Dreams 5K

Today I ran in the "Live Your Dreams" 5K. I have been training off and on for this race -- let's face it -- I would much rather race than condition! Competing against myself isn't any fun for me!

I had a goal to beat my fastest ever 5K time -- back in 2009. The time that I ran that race was 31 minutes and 26 seconds. As I came past the bend I saw 30:02 ... I sprinted to the end and I believe my final time is roughly 30:09 ... BUT we didn't have timing chips and I wasn't FIRST off the line ... so my time was probably around 30:04. Regardless ... I BEAT my fastest (and first) 5K time. Now it's time to start training for my next race in June ...

... it's to support infant and pregnancy loss

I feel that is an important one for ME to do!

Everything I was hoping for .... except.

It's no secret that I've been struggling with my fertility ... forever. Joe and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary in June -- I have been my own birth control pretty much the entire time. In 2008 we had a plan. Take all sorts of medications to get my body working the way it should ... and I get pregnant. Well ... I started the routine in May and was pregnant in June. It worked beautifully. It can be argued, however, that because things happened so fast ... it didn't work and we had an intervention from on high. Obviously it was meant to be that Jace join our family.

In January I started the routine again -- I also decided to join weight watchers again to help control my weight. I know that I'm not obese ... I'm not even hugely overweight either -- but historically I have gotten pregnant (yes all 4 times now) after losing 10 to 15 lbs. Can you get pregnant overweight ... of course. Is it easier if you lose 10% of your body fat? Of course. So that was the plan.

I noticed that during the 6 weeks I was constantly thinking: "I can't wait until I'm pregnant because then I can eat what I want" ... not exactly the mindset you want from a soon to be pregnant woman. But it is what it is. Infact, as soon as I did get pregnant mid March -- that's what I did. I told people (JOE mostly) that I planned on being healthy because I didn't want gestational diabetes again ... but I started going for the drive through again and cafe rio and whatever. We found out we were pregnant on a Wednesday and I miscarried on Saturday. I went straight from celebrating that I was pregnant again (and it seemed to come so easy!!) to an emotional wreck. There were two separate times that I ate an entire box of girl scout cookies by myself. I started the self destructive behavior of secretly going through the drive through and not telling anyone (using cash -- untraceable ... and hiding the garbage under other garbage in my trash or even resorting to throwing it in my neighbor's can ... Sad.)

A few weeks after I was walking around Walmart with Jace and decided to look in the book section. I noticed a book that I've seen millions of times ... "Mastering your Metabolism" by Jillian Michaels. I put it in my cart then put it back .... I don't yet need one more diet book and plan. Then as I was walking away I noticed that the book claimed to balance your hormones to start working for you rather than against you -- I picked it up and put it back in my cart.

Quick side note ... I have a sick family. Both sides really. Heart disease. Type 2 diabetes. Cancer. Stroke ... The genes really are stacked against me. I know that the choices I make today will become my reality ... side not over.

I started reading this book and it is almost like a light bulb came on. In one of the first chapters it said: "It's not about being thin to be healthy ... it's about being healthy to be thin"

WOW

There is a reason that diets never work for me. Why I gain and lose the same 20 to 30 lbs over and over again. Because I'm not focused on the right thing. I knew that if I wrapped my brain around the healthy part ... the thin would naturally come. If I watched what chemicals I put in my body ... maybe just maybe my hormones would balance and I can "fix" myself.

While Joe and I were at Zions we took this time to reflect on the changes we want our family to make. How we want to eat. What we want to bring into our house. What we can do instead of the "quick fix" of eating out .... During that week of reflection we came to the decision that for the next 3 or 4 months we'd focus on being healthy ... not on getting pregnant or losing weight, but on being healthy. I am so glad we did. Our only plan, really, was to continue taking the one pill that was supposed to help me have a period. Take the pill for 5 days and have a period 3 days later. That was the plan. Try to reset my menstruation while we are at it!

So May 1st came and I started my pills. I finished taking them on May 5th and was hoping for myself to start on or around May 8th .... Nothing. I wait ... Nothing ... I wait. GRR.

On May 12th I call my doctor to find out what to do. When I didn't hear back from the nurse by the afternoon -- I decided to just go in and make an appointment. We looked at my hormone levels that were run (in 2008 ... OLD) and decide to re-run the numbers. Basically he said that because my period isn't coming SOMETHING is wrong. I'm expecting Insuline, or testosterone or maybe even estrogen. After waiting to get my results for a week (a different story for a different day ... this is getting long!!) I got my results back yesterday.

I didn't know what to do!

I've never NOT had a plan.

The problem is ... when there is a problem ... we can fix it. When your numbers come back stellar ..... (well as far as I know stellar) what do you do. My doctor doesn't. He has advised that I go to a specialist ($$$) I do have to say though, my period eventually came on the 14th or so. I told that to the nurse in a voicemail ... but I'll probably call to remind her of this. So here's what I know so far:

Insuline: Normal (6-27) 2008 data (28 or so) 2011 data (8.6)

Yes, that's right. No more metformine for me!!!!! (YES!!)

