tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67392960618303933752024-02-06T19:18:50.790-08:00Becoming Mrs. Van NuysFrom Mrs. to MamaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-86119584285780336322014-08-16T10:50:00.004-07:002014-08-16T10:50:56.623-07:00Portland Road Trip<div style="text-align: center;">
Our little family recently made an epic road trip north to Portland. </div>
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It was quite the adventure indeed. </div>
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My best friend Mel got married past Sunday, and since I was the matron of honor there were quite a few events that I had to be present for! We thought it best to drive up there so we had our car, and weren't limited to the stuff that we could bring. </div>
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We set out Wednesday morning, making it halfway to Medford, Oregon for the night.</div>
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I didn't totally think through the one room situation with a baby. </div>
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You see, Felix goes to sleep at 7 -- and is a very light sleeper, so we were forced to watch the tv on mute until we went to sleep. Luckily we were all pretty tired so we ended up going to be early! </div>
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The drive was beautiful, though boring. Driving in one straight line up I-5 for 700 miles can make you want to rip your hair out pretty fast. Good thing Seth and I decided to read a book on tape for the drive, we chose "Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter". The book kept our minds busy through the long patches of unexciting landscape. </div>
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We got up early the next morning and headed north. We needed to be in Portland in time for me to get ready to go to the bachelorette party that evening.</div>
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We made pretty good time and got to Hillsboro, where Ashley lives and we stayed, around 2. </div>
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We got the boys settled and left shortly after. </div>
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Sidenote: have you ever sat in Portland traffic?</div>
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It is AWFUL. Dare I say worse that LA? </div>
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It took me 2 hours to go 15 miles to Mels house just north of Portland in Vancouver, WA.</div>
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CRA-ZAY. </div>
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The rest of the night was spent celebrating with the awesome bride and bridesmaids. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"mood lighting" </td></tr>
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The next day we relaxed until we had to head north again for a nail appointment and BBQ.</div>
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Cue cursing about traffic.</div>
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We sat for a long time in traffic, and then Ash says "umm Jamie...Felix pooped".</div>
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And I think, "ok, nothing too out of the ordinary"</div>
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And then, "JAMIE, It's coming out of his pants, its on the seat, I need wipes, WEAR ARE THE WIPES."</div>
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Blowouts in rush our traffic on the freeway are FUN. We pulled over, on the side of a bridge in Portland and had to change the poopy little dude. </div>
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And we were very late for nails.</div>
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And of course Felix hadn't napped so he promptly had a meltdown. </div>
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This was not my favorite day. </div>
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That was how we kept Felix entertained at the nail salon until Seth came back.</div>
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We wanted, so much, to go the BBQ that Mel and Jeff were hosting that night at their new house but it was almost impossible. </div>
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My mom was flying in that night too and wanted to see Felix, so we decided to head back to her hotel in Hillsboro and just have a quiet night to ourselves without Felix.</div>
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Seth and I got the chance to go out to a nice dinner, visit a funky Portland brewery, and get Voodoo donuts.<br />The unexpected date night definitely made up for the interesting day. </div>
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The next day, Saturday, was the rehersal and following luncheon. </div>
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I definitely cried in the rehearsal more than I did the wedding. </div>
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It is so overwhelming to see your best friend walking down the isle. </div>
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Melissa and I also happened to accidentally match that day, oops!</div>
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Saturday evening Ashley's fiancee, Steve, had a game in downtown Portland. He plays for the MLS Portland Timbers. I had never been to an MLS game before and it was so exciting. Sports fans in the Pacific North West are diehard. I did not expect such spirit and noise. It was honestly one of the most fun sporting events I've ever been to, besides hockey of course. </div>
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After meeting some of the players after the game, we headed home -- hopefully to get enough sleep before the wedding.</div>
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My mom had Felix again that night which was great, though I missed him so much.</div>
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I went over to her hotel early in the morning to visit.</div>
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Ash and I had to leave early to get our hair done so we could be on time for everything.</div>
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We wrote speeches in the hair salon and shared them with eachother -- trying to get through without tears. </div>
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We got to the venue at 11:30 and walked upstairs to wear all the wedding party was getting ready.</div>
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Mel was only half way through her makeup and hair but she was honestly the most beautiful bride I've ever seen. After opening our bridesmaids gifts, matching earings and necklaces for all of the maids, we helped Mel into her dress so she and Jeff could go and have their "first look". </div>
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Seth, my Mom, and Felix arrived shortly after. </div>
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I had the boys in matching outfits for the wedding and they couldn't have been any cuter. </div>
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We were confined to the getting ready room for the last half hour before the wedding started. We kept the flower girl and ring bearer busy with spiderman. How cute are they?!</div>
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The ceremony was perfect.</div>
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It was a scorching 95 degrees, but luckily we werent out there for too long!</div>
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The reception was held in an air conditioned tent next to where the ceremony was held. </div>
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Jeff and Felix really hit it off!</div>
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And Felix loved Mel. He was jumping and drooling all over her!</div>
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Felix also made friends with the ring bearer. It's so fun to see him interacting with other kids!</div>
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The night ended early and we all headed home. Knowing that we were going to be driving a lot the next day I mentally prepared myself for all the packing I needed to do. </div>
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We left around 9 the next day. </div>
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Our first stop was in Madras, Oregon to see my old babysitter and friend, Tanya.</div>
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We drove through beautiful Mount Hood and through the central Oregon high desert. The Oregon landscape is so interesting!</div>
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After Madras, we made our way down to Crater Lake.</div>
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Neither of us had ever been there before so we were both looking forward to it.</div>
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Crater Lake did not dissapoint. It was truly an incredible place to see.</div>
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It started raining shortly after we arrived, which was kind of sad -- but the clouds made the landscape more beautiful that I could have imagined. </div>
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Even though the drive was a lot longer than we thought, it was so worth stopping. </div>
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After Crater Lake, we drove to our hotel in Klamath Falls. We were all exhausted to we settled in for the night and slept really well. Felix slept all the way until 7 am that night, and sure enough he had a tooth pop through in the morning!</div>
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On the last day of our trip we were all so tired, Felix was out of onesies, and we wanted to be home so badly! We drove past the beautiful Mount Shasta, stopped in Weed, and jetted home.</div>
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We set out around 8:15 and made it home around 5. </div>
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The trip was wonderfully exhausting.</div>
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I think today is the first day I feel back to normal. </div>
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Travelling with a baby is not for the faint of heart, it definitely requires super human patience and expecting the unexpected. </div>
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I think I'm content to stay home for the next few months.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-72240765270981353992014-05-30T10:28:00.001-07:002014-05-30T10:28:42.151-07:00The Lovie Story<div style="text-align: center;">
The first thing I bought for Felix was this small lovie blanket.</div>
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It has whales in different colors and is a very soft material.</div>
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I was only 20 weeks pregnant, and at a birth and baby show feeling completely overwhelmed by everything I saw around me.</div>
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Breastpumps, carriers, swings, strollers, food, toys...I really had no idea what I was getting myself in to.</div>
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The intimidation that first time parents feel before their baby arrives is huge. </div>
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But, when I saw this little lovie blanket, I knew that whoever this little boy was inside of me, he needed it. </div>
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It was my first gift to my boy. </div>
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It was special. </div>
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Special because of how special I knew he was, and because the bond between a mother and her unborn baby is inexplicably special. </div>
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Maybe it's the official acknowledgement of your love and care for them. It may have been my first realization of many, that "OMG I'm actually having a baby." I had a lot of those moments throughout my pregnancy -- and here he is almost 6 months old and I still think "OMG, I actually have a 6 month old".</div>
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Maybe it's all of those emotions swimming around inside of your heart that makes every small event having to do with your unborn child extra sweet and gushy and teary. But that lovie was safely placed by his crib until the day he was born. I never put it away anywhere that I could forget about (that happens all too often), it's like it was my special reminder that my sweet little boy would soon be here.</div>
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I waited patiently for Felix to be old enough to acknowledge this little lovie. You have to wait until he is grasping and noticing things like that. And of course you hear what the proverbial "they" say in the back of your mind, "nothing in the crib but the baby"... but sometimes mothers intuition trumps "they". Felix slept swaddled at every nap and through the night until he was about 5 months old. He was much too busy to have the freedom of movement of his arms! I still kept the lovie close to him, though -- still waiting for the right time.</div>
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When the sleep regression hit and my sanity flew out the window with it, I was left searching for options on how to get my poor child to sleep again. We started with a new wombie swaddle blanket, which keeps him zipped up tight, with one arm out and one arm in. We took the pacifier away, probably the best decision we ever made. After we took it, he was magically able to fall asleep on his own. And finally, we gave him that lovie blanket to hold, rub, and wave around as he fell asleep.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_mbeAab-FwsjMny-UavrfJKFSG8l2Zb_awOKV2_RERjp_ZctrjEH6YPWe615UI4ZQAfvdilQBsRMA2BtT_Y1PVao1graFHFGT0wGLjYB6V8XGA_c36qH_EPfKcWfNwJfKnV7A1w2JKY/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_mbeAab-FwsjMny-UavrfJKFSG8l2Zb_awOKV2_RERjp_ZctrjEH6YPWe615UI4ZQAfvdilQBsRMA2BtT_Y1PVao1graFHFGT0wGLjYB6V8XGA_c36qH_EPfKcWfNwJfKnV7A1w2JKY/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was before the woombie blanket arrived and we took the paci! </td></tr>
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And just like that, Felix fell in love with his lovie. He has an impossible time falling asleep without it. He squirms and screams when I lay him down for a nap but as soon as he feels his lovie in his hand or on his cheek, he calms down and closes his eyes. Half of the time he ends up with it covering his face, and I promptly remove it and put it in the crook of his arm.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHEIKr9Ey5MYYjkRth-z_I8QVSttgiwv4N7tg8R8MHlaq1Qdtx35NLntRvlPlMD1t2uXSgAoOKPVke7h7z1x0paG9qbq4sA2PY4JGgB2NJn8CQDxdflDaSuJBPaWef87J7NHgk3wtiAM/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHEIKr9Ey5MYYjkRth-z_I8QVSttgiwv4N7tg8R8MHlaq1Qdtx35NLntRvlPlMD1t2uXSgAoOKPVke7h7z1x0paG9qbq4sA2PY4JGgB2NJn8CQDxdflDaSuJBPaWef87J7NHgk3wtiAM/s1600/photo.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yesterday I learned the hard way not to wash the lovie before nap time. When I transferred the load into the dryer the lovie got left behind in the washing machine, and then the unthinkable happened -- the dryer broke. There was no way I was sending him for a nap with a wet blanket. </div>
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Well as you can imagine, nap time was a nightmare. </div>
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He actually wouldn't sleep at all without the darn thing.</div>
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Have I created a lovie monster?</div>
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Maybe. </div>
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Thank goodness the wind was able to dry his lovie before bedtime, or else it may have been war. </div>
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When he wakes up like this, happy as can be, I'm reminded of the journey we've been on.</div>
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From entering the scary world of babies and all the gear they come with, to having a thriving, happy 6 month old boy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMOfWMwT-P2KiUDpPbVx3ALD_g7UDV5QsSXKn5zYe25yNf0PyaP4OBOEsASu_JD8paa1fpOnKxD3ohDxPICx9t5A8jSDThGYXxtDTNbByG9lru-8aUcJ-vy30Jqdxev0pbbagqQenHpc/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMOfWMwT-P2KiUDpPbVx3ALD_g7UDV5QsSXKn5zYe25yNf0PyaP4OBOEsASu_JD8paa1fpOnKxD3ohDxPICx9t5A8jSDThGYXxtDTNbByG9lru-8aUcJ-vy30Jqdxev0pbbagqQenHpc/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I'm reminded of how God meets us when we are at our weakest, and gives us something beautiful. He gives us something hard so He can give us strength. He walks us through the wilderness so we can see the joy that He has purposed for us. </div>
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I'm so thankful for this special little boy. </div>
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Bedtime wars and all.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-37899171882382758962014-05-21T09:59:00.001-07:002014-05-21T09:59:30.142-07:00Exciting Uncertainty <div style="text-align: center;">
It's been a quiet few months around here. I've been processing a lot of hard things emotionally, and I have a few unfinished, unedited blog posts that will probably never leave the "draft" box. My heart has been heavy with a lot of anger, confusion, and sadness -- some might call it mommy blues, some might say it's depression, I just think of it as a season where I'm trying to figure out where God is in my "new" life. </div>
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Motherhood has been incredibly isolating so far. Yes, the online communities like Baby Center and Instagram exist -- but the physical, face-to-face interactions are lacking. I have always thought of myself as an introvert, but I have found myself aching for more adult interaction. Without a place to vent and share I have found myself to be harboring a ton of negativity and anger. I've been angry that people made empty promises. I've been angry at the cat, for whatever reason when Felix was born my brain decided to be irritated with her all the time. I've been angry at our living situation, because I'm starting to feel cramped and some days I wish we didn't live so far south away from people. I've been angry at our church, for various situations -- which hasn't helped me find God any more swiftly. I really hate the phrase "just give it to God", because it is oh so easy to say, and oh so impossible to do. But I know that what I must do, it's to stop giving these things so much energy and to let God take care of my heart instead. My heart has been ruled by my anger and frustration and I'm ready, I think, to shake off the cobwebs and be renewed again. </div>
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We are about to enter a season of exciting uncertainty. Seth graduates in two days and soon after he will be taking exams which, when passed, he will be able to secure a job. I'm excited about the possibilities of where we might land. Of course it depends on where he applies, but I'm actually excited to move out of Gilroy and see where God puts us. I'm nervous too, about his pay, and his health insurance, and having to be fully financially independent again. We have been so well taken care of by his family while he has been in school, and we are incredibly grateful for that.</div>
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I'm ready for change. I'm ready for what this new season has, uncertain as it may be. We have our beautiful boy, who is changing and growing every day, and a God who cares, and has a great plan for us. I've been thinking about a new blog name to reflect this season, and to really reflect the way that our lives together have shaped up so far. We'll see when I have time/energy to mae that change happen! </div>
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Until then, here is a little Felix update:</div>
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We decided to take away the pacifier and it changed our lives. Felix now sleeps and naps on his own with minimal fussing. He learned how to roll over and is now working on sitting up. We are still undecided about the MRI scan, currently our thought is that if he will need it at some point, than we should do it now while it only costs $50 copay and we don't know what our insurance will be like in a few months. He has a modeling interview tomorrow in San Francisco, my thought it is that it would be a great way to start a college fund and to try something fun and new. I'll leave you with this sweet cheesy portrait of him for now!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh419OteDzm7FCKtvs0XPnvuxIj39B7O3g3TjuLqs0H4YArjOeC7WxDERcTakGV1g2AZm_VYUsS39hjQDgY-cNK87eBBJVDq6sAUogMKd8YNl249mcYz7M0BjEJhtB5fhgxGlMA-x-x7E/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-13+at+1.32.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh419OteDzm7FCKtvs0XPnvuxIj39B7O3g3TjuLqs0H4YArjOeC7WxDERcTakGV1g2AZm_VYUsS39hjQDgY-cNK87eBBJVDq6sAUogMKd8YNl249mcYz7M0BjEJhtB5fhgxGlMA-x-x7E/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-13+at+1.32.55+PM.png" height="320" width="258" /></a></div>
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Jamie</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-11541861210670746862014-04-08T09:27:00.000-07:002014-04-08T09:27:16.289-07:00Felix Alexander: 4 Months<div style="text-align: center;">
Dear Felix,</div>
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Today you are four months old.<br />
You are 15 pounds and 7 ounces.<br />
Seriously kid, you are ridiculously cute.<br />
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Yesterday you got your 4 month vaccinations.<br />
You were a champ! You only cried for 30 seconds and went back to sleep in my arms.<br />
I am such a proud mama.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SoqZrcVDWPrEg1CnG4c8OzxxYKhh1kOzBOsfLe2mBl6l6sZu83tjWPSlMHxOOQIrPKvxcCK9Jqwx20wcBbw5HvEkxFrCu3LFaeqW8Pyw7ILOzu-fmcFNXE3KX-AmpO88EOK2_WAd8OA/s1600/20140407_093245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SoqZrcVDWPrEg1CnG4c8OzxxYKhh1kOzBOsfLe2mBl6l6sZu83tjWPSlMHxOOQIrPKvxcCK9Jqwx20wcBbw5HvEkxFrCu3LFaeqW8Pyw7ILOzu-fmcFNXE3KX-AmpO88EOK2_WAd8OA/s1600/20140407_093245.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I love the little person you are becoming.</div>
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Grabbing at your toes, grabbing at my hair, jumping in your jumper like a pro, blowing endless bubbles, it seems that each day you are doing something new. </div>
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Your favorite thing is cooing and talking, you wake up in the middle of night just to talk to yourself.</div>
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I wish you'd keep those conversations until morning. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37MsQcV-VJ7bvewkmDVzmEHSyMlhpd0fZPSoPLtNaGWDktzH26xqkYXgKYNOR1G7hJeXs07dObOFPn2ROj5vYJOqBKttvmRSZITp-5UMrVsCyxCr2nDy6CAShAy6x-j3KOgv5a1abIL8/s1600/20140328_170057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37MsQcV-VJ7bvewkmDVzmEHSyMlhpd0fZPSoPLtNaGWDktzH26xqkYXgKYNOR1G7hJeXs07dObOFPn2ROj5vYJOqBKttvmRSZITp-5UMrVsCyxCr2nDy6CAShAy6x-j3KOgv5a1abIL8/s1600/20140328_170057.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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You love your Dad, your grandparents, and your Mama like whoa. </div>
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You love smiling at strangers, brightening each persons day as we walk through the grocery store. </div>
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You think raspberries on your belly are funny, and giggle when Mama pushes your feet to your face. </div>
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You are the happiest baby in the whole wide world.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSiIsjen2H09rIt_E5QHtmhv7e-hc3NfcvO0oH4KDB2tbcmtifgcTn5kDhQMEXuKnRu2KULWbqdq_KOI6MNVWq5tSnHGM1swKl90OIrbUc9kb370mEJV3ur3CK0iyKfEIkEeT5LoXYr4/s1600/20140331_091447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSiIsjen2H09rIt_E5QHtmhv7e-hc3NfcvO0oH4KDB2tbcmtifgcTn5kDhQMEXuKnRu2KULWbqdq_KOI6MNVWq5tSnHGM1swKl90OIrbUc9kb370mEJV3ur3CK0iyKfEIkEeT5LoXYr4/s1600/20140331_091447.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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This month was full of adventure. </div>
