cuteculturechick

Looking at these pictures I’ve taken over the last few days makes me feel sad. I look so depleted. Being sick with Covid has completely upended my life. The fatigue is relentless. I’ve had the worst migraines of my life, with searing light sensitivity. I’m plagued with almost constant vertigo, and my blood pressure has been so high at times that I’ve been worried about risk of stroke. I’ve had 2 urgent care visits and 2 ER stays. When I imagined what being sick with Covid would be like over the last 2 years, I mostly imagined gasping for breath and wheezing, with primarily respiratory symptoms. But it’s been more cardiovascular and neurological for me. My lab work from the ER last night showed elevated liver enzymes and decreased kidney function. It’s wreaking havoc on so many body systems. I’m grateful that I’m vaccinated and boosted, and I fell ill with Covid in the omicron surge (rather than the original Covid and Delta waves). I’m trying to get a little bit of exercise by slowly walking around my house. You’ve heard of Cupid’s Shuffle…this is my Covid shuffle. I miss going to the gym and having cardio workouts. I’m sad to lose my 38 week gym streak. But I’m resting, taking my vitamins, hydrating, and doing what I can to beat this. I hope you are able to avoid the intensity of this virus that I’ve been hit with. #covid_19 #covidpositive #covidshuffle #ervisit #pandemiclife https://www.instagram.com/p/CZbHvYwAbGi/?utm_medium=tumblr

This kid has so much style and sass, I can’t handle it. How can my baby be 3 in 2 weeks? https://www.instagram.com/p/CZDawe9M67h/?utm_medium=tumblr

This kid has so much style and sass, I can’t handle it. How can my baby be 3 in 2 weeks? #lucynicole #fashionista #toddlerfashion #toddlerlife #almost3 https://www.instagram.com/p/CZDawe9M67h/?utm_medium=tumblr

This weekend, Lucy’s room was upgraded from nursery to big girl room. The crib furniture set is gone, a new bed from IKEA is acquired and assembled, the tent moved in from the family room, and everything else rearranged. I can’t believe Lucy will be 3 in 2 weeks! https://www.instagram.com/p/CY6XJhFsTAR/?utm_medium=tumblr

This weekend, Lucy’s room was upgraded from nursery to big girl room. The crib furniture set is gone, a new bed from IKEA is acquired and assembled, the tent moved in from the family room, and everything else rearranged. I can’t believe Lucy will be 3 in 2 weeks! #kidsroom #roommakeover #spaceroom #ikeabed https://www.instagram.com/p/CY6XJhFsTAR/?utm_medium=tumblr

Over the last 6 weeks, I’ve switched to wearing N95/KN95/KF94 masks, and set aside my cloth ones for better protection. I’ve been a dedicated masker through the pandemic, and have so many multipacks that I purchased for one specific mask (to match an outfit). I thought it would be fun to get all my masks together to see how many I have. I’ve been thinking it would be fun to turn them into a quilt (although I have never been a quilter). Also sharing Lucy’s cute masks, because I love them so much. She is still wearing them because she’ll keep them on longer than the surgical or extra-small KF94s #maskup #pandemiclife #clothmasks #oldnavymasks https://www.instagram.com/cuteculturechick/p/CYuLUtQluuH/?utm_medium=tumblr

Peppa and Coraline. Happy Halloween! #halloween2021 #peppapig #peppapigcostume #coraline https://www.instagram.com/p/CVtwyc3M4Q2/?utm_medium=tumblr

For years, Taylor has been saying he wanted to do a coordinating couples costume. This year, we finally did it. #halloween2021 #couplescostume #oktoberfest #lederhosen #dirndl #fräulein https://www.instagram.com/p/CVtwRLnMY35/?utm_medium=tumblr

Ray-Ban Sunglasses

Breathtaking views at Bryce Canyon National Park. We hoped to do hike a trail, but Lucy was more interested in stepping on rocks and counting. And her favorite part was driving through the rock tunnels. It was fun to bring Levi to explore on of my favorite bits of Utah #brycecanyon #brycecanyonnationalpark #findyourpark #hoodos #beutahful #utahgram (at Sunrise Point Bryce Canyon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPy5X-bBCQk/?utm_medium=tumblr

Sunset views at Cedar Breaks #cedarbreaks #cedarbreaksnationalmonument #beutahful #redrocks (at Cedar Breaks National Monument) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPy4HrRByyF/?utm_medium=tumblr

Family boating fun at Willard Bay. We had perfect weather, and the bay wasn’t too crowded. Lucy was thrilled by her first time boating, and was all about taking rides on the giant inter tube. She also was waaaay into eating cookies. She was so worn out that she couldn’t stay awake, so she was zombie-eating cookies. Take a bite, fall asleep chewing, snooze for a minute, keep chewing, over and over. Thanks @hollspaige for an awesome day on the water. #willardbay #utahboating (at Willard Bay State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPdwfFlBdHr/?utm_medium=tumblr

Tonight I showed Lucy how to make our giant snowball tree snow. It’s my favorite spring feature in my yard, and makes May beautiful. #snowballtree #viburnum #springinutah https://www.instagram.com/p/CPFC1wRh07_/?utm_medium=tumblr

While I was in California, my Japanese Maple decided to wake up and show off its leaves. Right behind it, is a lone peony stalk that also showed up last year, but gave up after it grew to about 4”. Now I have dueling plant life. I wonder if the peony will actually bloom. #japanesemaple #springisblooming #springinutah #peonysprout https://www.instagram.com/p/CORdudDBjEo/?igshid=7ybfvbfk9oyc

Our new photo wall: where we’ve lived, and countries we’ve visited. I found these fun watercolor prints from Refinery Number One on Etsy, and immediately envisioned this wall. I’ve decided there is no way to get a good straight-on pic without glare, but you get the idea. #photowall #refinerynumberone #wherewevelived https://www.instagram.com/p/CNh37NBh61U/?igshid=tbmnl5gr41e9

Grape hyacinths are popping up all through the yard. Lucy loves to pull them apart and say “all gone” 🤦🏻‍♀️ #grapehyacinth #toddlerlife #springinutah https://www.instagram.com/p/CMnLi7rheCj/?igshid=1hkbgqr1globh

Today, Governor Cox announced that Utahns over 16 years old with certain comorbidities are eligible for a Covid vaccine effectively immediately. Within 3 hours, I had a Moderna shot in my arm. I had to drive 40 minutes to Provo, but it was totally worth it to me. I am ready for life to feel a bit more normal, and that will come through protection from Covid-19. #gotmyshot #modernavaccice #pandemiclife https://www.instagram.com/p/CLu6LrJhH8B/?igshid=up5gyh3gm9ow