Testosterone: Normal (11-55) 2008 data (109) 2011 data (34!!)

Are you kidding me? Could I have actually fixed some of my hormone problems? That's what it looks like. It's great! I am so pumped for this!!! But we are now at a loss as to what to do with my fertility.

As I see it I have several options, but I think this is what we are going with:

We can't afford a specialist. Not right now. Maybe in August (which fits with our get healthy not thin/pregnant plan) So I am goign to call my nurse and tell her I'd like to continue trying what I am doing for a few months to see if my body will respond more quickly to the meds than it did this time. I'm not going to get discouraged if/when they don't work ... but I'm going to keep trying. I'll continue to eat organic where possible. I'll continue to run and exercise. I'll continue to lose weight ... I'm only 15 - 20 lbs away from my goal. I'll probably go see a 2nd doctor outside of his office -- to get a completely different set of eyes looking at what is "wrong" with me ... but for now I'm not going to stress. I'm going to celebrate. I'm not diabetic. Not only that ... but I dont' show signs that I will be or am in any danger to become diabetic any time soon. My thyroid is good. My testosterone is good. My estrogen is good. Everything else he looked are good. I'm celebrating that!! I'm not going to let this get me down. I have acheived something great. Something that so few can do without medication. If, come August, I'm not having a monthly period on my own (ok, yes with meds helping here) then I'll go talk to Dr. $$ at the fertility clinic. That's my plan.

Thanks for reading. No pics and a novel. You are dedicated!!

Kanosh Easter Party

To finish off our trip to Elsinore, we always go to Rayma's family Easter party in Kanosh. Every year has just gotten more and more fun for Jace. There are a lot of kids in the family that are Jace's age and it is fun that he can play with them.

The day was a bit cold, especially for it being April 23rd! (we had the cutest family outfits picked out for the event too ... grr!) Very very fun day!

Family Picture Tradition

It is our family tradition to get our pictures taken at Grannie Annie's house every Easter. We have gone down for the last 3 years the week before Easter Sunday to spend a few days down in Elisnore. We love our little tradition and we love spending time down south. Thanks for being such lovely hosts Ann and Wayne! Here's our family photos up until this year!

Easter Sunday

Last Sunday we had an amazing Sacrament Meeting! One song that particularly touched my heart was sung by a friend, Carrie Cahoon. I had loved this song while in High School, but lost the CD and no longer have it. I don't get brought to tears often by the spirit in the room ... but I did with this.

If I had been there at his trial,

And watched as they mocked Israel’s King,

I wonder if I would have tried to turn their hearts to Him,

If I had been there when they whipped him,

And watched as he fell to his knees,

Would I have been willing to offer my own life for Him,

For His friends, how he bled

His love for them was just as he said

Greater love he showed the greatest love, of all

If I had been there at the hillside when they fastened his hands to the cross,

I’m sure that my heart would have broken,

For His friends, For His friends,

And that’s me if I do what he said

Would I give? Could I live my life like Jesus?

Jesus

Well now, it’s been years since his lifetime,

But he and his love still remain,

And all that I want is to be like him,

He was all I hope to be,

I would give my life to be,

The kind of friend, Jesus was to me

Our Trek To Zion

We have not been on a family vacation for a long time. Probably before Jace was even made. Joe has been working some crazy long stressful hours at work and we decided to take a break from the world and go to Zions.

What a week we had! It was BEAUTIFUL!

70 degrees

not too crowded

open air

beautiful sights

and most importantly

FAMILY time!!

Here are some highlights from our vacation:

We weren't super prepared for our vacation. I brought a lot of food and snacks so we only ate out for our dinners ... but we forgot all containers, baggies, and utensils. SO we got creative. Our Wheat Thins ended up being a spoon and a knife for a day or two!!

After climbing up Walter's Wiggles (on the way to Angel's Landing) we turned to another path and went another 100 yards or more and got to a relatively flat space that we could let Jace out of his pack and wander without fear of falling off of the cliffs. We went and ate our lunch and had a fabulous time before heading back down the mountain!

He carried around that apple for about an hour or two ... a bite here, a bite there. He loves his fruit!

Jace did an awesome job this trip. Luckily he loves being outside and loves walking around in his little back pack. He pretty much was smiles the entire time!

This is where we stayed. It was beautiful! It was equipped with 2 large beds (bunk beds ... but queen size beds) a nice living room, bathroom with shower, sink, microwave, and mini {mini mini} fridge. It really wasn't camping!

Day 3 walk in the valley ... SO beautiful!

On our way up to the weeping rock.

This is the weeping rock waterfall. It was amazing. Jace didn't much like the cold water, but it felt good to be sheltered from the sun for a bit!

Many people would comment about how "lucky that little guy is to be carried" or "when is it my turn" or "I wish I could be carried" or whatever.

This last pic was taken on top of a major hill (and cliff ... so scary!!) But it was so rewarding once we got to the top ... (well the top before we got to the chain part of the hike. I stand firm that a good hike shouldn't require chains!!) We were able to see the whole side of the valley. It was awesome!