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We carted you around to Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and to your Grandparents houses. </div>
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You put up with your parents silliness very well.</div>
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Exhibit A</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhQdYLnwszmbfoSIqsRhzPUjtfMvrVrewTXufje-wybTA18UdwTfOSuaGSK9zbnxtCJncVQ6xiHFqcV1qDZz3f613-UpoaTEbdtjGBhTVmZSLnlerdmvYnydsHY27aS3ksl_2vXqQ3HA/s1600/20140323_131505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhQdYLnwszmbfoSIqsRhzPUjtfMvrVrewTXufje-wybTA18UdwTfOSuaGSK9zbnxtCJncVQ6xiHFqcV1qDZz3f613-UpoaTEbdtjGBhTVmZSLnlerdmvYnydsHY27aS3ksl_2vXqQ3HA/s1600/20140323_131505.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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You've thankfully stopped peeing on your Mom so much.</div>
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But, you still spit up like it's going out of style.</div>
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I'm excited for you to grow out of that soon. </div>
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Your hair has gotten a lot lighter, it is a light brown with blonde underneath -- I'm so happy you're not bald. Your big ol' head would get very cold without hair!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtPfxZhUThwKYcqVjLNJWBBGo9CgcU_nMTaTK7B-rWLDAv0CNkh429UYLDRML8Ed9NYcl27Q-1w2kEysasB1wC64vmvbS_laLzNR4Q8I1jHeBKms8px7GBte_09MSQEjka7zsIqEWkQ8/s1600/20140401_112430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtPfxZhUThwKYcqVjLNJWBBGo9CgcU_nMTaTK7B-rWLDAv0CNkh429UYLDRML8Ed9NYcl27Q-1w2kEysasB1wC64vmvbS_laLzNR4Q8I1jHeBKms8px7GBte_09MSQEjka7zsIqEWkQ8/s1600/20140401_112430.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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This month you learned how to fight naps like a ninja. </div>
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Getting you to nap is nearly impossible on a good day. </div>
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You've become so aware of your surroundings that closing your eyes would mean you have to miss out on too many fun things going on around you!</div>
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But when you do sleep, it is the sweetest sight. </div>
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You also don't like waking up in strange, unfamiliar places. You scream your little head off until you figure out that you're in your moms arms and that everything is a-ok. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67VkgrhPOHYsuQKXi6nJRpfkVDrEGMrDX3SAs3DcQScjlfIepjWnof6oRLzrzGqKUEWqjPYH3zNE68__AqyxPEH6dPLaR4FSJ7StQSttRBr2PoqcxSvAHbjDerKyS1s5_Ygsbg1K95wc/s1600/20140401_123915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67VkgrhPOHYsuQKXi6nJRpfkVDrEGMrDX3SAs3DcQScjlfIepjWnof6oRLzrzGqKUEWqjPYH3zNE68__AqyxPEH6dPLaR4FSJ7StQSttRBr2PoqcxSvAHbjDerKyS1s5_Ygsbg1K95wc/s1600/20140401_123915.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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You have officially grown out of your 3 month clothing, and now your 3-6 month clothing. No more gaping V-necks for you. </div>
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I was holding off on the 9 month clothes simply out of denial that you are getting so big, but alas, I gave in. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdnS_tvaaLaPUiIVAJWgUKxpTkoC-F04k9PyQBuGe4z7zB4PyvMO7gwSZpHrUVzuM848ipwm_sDRLsvC_0AMktVt6DGZ4x3WjBST46kwSpsy7XeAmgqJnsn6-wulbStJ9yLpJlWB-Dno/s1600/20140330_181453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdnS_tvaaLaPUiIVAJWgUKxpTkoC-F04k9PyQBuGe4z7zB4PyvMO7gwSZpHrUVzuM848ipwm_sDRLsvC_0AMktVt6DGZ4x3WjBST46kwSpsy7XeAmgqJnsn6-wulbStJ9yLpJlWB-Dno/s1600/20140330_181453.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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You have become a tummy time pro. I am so glad. I was worried about you being able to hold up that big noggin of yours. </div>
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You also have rolled a few times from your belly to your back, the look of surprise on your face when it happens is pretty awesome. </div>
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You also have tons of toys, and love to play with them. </div>
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It's so fun to see you interact with them, mostly by sticking them right into your mouth. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcD0ugWKS1Rou725EfF24y8ZQ318jo3tdKYjkZgp-EH3fPONeucyi83qmeYIln5WNdVs-RArySY0CWvIVJWzX6RUwFL-R9J_F4wd1fUldMbcLfq_1r0ra6JiinicC2CxxCSKEwPiKRjE/s1600/20140402_123641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcD0ugWKS1Rou725EfF24y8ZQ318jo3tdKYjkZgp-EH3fPONeucyi83qmeYIln5WNdVs-RArySY0CWvIVJWzX6RUwFL-R9J_F4wd1fUldMbcLfq_1r0ra6JiinicC2CxxCSKEwPiKRjE/s1600/20140402_123641.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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You love to stand.</div>
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Your little legs are getting very strong indeed.</div>
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I bet you will skip crawling all together and start walking early. </div>
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Let's hold off on that for a while,</div>
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I'm not quite ready for you to be mobile yet. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHd7iPixthpHCxmvnQJplDcDANyytIH2iaSnltEWHVYdyTxs1n1c7X1uyeDU2FlBPDrct5Ft93F6o9GoFnxnMxiQaJ5ZEETQx88jIxQXE4JcNkJl1hLqwBQFHq4sqw4N8aLUm1N3xX8Y/s1600/20140403_083325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHd7iPixthpHCxmvnQJplDcDANyytIH2iaSnltEWHVYdyTxs1n1c7X1uyeDU2FlBPDrct5Ft93F6o9GoFnxnMxiQaJ5ZEETQx88jIxQXE4JcNkJl1hLqwBQFHq4sqw4N8aLUm1N3xX8Y/s1600/20140403_083325.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Last weekend we went on a trip to San Francisco as a family.</div>
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I know you wont remember much of it, but we definitely will.</div>
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I will remember how you fought sleep the entire day, spit up all over my shirt, and ate like a beast.</div>
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I will also remember that when Grandma offers to babysit for such adventures, we will say yes next time. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeY4caC_ebqbvExTMOM5VLCa3qO6x8Pt2PZhrgDFZ_y_MmBCgF2joXbZyzQmL0FCcCmxYzbA_QedK1_b3yWtey3SI-SxFszf5qwnVkxNzvWaVtoKqsVd8MaTnNche6FcD-OaQ0NJ3FRUY/s1600/20140404_133151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeY4caC_ebqbvExTMOM5VLCa3qO6x8Pt2PZhrgDFZ_y_MmBCgF2joXbZyzQmL0FCcCmxYzbA_QedK1_b3yWtey3SI-SxFszf5qwnVkxNzvWaVtoKqsVd8MaTnNche6FcD-OaQ0NJ3FRUY/s1600/20140404_133151.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtOqZtpQpssCXuOf4M52FhyTczR0COA72DS3jGN6wyvmIe-wqzho6-2-sTS7ZF38WZj7LaNuVllajPXlxkd6es7Z1kXAwAa66Cde0oIbzlhWob_9WtA26SFeiy7Xarul-VuM2NAqBV_o/s1600/20140404_145029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtOqZtpQpssCXuOf4M52FhyTczR0COA72DS3jGN6wyvmIe-wqzho6-2-sTS7ZF38WZj7LaNuVllajPXlxkd6es7Z1kXAwAa66Cde0oIbzlhWob_9WtA26SFeiy7Xarul-VuM2NAqBV_o/s1600/20140404_145029.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">In the next few weeks you and I will travel to Portland to visit Auntie Mel and Auntie Ashley. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I can't wait for you to meet your Auntie Mel, she is a gem and your Mamas BFF. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">And you get to go to her wedding later this year, your very first wedding!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSVU6IMNAfgWepEKlD8qr4vmRiDyofxZC2XNUIfdHWDAo8kTJP-N9zGXkN7044VkKG_ooFH4z2sEqQn9Vibek4uLqOPTdTyslr-JeNeqQkN5bTEpmJrtaANqWkmAKkTJptUVonILZ4pE/s1600/20140405_194509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSVU6IMNAfgWepEKlD8qr4vmRiDyofxZC2XNUIfdHWDAo8kTJP-N9zGXkN7044VkKG_ooFH4z2sEqQn9Vibek4uLqOPTdTyslr-JeNeqQkN5bTEpmJrtaANqWkmAKkTJptUVonILZ4pE/s1600/20140405_194509.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I wept as I read the book "On the Night You Were Born" to you the other night. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I thought about the anticipation leading up to your arrival, and seeing your sweet face for the first time, and the overwhelming amount of love that floods my heart for you. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I used to think that the saying "my heart could burst" was just a silly saying, but honestly, you make my heart so full I really think it could burst.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Your cheesy grin, your big brown eyes, your laugh...I never thought those little things could overwhelm my heart the way they do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;">So whenever you doubt just how special you are<br />And you wonder who loves you, how much and how far,<br />Listen for geese honking high in the sky.<br />(They’re singing a song to remember you by.)<br />Or notice the bears asleep at the zoo.<br />(It’s because they’ve been dancing all night for you!)<br />Or drift off to sleep to the sound of the wind.<br />(Listen closely…it’s whispering your name again!)<br />If the moon stays up until morning one day,<br />Or a ladybug lands and decides to stay,<br />Or a little bird sits at your window awhile,<br />It’s because they’re all hoping to see you smile…<br />For never before in story or rhyme<br />(not even once upon a time)<br />Has the world ever known a you, my friend,<br />And it never will, not ever again…</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUHEckppq0fomuO3O-DjZXJvFxR5M7iV7Xvm6xiA_hBh15X0lQ0RsaFcmq45IjBAeM3a9Hw8wWCTVTI1c5laAa5VocmOcSn74BHKU24js69Re3LH33jftZ_3ELWVb2L-KJcS8iQB61SM/s1600/20140326_101015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUHEckppq0fomuO3O-DjZXJvFxR5M7iV7Xvm6xiA_hBh15X0lQ0RsaFcmq45IjBAeM3a9Hw8wWCTVTI1c5laAa5VocmOcSn74BHKU24js69Re3LH33jftZ_3ELWVb2L-KJcS8iQB61SM/s1600/20140326_101015.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">And finally, Felix, you really are the best.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Life has changed for the better with you in it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Even though some days are hard, and your mama is having a rough time adjusting, you make everything worth it. </span></div>
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I love you,</div>
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Mama.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-80039907396407736212014-03-08T06:00:00.000-08:002014-03-08T06:00:05.777-08:00Felix Alexander: 3 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOX4C5xpEIO_wmDHCdbA7qwGN4QruNyVFHrYXh-_I1DatyE2lTL8HrvAM1988q2h8kQw_IBOQ5a_0O6xbHLNQyQWImWvvM6jfxO8KSDB2-RjtigOmfoXOFaoitTftTKn3lT_0LlSc8iJM/s1600/ABM_1394145502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOX4C5xpEIO_wmDHCdbA7qwGN4QruNyVFHrYXh-_I1DatyE2lTL8HrvAM1988q2h8kQw_IBOQ5a_0O6xbHLNQyQWImWvvM6jfxO8KSDB2-RjtigOmfoXOFaoitTftTKn3lT_0LlSc8iJM/s1600/ABM_1394145502.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Dear Felix,</div>
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How in the heck are you three months old already?</div>
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I wish I could freeze time and keep you here in this smiling, easy, super fun stage of your little life. </div>
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It is truly amazing to watch you grow, and you've grown leaps and bounds in the past few weeks. </div>
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You are now in 6 month clothing. We don't know exactly how much you weigh since we don't go back to the doctor for another month. I'm guessing somewhere in the neighborhood of 14 pounds. </div>
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You still have lots of nicknames. The ones I stick with most are Nugget, Bubbs, and Bubba. How we arrived at those I do not know. But you are my sweet little nugget. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aBxlimGLlUHfqZo-PdJLo3snO38oTOTc1Kbl_xgP0dnEM1oC8mZLy8xGwBe-kQjJ2__hFXLP5SPDiQc9ttPTyOEwSv68Pnq56218UkqGtXDrsVvt43rrxeN9AadkMZYIdQ643N7hMrI/s1600/IMG_20140219_100421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aBxlimGLlUHfqZo-PdJLo3snO38oTOTc1Kbl_xgP0dnEM1oC8mZLy8xGwBe-kQjJ2__hFXLP5SPDiQc9ttPTyOEwSv68Pnq56218UkqGtXDrsVvt43rrxeN9AadkMZYIdQ643N7hMrI/s1600/IMG_20140219_100421.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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This month you became homies with Pooh. Finally. </div>
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You also became the smiliest baby ever.</div>
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I'm convinced we have the happiest baby in the world. </div>
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Cuteness like this should be illegal. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCjKx79zwHXEtYF4_P3ywIrPYvVXdxjDvVU8-9fbBPmRwgoUSH7C60jtngEWb_AK-UWnwtGByYzK1nbAJMKlCC0mqH0gwdczwQ9mk8CDFkcII8Vgi9XRF2Fxs26aA4D04Su4YZocpvCQ/s1600/20140228_094204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCjKx79zwHXEtYF4_P3ywIrPYvVXdxjDvVU8-9fbBPmRwgoUSH7C60jtngEWb_AK-UWnwtGByYzK1nbAJMKlCC0mqH0gwdczwQ9mk8CDFkcII8Vgi9XRF2Fxs26aA4D04Su4YZocpvCQ/s1600/20140228_094204.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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This month you got a special visit from your Tia (Auntie) Ashley. </div>
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She came all the way from Washington to see YOU on HER birthday, what a treat!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyn6iHg6_ouBpynMzavktBbYGw77U1GY7C68UdRBkfVNkkIqC66eWMwswgvn4jdGv7XvtoRawjn8syZ-Z1tXPtOmCeucQJd69ptW-srX4c-Iq5-ASZtSikhic_cglEAkwi3p1tcIdvAHs/s1600/20140216_210539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyn6iHg6_ouBpynMzavktBbYGw77U1GY7C68UdRBkfVNkkIqC66eWMwswgvn4jdGv7XvtoRawjn8syZ-Z1tXPtOmCeucQJd69ptW-srX4c-Iq5-ASZtSikhic_cglEAkwi3p1tcIdvAHs/s1600/20140216_210539.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Because you did a lot of growing this month, that means you did a lot of sleeping.</div>
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Mama can't resist a picture of you dozing, heck you're dozing as I type this up. </div>
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I recently discovered that you prefer to sleep on your side, which worries me because you are swaddled at night. I found that if you're overtired and fussy and I put you on your side, you are instantly calm and sleep comes soon. </div>
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Oh, and you're still sleeping through the night like a champ. 9 hours of pure bliss. </div>
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Let's hope your future brothers and sisters sleep just like you do, you'll teach them how...right?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YOpDLsK2TyQ_HnpIRqfXGASoiEXROpo42aLwSE2gIn8YaiYNBeLMfJ9d2UXjCCf6sp8d-kq9Hyn8R0DKkzLm6EFPqQUjgAXUybh3fnUXhncpu8MIrF79f83m-BSOOJJffB7REehnTTA/s1600/20140227_172425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YOpDLsK2TyQ_HnpIRqfXGASoiEXROpo42aLwSE2gIn8YaiYNBeLMfJ9d2UXjCCf6sp8d-kq9Hyn8R0DKkzLm6EFPqQUjgAXUybh3fnUXhncpu8MIrF79f83m-BSOOJJffB7REehnTTA/s1600/20140227_172425.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Your mama struggled with your constant water fountain-esque spit up.</div>
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After getting new bottles, a formula mixing pitcher, and a dose of hopefulness, we finally settled on a special formula for spit up. How about that. Why it took me three months to try that formula....nobody knows. </div>
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Now we are both a lot happier! Your spit up is now quite chunky, but it doesn't cover your clothes as much and happens way less often. </div>
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It's a win-win. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOb3BgJ5RRKjfSmdlLyGAqemJZANRKORHmvqz8wetmEEEkBrMMCEN42TgcZIhxP_Q9NJl_jLlyOO8RL6KYAyHEmjLhKSHexe5rsSb9i9nxY8NOMcbqwosfxk76511b5kCmBOurqui3cHA/s1600/20140227_205917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOb3BgJ5RRKjfSmdlLyGAqemJZANRKORHmvqz8wetmEEEkBrMMCEN42TgcZIhxP_Q9NJl_jLlyOO8RL6KYAyHEmjLhKSHexe5rsSb9i9nxY8NOMcbqwosfxk76511b5kCmBOurqui3cHA/s1600/20140227_205917.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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This month we learned to take selfies.</div>
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You also started to get pudgy. I'm really excited about this extra layer of fat you've got going on. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiMeoleyklskJFO7Qze3BgbsbHwcmbBLdgOLUtGdGNam5MBj67xUNkgZI7CEAV14s61W2D3DZiZzE81LMGWx2AFl4-XYHoVa4xLoZlm8_Q4BwXiHgUPUvdfj7W5L3sP7yjIWmoGj8TQY/s1600/20140225_135235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiMeoleyklskJFO7Qze3BgbsbHwcmbBLdgOLUtGdGNam5MBj67xUNkgZI7CEAV14s61W2D3DZiZzE81LMGWx2AFl4-XYHoVa4xLoZlm8_Q4BwXiHgUPUvdfj7W5L3sP7yjIWmoGj8TQY/s1600/20140225_135235.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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We went to Grandma and Grandpas house for a weekend visit. </div>
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I had to bathe your stinky self somehow, so we filled up the tub with just enough water for you to float in and you loved it..despite the look on your face. Mama might have made the water too hot. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimW1fR6HJsNSu9sCtLVKVnYtZ62p4qlnhgnnVy8F0VdiWWmF7PJhKF5iFtPjr3GpPbkqtEaIU2dX83ouuhqfaLoCCEd5giuo2Dk620s1-uitLhH2KZ9u0x8kvlnjvsnfeY_ibCtKNO-Rs/s1600/2014-03-06+08.36.39.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimW1fR6HJsNSu9sCtLVKVnYtZ62p4qlnhgnnVy8F0VdiWWmF7PJhKF5iFtPjr3GpPbkqtEaIU2dX83ouuhqfaLoCCEd5giuo2Dk620s1-uitLhH2KZ9u0x8kvlnjvsnfeY_ibCtKNO-Rs/s1600/2014-03-06+08.36.39.png" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Your Mom and Dad now have a pretty good handle on you (for now atleast). You're becoming kind of predictable.</div>
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Eat, play, sleep, repeat.</div>
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or<br />Eat, sleep, play, repeat.</div>
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That happens about every 3 hours. Though you can't be awake for more than an hour and a half before you get super tired. </div>
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When you get super tired you start to melt down.</div>
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Speaking of tired, you've become a somewhat sleep ninja. </div>
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Gone are the days when you could nap on your own, I think it's because you get distracted so easily. You now need a quiet room, a paci, and a very comfortable position (aka Moms arms) in order to sleep. </div>
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The day before you turned 12 weeks you hit a huge growth spurt.</div>
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You went from eating about 4.5 ounces at a time to packing away 6, no problem.</div>
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That doesn't sound like a lot, but we struggled to get you to eat the minimum of 24 ounces a day for a long time, and now you eat at least 30! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GKVJqw-WGKIlXgu3RRNr07RRpkLEnc_Xc3BvwhBh643Q8ewh_TpwUsi5NSi_mrSAOZ1w_uaQERmeDmu3IaCEUwtCt7oTLuiN25Ha6V3mtAmJ1YnIMBOiYWjCYMgX-lCOG8wqDO9XcX0/s1600/20140305_110518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GKVJqw-WGKIlXgu3RRNr07RRpkLEnc_Xc3BvwhBh643Q8ewh_TpwUsi5NSi_mrSAOZ1w_uaQERmeDmu3IaCEUwtCt7oTLuiN25Ha6V3mtAmJ1YnIMBOiYWjCYMgX-lCOG8wqDO9XcX0/s1600/20140305_110518.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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You make the best faces. </div>
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And that smile, it knocks me over. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcysxcF3zB7eecHxB6gs91isk4o-9Ix53t9DqWfldsKRxgQOlLX65xPhBLBA9kRS_NhmPky-H2igtzrem1dOCTcJhSxc9hQGK0EpOU_QY8TSA0Pvzv55fnqFa2By6XjCW5qoCnsppiKw/s1600/PicsArt_1394125846415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcysxcF3zB7eecHxB6gs91isk4o-9Ix53t9DqWfldsKRxgQOlLX65xPhBLBA9kRS_NhmPky-H2igtzrem1dOCTcJhSxc9hQGK0EpOU_QY8TSA0Pvzv55fnqFa2By6XjCW5qoCnsppiKw/s1600/PicsArt_1394125846415.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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This week you started grasping objects on your own.</div>
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By the time you'll be able to read this you won't think thats a big deal at all, but it is! </div>
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I'd prefer you to grasp toys.</div>
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But sometimes its your poop during a diaper change, your moms hair, or your tongue which makes you choke. Fun times. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEpLe2QwQ1v-E6wVOGoGZLLOS8FHLxFBGotKdF394NePLf80oUMC6u4vuJg2bkojTP_9z1HkabSYOUADJV7YvzhYOGKYaeOrKQUE27egazODn19DFQJqMMMNSBaP0fz8-O4FrzWpsc6c/s1600/20140305_203437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEpLe2QwQ1v-E6wVOGoGZLLOS8FHLxFBGotKdF394NePLf80oUMC6u4vuJg2bkojTP_9z1HkabSYOUADJV7YvzhYOGKYaeOrKQUE27egazODn19DFQJqMMMNSBaP0fz8-O4FrzWpsc6c/s1600/20140305_203437.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Oh, buddy.</div>
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I honestly didn't think my heart was capable of love like this. </div>
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I couldn't imagine a more lovable, sweet baby. </div>
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As much as I want to freeze time, I love watching you change and grow.</div>
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I love your squeals, giggles, and coos. </div>
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I love the way you instantly light up when you see me. </div>
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Being your mama is a delight.</div>
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You are fun, cheery, and so gosh darn cute. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfDrF_7AJrRzrzDfl55CNR25bMf9uFH9ivC0NzXQhYtVx5Yirt1f7WmkY9fLHuKYpqIFHEc7qrSNucShyjcsjnLWScUAcvoopaykGA7V5CYVt8a7lSJQGuXyTtSoK7GR9p6iLc8jBMKg/s1600/20140306_101453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfDrF_7AJrRzrzDfl55CNR25bMf9uFH9ivC0NzXQhYtVx5Yirt1f7WmkY9fLHuKYpqIFHEc7qrSNucShyjcsjnLWScUAcvoopaykGA7V5CYVt8a7lSJQGuXyTtSoK7GR9p6iLc8jBMKg/s1600/20140306_101453.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I sure do love you.</div>
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Every.single.part.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Mama. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-58550927105841798722014-01-11T06:00:00.000-08:002014-01-11T06:00:03.759-08:002013 in Review: Genuine<div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I know, I'm late to the party. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Better late than never when it comes to talking about my favorite year thus far. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On December 31st, 2012 Seth and I were in New York City, finally on our honeymoon! We spent the day walking from the middle of Central Park all the way to Greenwich village, instead of standing in the middle of times square for 20 hours straight. We ate authentic NYC pizza in Greenwich Village, and hitched a cab back to our hotel before the evening festivities began. We spent over $200 to smoke hookah at a fancy hookah lounge and decided to skip a nice dinner for the sake of our wallet...oh NYC on NYE, your prices are outrageous. At midnight we got as close as we could to Times Square, ate street food for dinner, and kissed under the sparkling Christmas tree at Radio City Music Hall. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtK55Z2z1iroyei6YKq3HcyKudvqecWVQoyVPvUeQTFpWXS5FXJ9DoHWvSK7dCoGqB84mJ1TuImgmmSTZ-3SRnUT0EaOveaWXFIb_gECzglr2-h3W4gXXPhRaf-UXqMtbqZy3gzQNLBec/s1600/359006990384468887_2239067.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtK55Z2z1iroyei6YKq3HcyKudvqecWVQoyVPvUeQTFpWXS5FXJ9DoHWvSK7dCoGqB84mJ1TuImgmmSTZ-3SRnUT0EaOveaWXFIb_gECzglr2-h3W4gXXPhRaf-UXqMtbqZy3gzQNLBec/s1600/359006990384468887_2239067.png" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On New Year's Day we boarded a cruise ship and headed south to the Bahamas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We spent 8 days relaxing on the ship and exploring a new country! We had a blast. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhxxyV0JiYYhk_pGKyuzEjcWrtax_UlGBnphGdXmJccwrmgyzKZ7Cn7kc-D_KK9dAkmvyi2CEMXL8ski17-Iz5-CwUuORZUPuPWbRug9bd3O65HZJ2DMIVece9OYZA3T1EvemImkXzw0/s1600/DSCF5226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhxxyV0JiYYhk_pGKyuzEjcWrtax_UlGBnphGdXmJccwrmgyzKZ7Cn7kc-D_KK9dAkmvyi2CEMXL8ski17-Iz5-CwUuORZUPuPWbRug9bd3O65HZJ2DMIVece9OYZA3T1EvemImkXzw0/s1600/DSCF5226.JPG" height="378" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgnLOOMwK0ZPWqu84yEJbHvX6Ku3CjWXrljX5ZBf9rtMs-HOe5IpgcsBlUJ7XiEfBsOBqiOFcXs5xhsqXV_8QLbc2e-fYBU6FOQhKX1apT-jmFCF4hU24akpgW0e_RzOOO3cqzyOd_EY/s1600/DSCF5390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgnLOOMwK0ZPWqu84yEJbHvX6Ku3CjWXrljX5ZBf9rtMs-HOe5IpgcsBlUJ7XiEfBsOBqiOFcXs5xhsqXV_8QLbc2e-fYBU6FOQhKX1apT-jmFCF4hU24akpgW0e_RzOOO3cqzyOd_EY/s1600/DSCF5390.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYZ56MQRavV2ND2yDDAL02R_UP93e5S5hf4egWM0USPc5dF6c6Estrhfor_ZjesQTV3BWdZDqCEBvypk235gle8R_2cCL_Utofhm0_T8BWqt5oQOp1t2dG-MkakkL55H2Bia4dE-7oNQ/s1600/DSCF5198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYZ56MQRavV2ND2yDDAL02R_UP93e5S5hf4egWM0USPc5dF6c6Estrhfor_ZjesQTV3BWdZDqCEBvypk235gle8R_2cCL_Utofhm0_T8BWqt5oQOp1t2dG-MkakkL55H2Bia4dE-7oNQ/s1600/DSCF5198.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Shortly after we returned home we brought home our new furry family member, Penelope. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">She was 4 months old at the time. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ51g1vNblGiwKv6tYnealnThgqDTO1hr5CH8APE2sF4LaZ_iqRCRsTPwOGhv3MmR9wOJtVHOsrOkyb1kAXlq-YmZqxDZyaSfVTsGITDScol8c_3HOM5cK0RQk8unz2r-a1tJPEZroioo/s1600/541788_10151351616141310_2116676802_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ51g1vNblGiwKv6tYnealnThgqDTO1hr5CH8APE2sF4LaZ_iqRCRsTPwOGhv3MmR9wOJtVHOsrOkyb1kAXlq-YmZqxDZyaSfVTsGITDScol8c_3HOM5cK0RQk8unz2r-a1tJPEZroioo/s1600/541788_10151351616141310_2116676802_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9rDHq2CV_18UmnUZutMwJxlgZigkzVNNlSaHfkNdcAfFtjAoNZcpxq2sj5TYgNZcOAHM0j1Za5URS5N9lIBB3_e-cnw0_26Dfplv_RG0wh13wgG3y0J4L-YZ5B2uTaqtQqDcvtUYCpY/s1600/602697_10151352537261310_1014625338_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9rDHq2CV_18UmnUZutMwJxlgZigkzVNNlSaHfkNdcAfFtjAoNZcpxq2sj5TYgNZcOAHM0j1Za5URS5N9lIBB3_e-cnw0_26Dfplv_RG0wh13wgG3y0J4L-YZ5B2uTaqtQqDcvtUYCpY/s1600/602697_10151352537261310_1014625338_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">She is now a maniacal cat who drives me nuts on most days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But I do love her, a lot more than I expected to.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8C2YpxfxiYkTNxZpDCBAx9uU17RIWtLnc7Utgu1kGp5XeUwiU1aq7pe3o3kRaVTSz5uTFMmiUms57XFDivDIGw3wzGtAh5ucPv8DRlOWQNpQT5rEHnmum8TgFdTk_lz1q26poRMxH6E/s1600/20131203_183833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8C2YpxfxiYkTNxZpDCBAx9uU17RIWtLnc7Utgu1kGp5XeUwiU1aq7pe3o3kRaVTSz5uTFMmiUms57XFDivDIGw3wzGtAh5ucPv8DRlOWQNpQT5rEHnmum8TgFdTk_lz1q26poRMxH6E/s1600/20131203_183833.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I also learned how to crochet in January 2013. I am proud of what I've accomplished so far, with the reopening of my shop and the growth of my craft!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In March, we became official members of Garden City Church, and also watched some dear friends meet Jesus and get baptized. There is nothing more beautiful than a life reborn in Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Also in March, we got the surprise of our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Some curious back pain turned out to be a baby!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's crazy thinking back to those early days of learning we were pregnant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So much confusion, anxiety, wonder, and excitement filled our minds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I was and still am so thankful we had 9 months to prepare! (and even after 9 months we still weren't quite ready)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In April we traveled to Seattle to visit my best friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Melissa's boyfriend proposed that weekend, and we got to celebrate their engagement!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We also got to meet up with my college roommate Tori, who is an amazing photographer and took some baby announcement photos for us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>In the next few months we did a lot of growing.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Scratch that, I did a lot of growing.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Over the summer we traveled south to L.A to visit our dear friends Sean & Carolyn. We spent the day at Disneyland and saw one of our favorite comedians Jim Gaffigan live!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I celebrated my 23rd birthday on July 26th. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I traveled to Portland to visit Melissa and Ashley for one last hoo-rah before the baby arrived! They celebrated me and Felix with a special little baby shower. We also shopped, and found Melissa's wedding dress!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In August we traveled to Tahoe for a baby-moon. Lots of relaxing, waddling, and a fun day of boating too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In September we celebrated one year of marriage. One crazy and special year it was. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We kept it low key, since I was super pregnant at the time. But, one of my favorite things was getting to surprise Seth by singing him a song, the song that we had our first dance to at our wedding. It was a teary, beautiful mess indeed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We went to dinner at our favorite place in Morgan Hill, ate a remake of the top tier of our wedding cake and spent one night in San Luis Obispo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We got another surprise in September and found out that we had to move! We moved to a new apartment near downtown Gilroy. It was a big move for us, especially with me being unable to help with most of well...everything. Our new place is cozy, but we're making it work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm finally learning the art of getting rid of crap I don't need!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I quit my job at CRC when I was 35 weeks pregnant!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">They celebrated Felix and I with a little cake before we left. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In October Melissa and Ashley flew down to California for our baby shower. We had a huge baby shower BBQ, and it was fantastic. There really is nothing better than having all of your favorite people gathered in one place. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQQOJQ1hwUemkZrScvjUDyfbmipVh9hSXD2HDZNZXUY4BU3eCs3f7DVDgt2Vg2-YrpU6uWJIKjaPx3ohw-hjEP-TQ1AX7D_3JIullUjlnak4iH7hrWyCO3Ot0r5xTHbTMGvIEr_seXMs/s1600/IMG_20131019_125352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQQOJQ1hwUemkZrScvjUDyfbmipVh9hSXD2HDZNZXUY4BU3eCs3f7DVDgt2Vg2-YrpU6uWJIKjaPx3ohw-hjEP-TQ1AX7D_3JIullUjlnak4iH7hrWyCO3Ot0r5xTHbTMGvIEr_seXMs/s1600/IMG_20131019_125352.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In November we laid low. I was due at the end of November but felt like he was going to come at any point. Those last few weeks were quite uncomfortable but we managed to make it to a few baby classes before Felix arrived!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My due date came and went, but a week later Felix arrived on December 8th, 2013 changing our lives forever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The rest of 2013 was spent trying to navigate the first few weeks of being a mom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Felix is now 5 weeks old. He is growing like a champ! I have learned a lot about myself in these past few weeks, especially with my emotional endurance. Aside from the physical struggles of giving birth, I have had to deal with the emotional stress of not being able to breastfeed Felix. The circumstances have certainly put my pride in check, which is something I so desperately needed. I have also learned to admit that I need help, and also to ask for it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm also learning to live with my post-baby body, which is a lot more atrocious that I had originally imagined, especially when my plan for weight loss included breastfeeding. I did not make a plan B in case it didn't work out! Pregnancy is so physically hard on your body and I feel like it will never be the same. And yes, I have "earned my stripes". Yes, my body has just done something amazing. Yes, the reward is worth it. Yes, yes, yes. I agree with all of the other cliche things they say about your post baby body in an attempt to encourage a woman who has just given birth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But, I have struggled with my body image since I was 7 years old, and I wish that could magically change when I gave birth but it didn't. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And that's ok. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I guess I need time, discipline, and some will power to get myself back in shape and more healthy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">No doubt I'll be running after Felix in no time, so let's hope that contributes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Last year, I chose the word <b>genuine</b> for my word of 2013. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted to be authentic in word and deed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted to commit to being fully present, fully aware, fully vulnerable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted to experience something raw, awe-inspiring, maybe even terrifying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted my heart to be full of truth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Part of that meant not covering up tough emotions or circumstances, masking them because it was easier to throw them under the rug than to deal with the realness of it all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I definitely got what I wanted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2013 was full of surprises, emotional strain, stress, and sometimes even terror. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On the flip-side, 2013 was full of new experiences, relational growth, maturity, and a beautiful baby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My faith in God grew in 2013.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My understanding of His love and care for me grew immensely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I was more honest and open that I have ever been before. Most of that honesty was written into this blog. I've learned to lay everything out on the table, because I'd rather be honest about how I'm really doing than leave people with a sense that I was somehow ingenuine or trying to cover something up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I want people to know the real me, junk, sin, and ugliness included. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm sure 2014 will be equally full of surprises.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Seth will be graduating in May, and he will begin the search for a full time job somewhere in the Bay Area. That thought alone is probably more scary for me than it is for him!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We will also be trying to navigate what my work life will be like. I still have the opportunity to do some part time work, but I'm not sure how beneficial working will be for our bank account if we have to pay for childcare. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Additionally,<a href="http://www.letsbuttonup.etsy.com/"> my Etsy shop</a> is doing well and I would love for it to continue to grow so it could support us more. Any ideas on how to help it grow more are welcomed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And of course, Felix will grow and change rapidly in this next year. Right now I stare at his tiny little self as he snores away completely in awe of how much he has already grown in the past 5 weeks! </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">PEACE</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"Peace I leave with you; </i><b style="font-style: italic;">my peace I give you</b><i>. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">I have told you these things, so that <b>in me you may have peace</b>. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Choosing one word to focus on for an entire year isn't easy, but in light of the craziness of 2013 I want 2014 to have a little more peace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ok, a lot more peace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Not that it will be any less busy or crazy, but I want my heart to have more peace in the midst of it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to focus less on my plans, and focus more on fixing my eyes on Jesus and trusting His plan. 2013 taught me that my plans kinda suck. Or that I just wasn't meant to make them in the first place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to put my plans to rest, and find peace in the unknown. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to have peace about my lack of control, I am so often crippled by my fear of things I can't control. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to worry less. I want to spend less time being emotionally distraught over circumstances I can't control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My mother in law put it so perfectly the other day, "<b>It's time to put your energy into things that you CAN change.</b>" (This was in regards to breastfeeding but is a good principle for life in general)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I also want to experience more peace about my own life so I can devote time to serving others in the midst of their crazy lives. Serving others is an easy way to forget myself and my pride. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Part of experiencing new peace will be an acceptance of impending chaos. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the glorious reality that Christ has offered. We are the blank pages and He holds the pen!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> And surely He is a much better story teller than I. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">peace out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">;)</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-90786070274859819122014-01-08T06:00:00.000-08:002014-01-08T11:20:39.956-08:00Felix Alexander: One Month<div style="text-align: center;">
Dear Felix,</div>
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You are one month old.<br />
You are 10 pounds and 3 ounces.<br />
Your head is in the 97th percentile - that is crazy big.<br />
The rest of you is growing pretty well too, in about the 70th percentile. </div>
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You are quite the baby. </div>
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In the past month your Dad and I have learned so much more than we ever thought possible about poop, pee, formula, bottles, and other baby bodily functions. </div>
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We have finally settled on a formula for you. It is the fourth kind, but your tummy seems the least upset by this one. </div>
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Speaking of formula, that stuff is expensive. Dang. I'm thinking about becoming an extreme couponer just to save some money. </div>
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Speaking of eating, you are eating like a beast. In just over a week you have moved from 2.5oz per feeding to 4oz per feeding. You are quickly out growing all of your newborn clothes. </div>
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Your nicknames have expanded quite a bit. We call you:</div>
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<b>Dude, Little Dude, Bubs, Sir, Mister & Munch</b></div>
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Right now your favorite thing to do is pee on your parents. Yep, you do that just about every diaper change. </div>
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You also like to blow bubbles from your sweet little lips.<br />
You smell like heaven on earth. Oh man, newborn smell is something else.</div>
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When you're awake you like to flail your arms and legs all over the place, it's almost like you're making sure they are still there. </div>
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You fall asleep very easily when your in your car seat going somewhere, so Mom and Dad don't mind taking you on walks or drives. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mj0_42YEbcMIysXXrwAhnH5yDvKWiHZK0pKs3HSlJ4R-bsOoPwfA90yRnsumGJfUblDnHcl1wEcNzd1pcdxuf4gC74vvQ43NgfkIs_4mzxun7wnca5qbIusfExkUeIRTG1SrEQaQPWU/s1600/20140103_121436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mj0_42YEbcMIysXXrwAhnH5yDvKWiHZK0pKs3HSlJ4R-bsOoPwfA90yRnsumGJfUblDnHcl1wEcNzd1pcdxuf4gC74vvQ43NgfkIs_4mzxun7wnca5qbIusfExkUeIRTG1SrEQaQPWU/s1600/20140103_121436.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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You are starting to make more noises.</div>
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Yesterday your started cooing. It is awful cute. </div>
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I look forward to your first words. </div>
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You have a love/hate relationship with bath time.</div>
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We love it though. After a bath you sleep over 6 hours. </div>
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We also like the way your hair is super fuzzy after a bath.</div>
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You also are awake a lot more during the day, I look forward to the days when you play with toys and laugh. I know they are coming soon and I can't wait!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLfJcIV9hMg2UeCseRcaYYfeMb4ss4nqBbxySNg1X6yJ58uECMK7m3h-reb4octrtv4ZXbax9q9B_PJCNJUa6nbahh0tTHYsNEgJeZxRDIGEokVRAfDAvzUMHJs0DmQqSEi-kmt4snQw/s1600/IMG_20140102_173543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLfJcIV9hMg2UeCseRcaYYfeMb4ss4nqBbxySNg1X6yJ58uECMK7m3h-reb4octrtv4ZXbax9q9B_PJCNJUa6nbahh0tTHYsNEgJeZxRDIGEokVRAfDAvzUMHJs0DmQqSEi-kmt4snQw/s1600/IMG_20140102_173543.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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You snore just like your Dad. But that's ok, it actually is better for your worrying mama who always is afraid you will stop breathing in your sleep. I can hear you breathing from the other room, always. </div>
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You are also quite gassy. Your Dad may have given you that lovely quality, because it's certainly not from me. I've heard the gassiness does pass, with time. Heh, heh. </div>
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Speaking of gas, you F-U-S-S when you have gas. And you have gas after most feedings, so fuss is what you do all day. During that time we call you Mr. Fuss or Fussypants. </div>
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You recognize your Mama's voice and face. I love the way you look at me.</div>
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You are startled easily by loud noise, yet you need some type of noise on to help you fall asleep.</div>
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Speaking of sleep, you are sleeping 6 hour stretches at night. THANK YOU! As if we didn't love you already, your sleep habits make it that much easier. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopUhdlLB6CHuJZ0C6zpfwcfg9qMc7ubAPcwNnmqLP3sohRHpkB9neHszcHyFsHib7IOl0F_fxOkqRoy9qtio8-BTwa8nJ6BWIrzNYqltcIUOqnlG9y66vArCzYlDAaaEXOlQ-oSW3XWE/s1600/20140104_150722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopUhdlLB6CHuJZ0C6zpfwcfg9qMc7ubAPcwNnmqLP3sohRHpkB9neHszcHyFsHib7IOl0F_fxOkqRoy9qtio8-BTwa8nJ6BWIrzNYqltcIUOqnlG9y66vArCzYlDAaaEXOlQ-oSW3XWE/s1600/20140104_150722.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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You sure are C-U-T-E. </div>
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Everyone tells us you look like a little old man, that your face is so adult like. We tend to agree. You never really looked like a newborn. </div>
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Strangers tell us you look like your Dad. Family and friends tell us they can't really tell. We don't really know who you look like yet either! I'm sure that will change over time. </div>
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Either way, we are captivated by you. </div>
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Your parents are still getting the hang of everything. </div>
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Sometimes we still give each other looks of panic when we can't figure out why you're crying.<br />
But, we watched a pretty amazing <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWQ51099C24">video</a> about understanding baby "language", or your cries. We feel like we have a much better handle on what your needs are.<br />
The other night your Dad was in the other room and I was trying to sooth you, he said " I think he needs to burp." So, I picked you up and put you on my shoulder and you let out the loudest burp I had ever heard from you! Apparently Dad paid better attention during that video!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vw6y9AofRI_kwXOUOn2nwoVhtqtlR3o1yjeJEEZF5IvlVLyg1c-ZLZDO5QABhyBiyRsks_HJiZ3AcVgMSVJZJvIJ9J7DXIR7aPqQQGzlGwYOdLEZ_FrUP9bRNwlYqq7myY9gIpPAVxQ/s1600/IMG_9460+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vw6y9AofRI_kwXOUOn2nwoVhtqtlR3o1yjeJEEZF5IvlVLyg1c-ZLZDO5QABhyBiyRsks_HJiZ3AcVgMSVJZJvIJ9J7DXIR7aPqQQGzlGwYOdLEZ_FrUP9bRNwlYqq7myY9gIpPAVxQ/s1600/IMG_9460+copy.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a><br />
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We took you to our church for the first time this past weekend, and you fussed the whole time. That's ok, we're lucky they record the sermons for us to listen to later!<br />
We also took you to neighborhood group, you did really well! We kept you in the car seat the whole time and rocked you back and forth which kept you asleep for almost 3 hours.<br />
If you had a favorite song I'm convinced it would be "Mama, Rock Me"....because you just loved to be rocked all day long!<br />
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Your Grandma comes and babysits you every week for a couple hours so your parents make sure to get some alone time. </div>
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Alone time with each other makes us remember we're still a couple, and that we were a couple long before you got here! Our relationship definitely takes a little more work these days, but staying in love is at the top of our priority list. </div>
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We realize that one of the best ways we can show you how to love, is to show you how much we love each other.<br />
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Oh Felix, what can I say?</div>
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You have turned our world upside down in the best way possible. </div>
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I love your little life. </div>
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I love that your name means "lucky". We are so lucky to have you. </div>
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I can already tell how quickly time is going to by, time is a jerk like that. </div>
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You're the greatest little baby we could ask for.</div>
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And, we love you somethin fierce. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-54280253873310975002013-12-28T11:55:00.002-08:002013-12-28T11:55:44.270-08:00From the Heart of a New Mama<div>
<b>Warning: This post may be a little TMI for my male readers. Proceed with caution. </b></div>
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For a moment, our house is peacefully quiet.<div>
Felix snores away in his rocker, Seth sits at his desk, and I sit on the couch turned baby station wondering what I can accomplish before he wakes up again. </div>
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The Christmas tree is all dried out. Who has time to water a Christmas tree when you have a newborn? </div>
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The laundry is done, but it will probably be three days before I pull it out of the dryer. </div>
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We have no food in the fridge, just things in the freezer I forgot to defrost earlier so takeout it is. </div>
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I think about how comfortable I am to be back at home. Three weeks ago we would be happy to stay at our parents houses for as many days as possible, but now I yearn to be back at home in our comfortable place the moment I walk out the door. </div>
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I think about what I could be doing between pumping, feeding, doing research about lack of breast milk supply, mixing formula, and of course writing this all down so I don't forget how much I fed him 3 hours ago. </div>
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I try not to think about the bitter condition of my heart. How can I manage to be bitter when I have this peaceful, adorable bundle of joy in front of me? Don't worry, I think again, the bitterness is dying away with each passing day. </div>
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Each new day I make peace with the fact that I will not be able to exclusively breastfeed this baby because of a condition called IGT, which I am just now finding out about. </div>
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Every book about breastfeeding, every lactation consultant, every midwife, every OB/GYN will tell you that any and every woman can breastfeed their child. Yes, with enough pumping, latching, herbal supplement taking, tea drinking, hydrating, eating, and stimulating you will not have a production issue. Well, there I was at 2 weeks postpartum with enough breast milk to <b>maybe feed a baby squirrel.</b> Maybe. But honestly, I produce about 1/4 ounce between both sides. </div>
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"Oh, you must not be drinking enough water."</div>
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"Have you tried to drink beer?"</div>
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"What about oatmeal?"</div>
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"Mothers milk tea?"</div>
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"Are you pumping?"</div>
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"Are you eating enough?"</div>
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I can check every box...and then some. </div>
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Google is a very good thing. Google led me to find out about a very little known condition called IGT (insufficient glandular tissue) or mammary hypoplasia. Now, usually I'm not all for self diagnosing. But I was pretty much diagnosed by the first lactation consultant I saw in the hospital -- she just didn't tell me the gravity of what it meant for me and Felix, or that this condition had a name. </div>
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At first glance at my well...chest, she had a concerned look on her face. Seeing that I had just given birth a few hours earlier and hearing about the trauma that ensued, she asked me two very direct questions without trying to seem harsh. </div>
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"Did your breasts grow in puberty?"</div>
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"Did your breasts grow while you were pregnant?"</div>
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The embarrassment crept in immediately. </div>
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<b>No. And, No. </b></div>
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"Well, you may have a production issue here..but let's see what happens." </div>
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Let's be real here. I've always been well aware of my flat-ness, but to have her call it out to my face was tough. I have known my entire life that I was different in that department, and I have made it in to a joke to mask the pain and shame I feel about it. </div>
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The lactation consultant didn't say anything past that so I figured everything would be fine, or someone would say something further. I was also made aware that because of my hemorrhage I would likely have my milk come in later. A bit of a double whammy if you ask me. </div>
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<div>
At about the two week mark I started having suspicions that my hemorrhage wasn't the only thing to blame for my supply issues. I was pumping regularly and barely getting anything, and I could just feel that I wasn't making very much. I came across IGT on a search for help with low supply and the two main indicators were the exact two questions that the first LC I saw asked me: lack of growth in puberty & lack of growth in pregnancy. There are a few indicators that also match right up, not to mention the photos which made it obvious that this is what I am dealing with. </div>
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This diagnosis is the only thing that makes sense for me. All of the indicators and symptoms match up perfectly. What the lactation suspected on Felix's first day of life was true, and maybe she was trying to protect me by not putting a name on it right away. Maybe she was hopeful. Maybe she just didn't want to be the bearer of heartbreaking news. </div>
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So, here I am...a medical anomaly, at least as far as breastfeeding goes. The websites that exist to support women with IGT say that there must be a mourning process for the mom, I must give myself space and time to mourn that I won't be able to exclusively breastfeed Felix. There is a chance that I will be able to with future children though, as each pregnancy creates more breast tissue to work with. </div>
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I know I'm not a failure as a mother, or as a woman. </div>
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This was God's plan for me, for us. </div>
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I will continue to breastfeed him and supplement as needed, at least for now.</div>
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I will continue to praise God for this little miracle we have. </div>
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Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me in this journey so far, it means so much. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-71120247994112205972013-11-19T14:43:00.000-08:002013-11-19T14:43:09.331-08:0038 weeks. 11 days till D-Day.<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #666666; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.59375px; text-align: center;">
<b>How far along? </b>38 weeks & 3 days.<br />
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<b><br /></b><b>Baby size? </b>Felix is about the size of a head of celery. He weighs about 7.5 pounds at this point.</div>
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<b>What's he up to in there? </b><br />
Rolling around and making mama uncomfortable.<br />
Eating has become a chore, so is sitting up. Every time I try to sit straight up his fit go right into my ribs which is really uncomfortable!<br />
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<b>Total Weight Gain</b>?<br />
35?<br />
Not sure. They didn't tell me at my last appointment - hallelujah. One less thing to stress about.<br />
That may have been why my blood pressure was so much lower than in the past -- they've stopped stressing me out about things I don't have a whole lot of control over!<br />
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<b>Stretch marks?</b><b> </b><br />
Yep.<br />
I think I'll take up being a tiger in my spare time after baby gets here.<br />
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<b>Sleep?</b><br />
This week I'm sleepig surprisingly well.<br />
I've been getting 8-9 hours every night and usually only have to get up once.<br />
I'd say thats pretty dang spectacular.<br />
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<b>Best Moment</b>?<br />
On Sunday my girlfriends from Garden City surprised me with a sweet time of prayer and fellowship.<br />
They had printed out verses for me to put in a jar for when I need encouragement.<br />
It was so sweet!<br />I love the women that Jesus has placed in my life.<br />
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Another great moment was when a woman shouted across the grocery store to me how beautiful I look. </div>
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When you're super pregnant and wobbling awkwardly everywhere you go, those words are like sweet, sweet music to your ears. </div>
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<b>Miss anything?</b><br />
Comfort in general.<br />This baby bump has gone from "cute" to gigantically enormously obnoxious in the past few weeks.<br />
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<b> </b><b>Movement?</b><b> </b><br />
Still lots of hiccups!<br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I wish this little man would move his way down and out soon! </span><br />
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<b>Cravings?</b></div>
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sweet stuff.<br />
At the mere thought of chocolate, or cookies, or sugar my mouth starts to water.<br />
I overheard the word shortbread in line at the post office today and hightailed it to the bakery afterwards.<br />
I wish I was kidding about that last bit.<br />
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<b>Queasy/sick?</b><b> </b><br />
Just blech.<br />
I feel stinky, tired, groggy, achy and...blech.<br />
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<b>Gender?</b><b> </b><br />
B-O-Y<br />
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<b>Labor signs?</b><b> </b><br />
Braxton hicks & some cramping...<br />
but nothing consistent.<br />
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<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Belly button?</b><b> </b> </span><br />
It is still not fully out..and it seems to have moved lower which means baby has dropped -- woo!</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Wedding rings on/off?</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b> </b>Still off.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I miss them a lot. </span></div>
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<b>Mood?</b></div>
I feel quiet. Most days I don't feel like making eye contact with people or creating conversation...not for any particular reason either, I guess I just don't feel very social. I'm hoping that is not the beginning of baby blues or a foreshadowing of PPD. PPD would be ironic because I cant think of anything that would make me happier than getting this baby out of me!<br />
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<b>Looking forward to?</b><br />
Meeting this baby!<br />
Come on, dude...make your grand appearance already!<br />
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<b>Anything else?</b><br />
25% of all orders until Thanksgiving will be donated to victims of Typhoon Haiyan. Now is a great time to place an order in my shop!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/letsbuttonup">www.etsy.com/shop/letsbuttonup</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-77643279783276988232013-10-29T16:49:00.001-07:002013-10-29T16:49:53.384-07:00A Space for Felix<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm so excited to share with y'all the nursery space that we have set up for Felix.</span></div><div>Most people assume that you can't do a whole lot with the space when you're sharing a room with your baby, but I'm going to prove them wrong.</div><div><br></div><div>It was a no-brainer that our nursery theme would be Winnie the Pooh. He's been my favorite forever, and he is classic and timeless. Not to mention there is so much nursery related Winnie the Pooh stuff available! I've also been an avid collector of antique Winnie the Pooh stuff for a few years no so everything fit together really smoothly.</div><div><br></div><div>Without being able to put paint on the walls or go completely overboard, my main thought was to do a collage wall and a decal of some sorts and then fill in the space around those two big items. It turned out that his space in our bedroom is a lot bigger, aka a whole wall and a half so I was able to fill in the space with a shelf for books, a bulletin board, and a display for my antique Winnie collection.</div><div><br></div><div>I'll start here.</div><div>This is my dresser technically, but we have lots of storage in our bathroom so I don't keep much up on top. The tall books, miscellaneous items, and Mickey family ears fit just right! Felix only has two pairs of shoes right now, and I ran out of space everywhere else so they are just going right on top.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVqV9eO8qKYqSpriS2p0SudfJglqJuA1SuGuWS7QMYCu_aUKuOTH9cK4HzqMJ1YwUBF6v-3Z2PZ1HwFz0ZXKkgmLpJ_Hq3ajl_S5sItvmfJ8vcNm3x_YA1zfWGjcpZrPwUy-6pKWNHak/s640/blogger-image--2139594921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVqV9eO8qKYqSpriS2p0SudfJglqJuA1SuGuWS7QMYCu_aUKuOTH9cK4HzqMJ1YwUBF6v-3Z2PZ1HwFz0ZXKkgmLpJ_Hq3ajl_S5sItvmfJ8vcNm3x_YA1zfWGjcpZrPwUy-6pKWNHak/s640/blogger-image--2139594921.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGlgKG3eTi0aqDIGh-zzx0G8CQlznNdE0-EYyBDBqHncFV9ozKXcJ4erJlwROTZy2bhX1P4gZXccx3s7Vd6G7ngeWlZvzB1hGx-KN6_ujS_-jQkvFIhFdcWEoWbiEF4XVd86-VPBNaZc/s640/blogger-image--499779163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGlgKG3eTi0aqDIGh-zzx0G8CQlznNdE0-EYyBDBqHncFV9ozKXcJ4erJlwROTZy2bhX1P4gZXccx3s7Vd6G7ngeWlZvzB1hGx-KN6_ujS_-jQkvFIhFdcWEoWbiEF4XVd86-VPBNaZc/s640/blogger-image--499779163.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've collected each of these pieces over the last 10 years. I found the shelf in a lucky etsy sale, it was only $10 but the brand is Lenox so my guess it was originally very expensive. It's safe to say I'm in love with it. </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPn6HzSk-ymv1euHIVm4hDIy0NC9hJYTRcX7ktiw2UbjTo10jCFUExBIBDUxCba8RDZrBNAPIb-QbafyAadGaz7jhus3QRGBKWkL_iTHrU-dPTWbkhRMqGhz5t9DWqhROTWqBJNDnz3p4/s640/blogger-image-1622132281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPn6HzSk-ymv1euHIVm4hDIy0NC9hJYTRcX7ktiw2UbjTo10jCFUExBIBDUxCba8RDZrBNAPIb-QbafyAadGaz7jhus3QRGBKWkL_iTHrU-dPTWbkhRMqGhz5t9DWqhROTWqBJNDnz3p4/s640/blogger-image-1622132281.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The onesie hanging on the wall was our "guest book" from the baby shower. People didn't really get the memo that they were supposed to sign it, but that's ok, it doesn't look too cluttered with ink which may have happened if everyone tried to fit on there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRjDR51vcI-4azEW0vBqCXeVhmIH4n4lpeoFFPWBjIOxAb3QGhOhxtY0bZzMpohiJ37Z9y5ZnT9Xbe1ELMrL7zbGKfhkDv1yPrnj8d3WGTSlGhTJhc5PX8PwyIrX7b-iFSzrEuFY7D1A/s640/blogger-image--421982240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRjDR51vcI-4azEW0vBqCXeVhmIH4n4lpeoFFPWBjIOxAb3QGhOhxtY0bZzMpohiJ37Z9y5ZnT9Xbe1ELMrL7zbGKfhkDv1yPrnj8d3WGTSlGhTJhc5PX8PwyIrX7b-iFSzrEuFY7D1A/s640/blogger-image--421982240.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I bought the ears during our last visit to Disneyland. I can't wait to see his little self wearing them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz86xpLmWPSwGDZXgG6nZ_4m2-4v3h56ZVEupNeLMaLaH3zcBeE1pS_f-sksFAjs7XNGIjdA6fvUJ7XYaGvG2IS9V2Msp6SOuhLIl9-4dvIJ3beDfSopO9iA4o7kSVwa-F93Se9USGtM/s640/blogger-image-770875271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz86xpLmWPSwGDZXgG6nZ_4m2-4v3h56ZVEupNeLMaLaH3zcBeE1pS_f-sksFAjs7XNGIjdA6fvUJ7XYaGvG2IS9V2Msp6SOuhLIl9-4dvIJ3beDfSopO9iA4o7kSVwa-F93Se9USGtM/s640/blogger-image-770875271.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The decal was found on Etsy as well. I agonized over which quote to get, but I think this one fits just right. This pregnancy has set us on a path of surprise adventure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I found the canvas prints at the JBF sale last week and the print above is from a thrift store in Redwood City.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEkqJe_OIqpBHfMQTDs4TsXWPZlvI8cqEXanCfRpe-zaX_wWqwXZ_Pbbttf1_1Kqa-euDV18IMzRXEXtsqXTinZG4Npy5xtQL9ZYEsgkEEJjNAqcnJ5cOdw8fp7bk9Emvv15LNT30b_A/s640/blogger-image--1394120609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEkqJe_OIqpBHfMQTDs4TsXWPZlvI8cqEXanCfRpe-zaX_wWqwXZ_Pbbttf1_1Kqa-euDV18IMzRXEXtsqXTinZG4Npy5xtQL9ZYEsgkEEJjNAqcnJ5cOdw8fp7bk9Emvv15LNT30b_A/s640/blogger-image--1394120609.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> The crib is refurbished from a family near my in-laws cabin in Lake Almanor. It just so happened to be the same brand we were planning on buying brand new!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The quilt was made by Grandma Pat (Seth's mom) as well as the blanket in front. Apparently bumpers are bad, so we don't have one for now...though I still kinda want one. Maybe when Felix is older they will come back to being okay with the baby safety police.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibb8jRLFIeowRjo_ciba4Uh0DNiUILd8WqcksYiSSjAJKpwm6sK2mycl_ukhzHLIVMAGoQIViUboOMMsVxAuPn6SyzDOqrQZ6Js0Mn8aiJOC8fIlPBZrIsx4O3MUtQnIOs99itGrX6tB0/s640/blogger-image-573158768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibb8jRLFIeowRjo_ciba4Uh0DNiUILd8WqcksYiSSjAJKpwm6sK2mycl_ukhzHLIVMAGoQIViUboOMMsVxAuPn6SyzDOqrQZ6Js0Mn8aiJOC8fIlPBZrIsx4O3MUtQnIOs99itGrX6tB0/s640/blogger-image-573158768.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here are some of the stuffed animals he has so far, not too many and nothing gigantic! I'm glad we weren't given anything obnoxiously large at the shower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZemTRTEWyX8dj4qUeHAsBbzeu0YLpAMRif2_NNziN6vy0TdA4p5sfc5BG2SUxP0lAWciKG5gQF-Q6PyLmi16jQej-6C08ZUQ55Pg3fV_fW8fbgyvkLkyFmW2jFqe1r2snixKbuFx8_A/s640/blogger-image--688769721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZemTRTEWyX8dj4qUeHAsBbzeu0YLpAMRif2_NNziN6vy0TdA4p5sfc5BG2SUxP0lAWciKG5gQF-Q6PyLmi16jQej-6C08ZUQ55Pg3fV_fW8fbgyvkLkyFmW2jFqe1r2snixKbuFx8_A/s640/blogger-image--688769721.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The wall to the right of the crib is a hodgepodge of things. The shelf originally had the Mickey ears on it, but I felt it was much better suited for books. We got a lot of books as gifts which is awesome! The bulletin board was from a craft faire I did last year, as well as the embroidery hoops. It dawned on me one afternoon that I could make a hidden Mickey from the hoops so I went with that. As Felix collects things that need to be put on the board things can be easily moved around!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvCzHUFOPPur5RmorLI__DMLdCm_vU-CLiXd_PbOSLT370o7FXa_Mc7lZcP4UwCz_8Pf12rGKBnXT21GQEuleo38TEIzw-be1BCZ5dDZbVHWOm2cSZgT3c54QKfjeZWp5dCbF9LbCLTg/s640/blogger-image--363300523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvCzHUFOPPur5RmorLI__DMLdCm_vU-CLiXd_PbOSLT370o7FXa_Mc7lZcP4UwCz_8Pf12rGKBnXT21GQEuleo38TEIzw-be1BCZ5dDZbVHWOm2cSZgT3c54QKfjeZWp5dCbF9LbCLTg/s640/blogger-image--363300523.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsnZCX1B04z3uNBosr5JKMBcBmOArg-_2o1y4NJ2-ikpQILFCydvj_gX_YSVaPmUDZDO5Z2qDJYzL5gvj_65SpR3qZ4YgskGj-_wM7GahoVZkJl-IvifWzX6kW0RnvsXIWc4gpg8aut8/s640/blogger-image-1632364043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsnZCX1B04z3uNBosr5JKMBcBmOArg-_2o1y4NJ2-ikpQILFCydvj_gX_YSVaPmUDZDO5Z2qDJYzL5gvj_65SpR3qZ4YgskGj-_wM7GahoVZkJl-IvifWzX6kW0RnvsXIWc4gpg8aut8/s640/blogger-image-1632364043.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm hoping to find a slim standing shelf to put his extra blankets and such. The space is quite small because that's where our closet door opens up to. The nice part is that the door is usually closed the space is usable, but the spring door stopper gets in the way of fitting anything larger there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxfPdVe4FUMqLcELjt-VUTPzRvsO-zblj82AzoGBOicdIqTJlnr_qRy23_JvuRk-YARWtZeryT1DHhZuWEBoatkQOoQhoAQ8xW_V9eHuvLECh1bTuKHwWxYH2fgClMI1J3FGLYjH_yyE/s640/blogger-image--2034915438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxfPdVe4FUMqLcELjt-VUTPzRvsO-zblj82AzoGBOicdIqTJlnr_qRy23_JvuRk-YARWtZeryT1DHhZuWEBoatkQOoQhoAQ8xW_V9eHuvLECh1bTuKHwWxYH2fgClMI1J3FGLYjH_yyE/s640/blogger-image--2034915438.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The opposite wall is definitely an awkward space. The light switch plates are very awkwardly placed on the wall so my original thought of having my dresser go there wouldn't work, the changing table dresser did though, so I did the collage wall above that. It ended up being a good space to have the changing table fit, yet there is not enough storage in it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I wish the changing pad wasn't as long, it only leaves about 1 inch for any kind of changing stuff like baby powder or wipes! I had to move some things around to fit a small shelf above the table that could hold wipes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We are cloth diapering so we don't need a whole lot of space to hide disposables! We have wet bags for soiled inserts hanging off the side of the table. I'm sure things will be changed and moved as time goes on but it's nice to have a tentative plan for now! Most people say they like to change the baby on the bed but our bed is so low I can't see that being comfortable or easy for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQ5ZAhangI6yP0M0KuJicQY15wQr95e_FhPFNMvide42YfKX2gCQhIrNjBByhdGqt2W7Tp_Ljx_Wp2D8kjbPD_Q79U2aA7449k5FFZS6mdFEtC5OvpAS2plbWffR_EcSxSmJPzo9GI-g/s640/blogger-image--461987319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQ5ZAhangI6yP0M0KuJicQY15wQr95e_FhPFNMvide42YfKX2gCQhIrNjBByhdGqt2W7Tp_Ljx_Wp2D8kjbPD_Q79U2aA7449k5FFZS6mdFEtC5OvpAS2plbWffR_EcSxSmJPzo9GI-g/s640/blogger-image--461987319.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbT96S-ChZT32Gd7II4vgD8veTrpXYTAS5YA2qTSO0GUmpQzCbczGsx5rMO1CJhfKGgyHfX4-Q38CqaopY9vSFHa7weUUirXihToo1JlpXh-JWgeTvVCoq2vBBMdsHN_hyKxjBGtgcVs/s640/blogger-image-86362113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbT96S-ChZT32Gd7II4vgD8veTrpXYTAS5YA2qTSO0GUmpQzCbczGsx5rMO1CJhfKGgyHfX4-Q38CqaopY9vSFHa7weUUirXihToo1JlpXh-JWgeTvVCoq2vBBMdsHN_hyKxjBGtgcVs/s640/blogger-image-86362113.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCeINx2zig-6bo6tba9UgU7tmvqteL_j0QkVbaqmhaDSQM7xTp2B-KwVvpzjfkATCm0nvAHQ7gknho815hhyyn8YwTNGV8ZfRKcaUH9MCKQvySK7GjSKHKtCCInt-eucFdmMIbyNqJCA/s640/blogger-image--1030586664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCeINx2zig-6bo6tba9UgU7tmvqteL_j0QkVbaqmhaDSQM7xTp2B-KwVvpzjfkATCm0nvAHQ7gknho815hhyyn8YwTNGV8ZfRKcaUH9MCKQvySK7GjSKHKtCCInt-eucFdmMIbyNqJCA/s640/blogger-image--1030586664.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've been collecting these prints from various places. The top left is straight from the Disney animation studio and is layered with three different layers for how the scene was set up! I found the two book pages in different etsy shops and I made the F monogram myself. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-CIms_IlkvPZiVRXY0sfDV6rdsHHp7XQY8pDaLurkfSyN350Yfhw2Pm3Mvn5sHpBF-6-tJtND4aMiJ1xLvbC2ROuISN10muNvv64m9nqS_UxgZYIFR7olEcO15BNt5xXIphrs1Q74fs/s640/blogger-image--1256850114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-CIms_IlkvPZiVRXY0sfDV6rdsHHp7XQY8pDaLurkfSyN350Yfhw2Pm3Mvn5sHpBF-6-tJtND4aMiJ1xLvbC2ROuISN10muNvv64m9nqS_UxgZYIFR7olEcO15BNt5xXIphrs1Q74fs/s640/blogger-image--1256850114.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Overall I'm so happy with how it turned out. I'm glad we ended up moving and having more wall space to work with, we all know I love to fill up the walls of my home!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Admittedly, it looks great now but not for long. Not pictured is the foil lining the crib for Penelope so she stays out, or the clothes usually piled up on the changing table, or the rest of the junk that life tends to clutter us with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is probably the best it's ever going to look. As soon as Felix actually arrives I'm sure I won't have time to clean it again, or tidy up the the books, or make sure all of the pictures are straight. I'm doing my best to have realistic expectations about motherhood knowing that I'll probably be too busy staring at my boys face rather than cleaning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dear Felix,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Your space is all set up -- but you're not quite done cooking yet. We have about 30 days until your expected to arrive. I'd be ok if you came before that, but only if your healthy and ready.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Your dad and I are busy preparing for you in so many ways. We go to birth classes once a week and are going to be picking out your doctor soon. We try and rest now, knowing you probably will keep us up during most nights.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We wonder about what sports you'll want to play, what your voice will sound like, and when you'll learn to tell bad jokes like you're dad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hope your laid back like dad, but passionate like me. I hope you love Jesus, I pray you see the Gospel being laid out for you in our home every day. I hope you aren't afraid to be yourself. I hope you ask for help when you need it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hope you know how much we love you already.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mom. </div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div><br></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-45912071059344780882013-10-16T09:35:00.000-07:002013-10-16T09:38:45.449-07:00Obama Care Pt 2. -- & Other Ramblings Welp.<br />
Obama care is making a lot of people around me pretty angry.<br />
I'm not angry yet, just disappointed.<br />
One of my coworkers exclaimed the other day "Jamie, I hate to say it, but I think I'm becoming a Republican".<br />
Her insurance premiums had just <b>quadrupled - and then some</b>. She now can't afford her own health care because of a program that's supposed to make it more affordable. <br />
3 days later and she's still a Republican and I kinda love it.<br />
I definitely didn't anticipate the cost to raise as much as it has, I am shocked by how much the cost of insurance for people who already had it skyrocketed. It's scary to think about the damage this will do to peoples finances.<br />
<b>Will more people have to go without health insurance now because they can't afford the premiums?</b><br />
<b>Will those who were formerly insured now be the ones forced to be uninsured because of cost? </b><br />
<br />
Only 16,000 people have signed up so far...will the costs rise higher as more people sign up? We have a long way to go, California.<br />
I saw a statistic a few days ago that showed that there are more people in California collecting welfare than people that are actually employed. That's scary.<br />
And what about the rest of the country? Some states have opted to not expand Medicare & Medicaid, some have chosen to expand, and some have chosen to stay the same. What about costs of premiums of those living in other states? Did we get a proper warning about what this would do financially, or only listen to the blanket statement that this would be "cheaper healthcare for ALL"?<br />
<br />
Maybe insurance companies could lighten up on their ridiculous pre-existing condition clauses. I'll never forget the day I got a letter in the mail from my insurance saying that wouldn't pay for a blood test because it was for a "pre-existing condition" that I failed to mention -- that blood test, was the test that showed I was pregnant. Pre-existing by a matter of...weeks, weeks in which I was covered under them. Shame on you, Anthem. Shame on you. You bet I put my caps lock hand writing on and scribbled an angry message back to them -- not only showing proof of previous insurance but proof of their idiocy.<br />
<br />
The saga continues, and quite a lot has happened since my previous post on insurance.<br />
Two weeks ago I was under the impression that my insurance (through my mother) would cover my baby up to 30 days after he is born. Long story short, we were "misinformed"....or lied to.<br />
We found out last week that my insurance company has some major training issues -- and that they train their employees to give 25 different answers to the same question.<br />
And if I hadn't pestered for the right answer it could have cost my family $20,000+.<br />
<br />
Because of a clause in my policy about dependents and their children -- baby Van Nuys will not be covered in the hospital after he is born. If they as much touch his little body we will get charged FULL price.<br />
I'm not complaining about the policy itself, I get that it's what we are signed up for. There is a huge problem with training! Because I work in a call center where 40+ people must be trained to give the exact same information out all the time I am a little extra sensitive to this issue. I was told 3 times by 3 separate people that the baby would be covered -- only when I called back to get that statement in WRITING was I told that he wasn't covered. What a joke. Now, here I am scrambling at 8 months pregnant trying to get different coverage.<br />
<br />
Just as God would cause all things to work out, we found a way for me to hop on Kaiser insurance through my Dad's company and get full coverage now, regardless of my pregnancy. It won't be cheap once baby arrives...but it will definitely be less than $20,000 for labor and delivery, and hopefully we will qualify to get him on Medi-Cal after the birth is said and done. We do technically qualify for Medi-Cal right now, but it is too risky to wait the 45 day processing time and possibly get denied right before I give birth. So, I now have to switch doctors, hospitals, and entire insurance providers -- at 33 weeks pregnant. It is quite the headache. Granted, it could be worse -- I could be 37 weeks...or 38..or 39....or on the way to the hospital in labor when they called and told me he wasn't covered. <b>All is grace. </b><br />
<br />
There are a lot of benefits to this switching of policies and care. <br />
I get to see the new doctor & midwife at Kaiser on Thursday -- and they offered me a whole 30 minute appointment. At my old doctor all I got was 10 minutes, and I waited 45+ minutes every time because every day she is running late. <br />
The hospital is much closer to our house. Compare 30 miles to 50 miles<br />
There are no questions about if the baby will be covered -- we know for a fact that he will be and that is such a huge relief!<br />
<br />
---------<br />
<br />
There's a lot of other things seeming to be snowballing right now for me.<br />
Even though it is my last week of work (hallelujah) my stress level seems to have skyrocketed.<br />
I've been praying for peace, and God has been gracious. He's been bringing to mind scriptures that I overlook or have forgotten about. He's been giving me friends to pray for me constantly and encourage me when things are tough. <br />
My two besties will be here on Friday which means that all of my cares will be lifted (for a few days at least).<br />
<br />
And the question is continuously begged, <b>are you ready?</b><br />
At the end of the day, we are still no where near prepared to be parents. Reality has not hit yet -- or rather sunk in. The smack came the day that we tested positive, but the sinking in part, we'll see when that comes. I reckon it will happen on the way home from the hospital. My heart rate will gradually rise as we get closer to home, I will have google open on every device within arms reach - ready to hit search when the baby starts pooping, or screaming, or crying, or farting, or laughing, or smiling. God definitely knew what He was doing when He gave me a mom who happens to be a doctor. I've avoided sleepless nights, waiting rooms, and awkward yearly physicals thanks to her, not to mention the doctor bills. Seth and I will sit on the couch with our sleeping babe staring at each other in amazement, much like we did in the moments we drove away from our wedding -- and when he starts screaming we will look at each other with an expression that says...."we can do this, right?"<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, I'm excited. We're excited. I think we're also a little terrified, and I'm learning to believe that that is ok.<br />
<b>All is grace. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-9135347599693488472013-08-19T20:43:00.000-07:002013-08-19T20:45:50.686-07:00On Chaos & Peace. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Life has moved from crazy to chaos, it is official. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Taking apart our home has made it really hard for me to feel peaceful. I'm quickly realizing how I cling to the peace that a put together home brings me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm surrounded by half packed boxes, sparsely filled shelves, and dust. Lots of dust. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm trying to take things little by little, two boxes one night and none on the next. I'm putting together goodwill boxes -- and since we've lived here exactly one year it gives me a pretty good gauge on what to throw out. If I haven't touched it in the past year, it probably doesn't need to move with us and sit another whole year. But, that just leaves another task on my ever growing list - yes it is good to take things to goodwill but my list is growing and my time is not. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also picked up a few extra shifts at work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Terrible, terrible plan. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But work is extra chaotic with recent company wide changes, so it seemed doable at the time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But my increasingly pregnant & increasingly tired self probably should have said no and not tried to play superwoman. I actually do less quality work because I'm so tired. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm realizing that playing superwoman is something I also try to do way too often. Pick up the slack, do more than I should, overwork myself to not appear lazy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> It's definitely a pride issue. Because sometimes I want a little extra glory. Trying to get extra glory is like swimming against a strong current though, I backslide and fall and end up further away from glory than when I started. Then Jesus knocks me over the head and says, "hey kid - I'm the one who gives you strength therefore I get the glory, besides I transfered ALL of my glory to YOU on the cross and gave you MY righteousness, do you really think you can earn more than my death did? Your glory doesn't matter."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My glory doesn't matter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nor has it ever mattered - nor will it EVER matter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It strikes me that lately my glorious little world I've created is kind of unravelling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My home is in pieces. There is dust, cat hair, cat litter and cobwebs all over everything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My body is becoming large...and striped for that matter. As beautiful and exciting as pregnancy is, it s a reality check on my addiction to food and how I all to frequently comfort myself with it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As this baby boy hijacks more of my body & its normal function I realize he will be hijacking our sense of "normal" too. That is not a bad thing, it's just frightening. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I will be leaving work at the end of October which I'm excited about, but feel like I'm losing my sense of legitimacy as a young professional woman. I'm letting the world's opinion of me sneak in and tell me that staying home with my baby and only working part time is somehow wrong. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And in realizing all of this madness, I too realize that I have spent less time with Jesus & in the Word in the past month. I opened up my notebook on Sunday at church to find it hadn't been touched since the Wednesday of the week before. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My glorious little world is unravelling and my peace wont be found in me putting it back together. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Because when times are chaotic I cling to my self-sufficiency, I cling to myself - not to my Savior. </span><br />
<br />
I'm beginning to understand the refining process.<br />
It's a little painstaking. It requires a lot of pride swallowing & mouth closing.<br />
But sanctification of the believer was never promised to be easy. And yet we shake our fists and hide from God the moment life gets chaotic and we lose control.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've told myself that if I can get through the next few weeks I will reach peace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But that isn't true unless my peace is found in Jesus - not in the fact that I got all my crap done. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not if I can redecorate our home perfectly before the baby comes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not if we can have the best first anniversary ever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not if I can appear to be superwoman on the outside. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I did not intend this post to be a confessional on the mess I've created in the past couple weeks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But maybe this will help someone else who is living in chaos. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hopefully it will bring some glory to Jesus - that would be good too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="woc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="selected" original-title="" style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son </span><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone </span><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.</span></span><span class="" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><b><span class="woc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Come to </span><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">me, all who labor and are </span><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">heavy laden, and I will give you rest.</span></span><span class="" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></b><span class="woc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Take my yoke upon you, and l</span><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">earn from me, for I am </span><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">gentle and lowly in heart, and </span></b><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>you will find rest for your souls</b>.</span></span><span class="" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span class="woc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For </span><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:27-30</span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="woc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="woc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rest for my soul.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="woc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I dont think I've ever found soul-rest in anything Ive accomplished.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="woc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Excuse me while I go and rest.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="woc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I believe its possible in the midst of my temporal chaos to find it.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="woc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It will take a heart change for me. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="woc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A letting go of the crap that I crowd my life with. Or at least some of it. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="woc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll be back soon and let you know how all of this is going. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPjh18FeUX6ZEs8AtpdN6tAyMH2j4-VcUvlSTywIgCDz5YQ_bq9Hsk635RSYhV4kT5Ky6ZWb_0a9_-BiPNy2jm881xq6Lg67UhwxvWVXEzWwUecVZRCriEGvF2Q2F-mIp_9EvDFswj4Y/s1600/7ACB456A9EDC87DA867D0EA91C6A30B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPjh18FeUX6ZEs8AtpdN6tAyMH2j4-VcUvlSTywIgCDz5YQ_bq9Hsk635RSYhV4kT5Ky6ZWb_0a9_-BiPNy2jm881xq6Lg67UhwxvWVXEzWwUecVZRCriEGvF2Q2F-mIp_9EvDFswj4Y/s1600/7ACB456A9EDC87DA867D0EA91C6A30B1.png" /></a></div>
<span class="woc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="woc" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-38508777909733323162013-08-09T08:29:00.001-07:002013-08-10T10:10:15.562-07:0024 weeks! Grateful.<div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmKz06-DmWoxjQsDpWGeEVUSvBJjKhNUFjBSQj-fBAxI0xtY2LRcv8FoxSs9UuXaW7JSx33MokgLy2OhVXLivXCRGa4SpzjHJ3pSd1eygvHHCE7l2hrOXIgtVnV1l-ty_relfd2fbBwc/s640/blogger-image--2088755618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmKz06-DmWoxjQsDpWGeEVUSvBJjKhNUFjBSQj-fBAxI0xtY2LRcv8FoxSs9UuXaW7JSx33MokgLy2OhVXLivXCRGa4SpzjHJ3pSd1eygvHHCE7l2hrOXIgtVnV1l-ty_relfd2fbBwc/s640/blogger-image--2088755618.jpg"></a></div><br></b></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>It's been hard to get a good belly shot lately...but here you can see little man is taking up a lot of room!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br></b></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>How far along? </b>24 weeks! 24 weeks means baby boy is viable for life outside the womb. If he was born tomorrow he would have a tough road ahead but he has a chance of surviving, which is amazing.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Baby size? </b>About the size of a canteloupe! He is a foot long and now weighs over a pound.</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">What's he up to in there? </b>Baby is kicking quite a bit. I woke up to him tossing and turning this morning! His lungs are completing their development in the next couple weeks and his taste buds are formed to the point that he can taste what I eat.</div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Total Weight Gain</b>: 13 pounds. Haven't checked since my last dr appointment...but I have one this week so well find out.</div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Maternity clothes? </b>Do other clothes exist? It's hard to remember life before this large, round midsection took over.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Stretch marks?</b><b> </b>Yes. And they are purple. It makes me a little sad, but its not like I went around showing my non pregnant belly anyways...</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Sleep:</b><b> </b>The strange dreams continue, and baby is starting to show up in them. This week the baby was taken by my family because I somehow missed the first 6 months of his life. Also, Seth was a pro hockey player this week too. Weird I tell you, so very weird.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Best Moment</b>: This past week we were told we had to move out in less than two months. As devastating and shocking as that was, we were able to find something fairly quickly that is better than we could ever imagine. A big thank you to everyone who was encouraging and praying for us. All of the kind words motivated me to not sulk in misery, but kick my butt into high gear and find something that would fit us. The real trick was finding a place that would let us keep our precious kitty. We are going to be living in a much different part of town, but it is more centrally located, within walking distance to restaurants and shops, and in our new place we will have real cabinets & storage, a patio, a pool, and a bedroom with a door. It will be so much more functional for us!</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">We start the moving process on September 9th, so for all you local friends...we'll be hitting you up. This mama to be cant move a whole lot of heavy stuff! </div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><br></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">The best moment this week was having our application for the apartment go through and getting to celebrate with Seth. Later at home we just kept saying "man, God is so awesome"....I think that is the resounding phrase of the last 6 months of our lives.</div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Miss anything?</b> Some days I miss just being a normal face in the crowd. Pregnancy attracts so many looks and stares and special treatment. Not all good, might I add. I'm learning that showing off a pregnant belly used to be a big no-no, so when old people are busy staring to see if I have a wedding ring on, they are also glaring at how much my shirt hugs my belly because its immodest in their eyes. We live in a strange world.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Movement?</b><b> </b>Oh yes. I love it. It's kind of love hate though...because I love when I feel him, but I freak out a little when I don't for a while and then I jump to crazy conclusions. Good thing little man likes when I eat hot food, I can always count on him squirming around after I eat something warm!</div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b>Cravings:</b> cheeseburgers.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">This week someone posted a picture on Instagram and all of the sudden I needed to have it right now. Like, 5 minutes ago actually. Seth obliged and we soon left to eat 5 guys, but right as we got our food I got the text saying we were needing to move out....and the burger was not enjoyed in the slightest. I actually cried my way through eating it. </div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><br></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">And yes, you read that right. Our notice was delivered by text. Classy.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">I digress.</div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Queasy/sick?</b><b> </b>I've been heartburn free for a few days...woo hoo!</div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Gender?</b><b> </b>Little man. I know a ton of pregnant ladies who are having girls, so I'm super excited to be having a boy. The outfits are so cute, I bought his going home outfit this week....complete with stripes and little airplanes. <div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMqdD5Opw3D3uSzeIU_mXcbhdQJwQ6IB34tXeZHNShWjgMQy5hng__L_zboA-JqTcAeJBZXF0mdla3OxxaNzPgCQc5URu_gOqFXFgbcZlBCCHkKYuC36kYdBsLxCe-RO9rQU74uX2yFc/s640/blogger-image--1599122244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMqdD5Opw3D3uSzeIU_mXcbhdQJwQ6IB34tXeZHNShWjgMQy5hng__L_zboA-JqTcAeJBZXF0mdla3OxxaNzPgCQc5URu_gOqFXFgbcZlBCCHkKYuC36kYdBsLxCe-RO9rQU74uX2yFc/s640/blogger-image--1599122244.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Also, note Seth's shirt in this photo from my birthday....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MV54wH-dGz-uHgrEnv0SYDnC7Gue8q9Qfo3mNUjXUuuTV-7d5boSAEH1ehRziXI7XMXll7sai3xeDaic_aXaskhwgRumcYXU2tWPWPKOmDUzZk0sx9rimQfTaOECm54WtOcvZMt0m8k/s640/blogger-image-684273607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MV54wH-dGz-uHgrEnv0SYDnC7Gue8q9Qfo3mNUjXUuuTV-7d5boSAEH1ehRziXI7XMXll7sai3xeDaic_aXaskhwgRumcYXU2tWPWPKOmDUzZk0sx9rimQfTaOECm54WtOcvZMt0m8k/s640/blogger-image-684273607.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then note this onesie I bought for our little man the next day... I can't handle all of the cuteness that will be oozing when father and son match.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOBvx2phchMSajPrqvRMydRU1GkQWgbHeAeowm-4bcuOiDso0ZX1hbxdHtCKTx8_I7CdiworZeIBQ-5lRpuuYPiG1x2_dbZb8NdJZ-QtMSSTxvx5T48PM7efvD5Xw17A25p0sf8-4QSI/s640/blogger-image--1000722137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOBvx2phchMSajPrqvRMydRU1GkQWgbHeAeowm-4bcuOiDso0ZX1hbxdHtCKTx8_I7CdiworZeIBQ-5lRpuuYPiG1x2_dbZb8NdJZ-QtMSSTxvx5T48PM7efvD5Xw17A25p0sf8-4QSI/s640/blogger-image--1000722137.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Labor signs?</b><b> </b>Nope. Baby boy has moved up in my belly, presumably because he's growing and stretching.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Belly button?</b><b> </b>Definitely on its way out. Not full outty yet, that will be strange.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Wedding rings on/off?</b><b> </b>On! But at certain times of the day they are rather tight...</div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Mood?</b><b> </b>More emotional roller coasters. But, Seth keeps me laughing most of the time!</div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><b style="font-weight: bold; ">Looking Forward to: </b>moving and putting together the nursery, the space I had planned for him will be a little different...but I'm sure our new place will have the perfect little corner for him. Especially since the prints and other wall decor started to arrive...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnSzcGwZusCeBIuu1L58oIllpGcovJ7BZ7FB4vPXzujdsATUavEeRN7xfoCz9me1FKAI-6rkPqHM4WiOIs80qOBnPGVoJsn2mU_m1F9sCBQJoX8PK-t4sP2008FFXkPP2Ofi8C4ywkjA/s640/blogger-image--1403234831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnSzcGwZusCeBIuu1L58oIllpGcovJ7BZ7FB4vPXzujdsATUavEeRN7xfoCz9me1FKAI-6rkPqHM4WiOIs80qOBnPGVoJsn2mU_m1F9sCBQJoX8PK-t4sP2008FFXkPP2Ofi8C4ywkjA/s640/blogger-image--1403234831.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Also, I've been yarn bombing things lately...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBIN-OBXjP0LujmL1NVgc1zcRBsXZibemXSL_hpxs4TsQ0P-L4vK0VdLPh5Uwg1MZaGHU99jpevLxmfe3HeDgf_62lqQYYlQdYGM7GujxteQYzQvZ9Hrx7KKfhMOXK9lJNrsqk4NKfvs/s640/blogger-image-497775317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBIN-OBXjP0LujmL1NVgc1zcRBsXZibemXSL_hpxs4TsQ0P-L4vK0VdLPh5Uwg1MZaGHU99jpevLxmfe3HeDgf_62lqQYYlQdYGM7GujxteQYzQvZ9Hrx7KKfhMOXK9lJNrsqk4NKfvs/s640/blogger-image-497775317.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Seth and I are in Tahoe for the weekend. A mini baby-moon if you will. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We have a lot coming up in the next few weeks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm going away to Portland to visit my beasties, and shop for wedding dresses with Melissa!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our 1 year anniversary is fast approaching, too. I honestly can't believe how fast the past year has gone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm trying to decide when maternity leave will start, work is getting harder for me with a long commute and a emotionally draining work load. I don't want to bow out early, but I'm thinking the second week of October would be ideal - especially after moving I will be extra tired. I also just want some time to myself before the baby comes and changes <b>everything</b>. Not that I'm not looking forward to him being here, but life is about to drastically change so it will be nice to have some me-time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All of that being said, this pregnancy is going by super fast! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Until next time...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-72926778033253964962013-07-01T17:40:00.001-07:002013-07-01T17:54:18.244-07:00These DaysThese days....<div>It's hot. I'm more thankful for air conditioning than I thought possible.</div><div><br></div><div><div>I'd rather not put on clothing, this bump is getting out of control and nothing is comfortable.</div><div><div><div><br></div><div>I need a daily reminder that my hips will go back to normal size, and that stretch marks do fade.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm feeling the need to nest. Yesterday I practically rearranged half of our house. It was necessary but a little overkill for one day.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_zlBZsxcnb3J9t8UUUjaEDn8Z0pCAKBeRRcmQwI9azRCp8SQ6u03XEYApoLTSiPuCmhWZYszwvCFvqejs6N36c7k0T_24zrcj-jme-2YQ_i4spzcEsnRPQXddjdvVQ4fCS1BQ-qcWPw/s640/blogger-image-337039722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_zlBZsxcnb3J9t8UUUjaEDn8Z0pCAKBeRRcmQwI9azRCp8SQ6u03XEYApoLTSiPuCmhWZYszwvCFvqejs6N36c7k0T_24zrcj-jme-2YQ_i4spzcEsnRPQXddjdvVQ4fCS1BQ-qcWPw/s640/blogger-image-337039722.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just a little sneak peak of part of the transformation...</div></div><div><br></div><div>I'm feeling withdrawn. I feel like I've been on overload and I just want to run away for a little while.</div><div><br></div><div>I need to connect. Mostly with Jesus. I rely too much on myself and forget how much I desperately need grace in order to do anything right. </div><div><br></div><div>I need to stop stressing. About where were going to settle, how we're going to parent, how we're going to provide, how we're going to....survive.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm feeling tired. I think I already told you I need a vacation, but I'll go ahead and mention that again.</div><div><br></div><div>I need to appreciate my husband more. I take for granted all that he does, and need to remember that pregnancy is not a free ride to be a lazy slop of a wife.</div><div><br></div><div>I need to remember Gods promises.</div><div>That He is always good.</div><div> He is always in control.</div><div> His love and grace are never ending.</div><div>His power is greater than my fears and failures.</div><div><br></div><div>Life is only found in Him.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CaPwczbz-jyhHZMY1EprEIuUt89HaUfrkv9crJx7LMo1W_UZNp19rI4-Y298nDU3pKSOAbBAaIlxw1H66rxyaaTrk_TP0z6T7y1JjtB9fYB_Rx1gyf5gajbyGqoQfOa2nv8gZkCz8Lc/s640/blogger-image-1279736076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CaPwczbz-jyhHZMY1EprEIuUt89HaUfrkv9crJx7LMo1W_UZNp19rI4-Y298nDU3pKSOAbBAaIlxw1H66rxyaaTrk_TP0z6T7y1JjtB9fYB_Rx1gyf5gajbyGqoQfOa2nv8gZkCz8Lc/s640/blogger-image-1279736076.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>And as I waste my time in worry, doubt, and endless need for control...He says:</div><div><br></div><div><b>Child, stop it would ya? I've got this all figured out. In fact, I did before you even got here, before anyone ever got here. I love you. I love that baby boy inside you, remember the one that I purposed without your plan? Have you forgotten that I'm the provider? The bank-filler, the house finder, the job giver, the plan smasher, the only source of joy you've got.</b></div></div></div></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>And things go momentarily back into perspective, until my sin messes it up again.</div><div><br></div><div>So, I will hold onto this truth as long as I can remember. And when it fades, I'll repeat it all over again.</div><div><br></div><div><i>Because Your steadfast love is greater than life, my lips will praise You. Psalm 63:3</i></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-54528099910691397282013-06-11T21:46:00.001-07:002013-06-11T21:46:21.097-07:00That Pregnancy Update Post I Know You've Been Waiting For: 15 weeks <div style="text-align: center;">
It's time. I know after first baby comes I probably won't have the time or energy to devote to posts like these so here I go...documenting this little life growing in my belly :)</div>
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Here I am at week 15...and 3 days?</div>
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I know, I'm showing a lot more than I thought with my first baby too.<br />
I blame a really short waist. I mean seriously short. And a small lipoma (fatty tumor) I have growing above my bellybutton. Either way, I look really pregnant. And I really can't hide it anymore.<br />
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<b>How far along? </b>15 weeks 4 days<br />
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<b>Baby size?</b> An apple!<br />
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<b>Total Weight Gain</b>: hahahaha....yea let's just say I'll never talk about that on here.<br />
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<b>Maternity clothes?</b> Oh yes. I bought maternity jeans at week 10 and never looked back.<br />
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<b>Stretch marks?</b> None yet!<br />
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<b>Sleep:</b> Up until this week I have been sleeping really well. This week has been difficult. Waking up a lot, not being able to get comfortable, crazy dreams...I think it's just going to get worse from here.<br />
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<b>Best Moment:</b> Seth telling me I didn't look pregnant..and that I just looked amazing. That was only last week. I love him.<br />
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<b>Miss anything?</b> Beer, wine, hookah, rare steak.....*sigh*<br />
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<b>Movement?</b> No. I have an anterior placenta so chances are I won't feel anything for a while. Kind of sad, and definitely nerve wracking!<br />
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<b>Cravings:</b> Burritos, cereal, bubble tea. Nothing too crazy, right?<br />
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<b>Queasy/sick?</b> No. Smells are still bothering me quite a bit but it's more annoying than sickening.<br />
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<b>Starting to show?</b> Yes. Oh yes. I've been asked if I'm having twins.....and no, as of right now there is only 1 baby in there!<br />
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<b>Gender?</b> early NT scan showed some boy parts but we will have that confirmed in a few weeks. I. CANT. WAIT.<br />
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<b>Labor signs?</b> No. Thank goodness, no.<br />
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<b>Belly button?</b> Still full inny. No real changes yet.<br />
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<b>Wedding rings on/off?</b> On. Happily on! It will be a sad day to have to part with these babies!<br />
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<b>Mood?</b> Happy Happy Happy!<br />
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<b>Looking Forward to</b>...finding out gender and feeling movement!<br />
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<b>Names?</b> We're talkin. We probably won't be sharing super publicly before hand...we have to keep some things a surprise.<br />
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Tonight we're at home watching "The Business of Being Born" after I had a 12 hour work day. Seth made dinner, and dessert...and is pretty much the best husband I could ever dream up. He has beyond amazing this far and I couldn't be more thankful.<br />
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I'm looking forward to starting on this journey and documenting all of the fun, exciting, and terrifying things that go along with pregnancy!<br />
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Until next week...<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-3197837268617466512013-04-02T09:54:00.000-07:002013-04-02T09:54:02.360-07:00Reflecting on Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This Easter was a lot different than Easter's past.</div>
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It was my first Easter that my family didn't have a big get-together It was the first Easter that Seth and I had by ourselves. No Easter baskets, no presents, no morning church. </div>
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Two months ago I probably would have told you that we would be home with our families, visiting our old church, having a normal Easter...but God changed our hearts. You see, I havent been feeling at home in our new church for the last few months. I have yearned to go back home and visit Hope Church, to be with our families, to not have to adjust to being somewhere new because it's so dang hard sometimes. </div>
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I didn't want to put in the effort to committing somewhere new, to serving, to opening up to a new group of people, to meeting new girlfriends. Part of this is fear, part of this is pride, and most of it is just pure laziness. Jumping into the unknown is scary and hard and time consuming, we all know I don't have extra time to spare!</div>
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But God has been working on me. Working on my stubborn little heart. I've been putting in time, confessing my fears, my thoughts, my dislikes. He's given me some awesome women to meet and share life with. He's given us a new home. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjM4MRRzVdrlJ_xjhTrq4bSgZ5P1ssn7Ielrm_t9kxnb1tkPG77OZB1y-Z0JoPFVJAs5A_Fgu4cwSmXhbLbo3ftq8geUF7-MPy9yESB-CRpXms3Fk-fAZvuBxrcUBhilu0nRco3xYaIg/s1600/526958_10101498205206584_1491020390_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjM4MRRzVdrlJ_xjhTrq4bSgZ5P1ssn7Ielrm_t9kxnb1tkPG77OZB1y-Z0JoPFVJAs5A_Fgu4cwSmXhbLbo3ftq8geUF7-MPy9yESB-CRpXms3Fk-fAZvuBxrcUBhilu0nRco3xYaIg/s320/526958_10101498205206584_1491020390_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's most of our neighborhood group -- they have made Monday night my favorite night of the week.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Last month Seth and I felt a call. A call to be at Garden City Church for Easter. A call to become members. I felt the call to finally commit. To leave my stubbornness at the cross and trust Jesus for what He is doing here.<br /><br />Easter at Garden City couldn't have been more glorious. Not because there is something overwhelmingly special about the music, or the preaching, or the people -- but it is where God wanted us. Resting in His plan is a glorious thing.<br /><br />And not to mention that three ladies from our neighborhood group got baptized after the service. One of those three ladies has become a very close friend of mine. I know that God picked Michaela to be my friend when we moved here, He is so good at picking friends for us. <br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbig4Rlf4p8lfi2gzv-HkEH-4KWtAhxFGdT8rW_zARoJDaSY7f19fr9RgaOy2k-WeXmoT3DHh8s1peH7dCH5bBf_QxdJYcxCkPFE8RPnWuuoCKaWDhu0OBhjlPy_H2CU5rggbNlIc6uM/s1600/20130323_151049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbig4Rlf4p8lfi2gzv-HkEH-4KWtAhxFGdT8rW_zARoJDaSY7f19fr9RgaOy2k-WeXmoT3DHh8s1peH7dCH5bBf_QxdJYcxCkPFE8RPnWuuoCKaWDhu0OBhjlPy_H2CU5rggbNlIc6uM/s400/20130323_151049.jpg" width="300" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: small;">This is us a couple weeks ago at the Zoo!<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlX-OEMF9-zq_7Ktf3QRFD0mSDUBmmktjx_eNL_m8mgvElds9kEbar6j3ERp0FMemtCRZ7DWQeNCU5s2BQyHSbk1qVO_aZxpvng_TOgRyFvZxHoABQdvkWIdpqtvY4-y5xld3zEKqw54/s1600/20130331_171550%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlX-OEMF9-zq_7Ktf3QRFD0mSDUBmmktjx_eNL_m8mgvElds9kEbar6j3ERp0FMemtCRZ7DWQeNCU5s2BQyHSbk1qVO_aZxpvng_TOgRyFvZxHoABQdvkWIdpqtvY4-y5xld3zEKqw54/s400/20130331_171550%25280%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Michaela has a powerful story of how God fought for her and saved her. Watching her get baptized was more beautiful than I could imagine.<br /><br />Sonja and Stephanie are newcomers to our neighborhood group and it is awesome to watch how God put it on their hearts to get baptized and bam, here they are. One of the met Jesus less than THREE weeks ago -- how good is He?!<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9NU6FWFO2ZwLKXWddFfZGrM1tTJ2hBf5tEQut_E7hkF5sq9DAt116s5OwnzQlpPTUdwgV37VlGRywDHAXEMfKym7jt_c-IocnWZUtAkjL9NOXygS5odwUrqNeks2BmU_6L7WlThTNvw/s1600/20130331_171747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9NU6FWFO2ZwLKXWddFfZGrM1tTJ2hBf5tEQut_E7hkF5sq9DAt116s5OwnzQlpPTUdwgV37VlGRywDHAXEMfKym7jt_c-IocnWZUtAkjL9NOXygS5odwUrqNeks2BmU_6L7WlThTNvw/s400/20130331_171747.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7xXrqBsPNarG093DlflBS-4_XPeDa2wENHpARbqQ7VMmD0uhiY2a4NN9YuZL7xLmHuQo9R68lnzLkzMVxj-5RqSaNFSKKSHRoy081im4eNJ6IVL6qZ3Oba_SMK5RESdbbkszsxQ2hus/s1600/20130331_172010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7xXrqBsPNarG093DlflBS-4_XPeDa2wENHpARbqQ7VMmD0uhiY2a4NN9YuZL7xLmHuQo9R68lnzLkzMVxj-5RqSaNFSKKSHRoy081im4eNJ6IVL6qZ3Oba_SMK5RESdbbkszsxQ2hus/s400/20130331_172010.jpg" width="300" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Seth's parents joined us at Garden City -- our pastor used to be the college pastor at their church so they actually knew a bunch of people at the service! I love when worlds collide like that, it reminds me of the fact that we are all one Church.<br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Easter this year was different. We went out for dinner instead of cooking something fancy. I didn't take any pictures of Seth and I, even though I had bought a cute dress for the occasion. We didn't do baskets or eggs or candy. We didn't go home like we had planned.<br /><br />But we watched Jesus save lives. We got to celebrate His resurrection. We got to celebrate Him bringing our dead hearts alive through baptism.<br /><br />We rested in His plan.<br />I'd like to start doing that more often.<br />Listening, discerning, praying, following.<br /><br /><i>"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord, it will stand."<br />Proverbs 19:21<br /></i></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1JM7TuQIlgT-0Th7JyRZN79JIx_7JDgxHhHkt1j3aYlO5Xbk-VCtMZdwqALXZIRaj74pQxZNyQQO5bkfStobM2HJ0gYNhxAeHS0tHPj5wof1M0HZfFB8_nI7OlhJOM6gix5VZKy8Msg/s1600/7ACB456A9EDC87DA867D0EA91C6A30B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1JM7TuQIlgT-0Th7JyRZN79JIx_7JDgxHhHkt1j3aYlO5Xbk-VCtMZdwqALXZIRaj74pQxZNyQQO5bkfStobM2HJ0gYNhxAeHS0tHPj5wof1M0HZfFB8_nI7OlhJOM6gix5VZKy8Msg/s1600/7ACB456A9EDC87DA867D0EA91C6A30B1.png" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-36199881115973056942013-03-26T09:53:00.001-07:002013-03-26T09:53:34.984-07:00Pinterest Made Me Do It.<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not that often that I see something on Pinterest and am absolutely in need of<i> buying </i>it.</div>
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But in my hopes for weight loss through low carb living I've been uninspired. I've been bored with meat and cheese. I don't like vegetables that much, so its a huge chore to find a recipe that is all veggie that I will enjoy. </div>
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Enter the GEFU Spiral Slicer.</div>
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Weird name, I know. It's German. It's like fully german, the box and directions and everything. </div>
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As soon as I saw the picture of it on Pinterest I knew I had to have it. For a girl that grew up on pasta every night, I miss the crap out of pasta. I miss how easy it is and how versatile the recipes are. I don't miss how much weight it kept on me though, and in comes the Gefu.</div>
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Heres how it works: Cut off the end of your cylindrical veggie, and turn counter clock-wise against the blades inside the Gefu. I like zucchini and squash best. You can also try carrots, cucumber, radish...there's a lot of options. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-uD2-glokYgy_CYdxUSbrSv3PY-GXT0v6Iuw6LXta4uAKry7JM-iLKP-Pg5bU86efmrEcnuBMdcj3J_gYk6lmk5j2XNEauj-VnlQmR3rfAxSofBLYV65MsiniXgpjWM15bjjmjt7DLc/s1600/13460_Spiralschneider_Freis_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-uD2-glokYgy_CYdxUSbrSv3PY-GXT0v6Iuw6LXta4uAKry7JM-iLKP-Pg5bU86efmrEcnuBMdcj3J_gYk6lmk5j2XNEauj-VnlQmR3rfAxSofBLYV65MsiniXgpjWM15bjjmjt7DLc/s320/13460_Spiralschneider_Freis_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next: Be amazed at how much 1 squash and 1 zucchini can produce when they are cut in this way. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6S3gPuLZ3-2MN9W89hxSPatzk_qPjstqzwPy3SvYANDYoddFHHMVN9YqSsFg0uHutU4fA13J7nLMCc0sGB_lWEUjYTrjSgPXdAc_0wmEfGuqlk_5OIlHsnSJ8x5wX2V4MAnYsX4c9SwM/s1600/20130318_144151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6S3gPuLZ3-2MN9W89hxSPatzk_qPjstqzwPy3SvYANDYoddFHHMVN9YqSsFg0uHutU4fA13J7nLMCc0sGB_lWEUjYTrjSgPXdAc_0wmEfGuqlk_5OIlHsnSJ8x5wX2V4MAnYsX4c9SwM/s320/20130318_144151.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD-FwONfVNzJkpKzJBUYzTpZnbQIxkoCZqhEI7uraXcfnCFLjsZMRjskAOnkF6H8tJkTiar0yLDnXyyf6Rso90w58yUT7NcLr1Zem-fwPQgNgx82ZPxlL_B2pc8DQhasIushimpWOxG8/s1600/20130318_144823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD-FwONfVNzJkpKzJBUYzTpZnbQIxkoCZqhEI7uraXcfnCFLjsZMRjskAOnkF6H8tJkTiar0yLDnXyyf6Rso90w58yUT7NcLr1Zem-fwPQgNgx82ZPxlL_B2pc8DQhasIushimpWOxG8/s320/20130318_144823.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Yes people, that is 1 of each. Granted, they do shrink when they are cooked..but I was still surprised at how much they produced!</div>
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Next: sauté to your liking. Or leave raw if you can stand to eat veggies that way. I added some left over ground beef and vodka sauce. It was my favorite low carb lunch ever. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYvDeMXiYcz5OpMAaaIpFxKcHaO4uVql0CHF1D8hdoXVrZ1PgM-ntYBWzl9ejQnvIzemLqm5xrDySk6VdNCVVdLE9pM5ZOgoZlyWRzIazlSvPFIco_MUtvEsJRfWW44J0rTCPteGH8GY/s1600/20130318_145358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYvDeMXiYcz5OpMAaaIpFxKcHaO4uVql0CHF1D8hdoXVrZ1PgM-ntYBWzl9ejQnvIzemLqm5xrDySk6VdNCVVdLE9pM5ZOgoZlyWRzIazlSvPFIco_MUtvEsJRfWW44J0rTCPteGH8GY/s400/20130318_145358.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The texture definitely mimics spaghetti. I am so happy that I found this contraption on Pinterest. It was definitely worth the $29.95 price tag. I will be enjoying low carb "pasta" for a very long time thanks to it!</div>
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I got mine on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Help/b/ref=topnav_help?ie=UTF8&node=508510">Amazon</a> but there are plenty of other online retails to buy from. </div>
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Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. My blog is not that cool yet, and I really just wanted to tell you how much this has changed my life. </div>
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Happy Tuesday, friends!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-78582286278974656092013-03-18T10:02:00.001-07:002013-03-18T10:02:17.849-07:00Miscellany Monday<div style="text-align: center;">
I like miscellaneous posts, because I don't much else to say these things other than jumbled up thoughts that somehow make up the story of my life right now.</div>
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How was your weekend? We went home to see my family, it was my brother's 25th birthday. It would also have been my Grandpa's 92nd birthday the same day. I've been thinking a lot about my grandparents lately. I think about their love for me as their youngest grandchild and how blessed I was to have them in my life. I get sad for 2.5 seconds until I remember where they are. Oh, for that day!</div>
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I bought this little gadget a couple weeks ago.
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/247416573250883252/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="439" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/02/53/1d/02531deb1776bbe22419f8a80617e4c5.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.slimmingeats.com/blog/gefu-spiral-slicer-review#.UEegIg0ZT6g.pinterest" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">slimmingeats.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/RachaelKCH/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Rachael Kennedy Creative Hairdressing</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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And I haven't used it yet. I think today I will try it out! I was kind of bummed when it arrived because its from germany, and therefore there are no directions in English, no special recipes....I think I'll have to search the blogs of people that already own one.</div>
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That being said, Seth and I have gotten back on a low-carb diet. I feel less gross already. I also stopped craving sugar already! This diet is my favorite of all diets. Despite it's controversial history I totally believe that you can make low-carb a life-style and not just a few month long diet.</div>
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Eating on a low calorie diet however, makes me want to rip my hair out.</div>
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Our church had a guest preacher yesterday, a man named Justin Anderson who is soon launching a church in San Francisco called Redemption Church. His message blew me away. Going back through it in my mind makes me realize how though a sermon can have a similar message of one you've heard before, its all about the delivery. I was broken by the end of it, in the very best way possible. Broken over how I have tried to fit Jesus into all of the broken areas of my life and that simply doesn't work because He offers us a NEW life. He also illustrated the danger of preaching a reduced Gospel, when we reduce the Gospel to solely being about the cross, we miss the beginning half of THE story. The story that God has been writing throughout human history and why we needed Jesus to come and redeem it. We miss the beauty of the grand story of Jesus coming to rescue the world, Jesus didn't just come for me, He came to be the answer to the WORLD. </div>
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It made me realize that my struggle with dissatisfaction lately might be linked to the endless focus on MY sin. I'm now going to refocus on the larger picture of God coming to redeem the world. That is such an easier message to preach to friends and family who don't know the Lord. I'm beyond excited about what God is doing in me, in us.</div>
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Last monday I decided to go out on a proverbial limb, a big limb for me to even consider. I bought some soil, some pots, and some seeds and decided that I was going to grow some vegetables.</div>
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Yep.</div>
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In a couple months we will (hopefully) have homegrown zucchini, squash, bell peppers, and onions. I could have done garlic too, but our town produces enough of that already *snort*.</div>
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This is my last week of working full time at my current job. I am thankful to have had this experience, and grateful that they are letting me stay on part time, but beyond thrilled to finally start substitute teaching.</div>
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The last few months have been draining, frustrating, and tough -- but full of growth. I felt stuck in my job because of our financial situation, because of our health insurance situation, because of my experience ( or lack their of). God has opened the door and allowed it all to work out perfectly, isn't it awesome when He does that?!</div>
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Last week I stressed about health care after I learned that part time at my job means 32 hours a week -- I mean, come on. That meant that Seth and I would be dropped on March 31st. That also means that we would have to get private health care for both of us -- which they say is easy when you're "young and healthy"....not exactly true. We found out last week though, that my mom will be able to put me back on her health insurance, and for me being the more risky and injury prone spouse we couldn't have been more excited!! Now all I have to do is get insurance for my husband who goes to the doctor once every 5 years. Easy peasy. </div>
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I'm excited for this new chapter. I'm overjoyed that I get to spend more time at home, cooking meals, getting chores done, having a normal sense of life again. Maybe I'll read a book, or do a puzzle, or craft! </div>
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Happy Monday friends!</div>
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<a href="http://www.carissagraham.com/search/label/miscellany%20monday"><img align="center" alt="miscellany monday at lowercase letters" hspace="none" src=" http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/ElvishAuthoress/MMbutton3.png " vspace="none" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-7103744916600121062013-03-09T11:52:00.002-08:002013-03-09T11:52:23.281-08:00Evolution of an Afghan<div style="text-align: center;">
My journey with yarn & needles started a few years ago.</div>
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It was actually <a href="http://www.acuppakim.com/">Kim</a> who taught me to knit during our downtime from the Living Christmas tree performances at our church. </div>
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It was super exciting to learn a new craft, but I never really went beyond the square. Knitting is hard, there is a lot of things involved to make it perfect, and the risk of dropping a stitch and making a giant hole is huge. </div>
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I have picked up and put down knitting projects over the years, never quite growing the passion that I needed to be successful. I've been seeing neat crochet projects all over pinterest and the internet lately, and I remember growing up that my grandmother would make me some beautiful stuff with crochet. </div>
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I decided that in 2013 I would learn to crochet. It looked easier and a lot more fun, and the projects looked like I wouldn't get bored with them!</div>
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First thing I did was buy a book, which wasn't really good for this visual learner. You laugh, visual learning is obviously through pictures, but these days with the evolution of videos I realize that I depend on videos to teach me things! The book was ok, but I turned to YouTube to help me with the basics. Once I learned the basics I yearned to start learning granny squares.</div>
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I started looking online at patterns for different granny squares and practicing them. The techniques for making granny squares varies, so I had to make a few of the same pattern before I got the hang of it. Even though my current project is a huge undertaking for a novice crocheter, I am LOVING how it is coming out. I love even more than you can see how much I have progressed in making the squares over the last couple months. </div>
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The beginning: I started with a handful of squares with the same color pattern. It's easier to make multiples at a time working progressively. I make 6 small circles, then do the 2nd layer, then the third on all 6. You get the picture. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9RQrPMmcmfscINj1pHohvL_tPqSf-_8HItW9Hw9YerNADJdoHOKjVaG7MfGHugX6pTKWmw6ZnE6R-AG9iiYIeTigc8NuGrZcIP8F6XAVD3ZFWqkUax6ES-foRP74O6PRfprMlaPtN7k/s1600/IMG_20130118_202252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9RQrPMmcmfscINj1pHohvL_tPqSf-_8HItW9Hw9YerNADJdoHOKjVaG7MfGHugX6pTKWmw6ZnE6R-AG9iiYIeTigc8NuGrZcIP8F6XAVD3ZFWqkUax6ES-foRP74O6PRfprMlaPtN7k/s1600/IMG_20130118_202252.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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After making a few with different patterns, using the same 3 colors, I decided to try and connect them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALTWNFaKYPwPDzBhbBirUmcWs-2GgueYOt5r84kPfIPX-Ve6OZOHffQnp5dIuz1DrDfKjTBeWOv_Qfr08QoZWPepfUekAhIqfG7KeDSun3hQc2zrDb3iXnCsOL-9ykRm9TO4Y-SizYiU/s1600/20130127_191954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALTWNFaKYPwPDzBhbBirUmcWs-2GgueYOt5r84kPfIPX-Ve6OZOHffQnp5dIuz1DrDfKjTBeWOv_Qfr08QoZWPepfUekAhIqfG7KeDSun3hQc2zrDb3iXnCsOL-9ykRm9TO4Y-SizYiU/s1600/20130127_191954.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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It's MUCH harder than it looks. Especially when you are not used to having a consistent needle tension. My first few connections were really tight and puckered in random places. Now that I have the hang of it is getting a lot easier to connect them. </div>
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On superbowl Sunday instead of watching the game, I decided it was time to stitch together everything that I had so far to see how many more squares I would need to complete it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUaoMth-3vmLK-jBJ102G60305XQzDAPSb33g-MDDlTGDhRhn6xQSV7QteFvHIsztBIQMHeFc_tXqXpKlHrp1ri84cMPEm99wDKVnsQaDR8eOP5YpbPmP1dXT4whZ3Ldc41NwfIblxy0/s1600/IMG_20130203_213301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUaoMth-3vmLK-jBJ102G60305XQzDAPSb33g-MDDlTGDhRhn6xQSV7QteFvHIsztBIQMHeFc_tXqXpKlHrp1ri84cMPEm99wDKVnsQaDR8eOP5YpbPmP1dXT4whZ3Ldc41NwfIblxy0/s1600/IMG_20130203_213301.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I saw that I would need A LOT of complete squares to make it as big as I want it.</div>
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But that's ok, I keep learning and growing and its fun!</div>
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I'm also learning how to hide my yarn ends and to make sure the connections are solid. This has been a frustrating process indeed, I would be checking my connections and pull something random, and 3 pieces would suddenly unravel. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5crJbZGTqgD8IVmVUaKxLgz6PjeJ2XrE-DBARg0pdkhoc3AOxpr5b78FKd_N3iegKb0uskBX8MHv7Ney6Q7gpBN7Nd-eMZ2H3LK_8QKXwedxF5wNcKpKTXryWoMxotUJE1oJJicByx0/s1600/20130303_222044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5crJbZGTqgD8IVmVUaKxLgz6PjeJ2XrE-DBARg0pdkhoc3AOxpr5b78FKd_N3iegKb0uskBX8MHv7Ney6Q7gpBN7Nd-eMZ2H3LK_8QKXwedxF5wNcKpKTXryWoMxotUJE1oJJicByx0/s1600/20130303_222044.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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As of today...this is how big it is. </div>
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ah! I just love it. I think I will put a dark blue border around the whole thing when it is finished to give it a polished look.</div>
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Next time I will up to connect them as I go instead of stitching them all together when I have a certain amount of squares done...that makes for less cutting yarn and hiding ends. </div>
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Thanks for following me on this journey.</div>
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I am so excited to show you the finished product when the time comes!</div>
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Happy Saturday :)</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-73956822113071241192013-03-07T06:00:00.000-08:002013-03-07T08:57:43.585-08:00Raspberry Cream Tart...Or you can just call it "Heaven"<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Pinter-test kitchen!</div>
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I still haven't been doing a lot of pinning lately, but after pinning this recipe and glancing around at what I've been missing, I'm determined to get back on there and find some inspiration! Particularly dinner inspiration, we've been in a funk of taco night and grilled chicken because I'm too lazy to do anything fancier. </div>
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Anyways, I'm really excited to share with you today the most amazing tarte I've ever made. I think it might be the only tarte I've ever made, but I promise it is the BEST.</div>
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Seth and I are part of a wonderful little Neighborhood Group at our church. We meet in our leaders coffee shop, we each bring a part of a meal, and we meet and talk about the sermon and what God is doing in our lives.</div>
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The food themes have been pretty basic over the past couple months: Southern, Breakfast for Dinner, Mexican...and I thought we needed some excitement. On Sunday afternoon after church, I saw one of the girls in our neighborhood group and grabbed her to ask what the food theme was because I hadn't heard yet. She told me that there wasn't one decided so I quickly thought..lets do "Food that starts with the letter....R!" We started dreaming up all of the random things we could make.</div>
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People were a little befuddled about my letter choice, my husband says "Why not Q?".</div>
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But we heard exciting things like ravioli, raddish, rotisserie chicken, rolls, and rice! It was surely going to be interesting. I decided on something "raspberry", and obviously that needed to be a dessert. So off to the internet I went to find something perfect.</div>
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I found this yummy tart on the first link I clicked: I was sold right away.</div>
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At first I was a little intimidated, I mean, that crust looks homemade, and what the heck is a tar pan? This wannabe housewife did not know that there was such thing as a tart pan.</div>
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I did have a pie pan though, a really cute red pie pan that I hadn't used yet. It wasn't quite 11 inches like the recipe called for, I believe mine is about 9 inches, it turned out delicious anyways.</div>
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Here is what you'll need:</div>
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1 16.5 oz roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices</div>
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2 3-ounce package cream cheese -- I don't know what country they make packages of cream cheese that small, I grabbed an 8 ounce package and did just fined.</div>
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1/4 cup sugar</div>
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1 egg</div>
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1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel</div>
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1 tablespoon lemon juice</div>
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla</div>
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2 cups fresh red raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries</div>
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2 teaspoons sugar</div>
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powdered sugar<br />
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1. Press cookie dough slices into bottom and fluted sides of a <b>greased</b> 11-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Do not prick. (Or, press onto bottom of greased 12-inch pizza pan.) Bake in a 350 degrees F oven 20 minutes or until light brown. Remove from oven; set aside. </div>
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Notice how I bolded the word greased? Yea, I forgot to do that, and we were scraping the pieces out of the pan all night because they were stuck. I will make sure I do that next time so we have clean cut pieces!</div>
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1.5 Eat extra cookie dough because your pan might be too small. </div>
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1.8 Marvel at the giant cookie you now have in front of you, and try not to eat it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1K8NniHl_cU4IujJFweBlFVEc2x1Oy7zKl3ufFzr3SNP2-n8VLqNjD31jqw844O5ISV49gJlte6YNfjLfgkjJTmI7GloNBxARauM_P_iuamnhDxQBFV_FFPl_-V2Np4d6G3zFBdZzDc/s1600/20130304_130725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1K8NniHl_cU4IujJFweBlFVEc2x1Oy7zKl3ufFzr3SNP2-n8VLqNjD31jqw844O5ISV49gJlte6YNfjLfgkjJTmI7GloNBxARauM_P_iuamnhDxQBFV_FFPl_-V2Np4d6G3zFBdZzDc/s400/20130304_130725.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. <span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4545; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 19.59375px;">In a small bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add 1/4 cup sugar, egg, lemon peel, lemon juice and vanilla. Beat until combined. Pour cheese mixture over warm crust and spread evenly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4b4545; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19.59375px;">I finally had the chance to use my zester that my MIL bought me. It worked really well! I'm not sure if this counts as "finely shredded" but there weren't any large pieces of lemon zest in the final product so I consider it a success!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;">This was also my first time using my </span>kitchen-aid<span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"> I don't think I can ever go back to stirring something with a fork (my usual method)!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Cd4qgRjbo4eIr6A2gLhE0yFzxMIjaF08cErEhl6oIPjNca52Wf8JF1Cke7CfwYx9ccLt9ybytfq3A0VoIBoaDiI5YILmgktdAtfiDDD2lGNQRkstiSr7DuJVFgRwhhFW4MhX2NlKWDA/s1600/20130304_130419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Cd4qgRjbo4eIr6A2gLhE0yFzxMIjaF08cErEhl6oIPjNca52Wf8JF1Cke7CfwYx9ccLt9ybytfq3A0VoIBoaDiI5YILmgktdAtfiDDD2lGNQRkstiSr7DuJVFgRwhhFW4MhX2NlKWDA/s320/20130304_130419.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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2.5 Try really hard not to eat the filling before you put it inside the giant cookie, I mean crust. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.59375px;">Place the 2 cups raspberries in a single layer on top of cheese mixture. Sprinkle raspberries with 2 teaspoons sugar. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes more or until or until cheese mixture is set. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool for 30 minutes before serving.</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
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Tada!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. <span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4545; line-height: 19.59375px;">Just before serving, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Garnish with additional fresh berries, if you like. Makes 8 servings.</span></span></div>
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You guys......</div>
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I normally don't have a lot of faith in what I cook, but holy smokes, this tarte is to die for.</div>
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The texture of the cream cheese filling mixed with the cookie dough..it is M-O-I-S-T perfection. </div>
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It was completely gone before we left neighborhood group.</div>
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I licked the knife.</div>
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I licked my fingers which scraped the knife.</div>
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It is embarrassingly good. </div>
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Now its your turn to make this delicious treat!</div>
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Thanks, Jess for this fun opportunity! I wouldn't have love handles without it :)</div>
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Oh, PS -- Seth and I have been married for 6 months today. Wahoo! It's gone by so fast :)</center>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-81026703026141588582013-03-05T19:48:00.000-08:002013-03-05T19:48:05.350-08:00Five Things For Today<div style="text-align: center;">
Who doesn't love a little random post on a Tuesday?</div>
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.thestylehatch.com/">The Style Hatch</a> today</div>
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1. God is doing big things in our lives right now. It's exciting, and scary. Scary because I'm suddenly not in control and I'm afraid I'm going to sabotage things. But excited because when God is in control, he tends to NOT sabotage things. It's crazy and wonderful, and makes me flutter with excitement of what's coming.<br />
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I just finished Genesis for the first time, and I loved it. I was so excited to start Exodus that I found myself reading on my lunch break. What? Praise Jesus for what He's doing, clearly that is not a desire that I planted in myself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoITFz5K-1Z8S3jCCx6NeM53D_QEV3ygI6Vsjy_T9bFtu9hr0XZ9GvnQcUMOtjI2AzUoFeRjspqSRpSeKBt3Op6yywGneR7TxP2Tn0XIYLVtDPTVQSXhqKutu1Z90LrtrPJ1u7FfiFuQ/s1600/20130304_180856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoITFz5K-1Z8S3jCCx6NeM53D_QEV3ygI6Vsjy_T9bFtu9hr0XZ9GvnQcUMOtjI2AzUoFeRjspqSRpSeKBt3Op6yywGneR7TxP2Tn0XIYLVtDPTVQSXhqKutu1Z90LrtrPJ1u7FfiFuQ/s1600/20130304_180856.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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2. Most of my friends know that I like to change furniture around...more than the average person. My bed in my parents house has probably been situated on every wall and faced every direction possible over the years. We currently don't have a lot of options for furniture spacing in our place, so to feed my need to rearrange, I moved my coffee maker to a new spot and created a new coffee corner. Obviously having a new coffee corner means you need a new mug, enter cutest ampersand mug in the world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RrKw-pm9vrFGNiljgchxh5Ms-4YekpcJRWcHPPLY4VUFextID1zGt9kux_FxUVAflQ9pd50ZCjDQJxGfbDJY5JhQqKCCB_PEMFRuNCfDMVq6GnC2SVBreX3mMZiAYlaUNo4WvDdQJZk/s1600/20130304_131956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RrKw-pm9vrFGNiljgchxh5Ms-4YekpcJRWcHPPLY4VUFextID1zGt9kux_FxUVAflQ9pd50ZCjDQJxGfbDJY5JhQqKCCB_PEMFRuNCfDMVq6GnC2SVBreX3mMZiAYlaUNo4WvDdQJZk/s1600/20130304_131956.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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3. My husband is a rock star. Seth is going to be an intern in April for a major airplane...thing. I clearly don't know the technical stuff, but I do know that he is rocking it in school and I couldn't be more proud of him. </div>
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The internship does kind of mess up our plans to go to Seattle though, which is a bummer, but I know there will be other opportunities coming..especially with a potential job change for me with substitute teaching. </div>
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4. I'm kinda ready for winter to be over. I'm sure I will regret saying that when June comes and it is 100* outside and we are melting in our little attic of a home..but right now I'm kind of frozen in the morning. And I have to stand in front of the fireplace to warm up. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBUae01dG7v3o62jT7zmKx4P6_jOH5BVh-ojfBcdsJHLpcIERnj9_rvKBRBf-TwWbkqL0UBgwkrlfF3zQHTfM7XrRzsldTUObGUcEurE0hyphenhyphenQwuuLfDXO2tK9XOPRMQTA65eCLckIpxmE/s1600/IMG_20130221_090428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBUae01dG7v3o62jT7zmKx4P6_jOH5BVh-ojfBcdsJHLpcIERnj9_rvKBRBf-TwWbkqL0UBgwkrlfF3zQHTfM7XrRzsldTUObGUcEurE0hyphenhyphenQwuuLfDXO2tK9XOPRMQTA65eCLckIpxmE/s1600/IMG_20130221_090428.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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5. We are taking the plunge and becoming members at our <a href="http://gardencitysanjose.com/#/welcome">church</a>. That is something I thought we wouldn't do for a long time, but we both feel God's call to commit and serve in this body. This is yet another place we are seeing God move. God is moving us out of our comfort zones and into a place where we are mold-able and movable and active. I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't nervous. </div>
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Here is me and a couple girls in our neighborhood group doing dishes after group. Both of them have been such blessings in our new life in the South Bay. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCkWW6WJLO3WyjxXc4aWbGqhDkUG6C195hn0dKBLAvi4F9kmBrxGFnTiA5Oc4_8nozAv6xro9d3PRvl-rJmUPUqh4GGsVptnWn3t6tD21CUlzIh0G5bAoexOd9qHU4ORkqAIqVO95gvk/s1600/Screenshot_2013-03-05-19-39-32.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCkWW6WJLO3WyjxXc4aWbGqhDkUG6C195hn0dKBLAvi4F9kmBrxGFnTiA5Oc4_8nozAv6xro9d3PRvl-rJmUPUqh4GGsVptnWn3t6tD21CUlzIh0G5bAoexOd9qHU4ORkqAIqVO95gvk/s1600/Screenshot_2013-03-05-19-39-32.png" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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I guess this is kind of how our conversation would go if we sat down for coffee. I'd be all over the place, spewing out random factoids at life to anyone who will listen, cause let's be real, I barely have time to talk to my husband about anything these days! I'll be back on Thursday to tell you about the amazing tarte I brought to said Neighborhood group.</div>
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Happy Tuesday, friends!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-350712888919705262013-02-27T18:04:00.003-08:002013-02-27T18:08:56.005-08:00Word of the Year: Genuine<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, I'm two months late on the "word of the year" trend. I'll be honest, at first I thought the idea was kind of silly. But as I've been asked to ponder questions lately like, "where is your life going?" "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" "what are your long term goals?"...I started thinking about setting myself some personal goals. I tend to sell myself short, I have always lacked confidence, so having faith in myself and faith in my goals is new to me. </div>
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But I do not lack hope. The past couple months I have been committing to tuning in to what God is saying. I have been consistent in reading scripture daily for the first time in years. I know that God is doing a lot in my life right now, not that this is new or anything, but I'm finally listening and it feels good. It makes me sad I've taken this long to wake the heck up.<br />
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In light of all of that, I want to commit to a simpler idea. And I want that idea to spread like wildfire in my life. <br />
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I've decided to commit to the word:</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; cursor: default;">1.free</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; cursor: default;">from</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; cursor: default;">pretense,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; cursor: default;">affectation,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; cursor: default;">or</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; cursor: default;">hypocrisy;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; cursor: default;">sincere:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.Truly what something is said to be; authentic</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Or I also like urban dictionaries definition: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Meaning "genuinely a good kid", someone who doesn't drink or do drugs, etc.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: inherit;">Yo dawg, you wanna go smoke?</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Nah man, I'm genuine</i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></div>
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I want to be genuine to everyone I am in contact with. I want everyone to know the same side of me, no different personalities, no switching sides depending on who my audience is. I want my attitude and actions to present someone who is genuine, who means what they say and who does what they say they're going to do. To actually pray when I say I will, to be the first one to resolve a conflict, to own up to my mistakes and sins, to be authentic in my love for the people in my life, and to do things with a full heart. </div>
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I want my actions to be marked with an uprightness of character, not for my own glory but to the glory of Christ. It's time my life started looking more like Jesus and less like I'm over here running my own show. </div>
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I want to finish what I start, go to the ends of the earth for people, I want to be genuine in my love. </div>
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I'm joining in on this word of the year business because I need that reminder, I need something practically stapled to my forehead to remember it. My hope is that the practice of genuine-ity becomes over time not a practice, but just a normal way of life. That it becomes a part of me. </div>
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I want to keep this in the forefront of my mind every day so that when I look at my life next year it will be marked by a more genuine spirit, not just marked but covered. </div>
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Join me, friends, as I start on this journey.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-6742904874422994412013-02-26T19:34:00.002-08:002013-02-26T19:34:29.517-08:00Hi<div style="text-align: center;">
Welp, turns out I'm not so good at keeping up on blogging these days. </div>
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Surprise, I'm BUSY.</div>
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Exciting news though...I've just started my own business in partnership with Rodan + Fields and am now an independent consultant. It is a really exciting opportunity that I feel lucky to share with my friends and family. I have been busy planning, networking, and getting people interested in the products. As hard and discouraging as it is sometimes to even get people to RSVP I am pressing on in hopes of gaining financial freedom in the future. </div>
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It's easy to sell a product that you believe in. In fact, I bought in before I had tried the products, that's how confident I am in Rodan + Fields. I got my products two weeks ago and am already enjoying smoother, less red, less dry, less flaky skin! I have also stopped wearing face makeup, which is very freeing! </div>
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I'll keep you updated with progress photos eventually, you know when I actually turn on my camera, or open my desk for that matter. </div>
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In the meantime you can visit my website... jvannuys.myrandf.com</div>
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Other exciting things have been happening around these parts..</div>
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I FINALLY got my license to substitute teach in CA. I have been waiting since last May to have the finished...but now there are a million other pieces of paper that they need to consider me in a district. Of course, right? It's ok, though. I feel comforted by God that He is leading and lighting the way. </div>
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Penelope is getting better, so we think. She now has oral medication that she actually enjoys taking. I accidentally spilled some on the counter a couple days ago and she licked it up all by herself..turns out I wont be needing to force it down her throat. Yippee! She has also been very sassy lately too, hence the head cocked to one side. Such hams these two are together. </div>
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Life continues moving super fast, I'm waiting for the day I can jump off the crazy train and back into a life I can enjoy.</div>
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My coworker told me that I needed a hobby, something to do when I'm not at work to keep my mind busy. I laughed thinking, I have SO many hobbies...but when was the last time I indulged them? When was the last time I did anything on my day off besides laundry, scrubbing toilets, and grocery shopping?</div>
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I took her advice, and yesterday on my day off I decided to go thrifting. I found some fantastic things...a box for a friend that I transformed with buttons, a cute little shelf, a new game for Seth and I to play with our neighborhood group, and a new puzzle.</div>
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I'm hoping that doing things I actually like will bring back my sparkle. Hopefully my smile, too.</div>
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Keep me in your prayers for new opportunities and places to grow. I feel God doing something, but it's never easy to be sure exactly what it is until it hits you smack dab in the face. </div>
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I'll write about something real here soon, I promise.</div>
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xo.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-84276576824883894762013-02-15T14:19:00.003-08:002013-02-15T14:19:37.275-08:00Kitty Chronicles: It's Tough...<div style="text-align: center;">
Being the cutest kitty in the world. </div>
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P has ringworm. And we have to bathe her every 3 days. It is one of the saddest events that takes place during our week. And bloodiest. </div>
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Seth is taking the scratching like a champ...I just stand back and squeal. </div>
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Thanks for letting me dump pictures of our kitty.</div>
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We are happy parents.</div>
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We love our little snuggler so much!</div>
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Happy Friday!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12078417267642842911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6739296061830393375.post-81498368424204670372013-02-11T16:26:00.000-08:002013-02-11T16:26:17.778-08:00Wedding Recap: Getting Dressed<div style="text-align: center;">
BM and I just passed the 5 month mark. Time has flown since we got married and moved here to Garlic Land. It's funny, the time looking back on when I was unemployed seemed to go on forever, but it was only one and a half months. God was good in allowing us to not be so busy those first couple months, I appreciate that time so much more now looking back. Working full time is no fun, I desperately miss being home, and I'd be lying if I said I was grateful for my job all the time. </div>
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So on my day off, after all the laundry has been done, and groceries have been put away, I have some time to myself and get to blog. Oh how I miss this little space, I miss getting to read my favorite blogs, I miss the connections. </div>
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Today I am happy to relive moments leading up to the ceremony, I swear one day I'll get to actually blog the main event!</div>
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We arrived at the venue around 2:00. Thomas Fogarty is way up in the hills of Woodside, and it takes a while to get there. Looking back, I wish I would have reserved the winery so we could be there earlier. Having 2.5 hours to get ALL of the ladies makeup done is not enough time at all! </div>
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Boys have it so easy. All they had to do was show up, get dressed, and put a little gel in their hair...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFtgAE1Ebnxmzwcu5Nl29CCoQZeI9LW7jGzdDeLpDktrYl9YTso9fvLZkWCWFgANZNSjl71_270M6CMjlUdi9yo36zQ8_0Qccb8gHIENNm1Ao3FquwPAOxwYBb0lVoCtOkp_d33ZN8EE/s1600/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFtgAE1Ebnxmzwcu5Nl29CCoQZeI9LW7jGzdDeLpDktrYl9YTso9fvLZkWCWFgANZNSjl71_270M6CMjlUdi9yo36zQ8_0Qccb8gHIENNm1Ao3FquwPAOxwYBb0lVoCtOkp_d33ZN8EE/s320/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They even had time to play!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAX-bUEUMJZIXC8B5KxHWMxQsiZWB1yHtTmP3GBOosiuH3SGZEd2dJ-QIEe8f2niRNQXjBQa8eLG3MFT_UE96yy2fkY_wxogWoaxnhO0xOuf0tMFIPK380yZBFT-NXc_D4LaYzQqs-ZZU/s1600/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAX-bUEUMJZIXC8B5KxHWMxQsiZWB1yHtTmP3GBOosiuH3SGZEd2dJ-QIEe8f2niRNQXjBQa8eLG3MFT_UE96yy2fkY_wxogWoaxnhO0xOuf0tMFIPK380yZBFT-NXc_D4LaYzQqs-ZZU/s400/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile...</div>
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I was FREAKING OUT. </div>
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Clearly not showing it in this photo.</div>
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Amidst people asking me every 30 seconds if I was "OK", my dress being wrinkly, me worrying that all the decorations were getting put together correctly, I was having a mini meltdown on the inside. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzQ2EwP90dZFthrKYlpQ6Z8EzekOxHIQxnorVfvFu5qFZ1hUlpFcKo6R6TXUsfeQGqO65wdlEVwXxOkRD_PvAhMcE5nwKza5Iz6pU-CP1-KfUVOVPvfbX9GbxhciAu75COjeCYWQ4Cjs/s1600/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzQ2EwP90dZFthrKYlpQ6Z8EzekOxHIQxnorVfvFu5qFZ1hUlpFcKo6R6TXUsfeQGqO65wdlEVwXxOkRD_PvAhMcE5nwKza5Iz6pU-CP1-KfUVOVPvfbX9GbxhciAu75COjeCYWQ4Cjs/s320/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So that's when you go outside and ask Jesus to calm your nerves.</div>
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And He did just that. I returned to the room ready to get dressed and walk down that aisle. </div>
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Ok seriously, I have a dashingly handsome husband. </div>
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Little did we know that the thumbs up would be our token symbol for the whole day!</div>
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We all started getting dressed and put together the finishing touches...</div>
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like handkerchiefs</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-RNCFXGbCTIph3iZa5hCbEdNJLiWN2rGUrbHT9UQk8zmK2fCF7sxpdtoqEl_geBEDyesz6KrTwCERi0tVj8oY0hqptDqTDz34eIgPCnaXTmDzgpaDOzlV5Jt5o4E21Ek9OPyfpzddv8/s1600/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-RNCFXGbCTIph3iZa5hCbEdNJLiWN2rGUrbHT9UQk8zmK2fCF7sxpdtoqEl_geBEDyesz6KrTwCERi0tVj8oY0hqptDqTDz34eIgPCnaXTmDzgpaDOzlV5Jt5o4E21Ek9OPyfpzddv8/s320/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0077.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and hairspray. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUn1YxUzdOYYzP8acsCPjHl8cS6mtmgDxFuVJ7trMkItg1W9WhC9mntPyxsu-lE6Rrhoe0GyK9iiHSjvSxIgqEc_sA8PdehyphenhyphenQOzoFdS91bWYmF_vGpMAANcwwQFU3iRzfYaCxbHX9CdI/s1600/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUn1YxUzdOYYzP8acsCPjHl8cS6mtmgDxFuVJ7trMkItg1W9WhC9mntPyxsu-lE6Rrhoe0GyK9iiHSjvSxIgqEc_sA8PdehyphenhyphenQOzoFdS91bWYmF_vGpMAANcwwQFU3iRzfYaCxbHX9CdI/s320/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0094.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then it was time to put my dress on.</div>
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Cue sweat.</div>
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A LOT of sweat.</div>
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They should install fans inside wedding dresses.</div>
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Just saying. </div>
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Cue funny moments. </div>
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Cue precious moments. </div>
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Cue last minute fixings. </div>
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ta da!</div>
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Hi handsome :)</div>
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I'm so glad we decided not to do a first look.</div>
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It made walking down the aisle all the more special. </div>
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As 5:00PM approached my thoughts were pretty overwhelming.</div>
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No second thoughts, of course. No worries, those were pointless to think about now. </div>
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In my attempt to soak it all in, I think my mind just froze.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMImlWF0VJufdP6HVz5zRV6O_nRlz_9pXz2XVIsUqsVSjFZBOn8Rxt2yf12zcCid2_KYLKi2wEjjeGDYbbQ5TUPT-7xCGyTyWXkefyCH8UsQypwi_lDf3XEb4TlHJijO_j_ObJqrPMeyU/s1600/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMImlWF0VJufdP6HVz5zRV6O_nRlz_9pXz2XVIsUqsVSjFZBOn8Rxt2yf12zcCid2_KYLKi2wEjjeGDYbbQ5TUPT-7xCGyTyWXkefyCH8UsQypwi_lDf3XEb4TlHJijO_j_ObJqrPMeyU/s320/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0151.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then my mama teared up.</div>
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And we had a moment.</div>
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That special mother-daughter moment. </div>
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After the bridesmaids left and my mama got seated, I knew it was getting close.</div>
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My dad showed up in the dressing room to see me for the first time.</div>
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He was scared to even look at me.</div>
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His little baby girl getting married.</div>
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He should write a blog post on the emotions of the event for him!</div>
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Champagne is a good way to calm nerves....</div>
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right?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mw5HLecibO7okif4c97gEuiiVQWI9ukcPBDJPDj9m_BtYjGTtxMTBk1Lyj4grG9SoYI6aGgX0OpQWx8k4XAPHajGJ_aLfUq2BVBhMQkQAPdg9ZMwk75-9lFhG4cWw7E7pi5_41GtF18/s1600/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mw5HLecibO7okif4c97gEuiiVQWI9ukcPBDJPDj9m_BtYjGTtxMTBk1Lyj4grG9SoYI6aGgX0OpQWx8k4XAPHajGJ_aLfUq2BVBhMQkQAPdg9ZMwk75-9lFhG4cWw7E7pi5_41GtF18/s400/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We scuttled up the back way so I wouldn't be seen.</div>
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Walking up a steep hill in a wedding dress on a warm day isn't the most comfortable.</div>
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I'm thankful my dad helped me carry my dress. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipou6q2nK8jl-PhIjqL7obIacIyTZfmbE7QTsgt2znEBQv-rJA3scEv06CBX7Wwpqzgoibw9CEU4y3iEO9thOyuYoTbWM6B5BB5wrz-ias0K3fBSY4qYFJEExZd2DST4SemGVsE9Fa0us/s1600/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipou6q2nK8jl-PhIjqL7obIacIyTZfmbE7QTsgt2znEBQv-rJA3scEv06CBX7Wwpqzgoibw9CEU4y3iEO9thOyuYoTbWM6B5BB5wrz-ias0K3fBSY4qYFJEExZd2DST4SemGVsE9Fa0us/s400/Seth+Jamie+Weddi-0226.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then...</div>
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just like that it was time to walk down the aisle. </div>
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7 months of preparation.</div>
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7 months of excitement.</div>
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7 months of crazy were about to come together.</div>
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Next time I'll recap the ceremony, the best part of the entire day.</div>
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BEST.</div>
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Thanks for joining me on this journey, friends.</div>
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